I now have a one year old. When did that happen? Wasn't I just yesterday wondering if and when he'd ever roll over on his own? And now he's crawling, standing, and starting to talk? Ummm, no.

Now more than ever before, I realize how important my photographs are. After I put Lucas to bed the night before his birthday, I flipped through an album I'd made of images from the past year. I already don't remember what he felt like as a 5 lb newborn, and how tiny he really was as a preemie in my arms. I looked at pictures of his first Halloween, his first Christmas, and the first time he held his own bottle and reminisced on the past year of our lives. Those pictures mean everything to me now.

I'll be honest, I thought the session would be easy. But in true toddler style at a portrait session, Lucas proved me wrong - at first. He was cranky, he didn't want to play in the grass, and he wouldn't smile. So if you think your kids are the only ones who have meltdowns at portrait sessions - think again. Yes, even a photographer's baby has a bad day. 

In the end, Lori worked her miracles and Lucas started to have a little more fun. I'm so grateful for her patience. And I love the smiles that eventually came out of my little man, but really, even his "serious" face is adorable. As he grows faster and faster, this one year session taken by Lori will be added to those memories in the ever growing album, and his moments of crankiness will all be forgotten.

Here's the results of our latest family session! ~ Erin