The Eyers have been some of my longest clients, and families like theirs are the quiet heartbeat of why I do this work.
I took Lyla and Liam’s Christmas photos when they were just tiny toddlers with rosy cheeks and that squirmy, wonder filled way of moving through the world that little kids embrace whole heartedly. I still remember how they slowly warmed up, half curious and half unsure, like the season itself was something to be studied. And then came Levi. I had the honor of capturing his newborn photos, those early days in the Eyer home when everything feels hushed and holy and the world shrinks down to soft light and sleepy breaths.
Now, somehow, they are all growing up.
There’s always a moment during sessions like this where it hits me all over again. Lyla isn’t little anymore… she’s confident, funny and super kind. Liam is chill and put on a brave face for the session since he wasn’t feeling well. Levi is right in the thick of childhood, full of movement and personality. Photographing them always reminds me of all the sessions that have come before and all the versions of the Eyers that I’ve had the privilege of knowing.
Chelsea always goes the extra mile with outfits and styling, and this year was no different. Thoughtful layers, textures that photograph beautifully, colors that feel timeless without trying too hard. But what I love most is that her choices never overshadow the kids themselves. The clothes support the story instead of stealing it, letting personalities shine through in the way they laugh, lean, and move toward one another.
This session felt easy and comfortable. Like slipping into a rhythm we already know. I love that I get to be extra creative with the Eyer’s mini sessions because they come in prepped and ready and they know what to expect.
That’s the gift of photographing families over time. There’s more creativity and more trust. The kids don’t need to warm up to me anymore. They know my voice. They know I’ll ask them to do silly things, to cuddle, to tell secrets into their parents’ ears. And they are up for anything!
As I watched the Eyers interact this year, I couldn’t help but think about how quickly these chapters turn. One day you’re wrangling toddlers in Christmas sweaters, and the next you’re watching them grow into people with their own jokes, opinions, and rhythms. Photography doesn’t stop time, but it does let us remember how it felt to live inside it.
Eyers family, thank you for letting me keep telling your story. For trusting me year after year. For showing up as yourselves.
It’s always an honor to be invited back into your world.
