A few years ago Shannon sent me an email asking for a Farmers’ Market session. The Capitol Square was incredibly special to their family of three.  Shannon and Dustin got engaged here, they spent Saturdays filling their canvas bags with local produce & flowers, their daughter climbed trees and balanced on the architecture while they ran into a good half-dozen or more old friends. It’s a Saturday in Madison tradition for them. Ultimately, we switched gears for a lovely at-home session, filled with gardening, breakfast, puzzles, and stories. Beautiful and the right choice in all ways.

Shannon contacted me this spring for a Good-bye, Madison session. ::Sniff::  They were paving a new path to a different state, and wanted to go out with a bang. Party.Of.The.Year. As we talked and took our own trip down memory lane, it became clear that we needed to end where we started a couple years ago: a Saturday morning at the Farmers’ Market.

I met this incredibly kindhearted family on a cool Saturday morning in late May. Bryce was still bleary-eyed from the early morning rise; Shannon had a secure grip on her coffee mug to help with the effects of late night packing sessions.  Overall, everyone had light feet and heavy heart about being in this space at this time. Bittersweet. As we walked the sumptiously colorful route, Dustin and Shannon retold stories, stopped at familiar booths, chatted with old friends, and remained impressively present in the moment.

Bryce pops large cherry tomatoes in mouth. She holds them in her cheek, anticipating the juicy burst. The market crowd starts to pick up.

I was downright enchanted by Bryce’s braids matching the Capitol roping shadow.

Always time for a little mid-crowd twirl.

Finding the queen bee is a weekly tradition. 

If the May Farmers’ Market lacks the bounty of late season produce, it makes up for it in an explosion of flowers. BOOM. Color and texture for days.

Madison will miss this huge-hearted family, but I know they’ll be back for friends, work, and another Saturday trip around the market.

It’s time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I’d much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure.  — Ernie Harwell

 

From Shannon after our very first session:

I am someone who is very careful and extremely picky when it comes to the services I select and the people that I pay those services for. I have worked as a corporate trainer in the customer service industry for over 15 years so I feel as if I have a fairly good judge of the character I am looking for, for the services I am paying for. I am not a rich individual so that makes my personal transactions even more precious to me and I am even that more careful.
Blah, blah, blah, enough about my boring life. Jen Lucas Photography is the best local company I could ever give my money to. Her professional yet extremely personal attitude is superb; her dedication to get the best session possible for her clients is beyond expectation. Jen was flexible when I wanted to make location changes, understanding and willing to go the extra mile to make us so happy. And this was all before our first face to face meeting.
Having Jen in our home was so easy, comfortable and warm. It was like having a conversation with an old friend; we were even sad to see her leave. That morning was one of our favorites of the summer; and I am not even speaking of the pictures.
THE PICTURES! Oh my goodness. If I could give them a million stars, a hundred thumbs up, a thousand smiley emoji’s, I would. The quality is the top notch; capturing every moment of our day together in the best possible way. The face of our little daughter never looked better; our aging dog was captured in a way that will be well remembered even after she is gone someday. Our life in a house that we love will be with us forever.
Jen Lucas will be my lifelong photographer. It would be a mistake if you don’t make her yours.

xo,

Jen

 

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