natural light photography – Milli Stephania Photo

Moving into a new neighborhood is always a gamble. You hope for friendly faces, maybe a neighbor who’ll wave hello… but finding people who feel like family? That’s rare. Lucky for me, my family hit the neighbor jackpot.

In the short year we’ve lived here, these neighbors have become our honorary family. The kind of people who invite you in, offer you food (multiple times, whether you’re hungry or not), and make your kids feel like their backyard is a second home. So, when their oldest was graduating high school, there was no way I wasn’t showing up to help document their celebration.

It was everything a graduation party should be: a backyard BBQ, a pool full of happy, splashing kids, and a grill that didn’t quit. And let me tell you about the food. There were bacon-wrapped mushrooms that quite literally stole my heart. I mean, if you didn’t strategically position yourself near the appetizer table, were you even at a party?

While I worked my camera, capturing every laugh, cannonball, and plate piled high, my own kids were just living their best lives. One was running wild in the backyard like it was her personal kingdom, while the other got passed from relative to relative, collecting kisses and snacks along the way. It was chaos, the sweet, heartwarming kind that fills a home with life.

As a photographer, these are my favorite kinds of events. Not the ones where everything’s staged and stiff, but the ones where life is just happening, and I get to freeze those little in-between moments that people don’t even realize they’ll miss.

It’s wild how life surprises you sometimes. I never expected to have a Ukrainian family that feels like my own, but here we are. And I’m so grateful.

If you’ve got a milestone coming up and you want someone who’ll show up not just with a camera, but with heart (and an extra appetite), I’d be honored to be there. These moments are fleeting—but the memories don’t have to be.

✨ Ready to make your own backyard memories unforgettable?
Whether it’s a graduation, a family BBQ, or just an excuse to gather your favorite people, I’d love to be there to document it all—cannonballs, chaos, and bacon-wrapped goodness included. Let’s make those everyday moments into forever memories.

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investment guide

Have you ever stopped in the middle of a chaotic day, taken a deep breath, and felt the vibrant pulse of life around you? It’s a rare moment, isn’t it? We’re all so busy chasing after the next task on our never-ending to-do lists that we forget the beauty of simply being present. Isn’t it funny how life often feels like a whirlwind, with us as mere passengers in a train speeding through moments we should cherish? What if you could pause that train, even just for a little while, to gaze out the window at the breathtaking scenery of your everyday life?
That’s the beauty wrapped up in “The Magic of Now” sessions. It’s about diving headfirst into the beautiful chaos of your life, the heartwarming snippets that truly define your family. Imagine me as a fly on the wall, stealthily documenting those unfiltered moments you hardly recognize as remarkable.

How It Works

Every journey begins with planning; it’s like setting the stage for your own personal masterpiece. Together, we craft a mood board that serves as a visual compass for our time together. Think of it as a roadmap that guides us to your unique story. Wouldn’t it be exciting to see your lifestyle captured not just in photographs, but through a lens that reflects your essence? A visual diary of sorts, where every image pulses with the energy of your family.

Gabby’s session was all about capturing her and her two adorable babies. We kicked things off by raiding her closet—yes, you read that right! As Gabby started picking out clothes for her little ones, I gently stopped her and said, “Hold up. We dress Mom first.”

Why? Because as moms, we’re always putting our kids first. Every decision, every chore, every priority revolves around them. But this session? This is about you. It’s about putting yourself first, even if just for a moment. Once Gabby’s outfit was sorted, we coordinated pieces for her little ones to match her effortless vibe.

A serene image of a mother cradling her playful baby by the window with soft natural light.

A Day to Remember

The session itself felt like hanging out with an old friend. Gabby even made a stunning charcuterie board (and let me tell you, I’m a sucker for a good charcuterie board!). Between the snacks and laughter, I captured moments that felt completely authentic—cuddling with her chubby-cheeked baby, dancing in the kitchen, and all the tiny, magical in-between moments.

mom holding playful baby with the tongue out, while hanging out at home on their couch

As moms, we’re often the ones behind the camera, snapping pictures of everyone else. “The Magic of Now” is your time to shine, to be seen, and to have those precious memories preserved forever. “The Magic of Now” isn’t just a mantra; it’s an opportunity to shine. Those authentic photographs are treasures, a narrative of your motherhood and your family’s laughter.

Life can be fleeting, and those little moments of joy often slip through our fingers like grains of sand. Yet, when they are immortalized in photographs, they become eternal. So, the next time you find yourself caught up in the whirlwind, ask yourself: When was the last time you lived fully in the moment? Take a chance to embrace the chaos—because within that chaos lies the real magic of your life, just waiting to be captured. Life is waiting, vibrant and full of promise; together, let’s seize it, frame by frame.