long time blog readers will quickly recognize this family…I’ve been photographing them since big sister’s arrival 3 years ago. they are always up for anything, always best dressed, and I adore every last second of their sessions…this one, was no different.

samantha

is

perfect.

her big sister

has come around,

and just

adores

her.

their family was meant

to be

like this

at this moment.

while a trip

to Paris,

would have been

lovely…

a sweet baby sister is

truly amazing.

I’ve been telling

my clients

forever

that real

genuine

moments

aren’t forced.

they are fluid

little glimpses

found in every session,

when the subject

is allowed

to just

be.

MZP is rolling out a new take on the classic session. It’s simple, understated, real…the moments you want to remember about your child, about your family, about each other. In the coming weeks on the blog you’ll see real families, real children just as they are – imperfect but completely perfect to those who love them, exactly how God intended us to be – so totally, head over heels in love.

meet Campbell.

newly four.

big sister

little sister.

six sweet freckles,

piercing blue eyes.

sweet

as

sin.

and today,

she was allowed

to just

be.

If you’d like more details on this new offering, shoot me an email: mz@melissazihlman.com

I met this family two years ago, when mom contacted me to do family pictures for their holiday cards.  They are the most down to earth, relaxed, comfortable in their skin family I’ve ever met.  And Grace, well,  she’ll just steal your heart.

For this year’s pictures we toured TCU’s campus.  Dad is a proud alum, and mom & dad also exchanged vows at the chapel on campus.  Grace is destined to be a horned frog, just like her dad, aunt & uncle, and grandparents.  They brought along Aspen, the most well behaved dog, who was all to excited for her very own close-up.  Awesome family, awesome session.

I’m still what feels like a million sessions behind on blogging – and I promise to get caught up this weekend, but I couldn’t wait another minute to post some images from this morning’s session.

I meet Kenzie when she wasn’t even two weeks old, and each year I feel so lucky to be able to capture family images for them. This year when mom and I started talking about the session we had something entirely different planned, then she posted a picture of a dress on FB she was buying for an upcoming formal function they are attending, and the wheels started turning. Instantly I went to their gorgeous gown in a field filled with tall grass and pretty light…and well mom was totally on board. I seriously love clients who trust me completely to style a shoot, I promise you won’t be disappointed! Case and point…

I love mini sessions.

I love seeing old clients whose children have grown so much in a year.

I love meeting new sweet faces.

I love the holidays.

a baby plan graduate. now two. adores his mommy, smarties candies, and iPhones. always best dressed.

4.5 and 20 months. spunky, sweet, and completely adorable.  i could watch them interact all day long…

mom & dad to the kids above.  incredibly in love with their kids, and each other.  so lucky.

five going on thirteen.  ninety to nothing.  will work for candy.  doesn’t yet know how gorgeous she is.

her older brother by 13 months.  talented first baseman and pitcher. proud of those missing teeth.