In so many ways, documenting our children’s lives has become second nature. The first smile, the first steps, the birthdays, the first days of school… making sure we had proof of these milestones was a priority.

So many of these big moments are packed into their first years. When they are babies, toddlers, youngsters. When it was easy. When they were little. When they were still all “ours”.

But as they grow, it feels like so much of it is trying to play catch up. Capturing those moments almost seems like a race against time. Every day, right in front of you, you are witnessing the passage of time. These once small little humans are now growing at an incredible pace almost taunting you as a parent to catch them if you can.

I see it everyday in my own children. At 12 and 10 it has started. I see them slowly becoming more independent. I’m witnessing small glimpses of who they will become as adults. And capturing images of them at this age feels different. Because it’s capturing not only who they are today, but a little of who they used to be and some of who they will become.

This young woman is my beautiful niece, Camille. I have watched this incredible person grow through the years from her birth to now. In so many ways it doesn’t seem real that the adorable little girl with the sideways smile and sparkle in her eyes could actually be a college freshman at UC Berkeley. How can the little girl with the quirky sense of humor and big, big heart become a teenager with the best puns possible. :-).

I’m so proud of my beautiful niece… for all that she is and for all I know she will become. And I am so honored to be the one to capture this perfect time in her life.

I love you my Camillie!!! Go get ’em at Berkeley!!!