I’ve said it before, but every time I take photos of a toddler I’m reminded of how fleeting this period of time is in a child’s life. How wonderful when we can capture the 18-month age with professional photos. This will be a treasure for the family for years to come as they look at their child and wonder how she got so big so fast. I know I have that feeling with my own two children pretty often.

Some people think toddler photos just aren’t going to work: too much energy and lack of focus in their little one. After all, who hasn’t tried to get an 18-month-old to sit still and pose and found the process impossible? But with the right photographer, your child’s toddler energy is captured perfectly. The point isn’t to get them to sit still; it’s to take pictures of them moving.

Today, I’d like to show you some outdoor family photography aimed at doing just that. I took pictures of this little girl when she was a newborn and mom and dad wanted to come back for more during the toddler years. So we headed to a local park in Dallas and I took color photos of the three of them together.

Photography is inspired by light. When I shoot people outdoors, I have the best light of all: straight from mother nature. Natural light is almost universally flattering, especially when I bring reflectors to direct it into the right places. I always know what it will give me throughout the day and can plan outdoor family photography around the best times.

Beyond the light, there’s also a creativity brought to outdoor sessions from being a part of the world at large. This works very well with an active toddler, who is all about energy and movement. As you can see from the photos below, this little girl was able to play and interact with her surroundings. The resulting photos are wonderful. Her personality shines, as does the loving relationship between parents and child.

If you’re interested in outdoor family photography, give me a shout. I’m booking sessions into April and May.