Cronk Family - Fort Laramie Family Photos

Weathering the Storm Together

Cronk Family – Fort Laramie Family Photos

The evening had all the makings of a disaster…rain, wind, the logistics of wrangling 40+ adults and kids…but that’s what I love most about Wyoming people. Their love of family, resiliency and go with the flow attitude.

Our session was documenting 4 generations of the Cronk Family in Fort Laramie, Wyoming, in honor of Morris and Jeanie Cronk’s 50th wedding anniversary that happened a few months ago. All their children made the trip home to celebrate with them.

When I arrived, there were RVs, tents and happy kids running across hay bales. Occasionally someone would wander by saying “Have you seen…” and call the name of a kid or husband or sibling.

It was chaos of the very best kind because at its heart was love and laughter and a genuine feeling of family.

We managed to pull off the big group picture before the wind got too crazy. And when it started raining, well, everyone pulled out umbrellas and the fun really started.

I didn’t have the time I’d like to spend with each individual family but we decided to go photobooth style instead. Families, couples, cousins, sisters…each would jump in front of my lens and say “it’s our turn now!” and pull off some crazy pose. There were piggy-back rides, twirls, dips and well…whatever this one is called. Sheer awesomeness, perhaps?  😉

I loved every single moment of it.

There was no fighting or drama.  Just a family taking time away from a crazy world to relish each other, honor their parents and celebrate their bond.  The weather might have been ugly, but the Cronk family were beautiful and brilliant and a force even Mother Nature couldn’t hold back.

Thank you, Cronk family, for sharing your joy and spirit with me.  I was buoyed by your spirit and laughed the entire way home.  You understand the meaning of family and making the most of your time together.