I absolutely love weddings. I love the excitement, the anticipation, the happy tears, the packed dance floors, and the way an entire room of people comes together to celebrate two people beginning a brand new chapter. But the longer I photograph families, the more I realize that some of my favorite moments happen after the wedding day is over.
One of the greatest gifts of this job is getting to watch my couples grow into families.
I photographed Kali and Patrick's wedding while I was eight months pregnant with Charlie. I still remember spending the day with them, celebrating the beginning of their marriage while I was preparing to welcome my own baby into the world. Fast forward a few years, and there we were again—this time chasing their sweet little boy around Katherine Legge Memorial Park as they prepared to celebrate his first birthday.
Those full-circle moments never get old.
We met on Memorial Day, and somehow the weather could not have been more perfect. The sunshine was beautiful, the park was full of lush spring greenery, and Henry was an absolute joy from the moment we started.
We spent the first part of the evening capturing family photos together before transitioning into a birthday celebration just for Henry. Kali baked the sweetest homemade banana cake topped with cream cheese frosting, blueberries, and strawberries. While the cake smash was certainly a success, I'm pretty sure the berries stole the show. Henry carefully picked off each blueberry and strawberry one at a time before giving much attention to the cake itself, and it was honestly hilarious to watch.
The older I get, the more I realize that these are the moments families will treasure someday. Not because everything was perfectly posed, but because they capture exactly who their little boy was at this stage of life. The way he smiled, the way he explored, the way he carefully selected every berry before touching the frosting. Those little details matter.
Kali and Patrick, thank you for inviting me back into your story. It is such an honor to not only celebrate your wedding day, but to continue documenting the beautiful life you're building together. Watching you become parents has been such a joy, and spending the evening with your family was truly one of the highlights of my week. Now grab a blanket and snuggle up—your sneak peek is live!
Kali and Patrick, thank you again for trusting me to capture another chapter of your family's story. Seeing you with Henry and witnessing the incredible parents you've become was such a gift. I cannot wait to share the rest of your gallery with you soon. Until then, enjoy every minute of celebrating your sweet little guy's first birthday!
Thanks for reading,
