These are the last photos I have to share from my time at Pike Valley Farm in Kentucky.
Although Kristin was on light bed rest, her active soul was going nearly stir crazy. She wanted to show me the lake. You get to the lake from the top of the hill, climbing down steep stone steps to the little cove and dock owned by the farm. She says during the hot summer, they came here almost every day. I can see why. It's cool and soothing, and awakens your soul the way only nature can.
And of course, our sons, Zeke and Jax, were in heaven. The sunshine, the grass, the fall leaves, the shadows, the light. It was cool in the shade and hot in the sun. Perfect.
These, and the photos of Kristin playing the piano, are the closest I got to maternity portraits while I was there. I think she looks beautiful pregnant. In fact, I think pregnancy makes all women prettier. New life is being generated, and it's visible.
I never got posed portraits of the family.... Daniel would come in after dark many days. And sometimes, posing for pictures just isn't what you feel like doing. So instead, I tried to capture as many of the candid, daily-life happenings that occurred constantly while I was there. To see inside their beautiful life, and cozy home, and deep, deep love for each other.
Honestly, I think these are the best kind of photos. The ones where you dress everyone up in coordinating outfits, and stand awkwardly in positions you'd never assume in real life, smiling your fake smile - they're fine. But they're not always alive. Sometimes they can be, if everyone can somehow relax, and the jester of the family cracks a good joke, and the baby cries so the momma kisses her on the forehead. Then the alive part of the life gets captured. I was thrilled to see, and photograph, everyday life in the Pike home. I think the photos truly reflect who they are, and it's something beautiful and treasured.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to visit, and call folks like this friends.
