This past weekend I had an in home lifestyle Session with the Millers.  When I asked Brittany what she wanted me to capture most during her family’s in home lifestyle session, she answered “Hadley’s innocence.  It breaks my heart that one day Hadley will loose her innocence”.  When I arrived at the Miller’s Guilderland home on a Saturday morning a couple of weeks ago, Hadley already had Bell’s princess costume on over her clothes, toped off with an Elsa crown.  I loved that she had chosen a dress and crown from two different fairytales.  Why not?  Yellow and blue go great together.  I loved watching Hadley and her imagination at work in her playroom.  From Barbies, to hatchimals, to fingerlings; Hadley had so much to show me.  She was lost in her own world and it was such a special thing to witness and to document.

I often struggle with my own daughter’s innocence (Lucy, like Hadley, is also 5).  She is convinced that magical powers exist and that if she asks Santa for them or wishes for them as she blows out the candles on her birthday cake, she might one day posses the ability to fly or sprinkle fairy dust or make anything happen.  Knowing that she will never grow up to be a butterfly (her dream career), I struggle with finding the balance between crushing her dreams and letting her believe anything is possible.

And why shouldn’t Hadley and Lucy believe that one day they might grow wings and fly?  Childhood is magical.  Children are magical.  They believe anything is possible.  I can’t think of a more important thing to photograph.  Brittany is right. Document your child’s innocence before it is lost to cell phones, video games, and middle school dances.  Before they grow up.  Before they realize Bell and Elsa are from two different made up worlds.  Before they realize that “rainbow” can’t be their favorite color because it’s all the colors.  Before they realize that becoming a doctor or teacher is a much more practical career path.  Childhood is short and fleeting and magical and it should be documented.

Hadley is so loved and it is obvious in every single image below.  She clearly stole the show, but as a mother myself, I love the expressions on Brittany and Callum’ faces while they watch and interact with their daughter.  They are so clearly in love with and in awe of their beautiful daughter and there isn’t anything better than that.  I’m pretty sure Hadley might just grow up one day and grow wings or do anything else she can dream up because when there is this much love, anything is possible.  Dream big, Hadley 🙂

Meg Mosher is an Albany, NY based photographer specializing in newborn, family, and in home lifestyle photography.  She lives in Guilderland with her husband, three young children and dog who have all been subjects of her lens for far too long.  Meg is now booking 2018 portrait sessions, newborn sessions, and weddings.  Serving Albany, Schenectady, Troy and the entire Capital Region.  Contact Meg here or email her at meg@megmosher.com to book your session today.