Dallas Arboretum First Birthday Photoshoot: Evelyn’s One-Year Milestone

A full-circle love story, celebrated in artwork.

There’s a moment from this Dallas Arboretum session that keeps replaying in my mind: Evelyn, sitting in a patch of morning light, clutching her soft pink axolotl plush, and looking up at her mom with the brightest, most unguarded smile. It was the kind of smile that feels like pure joy, a moment that all parents want to preserve forever.

One year earlier, I photographed Trang and Duc under a sprawling tree at the Dallas Arboretum during their maternity session, so full of tenderness and hope. This fall, we returned to that very same tree — now with Evelyn in their arms, curious, giggly, and full of life. Same path. Same light. Same love. But an entirely new chapter.

Joyful Moments from Our Dallas Arboretum Family Session

Evelyn is the kind of toddler whose joy is contagious. The minute the bubble machine appeared, she let out a full-body giggle that had all of us laughing with her. And watching her fly into the air during “airplane lifts” with Dad? Pure delight. Those are the kinds of moments that add so much heart to a family’s story.

One of my favorite parts of our morning together was watching the family settle onto a picnic blanket, reading and playing as if they were in their own world. It was simple and sweet, the kind of quiet family rhythm that often becomes a parent’s favorite memory when they look back on these early years.

We explored several areas of the Arboretum, weaving through pockets of shade and tall greenery. Fall festivities brought a lively crowd, but Evelyn was a trooper. She happily journeyed from garden paths to pumpkin displays, curious and bright-eyed every step of the way.

And through it all, Trang and Duc had the same gentle energy I remembered from their maternity session. Duc’s protectiveness, Trang’s effortless warmth — it’s beautiful to see how naturally they’ve grown into parenthood.

From Photographs to Artwork

After the session, Trang and Duc chose a grand-sized triptych for their family room — three portraits that tell the story of Evelyn’s first year in the most heartfelt way. There’s something magical about seeing their images in their home, with morning light spilling across the frames. As soon as Evelyn saw the portraits, she started pointing at them, smiling as if she recognized her own joy reflected back at her.

Trang later texted me, “Evelyn loves the pictures. She keeps pointing at them. Hahaha.”

Their wall art is now the first thing they see when they come up the stairs. It’s a beautiful reminder of how full and vibrant this season of life is.

Why Wall Art Matters

Milestone sessions are beautiful, but seeing those memories printed large — displayed where they can be enjoyed every day — is something else entirely. Wall art turns a fleeting stage of childhood into a lasting presence in the home. It becomes part of the family’s daily rhythm: a spark of joy in the hallway, a conversation starter in the living room, a reminder of what matters most.

This time of year, as families gather and reflect, I’m always reminded of how meaningful it is to preserve these chapters in a way that can be touched, held, and seen.

Happy first birthday, sweet Evelyn. What an honor it is to help tell your family’s story.