There’s something incredibly special about photographing the same couple across different seasons of life—and Katie and Mike are one of those families I’ve had the honor of documenting for years. From their engagement session at home five years ago to their wedding, their first round of family photos, and now this session—An Evening in the Life of a 2 Year Old—with their son Raleigh, these photos feel like part of a longer story we’ve been telling together.

Raleigh is nearly two now, full of energy, curiosity, and that rough-and-tumble toddler charm. He’s happiest outside, which made their incredible yard the perfect place to shoot. Their home overlooks a sweeping canyon view of City Heights in San Diego, and even though parts of the property are under construction right now, it still holds all the magic of a space being lived in and loved deeply.

We spent the session doing exactly what they do in this season: painting, chasing bubbles, riding bikes, watering the garden, playing with makeshift truck ramps, and wandering the canyon trails. Raleigh’s little playhouse was a highlight—and watching him take such pride in his world was a reminder of how much joy lives in the ordinary.

Katie and Mike wanted to document this chapter—not because it was polished or picture-perfect—but because it’s real. A toddler on the move, a house in progress, and days filled with movement, laughter, and love.

This session was a reflection of all of that. Honest, easy, and entirely them. The kind of photos that will only grow more valuable with time.

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This blog was written with the help of ChatGPT to help bring the story to life.