“We just want to remember him like this forever!” Francesca shared as we walked along the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria. It was the perfect day for family photos. Sunrise on a Sunday morning, warm air finally signaling the start of spring, the entire waterfront to ourselves, and little Julian happily riding in his stroller pointing at each plane that flew overhead. 

Hearing sentiments like Francesca shared, that she wanted to remember him exactly as he is now, made me remember why I am so grateful to be a photographer. I am able to preserve a moment in time for families and future generations to cherish.

Sometimes, I can get wrapped up in the technical side of things, making decisions about my settings, guiding clients into the most flattering poses, being hyper-aware of each detail in my frame… but then someone says something like that. That this is so special for them because time is flying and as much as they are trying to soak it all in, they will never have these moments back. And I am brought back to the big picture (ha!). That these images don’t need to be absolutely perfect, they just need to reflect the people in them. The love they share. And the special time in their lives right now. A hair out of place, an unavoidable eyesore in the background… I do my best to prevent things like that, but in the end, it doesn’t really matter because that’s not the point. The point is getting to capture this moment in time just as it is 🙂

Happy 1st birthday, Julian! You are a lucky little guy to have such sweet, happy parents who absolutely adore you. I love you, Bliss family! 

 Bliss Family Christmas Session on the National Mall