I'm not gonna lie, this one was chilly.  Only a week earlier I shot a session at Harlinsdale when it was 70 degrees outside, but we all know how quickly Tennessee weather can change, and change it did.  

But that didn't stop my adorable new friend Porter and his family from having a great time and rocking their family portrait session. I actually love cold winter sessions because I think they show a level of coziness and closeness in a family...all bundled up together to keep warm.  And isn't he just so adorable in his winter hat?  

Sarah and John were just fantastic. I love how they went with the flow and played with and entertained little Porter instead of expecting him to pose for too many photos.  

Sometimes the parents of toddlers can feel like a session isn't going well because a little one maybe just wants to be in mommy's arms.  Or perhaps the opposite and he doesn't want to be held.  Or he or she is on the move and doesn't seem to be "cooperating" for poses.  This can be stressful for parents because they might be used to a more posed type of photography, possibly in a studio.  I try to reassure them that pretty much whatever their toddler does is absolutely beautiful.  

Sometimes we make tiny adjustments.  For example, Porter was getting distracted by a guy on a motorcycle, so we just moved to another part of the park where he couldn't see the bike.  But for the most part, I just want toddlers to be themselves and for parents to let them.  And Sarah and John did a fantastic job of that. I love how playful they were together...so many hugs, and tackles and hide-and-seek.  This way, it doesn't feel like a job, but just like having fun while someone happens to take photos...and that's precisely the way it should be.

Sarah wanted to include her extended family in the session. This was a celebration of Porter's birthday, and she wanted to have all his grandparents and uncles in some of the photos, but she was afraid that they might distract him while we were trying to get pictures of just their immediate family, so she had the extended family come at the end of the session. That worked out great as an option, and my favorite part was when Porter got so excited at seeing his grandparents and ran to them for hugs with such joy on his face.  It was just absolutely beautiful. 

February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN February Family Portrait Session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN