Children with Down syndrome star in whimsical photoshoot for stunning calendar

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Bethany Balsis, a professional photographer from Bristow, Virginia, shot the calendar for the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia
The mother's two daughters Payton, nine, and Addison, eight, who both have Down syndrome, appear in the series

Published: 17:21 EST, 16 October 2015 | Updated: 21:57 EST, 16 October 2015

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An adorable group of children with Down syndrome star in a new calendar photographed by a mother whose two daughters also have the disorder.

Bethany Balsis, a professional photographer from Bristow, Virginia, shot the stunning 2016 calendar for the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia - just in time for Down Syndrome Awareness month this October. The project is near and dear to the mother's heart as both of her daughters - one biological and one adopted from Russia - have Down syndrome.

'Previously the calendar - which was great - had 12 different photographers, but I wanted to change the direction,' she explained to ABC News. 'I wanted it fresh and new, with one look across the whole thing.'

Natural beauty: Bethany Balsis, from Bristow, Virginia, photographed children with Down syndrome, including her adopted daughter Addison (pictured), eight, for a beautiful 2016 calendar

American boy: The professional photographer said four-year-old EJ (pictured) was 'full of energy and personality' during the shoot

'I really just wanted to showcase how beautiful these children really are,' she added.

Bethany's daughters Payton, nine, and Addison, eight, both posed for the playful calendar, and like any mom, she is used to turning the camera lens on her little girls.

'I photograph my girls all of the time, so I really knew what I wanted to shine through,' Bethany told Daily Mail Online.

Addison, who Bethany and her husband adopted from Russia when she was two, is pictured in the calendar posing in a patterned dress with her hands on her hips.

And Payton struck a similar pose and wide smile for her close up.

'It was just another day in the life because I photograph them all of the time,' Bethany said with a laugh.

Shining bright: Bethany's biological daughter Payton, nine, also smiled and posed for the calendar

Whimsical moment: Kira, Emma and Carly, who are all three years old, smile happily as they hold colorful balloons

Young model: Bradley, 21-months, was photographed happily sitting on the concrete

And while Bethany said she had a few ideas in her head for the seasonal photos, including young girls frolicking in the grass, she went with the flow on the day of the photoshoot.

'It was just about [the kids] being themselves,' she said of the pictures.

Bethany explained that she chose Lucy, 13, for a winter scene in which she is blowing snow out of her hand because she knew she needed someone older who understood the concept.

Meanwhile, four-year-old EJ has a big grin on his face as he poses in front of the American flag. The little boy looks dapper in his gingham button-down, and Bethany said he was 'full of energy and personality' during the shoot.

'It was important for me to be able to capture that through my lens to show the world how amazing this little guy is. I love that this image puts such a huge smile on my face,' the photographer told ABC News.

Winter wonderland: Bethany said she knew she wanted to photograph Lucy, 13, for this snowy scene because she knew she needed someone who was older and would understand the concept she was going for

Festive fall: Eli and Nicholas, both three years old, happily hold miniature pumpkins for their photo

Another photo shows Kira, Emma and Carly, who are all three years old, holding colorful balloons as they smile gleefully in their coordinating pink and purple ensembles.

'They did an awesome job at pulling off what I wanted from this image,' Bethany told Daily Mail Online.

One of Bethany's younger models, 21-month-old Bradley, was photographed happily sitting on the concrete.

'He signed along while his mom sang songs behind me, giving us the perfect smile,' Bethany said of the tot. 'I am so lucky to have the opportunity to share his joy through the calendar.'

And Bradley wasn't the only one having fun. Eli and Nicholas, both three years old, were thrilled to hold miniature pumpkins for their playful fall-inspired image.

'The biggest thing is just having the opportunity to show the world how awesome these kids are,' Bethany said of shooting the calendar.