Commonwealth Park Family Photos with the Barton Family

Not sure if I have mentioned it before or not, but I LOVE redheads. My oldest is my one and only redhead and we were both surprised and delighted to discover we had red hair in the family tree the day he was born. Now, almost 20 years later, I still get fan girl style happy anytime I see a redhead.

I got my redhead fix this weekend with only a very small window of sunshine during an otherwise bleary Portland 10-day raining spree.

The Barton family has two redheads (eeeee!!), and both are moving out of the house this week. One is headed back to school and the other across the country to start his career. I can’t help but feel a small twinge of the feelings mom and dad must be going through having the house to themselves. Pros and cons of course, but it is hard for me to even imagine a quiet (and clean!) home without the ups and downs that come with kids living at home. Part of me thinks it sounds kinda amazing, and part of me wants to go cry in my pillow.

Portland, Oregon Family Photos Commonwealth

Anyway, back to these family pictures at Commonwealth park. If you haven’t been to Commonwealth park, you must go find it! It is tucked in a suburban neighborhood and isn’t on your regular beaten path.

It is this beautiful little Portland gem with greenery, a playground, a fishing hole (the lake is actually quite large and there are a lot of people fishing…one man and his daughter said they had caught two fish but the rest of the people we talked to had been skunked).

There were several other photographers with giant lenses watching baby Bald Eagles, Osprey and other hawks. I think this park is a beautiful representation of all of the awesomeness that Portland, Oregon has to offer.

Here is a little sneak peak of some of the photos we got here. With trees, water, grass, bridges, and a few cool weeds, there was a lot of great stuff to choose from. And since I am a sucker for pictures set to music, there is a short slide show at the end with more pics from this great family photo session!

They say redheads have more fun. In my experience, they definitely do…and they also tend to get into more trouble!

They say redheads have more fun. In my experience, they definitely do…and they also tend to get into more trouble!

There were people fishing on every other corner of this little half bridge and more across the lake.

There were people fishing on every other corner of this little half bridge and more across the lake.

Just a little gorgeousness tucked away in a fairly obscure neighborhood park in Portland. Love where I live!

Just a little gorgeousness tucked away in a fairly obscure neighborhood park in Portland. Love where I live!

Full Disclosure: I always make kids hug on mom at every photoshoot, even if they are over the age of 20. Moms need hugs.

Full Disclosure: I always make kids hug on mom at every photoshoot, even if they are over the age of 20. Moms need hugs.

We managed to find a window of sunshine, but if you want your family, birthday, special occasion or newborn pictures done and it IS raining…consider in-home family portraits. Here are my

13 Secrets to Perfect at Home Family Portraits