Crista Acosta Photography »

One of my favorite little peanuts… I’m always a little bummed when my Baby Steps clients complete their first year, especially when it’s clients like these… don’t get me wrong, I celebrate the first year right alongside them, but I know I’ll miss seeing them grow every few months.  Addie is obviously absolutely adorable, but what I hope you can sense through pictures is just how awesome her parents are too.  From the very first time I met them, I blogged about how comfortable being in their home was.  How it just felt like being with old friends, and that feeling has never changed.  If anything, it’s grown.  They know about my life, I get a little peek into theirs, and this time we chatted about our mutual love of all things pumpkin.  If you know me at all, you know these are my kind of people!  So to some of my very favorite clients, thank you so much for having me in your lives to capture your beautiful little girl’s first year!

He’s quite possibly in the running for my favorite little dude (aside from my own two peanuts).  I love this family so much they show up in my dreams – true story, and not at all as creepy as it sounds.  I’ve been photographing Jake every six months since he was just six months old, and when you have that kind of a committed connection to a client’s family, they sort of become an extension of your own.  I adore this little guy, with his sparkly blue eyes and his silly almost three year old sense of humor.  Catching up with his mom about the happenings of our lives is a lot more like reconnecting with an old friend, and I’m fairly certain if we lived a tad closer we’d have some nice leisurely lunches together.  In short, I am blessed to be a tiny part of their little family, to freeze these moments as they pass all too quickly.  To watch them grow.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been (over) a year since I’ve seen this adorable little guy.  I deliberately told my husband that this shoot would likely be a tough one because two year old boys are known for it… but Anthony shocked me!  Not only did he hold my hand from the moment he got out of the car, he kept the sweetness coming.

My little buddy… I’ve been photographing Jake since before he could sit up, and several other times along the way.  Now here he is fast approaching his second birthday!  This is a shoot I would have love to have a video of to share with you so that you could see the crazy antics I go through to get these little cuties to look and smile at my camera.  We sang every Disney song I know, pretended we were jamming in a band, and at one point I was playing a serious game of make believe with this little guy.  I love this age… it’s full of so much intelligence and innocence at the same time.  I had so much fun with you guys, K.  Hope you love your photos!

And, just for a cute outtake of toddlerism for Mommy to remember… at just under two years old, when you ask Jake to smile, this is the face he makes.  I love him.

What a gorgeous family, and in a way semi sort of related to me (maybe)?  Mom is the sister of one of my aunts (by marriage), so I guess not technically related at all, but I like to think of most of my clients as family anyway, and the M family is no different.

Big sister Abby was far and away one of my best helpers and greatest models I’ve had this holiday season.  We talked about the American Girl dolls, and she helped me test my light out, she was so much fun to photograph – and gorgeous too!

Matthew wasn’t sure of me AT ALL, but a couple silly conversations between us without me even holding the camera, and look what I got!  Love this one.   It’s like he’s saying, okay maaaaaaybe I’ll trust you.

and lastly, sweet little Leah.  Such a doll, and loved so much by her family.  I want to reach through and just squeeze those little cheeks.

One of my favorite little guys (and I adore his parents, too!).  I couldn’t believe how much he’d grown since the last time I saw him. He seemed to remember me though, and flashed me a flirty smile as soon as I walked in the door.  Love that.  If I wasn’t up to my eyeballs in work, I’d seriously share every image from this session because I love them ALL.  Thanks for your patience, K!

For kicks, click here to see just how teeny Jake was in this chair last year.

I love photographing children, all children, but especially happy smiley sweet little boys like Anthony.  We started off at the beach and spent some time just playing around.

How stinkin’ cute is he?  If you’ve hung out here before, you know I love me some chubby baby feet.

After the beach we headed back to do a cake smash session and I have TONS of fun photos from this!

“Mmmm… cake?  Don’t mind if I do!”