Rollins College family photos have never felt more meaningful than during this session with the Michelle & Tim’s family. This was not only a family shoot but a celebration of their son’s very first birthday—a milestone full of joy, gratitude, and deep love. Michelle shared the beautiful, whirlwind story of how she learned he had arrived:

“My phone rang at 7:25 in the morning.

‘Hey, how soon can y’all get to Maine? Baby Boy was born!’

We immediately booked four non-stop flights as soon as we could get to Bangor, Maine and spent the day frantically packing for winter in Maine as a Florida family who wears flip flops in February. We hadn’t bought anything yet for a baby either since he came a couple weeks early.

Excited. Nervous. Scared of the unknown. Cold. Peaceful. All words to describe the long hours leading up to meet him. Holding Andrew for the first time was truly a moment forever marked on my heart. Momma Sierra placed him in my arms and he felt right at home to me…”

From the moment I read those words, I knew this Rollins College family photo session would be special.

What makes Rollins College family photos so magical is not just the architecture or light, but the way families show up for each other in front of the lens.

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This family whispered sweet things to each other, giggled in little huddles, and moved as one loving unit.

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From the moment I read those words, I knew this Rollins College family photo session would be special.

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Their middle daughter was especially tender with Andrew, trying so hard to help him—sometimes met with a little squirm or puzzled expression from her baby brother, but always making us smile.

The oldest, with quiet confidence, looked out for him like a big sister who just knows her role in his world.

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As we wandered through the beautiful walkways and lakefront spots at Rollins College, the setting sun created a golden haze that matched the warm connection between them.

The two girls wore white lace vintage dresses, barefoot within minutes of arrival. Their brother, in a light blue vintage romper, grinned and toddled along with them.

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Their outfits were perfectly timeless, and going barefoot somehow made the images feel even more rooted in nostalgia—like these could’ve been photos from any decade.

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When Andrew stood up, he looked across at his family as if to say, “Look, I did it! Did you see?!”—and then gave us the biggest grin, fully aware he was the center of attention.

To celebrate his birthday, Michelle changed Andrew into a classic shorts-and-polo outfit and brought a single neutral star balloon.

It was the perfect nod to turning one: simple, timeless, and filled with meaning.

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This Rollins College family photo session will stay with me for a long time. Not just for the aesthetics (though they were dreamy), but for the story behind the smiles, the love in every glance, and the beauty of seeing a family so clearly knit together with purpose and joy.

If you’re dreaming of your own Rollins College family photos, whether you’re celebrating a milestone or just want to capture this season of life, I’d love to create something timeless with you too. Feel free to check out other family blogs here, get to know me better over on Instagram, or shoot me a message here! I’d love to chat with you about your own family session (or wedding or engagement for that matter!)

Looking for a Winter Park or Orlando family photographer? I specialize in relaxed, joyful sessions like this one, and Rollins College is one of my favorite spots to shoot. Reach out to start planning your session today!