I’ve been looking forward to this session with the Walker family all month long! Andy, Hannah, and their sweet daughter Clara are so special to me. Andy isn’t just a client—he’s family. Being ten years younger than me, I’ve had the privilege of watching him grow up and celebrate so many milestones over the years. Getting the opportunity to capture this season of life for him and his family felt like such a full-circle moment.
Hannah has been part of my story too. Years ago, she used to watch my daughter when she was a toddler. Now, I had the joy of photographing her daughter, Clara, who is about the same age my daughter was back then. It’s incredible how life weaves connections like this—it felt so meaningful to see these moments come full circle.
We chose the South Texas Botanical Gardens in Corpus Christi for their session, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled. While I’ve visited the gardens many times, this was my first time doing a photoshoot there, and it did not disappoint. As someone who minored in horticulture and has a mom who is a Master Gardener volunteering her time there, this location held a special significance for me.
Clara, at two years old, is all energy and curiosity. She’s always on the move, eager to explore the world around her. Instead of trying to slow her down for traditional posed shots, we decided to follow her lead and embrace a candid, adventurous approach—which just so happens to be my favorite way to photograph! Hannah had saved a few inspiration photos on her phone, so we made sure to work those in throughout the session. It was such a fun process. Andy, Hannah, and I would quickly strategize to recreate the shots while Clara, completely unaware, just continued being her delightful and sassy self. It resulted in some amazing and authentic moments.
As we worked through the session, I had the chance to catch up with Andy and Hannah. We laughed, reminisced, and chatted about life. It was wonderful to see them as parents. They both have such kind hearts, and it’s clear they’re doing an incredible job raising Clara. She’s the sweetest little girl, full of personality—equal parts sweet and sassy, with a boldness that feels very familiar (maybe it’s genetic!).
The South Texas Botanical Gardens turned out to be an incredible location for this session. Its stunning landscapes and versatility made it a perfect fit for my photography style, and I’m already looking forward to returning for more shoots there in the future.
This session was about so much more than capturing beautiful photos—it was a celebration of family, love, and the joy of this season in their lives. Andy, Hannah, and Clara, thank you for letting me be part of this moment. It was such an honor to spend time with you and create these memories together.
Love, Rachel
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