A very special family.

Yes, every family that Sam and I photograph is special. I mean it every time I say it.  But the Matter Family is particularly special, and not just because they are fun, happy and kind.

We met the Matter Family at the Firefighter Stairclimb 2010.  Their 10 year old son Colton was one of the Honored Patients at the event and the whole family came out to watch 1,500 Firefighters climb 69 flights of stairs to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Colton has Leukemia, and the amazing thing is, Colton had recently had a Bone Marrow Transplant only 2 months before.  He almost couldn’t make it to the event, and his doctors weren’t too thrilled that he was going, but they broke the rules anyway to be there.

Sam and I fell in love with this kid within seconds.  He radiates such a sweet spirit, and even though he was visibly sick, you could tell that he hadn’t lost his spark for life.  We grabbed a few shots of Colton and his family, and couldn’t resist offering to do a family photoshoot with them. They are just the kind of family that you want to know, to be a part of, to be friends with.

We met up a few weeks ago in Seattle for their photoshoot. I’m happy to say that Colton is doing REALLY well…you would never know that he is sick.  He’s as goofy and silly and sweet as any other 10 year old boy.  What an amazing kid!  His family is just as amazing…I’m TOTALLY in love with his brother, Case, who is just as goofy and silly as his brother.  Plus, I LOVE his freckles.  As for Colton and Case’s parents…They are amazing. They have stayed strong and happy through the whole ordeal, and did it with class and humor.  I am just soo honored to know this family.

Ok, enough sap and storytelling…on to the adorable Matter Family photos!

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I told the boys to act like Superheroes…Colton is obviously Superman.  No one is really sure who Case is, though. HAHAHAH! 

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Mom and Dad are HAWT, yes????

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These boys LOVE each other!  Sam got the next 3 adorable shots of the two of them:

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Seriously, I wanna adopt these boys…they are SO FUNNY!!!!

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Case is cracking me up in this photo…he looks like a leapfrog!

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Guys, thank you SO MUCH for letting us get to know you.  We love every individual person in your family, and I can only hope that one day I can not only have the strength you guys do, but the kindness and love that you emanate as well.  We love you TONS!!!!!

3 Responses to “A very special family.”

  1. Sarah,
    These pictures are so amazingly beautiful! I have the honor of knowing this family and I agree with you, they are truly amazing. I am a cancer survivor as well and I don’t know that I was always as smiling and positive as Colton was during his treatment. He’s one of my favorite heroes and so is his family for staying so strong during such an ordeal!
    Thanks for sharing these pics of the Matter family!

  2. Sarah,
    You have always loved your clients, and that is what makes you special.
    But this family stands out, and it is not only Coulton – it is the whole lot, as we say in Australia.

    You captured the element of the family that makes them special and that emanates from every photo – love of life and love for each other.

    Your pictures introduce us to them and we now “know” them. What a pelasure.

    Dad

  3. [...] The honored patients at the Stairclimb are particularly amazing. I was fortunate enough to meet the Matter Family last year and do a photoshoot with them.  They touched my heart and made me fall in love with [...]

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