I’ve been photographing this family for over nine years now, and every time their annual family session rolls around, it genuinely is a highlight for me. Krisstin and Cole are amazing humans, and I absolutely adore watching the way they team up and raise Noah. Getting to witness their family grow over all these years feels like such a gift.

Every year, we pick a new spot along the Central Coast for their family photos. This year, we met up in the dunes outside of Morro Rock in Morro Bay, and the weather and sunshine did not disappoint. The views were gorgeous, the light was dreamy, and we had the perfect little pocket of California magic to let Noah run around and be himself.

They intentionally schedule their family photos around Noah’s birthday each year, which is such a beautiful way to archive this season of their lives. Every session is different, simply because Noah is at a new stage in life. The last couple of years have been extra playful and full of energy, but this one was an absolute delight. One of my favorites, for sure. There is something so absoultely fun about watching a kid get to that goofy, silly stage where they are completely comfortable sharing their whole happy self with you. The faces, the laughter and ridiculousness. It’s all those little moments of pure joy that you know are going to make parents smile for years to come.

And underneath all of that silliness is the thing I love most about these sessions is how deeply loved Noah is. You can feel it in the way Krisstin and Cole look at him, play with him, encourage him, and simply enjoy being his parents. Nine years of photographs means nine years of little pieces of their family story tucked away in galleries. It’s birthday after birthdays, different stages and all in different locations around our homes. And I feel incredibly lucky that they keep inviting me along to document them.

Cheers to the silly faces, a kiddo who feels so much love, and a family that makes my life brighter.