Family Session: Welch Family | Analisa Joy Photography | Upland, CA Photographer

Last summer, Trent and I moved to Upland when he got accepted into med school. Although the drive is only two hours away from San Diego, we had a hard time looking for a new house in the midst of our chaotic schedules. We would fall in love with a home online, but when we drove to visit it in person we encountered a list of reasons why we did not like it. Maybe it was because of the neighborhood, the location, and/or it was too far away from his school, etc. We would race around local neighborhoods trying to squeeze in as much house hunting time as we could, but then we would have to drive back once it got dark. It was discouraging because we both grew up in San Diego and we wanted to find a place that felt like a home away from home.

Finally, we found a tract home community that we being built in a really nice area. It was close to everything, we loved the surrounding neighborhoods, low maintenance, and it was by Trent’s school. We were impulsive to buy it because it was the best option that we have seen in months. Long story short, it didn’t end up working out and I was crushed. We drove around the surrounding neighborhoods not thinking that the regular homes nearby would be a financial option, but we loved the looking at their layouts. We didn’t recognize it at the time, but it was such a blessing that we didn’t not buy that home.

We felt stuck and prayed for patience. Then as we were driving yet again in those nearby neighborhoods (I had a hard time looking anywhere else), we passed the cutest home. It hit all the checkmark requirements and we knew that this would be the perfect house for this new transition in our lives. To top it off, we met the nicest realtor named Mike who also lived a few doors down. We came back for a second visit and Mike’s wife Judi tagged along. It took only one visit with Judi and I was sold! She painted a picture of what our lives would look like living in Upland and it was the home away from home that I was looking for. She raved about our neighbors, the close community that they share, and how much she loved the area that surrounded us. When we are house searching, Trent always tells me me to play it cool. Well, my coolness flew out the window and I was basically jumping up and down with excitement! We moved in a month later.

It has already been a year and we still LOVE living in Upland. I was so nervous to leave our family, friends, church, community group, and my clients back in San Diego. Two hours isn’t that far away, but it’s not as easy to call someone up and meet them for lunch. However, the move felt right and our new home and neighbors made us feel so comfortable with our decision. Their daughter Madison is now our babysitter and she comes over multiple times a week to watch Bryer. Madison is a huge blessing to us because now we get to go on date nights and she’s so helpful on the days I need to catch up on editing. The first day she babysat, I told her she could bring a friend or watch movies, and she told me that she’s just looking forward to getting her homework done and studying. SAYYYY WHAT! It’s nerve-wracking as a new mom to find someone to watch your child, but Madison is so responsible and the absolute sweetest to Bryer. We could not have found a better babysitter! Their son Aiden is so much fun and he is a ball of 8th grade energy. He loves sports, he loves teasing his family, and he’s a great dog sitter. Poor Mike and Judi though because he is going to be the cutest little freshman entering high school next year.

I was so excited when they told me they wanted to update their family photos. I had the best time photographing these four even though they didn’t bring their heard of animals ;) My favorite thing about the Welch family is the fact that they are such a tight-knit group. Mike and Judi have such a great relationship with both their kids and it was so sweet to capture how much fun they all have when they are together. They try to have family dinner each night, they have family shows that they all watch together throughout the week, and they share great communication where they all feel comfortable to talk about anything and everything with one another. After we took our pictures, they treated me to a delicious Mexican restaurant nearby. I could rave all day about this family, but this “brief” introduction is turning into a mini novel. I’m telling you though, we hit the neighbor lottery! Below are my favorite images from their session. Enjoy!!