Letting the Kids Be Kids — A Joyful Mother’s Day Session with Courtney & Her Boys

Letting the Kids Be Kids — A Joyful Mother’s Day Session with Courtney & Her Boys

Every year around Mother’s Day, I get the absolute pleasure of welcoming Courtney and her boys – Lane, Ford, and now little Brandt – into the studio for a Mommy & Me session. And let me tell you, these boys bring the energy in the best way.

Courtney has been a long-time client and friend, and one of the things I love most about photographing her family is how she embraces the beautiful chaos that comes with raising boys. There’s no pressure for perfection here – just genuine connection, laughter, and plenty of silly faces. That laid-back, “let the kids be kids” approach makes for some of the most joyful and memorable images every single time.

This session was extra special because we recreated one of their favorite portraits from a few years ago – back when Lane was holding baby Ford. This time around, we added Brandt to the mix, with all three brothers in a sweet stack of smiles and arms. Watching this family grow and capturing these milestones year after year is such a privilege.

The vibe of this session was classic, clean, and coastal – light blues, mint greens, and soft khakis that complimented our neutral backdrop beautifully. These simple tones help keep the focus right where it belongs: on the relationships, the laughter, and those fleeting little details like baby toes and gap-toothed grins.

Courtney showed up in a soft floral dress that added the perfect touch of elegance without ever feeling too “done.” That’s the magic of these sessions – they’re styled enough to feel polished, but always leave space for real moments.

If you’ve been thinking about booking a Mommy & Me session but worried your kids won’t “cooperate,” let this be your permission slip to let go of the rules. Your kids don’t need to sit still or smile on command. They just need to be themselves. The best images happen in the in-between – while you’re snuggling, laughing, or whispering silly things to make the baby giggle.

Courtney and her boys reminded me again this year that motherhood is made up of messy, magical moments – and I’ll never get tired of documenting every bit of it.