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I’ve known the Waldner family going on about ten years now. Weirdly enough, I met them first in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, when both of our families were stationed there, and through this coincidental thing called life we ended up both being in Alabama together. Naturally, we had to do a family session in Tuscaloosa at the UA Arboretum.

This isn’t just a family that I have observed as an outsider. This is a family that embraces you as their own. Whose kids run up to you and give you a huge hug and tell you about their dress, quote Star Wars, and immediately make you feel like you are long lost besties.

Initially going through their gallery I had to stop and start typing this before I forgot (because it happens).

Life is crazy. Kids are crazy.

But…

There is so much love.

Abel was about 2 when I first started photographing this family, and now he’s 10?? Doing pushups and talking like a young man?? (He definitely also beat me in a race that I still regret even attempting at my advanced age.)

Ava-Lynn was eating dirt (which we all laugh about) at about 18 months that first session, and now she is already growing into such a kind, sweet girl that brings a calm presence as she stops to smell the flowers and twirl her dress.

DJ is the wild card, bringing so much energy and excitement wherever she goes. She’s the first to come up with a new idea for a photo and try new things. She absolutely would have done the whole session barefoot if she could have!

Mae Mae is the youngest, and tried every single thing her older siblings were doing. Her curiosity is so wonderful to see, and even if she fell down she just shook it off and got right back to it.

And then there’s Andrew and Cassie. The steadiness of building a family with the person you were meant to is something that is so special to witness.

I’ve seen these two go from 2 young parents, to now “veteran parents” with reflexes that I only hope to attain as my children get older.

Watching their relationship with each child individually, managing the chaos that goes with having four children, and seeing how they are still able to stop amid everything and love on each other is something that is rare to see, especially these days.

These are two people that encourage and support each other to reach their full potential and their dreams.

Basically, I love this family.

I’m so sad that our time together again is coming to an end as we are getting ready to move to New York, but I have no doubt this crazy universe will make our paths cross again.

Until next time <3

To book your family session in Tuscaloosa, please fill out my contact form at sarazlehleitner.com/contact, but hurry before we move to West Point, New York in April 2026!