A Cozy First Christmas at Historic Shady Lane

Sign for Historic Shady Lane, a private estate established circa 1770, set against the backdrop of a charming, ivy-clad residence.

Historic Shady Lane has this way of greeting you like an old friend. Quiet stone walls, winding winter greens, and a greenhouse that seems to glow even on the coldest days. It feels timeless, warm, and full of stories waiting to unfold. It is the kind of place where moments do not just happen. They settle in, slow down, and stay with you.

This year, one of those moments belonged to Cait, her husband, and their brand new baby boy, celebrating his very first Christmas season.

A First Season Full of Excitement

When Cait described this holiday as “full of excitement and happiness,” she captured the exact energy of a baby’s first Christmas. There is something unmistakably magical about it. A softness in the air. A quiet electricity in every smile. A sense that life has officially shifted into a new, beautiful chapter.

At Historic Shady Lane, that feeling came alive instantly. The crisp air, the charm of the property, and the glow of the greenhouse all wrapped gently around this tiny family’s first winter together.

Capturing a New Kind of Closeness

Watching Cait with her baby, you could feel the closeness growing between them in real time.

She put it perfectly: “Seeing the closeness... grow in front of our eyes is always something worth capturing.”

There is no better setting for that kind of quiet connection than this property. Every corner feels like a photograph waiting to happen, especially when the people in front of the lens are soaking in the beginning of their own family story.

Full Circle Moments

One thing Cait mentioned was how surreal it felt to see things come “full circle.” Remembering photography from earlier seasons of life and now stepping into a moment where her own child is beginning those same memories at the same sweet age.

There is something powerful about seeing life echo back to you. Historic Shady Lane has a way of amplifying that feeling and making the past and present touch for just a second.

The Heart of Their Session

When I asked Cait what she hoped her son would feel when he looks back on these photos someday, she said, “I hope he sees how loved he is by everyone surrounding him and that he will have a village so strong.”

That line stayed with me.

Because that is what every child deserves. A village. A warmth. A certainty that they were cherished from the very beginning. And this little boy has that. You could feel it in every frame.

And yes, the Christmas tree at Historic Shady Lane absolutely stole the show. It was impossible to walk past it without feeling the holiday spirit settle in.

Two Outfits, One Story

The Ybarra family brought two looks. Something a little dressed up and something cozy in their pajamas. When I asked which one felt more “them,” Cait said, “We are a mix of both, truthfully. We get dressed up often but also love being comfy.”

That balance was the perfect summary of this session. A little elegance. A little coziness. A lot of love.

The dressy portraits gave us timeless Christmas images. The pajama moments gave us laughter, movement, and a baby boy wrapped in the warmth of his first holiday season.

My Favorite Moment

People often assume photographers chase perfect light or perfect poses. I do appreciate those, but they are not the moments that stay with me.

My favorite moment was being around Cait and realizing how far she has come. As a person, as a partner, and now as a mother. It meant something to stand there photographing this new chapter and knowing I have a small place in her larger life story.

It is not just a job for me. Sometimes it is a privilege.

Life Passes in a Blink

When I asked Cait what message she would want to hold onto from this season of life, she said, “Life passes in the blink of an eye. Capture every moment you can.”

And that is exactly what this session became. A blink. A beginning. A memory that will only grow sweeter as the years pass.

Historic Shady Lane offered the backdrop. The Whitsel family brought the heart.

And this first Christmas together is one they will treasure forever.