Family Photos 2013

Let's go back. Back to the time before Tanner and the girls. Let's go back 7 years to be exact.

I was attending university in Lethbridge and living with some of the most amazing roommates and friends anyone could ask for, one of them being MaryLou. (Hey, Mare! I miss you.) She has a cousin, Darren, who at the time was fresh off his mission and exploring his talent for photography. MaryLou and I were willing subjects. I remember this photo shoot well, as I was still recovering from knee surgery and needed crutches and it was also the first time I ever straightened my hair with an actual flat iron (and not a regular iron you use on your laundry. Ha!)

I remember talking to Darren about his passion for photography. He talked about his desire and hesitation to become a professional photographer. While being fun and fulfilling, he was uncertain of how such a profession could support a family.

Today, I am proud to say that Darren followed his passion and has become the most talented photographer I know. Period. He now runs his own business, Darren Roberts Photography, with a focus on film photography (you know, the kind that you actually develop!) and is truly an artist.

Earlier this summer he held a fundraiser for his sister-in-law Jocelyn who is heroically battling two types of lung cancer. She is the mother to two little children and wife to a devoted husband who is a full-time student striving to finish his degree. You can imagine the financial stress they must be under. Participants in the fundraiser received a 30 minute session with all proceeds going to Jocelyn and her family. Darren's fundraiser raised over $7500 for the Ogrins Family. Incredible.

Even through I hadn't seen Darren in person for several years I have been keeping tabs on him and his business (thanks Social Media!) and had to jump on this opporunity. Timing was iffy, however, as the fundraiser dates were going to be so close to my induction date and I knew our little baby would be spending 1-2 weeks in the hospital. We booked it anyway and hoped for the best. In the end, June, at only 10 days old, was out of the hospital just in time for our session. YAY!

Darren was awesome and worked so hard the day of our session as he had around 20 1/2 hour sessions booked. I mean, wow. It was great to see him again and have him photograph our my family. I told him it was too bad he only normally shoots for weddings and editorials, because he is SO great with children. My little Gwen had a mini-crush on him by the end of the half hour! I'm not surprised, though. He has three little babes of his own.

So here they are my friends! BEHOLD! The Allreds!

Thanks Darren! We love them!