Blended Family Love | Chicagoland family photographer | Water Street Dreams

I’ve been photographing this family for years now,

before their littlest guy was even born!

Say hello to the Splitt family!

Let’s state the obvious right up front, folks.

They’re gorgeous, right?

RIGHT!
Like movie-star gorgeous if there is such a thing.

And you know what?

They’re down to earth and fun and humble

and talented and smart, too!

And they’re solid parents

that love their kids!

What's not to love!

Brian is/was/is a Marine 

and every year I try to thank him for his service for our country.

That’s a big deal in my book.

My kids sleep in safety because he, 

and countless others, 

chose and choose to serve for my freedom.

Brian is one of those dads that totally digs his

family's yearly photo sessions.

He has ideas and likes to find

the perfect spot for the next shot.

He might be this mean lean Marine machine

but the guy has a great appreciation for nature and flowers and beauty.

And he’ll kick your booty if you make fun of him for liking flowers.

I just know it!

*Brody, you crack me up with your hammin' it up for the camera!

Brian absolutely adores all three of his kids,

loving them differently and uniquely.

He’s clearly able to be goofy.
Proof below.

And while I see it at every photo shoot,

it’s worth noting yet again.

Dads love their little girls and their little boys differently.

And it’s quite moving to see that unfold.

Brian, you’re a great dad

and your kids know that you love them!

I firmly believe that children in today’s world

are desperately hungry for a father’s love and touch and wisdom.

Good on you for being a strong, loving dad!

And Lauren.

Let's be really super shallow for a nano-second.

How ON EARTH do you get your arms to look like that?

Like seriously?

We're all wondering,

so I had to ask.

Do tell.

Sorry,
I just COMPLETELY embarrassed you,

didn't I?

But in all seriousness,

I reached out to Lauren

after last week’s session

and asked if I could write about the 

sometimes tricky subject of blended families.

This was written with her permission.

After our first photo session years ago,

I got to my car and reflected on what I had just experienced.

I was moved to tears.

Truly.

And every session since then

I marvel at how well you love your children.

All three of them.

You didn’t birth Sophie,

but you treat her as your own.

Such a beautiful thing to witness,

in a world that is wrought with hatred and anger and mean-spiritedness.

During our sessions,

you specifically ask for images of just you and Sophie.

You love her.

And adore her.

And want her in your life.

My guess is that it might be decades, if ever,
before you’ll know the depth of meaning to Sophie’s heart

of that small act of wanting photos with just her.

You purposely schedule your family photo session during a time

when you know she will be with your family.

Your boys see Sophie as she is;

their big sister.

And that starts with you,

treating her as your daughter.

My guess is you don’t even think twice about it.

That of course you’d love her like she was your own.

But I’ve heard the stories and read the statistics 

and I think blended families can often be really tricky

and sometimes heart-breaking and hurtful.

Seeing your three kids together

shows me that loving well

for the benefit of the children,

can be a beautiful reality.

What a gift for her,

to have the love of two women in her life.

Her birth mom who no doubt loves her deeply.

And you, her stepmom,

whom she chooses to also call mom.

Simply beautiful.

I’ve felt burdened to share this snippet of your story

for years,

because part of my heart

is lifting others up.

Sharing the good about people,

through images and words.

What you don't know

is that I choke back tears every year

when you say,

"Sophie, come here,

I want some photos of just you and me."

That's love.

And kindness.

And tenderness.

All wrapped up in one little sentence

that has to mean the world 

to Sophie deep down in her little heart.

Lauren and Brian,

blended parenting isn't easy,

but you make it look so!

Keep at the hard work of 

living well and loving well

and showing the world

the beauty of a blended family.