I remember one day 12 years ago like it was yesterday...

I was lying on the floor between my two children (the third hadn't yet been born) playing a game. We had recently moved from Georgia to Virginia. In that moment I was struck by the simple pleasures of life and the blessings of motherhood. Literally minutes later my phone rang, a mom friend from Georgia was calling to catch up; or so I thought. The news she shared stopped my world for a moment; our friend Tanya had suddenly passed away. How could this be? Tanya had two young daughters; about to have their 2nd and 4th birthdays. My mind was reeling. One of the first things I thought to do was to search for photos I might have of Tanya with her girls. I was not yet a family photographer in San Antonio but hoped that somewhere in my pictures from birthday parties or gatherings with friends I would have a picture of Tanya with her girls; that I could share more concrete proof for the girls that she was a part of their lives. More visible documentation of her boundless love for them. We are not promised tomorrow. When I conduct a family photography session I always try to capture the love shared between family members. Yes, I take the standard everyone look and smile at the camera pictures but I love to include the pictures that make you "feel." The photos of a mother's joy of being with her children. The genuine laughter from kids because of dad's silliness. Photography is a visible reminder of love shared. Love that should be documented for years to come. You will love your pictures after your family photo session but their value will grow with the passing of each day. Their value will grow with each inch of growth in your children.