The Cascalenda family showed up ready to do exactly what they said they wanted: run around, snuggle, and keep things natural! Amanda and Dave brought their 17-month-old daughter Penn, and their 6-year-old goldendoodle, Rue. Which means this session had movement built in before we even started. Penn is in that 17-month stage where walking is fast, opinions are forming, and the world is mostly interesting dirt and leaves. She loves making animal noises and clicking her tongue.
What They Wanted
When I asked what a good photo of their family looked like, Amanda said:
That’s my kind of checklist!
Mini sessions move quickly, but they don’t have to feel rushed. We let Penn explore. We followed her movement instead of trying to redirect it constantly. Rue joined for a handful of frames so they could have photos of all four of them together, then stepped out so we could focus on just the three of them too.
The Toddler Stage (You Can’t Fake It)
Seventeen months is a specific kind of fun… They’re walking, but not steady. Curious, but not cooperative. Silly, but not predictable. It’s not a “stand here and smile” season. It’s a “hold her while she twists out of your arms and laughs” season. So that’s what we leaned into.
Including the Dog In Family Photos
Rue is part of daily life for them, so she was part of the session. We made sure to get several strong frames of all four together, and then intentionally shifted to capture just Amanda, Dave, and Penn as well. That mix gives you flexibility later. Wall art. Holiday cards. Albums. Different combinations, same season.
Bright Light During A Fall Mini Session
This session happened in full sun. No soft cloud cover. No dramatic golden haze. Just bright fall light doing its thing. And honestly, it fits a family like this because it reads as happy, energetic, and alive. You can check out more family photos from this mini session day here!
