Treasure Coast Family Portraits: Celebrating Adoption with a Beach Session in Stuart, Florida
Plus—an inspiring story of adopting triplets!
By Diane Dultmeier | Stuart, Florida Family Photographer
From a Family of Four to a Family of Seven
I’ve had the joy of photographing the Hulen family for many years now—ever since their two oldest were just little ones. Watching their family grow (and triple in size!) has been one of the most beautiful parts of what I do.
Their most recent session took place on a breezy evening at Chastain Beach on Hutchinson Island, and was filled with laughter, sandy toes, and the kind of genuine connection that makes for the most meaningful portraits.
What made it extra special? Just the fact that I get to watch their kids grow up and photograph all five of their children together, including the triplets they adopted through foster care eight years ago.
Portraits That Reflect Real Connection
During a session like this—especially with all the different personalities, or in this case, three of the same age all at once!—I always start by reading the room (or beach, in this case). I’m looking for the natural energy: who’s silly, who’s shy, who wants to run, and who just needs a moment.
Often, the secret to a joyful, relaxed session lies in one simple thing: dad being dad.
Dan didn’t realize he was helping me get some of my favorite smiles just by being himself—waving his arms, making goofy noises, and being 100% all-in with his kids. The portrait we captured in that moment? A forever reminder of what a parent's love feels like, not just what it looks like.
These are the kinds of in-between moments I look for—where the smiles aren’t forced, the joy is real, and the memory is already in the making.
Candid, connected portrait of five kids during family shoot in Stuart, Florida
A Heart for Family—Grown Through Adoption
Amy and Dan became foster parents to the triplets when the kids were just under 18 months old. It happened fast—on their oldest daughter’s seventh birthday, they got a call from Hibiscus Children’s Center, and by dinner that evening, the triplets were in their home.
Eighteen months later, they were officially a family of seven.
“Adoption is not for everyone,” Amy told me, “but if you feel it in your heart, explore the options. Having a heart for it makes a huge difference.”
Amy had dreamed of adopting even before she and Dan got married. “Even when I was little, I always knew I wanted to adopt. It just felt like something God was calling me to do.”
Dan felt the same—and it’s easy to see in the way they parent together every day. “Having a good spouse, where you can work as a team, is the key,” Amy said. “When one runs out of steam, the other can take over. Both parents need to see and love the kids as their own.”
The Power of Family Portraits
Photographing families like the Hulens—families who’ve walked through joy, challenge, and transformation—is a reminder of why I do what I do.
Whether your family is newly blended, welcoming new additions, or simply celebrating this season of life, portraits are more than just pictures. They’re evidence of your family unity. They’re a way to reflect your values, your story, and the people who matter most—on your walls and in your everyday life.
That’s what we create together.
Portrait of triplets on Hutchinson Island beach
Not just faces smiling at the camera, but real moments of connection and the kind of artwork that helps you remember what matters.
Thinking About Adoption or Fostering?
If you’re on the Treasure Coast and adoption or foster care is on your heart, check out 4Kids Treasure Coast—a fantastic organization helping local families provide safe, loving homes for children in need.
A heartwarming portrait of a family of seven standing hand-in-hand, gazing toward the ocean on Hutchinson Island.
Want portraits that tell your story?
Let’s create something meaningful—custom wall portraits, albums, or folio boxes that honor who your family is right now.
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