Washington D.C. Family Session | Lincoln Memorial | The Bacas

Nicole sat on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in D.C., nursing Oliver. The sun was rising over the reflecting pool, and she was enjoying the shared moment with her son. Parenting was more beautiful than she ever imagined. She held him gently on her lap and caressed his long blonde hair. For just a moment, the world was still. Oliver was no longer a gentile kick in her tummy or an infant who slept all day. He was a smart, funny, and incredibly sweet 20-month-old who could reason and understand. Nicole closed her eyes and breathed in the sweet moment that she'd remember forever.

The Tidal Basin was still and quiet. Only a few ducks swam by, but we had the area to ourselves that early Sunday morning. I could hear birds chirping and Oliver running to and fro. Chasing the ducks was much more important to him than the family session his dad planned, and that was okay. It gave me the opportunity to capture the sheer joy on his face as he watched his favorite animal float across the Basin.

The moments the humidity was too overbearing, Oliver rested in his stroller while Nathan and Nicole stood across from the Washington and Jefferson Memorials. They gazed into each other's eyes and kissed so passionately, you'd think they had their own hidden plotline in "The Notebook." They are so in love, and it was easy to tell.

We ended the session at the Lincoln Memorial, where runners rested on the steps before continuing their morning routine. A violinist graced the Baca's family session with her musical talent. At this point, the sun was beating down. In fact, we were in the middle of a heat wave, but the Bacas braved the heat. Nathan's tenacity was honorable. He carried the stroller full of their things all the way to the top of the steps since the elevator wasn't open at that time. He went above and beyond for his family - something I'm sure he does quite often.

Dear Baca family,

Thank you so much for trusting me to capture these photos. Your family is so beautiful and all of your personalities blend perfectly together. I have no doubt that Oliver will continue to become a well-educated, intelligent, thoughtful, and caring human being. Your parenting style is admirable, and you should be proud of what you've accomplished thus far. Give Oliver a hug for me!