Is there anything sweeter than a smiling baby? When Sadie arrived with her parents at their family photoshoot, I was immediately smitten. Reaching out her arms to me as I said “hello,” she allowed me to hold her for several moments. I’m a boy mom of two and while I LOVE it, it’s always really special for me to hang out with little girls. Sadie was such a trooper throughout the whole session, even though it was her nap time. Mama wisely brought Cheerios and she was completely happy when her hands were full.

Roxann reached out to me about scheduling a family session while they were in town visiting their son’s family. Even though their time here was limited, I was so happy we were able to schedule a session. It was really fun to get to know her family, including her elderly parents. Roxann did a great job of making sure they were well taken care of and made the session as easy as possible for them. Family is really special to me and I loved being able to capture these four generations.

Spending time with elderly people always reminds me of our finite life. It reminds me of the importance of how we live our lives and of how our legacy is the only thing we leave to the world. There’s a lot of things we can do with our lives. I personally believe that one of the most important legacies we can leave is our families. Personally, I want my family to know that I loved God with all my heart and that I gave my life to show them who He is.

Being a wife and mother isn’t very celebrated today. However, I think it’s the one work that can’t be replaced. It’s hard, sacrificial work sometimes. But it’s such good, important work. We have the ability to provide our children with a safe, loving home from which they can enter the world as whole, responsible people of character. We have the privilege of modeling God’s nurturing and caring nature in a way that no one else can. The way we present ourselves & interact with the world around us deeply imprints an example of womanhood on our sons and daughters.

I know that’s deep. Depending on where we find ourselves, that reality brings up a lot of different feelings. I’m personally walking through a season of discomfort and growth. Over time, I’ve come to trust that God brings up the right things at the right time. He’s been faithful through every season, only asking that I trust Him and that I allow myself to sit in the discomfort because that’s where healing and growth happens. So my friend, wherever you find yourself today, know that you are loved and that you’re in the perfect place to move forward.

Roxann, thank you for sharing your precious family with me. It was truly a gift to spend time with you. I hope these images are everything you were hoping for and that they’ve captured a season you’ll treasure forever.