Happy First Birthday Elliott!! I just loved helping document your first birthday milestone photos—I think we got some good ones, but hey, I’m biased.  Elliott’s Mother warned me about his eyes before his photo session this last week. LOOK.AT.THEM. Some of the clearest I’ve ever photographed.  I mean–Sheesh. They almost seemed photoshopped–don’t they? They aren’t. Not a bit. Scouts honor.

The light from this first birthday session was amazing…just look below. We met around 630PM and shot the last hour of sunset—I am so thankful Elliott’s Mama and Daddy trusted my judgment on scheduling his first birthday session so late. It’s so worth it to shoot during the last hour of daylight, at least in my opinion. We in the biz call it “golden hour” and it offers THE ABSOLUTE BEST for making sparkly magical glowy photos. Now see here, concerned parents—in Summer, days get longer. I will not shoot a session before 630PM period EVER. The light is too strong, makes ugly shadows, makes your family squinty, and more annoying things that I just won’t allow.

I’m a Mom first and foremost—I get that kiddos (especially those under 3) have and need to stick to their schedules. I get that a 730 PM (or later) evening shoot is potentially difficult for your children. Being honest here: I do NOT like the way shoots turn out before this Golden Hour (the one exception being in studio or sunrise shoots–around 6AM. Is that two exceptions?? haha). This Summer and Fall, I will not shoot before Golden Hour. My rule. Your money in trusting I give you good photos–I can’t get your images to look the way I want them to without the light. It’s just my personal preference and style–which is why you’re probably hiring me 🙂  With a later or extra nap, some bribes and snacks, these “golden hour” shoots are no problem at all, I promise.