Father's Day 2021

 

The tradition continues! That makes me very happy as these photos have documented these fabulous kids through the years...and not because they love me and are happy to be photographed at the drop of a hat (far from it), but because they love their dad. We are a very blessed family; there is a lot of love and a dad who has always been willing to go the extra mile and keep going.

Happy Father's Day James from your crew and to all the other daddies out there we hope that you will get the recognition and gratitude you deserve too.

Father's Day 2020

So many of our traditions seem to have fallen by the wayside, between all our moves, or the kids getting older. But I am so glad that they are still up (just about) for posing together to make our yearly Father's Day card. I love that we have been able to keep it going through the years and they tell such a sweet story. Of course hubby knows to expect it by now, but we make sure to take the photo when he's not around so it's always a little bit of a surprise.

They sure love their daddy, he's the one who has a crazy side and makes us all laugh. He's not always as strict as I am and they have sneakily learned that sometimes it's best to ask him first, or just bypass me all together. Thankfully we're all in it as a team and there's nobody I'd rather parent with, or be a parent to than these.

All the love, and wishing life would slow down a little. Happy Father's Day!

And just for fun and all the feels....the photo that started the tradition all those years ago, they were so little...waaaaaaah!!!

Happy Father's Day - 2018

Happy Father's Day to my husband, Daddy to these amazing kiddoes of ours.

My Kids - 2017

So...the Cannans are on the move again, back to the UK! Daddy has gone ahead of us and we already miss him terribly and I realized that I had never taken this year's Father's Day Photo. Since the kids were really little, the youngest just over a year, I have always taken a photo of them for his card, it's been a fun tradition and I love looking back over previous years' photos. So even though it's not Father's Day, these kids have an amazing Father every day, not just one day of the year and this particular photo tradition will continue.

James Cannan we miss you and love you and can't wait to be reunited, lots of love, your kids and wife (and of course Scout). xxx

Father's Day 2016

These three (four) are so blessed to have the best daddy. They were each so excited to work on their own projects for father's day gifts and did a great job. They woke us this morning (a little too early, did I mention they were excited?) with tea and coffee and took our breakfast in bed orders, yay for them getting older!

Then they each proudly presented their gifts. They all know that they are loved and were so happy to show their love in return, each in their own way.

I am so grateful for the man that is their daddy, for the great example he is and the way he takes cares of us all. It's not a role he takes for granted and we are raising wonderful children together. Some days may seem hard but all you are doing is so very important, so to all the father's out there doing the same, but especially to my love, Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day - 2015

Many of our traditions have had to go with our international move, but I'm not letting go of this one any time soon. Each year for Father's Day, since our youngest was about 18 months, I have taken this shot of the three of them. I love to see documentation of them changing and it is one of my favourite traditions.

These kids adore their Daddy and I do too! He is a wonderful man who knows how to love well. Not just us, his family, he loves everyone. Nobody is beneath him and no one is more deserving of his love than another. You could be the Queen of England, or a homeless man on the street and he would still show you love and have time for you.

I am so grateful to share my life with the man who passed down the 'crazy' in these kiddos, because they certainly don't get that from me! Happy Father's Day James, I am so very proud of the father you are and we are blessed to be your family.

Happy Father's Day!

 

My littles are blessed beyond the feeble words which so inadequately try to express all they have. A Daddy who is fully present for them, who laughs and listens, who has always been there and always will, unconditionally loving and supporting them and cheering them on. A daddy who is not afraid to show his emotions, who is setting an example of how to live and love, fully and unabashedly. For me to know that we are a team in this parenting journey, that we are partners in this life we are so fortunate to be living together is truly an honor and a gift. I could not have asked for more of the father of my children. Happy Father's Day James Cannan and thank you for who you are and all that you do, you are truly amazing!

My Family - Happy Christmas {Marin County Family Portrait Photographer}

From my family to yours, we would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas. This really is the most wonderful time of the year, not just because of all the excitement and presents, if you have children, but because we get to celebrate and remember the birth of Christ.The gift he gave in giving His life.

