The Jennings Family - Waiting Out The Storm in Corolla

One of the things I've learned after years of photographing families on the Outer Banks is that Mother Nature always has the final say. Some evenings begin with brilliant sunshine, while others keep everyone watching the radar and wondering if the session will even happen. The Jennings family's evening in Corolla was definitely one of those days.

Their session was scheduled just one hour after another family I had photographed nearby. Between the two sessions, the skies completely opened up. I spent the next hour sitting in my car, soaked from the previous session, watching sheets of rain pour across the beach and hoping the forecast would change. Then, almost as quickly as it arrived, the rain eased. About ten minutes before the Jennings family was set to arrive, the storm moved offshore and gave us just enough time to make our way onto the beach.

The timing couldn't have worked out any better.

The Jennings family gathered in Corolla with 14 family members spanning multiple generations for a week together on the Outer Banks. Family vacations like these are often one of the few opportunities everyone has to be in the same place at the same time, making professional family portraits even more meaningful. Even after waiting through uncertain weather, everyone arrived smiling, relaxed, and ready to enjoy the evening.

We started with the full family portrait before working through each individual family, grandparents, siblings, cousins, and several individual portraits. As the session unfolded, everyone relaxed and the laughter came naturally. One of my favorite moments came near the end of the evening when Grandma and Grandpa shared a quiet hug while the rest of the family watched from a distance with huge smiles on their faces. It was one of those genuine moments that no one could have planned, and it quickly became one of my favorite photographs from the session.

The passing storm also left us with soft, beautiful light that photographers dream about. Without the harsh summer sun, everyone was comfortable, the colors stayed rich and natural, and the dramatic clouds over the Atlantic Ocean created a stunning backdrop for their portraits. Sometimes waiting out the weather pays off in ways you simply can't predict.

Thank you, Jennings family, for trusting me through the unpredictable Outer Banks weather. Waiting out the storm turned out to be well worth it, and I'm so glad we were rewarded with such beautiful light. I hope these photographs always remind you of an unforgettable evening together in Corolla and of a family vacation that almost got washed away before becoming one of the highlights of the week.