Jennifer Beitchman Photography | NY Portrait Photography | Senior Photography | Newborn Photography | Children Photography

Technically, Zoe turned 3 2 months ago. I took her pictures shortly thereafter but never had a chance to finish editing the whole set due to the holiday craziness! So even though I have Valentine minis to finish editing and Piper’s 1 year pictures (that I finally took this past weekend!) and sessions I did for friends at the end of summer and fall to finish, I really wanted to share Zoe’s pictures. So I finally finished them! Looking back at them, I was taken back to the afternoon we took the pictures, a chilly November day (a day that was supposed to be warmer than it was!) and how much fun she had. Her newest thing is running up to me and giving me hugs and kisses after I pose her. While at first I was annoyed, I quickly got over that and enjoyed every ounce of sweetness. She ran, jumped and even let me pose her that day! It was probably the most cooperative she’s ever been for pictures!

There isn’t a day that goes by that this little peanut doesn’t make me proud. She is truly a remarkable person. We recently read Cinderella and watched the movie. I couldn’t help but feel like Zoe is like Cinderella. Not in the way she’s treated like a servant but in the way of her spirit. No matter how mean her evil stepmother and stepsisters were to her, she never lost her happiness, her sunshine, if you will. Zoe is very much like that. Even when we are having a bad day and it seems like she is crying and/or being yelled at all day (and at 3 we have more days like that then I wish!), she’s still just plain happy. She smiles, she gives kisses, she’s sweet to her sister. I really hope she never loses that and no ever tries to break her spirit. And if they do, they will have ME to answer to. And that won’t be pretty, trust me!

She is also the most amazing big sister to Piper. They just love each other so much. Even when Piper is being annoying to her, Zoe kind of takes it in stride. I’m sure this will change (Piper is a feisty child!) but the way they make each other smile and laugh like no one else does, warms my heart every day.

So without further ado (and 2 months late), here is Zoe’s 3 year session:

I was kind of amazed she just sat there by herself:

I think she felt very grown up on this day:

Even though it was a little chillier than expected, it wasn’t too cold at this point and the light was super pretty:

One of Zoe’s favorite activities: jumping: Zoe’s always loved playing dress up with this scarf so she thought it was so cool I brought it along: How is this amazing little creature mine?: She was so good about letting me pose her and I’m so glad because I love this shot: Next we changed into a fun and fluffy pettiskirt: And again, she let me pose her and held the pose: How is she 3???? This looks like some funky dance move but really it was just an awkward end to a jump: Then it was time to run!: She was just having so much fun with this tree: More running: And again, another great job with letting me pose her: She really wanted to lay on the bench for me again: And I had to highlight her pretty heart necklace her grandma gave her as a birthday gift: Silly face time. I think she looks like a mouse here: She was a little scared at first about standing here because it was so dark in the barn but once I showed her there was nothing inside, she was fine: Last shot before we got back in the warm car:

I learned, after my first year in business, that I need to end holiday sessions in early November. That way, I know my clients will get the best of me and so will my family. So when I was contacted in the middle of November about doing a holiday session, my initial reaction was no. But then I thought, why not do a mini session? 30-45 min and a small gallery. So that’s what we did. I’m so glad I did it! I loved the little girls I got to briefly hang out with and mom and dad were so cool and helpful.

When little Madeline climbed out of the car with this gorgeous red hair, I was in heaven! I think red-headed girls are a child photographer’s dream! And look at her piercing blue eyes…..and she was just so sweet:

And then I saw her adorable little sister, Grace!:

I loved how sweet these girls were. And they were each only slightly older than my girls:

They reminded me so much of Zoe and Piper:

How gorgeous are these two?!:

My favorite shot of the session:

Madeline was so brave and sat on this big fallen tree all by her self (don’t worry, her dad was just a short step away!):

Can you tell they’re sisters? Love the tongues sticking out!!!!:

I’m still not sure, but I might just offer a limited number of holiday mini sessions this fall! Stay tuned!

And speaking of holiday minis…did you see I’m offering Valentine’s minis THIS weekend??? Email me to reserve your session now.