When you're from the south, even a 40-degree day in Colorado can feel a bit nippy!

Kids are already sensitive to the cold. But when you were born in Florida or Texas, and spent your whole life so far in those places before moving to chilly Colorado, relative temperatures don't feel any warmer! Adeline and Elliot along with their sweet parents toughed out a my coldest day of Red Truck mini sessions in November, and then came back for more chilly photos in March! Mom and dad were well-prepared, ready to bundle the kids in blankets and distract them with a movie when they weren't in front of the camera. Even so, these adorable littles, not yet used to the winter air here in Colorado having moved here less than a year ago, had very short tolerance for this session - and that's okay! Distraction remained the key ingredient for attempting (and mostly succeeding, ha!) to capture some candid moments of the children as they ran and played by themselves and with their parents. Their reluctance, in a way, provided a window into their relationships with mom and dad, which created more authentic, natural photos, always a goal for my sessions!

Jessica and Nathan are such patient, loving parents. They knew their children's personalities and their limits and gently guided them through the session, accepting what was to be, and what was not to be. :) When their young son spent at least half the session and the entire walk back to the car making his displeasure known, and rather loudly, they didn't flinch or get upset. They did not push the kids beyond their limits - we still captured the photos they wanted, in some cases barely, ha! But we got it done within the limits of the kids' needs. Jessica and Nathan understand this is a season of life with young children, who also happen to be adjusting to a new home in a very different climate. One day their kids will probably cooperate more and show off their beautiful smiles even if it's chilly outside, without making too much of a fuss, but for now those big emotions are a regular part of life and they have learned, as most parents do, to roll with it, that "this too shall pass".

Jessica and Nathan - I learned a lot about parenting from you at this session! I appreciate your quiet example. I know that behind the scenes, like most of us you probably lose it sometimes. And that's okay. But I appreciated the reminder through your gentle example that grace is possible in the midst of chaos, that our calm is the best gift we can give our stressed out kids, and to just relish in their little-ness, even when it's not the most adorable moments but rather the messy ones. I so look forward to seeing your family grow and change over the years, and to see who these little people become! If they turn out even a little like you guys, you'll have done an absolutely amazing job!