There's a particular kind of magic in an overcast evening. The clouds turn the whole sky into one giant softbox, the light goes gentle and even, and everyone glows without a single harsh shadow. That's exactly the sky Charles, Avery, and their sweet little James handed me for their very first family session — and it made a beautiful evening at Parker Mill Country Park in Ann Arbor feel completely effortless.

Charles, Avery, and baby James together on a wooded path at Parker Mill Country Park in Ann Arbor

One little park, a dozen backdrops

Parker Mill, tucked right off Geddes Road in Ann Arbor, is one of my favorite kinds of locations — the kind that hands you a whole gallery's worth of scenery within an easy, stroller-friendly walk. In a single evening we drifted from tree-lined trails to a little wooden bridge, past the river, and by the pretty old stone buildings on the property. No rushing between spots, no long hikes with a baby in tow — just one lovely backdrop after another, all a few steps apart.

The Pakala family in front of a historic log cabin at Parker Mill Country Park in Ann Arbor

Charles holding baby James beside the creek at Parker Mill in Ann Arbor

A freshly-napped little star

James had woken up from his nap right as we were getting started — and if you've ever spent time with a well-rested baby, you know that is the good stuff. He was all gummy smiles the entire evening(A little behind-the-scenes secret: my camera bag always has bubbles, puppets, and snacks tucked inside for exactly these moments. There's no giggle quite like the one a surprise bubble brings.)

Baby James giggling on a soft blanket as bubbles float past

Charles and Avery holding James at their Ann Arbor family session

Soft light, soft tones

Charles and Avery chose neutral, flowy outfits that moved beautifully in the evening breeze and let all the greens of the park do the talking. Paired with that soft, overcast light, everything came together in the calm, timeless, true-to-life way I love most — the kind of images that will look just as lovely framed on the wall ten years from now as they do today.

The Pakala family in neutral, flowy outfits in the soft evening light at Parker Mill

Black-and-white photo of Charles and Avery kissing baby James on the cheeks

Here's to the first of many

First annual sessions are my very favorite kind of promise. They're the start of a tradition — a way to press pause on one specific year, with these exact giggles and this exact little face, before everything shifts and grows. I can't wait to watch James get bigger one summer at a time. Thank you, Pakala family, for letting me document the very beginning of yours.

Charles carrying baby James down the tree-lined path along the river at Parker Mill

Dreaming up a family session of your own in Ann Arbor or anywhere around Metro Detroit? I'd love to hear your story — get in touch here.