Wiekenkamp Family

Candice and Allan have been married for 8 1/2 years and, having spent their entire time as parents living in Bermuda and away from the support network of having close family nearby, they have had to figure things out on their own. And that they have. They are a strong unit and the kids are just such sweet siblings with each other that it made the session a joy to shoot. Being blessed with a gorgeous family and perfect light didn't hurt either.



When I arrived in the parking area, I internally freaked that the kids were already playing in the sand, and not even on the beach but on the side of the parking area where it is part mud and very dirty. Usually, I would have quickly tried to alter the situation in case the kids' faces became covered in sand, but they were playing so beautifully, that instead, I simply got down to their level and captured their play. And then, spontaneously, Adriana kissed her brother. Unprompted by me or her parents, she just gave him the most darling kiss, and then she started hugging him. It was so unexpected, and I was so overcome with excitement at this to-die-for moment, that I could barely focus, let alone correct the settings on my camera.





As it turns out, this type of behaviour is typical of Adriana. She is the first to give a cuddle when someone is sad, and seems to feel things more for her age, be it pain, happiness or excitement. She loves her brother and feels it is her job as a big sister to take care of him and teach him things.



How divine are Adriana's girlish socks and shoes, and the way she is really getting down to pack that sand into her bucket - a girl with a mission.



Dylan loves to explore and experience life. He is happiest when he is outside in nature and when he is not, he stands by the door to let his parents know exactly where he would prefer to be. And Dylan LOVES his sister. He can't wait until it is time to pick Adriana from school so he can play with her.





Group hug!













This was hilarious - they twirled until they tumbled!







I adore these two of Adriana - click on the diptych to see them big - she just looks like such a natural dancer, especially in the left image.



Apparently it is actually Dylan who loves to dance the moment he hears a rhythm, and he has been able to hit any note on key since he was a baby.







Adriana's nickname is Bean because she looked like a kidney bean on her first ultra sound and the name stuck. Dylan is known as Bear as his voice is so low and he sounds like a Bear when he wakes up.









The light really was amazing for the entire shoot. From being amazingly reflective earlier, to becoming soft and hazy later, it made for such dreamy images - I loved it.















After the family had built all the sand castles, we told the kids they were allowed to jump on them. Adriana was having great success, but Dylan wasn't quite reaching. Adriana is so nurturing with her brother and she helped him along and even pointed to which ones he could crush. Her mum is sure this empathetic quality will make Adriana into an amazing nurse or teacher or counselor one day.















At the end of the shoot, Adriana's dress got wet and she had had enough. I loved her little face as she cried, and that her bandaid matched her green dress and purple knickers! Talk about coordinating an outfit!