Photographing a newborn once is lovely, but getting to see them grow up is even more special.

I first met Alfred and his family 2 years ago at their house in Hemel Hempstead. He was only a few days old and a teeny tiny bundle compared to the little boy he is now!

A year later I went back and photographed him on his actual first birthday (love it when I get to do that!) He had started to grow his own little personality and he loved scoffing his face with his birthday cupcake!

Newborn boy sleeps on tummy for professional photo shoot in hemel hempstead

1 year old boy in white cot for professional photo shoot

Fly forward another year and this time Alfred is turning 2!

First of all, well done mum for the 'I am 2' t-shirt! It goes perfectly with the 'I can't keep calm I'm only 1' t-shirt that he wore for his last photo shoot. Gold star for planning!

For this photo shoot we headed over to Gadebridge Park in Hemel Hempstead. It was a gorgeous sunny day - perfect for bike riding and running away at the speed of light.

professional photography of 2 year old boy on his bike in gadebridge park, hemel hempstead

I was so excited when I was editing the image below. I absolutely love it and as it turns out, his mum does to!

I like to think that when people look back on their photos they remember little stories from that time in their life.
Alfred currently loves his 'copter'. It wont be long before those words come even easier and helicopter is no longer such a tricky thing to say.

professional photography of 2 year old boy with his dad in gadebridge park, hemel hempstead

In Gadebridge park there is a Forget-Me-Not memorial garden for babies who were either stillborn or did not survive long after birth. It's a gorgeous little spot for everyone but even more for those families who have a little one to remember.

““So small, so blue, in grassy places,
my flowers raise their tiny faces.
By streams my bigger sisters grow,
and smile in gardens in a row.
I’ve never seen a garden plot,
but though I’m small,
forget me not.””

— Cicely Mary Barker

professional photography of 2 year old boy with his family in gadebridge park, hemel hempstead

Next it was time for a snack break and cuddles in the shade. He certainly loves his raisins!

Give a boy a stool and he will sit for a second, give him a box and he will play for hours!

I love these four images together. I'd hang them in a multi-aperture frame.

professional baby photography of 2 year old boy playing in a box in gadebridge park, hemel hempstead

To finish the photo shoot we went to play in the park.
Bright sunlight with no shade can be tricky when it comes to photography so black and white and creative angles are a must. Lucky they can look so good!

Check out that crazy hair in the picture of him on the swings - so gorgeous!!