the wyatt family

This shoot. I wanted to do this shoot justice maybe more than any family I’ve photographed before. There’s something about these three, and it’s not just the unique circumstances they find themselves in. There’s a joy that’s present in this family, and it just begs to be shown – it HAS to be seen. It’s undeniable, and rich and full of encouragement. I asked Kylie if I could share a little of their story along with these photos, and she graciously obliged.
But first, say hello to the sweetest kids on the planet: Meg and Evan. I love how their smiles light up their eyes and tell of how much they love life.
Ohhhhhh Meg, you make me laugh. I don’t remember what this was all about, but I know if was unprompted, pure, delightful goofiness. The most amazing thing is that those smiles (and that silly face) are 100% genuine, in the midst of the more-than-tough stuff they face daily. Last summer, Meg hit her head on a waterslide, prompting a CT scan that revealed a massive cyst in her brain. The cyst is the size of a man’s fist and has caused a host of issues for Meg, including high brain pressure (i.e. constant, painful headaches). She underwent surgery in September – the first step on a long road of treatment, and there are still many unknowns. Reading Kylie’s frequent posts and updates on Meg’s condition (which you can follow here), the way it affects their life on a daily basis, and how she, Meg and Evan are walking through it all has been such a beautiful wake-up call to me. Having sustained a traumatic brain injury herself only a year before discovering Meg’s cyst, Kylie is no stranger to how painful and scary life can be. But her story isn’t only about that. It’s about hope and faith in a God who has shown up big time and used her life to show His love and power in all its fullness. It’s amazing. Because without God, there’s no way that people who’ve gone through all that should be smiling like this. Hanging out with these three at their home was one of the best days of my winter. Evan and Meg have an infectious energy and we put it to good use after getting the “nice”, indoor photos done by building snowmen, drinking hot chocolate and playing Uno. 🙂 Side note: Kylie, you are so incredibly beautiful from the inside out.
I’m for sure impressed by how Meg handles herself and exudes joy even as she deals with intense pain, and I’m equally impressed by Evan. He’s the BEST big brother to her. He keeps her spirits up and always has a watchful eye on her. His mom has every reason to be brimming with pride over him, and she is.
Kylie, thank you for being vulnerable with your life. It is a beautiful one, even when it feels like a mess, and it’s being used in mighty ways. This last image is my favorite – it shines the light and pierces the darkness. 😉 Love to all three of you.

You can follow Kylie’s, Evan’s and Meg’s story here.

Give to their family as you feel led here.