As I turned my car into the driveway of the little property address James’ mom had given me, I immediately squealed with delight seeing an old barn, lovely fields and was met by Joe Mushroom and Sky…a little white goat and appaloosa horse.  James and his mom showed up a few minutes later and try as we might…tried to get little James to smile and laugh at our antics.

James turned one in early May and although not yet walking without a little help, he was happy to push around his little cart.  We happily played in the fields, pet the animals and walked though the woods.  Even sticking our feet in the little lake attached to their property.  How I love summer!

Meet Joe Mushroom and Sky!  I love horses but now I think I’m going to add wanting goats to my wish list too.

Nearly two years ago, I photographed Karissa’s mom and dad getting married.  And last week I got to meet their little one….the smiliest, happiest little girl…little Karissa!  Where did we get to play that afternoon?  At her grandparents beach in Holland.  On a warm, balmy summer-like day.  This little one instinctively smiled as soon as the camera was on her and she gets her super glam style from her cute mama.  The outfit in these first few pictures were actually made by Amanda!! I was dying over the little baby leg warmers, super sweet top and the bright aqua tutu and headband.

This is Karissa’s grandparents pup, but since he followed us all the way down to the beach, he deserved to be in the spotlight for a minute.

I wish I could take credit for how seriously cute Karissa is sitting here.  But we laid her on her belly and she just posed.  All by her cute little self.

There is something so refreshing about spending time with a three-year-old.  Their excitement over the little things…chasing birds, throwing rocks in the river, looking for fish.  Will, shy at first, warmed up quickly as we walked in the warm sunshine.  His mom and dad wanted pictures that captured him…not overly posed, but Will being Will.  A happy-go-lucky bright little boy with a smile that made us melt.

Always always celebrate a birthday with a tasty treat.

Jaydn, with his big, soulful eyes, came to spend some time in front of my camera this week in honor of turning one year’s old.  He and his mom played in the fields, blew the puffy seeds off of dandelions, and enjoyed the warm spring air.

Little Lukas is just one years old, not quite walking, but charming his mom and dad with his sister with his big blue eyes and adorable laugh.

This sweet family drove down from Petoskey for Lukas’s session.  We enjoyed the beautiful spring day, walking through the orchard and capturing little Lukas at this milestone age.  I even had help from his sister Olivia, who helped take some pictures and made her little brother laugh.

Later this summer I get to travel up to the beautiful town of Petoskey to capture this family again!  I love my job