A friend wanted a special gift for her husband’s birthday. She thought some portraits of their gorgeous children might brighten his office. We waited and waited for a sunny afternoon, but the rains kept coming. So we waited some more. “It’ll be worth it,” I told her. “We need a certain light.” Then late one afternoon, the storms broke and we headed east to a place where the little ones could run and play and be kids. The sky was so amazing that day, almost as if we were being rewarded for our patience. And even though the golden light and blue water practically shouted “Shoot in color,” the preview window said otherwise. I hope these images bring my friends joy for years to come.