There's something pretty magical about the season of life when your babies are little. The days are full, the house is rarely quiet, someone always needs something, and somehow, in the middle of it all, you're living the moments you'll wish you could come back to someday.
That's exactly what I wanted to capture for Sara, Justin, Daisy, and their newest little love, Yago. Not the perfectly posed, everybody-look-at-the-camera version of their family. The real one. The one filled with belly laughs, tiny hands, spontaneous dance parties, and approximately a million kisses.
And let me tell you, this family knows how to have fun.
As Sara and I have gotten to know each other over the past few months, one thing became immediately clear: this family loves doing life together.
They're the kind of family that spends their weekends outside, exploring parks, walking, swimming, and soaking up the Florida sunshine. And whatever they're doing, Daisy is right there in the middle of it.
Helping in the kitchen? Absolutely.
Getting ready with Mom? Obviously.
Dance party in the living room? Say less.
Sara told me how much she loves their little ritual of getting "fancy" together. Daisy joins her while she does her makeup, getting to be part of all those little grown-up things that feel so exciting when you're small. And I couldn't help but think about how someday, Daisy might be getting ready in front of her own mirror, not realizing how much her mom misses having her little sidekick right there beside her.
It's funny how the most ordinary parts of our days can end up being the things we treasure most.
Enter Yago: The Newest Member of the Crew
And then there's Yago. With his big, curious eyes, wild little head of hair, and the sweetest tiny fingers, he was pretty content to be passed around and loved on by his favorite people - except when he wasn't - haha
There were kisses from Dad, snuggles with Mom, and plenty of time spent admiring the newest little person who has made their family of three a family of four.
We captured those tiny details that change almost overnight. His little hands wrapped around fingers, the way he fits so perfectly in his parents' arms, and all those sleepy, wide-eyed newborn expressions.
Because one day, those tiny fingers will be reaching for car keys instead. (I know. I'm sorry. I'm emotional about it too.)
Polaroids, Dance Parties & All the In-Between
We spent the morning moving through their home, letting the kids be kids and the moments unfold. There were Polaroid pictures, snuggles on the couch, playing on the bed, and a whole lot of dancing. Daisy brought the energy, naturally.
And somewhere between the running, laughing, cuddling, and dancing, we captured something so much more meaningful than a collection of pretty photographs.
We captured what life feels like for them right now: the way they look at their children. The way their children look at them. The way they laugh together. The way their home is filled with movement and love. Not every moment was quiet or perfectly still. And thank goodness for that! Because that's not what this season of life looks like.
Carpe Diem — Seize the Day
One of the things Sara shared with me before their session really stuck with me: she wanted to remember the tiny everything.
The sweet hugs and kisses. The Eskimo kisses and butterfly kisses. The way Daisy reaches up to touch their faces. All those little gestures of affection that happen so naturally now, but that she knows won't last forever.
And isn't that the beautiful, heartbreaking thing about raising little humans? You spend so much time watching them grow, cheering them on as they learn new things, without always realizing that growing means slowly saying goodbye to the littlest versions of them.
One day, they won't need to be carried.
One day, they won't ask you to dance in the living room.
One day, getting fancy with Mom will turn into getting fancy with her girlfriends on her wedding day.
But today?
Today, they do need us. Want us. Cherish us. And I think there's something really beautiful about choosing to embrace all of it while it's here. The chaos. The cuddles. The noise. The mess. The tiny hands reaching for yours. These little bodies with big feelings they only share with their safest people.
Carpe diem. Not because every day is perfect, but because these are the days worth remembering.
*A Little Note From Behind the Camera
One of my favorite unexpected parts of moving to Florida has been the people we've met along the way. Our families have become fast friends, and getting to photograph Sara, Justin, Daisy, and Yago in their home made this session feel even more special.
There's something really sweet about watching your own family build friendships in a new place, and then getting to document such a meaningful chapter for the people who are becoming part of your life.
Sara and Justin, thank you for inviting me into your home, for letting me witness the beautiful little world you're building, and for reminding me why I love photographing families exactly as they are.
I hope these photographs always bring you back to this version of life.
When Yago was tiny, Daisy was dancing (and acting), and your arms (and hearts) were wonderfully full.
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*If you're in the Venice, Sarasota, or surrounding Southwest Florida area and dreaming of family photographs that feel like you, I'd love to help you document this season. Whether that means snuggling on the couch, baking pancakes, dancing in the kitchen, or simply spending a slow morning together at home, your everyday moments deserve to be remembered, too.*
**Chelsea Circe Photography | Venice, Florida Family & Lifestyle Newborn Photographer**