It’s been just over 2 years since we last saw Louie and Mary. We had so much fun getting to know them during their engagement session and wedding journey. We really felt comfortable with them from the first hello. So, when we began expanding Jennifer Yount Photography to Orange County, they quickly came to mind as we discussed clients we wanted to reconnect with again. Mary and I are friends on Facebook, so as with many clients, we mildly stay in touch through comments and likes. When they announced that they were expecting a child we were super excited for them, but even more excited when we got to meet Lily.

When we all arrived at Hillcrest Park for their family portrait session, the ease and comfort of before flooded back with hugs and smiles. Little Louie and Chris hadn’t changed much. They were still boys of very few words, even with questions about their anticipation for Christmas the following week. As we progressed from pose to pose we caught up on all of the changes life had brought over the past 2 years. Louie had knee surgery and was on disability for a couple of months. Not knowing this previously, I felt horrible selecting a park on a giant hill with probably 150-or-so steps. But Louie was a trouper and up for the physical therapy.

The best moment came when photographing Miss Lily by herself. Mary and I laid a blanket out for her to sit on in the grass while Luke took the boys to another area for some father-son portraits. Lily did not want to sit up for her pictures. The grass mesmerized her. Mary realized it was her first interaction with grass. They had been to parks before but she had not yet, sat in or played with grass. It was delightful to watch her discover part of the world that we often take for granted – the way she stared at it and touched it with curiosity and wonder, unsure of what this new texture was. The expression on Lily’s face and the moment of discovery is one of the greatest and rare joys of photographing children. This portrait was quickly one of Mary’s favorites.

“We were meant to explore this earth like children do… unhindered by fear… propelled by curiosity and a sense of discovery. Allow yourself to see the world through new eyes and know there are amazing adventures here for you.” – Illuminatingsouls.com