Earlier this year, the Changs booked a session to celebrate the first birthday of their baby boy Max. We scheduled for February. Well, lesson learned: White Rock Lake is *insanely* windy in February. So we rescheduled for March at the Dallas Arboretum, where spring was in full force.

I’ve shot at the Arboretum before, but only in the fall. It is beautiful every day of the year, of course, but extra especially gorgeous for sure in the spring. I am seriously fixin to buy a membership so I can visit every weekend, regardless of whether I have a session scheduled there. There is really something about being surrounded by natural beauty.

This made the Arboretum a perfect setting for a first birthday / family shoot for April, Jammie, and Max. Who, by the way – will soon be joined by another little brother! Congratulations to you all on the wonderful addition to your family. I can’t wait to see how Max and Little Brother get along!

It’s funny how much babies change from one day to the next when they’re this little. One is obviously a big milestone. But even between our session date in March and when I first met him in February, Max almost seemed like a totally different person. As babies go, he is kind of a tough cookie. But I definitely won him over at our session by letting him check out the back of the camera. I find kids of almost all ages love this – they are curious about the process and obviously love seeing how awesome they look at the shoot as well!

This sweet family looks so natural among the flowers and trees at the Arboretum, so I’m so glad they chose it as their location. Incidentally, I’m also glad they chose me as their photographer, because we had a total blast at the session. Jammie, April, and Max: thanks so much for your flexibility and friendliness, it’s part of what makes this job so amazing! I definitely hope to work with y’all again someday.