(click on the photo for a closer look)

A year ago in May, I received this email from Abby:

Paige – we love your work! It would be awesome to have you document lil’ Margaux.

We were thinking of doing three short photo sessions spaced out through the year. We want to get some nice shots of her as she grows. (Everyday is something new!). I’d like to do the first session after she can hold her head up (3 mos or so) as she’ll be a more sensational model at that point. And we’d like to do this outside, earth baby style.

Thanks!
Abby

I was excited about the opportunity to document a little one’s first year of life, and so over the next 16 months I was able to photograph Margaux at…

…3 months…

…7 months…

…and 19 months.

Each time I arrived at their house, it was fun to see (and experience) the differences a few months can have on a little person. And I learned a lot from Margaux about how to be better prepared to photograph the very different stages. These are the valuable lessons that lil’ Margaux taught me about photographing a child’s first year:

At three months you have to work really fast before your model falls asleep… again.

Seven months is so dreamy… a few funny noises and a mirror is all it takes to get a good smile.

And 19 months… watch out. You better have eaten a good lunch, done some stretching and have a bunny up your sleeve, because not only do you have to move fast to keep up with your model, but you also have to have some tricks to keep her entertained. Ladders, chairs, agile parents, and using your body as a blockade works too…

But as I looked back to compare the photos from each of our photo shoots, I was pleased to discover some similarities as well…

Thank you, Abby, Nate and Margaux, for letting me document your first year together and for teaching me how to be a better photographer for all ages.

And I can’t wait to see what lessons Margaux has to share after lil’ Margaux becomes big sister Margaux.