The Joy of Two: A Day with Riley

Riley ooh Riley…

Some photo sessions feel more like playdates—and Riley’s session was exactly that kind of magic.

At two years old, Riley is pure sunshine. Joyful, happy, playful, and delightfully rambunctious, she showed up ready to explore the world in her own sparkly, curious way. She loves all things girly—twirls, tiny details, and anything that lets her feel free—and being outside is clearly her happy place. From the moment we started, it was clear this session wasn’t about posing. It was about movement, laughter, and letting Riley be Riley.

She ran, she twirled, she stopped suddenly to inspect the world around her, and then she was off again. Every moment felt spontaneous and full of life, the kind you can’t plan but never want to forget. These are the moments that tell the real story of childhood—the ones that pass far too quickly.

And then there was Daddy. Poor Travis never stood a chance. He was running wildly from one end of the session to the other, chasing giggles, making silly faces, and doing whatever it took to keep that contagious laugh going. Riley’s laughter filled the air the entire time—big belly laughs, breathless giggles, the kind that make you smile without even realizing it. Maddie watched on, soaking in the moment, the kind of everyday magic that somehow feels extraordinary when you pause long enough to notice it.

Photographing a two-year-old is a lot like life itself. You can’t control it. You can’t rush it. And you definitely can’t force it. The beauty comes when you let go, follow the chaos, and capture the moments in between—the fleeting smiles, the messy joy, the unplanned laughter. At two, life is lived fully and honestly, without filters or expectations.

Riley reminded me that the most beautiful moments are often the wild ones. The ones filled with movement, noise, and laughter. The ones where nothing is perfect, but everything is real. Moments that might feel ordinary now but will one day mean everything.

And honestly? That’s where the magic lives. ✨

Here are a few of my favorites from Riley’s session: