Mrs. Vakili… to be

May 7, 2012

Valarie and her fiance, Josh, are some close friends of ours. They’re in our small group with our church and we just love ’em. They’re getting married in a few short weeks and to help celebrate, Valarie’s sisters, mother-in-law-to-be, and mama all came to town to help throw her a shower.

Or course, her precious little baby niece made her appearance between naps.

Isn’t she a doll baby?!?

Valarie, with her mother-in-law and her mama.

Just lovely.

And… the picture that makes me wish I had sisters…

Doesn’t that just look like fun? My friend has a saying that, “women are the glue that hold a family together.” If that’s true then this family is truly blessed with 4 ladies to keep them close.

Congratulations Valarie and Josh! I can’t wait to photograph you again on your WEDDING DAY!

sarahgrayphoto

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Maternity • Newborns • Babies • Family
Photographer based in Tallahassee, Florida
Master Baby, Family, and Maternity Photographer awarded by @napcp

I almost didn`t post this.

Our country turns 250 this year. I was in the middle of editing a gallery when that number actually stopped me.

I have four kids — 6, 11, 15, and 17. I`ve spent years telling other families that childhood is fleeting, that these seasons pass before you`re ready, that photographs are one of the most meaningful ways you hold onto them.

I`ve said it hundreds of times.

And then I sat there and realized I needed to take my own advice.

So this summer, I`m photographing all four of my kids in what I`m calling Heirloom Portraits. Not elaborate. Not trendy. Just simple, timeless portraits that show exactly who they are right now — in the year America turned 250.

Because someday I want them to show these to their own kids and say, "This is who I was that year."

That thought made the decision easy.

I`ve opened a small number of spots for other families who`ve been quietly wanting the same thing. Details are linked in my bio.

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 18135795787562107

I almost didn't post this.

Our country turns 250 this year. I was in the middle of editing a gallery when that number actually stopped me.

I have four kids — 6, 11, 15, and 17. I've spent years telling other families that childhood is fleeting, that these seasons pass before you're ready, that photographs are one of the most meaningful ways you hold onto them.

I've said it hundreds of times.

And then I sat there and realized I needed to take my own advice.

So this summer, I'm photographing all four of my kids in what I'm calling Heirloom Portraits. Not elaborate. Not trendy. Just simple, timeless portraits that show exactly who they are right now — in the year America turned 250.

Because someday I want them to show these to their own kids and say, "This is who I was that year."

That thought made the decision easy.

I've opened a small number of spots for other families who've been quietly wanting the same thing. Details are linked in my bio.

The trip is already planned.
The people you love are already going to be there.

The cousins will be running in the sand. Someone will be wrangling the toddler. Your mother-in-law will have the snacks. And somewhere in the middle of all that beautiful chaos, you`ll think — we should really get some photos while everyone is together.

That thought? Trust it.

You don`t need a perfectly orchestrated session to get images worth keeping. You just need someone there to capture what`s already happening — the real stuff, the in-between stuff, the stuff that disappears faster than you expect.

That`s exactly what a vacation session is. Nothing manufactured. Nothing forced. Just your people, in a place that already means something, photographed with real care.

If your family has a trip to the Forgotten Coast coming up and that thought has crossed your mind — I`d love to chat. Inquiries are open in my bio.
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#ForgottenCoast #30A #StTeresa #ForgottenCoastPhotographer #FamilyPhotographer #VacationSessionPhotographer #FamilyPhotography #BeachFamilyPhotos #GulfCoastPhotographer #FloridaBeachPhotographer #FamilyLegacy #PrintYourPhotos #MemoryKeeper #FamilySessionPhotographer #TravelingPhotographer

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 17930571162329116

The trip is already planned.
The people you love are already going to be there.

The cousins will be running in the sand. Someone will be wrangling the toddler. Your mother-in-law will have the snacks. And somewhere in the middle of all that beautiful chaos, you'll think — we should really get some photos while everyone is together.

That thought? Trust it.

You don't need a perfectly orchestrated session to get images worth keeping. You just need someone there to capture what's already happening — the real stuff, the in-between stuff, the stuff that disappears faster than you expect.

That's exactly what a vacation session is. Nothing manufactured. Nothing forced. Just your people, in a place that already means something, photographed with real care.

If your family has a trip to the Forgotten Coast coming up and that thought has crossed your mind — I'd love to chat. Inquiries are open in my bio.
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*
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#ForgottenCoast #30A #StTeresa #ForgottenCoastPhotographer #FamilyPhotographer #VacationSessionPhotographer #FamilyPhotography #BeachFamilyPhotos #GulfCoastPhotographer #FloridaBeachPhotographer #FamilyLegacy #PrintYourPhotos #MemoryKeeper #FamilySessionPhotographer #TravelingPhotographer

Mom post here:

I am teary eyed as I type this. Today was the last Elementary Chapel for this 5th grade class (my son’s class). During this “Legacy Chapel” they passed the leadership plaque down to the 4th graders as they prepare to be next year’s lower school leaders.

I am so proud of our current 5th graders. This class has navigated more than anyone would have ever imagined and they have a unique bond amongst each other on this side of those collective pains. They started Kindergarten the year of the pandemic and have seen firsthand the hurt of sickness and death in this fallen world.

Still, they are joyful, playful, hard working, and compassionate in a way that constantly surprises me. No doubt that God has great things in store for them; and our school community is beyond blessed to have each and every one of them and their families as a part of it.

Class of 2033, let’s go!

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 18410931094177652

Mom post here:

I am teary eyed as I type this. Today was the last Elementary Chapel for this 5th grade class (my son’s class). During this “Legacy Chapel” they passed the leadership plaque down to the 4th graders as they prepare to be next year’s lower school leaders.

I am so proud of our current 5th graders. This class has navigated more than anyone would have ever imagined and they have a unique bond amongst each other on this side of those collective pains. They started Kindergarten the year of the pandemic and have seen firsthand the hurt of sickness and death in this fallen world.

Still, they are joyful, playful, hard working, and compassionate in a way that constantly surprises me. No doubt that God has great things in store for them; and our school community is beyond blessed to have each and every one of them and their families as a part of it.

Class of 2033, let’s go!

What my portfolio doesn`t tell you about me

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 18034824026639685

What my portfolio doesn't tell you about me

When was the last time you looked at an old family photo and thought, `I wish fewer people were in this`?

Probably never.

That is exactly why I always say yes when families ask whether they should include the grandparents, the cousins, the aunt and uncle who are only in town for a few days.

When you are not sure, say yes anyway. We will find a way to make it work.

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 18089342786206860

When was the last time you looked at an old family photo and thought, 'I wish fewer people were in this'?

Probably never.

That is exactly why I always say yes when families ask whether they should include the grandparents, the cousins, the aunt and uncle who are only in town for a few days.

When you are not sure, say yes anyway. We will find a way to make it work.

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Memberships and Affiliations

Sarah Gray Photography | Professional Photographer of America Member

Sarah Gray Photography | The Motherhood Anthology Member

Sarah Gray creates timeless and joyful images that are designed for living room walls and photo albums. A tallahassee photographer, Sarah Gray also serves Thomasville, Crawfordville, St. Marks, Gainesville and throughout the panhandle of north Florida and south Georgia.

email us | sarah@sarahgray.com

telephone (850) 321-0208

located in tallahassee, florida