Last month I began documenting a number of families for my personal project: LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) couples with kids in Salt Lake City, Utah. The aim of my project is simple: to portray the regular lives of LGBT couples with kids. It surprises some that Salt Lake City is home to the highest proportion of gay couples in a city in the United States. Strong family values are a hallmark of the culture here in Utah. I am interested in showing how that translates in the LGBT community here in Salt Lake City through this photojournalistic series.

The families I met last month came into contact with me via a recent call out I put on social media. After first meeting them and getting to know one another a little, I asked them to choose a time for me to visit and photograph them while they did their everyday, very ordinary things as a family. This first family I am about to introduce to you are anything but ordinary.

Kelly and Eliza met about 5 years ago. Eliza brought three children to their relationship (Senicka 14, Aidia 7, Joel 5). Kelly and Eliza fell in love quickly and married in Central Park, New York City. Both born and bred in Salt Lake City, they have created a full life for themselves here since. Kelly carried the pregnancy of their youngest daughter, Teegan (who is now 3). Both Kelly *and* Eliza nursed Teegan. Watching her wife go through pregnancy brought up many foreign emotions for Eliza and she wanted to feel a bond with their baby. Co-nursing was the way she wanted to bond with their baby. You can read more about their incredible co-nursing story here and here. More recently, Eliza has been pregnant as surrogate Mom for a gay couple who are good friends of theirs, also Salt Lake residents. I had dearly hoped to include them in this story but they wish to remain anonymous, which I completely respect and understand.

I spent a Monday evening with Eliza and Kelly’s family, from pre dinner to bedtime. Kelly and Eliza are friendly, open and honest. It was very easy to connect with them and their family. Their kids are warm, big hearted, friendly, playful and respectful of one another. As it turned out, Eliza was in pre labor that evening. (Later the next day it stopped when the baby shifted position). Despite Eliza being in pre labor, she still wanted to do the shoot. And she managed to share all the duties with Kelly in getting the kids ready for bed and clean the house after dinner.

As I photographed them throughout the evening and later sat here at my computer editing the images I was reminded over and over that their life is just like mine, just like yours. They have house rules much like anyone else’s: the kids have to eat their broccoli; bedtime is strict; don’t splash bath water on the bathroom floor; and so on. Both Moms were tired and their patience was wearing thin by 8pm as the seven and five year old continued running around the house ignoring instructions – just how I feel as a Mom at around the same time each night. But above all that, the kids were nurtured through words, hugs, affirmations hung on the walls, routine and well thought out parenting strategies. The children have two parents who set boundaries, teach them how to behave in the world and who love them.

Several weeks ago, Eliza gave birth to a healthy little boy for their friends in the very lounge room I photographed them in. They plan to continue to be an important part of his life. Currently he is spending a great deal of time with them at their home while Eliza is nursing him. Kelly, Eliza and ‘the boys’ (as they refer to them) are defining their own family unit here. The boys are this baby boy’s legal parents and the girls are heavily emotionally invested in his well being. It’s completely unique and this little boy has the devotion and support of all four adults and Kelly and Eliza’s children.

I feel a very deep sense of gratitude to Kelly and Eliza for their trust in allowing me to photograph them and share their story. I drove home with a full heart the evening after their shoot.

If you know someone who would be interested in taking part in this photo series, please get in touch with me. cathy@cathyronaldsphotography.com or 801.949.1580

Family dinner.

Joel and Teegan on their way out the trampoline after dinner. Eliza describes her evening routine for the kids as strict.

Senicka bounces the kids on the trampoline.

Bath time involved lots of splashing and giggles. Kelly washes Teegan’s hair (hidden from view) while the older kids laugh.

Teegan and Eliza snuggle.

Both Moms working to get all the young kids into pajamas for bedtime stories.

Teegan was co-nursed by both Kelly (left) and Eliza (right).

Eliza cuddles with Aidia.

Kelly reading a bedtime favorite: The Tickle Monster.

Aidia caught in the act of secret nutella eating, unbeknown to Eliza.

The kids help Eliza water the garden before bedtime.

Kelly supports Eliza through a strong contraction, while the kids ran around with balloons (out of view).

Eliza takes a moment to rest as Kelly resettles Teegan, who had woken up.

Joel kissing ‘Poppy’ before bedtime. The kids were very excited about Eliza having this baby for ‘the boys’ as they call their gay friends.