Petals, Play, and the Art of Letting Kids Be Kids

There’s something about spring in Seattle that brings out the best in families. Maybe it’s the cherry blossoms showing off, or the fact that we’ve all made it through another gray winter. Either way, when the blooms arrive, so do the people—and this family showed up ready to play.

A new baby brother and a big sister with a mind of her own. Parents who didn’t flinch when someone immediately sat in a puddle (respect). And a whole lot of space to just be.

This is lifestyle photography at its core: no stiff poses, no forced smiles—just kids doing what kids do best. Running, climbing, flopping down in the grass, stuffing pockets with petals. It was a little wild, a little messy, and exactly what I hope for every time I show up with my camera.

We wandered through the rows of pink blooms at the Washington Park Arboretum, finding light where it spilled in between the branches. I gave just enough direction to keep things moving, but mostly, I stepped back and let the moments happen.

Because honestly? The best stuff happens when we loosen our idea of a “perfect” photo—and just let the story unfold.

Fifteen minutes, a lot of laughter, and a whole gallery of images that feel like real life. That’s the heart of spring mini sessions for me. Not about perfection. About presence. The way your kid wraps their arms around your neck. The wild, blurry joy of running straight through a drift of fallen blossoms. The half-second your partner makes you laugh when you weren’t expecting it.

So here’s your reminder: you don’t need to wait until the kids are older, or the outfits are coordinated, or life feels less chaotic. (Spoiler alert: it probably won’t.)

Let them be kids. Let the wind mess up your hair. Let the moment be what it is.

I’ll be there to catch it.

love your photographer,

Anna