By Joy Granados | Capture Joy Photography | Northern Virginia

On a breezy spring afternoon, among the kaleidoscope rows of blooming tulips at Burnside Farms in Northern Virginia, I had the honor of photographing Catherine and her baby girl Eliza. What began as a simple mommy and me session turned into a joyful, messy, heartfelt celebration of motherhood in all its vibrant unpredictability.

The air was warm, the sun golden, and the tulips—hundreds of thousands of them—created a vivid backdrop. Catherine, glowing in a white dress and denim jacket, scooped Eliza into her arms again and again, giggling as her daughter reached out for the petals with curious hands (and occasionally her mouth). These moments weren’t posed—they were real.

One especially memorable moment? Mid-session, Eliza grabbed a fistful of dirt and went straight for a taste. As she started spitting out mud, I tossed my camera down and ran to help. It’s those exact unfiltered moments that remind me why I do this work—because babies don’t care if you’re mid-shot or knee-deep in tulips. They just live. Fully and honestly. And capturing that? That’s everything.

What made this session truly special was Catherine’s decision to be in the frame. So many mothers spend these fleeting years behind the camera. But Catherine showed up—with her full self—to love, play, and hold her baby in the golden light. The result? Images that speak to both the softness and the strength of motherhood.

There were snuggles on a picnic blanket, forehead kisses between tulip rows, and baby Eliza sitting wide-eyed in a wicker basket. We photographed the big smiles and the quiet touches. The joy and the mischief. The editorial beauty of spring wrapped in the gentle truth of connection.

This session isn’t just about bright flowers or pretty portraits—it’s about presence. The decision to celebrate motherhood as it is: tender, beautiful, chaotic, and deeply worth remembering.

About the Photographer
Joy Granados is a Northern Virginia-based portrait photographer and the founder of Capture Joy Photography. Known for her heirloom artwork and emotional storytelling, Joy specializes in turning fleeting family moments into timeless art. She finds her deepest inspiration in motherhood, the mountains, and the light that lives in everyday connection.