Often people ask me what my favorite age or genre is to photograph.  That is an almost impossibly question for me to answer.  If I’ve just photographed a newborn, I say, “Newborn!”  If it’s a wedding, my answer is, “Weddings, I love LOVE!”  So if you had asked me after Gibson’s 1 year photo session, the answer would have been, “One year old sessions with a cake smash – hands down!”

My neighbor and friend Kristina and her hubby Ricky are getting ready to welcome their third baby any day now!  Kristina was so kind to model these dresses for me the other night – doesn’t she look gorgeous?!

When my lifelong best friend, Heather asked me to photograph her family on the front porch of their new home in Cissna Park, I was over the moon excited!  Being invited to photograph families in places that are so special to them makes our time spent together even more meaningful.

Sweet little Olivia slept peacefully as she was cradled on the bed for photos with her proud big sister Brooklyn.  She flashed us her sweet double dimples and gave us some adorable baby smiles.

Do you remember what it was like to be a pre-tween/tween?  Stuck in limbo between no longer being a “little girl” and not quite a “young lady?”  Not quite ready to give up your American Girl Doll and definitely not ready for makeup and boys yet.

There is no doubt this lucky baby boy is surrounded by and abundance of love!  His mommy and daddy were so attentive to his every need, and grandma and grandpa couldn’t get enough of their sweet new grandson!

“The most important thing a girl wears is her confidence”

Recently, I got to spend time with these 3 friends.  And I have to tell you folks, these are girls that are not afraid to be themselves, they root for each other – even when in direct competition with the other, and they are there when one needs a shoulder to cry on or a good laugh!  

Princess Day at Pear Tree Estate was exactly the kind of day you dream about as a little girl playing dress up and watching Disney movies.  Wearing your fanciest dress, wearing flower crowns, receiving jewelry, eating sweets, having your picture taken – truly a day dreams are made of!

Kaine was an amazing sleeper, and slept through most of his session, stopping to eat a couple of times.  A full belly makes us all happy and sleepy – right?  While he was asleep, I was able to grab some lovely macro images of all of his little features – eyelashes, lips, fingers, toes, etc…He graced us with some awesome open eyed opportunities too – love it when newborns seem to be looking right at the camera!

Welcoming kiddos back to kDarling Photography for their milestone sessions year after year is such a special reward.