It’s been a year since I first picked up my Pixel 8 Pro, not as a phone, but as a camera, to capture my cousin’s sweet sixteen. Being asked to document this milestone was incredibly touching, a testament to the bond we share. We spent the day exploring Old Town Occoquan, VA, capturing candid moments on the bridge, in the park, and on the brick-laid streets. The Pixel, paired with the editing magic in Google Photos, made it surprisingly easy to capture her personality and beauty, perfectly complementing her “princess and the frog” theme.

A woman wearing sunglasses and a denim jacket stands on a balcony, looking upward with a forest in the background.A woman stands on a bridge, wearing glasses, hoop earrings, a denim jacket, and a long dress, with a soft smile and her hands clasped.A woman poses happily on a bridge, wearing a light outfit and standing in front of a stone building.A person with long hair, wearing a denim jacket, sits on a bench looking towards a scenic backdrop with a fence and trees.A woman in a denim jacket leans against a stone wall while smiling, with a path and trees in the background.A person leans against a stone wall, smiling, with a background of trees and a railing.A woman wearing a denim jacket and long skirt sits on a bench under a tree near a lamp post, gazing upwards.A person wearing glasses and a denim jacket is smiling and forming a heart shape with their hands.A person with long dark hair wearing a denim jacket admires a flower arrangement in a window box.

More than just taking pictures, it was about celebrating her, her transition into this new chapter, and the joy of family. Seeing her confidence and strength, knowing the challenges she’s overcome, and feeling the unwavering love that surrounds her, filled me with such pride. I’ll always cherish that day, the memories we made, and the honor of being a part of her journey into womanhood. And now, a year later, those very photos are being used for her 17th birthday invitations, a beautiful reminder of that special day.

Auto-generated description: A collage of several photos shows a person in a denim outfit posed in different outdoor settings with the text Giorgia’s Turning 17 in one section.