Randi has an incredible ability to make people feel at ease! This started ahead of the shoot, when she let me know where she was thinking we could take pictures and made some suggestions of what to bring for the kids etc. Once we were there, she didn't push my kids one way or the other. She is friendly and approachable, and genuinely loves kids, but she also allows them to exist without barking orders (juxtapose this with memories of grade school photographers telling you to point your chin, before reaching in and doing the pointing for you). This is probably from her background as a journalist. Because of this, it took no time for my kids to trust her. They would approach her and engage with her, and she kept it fast-paced, keeping the attention span of an 11 month old and a 4 year old! Best of all, she got some AAAHHHMAZZING shots of my family enjoying each others' company, that (in all sappiness) I recognize capture a moment in time that I will at times reminisce over, laugh, and maybe (out of view of all others) cry over- happy tears. Getting my family prepared for family photos can feel very stressful and taxing, but once we were there, Randi made up fun activities where we got to play and giggle together. I LOVE the photos Randi took, and she's got a lifelong (or however long she consents to) customer out of us!