The Wild Goose Chase
"Wyatt wait up! Wait, smile over here! Don't run so fast!"
If you were watching me take my nephew's photos, you'd see a frazzled lady running around with a camera, completely sweating and out of breath, trying desperately to catch up!
Every year I gift my nieces and nephew a birthday photoshoot instead of a toy. I know that sounds like a weird gift for a kid, but one day when they're older, I'm hoping they'll actually look forward to these sessions. We'll grab ice cream after, talk about life, and I'll get to really know them as the people they're becoming. Plus, their moms get photos of them growing up, and I get to be the aunt who was there capturing it all.
That's what I love about annual birthday photos for kids—capturing exactly who they are, year after year.
But for now? I'm just soaking it all up.
Age Three: The Little Scottish Boy
His three-year-old session was on a cloudy day after it had rained for days. The grass was so incredibly green, and there he was—looking like a little Scottish boy in his yellow rain boots, jumping in puddles and carrying around his train. I was running around trying to keep up with him, and honestly? I loved every second of it.
When I sat down at my computer and started clicking through, I started crying. Because somehow I got him. His whole energetic personality captured right there. That's why annual birthday photos for kids matter—you get the real, unfiltered personality.
Age Four: Mountains + Mud
At four, we headed up to the mountains. He was totally captivated by the rocks and mud puddles—classic Wyatt, just being a kid and exploring everything around him. I was still chasing him around, but that's what made it fun. Watching him be himself, completely in his element.
Age Five: The Explorer
Five was all about adventure. He wanted to go exploring with his dad, and his mom and I were like "Come on, we'll do it so fast, it's so fun!" He eventually came around, but his heart was really in the exploring. And you know what? I get it. That's just who he is, and I wouldn't want to change that.
Age Six: Wait, What Just Happened?
We decided to do an in-home session in his mom's room to get the best lighting. And I wasn't sure what to expect after all those years of following him around. But the moment we started, something was completely different.
He wasn't running. I wasn't chasing. He brought his favorite stuffed animal—this giant stingray that's literally as big as he is—and just looked at me and said "OK Rachel, I'm ready. Should I smile like this? Rachel, I'm gonna pose like this."
He was leading the whole thing. Not me. Him.
Why Annual Birthday Photos for Kids Are Worth It!
I stood there watching this kid—this actual kid now, not the little boy in yellow rain boots jumping in puddles—directing his own photoshoot. Telling me what he wanted to do, how he wanted to look, posing with his giant stingray, completely confident in front of the lens.
From Puddles to Poses
Looking back at all his photos from three through six, it hits me how much he's changed. From that tiny boy exploring every puddle and rock to this kid with his own ideas and personality who knows exactly what he's doing.
This is why I'm so passionate about annual birthday photos for kids. You get to watch them grow, capture who they are at each stage, and one day—they'll look back and see the whole journey.
The little guy who used to run away from my camera now runs the whole show himself.
Can't wait to hear "Hey Rachel, look at this" at age seven.
Ready for a birthday session that's all about your kid? Let's do this. ( Book here)
Oh, and if you're not already following along on Instagram, what are you waiting for? Come see more sessions, stories, and all the fun stuff.
