When I was scouting locations for the Johnsons’ upcoming session, I found a cool place called the Donut Wheel in downtown Livermore, CA. On the outside, it had retro architecture and bold blue color. Out here in the suburbs, retro style and bold color are very scarce. So, I thought this place would be a cool and unusual place to take some portraits. Then, around the corner from the donut shop, a different place caught my eye. I tucked the idea into the back of my mind. I thought to myself, that would be really interesting, wouldn’t it? Is that too out there? Should I? Do I dare?
Well, I dared.
Just one of the awesome things about the Johnsons was that they were up to the challenge of letting loose, having fun, and doing something different. They trusted me to create a great experience for them, locations and all. When I mentioned that I was taking them to a laundromat, they didn’t hesitate at all. How awesome are they!? It was a huge pleasure to be given carte blanche to create the portraits that I thought were just right for them.
The session started in the family garden. Here is little Dane. He has huge, gorgeous eyes and lashes.
Here is big sister, Addison. She is a spunky girl, who breaks out into dance whenever she feels like it.
After we were finished frolicking in the garden, we went to get delicious ice cream.
Then, we took a spin around the laundromat.
My favorite image is the last one below on the right. I’m completely smitten by it. It has all the essential elements of a great family portrait.
Does it have Dad? Check.
Does it have Mom? Check.
Daughter? Check.
Son? Check.
Are they having a blast? OHMYGOODNESSYESCHECK!
Thank you to the Johnson family! It was a huge privelege to spend time with you!
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WOW!! You never cease to amaze me, but this is just WOW! Every last photo is amazing…and yes, that family photo has everything- definitely should be a super large canvas!
I have been a Friend of the family for 40 yrs so it is great to see Jeremiah’s kids and how much his son looks like him when he was that age. Yes Mr. Johnson I remember you back then.LOL. Miss Jeannie, only one thing to say GREAT JOB and great venue. SK
Amazing photos, Jeannie! Always impressed by how much “feeling” you’re able to capture in your work. Really good stuff
WOW!!! What an awesome session!!! Really! Great location… great family and YOU!!
So very fun! Love the last to pieces!
You have a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing. Love to all
Mom Meyer in Alaska
Oh my goodness, these are SO MUCH FUN. Gorgeous, gorgeous family and they really look like they know how to have a good time together. Very creative!
I LOVE this shoot. What a cool location and an awesome family.
Excellent idea (and shots!)
what a great fun family session – what great colors & fun activities! Great work!
Love these pics! the colors just POP! and the family is just adorable! looks like a great time!!
This family is GORGEOUS! At first I was like ‘wow, what a stunning little boy!’ and then ‘wow, what a stunning little girl!’ and then seeing them all together, sheesh. It’s clear that they have so much fun together, and you’ve done a fantastic job of capturing that!
The photos of Addison dancing are just too precious. I can just picture them in a series of prints on a living room wall. Just lovely.
AHH! I just went and watched the slideshow… this family must be SO happy with the work you’ve done for them! I bet this is something they will watch over and over as their little ones get older. It’s so perfect, I’m a little jealous! Hehe.
Super cute! I love when families choose to wear bright colors and let loose for family shots! You totally captured their energy!
love these! what a good-lookin’ family and such fun locations!!
I love the Laundromat idea – and this family seemed to fit in perfectly. They all look so happy. Great work!
these are awesome- great concept!
Oops! I left my comment on the slide show link! But I’ll say it again here — AWESOME work, Jeannie. I love the slide show! I was all smiles and teary after watching it! Thanks for making my morning!
So cute! Love the group shot at the bottom. What a sweet, playful family. The shots of the little boy at the top just make me want to squish his cheeks. So sweet!
LOVE these photos, you did an awesome job. This family is super cute!
OhMyGosh! Such a cute idea!!! I love how fun and spunky this family is. Great, crisp images!!!
Thanks for sharing!!
beautiful family! love every single shot in this post! they look like they’re all having so much fun. awesome job!
This is one of the best, best, best family photos I have seen in a longggggg time! I love them ALL!
Soooooo cute! Those kids are absolutely darling! Love your locations…their clothes…ahhh…like everything about these pics!
These are so much fun! I love them!
LOVE the laundromat pics. Very different and fun!
Oh My! What a fun session! I love the ones in the laundry matt, how awesome!
