Some portraits don’t need much.

For Langleigh, Lankston and Ellison’s white-on-white children’s portrait session, we kept everything intentionally simple—white clothing, a soft white background and very little else. Without color or scenery competing for attention, what remains are the things their mother, Courtni, will recognize immediately: Langleigh’s curls and big bow, Lankston’s quiet expression, baby Ellison tucked safely into her brother’s arms, and just how little all three of them were at this moment.

White-on-white portraiture has a quietness to it, but it isn’t without detail. Lace, pintucks, ribbons and soft folds add texture while keeping the palette beautifully restrained. Even the small upholstered bench blends quietly into the scene rather than becoming part of the story.

The result is a portrait that isn’t tied to a season, a trend or even a particular room in the home.

Keeping the Attention on the Children

When three young siblings are photographed together, perfection isn’t really the goal.

What makes the portrait interesting are the differences between them. Lankston holding his baby sister. Langleigh leaning in beside them. Three children at three very different ages, each bringing something of their own to the portrait.

Alongside the sibling portraits, I also photographed Langleigh and Lankston individually. Those closer portraits preserve details that change remarkably quickly in childhood—the shape of a face, a favorite bow, bright eyes and those little curls.

Portraits Made for the Years Ahead

There’s a reason simple children’s portraits have endured for generations.

Years from now, Courtni won’t look at these photographs and think first about the white dresses or the simple shirt. She’ll see Langleigh, Lankston and Ellison exactly as they were together at this age.

And that’s really the point.