
Every year on Ava’s birthday, Elise and her family make the drive down to San Diego, and every year we do a session.









I’ve watched Ava go from a toddler who wanted nothing to do with my camera to a nine-year-old ready to run the show. There’s always a giant number balloon. The first few years Ava was terrified of it, then she merely tolerated it. Elise figured this might be the last balloon year, but. Ava has come to love the tradition and disagrees! She’s already requested a "1" and a "0" for next time. Twice the balloon fun!!






This year they also brought a butterfly kite along, too. Elise braced herself for photos revealing a combination of "lack of user skill and wind" but the kite pictures ended up being her favorite! I loved the way the sun shone through the colorful fabric, and once we figured out how to manage "flying" the kite, it all worked out. Elise and Samuel, thank you for making me part of Ava’s birthday every year, and especially for blessing me with your friendship.









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