Why I Love Photographing Two Year Olds

Two year olds are almost never interested in standing still for photos, and I think that is part of what makes this age so special to photograph.

This sweet little girl came to her session at Birmingham Botanical Gardens just before her birthday, carrying her favorite lovey and staying close to Mom and Dad while she figured everything out. At first she was a little shy, quietly taking everything in and deciding whether I was trustworthy yet.

That slow beginning is one of my favorite parts of photographing toddlers. There is always a moment when they decide they are comfortable. You can almost see it happen in real time. The serious expressions soften, the curiosity takes over, and suddenly their real personality starts to shine through. Once she warmed up, she laughed constantly. She ran back and forth through the gardens, played with her lovey, and thought it was hilarious when we all encouraged her to run toward the camera. The more we played, the happier she became. Those are the moments I want parents to remember.

Milestone photography is not really about perfect smiles or perfectly posed portraits. It is about documenting who your child actually is during this season of life. The little habits. The comfort items they carry everywhere. The way they laugh when someone plays with them. The way they move through the world at this age.

Two year olds are busy. Curious. Emotional. Funny. They are discovering independence while still needing the comfort of their parents close by. That mix creates some of the most genuine and meaningful photographs.

One of the reasons I love photographing toddlers at Birmingham Botanical Gardens is because there is room for children to explore naturally. Sessions there never feel overly stiff or rushed, which allows kids to settle in and simply be themselves.

The older I get, the more I believe that personality matters more than perfection in photographs. Years from now, parents will not care whether their child sat perfectly still for every image. They will care about remembering the laugh, the expression on their face while holding a favorite lovey, and the little details that changed far too quickly.

If you are looking for milestone photography in Birmingham AL that feels relaxed, playful, and true to your child’s personality, I would love to photograph your family. Reach Out Today