The markowski's

Some stories write themselves, and for me, this one hits close to home—literally. Ayrton and I have been friends since we were kids, back when life was all about tubing behind the boat, daring each other to hang on through the wildest turns, and throwing each other off mid-ride with zero remorse. Those carefree, sun-soaked days of childhood are etched into who we are. So, getting the chance to photograph his beautiful little family felt like coming full circle.

I’ve had a front-row seat to Ayrton’s life, from watching him fall in love with Tiffany to seeing them build a life together. And now, they’ve added little Ariana to the mix—a tiny, squishy, adorable reminder of how wild and wonderful life can be. It’s surreal to think about how we’ve gone from throwing each other into the lake to rocking babies to sleep. Life, huh?

What made this shoot so special wasn’t just the people (although they’re pretty great), but the moments in between. The way Tiffany’s face lights up when Ayrton makes one of his goofy dad jokes. The way Ariana’s tiny fingers curl around her mom’s hand. The pure, unfiltered joy in the Markowskis’ world. My favorite shots, though? Definitely when Ariana was being adorably fussy, and both Tiff and Ayrton were doing their best to soothe her. Watching them work together—Tiff with her calm, loving touch and Ayrton pulling out every dad trick in the book (including some truly hilarious sound effects)—was such a sweet reminder of how much love and teamwork it takes to raise a family. Those moments were as real as it gets, and they’re the ones that truly made this session unforgettable.

Life isn’t about perfect poses or matching outfits (though, major kudos to Tiffany for nailing the coordination like a pro). It’s about those fleeting, unplanned moments—the laughter, the cuddles, and those looks that quietly say, “This is everything.” That’s what I adore about photography: the chance to freeze these little pieces of life, so they can be cherished forever.

Looking at these photos, I can’t help but think about how much I’ve learned from Ayrton over the years. He’s the same guy I grew up with—a little older, maybe a touch wiser, but still the same guy who’d race me to the water and make ridiculous bets about who could hold on to the tube the longest, or who would get thrown in the air the highest. Now, I get to see him as a husband and a dad, and let me tell you—he’s rocking it. And Tiffany? She’s the heart of it all. She brings a warmth and grace to their family that’s impossible to miss. Ariana’s one lucky kid.

This shoot was more than just a newborn session to me. It was a reminder of how far we’ve come, how much we’ve grown, and how some things—like friendships and love—only get better with time. To the Markowski's: thank you for letting me capture these moments. Watching your family grow has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I can’t wait to see what’s next (and yes, I’m totally calling dibs on Ariana’s future graduation photos).

Here’s to more memories, more laughter, and maybe one day teaching Ariana how to master tubing behind the boat—just like her dad (though hopefully with a little more finesse). Love you guys.

— Your forever friend Lindsey