After a 7am flight from San Diego to Seattle, lunch in whole foods and 2 hour drive to the Anacortes Ferry Launch I could either be frustrated by their energy or captivated by it. We choose to play peek a boo.

Despite the empty looking hallway, there were plenty of passengers on the Ferry. In this shot, I used a hallway door to hide all of the passengers sitting in the window seats and enjoying the clear and sunny day.

In addition to hiding distracting elements (people) the use of an object in the foreground adds depth and the repeating  benches add texture.

What gives this image a feeling of intimacy is that it is real. While not impossible to stage, the memory that accompanies this photo is real and that's what makes a special family memory. 

When taking family photos, don't forget to photograph the natural interactions that your family has. This will remind us that in this stage "E" is always demanding that someone "Carry Me!" 

At some point, when you become the "family photographer" people will do two different things. Sometimes, they will hide and sometimes they will ask you to take a picture. 

While meandering about "N" asked me to take a picture so she could see it. I obliged and now we have this treasure. Much easier than an unwilling subject.

While there are several pictures of Patrick playing with "E" and "N" it is the pictures of them totally focused with eye contact that were the most compelling. You can almost feel the anticipation in this picture.

In the first photo you have anticipation and in this photo you have action. "N" is squealing with delight as she plummets less than a foot.