Cousins at Choo Choo

I am so excited to share the photography story of my day with the Schrock family! This sweet family was actually brought to my attention through our shared cousin. Basically Kelly and Heather are cousins through her mom's side, and Kelly and I are cousins through her Dad's side. Kelly connected us after Heather and her family were scammed by another photographer back around Christmas time, and they were willing to trust me to take family photos of their newly blended family.

I felt extremely blessed that they were willing to trust me with their photos, so Heather and I started chatting and getting to know each other before we met for photos. I learned all about her new marriage with Aaron, and their sweet daughter Callie as well as swapping stories and updates on shared family members. Soon the day of the photoshoot was upon us and we met at Chattanooga Choo Choo, which Callie was ecstatic about since she adores trains. It looked like it was about to start pouring as the morning began, but it thankfully only sprinkled throughout our photoshoot.

To start our fun times at Choo Choo, we walked through the sprinkling rain to a blue brick wall to jump around, spin, and overall catch ourselves giggling. It was a nice little icebreaker for the day and Callie was having a blast hopping, skipping, and jumping around. Heather led her in a few twirls and she jumped in her dad's arms for some family photos. I even brought Callie to help me take some photos of her step mom and dad, and she was quite the little photographer. She was so eager to help me carry around the umbrellas and equipment, as well as the little prop sign her parents had brought.

We wandered over to the garden path and gazebo next, which is one of the my favorite spots at Choo Choo. It was here we were able to pose individually and as a family before playing a couple rounds of free for all tag. Callie was getting a little antsy having to stand for photos so I set the camera down and Callie and I started to run around. She started chasing me and then I her, before she jumped in to chase her new stepmom Heather around the walkway. Giggles and laughter was heard all around, and I jumped in with my camera to capture a few moment of fun.

We quickly had to grab the gear and change location as the rain started to fall. We quickly grabbed all the equipment and props to go spend some time under the gazebo. In here we stayed nice and dry while having some very cute family moments. Callie would lean on Heather as she got sleepy, Aaron would tickle his daughter to keep her giggling for family photos, and we all watched in amazement as we saw our own superhero parade. A Segway tour group came through Choo Choo in the rain and each member of the group wore bright colored superhero capes over their clear ponchos. Callie was fascinated watching them all drive by and circle around our little gazebo before going on the rest of the tour. She pointed out her favorite capes and colors as they moved. When the rain slowed back down we hopped over the the trains and tracks to take the last photos before heading home. Callie got to play with some other kids on the train while Aaron and Heather got to have some photos of the two of them, before having one last family photo under the Chattanooga sign. When we finished with photos and the rain looked like it would begin in earnest, we packed up and headed to the cars to go get some lunch.

Overall this was a super fun photoshoot and it was great to reconnect with someone from my extended family (we realized that we had actually spent time together as kids at grandma's house, but that's a a story for another day). But the thing I will treasure most from this day, we the hug I got from Callie before we parted ways. We were packing up the cars and I was just about to head out when Callie called for me. I came over to the car where she was strapped in her carseat, only to be practically pulled into the car as she grabbed me for a tight hug. She was giving me the biggest hug her little body could do, the kind where you can just feel the affection in every squeeze of a kids arms. Every time I think of this photoshoot that sweet smile and tight hug come to mind- sorry mom and dad, but your kid has stolen the show ;D - as well as the new/old friends I have made in this family. I look forward to many photoshoots in the future, and can't wait to see where the future leads this amazing family.

Congratulations Aaron and Heather on your marriage, thank you Callie for such sweet hugs, and thank you all for trusting me with your photos. I hope I have done you proud.

Until next time, Stay safe, Much love-

Laura Mantooth