Waaaayyyy back when I first opened up shop and started taking on clients, this family was one of my very FIRST. That was 5 or so years ago, when the oldest daughter you’ll see in these photos was only 6 months old. Getting to see how much she’s grown, meet her little brother and have another session with these guys was so much fun! They’ve both grown into amazing, curious, fun-loving kids and I had so much fun interacting with them throughout our session. We laughed and played, went on an adventure, had races, and for the majority of the time I got to sit back and document the love that their family shares with only subtle direction from me. They held hands, snuggled, skipped through the woods, made a “pig pile” on mom, and ended the session with a leaf fight. The beauty of “Lifestyle Photography” is the documentary aspect of it: the real emotions, family connections and candid moments that are captured by the camera of a photographer who is in the background watching the memories unfold.

This gorgeous momma wanted to document this time in her families life – a time before her two fun-loving kids grow up, a time when the three of them got to do everything together and were each others whole worlds. She really wanted a session that captured her kids playing together and what their family dynamics are in the year 2016. Awesome!

Being a part of this session was incredible. We made some photographs that I’m more proud of than any other this year. When I look back on this session I smile so big.

Ready…. Set….. GO!

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We started the session with some running around and racing! I mean come on – what kid doesn’t see Princeton Battlefield Park and not want to immediately RUN as fast as they can?? Heck, I can barely control myself either! It was the perfect way to get the kids active and having fun to warm up for the session.

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They were obsessed with this tree. Isn’t it sooo cool? I love that the tree becomes a playground you can climb inside. It was great for the imagination as the kids played for a few minutes and climbed all over it.

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As the sun started glowing warmer we walked into the shade of these tall evergreens to play a little bit more.

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These kids could have hours of endless fun playing together. They love their mom so much and it was amazing to see how active and imaginative she is with them – playing along with their games, being their jungle gym, and laughing constantly with them. #momgoals right here!

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BIG smiles all around.

…which turned into pig piles and tons of adorableness!

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After they shook all the grass out of their clothes, we walked back into the woods for a little adventure. The setting sun was sending a golden light through the colorful fall leaves on the trail, illuminating the background for the perfect fall photographs. They skipped and threw leaves, the snuggled and played ring around the rosie. It was perfection. To see the second part of this session, click here.