I've photographed the birth of both of these beautiful babies, and documenting their growth through photographs is truly one of the greatest joys of my job. This is my favorite session so far, probably because this age is my absolute favorite.  For both of them, the world is still so new and interesting and every tiny thing is a wonderful discovery.  I will never ever get tired of photographing toddlers.

Every now and then, there is a photo that stops me in my tracks as I am editing, and the one below of sweet Charlotte running towards her family did that for me in this set.  Have you ever seen anything as beautiful as that overwhelming and enthusiastic love a toddler has for her parents? 

I recently received a really random text from an acquaintance. She said she new it was an odd question, but wanted to know if there was any chance that I had any sparklers…well past July when they were available at stores and fireworks stands. She needed them for a birthday party she was helping to plan.

I told her that of course I had sparklers. I keep them in my trunk. How many do you need?!?

The sparklers had recently come in handy another time too…I was at the birthday party of one of my closest friends four year old, and they had forgotten candles for the cake. I ran to my trunk and brought her sparklers and we lit those as we sang “Happy Birthday” to the guest of honor. In some ways, it was more fun than candles and maybe that will be a thing from now on.

The sparklers led me to think about the other random things I carry in my trunk, so I thought I would list them for you in case you were curious. So here it is - a list of things actually in my trunk this very moment.

• Sparklers

• 6 quilts in various colors

• A bubble machine

• Bubble Juice

• An extra camera bag with camera (not my main camera…I carry that inside)

• A lightstand

• Some bottles of water

• A lighter

• Some smoke bombs

• Three clear umbrellas

• Sophie the Giraffe

• Yummy Earth Suckers

• Organic Bug Spray

• For Real Bug Spray

• A Tide Stain Remover Pen

• Wet Ones Wipes

• Rain Ponchos

• Sun Screen

Sometimes, I don't use anything in my trunk, but I like knowing it's there if I do need it.  For this session, I pulled out the umbrella, though we didn't need it thankfully as the rain stopped just before we started, and lots and lots of bug spray.  I also stuck a poncho in my bag just in case I had to protect my camera from the rain.  And of course, the suckers came out after the session.

What about you? What do you have in your trunk?  Is there anything in mine that you are surprised about?  Anything you think I'm missing? 

The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions The Junk in My Trunk - what I keep close by that I might need for family portrait sessions