When I first moved to Indy, I used to love going over to the Central Park in Carmel for family sessions. This was back before they built the amazing playground up on the hill. There was a spot I loved to use (where the playground now is) that was my favorite to shoot, so when they cleared it all, I just slowly stopped going.

So when Katie reached out to me about shooting a family session for them and mentioned they were looking for a location that was either up near their home, or somewhere in between the two of us, I jumped at the chance to shoot a Monon Center family session again. It’d been a couple of years since I’d been there for sessions (but have thoroughly enjoyed the playground since it’s opening… and since becoming a parent, of course) and I knew it would have gorgeous spots for us to shoot along the way. What I didn’t know is that all the leaves would drop pretty early this season and their session would end up with some of the best late-October fall color I could’ve ever hoped for. You wouldn’t know it by browsing this post, but everything outside of the areas we shot was as bare as mid-winter!

Even more exciting than our location, though, was the little tidbits about their family that Katie shared on their intake form. I always ask for some basic information – especially when kids are involved – so I know what they like and a bit about who they are before I start shooting. Well, it turns out that Katie and Cage’s little one is about the same age as my own son and has all the same interests… mainly Elmo and all kinds of vehicles, but particularly school busses and garbage trucks (house favorites over here, too). Toddlers have always been a favorite age group of mine, even back from my teaching days, and showing up to photograph them with their families brings me so much joy.

And then Katie’s mom joined us, too, which was just the icing on the cake. Including Grandparents in family sessions is another icing-on-the-cake item for me. There’s just something about capturing multiple generations and being able to observe little ones with their parents’ parents that causes me to slow down and soak in every little detail. Colin spends a couple of days a week with Maureen and it was so sweet to see the relationship they have and the shared interests they celebrate when together. Of course, Elmo made an welcome appearance, too. After all, if you’re a Elmo-loving toddler parent, isn’t he just a part of the family, too!? La la la la, la la la la, Elmo’s song… enjoy!

casey and her camera is an Indianapolis Family Photographer specializing in couple, lifestyle, elopement, wedding and family photography for Indianapolis, Indiana and the surrounding areas.