Children grow way too fast. You might not quite notice it because life is hectic, and minor changes might be imperceptible.

But something miraculous happens when you photograph a child for years. You see the magic unfold before your lens and have the unique opportunity to immortalize it.

As a photographer, that is such a gift.

I LOVE documenting people as they evolve and become the best versions of themselves.

Today, I want to celebrate Leah.

If you have followed my artistic journey for the last six years, you know who she is.

If you are new to the Odette Photo+Art world, let me tell you about Leah.

I photographed her for the first time on August 12th, 2016, the night before her 5th birthday.

She was my very first muse. For months, her mom used to come over for coffee, and I would photograph Leah almost daily. She can do everything: from Sleeping Beauty to Wonderwoman, to my own Girl with a Pearl Earring, to Frida Kahlo and Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

Today and every day, I celebrate you, Lily!

You are my Dominican niece. I have seen you become such a wonderful girl, full of wisdom, and I love your entrepreneurial spirit.

Thank you for the opportunity to photograph you all these years.

Love you, Lily.

PS- Always remember you are limitless.

11th Birthday Portrait Session

Document life every single year.

We celebrated Leah-s Birthday with a full-on portrait session.

baked a cake, we cooked, and we celebrated

I mean, I am the coolest aunt, amirite?

Some of my favorite portraits of Leah from 2016-2022

So hard to choose my favorites!

and here you can see our portrait evolution :D