Sometimes we do terribly silly things in our shoots.

Like kiss sweaty foreheads, or touch noses.

Or make farting jokes while we wait for mom to groan.

Or have daddy make crazy faces…

Or guess how many spiders we could fit in our mouths.

The most important part, though, is that we act and feel really ridiculous. It’s basically a requirement.

Kael and Jillian - thank you so much for enduring the hottest day of the year (so far!) and doing it all while being silly and looking fabulous! I know I had you do ridiculous things, but you look amazing while doing all of them! Enjoy all your photos!!

Let’s say one of your children decides not to cooperate for photos. (Can you pick out which kid that is here? Bet you can’t!)

It could be super easy as a photographer (and parent) to get frustrated and impatient.

But we all know kids respond way better to play, silliness, and imagination.

So we take our time.

We catch the in between.

Encourage extra tickles.

And most of all, remind ourselves that we’re not after perfection, but authenticity.

Elizabeth and Erik, your trust never ceases to amaze me. THANK YOU so much for being the most chill parents ever… and for fully embracing the process of going slow and easy with your kids. I ADORE YOU. :)