Hi Neighbor,

It’s that time of year!  You know, the one when we see our parks and trails peppered with families in color coordinated attire, bribing the littles to “just smile” for the perfect fall (and likely holiday card) photo.  There’s flannel shirts and big hair bows, fall swing dresses and brown leather Chelsea boots.  There are cozy buffalo plaid blankets, jean jackets and perfectly waved hair.

Most of the time, my role in this seasonal tradition is from behind the lens (I do get on the other side of the camera with my kids once a year, and it’s a tradition I cherish).  I love capturing families in all their fall-adorned cuteness, with candid smiles, some “perfectly” posed portraits and even the ornery kiddos.  My favorite part of family photography is snapping the very moment in time.  At that one moment in time, little Jonah is sour faced, with mud on his fancy shirt and a pacifier he’s unwilling to give up.  In another moment, 6-year old Emery is twirling excitedly in her cute tutu-skirted dress, making the skirt float and fly.  Another moment passes with Mom and Dad giving each other a smile, a head shake and “that look” when they’ve scolded pre-school aged Rowan to stop picking her nose (again).  These photos are little slices of life.  They are a forever capture of who everyone is, in that very moment in time.  Next year, the moments will be different.  Some smiles may be snagglier, or braced, or less Jack-o-lantern-esque, the hair may be longer, the cooperation may be better (or worse!), and the pacifier may be gone.  The story will be familiar, and full of love, but different.  Because we’re all a little different in one way or another as time passes.

This time of year starts the close of a chapter, a literal season of life.  Before we know it, it’s a new year and with it comes growing up, change and hopefully adventure and fulfilling moments.  Before the new chapter begins, make sure to capture a moment in this one.  This same time next year, as the leaves change and the air crisps like they always do, this moment will look different.  How cool is that?!

Warm and Cozy Flannel Regards,

Kim