Tears. That’s all that can be said for my reaction when I opened my inbox to find this gallery of family photos waiting for me. Now that may not be shocking for those of you who know me well. I am admitedly uber sensitive, have been known to cry at a sentimental commercial, and I can’t hold it together during certain movies. Throw in some pregnancy hormones and it’s really no surprise that I cried. I was crying because since Hudson was born two and a half years ago we haven’t had family photos taken that so perfectly spoke to exactly who the three of us are together the way Natasha of Palmetto Rose Photography was able to capture these. To me, they are beyond perfect.

I knew these photos would be special to me because not only were they going to be our first beach photos since moving to Charleston last January, but they were also going to help us announce to our family and friends that we were expecting our second little man in May 2018. But I am also a realist. Being a photographer myself I know how hard it is to reel in a toddler, let alone get them to smile at the camera. And my little guy? We call him #HurricaneHudson for a reason.

That is why I cannot say enough good things about Natasha. I will scream it from the mountain tops how talented and amazing she is at what she does. True to self, Hudson was knee deep in water within five minutes of arriving at the beach, but she took her time, let him play and be himself, and ultimately delivered a set of photos that I want to frame EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. (So don’t be surprised if next time you show up at my house I have done just that!) Natasha is the real deal y’all. I am just lucky enough to have become friends with her this past year through an online photography course we both took, and now she’s one of my people. And she’ll be my go-to photographer for years to come.

It’s hard to believe that the next time we have family photos done it will be when our new little guy will be here and there will be four of us instead of three. I am beyond excited for Hudson to have a best friend and partner in crime to test my sanity with, but I am also so thankful for these moments with just him. The little guy who made me a mom and taught me more about myself than imaginable. And now we can get to the photos because no surprise here, there’s about to be tears again.