There’s this moment in a family session…

… especially with a family with little kids, where the energy just changes.  It happens after we’ve gotten the ‘everyone smiling at the camera’ kinds of photos accomplished, and the kids have warmed up to me, and the pressure is off mom and dad to have happy, well behaved kids who are looking at the camera, and everyone starts to just relax and enjoy the experience.  

Instead of telling everyone to look at me and smile, we start just capturing the moments where everyone is interacting with each other like they normally do.  It’s a magic moment because this is where I get to document the real feelings you share as a family, those special bonds between siblings, or the way mom snuggles with her littlest, or the giggles that erupt when dad starts tickling.  It’s where your personalities really start to shine, and the reason why we take photos in the first place is to remember all those lovable things your kids do, that someday they will outgrow.

These photos are usually my favorites!

Although posing for photos with little kids comes with some challenges (I’ve been on that side of the camera too, and I totally get it!), I always remember that it just takes time to reach that magic moment, and that it will come.  That’s why an hour-long session is so important, especially for families with kids.  We might not relax into the session in quite the same way if we only had 15-20 minutes, and then we’d miss out on that magical moment of genuine family interaction.

Shawndra and Chris came to see me a few years ago when they were a family of three-going-on-four.  Now they are a family of five-going-on-six!  I’m so excited for them to welcome another boy to the crew in just a few weeks, and I could tell all three kids were excited too.  

Shawndra and Chris, thank you so much for coming out for photos in the gardens!  I know how much effort you put into making it happen!  I hope these photos are a sweet reminder of this special time, and someday when baby Charlie sees them, he’ll know how much you all loved him before he even arrived!