“A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood.”

– Rachel Carson

This sweet and darling girl was turning eight and getting ready to be baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was my privilege to photograph her at the Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ in Folsom, California. It is closed on Mondays, so we went then and pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. We lucked out and avoided any rain and I had such a wonderful time with her. I love interacting with children and it allows me to be reminded to be more present. I love how the light in children just radiates. You can even see it in her sweet smile. She is pure and full of joy and knows what the important things in life are. It was exciting to talk to her and learn of her excitement about this next step—something she was ready for and is ready to keep the promise she made to be more like Jesus. What an awesome time in her life that she will hopefully remember as she gets older!