This Mini Session was extra special because while the Larsons are new photography clients, they’re definitely not new faces in my life. I’ve known Elizabeth and Ian for years through our church, so getting to photograph their beautiful family of seven felt like such a gift.

Their crew includes their teens, Sophie and Haley; grade-schooler Noah; and their two energetic toddlers, Caleb and Jacob. We met at Lafayette Park during the absolute peak of fall color in St. Louis, and the park honestly felt magical. Everywhere we turned, there were bold pops of orange, yellow, red, and deep warm browns — the kind of backdrop photographers dream of.

Our session took place on a Saturday evening, and we lucked out with weather that was crisp but not too cold. The older kids were absolute naturals in front of the camera, and the toddlers brought that perfect mix of sweetness and unpredictability that keeps things lively. Toward the end, the little guys started to lose steam (as toddlers do!), but even those moments told a story — the real, beautiful, chaotic life of a family with littles.

We captured a mix of posed portraits, natural interactions, and a few “this is real life” moments that I honestly love just as much as the picture-perfect ones. It was such a joy photographing a family I’ve known for so long, and I’m so grateful they trusted me to document this season for them.