The Valencia family came to me not from an Instagram or Facebook lead, but as a long time family friend. Lacy and I actually met in preschool and then also attended the same middle and high schools as well! We had many classes together, and now she, like me, is married and has a sweet little six month old baby girl, Ellie Rose. Ryan, her husband and I met for the first time at the session, but he, too, felt like an old friend.

It was so much fun to have old-time friends in front of the camera and capturing all of the sweet, intimate family moments between them. Lacy and Ryan were down for anything I’d suggest to get the shot, even when the instructions for the things probably sounded pretty odd. One of my personal favorite images from their session came out of the “airplane” hold, where they held sweet Ellie on her belly in between them, bringing her closer then away from the camera.

While I was expecting a sweet crispness in the air, given the timeframe of a mid-November shoot, it was oddly warm even for Arizona this day. Lacy and Ryan handled it like champs though – almost like they’re used to this desert weather. 🙂 On the way from spot to spot, we got to catch up between moments, which was such a fun experience to have with someone I’ve known over half my life but hadn’t seen outside social media in a few years.

Ellie was an absolute champ, giving her biggest smiles for mama and dada when they would stand right beyond my shoulder! She took only two breaks the entire session and smiled almost the whole time! It was like she already knew she loved the camera! Lacy and Ryan, it was such a pleasure to photograph your sweet family this year and I hope you love your images as much as I loved taking them!