Leilah

When I grow up I want to be Leilah. First, there's her name – anyone who grew up in my generation (and loved music) will remember a certain Eric Clapton song by the same name. But then there's the cool way they spell it. Most of all, however, I want to be Leliah because she's a bundle of pure joy. I dare you to try and look at these photos without smiling, especially when you get to the ones where she's dancing around and laughing hysterically at her mom (Joni, what were you doing behind me to elicit such rapturous smiles?)

Leilah has an older brother, and when he was two years old their mom had a photo session done for him. She had every intention of doing the same for Leilah, but life gets crazy (especially when you have two kids.) Joni realized that Leilah's third birthday was stalking them and so she called me to do her daughter's two year-old shoot. And boy am I glad she did! It would've been tragic not to have captured this stage in Leilah's life. There is a time when little girls become more self-conscious and less able to throw themselves into every moment. But this ain't it. Leilah, thanks for reminding me that there is joy and delight to be mined from every minute of the day. I can't wait to photograph your little three year-old self at your Aunt Laini's upcoming wedding!