This session was a beautiful reminder that photography isn’t always about perfectly posed smiles—it’s about meeting the moment and honouring it for what it is.

This lovely family of three—Mum, Dad, and their sweet two-year-old daughter—joined me for a session on a colder, windier day. And like many toddlers, their little one wasn’t too sure about the whole thing—especially with a stranger and a camera involved.

She wasn’t a fan of the chilly breeze, and she definitely wasn’t interested in sitting still. But that’s the beauty of photographing children—you meet them where they’re at, and you build trust through play and connection.

So, that’s exactly what we did.

We wandered over to the ponds to look for fish, dipped tiny fingers into the cool water of the big pond, and explored the quiet bush paths nearby. Dad lifted her up to touch the autumn leaves still clinging to the trees, and little by little, the smiles came—not because we asked for them, but because she was simply enjoying the moment.

Mum is a talented UGC creator with a strong online presence, and one important consideration for this session was privacy. She prefers to keep her daughter’s face off social media, so we planned ahead. We captured a mix of images—some full-face portraits for Mum and Dad to keep private, and some partial or no-face shots that can be safely shared on my page and hers.

It was thoughtful, relaxed, and entirely true to them.

That’s what Memories with Mel is all about. Every family, every child, every session is unique—and I’ll always do my best to adapt, connect, and tell your story your way. Because it’s not about getting the “perfect” photo—it’s about preserving real moments, real love, and real life