I have the most amazing family and friends and clients and I am grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you for visiting my blog and following along. Enjoy your time with family, whatever that looks like for you and don't eat too much!

I have to end with just one of my amazing children, the most amazing gifts in this life of mine.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 26

We are already half way through this year!

I love making my kids laugh, they are so cute. My girls, as of this week have matching missing teeth, in spite of the two year age difference. Well of course I had to capture it, before it changes (any excuse).

They are sweethearts and they do humor me. I have learned over the years that if I keep our little shoots lighthearted and fun and short, everyone is pretty happy. I get a few shots, I do it all before they have a chance to start whining, I make them laugh (yep, I can be pretty funny), I capture them together and we're done...before they can complain that they're bored. I try to make it a positive experience, that they can enjoy and therefore maximize my chances of a favorable response the next time I ask them to let me take photos. Now sometimes, I will admit, there are groans when they see the camera, but for the most part I think we've found a little rhythm and that makes me incredibly happy.

Love them SO much!

Happy Father's Day!

It was ten Father's Days ago that I slipped a Father's Day card onto my husband's music stand at church. I had waited until that morning, after he had left, to take the test, wanting to surprise him on that day of all days, if it was positive. It was!

He opened it and at first was confused, thinking somebody had maybe not realized we had miscarried months before, then he saw that I was the one who had signed it. I huge grin lit up his face and when he got to stand with all of the other fathers to be recognized, we were announcing it to everyone.

He was ready to be a father long before he met me, he has so much love to give! Yet he waited patiently, for seven years in fact, until I was ready to finally be a mother, to realize his own dream. He is the most wonderful father I could ever ask for for my children, I love to watch as he builds them up, from the inside out, instilling confidence as only a father can. They know without a doubt that they are loved and important!

To my husband, I love you immeasurably and am so grateful for all that you do for us. You continually amaze me. I love you!

Happy Father's Day.

Goodbye 2012...

And just like that, the year is almost over! I have no idea how it happened, I swear time is somehow speeding up, please let me know if you know a way to slow it down. I notice it most in my kids; this time last year both of my girls had all their teeth and were definitely inches shorter, my boy too, was much shorter and maybe a little quieter and more reserved. This has been a year with highs and some low-lows.

Parenting is no easy task and that saying about wearing your heart outside of your body once you have children has felt very true. There are hard things that they have to go through, that we just can't fix for them and as a mother, with all the love that I have, it breaks my heart. To share in their joy and excitement though, is just so much fun. This week of celebrating Christmas, remembering Christ's birth and how that has changed our lives forever; the best gift...time together as a family, the anticipation and the presents and their exuberant gratitude, it is priceless!

As I reflect on this year I see growth, I see and feel the ways I have changed and I have hope for the coming year.  I know that at the end of next year we will be moving and I have no idea where to. My husband will have finished with his degree so we will need to move off campus, even if we remain in the general area. The uncertainty and unknown can be scary, especially for a planner such as I, but for now I am content to take it one day at a time and cross that bridge when we come to it.

Heading into 2013 I plan to continue my Day In The Life Series and am thinking of doing another 52-week project as I feel I have not been shooting as much as I would have liked to this year and want to get back into the habit of carrying my camera around with me more again. Let me know what your plans are and where I can follow along.

If you are on Facebook, I would really appreciate you 'liking' my photography page if you haven't already (http://www.facebook.com/JuanitaCannanPhotography). I would love to start picking up more work and 'likes' not only help get the word out but provide legitimacy. Thank you so much for reading and following and enjoying my photography as well as your ongoing support and encouragement.

Special thanks to my husband for being my biggest fan and always being prepared to jump into photographs with me and my son for capturing this one once I had all the settings correct :)

 

From me to you, Happy New Year!

Happy Father's Day

These three have got to have one of the best fathers out there! I am so grateful for the father my husband is and the relationship he has with our children. They know they are loved, they know they are safe, there is no fear. I do not feel like a single parent, we are parents together. My children are so blessed (as am I) with the love and encouragement that is poured into their lives - every day!

