I don’t even know where to begin with this post. This is Matthias, my oldest nephew, the first kid I knew how to love unconditionally. He also has ADHD and Aspergers, so the fact that these photographs even exist to make this blog post is a miracle. It is very rare that Matthias will sit for me and let me take his portrait – it is rare that Matthias will do anything he doesn’t want to do without a fight. That being said, when he isn’t being stubborn, he is a hilarious and loving boy. He is always willing to give hugs or crack a joke. He may not know how to read (we’re slooooowly working away on that) but he can tell you more about dinosaurs and the ocean than any other person I know. I had to include some of his poses, these are definitely him, always trying to make people laugh or the complete opposite – scare them.  These two are growing up WAY too fast for my liking! Eliza couldn’t resist being in a few of the portraits, so excuse the poor outfit choice. That being said, I LOVE these portraits, it’s been way too long since I’ve captured some really good ones of them.  These two might fight like cats and dogs, but when it comes to things that are really important, they pull together. As much as Matthias takes care of his little sister, his little sister needs to take more care of him. Giving in when she knows he won’t, keeping him in line and out of trouble and sighing rather than getting frustrated when he is having a meltdown. She is wise way beyond her years. And when she says things like “It is such a beautiful day.” I know she’s got an old soul.   I love a little side by side comparison. The photographs on the left are my all time favourite photographs of Matthias and Eliza from 2012. This one was completely unposed – both times. They love each other so much.  I had to do a little recreation if this image, it’s been hanging as a 16×16 on my parents wall since 2012. (Look at their hands, that was totally not me. Some things never change!) I can’t wait to see the people these two become.