Theo at 6 months | Wisconsin Family Photography in Winter

Theo and his older brother Nolan are two peas in a pod. Just 14 months apart these two clearly are destined to be buddies, even if right now Nolan would prefer Theo stay out of his ball pit when Theo would prefer to be knee deep in plastic balls, too. Each time I photograph these little guys and their kind parents together (and I’ve done it several times including mom Meg & dad Dan’s engagement in Chicago, their wedding in Wisconsin’s lake country, and all of the boy’s respective newborn, 6 month and 1 year sessions) I feel a sense of calm and happiness about this family. There’s never any fuss or stress that a cuddle, a laugh or a cheesestick can’t mend and mom & dad are happy to just let the boys be themselves – crawling, walking, drooling or being “so big.” It never really matters because they know that all that counts is being together simply and authentically. I think this may be one of my favorite sessions though, because it was hosted at the family home where Meg & Dan became a family themselves. I like the symmetry in looking back at Meg putting on her wedding shoes on the stair landing that Nolan plays on now, and at seeing the boys play with their parents in the lakeside backyard in which Meg & Dan hosted their tented reception. It feels homey and sweet and complete – which is all a family can ask for.