Oh my goodness, these are so cute! Really nice job!
Killer idea and execution, the ice cream shot and the look on the kids faces is the one for me.
OW, I absolutely love these! Some of the best lifestyle photography I have seen to date!
WOW! You are incredibly creative… These images are SO COLORFUL and full of personality. Well done. =)
I LOVE this!! I love when people are up for anything. What a great idea! They look like they’re having a blast and I wish it were my family!
I love the laundramat! It’s hard to find a clean one these days. And I bet after the icecream Mom & Dad wanted to throw the kid’s clothes in a washer. You can truly tell the family enjoyed themselves during the shoot!
Love it! What a beautiful lifestyle session. Awesome family with gorgeous kids. Totally adorable!
We had a FANTASTIC time with Jeannie during our photo shoot!! Her creativity is as endless as her style is unique. We love her untraditional approach and how she was able to capture our family’s personality. Thank you Jeannie!!!!
Loved looking at the pictures, everyone looked like they were have a fun time and the kids are so photogenic Great job
Wow! Your family is so beautiful!!! The pictures are amazing! Thanks so much for sharing them! Miss you lots!
Great family pics…everyone looks so adorable and happy! I love the idea of using a non-standard place…they all look wonderful!
Great photos! What a talented photographer and what an awesome family! Thanks for sharing.
Love the pictures!! I also love the song in the video!
Omg, Heather. Your family is gorgeous!
The Johnson Family slideshow is amazingly adorable. I have known Heather since practically the day she was born. Seeing her happy with her great family is such a treat since I live in Chicago and to the photographer … you have a great talent … where can I get that song? Who is the singer/songwriter?
How fun!! Very creative and timeless. Love them all, but got a kick out of Dane sitting above the ‘No Loitering’ sign. . . precious
Thanks for sharing!!!
I love these pictures! What a great way to record memories!
Oh my!! WOW they are growing up so fast I love the pictures. You all look sooo great! Kiss the little ones for me.
Oh- I just LOVED the pictures…..
I can’t wait to see the kids again!
So great Heath! Glad you finally got the photos you have so been wanting
The kids look adorable as usual! Hugs to you – C
the pictures are so beautiful! how can you choose between them all?!
AMAZING! What an experience for both the family and the photographer. The shots are creative, inspiring and real! Beautifully done!
Wow I can’t believe how big the kids are getting! Too cute including Heather & Jeremiah!
The kids look absolutely adorable (Heather & Jeremiah look cute too). These are some of the most creative pictures I’ve seen – great job!
Fabulous!! Love the pictures Heather…you have a beautiful family!!
This is a perfect combination of a great photographer and a great family. Wonderfully creative photos showing the essence of this family. How wonderful that this was captured. Love all of these pics. Great great job.
I love these. They are you guys to a t! They suit your personality and you have a beautiful family Heather!
This is just BRILLIANT! I love the photography… the settings… everything! How awesome, I’m telling everyone I know about this slideshow.
Thanks for posting it for us : )
Absolute perfection! Such energy in the family as well as the accompanied musical piece! Ah, the joys of being young! What a talented photographer you are Jeannie. God has indeed gifted you the ability to capture life in such creative ways. Your pictures seem to be perfect in every way!
This is absolutely adorable…completely captures Heather and her family in a fun setting. The pictures are authentic!!! Super cute. Makes me want to go get my family on film too!
Great photos and cute family
This was absolutely adorable… cute pictures!
What great pictures. I love the fact that they are so natural and fun, not in a studio.
Great photos – something that can be duplicated and sent to family & friends to last forever. Awesome!!!
What a wonderful experience. I got chills. So real and untraditional. I loved this movie.
wow….this is truly a different photo shoot! and the music is so fun! I would love to do my daughters Senior pictures…..how special this is…mary lou
Great shots. I love the fun you can feel in the photos.
Thank you EVERYONE for all the comments and all the overwhelmingly nice words! @Marie C., the song is by Kristin Andreassen. @Cathy, having Dane sit above the “no loitering” sign was Jeremiah’s idea! Aren’t the Johnsons so awesome?? Thank you so much!!!
WOW! I love the laundry shots, great work Jeannie!
this takes one of the most potentially mundane parts of daily life and makes it awesome. beautiful photographs!
What a happy family and super cute kids. You have captured them just right.