Your normal life is awesome. Next year won’t look the same as this year. Your kids will be older. They’ll be taller. Their teeth will fall out and their feet will grow. Their handwriting will change and they’ll become better readers. They may develop new interests and leave their current activities behind. You might be living in a different house, a different state, a different country. Change is certain, but memories are fleeting. I believe this is what makes Documentary Family Photography so special.

Right now Orion + Hazel are all about gymnastics, Goosebumps (even though it’s scary), “Wandla” and “Harry Potter.” One day that will change. I feel really lucky that I got to capture their story with their mom Mary as they went to gymnastics, made Valentines for their classmates, played games and got ready for bed.

Bedtime rituals are one big thing that changes as your kids grown up. They start brushing their own teeth. One day they’ll start reading books themselves and won’t need you to read them anymore. Photos that show the teeth brushing, the face washing, the bedtime stories and the back rubs will remind you and your kids what this time is like, how it feels and what makes it special. I would take that over a perfect posed portrait any day!

In the middle of making Valentines Hazel asked me, “Are you coming to our family Valentine’s Day Party? Because you’re kind of part of our family now.”

That was one of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received!

Mary, Orion and Hazel, thank you so much for welcoming me into your home and inviting me to be a part of your day. It was truly fun to be part of your family for the day! I hope you treasure these photos for years to come.