Painted desert backdrops and the sweetest mother and daughter

Madeline and her almost 1-year-old, Elinor, met me at this forever favorite location in Abiquiu. Starting to walk, Elinor tried her steps barefoot in the rust-colored sand. In addition to natural movement prompts, we captured some sweet moments of Elinor in her carrier, which added a dynamic touch to this honest motherhood gallery.

A laughing mother in a black dress holds her smiling baby wearing an oversized hat in a red desert landscape.
A mother in a black hat tenderly kisses her baby against a backdrop of red desert rock formations.
A mother in a black dress and hat holds her baby while standing on a red dirt path in a desert setting.
A mother in a black dress smiles at her baby wearing an oversized hat amid red desert rock formations.
Mother joyfully lifting smiling baby in denim overalls high in the air against red rock desert landscape.
A close-up of a mother and baby standing barefoot together on rich red desert soil.
Laughing mother sitting on blanket holding baby in denim overalls with Abiquiu red rock formations behind her for motherhood photo session.
Mother helping toddler walk through arid desert landscape with dramatic red and white striped butte behind them.
Tender moment of mother kissing and cuddling sleeping baby dressed in white shirt and denim overalls.
Adorable baby in denim overalls sitting on striped blanket smiling at camera in desert setting.
Smiling mother in wide-brim hat carrying baby in light blue ring sling wrap in red rock canyon.
Mother holding baby in denim overalls close to her face against colorful red rock mountain backdrop.
Woman in black dress and hat holds smiling baby against red rock canyon backdrop.
Smiling mother in wide-brim hat carrying baby in light blue ring sling against vibrant red rock hillside in Northern New Mexico.
Black and white photo of mother in wide-brim hat tenderly kissing baby in ring sling carrier outdoors.