This family has been a part of my life for a long time and they mean a lot to me, so where do I even start? I used to go to the Waldorf School, where both my parents taught when I was in high school. Clara and Chris also had their children, Jackie, Shelley, and Jamie, in Waldorf and I shared several years in high school with a couple of them. I remember driving up to Kenyon to visit Shelley as a senior in college and we spent a lovely day together! After I graduated, I worked at the Stay N’ Play Pet Ranch in Dripping Springs for the summer while I searched for the next thing for me. My boyfriend, father, Clara, and another Waldorf parent all played a part in how I eventually found myself working for Clara at Freescale Semiconductor as a technical editor. They all believed I could do a great job, even though I had never considered doing anything technical before. I took the job and worked there for over 5 years, during which time I discovered that Clara is an absolutely amazing boss and person. I couldn’t believe how tremendously lucky I was to have a boss that trusted me, believed in me, listened to me, and cared about me, all the while keeping our team going and juggling a million things at once. During my time at Freescale, my father was hired on, and our families became even more connected. Several times we attended house concerts and other get-togethers in their beautiful home. One time, I saw the most beautiful painting on canvas in their restroom, and exclaimed how much I loved it. Jackie said, “oh, I painted that. I don’t even like it. You can have it!” And it still hangs on my wall to this day. The last time I attended a Seth Glier house concert there, I stayed until 2am! They love having people over and are some of the most generous and kind people I’ve ever met. In so many ways, I feel like I owe where I am now as a photographer to Clara. Working for her gave me the time, flexibility, and funds to invest in my equipment and education! It only made sense that I photograph their family, and their love of the photos is unparalleled and has moved me to tears on several occasions.
As a family and as individuals, they’ve all traveled to some incredible places like South America (Clara was born in Colombia), Europe, and southeast Africa, where Jamie just finished working in a hospital maintaining their medical equipment before returning to Drexel where she studies electrical engineering. They climb mountains, hike, run marathons, and do things I couldn’t even imagine doing. Chris even ran with the bulls in Pamploma, Spain last summer! They’re also close with the Snyder family and helped plan the Snyders’ benefit in which I donated a photo session that gave birth to these photos of the Flemings! They are truly a force of good in this world. They’re also so much fun and it’s easy to find yourself in fits of laughter being around them. They always welcome me with open arms, love, admiration, and acceptance. You can’t ask for more! I could go on and on about what a great person each and every one of them is, but I fear they may be blushing too much already!
In case you’re wondering, the session also included someone who will soon be a part of their family officially: another Jamie! Jamie actually proposed to Jackie in the middle of running a marathon! The two of them are very active people AND teachers – they impress me all the time!
I really enjoyed photographing this family not just because I adore them, but I also discovered I really enjoy photographing families with adult children. Maybe it’s because I’m fascinated and delighted by how my relationship has changed with my own parents, and as an only child, it’s interesting for me to witness adult sibling relationships. So here they are, in all their jean jacket and cowboy boot glory!
