Real Life in Bloom: A Spring Family Session at the Arboretum // black and white

Okay, picture this: four sisters, each with their own energy, their own spark —all twirling and climbing and giggling their way through the cherry trees. It was chaotic in the best way.

This family showed up ready for whatever the morning held, and that’s exactly what makes cherry blossom mini sessions like this so magical. These girls weren’t posing—they were playing. And in between all that running and jumping and flower collecting, we captured the good stuff. The in-between moments. The ones where you can practically hear the laughter through the photo.

A Spring Story Told in Petals & Play
The Washington Park Arboretum delivered its usual soft, pink magic this year, but it’s families like this one that bring the scene to life. These girls didn’t need to be told how to enjoy the space—they just went for it. Little hands full of blossoms, big sisters leading the way, parents watching it all unfold with that mix of wonder and exhaustion only parents of four kids know.

Lifestyle Photography, Not “Look at the Camera” Photography
My sessions aren’t about perfect smiles and matching bows (although if you bring them, I’ll roll with it). They’re about movement and emotion and little glances that say, “Yep. This is our life right now.” That’s exactly what this family gave me—and it’s what I love to give back in their gallery.

Fifteen Minutes of Fun, Forever in Frames
People sometimes ask how mini sessions can really capture everything in such a short amount of time. But with families like this—who show up as themselves, let their kids lead a little, and trust me to work the angles—it happens fast. Real life doesn’t wait, and neither do little kids. That’s the magic of it all.

To This Wild, Joyful Crew—Thank You
Thank you for the laughter. Thank you for letting the girls be girls. And thank you for trusting me to chase them through the blossoms with my camera. These are the sessions that stick with me, and I hope they’ll stick with you too, as your girls keep growing (way too fast).

Until next spring, keep twirling. 🌸

love your photographer,

Anna