One of my favorite things about being a photographer is getting to spend time with people I might not otherwise cross paths with — and the fact that we're brought together by a love of beautiful photographs makes it that much better.

This is how I felt when I drove away from my session with the Foutz family a couple of weeks ago. I had so much fun capturing Zach and Heather's love for their adorable son Harrison, freshly 1-year-old. Not to mention, I couldn't get enough of Harrison's bright blue eyes and super-long lashes. (I seriously wondered if he might be a baby model.)

Harrison's shyness at the beginning of our session soon faded away, and his silly personality, hand-clapping tricks and sweet laugh took over. He definitely made my job easy!

Hope you enjoy the highlights from our evening at Roanoke's Explore Park.

It's been 365 (amazing) days since my best friend became my husband.

Though our wedding day was such a BIG day, it's the little details I think of when I look back. Together, these things helped tell so many stories — stories that reveal who we are as a couple, where we came from and where we want our marriage to go.

And since I encourage all my clients to incorporate meaningful items into their photos, I thought I'd share some of my own mementos here today.

Infinite thanks to Ashley Lester Photography for capturing the story of our day so beautifully.

3 / Family heirlooms and special gifts
In addition to my dad's tie, I also had my mom's garter and a handkerchief that my grandma has kept for me since I was little.

4 / Jewelry
One of the most special things I wore on my wedding day was a small gold and diamond necklace my dad gave my mom on their first Christmas together.

I always feel incredibly blessed to photograph a child's 1-year-old pictures. So many important things happen that first year — personalities develop, relationships form and a whole little world is discovered. As a photographer, there's no better feeling than capturing a slice of that for their family to hold onto forever.

My session with the Frantz family last Sunday was no exception — and little Harper has a lot of personality to capture!

To help tell her story, I wanted to share a message Harper's sweet mom wrote on Facebook on Tuesday:

"I am not a sappy mom. I haven’t found myself tearing up with each passing month. I haven’t been sad when I realize one phase is ending (especially not months 1-3, if we’re being totally honest), and I’ve enjoyed every step even more than the last. Today, though, Harper is one.

Yes, I went to bed last night a little nostalgic thinking how small her feet used to be, or how her now constant babbling used to be the tiniest squeak, but the nostalgia isn’t what’s getting me teary. What’s finally gotten me emotional is realizing that at this time of the day last year, I didn’t know her. I didn’t know what she would look like, or what she would love. I didn’t know how she would hug everything with a face, give kisses on repeat, eat anything and everything with excitement, giggle when she saw the dogs or sing and talk to herself in the back seat while we drove.

I didn’t know she would have a wild head of dark hair, that she would be obsessed with swinging, hate the grass or that she would insist on taking everything out of every cabinet — every day. Most of all, though, I didn’t know that it was possible to have so much love for such a tiny person.

And now, I can’t imagine a world where I didn’t know these things.

So, happy birthday to my baby girl. I am so grateful that I have known you for one whole year. I feel unimaginably lucky to call you mine."

As a mom-to-be (oh yes, you haven't heard?), I thought a lot about these words and couldn't help but wonder if I'll feel the same way when my own son or daughter is one. I'm betting I will.

This time last year, the thought of my sister not being at my wedding was a very real possibility. Her third baby, due just a day before the wedding, hadn’t showed up yet. We were getting pretty anxious. But despite the uncertainty, something told me it would all work out.

And it did. To everyone’s relief, Connor Douglas arrived Oct. 8, just nine days before the wedding. I think his perfect timing makes us friends for life.

Watching him grow this year has been so fun. I love his sweet personality, his huge smile and his bright blue eyes. Not to mention, he’s quite the trooper for putting up with a rambunctious brother and sister who love him very, very intensely sometimes.

I’m so happy I got to celebrate Connor’s first year as a Hosey with these gorgeous photos. Every time I look through them, I just smile — and wonder how he got so big in a year. I love that each photo shows just how much he's loved and the special relationships he has with each member of his family.

It’s been a year of adjustments for their family, for sure, but moments like the ones captured here make it all worth it.