All the smoke we’ve had this summer in Bend has been so sad but has made for some different looking evenings and sunsets, that’s for sure. In Bend, I have been doing so many mini sessions lately and the majority of them have been families of three with a sweet baby around the same age as my littlest. I love this because at this age many parents see pictures as a chore and more of a hassle than a necessity. Kids even at this young age can do great during a session!

I base all my sessions off of the vibe I get from the family, especially how the kids seem. Whether they're comfortable right off the bat, or need some time to warm up.

The Hajari Family came from Washington, where Tina's family grew up, to visit her parents which we included in this session. Always so fun to include a few generational pictures with grandparents. Their little one was a bit more reserved at the beginning but snuggling and letting her explore got her comfortable real quick.

I made sure not to push her to do anything she wouldn't want to do. The results are just as sweet this way with snuggling mom and taking it slow, then a session where the kids want to run wild. When little ones are more on the reserved side, I make sure to give more space and capture the simpler interactions that maybe someone else would overlook. Also, snacks usually work!

Just know even if you've got a little little one, capturing their sweet eyes or them experiencing a new environment is totally worth it. All stages are worth capturing and they change so much in those first few years, don't be nervous about booking a session with how your toddler or baby could act.

Just find yourself a bomb photographer who will make sure regardless of how your kids act, they can embrace the chaos and still get you results that you would be happy with.