I remember feeling relaxed and excited as I drove to the park to photograph this family again. When they got out of their car, there was talk of a shoe fiasco. I think they had different shoes for their son, and he wanted to wear his Crocs. And I remember that about this family photo shoot because the shoes were so unimportant to them, and I loved that. They were smiling and laughing with each other. They just totally let go of their shoe hopes, and focused on what really mattered.
I loved photographing this sweet family in almost every room of their beautiful home. And I love so many of the pictures! We didn’t get the dining room, which you get a glimpse of in the living room pictures. Gotta do some in there next time! I love watching parents adore their children. So much love here, I know! 🙂
Remember when New Jersey wasn’t covered in snow, and we could see grass?!
I met with this family on a warm September afternoon for a pregnancy mini session, so they would have some pictures with mama’s beautiful belly, before baby brother arrived. A month later I was there to photograph his birth. I look forward to sharing the birth and newborn pictures as well. I’m slowly catching up on blogging after a full fall and a relaxing winter. 🙂
I have a lot of love for this family. I want my photo shoots to be spontaneous and child-led, and to show real life, and these moms really let that happen. When their two year old son, who has autism, wanted to get in the pool, which we hadn’t planned, they got right in there with him. If they had any self-consciousness about being in a bathing suit, or any feeling about how the shoot should go differently, they didn’t let those get in the way of what would bring their son joy. And his joy brought joy to them, and I love seeing it in these pictures.
These pictures make me smile. It’s so special to meet a family when they have their first baby, and then to watch their family grow. How sweet are they together, on this fall afternoon in their backyard?
© 2025 Maegan Dougherty Photography|ProPhoto5