There is just something about 6:30 a.m. sessions. Even though we wake up at the crack of dawn to grab that magical morning light, it is so worth it once we’re there. I chose to live in downtown Boston because I thrive with so much energy around all the time. But that makes it even more special to find a moment of peace and quiet, when the city is still sleeping and the angry taxi drivers aren’t quite so angry. 😉

On this particular morning, due to a slight toddler mishap, I had a few extra minutes to just sit and enjoy the Charles River Esplanade in all its morning glory. I had fun watching the brave runners who admirably spent their Saturday morning on their feet instead of sleeping in. I enjoyed pretending that I was a morning person, too. 😉

And then this sweet family of three came walking up, and my heart immediately melted. Of all the toddler faces I have photographed, hers ranks among the very top. Look at that sweet smile and those bouncy curls! Her mom refers to her as a tomboy, but I think you could also call that a carefree childhood. I loved running around as she found joy in the smallest things — hiding behind the weeping willow tree; poking at the ground with a stick. I was blown away by her imagination. When I told her that there was a giraffe in my camera whose face turned from purple to red (the crazy things that I come up with at that early hour…!!) she looked earnestly into my lens and told me that she saw him! I also enjoyed conjuring up imaginary caterpillars for her. I hope she keeps that adventurous spirit as she gets older.

Since mom and dad are temporary San Francisco transplants (here for medical training), I will be sad to see them head back home. But I’m so grateful that I had the chance to document their Boston adventure as a young family of three. I hope these pictures help them remember Boston as the larger-than-life city that it is!