Earlier this month, I learned that my sister Jenn and her family are relocating. I’m sad they won’t be nearby but excited for their new chapter. They aren’t moving cross-country, but they will be far enough that our visits will become much less frequent. So, before she moved, we decided to capture some children’s portraits in Sonoma of her kids, Layla and Raheem, who are now one and three.
As a photographer, I cherish the idea of preserving precious memories, a concept often echoed across photography blogs. However, it wasn’t until my wife and I had our own son that I truly grasped how fleeting those wonderful moments are.
Jenn picked up some new outfits for the kids, and we planned to meet at Sonoma plaza. There, I aimed to snap some casual portraits, hoping the kids would cooperate before a rebellion ensued.
This year has been unusually warm, causing early blooms all around. I noticed patches of daisies in the grass, ideal for well-lit portraits. I managed to capture a lovely series of images there before the nearby park distracted Layla completely, and she could no longer resist its allure.
Capturing Childhood at the Sonoma Plaza
All of our kids were in fantastic moods, and as cliché as it sounds, I captured some memorable candid shots. My little Hayden always has the silliest expressions as he discovers new things. Watching him grow is truly the best experience.
My sister’s son Raheem can now walk proficiently and even decided to push the big boy bike around. She affectionately calls him her “baby bulldozer” because he tends to crash through everything. I often joke with Jenn that my current goal is to make Hayden chubbier than Raheem. It’s funny how at this stage, being extra chubby just adds to the cuteness.
Jenn’s daughter Layla is definitely forming her own strong opinions and is turning into an exceptional little girl. Layla has no excuse but to be awesome, given that Jenn excels at motherhood.
Capturing Precious Moments: Sonoma County Children’s Portraits
I’m going to deeply miss all these wonderful people and am incredibly grateful I captured these portraits before they departed. This experience was undeniably bittersweet for me. Ever since I started sharing Sonoma County children’s portraits of my own son last year, the demand for children’s portraits has surged dramatically. It has been a thrilling journey to create cherished portraits for other new parents. If you’re interested in having portraits of your little ones, please feel free to get in touch! I’m eager to hear your ideas and explore what we can create together 🙂
