As a photographer, few moments are as meaningful as watching a family grow—and getting to document each chapter along the way. This recent Filoli family photoshoot was especially close to my heart. I’ve had the joy of photographing this sweet family since their son was just a toddler, and now, we gathered at the breathtaking Filoli Gardens to celebrate their baby girl’s upcoming first birthday.
It was one of those perfect spring afternoons—warm sunlight filtered through the branches of cherry blossoms, and the gardens were bursting with tulips, wisteria, and color everywhere you turned. The family of four wandered the garden paths, laughing, playing, and soaking in the sunshine.
Mom and baby girl were beautifully dressed in soft pastel floral dresses that harmonized with the blooms around them, creating a timeless, ethereal look that felt like it was lifted from a storybook. Big brother was proud and full of energy, twirling among the flowers and sneaking in cuddles with his baby sister.
This Filoli family photoshoot was captured entirely on professional Kodak film, chosen for its nostalgic tones and the dreamy way it renders skin tones. There’s something about film that elevates a session, making it feel even more like a treasured memory.
Watching this family celebrate their little girl’s first year in such a magical setting was a reminder of how fast time moves and how beautiful it is to freeze these fleeting seasons. I’m so grateful to have been a part of this milestone and to have created a gallery of images that they’ll cherish for years to come.
Filoli Gardens in spring is truly a dream, and this Filoli family photoshoot was one I won’t soon forget.
Film scanned by PhotoVision.
