Two summers ago I stood outside my car after having photographed the Romano family for the first time and listened as Laura—who I’d just met that day—talked to me about reading my blog and how she felt like she knew me before our session and how much fun she’d had over the course of our shoot. What she and Anthony couldn’t have comprehended at the time was how much gratitude I had for their faith in my ability to capture their sweet family. Theirs was the first family session I ever booked and I’ll forever keep this quartet in my heart as one of the first clients (and friends) to believe in me with camera in hand before I had the confidence to believe in myself.
What a difference two years makes. Today we’re close friends with these guys, their kiddos are getting so big! and now know us by Miss Gail and Mister Nick 
And this happens to be my FAVORITE kind of family session—the kind with dear friends. Thank you Romano family for being you and for reminding all of us of the joys of parenthood and family and love. These pictures are so special to me and I hope you love ‘em just as much!
Nicholas is one of my FAVORITE little guys to photograph. He’s always willing to give me a great big ‘ol smile whenever I ask and he’s got such a playful, curious spirit. I can see why he just steals Anthony and Laura’s hearts. Oh and he’s a GREAT big brother too 
I so so wish I had a shot like this of me and my mama. The closest I have is one my mother took of me at about Alexandra’s age. I’m in a field like this, picking dandelions. It’s one of my most cherished childhood photos and I hope this can be one of Alexandra’s some day too. 
If you need to know why I love this family so much, this next photo ought to do it. They just.have.so.much.fun.together. 
Oh.my.goodness. When I saw this on the back of my viewfinder, my heart flipped. Laura, hold on to this boy of yours because before you know it, he’s going to be too big and too “Ahhh…mom, come onnnnn” to give you this kind of public affection. I wish I could bottle the sweetness of six-year-olds ….. 
Ring-around-the-Rosie……. Confession: Laura (and Nicholas) came down with the WORST (and I truly mean the worst, according to her doctor) case of poison ivy after we took these photos. I blame it on this field and my inability to spot the nasty plant that is the cause. I kept telling her, “I promise you it was worth it” and here’s hoping I was right 
There is something about this little gal that makes Nick smile all big every time he sees her. I don’t think it’s hard to see why 
Anthony and Laura live in Yorktown, which is right outside Muncie’s city limits. Down the road from them is the CUTEST little restored ’50s drive-in called Cammack Station. Nick and I have joined the Romanos several times this season to get ice cream there and the barhops all know this clan by name. It felt like the PERFECT spot to photograph them to remember this exact moment in their lives together as a family. I know…everyone say “Ahhhh”" 
FAVORITE! There must have been four families who crossed the parking lot as we staged this shot to say, “You know, that’s the PERFECT spot for a photo!” I just looked up from my position sprawled out on the pavement and nodded, “Yessir it is!” 
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVEEEE this one too! 
Romanos, thank you for being such awesome friends. We always look forward to spending time with you guys and can’t wait to do it again soon!
See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.
by Gail Werner
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