James you are appreciated and loved by us all! I hope that is something you will never, ever doubt. Thank you for who you are and all you do. Happy Father's Day!

Just for fun, here are the previous three years :)

2011

2010

2009

Happy Father's Day!

How does one describe a Father? I know there are many examples all around us and, unfortunately, some of those are far from inspiring. Yet it is such a vitally important role. I see my children and the love they have for their Daddy. He loves them unconditionally, he wants the very best for them, he has sacrificed for them and prayed for them, he encourages them and teaches them, he is present, he is there for them!

Nobody is perfect and I am sure as we reflect on our own childhood, where parents who loved us just as much, still made mistakes, we sometimes wonder what our children will think of the job that we do. When they are parents themselves, then they will of course understand. We love our children, we do what we honestly feel is best and we trust God to take care of the rest.

There are times of exhaustion but also of pride and pure joy. What is better than to see their sweet smiling faces? Sure there are challenges but the rewards far, far outweigh any hardships. To all the fathers out there, do not undervalue the importance of your role in your child's life.To my own father, thank you for the years of friendship.

To my wonderful husband and partner in this parenting journey, thank you for all that you do and all that you are, you continually give above and beyond what most would consider more-than-reasonable and we are eternally grateful. I love you, your children love you, you are amazing!

Happy Father's Day.

52 Week Project - Week 15 {Bay Area Child Portrait Photographer}

I love the relationship my kids have with each other. They truly enjoy each other and have fun together. The girls really are each others best friend and the time they have spent together since their brother started school has only served to strengthen their bond.

Yesterday I made a new dress for Bryttain - a pillowcase dress. I have been looking for something simple and classic, for the longest time and it just has not materialized, so I decided I would just have to make it. I ran to a local thrift store and found one pillowcase that would work, ran to Michaels for some ribbon to make the ties and an hour later she had a cute dress, perfect for a little shoot. She was pretty excited and all of a sudden all three of them were excited. We were losing light rapidly but they were insistent! Arran (kind of) helped me drag my bench out into the field and I just started shooting.

I love to catch them interacting and this fun stage of their relationship. I know that in the years ahead they may not always be this close, but I will have proof that they were and I know in my heart that they will always have an undeniable bond, that I hope will come full circle.

Love the natural outtakes too.

Of course we have to have some fun too, we cannot be all serious when it comes to photographs, otherwise how many do you think I would really get? Love, love, love these little people!

Sisters, sisters, never were there such devoted sisters!

I love watching the relationships of my children. They each genuinely love and adore each other, in spite of the bickering and fights that regularly erupt. They truly are best friends and it warms my heart and blesses me.

Arran is already back in school and we miss him terribly, but it does mean that the two girls get to spend more time working on their bond. Mommies and babies, dressing up, cooking in their little kitchen, these girlie activities are regular occurrences in our household (although truth be told, Arran would happily join in with any of those games).

Here are my little princesses (with a little vintage-like processing), cooperating and letting me take a picture of them together, I hope they will be this close for the rest of their lives.

Happy Father's Day

It has been a long week in the Cannan household. Every year James takes a trip down to Mexico, with a team from our church, and they build a home for a needy family, it really is a worthwhile cause, but it means sacrifice too; our life is so different when he is gone. We love him and need him in so many different ways. He got last night, just in time for Father's Day.

He is such a wonderful daddy who adores his children and his wife. He is so giving and warm and genuine and fun. He knows how to be silly and make his children laugh and how to be sensitive and compassionate when they are hurting or struggling. He is such a wonderful example to us all.

Last year I started, what I have decided will now be a tradition, for as long as the kids will allow it to be anyway, and took a photograph of the three of them lying on a black background. (You can click here to see last year's photograph and how much they have changed). I think it will be fun to look back in years to come and see these, side by side. Of course it will probably make me cry too, but I hope they will be sweet tears of remembrance of the good times, of a house full of tiny feet and shrieks and giggles.

We make pretty darn cute kids together, even if I do say so myself! Happy Father's Day my love, you are the best Daddy in the whole world.