Sienna’s Birthday Party
As a photographer, I get the chance to experience some very special moments in the lives of others, like Sienna’s Birthday Party. I get the chance to watch as these events unfold, and it gives me the chance to really reflect on what is important in our lives. Recently, I got the opportunity to shoot at a birthday party for a very special little girl named Sienna. She just turned 2, and she could not have been more thrilled to see her special day unfold. Watching the pure, unbridled excitement in Sienna’s face, the pride her parent’s exuded, and the joy of the guests made for a truly wonderful shoot full of the memories that last a lifetime.
Sienna’s birthday party was not your average neon pink, super frilly, overly-bedazzled affair, although it certainly was feminine, romantic, and elegant. Her party featured a pinterest perfect Country Cowgirls and Indians theme complete with a petting zoo, pony rides, and feathered headbands for the young guests, and Sienna herself was decked in a classically country white dress with tan cowgirl boots and matching belt. The decorations, cookies, and cakes were subtly pink, feminine, yet understated, and perfectly rustic. Matching white and pink flowers also adorned the goodie table, adding a sweet and natural beauty. Old fashioned canning jars with paper straws also helped to set the mood, and all of the decorations matched the natural outdoor setting of the entire party.
And while the decorations certainly were gorgeous to photograph for Sienna’s Birthday Party, the real joy of this photo shoot began when the kids started to arrive. All the children were treated to an intimate petting zoo experience, and seeing the smiles on their faces as they petted a goat behind the ears or ran squealing from a piglet were utterly contagious. When the pony rides began, the excitement reached a boiling point, and I was able to capture hundreds of photos of sheer joy.
These photos in particular truly captured the spirit of Sienna’s special day, and the combination of the beautiful animals and the gloriously happy young ones made for some excellent shots.
But perhaps my favorite moments of the day came when I was able to photograph Sienna and her family. With three generations present, I was able to capture some beautiful moments between this lovely family. Seeing a grandmother gloat with pride as she watched Sienna play or catching Dad getting a full belly laugh out of his beloved daughter made for some wonderful photographs that will be cherished forever. But more than that, it reminded me that at the end of the day when the decorations are put away and the cake and presents are long forgotten, it is the love that Sienna felt from her friends and family that will stick with her. And being able to capture that on film so that she can see these images of joy and love is that a little piece of their history I am proud to be able to provide to her and her family. It’s why I do what I do, and I’ll never forget this magical day, the day of Sienna’s birthday party.