The Frantz Family: An Explore Park Family Session

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.

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