Blended Family Portraits: Victor NY

I had the pleasure of meeting Susan, David and sons at their home in Victor. With five boys between the ages of 14 and 21, it's not often you find them all in the same room! So this was a very special shoot and I was honored to capture these moments for them. 

Here are a few of the images we created for Cobblestone Living, a neighborhood magazine for those living near Cobblestone Creek Country Club.

Enjoy!
Lori

6 months old: Rochester NY Family Portraits

I love family portraits and time at home! 

This little man has his mom, dad, and dogs completely wrapped around his adorable little fingers. Theo is one of happiest babies I have ever met. He loves to smile and giggle, whether it's at mom or one of his two lovable pups. He also loves reading and showing off his sitting skills, as you'll see. He's already starting to move, so watch out world! Here comes Theo.

XOXO,
Lori

Springtime Fun: Rochester NY Photography

Easter makes me think of two things - spring and family.

I think of Spring because of muddy Easter egg hunts, or splashing in the puddles of the melting snow. I think of the warmth of the sun and getting outside to stretch our legs again after a cold winter. Photographically, it makes me think of beautiful spring flowers for gorgeous backdrops.

It makes me think of family - mine and yours. I love photographing new families as their "littles" explore the daffodils in the park or head to the playground for the first time in months. I think about the newness of everything. New life, new experiences, new engagements.

If you can't tell, Spring is my absolute favorite time of year! And I can't wait to photograph all of our spring family sessions and engagement sessions. Thank you for following along with us!

Happy Easter!
Erin

Victor NY Family Photography: Reagan and Family

This little cutie entered the world three months early, but she is so full of energy and joy, you'd never know it. Reagan loves to read and play; mom and dad love to travel. I enjoyed hearing about their travels to Iceland, as it is on my "places-to-go list" (which just so happens to be a mile long). I just adore the ABC artwork they have in her room – from Agra to Zurich! I want that on my wall too!

I just love being a family photographer. It's all about meeting wonderful people and telling their story in pictures that makes me happy! Enjoy!
-Lori

If you love this lifestyle look, we'd love to photograph your family! Contact us today!

Membership Event at The Sandbox: Fairport NY Photographers

Another day, another fun event! Sometimes, I can't believe this is what we get to do for a living. We spent a few hours hanging out at The Sandbox Indoor Playground while the kids got to roam and play. How much fun is that, right?

The families in our membership program get to enjoy time with their littles, we take care of the photography, and we get to have fun chasing cute kids around with our camera. Everybody wins! 

My, how our Friday nights can change as we become families and parents. And if you ask these parents, they wouldn't have it any other way!

Many thanks to Diane at the Sandbox for helping with this event! If you are looking for a fun spot for your child's next birthday party, check them out!

Hope to see you at our next event! If you have requests or suggestions let us know!

~Lori and Erin

A Family Portrait at Lamberton Conservatory in Rochester NY

What's the perfect gift for your parents' 50th anniversary? How about a portrait of their five best creations? 

These 5 siblings came together from 4 different cities for a surprise portrait session. The resulting images will be gifted to their parents at a small party in their honor. These guys were so much fun to work with and get to know in our time together.

I wish I could be a fly on the wall when their parents open their gift: a beautiful framed portrait and a book. How special!

Thank you Bill, Greg, David, Laura and Sandra for a memorable family session! Enjoy! 

-Lori

PS: If you are wondering how the gift went over, we received this note the day after the party:

Hi Lori and Erin!

My parents LOVED the portrait!!!  My dad almost cried (I've never seen him come close to crying ever) and my mom was speechless.  It was perfect!!!  My dad said it's going over the couch in the living room.  That, I think, is the highest honor for a portrait. 

They also loved the book but didn't have time to really look at it.  I'm sure they will spend time enjoying it for many many days.

They loved the party, cake, etc, but the highlight was truly the photos.  They called this morning and they thanked us again for the pictures.  

Thank you both for helping us create a fantastic gift and cherished memories for our parents!  

Laura & the siblings

On Inspiration and Practice

When I first began my photography journey, it was because of my love for the still image. I loved seeking out and preserving individual moments. I spent four years at RIT learning the art and science of image capture.

But when I went out on my own to start a business, and pursue the dream of self employment, I quickly learned how little I knew about being a business owner. So I joined professional groups (GRPP) and attended conferences to focus on learning how to create a sustainable business.

And for several years, I have worked on skills in marketing, social media, accounting, and bookkeeping - all in addition to making pictures. Somewhere along the line, I got comfortable, complacent in my photography skills. I know how to use my equipment inside and out, to the point that it's now second nature. I know how to pose groups and work quickly within time constraints. I am proud of all these accomplishments.

We now have amazing clients that trust us with their family legacies. And now that the business side of things is stable, I wanted to shift my focus slightly away from business and back to the art. The Inspire Photo Retreat is exactly what it sounds like, and exactly what I needed.

Erin and I traveled to Newport, Rhode Island to spend three days with photographers from all over the country in a welcoming environment. We met some amazing people, all with their own stories and situations. Some we were able to help, some helped us. It was as it sounds, inspiring.

The biggest thing I walked away with was a renewed passion for the documentary style of shooting. That is what I chose to major in way back in 2004. At Inspire, I studied with photographer Kirsten Lewis, a Denver based family photojournalist, who provided just the right amount of inspiration and encouragement to grow my personal vision.

The best part, and usually the hardest thing to do after a conference, is putting new knowledge into immediate practice. Lucky me, I got home and the next day headed out for a road trip to see friends and family. I was immediately able to practice this shooting style. Rather than using my telephoto lens (which I love), I used a 35mm lens, which forced me to get closer to my subjects.

We stayed with friends in Pittsburgh our first night, and I photographed their two kids. These are some of the moments I was able to witness with them.

Continuing on, we covered a couple more states to see our newest nephew be baptized in Kentucky. With 8 adults and 5 children under one roof, there was always something to photograph. I was able to spend time with three nieces and two nephews; playing, reading, and eating together. I wanted to capture the little moments.

So to sum up this long post: I'm reinvigorated with inspiration, and can't wait to share this with you on your next photo shoot! I'd love to know who this strikes a cord with, so if you like the documentary look, leave a comment below! 

-Lori

To the beat of our own drums: Family time at Rhythm Connect

One of the best parts of our new membership program is these events. This month, we had the best time photographing families at Rhythm Connect, for a family drumming hour.

Huge thank you to Ed Keegan at Rhythm Connect for making this event possible! Ed led the drum session and excelled at getting all of the kids involved. 

The kids loved it, and I'm not surprised! They got to bang on the drums as loud as they could without getting yelled at by mom and dad. And mom and dad, they got to join in too!

We loved watching and photographing everyone together. What I love most is that these events are not only about being together as a family, but about being together as a community as well. We meet new people, we get to know new families and so do our favorite clients as well.

If you haven't been to one yet, join us at our next one in March - we'll be playing at The Sandbox in Fairport! Stay tuned for details!

~ Erin