I think it is so important to document family history.
To be able to look back at life and see the good times, and to recognize and document the changes.
My side of the family (the Konz side) used to celebrate Christmas together every year, somewhere around 80 of us (and still counting...) :D. After my Grandma passed away, those big gatherings just stopped happening. All of our families have changed and made new traditions and memories, but I always remember my Grandma lighting a candle for Grandpa in her fancy clothes. Then sending everyone through the food line (she always had the best polish sausages) as she'd scoot away laughing and flapping her hands while she chatted away with her children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren. She was always the life of the party.
It is my memories of our amazing family reunions and my Grandma that make me want to photograph them for other families.
My NEW family, the DeCicco side, had a family reunion!
Brian and I celebrated our one-year anniversary week with them and I met my new cousins! The family traveled from all over the world; Florida, Tennessee, St. Thomas and Hawai'i! It was so special, because every person was able to make it, and every day was crammed full of talking, laughter, music, food and games. It truly was an unforgettable family vacation, and such a special time for each of us. We stayed in the historic Tamarisk House on Pawley's Island, South Carolina. As the newest addition to the family, they welcomed me right in and I am so happy to have documented the days, because looking back at them now brings me right back to that special time.
Here were some of my favorite moments!
I loved this moment. Alex is my amazing little cousin. He is incredibly sweet, and has so much energy! Here's the thing, he was always assigned a tail—because he was FAST and was a bit of a daredevil. What I love about this image is his dad, right at the edge of the photo, always watching and ready to swoop in, twirl him around and keep him from danger. <3
My cousin, Christa, had two friends in town who knew all about crabbing and they showed us the ropes. None of the rest of us knew how to do it! The crabs were practically begging to be caught—no sooner than the cages dropped than we had caught one! This is all new to me, I did not grow up in a fishing family, I had so much fun with this. That evening we had a feast!
I love the two images above! Our family loves food, (at least...I do, haha!). Each night, each family had an opportunity to cook a meal for the group. The photo on the left is my father-in-law teaching my husband how to make the DeCicco Family Sunday Sauce. So special, because now we make that sauce at least once a month. I like to double the recipe and freeze it in batches so we always have some on hand. It is a perfect recipe, and even just thinking about it makes my mouth water. My father-in-law is the kindest man, and an amazing chef. I love the image of him on the right, he looks so peaceful and perfectly in his element—I think it is a perfect portrait of him.
Christa and her dad, Uncle Steven, are amazing musicians. In fact, Christa is a musician on the Virgin Islands, and I think I might be her biggest fan—I listen to all of her albums on repeat because I love her voice and style! Shameless family bragging, check out her music here on Spotify: Christabel and the Jons. It was so much fun listening to these two jam out. There were several jam out sessions during the week, but this one took place toward the end of our time together. It was late—half the family had gone to sleep, but the rest of us couldn't get enough of the music so we took our party outside and kept playing/listening. I'll never forget it.
Three generations!!
I think these photos are so special because these were taken about a month before baby Sophia joined the family. Alex isn't the only child any longer, he's a big brother now! Life changes. We also photographed a maternity/family session together, check them out here.
Below are some more of my favorite moments. Truly an unforgettable vacation! Cannot wait for the next reunion!
Hi there! Amber here, with Amber DeCicco Photography. Looking for a documentary, photojournalistic photographer for your next family reunion? You have come to the right place! I would love the opportunity to photograph your monumental events. Pricing for events like this are hourly. Give me a call and we'll come up with something great!
