KAYLEE HORSEBACK RIDING AT SIERRA VISTA EQUESTRIAN CENTER

Leather saddle at Sierra Vista Equestrian Center, ready for a horseback riding lesson.
Friendly brown horse named Lucas at Rancho Sierra Vista Equestrian Center in San Juan Capistrano, California.

Watching Kaylee out there, so strong and confident on her horse, hit me right in the chest. Wasn't it just yesterday I was teaching her how to ride a bike? Time flies, but I snapped a piece of it with my camera. These photos are more than just pictures. They tell a story – about my kid, about growing up, and about the bond we share. Years from now, we'll look back at these shots and remember this day. That's the power of photography, right? Documenting these real-life moments, the messy, the beautiful stuff of life. I am beyond honored to be the one to tell them.

Horses groomed and tacked up for riding lessons at Sierra Vista Equestrian Center.
Girl with riding helmet at Sierra Vista Equestrian Center.
Horse riding helmets hung on a wall.
5 month old baby sleeping in a Uppababy stroller.
Young equestrian preparing for her riding lesson at Sierra Vista Equestrian Center.
Young girl and her grandpa walking through the stables.
Girl and her grandpa getting their horse ready for riding lessons.
A grandfather helps his granddaughter get ready for her horseback riding lesson, sharing a special moment of connection.
A girl and her grandfather brush and saddle a horse at a riding stable, getting ready for a lesson.
Young equestrian prepares her horse for a riding lesson at Sierra Vista Equestrian Center, carefully adjusting the saddle and bridle.
Young equestrian focused on horseback riding lesson in an outdoor arena.
Young equestrian rider focused on horseback riding lesson with American flags waving in the background at Sierra Vista Equestrian Center.
Young girl with riding helmet smiles confidently during horseback riding lesson.
Young equestrian confidently jumps a small obstacle on horseback at Sierra Vista Equestrian Center.
Young girl joyfully galloping on a brown horse during an equestrian lesson at Sierra Vista Equestrian Center.
Young girl sharing a sweet kiss with her horse, Lucas, at Sierra Vista Equestrian Center.