Although this is definitely the thick of family portrait season, we shoot them pretty much year-round. Such was the case with the Lake family, who enjoyed our beautiful beaches during the cooler months courtesy of Nashville-based Waves of Grace. This organization is one of several that provide beach vacations for families dealing with cancer, giving them a refreshing, life-giving change of pace from daily routines defined by medical appointments and prescription refills.
Though they love living in Nashville, Jennifer Lake said she and her husband Bruce were so happy to have some time away from cancer treatments to laugh together and relax with their daughters. The sobering reality of their life for the past year or so made them appreciate more than usual the opportunity for family photos.
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“Having our family pictures taken is a gift we will treasure for the rest of all our lives,” Jennifer said. “We feel it is a gift to future generations of the family, as well.” And the Lake family certainly has had a huge impact on future generations. Though there are only four of them in the photos, the Lake family tree has had 22 other family members grafted into it for a very special reason.

Married for 26 years, Jennifer and Bruce were foster parents for nine of those years and wouldn’t trade a minute of it. A blended family, they absolutely adore daughters Lori and Lyndsey. Lori has two sons who Jennifer says the family loves dearly, and Bruce and Lyndsey have had a special bond since she was a little girl practicing her hair and makeup skills on her very patient father.

The Lake family isn’t exclusive, though, as every single one of their foster kids have had their own seat at the family table. Some have even stayed connected. Not only do the Lakes have a close relationship with two of the families who adopted five of their foster children, but their first two foster kids, a set of twins, became family when her sister adopted them.

“We can’t imagine our family without each one of the precious souls that we had the high privilege to walk with through their hard things,” Jennifer shared. But when Bruce was diagnosed with multiple myeloma a year ago, it was their turn to have help walking through their hard things. When Waves of Grace offered to whisk them away for a week and gave them a chance to have a family portrait session, they happily hit the road.

We checked in with them recently, and learned that Bruce is continuing his chemo and doing well with this course. He’s finally been able to do some projects at home and in Jennifer’s new salon, which he’s thoroughly enjoyed. Doctors have said his cancer is terminal and he will be under treatment until he decides he’s had enough. But, for now, as you can see in the family portrait photos below, Bruce is quite happy spending time with all three of his girls.

Call us or contact us here and let’s get your family portrait session set. We promise that this is an investment that you’ll be so very glad you made.

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