grandparents heirloom story session – this heirloom story session is one that I hold dearly to my heart and am so grateful that my grandparents opened up their hearts and story for this session.
*updated september 2019: my grandfather passed away peacefully april 2019 at 98 years old. my grandmother misses him every day.
* updated september 2020: my grandmother passed away peacefully september 2020, one week after she turned 98. we like to think that she made sure she was the same age as henry.
many of my sessions are spent documenting wonderful moments of life from experiencing pregnancy, to bringing home a little newborn or new family traditions and i now it’s time to celebrate more of the history. the couple who have spent their lives together, long past when their kids have moved out, started their own families, and bringing their grandchildren over for visits. to those who have been waking up for the past thirty-plus years doing the same thing each morning: a newspaper, coffee, and donuts or playing card games with a long tally of who’s winning.
if you’re interested in an heirloom story session or want to learn more about our heirloom story session, let’s connect.
one of the many things that i love about being a photographer is capturing these moments and memories for the family to remember. the small fingers and toes, the way a child’s fingers wrap around mom’s hair or clings onto her shirt. i capture these beautiful moments of young families and it dawned on me. what about the true beginnings of a family? where does the family line start, how did they meet, what was their first date? we are very fortunate to still have my grandparents with us and i knew that i needed to head to arizona to spend time with them and do a grandparent’s heirloom story session.
grandma turns 93 this week while grandpa turns 95 next month. they just celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary* and they are amazing. grandma always has great stories while grandpa always has great one-liners.
here are just some of my personal favorites that just gives a little insight into their weekend. my mind was working overtime remembering all the quotes but goodness it was all worth it.
and i couldn’t ask for anything more perfect. the newspaper headline one morning? just perfect.
“oh shoot, you’re taking pictures already?! but we’re not doing anything but watching jeopardy” – gma
“each morning i give your grandpa his vitamins. and i need to keep reminding him” — gma
“i never did propose. i asked her to move in with me into the barracks” – gpa
“what a stinker, he never proposed. and he asked after the third date!” – gma
“you know where i met your grandmother? at her boyfriends” – gpa chuckling
“you know your father started walking at eight months. and he was everywhere. he hasn’t stopped.” – gma
“these were my mother and father’s. they got them shortly after they were married which was 1917. i really treasure these.” – gma
“ah my sicilian family. and my mother. she was a nurse and oh i love her getup. you know…losing your mother when you’re fourteen, it’s devastating. it still is…”
“i didn’t take a nap today? i was too busy to nap” – gpa
“what time are we going to bingo?” – gpa
“i’ve never won bingo here before.” – gpa
five minutes later “i got bingo!” – gpa
“have i shown you the library? it’s nice. they have all these books that you can borrow. and puzzles” – gpa
“i don’t do puzzles. i’m too busy and don’t have enough time” – gpa
“i always like the art and paintings here” – gma
“we’re in the national wii bowling competition starting next week. we need to practice” – gma
“we won bowling?! we won!” – gpa
“my makeup? just blush. i always need my blush.” – gma
“i love you” – gma
“ditto” – gpa
“did you just ditto me?!” – gma
“i did. ditto” – gpa chuckling
“my favorite memory growing up? swimming in the hudson river. oh and there was a place we used to go too. b.a.b. you know what b.a.b was? bare ass beach. funny how memories are triggered.” -gpa
“i like it here. but i miss having our home.” – gpa
this heirloom story session is also featured on fearless and framed.
Photos by Kim E is a Bay Area photographer that specializes in fun and unique sessions.
