Wesley is One! | Minnehaha Falls Baby One Year Portraits

For Wesley's one year portraits session last fall, we went to Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis.  This super-cool family takes a photo by the falls every year.  This time around we were able to combine their annual family tradition with Wesley's third portrait session as part of the New Arrival Collection.  Their lab Dixie joined in the fun this time around, too!  Nothing like rolling in the leaves on a crisp fall day with your favorite people and pets!

Parents Annie and Ryan (originally wedding clients - in fact, my first wedding clients after launching lauren b. photography) have been super creative and decisive when selecting locations for their boys' baby sessions.  We've been to Lake Harriet, the Union Depot, Mears Park, and their St. Paul home for the newborn ones.  This was our first Minneapolis adventure and at one of my top spots.  Love love love checking in with this crew!

Kid sessions are so fun and energetic!  Kids pretty much get to break all the rules of posing.  They look great at every angle, in nearly every position, and in every mood - it's all real life.  I always get a kick out of how much work the adults do around the kids to get them to smile - what a comedy it must seem from the outside looking in - and it's usually worth it!  I'll take those natural smiles, giggles, and family snuggles at just about any cost including bribery, which I believe is a totally acceptable parenting tactic during portrait session.  Plus then we get to talk about whatever fun thing is in store for them afterwards.  Parents deserve rewards too, by the way!

For more of Wesley's New Arrival Collection, check him out at 7 months old at Harriet Island in St. Paul and prior to that, newborn Wesley in his St. Paul home.

Older brother Franklin is a New Arrival Collection graduate as well - doesn't get much cuter than these two kiddos!