I love a good full-circle moment, and this family session was definitely one of them.

Last fall, I photographed Ashlyn and Talmage for a fall mini session when their daughter, Lucy, was only a few weeks old. I made a point to follow up with them this year because I knew Lucy’s first birthday was coming up and thought it would be so fun to photograph that milestone, too.

I had no idea just how much we would end up documenting.

A few hours before their session, Ashlyn let me know she was pregnant!

So we decided to do it all.

A cake smash. Couples photos. A pregnancy announcement. And family photos.

One Session, So Many Milestones

This is one of my favorite things about family photography. You don’t have to choose just one thing to document.

Your family is changing constantly, and sometimes one season holds several really big milestones at once.

For Ashlyn and Talmage, this session gave us a chance to celebrate Lucy turning one while also documenting the beginning of the next chapter for their family.

We got to photograph them as a family of three, capture Ashlyn and Talmage together, celebrate Lucy’s first birthday, and sneak in a very special pregnancy announcement.

That’s a lot of memories to fit into one gallery, but it felt completely natural for them.

Photographing the Love Between Them

Ashlyn and Talmage are so clearly in love with each other and with Lucy.

That made my job pretty easy.

I didn’t have to manufacture smiles or force interactions. They genuinely enjoy each other, and that showed up in the photos.

There was so much laughter throughout the session.

Those are the family photos I love most. Not just everyone looking at the camera, but the little moments where you can actually see the relationships between everyone.

Lucy laughing with her parents.

Ashlyn and Talmage looking at each other.

The three of them playing together.

The tiny expressions and interactions that tell you exactly what this season of their family felt like.

A First Birthday Cake Smash

Of course, we had to celebrate Lucy turning one!

Cake smashes are such a fun way to document this milestone because they let your baby actually experience the session instead of simply posing for it.

And honestly, the mess is part of the memory.

One year from now, Lucy will be so much bigger. Eventually, she won’t even remember her first birthday cake.

But her parents will have these photos.

They’ll be able to look back at those tiny hands, that sweet face, and the little girl she was right at the beginning of her second year.

A Pregnancy Announcement, Too

Then there was the surprise addition to the session: a pregnancy announcement!

I love that we were able to capture this moment in the same place and during the same season as Lucy’s first birthday.

Someday, these photos will tell the story of what was happening in their family all at once.

Lucy was turning one.

Her parents were celebrating another year of being her parents.

And a new baby was already on the way.

That’s the kind of story I want your family photos to tell.

Family Photos at Box Elder Campground

Box Elder Campground gave us a beautiful outdoor setting for everything we wanted to photograph.

But as much as I love a good location, the location isn’t what makes these photos meaningful.

It’s the people.

It’s the way Ashlyn and Talmage laugh together. It’s Lucy’s personality. It’s the excitement of a growing family.

The best family sessions give us room to capture all of that.

Family Photography That Documents Your Real Life

If your family has several milestones happening at once, don’t feel like you need to book a separate session for every single one.

Birthdays, pregnancy announcements, family photos, couples photos, and everyday family memories can all be part of one meaningful session.

If you’re planning family photos in Northern Utah, I’d love to help you document whatever season your family is in right now. Reach out to book your session, and we’ll build it around the people and milestones that matter most to you.

Because sometimes the best photos aren’t the ones you planned months in advance. They’re the ones that capture the beautiful surprises life gives you along the way.

Cait Montgomery

Cait is a Weber County photographer and mom of two who brings warmth, humor, and genuine kindness to every session. She loves helping even the camera-shy feel comfortable in front of the lens.

She specializes in family, newborn, kids and baby photography, headshots, personal branding, product photography, and real estate throughout Weber County and Northern Utah. When she’s not photographing, you’ll probably find her at home with a book club or working in basketball shorts.

kyleeannphotography.com/cait