Yes. I do indeed photograph families! Ellen and Ken’s Harkness maternity session is beautiful proof of this. I am realizing the more I see past clients of mine with families who don’t come to me for sessions with their families, the more I am realizing that I do not indeed share this enough. I LOVE PHOTOGRAPHING FAMILIES! Most people think (I am guessing here) that I really only photograph MY family, because I happen to have kids who really enjoy being photographed. I don’t take this for granted, trust me.
My favorite part about photographing families is watching them grow and evolve over the years. I can remember meeting with Ellen and Ken, Ellen’s Mom Christine and their planner Emma during our first initial meeting for their wedding. Now, at this point Ellen and Ken weren’t even engaged! But they had a planner, a date, a venue and ultimately me because hey, when they know they know! And they sure knew they wanted to marry one another. I loved that so much, and felt instantly connected to them during our meeting.
Flash forward to their planned wedding date of April 18, 2020 and I am sure I don’t need to tell you all what happened there. Plans changed, they ultimately were married of course, but sooner and with a much smaller group than they had originally planned.
When Ellen reached out for her maternity session she mentioned wanting some kind of gardens and a variety of landscape to be photographed in. I knew in a literal instant where we would be going. Harkness Park in Waterford CT is the absolute most versatile place for everything from a maternity session, family sessions, engagement sessions and weddings. I just absolutely LOVE this park every season!
The end of May has Harkness Park just BURSTING with flowers. Iris, peonies, wisteria, Azelea are all just bananas in bloom.
No matter the season, this Japanese Maple tree is always a hit with literally every photographer in the world. OK CT but whatever its a gorgeous little spot that also doubles as a the former owner’s pet cemetery!
Benny was perfect for our session! I love including pets during our sessions. My only requirement is to bring a handler to manage the dog(s) so we can focus on what we need to do when the pups aren’t in the photographs! Ellen’s Mom was Benny’s handler for their engagement session last year so she knew the drill and was already prepared!
The late afternoon light was absolutely delicious.
I had only been to Harkness one other time when I caught the wisteria in full, glorious bloom and man I was a shouting FOOL when I saw that we caught it this time!! YEE HAW!
Yeah, this pink and green azelea / fern combo got me super fired up! I was a donkey on the edge!!!
UNTIL I CAME HERE!!! Then I just about lost my mind! Can you even????
boop. Come on little Benny, I see you!!!
Like I always say to everyone I walk on this beach- it literally feels like we are in North Carolina or something. It just doesn’t feel like a typical CT beach here, and I am so in love with it!
I maaaaay start a series of my couples reactions when the cold water hits them for the first time!
At this point you can maybe see I am getting obsessed with that Little Rock and the splashing and such. MAYBE I AM. MAYBE.
Yes. My sweet Ellen got a little soaked here! She knows what’s important guys!!!!! The photos!!!! I am obsessed with this series.
What is better than a Harkness maternity session in the spring I ask you? WHAT?
Ellen and Ken. What can I even say here?? I LOVED seeing you both and laughing and getting competitive together. I think we can all say we crushed this session! I can’t wait to meet your little boo when they arrive! Thank you for trusting me with your family, it means the world!
To see more family sessions and sessions at Harkness Park in Waterford CT by CT family photographer Carla Ten Eyck, click the links below:
Colleen + Kristyn’s Winter Maternity Session, Manchester CT
Hope + Owen’s Spring Maternity Session at The UCONN Law School, Hartford CT
Lorenzo + Jessie’s Sunday Morning Family Day, Hartford CT
Lauryn + CJ’s Baby Session, West Hartford CT
Kristen + Brian’s Late Summer Engagement Session, Harkness Park, Waterford CT
Jennifer + Jared’s Spring Engagement Session, Harkness Park, Waterford CT
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