A Journey Through the Lens: Capturing the Moments That Matter
When I first met the Hilton family, it was for a simple family photoshoot for their daughter who was turning one and they wanted to celebrate it. They had just moved into a new chapter of their lives, and like so many families, they wanted to document that fleeting moment before time sped ahead. Little did I know that this would be the start of a beautiful journey, one where I’d get to witness and capture the milestones, growth, and love that defined their story.
The Beginning: A Family Photoshoot
Our first session was all about capturing the essence of their family in the here and now with a one year old. It was a beautiful sunset evening, full of laughter, warm smiles, and a sense of togetherness that you could feel even before the camera clicked. The photos turned out just as I had hoped: natural, boho, loving, and full of life. But what truly stood out was the connection. It wasn’t just about snapping a pretty picture — it was about connecting with them as people, understanding their unique dynamics, and translating that into memories frozen in time.
What I didn’t know then was that this shoot would mark the beginning of a much longer journey together.
See their family first birthday photoshoot here!
The Second Child: Maternity Session
Not long after, I received an email from Shannon. She was pregnant with their second child and wanted to schedule a maternity photoshoot. I was overjoyed! It felt like a real privilege to be invited into their life during such an intimate moment. The pregnancy photoshoot felt different from the first — there was a sense of anticipation, not only for the baby but for the story we were building together.
We met at a Fox and Finch studio in Bethlehem. We captured her in a comfortable setting of this natural light studio. Mom and her daughter we captured just them.
The maternity session was full of soft light, tender moments, and a sense of anticipation. You could see the joy in Shannon and daughter. Once again, I was honored to be there to document this special time, preserving not just the look of the moment, but the feelings and emotions that made it so unique.
We also used this time to capture Kennedy’s personality with some solo shots of her. I love adding on anything special in the photoshoots and if I can do 2 for 1 deal I will totally do this for them!!
See the studio maternity shoot here!
Welcoming Baby #2: The Newborn Photoshoot
When their second baby arrived, I was invited back to capture the newborn photoshoot in their new family home. There’s something truly magical about working with newborns — the way they curl up, the way their tiny fingers and toes seem to hold the whole world. And the beauty of it was that I had been part of the journey from the very beginning, which made this session even more special.
This shoot was a more tender, quiet experience compared to the earlier family sessions, and yet, it was just as full of love. Watching the siblings interact, seeing the bond between the parents deepen, and capturing those precious moments of a growing family—it was all so fulfilling. I could see the joy of the older sibling as they welcomed a new baby into their world, and it made every click of the shutter feel like an act of love and history in the making. As a girl mom myself, it definitely pulled at my heart strings to capture their new bond!
See their Newborn shoot here!
Personality Portraits: Documenting Growth
As the months went by, I continued to be a part of this family’s journey. As their children grew, I wanted to capture more than just milestones — I wanted to capture who they were becoming. That’s when we decided to do personality portraits for both of the kids who are now 2 and 8 months.
The personality portraits session was a creative exploration. I call these “SNAP SHOT STORIES“. We didn’t just want pictures of them looking cute; we wanted images that spoke to their personalities, their quirks, and the way they saw the world. We used zero props, a plain white backdrop in my home studio in Bethlehem and we let their expressions tell their stories in a way that would speak to them years from now. And the results were absolutely stunning — not just pictures of kids, but snapshots of their souls at that moment in time.
It was a reminder of how quickly children grow and change — how they transition from tiny newborns to energetic toddlers to curious little humans with their own thoughts and dreams. Being invited into this process of growth and change, to see their personalities evolve, was nothing short of a privilege.
Check out their personality portraits here!
Looking Ahead: To the Next First Birthday and More Memories to Capture
Fast forward to the present day, and I’m excited to share that I’ll be seeing this wonderful family again in March for another photoshoot to celebrate their youngest child’s first birthday! It’s a full-circle moment — from maternity photos to newborn moments to capturing their growing family’s journey, we’ve now arrived at this next milestone.
I’m beyond grateful for families like the Hilton family, who trust me to document their lives. They don’t just book a photoshoot; they invite me into their world, into their memories, and allow me to be a part of the narrative they’re creating. For me, it’s not just about taking pictures — it’s about building relationships, understanding my clients’ needs, and offering an experience that goes beyond the shoot itself. It’s about being there for the milestones, the fleeting moments, and everything in between.
To the Hilton family, thank you for making me a part of your beautiful story. I can’t wait to continue capturing all the memories yet to come. Here’s to many more years of photoshoots, laughter, and love!!
