madeline - 2 year session

i sat and stared at the email in front of me.  "hey allison, i wanted to see if we could schedule a time to shoot madeline's two-year pictures."  TWO years old?  seriously?!? 

when i first began shooting madeline's photographs, she was the tiniest two-week-old i think i've ever seen.  she had little wisps of blonde hair and these gorgeous blue eyes that stayed open for most of our time together (she's never been much of a sleeper, huh jamie?!?)  :-)  and now, seven session later, she's one of the tiniest two-year-olds i think i've ever seen.  her hair has gotten longer and blonder, her eyes have gotten even bluer and more gorgeous, and as always, i loved visiting with this sweet munchkin and her family for our session last week. 

i'm always so torn on how to process madeline's photos.  on the one hand, i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her beautiful blue eyes (especially when she's wearing blue)...



but on the other hand, they're pretty spectacular and sparkly in black-and-white as well.



there's such a comfort and familiarity in shooting with madeline and her family.  our relationship has crept beyond the borders of photographer-client into friends who know and care about adoptions, house fires, and job struggles in each other's lives.  and one of the things i love most about jamie is how much she loves the daily.  yeah, she would like to capture that "perfect christmas card picture" and that beautiful portrait-style photograph of madeline.  but just as much (if not more), she loves the unscripted photos that evolve out of real life.




that's my kind of girl.  i love you guys bunches and bunches, and i'm always so thankful for the time i get to spend with your wonderful family.  oh, but before i go, i have to share two of my favorite "real-life" photos from your session.  enjoy!