Mommy & Me sessions will forever have a special place in my heart.

In fact, they are really where so much of my photography journey began. Long before weddings, seniors, and big family sessions, I was photographing moms and their little ones, mostly my friends and their kids. Looking back now, I learned so much during those early sessions. That’s where I figured out posing, learned how to communicate with little kids (which is honestly an art in itself), and discovered that the best photos almost always happen when everyone is just having fun.

And honestly? That still hasn’t changed.

Mommy & Me sessions are always some of my favorite sessions because they are playful, relaxed, emotional, and full of connection. There is something so incredibly special about slowing down for an hour and simply soaking in the relationship between a mom and her child.

Karly and Payson met me for one of my Mother’s Day Mommy & Me sessions, and it honestly could not have been sweeter.

What a special way to spend time together, right? Just showing up, running around, laughing, twirling, cuddling, and making memories with your daughter. No stress. No pressure. Just quality time together while someone else captures all those little moments you never want to forget.

And let me tell you, Payson absolutely showed up ready for it all.

Sometimes kiddos can be a little shy during sessions (which is totally normal), but Payson was ready to go from the start. She was twirling, posing, smiling, and fully embracing every fun little moment. She was such a great sport and made the session so much fun. I love when kids lean into the experience instead of fighting it, and Payson definitely understood the assignment.

The connection between her and Karly was so sweet to photograph too. Those little hand holds, the giggles, the cuddles, the way Payson looked at her mom — those are the moments that matter most. Those are the images that become priceless years from now.

And can we talk about outfits for a second? Because Karly came prepared.

I absolutely loved that she planned two outfit options for their session. It added so much variety to their gallery, and the second look with the matching dresses? SO cute. Matching outfits for Mommy & Me sessions always photograph beautifully and add such a timeless feel to the images. It felt playful, coordinated, and just perfectly fit the vibe of the session.

We were also blessed with the prettiest light, which made everything feel extra dreamy. Golden light just has a way of making moments feel soft and magical, and this session was no exception. Between the beautiful light, sweet connection, and Payson’s fun personality, we ended up with so many gorgeous photos.

I truly believe Mommy & Me sessions are something every mom should do at least once  but honestly, probably more than once.

As moms, we are usually the ones behind the camera. We’re taking the photos, snapping the milestones, documenting everyone else, and somehow forgetting to step into the frame ourselves. But your kids? They want to remember you there. They won’t care if your hair was perfect or if you felt like you needed to lose ten pounds first. They’ll care that you were present. That you held them, laughed with them, and loved them exactly as you were in that season of life.

That is why Mommy & Me sessions matter so much.

And the best part? You don’t need to wait for a full family session or coordinate everyone’s schedules. You can come without your significant other and simply make it about you and your babies. There is something incredibly special about creating intentional time that celebrates your relationship with your child. Whether your kids are tiny, wild toddlers or growing way too fast, these sessions freeze a season that you’ll never get back.

The truth is, the years move fast. Faster than we want them to.

One day, your babies won’t reach for your hand the same way. They won’t ask to be picked up or twirl around in matching dresses. That is exactly why these moments deserve to be documented.

Karly and Payson, thank you for spending part of your Mother’s Day season with me. Your session was such a fun reminder of why I love Mommy & Me sessions so much, and I hope these photos become memories you treasure forever.

If you’ve been thinking about booking a Mommy & Me session, consider this your sign. I promise, you will never regret having photos with your babies