Elliana rose- How can you be a year old already?!

I cannot believe it has been one year since we first met with little Elliana Rose and her parents. Elliana was born in early May 2020 and I was given the privilege to capture her newborn photos while being in the home with Derek and Bethany (her parents).

Six months later I joined up with everyone again and Aunt Kate at the pumpkin patch for her six month photos and some family photos. Now we have come full circle and had her one year photos. It is so crazy to think that she has already grown so much, and that I have been blessed with capturing the first year of her life.

For her first year photos, Bethany, Derek, Elliana and I met at Fletcher park to begin our trip. We grabbed our boxes, toys, and gear and set out for a nice walk through the green fields, past the bubbling creek, and over a little bridge. We set up with Elliana having some fun paying with the overturned box, crawling over top, around, and beside the box. We really would just let Elliana do her thing while I snapped away with the camera. She would eagerly show me her smile, reaching out to the camera, and catching giggle fits as she would knock down her blocks. Next we moved to the long bridges over the marsh areas of the forrest, and Elliana had a blast practicing her walking, as well as playing from within the box. She would stand up and making faces with her parents over my head, and sit back down within the box to stick her tongue out at me. This little baby was just so expressive, and I can't help but look at the many faces she made standing in that box and smile. Her different poses as she would stand and play hand games with her dad standing behind me, to her beautiful blue eyes keeping our attention constantly on her are a treasure I never want to forget (and I'm sure her parents feel the same ;P ). But the sweetest thing that brought a smile to my face, was how she remembered me.

She had not seen me for many months, and it was months before that visit that she first met me. In short, I hadn't been around her very often, but each time I saw her she was enamored with my camera. On this photoshoot, she was constantly reaching for my camera and wanting to be in my arms during the breaks between photos. I would trade off with Derek and Bethany, carrying little Elliana and making her giggle. Those little arms reaching for a hug and those large smiles brought joy to my heart. And each time I go back to her photos, editing or writing this blog post, I still feel those little arms around my neck and those sweet giggles dancing in my ears. I am so excited to continue to watch her grow and capture her big life moments. Thank you Derek and Bethany for trusting me with your little girl, I'm so excited for the many photoshoots to come.

Until next time- Stay safe, much love!

Laura Mantooth