Snow Day at White Brook Nature Park: Portrait Membership Events

I'm not a huge fan of winter. If you know us at all, you know we prefer flip flops to snow boots. But we know that not everyone is like us and that living here in Upstate New York, occasionally attempting to have some fun in the snow is a requirement.

Thankfully, the kids in our portrait membership program do enjoy sledding and snow. Inside donuts, hot chocolate, crafting and playing warmed everyone back up.

I know we won't be sad to see the snow start to melt away in the coming months. In the meantime, we enjoyed the chance to photograph our families as they experienced this time in the snow together.

We hope to see you at the next event - Swimming at the Perinton Rec Center on March 25th! Put it on your calendars and join us!

~ Erin

Webster NY Portrait Sessions at Home

One of the perks of this job is getting to meet such a wide variety of people. It's always a joy to venture to a new neighborhood, meet a nice family I would otherwise never know. And then get to create something unique and personal for them.

This family is celebrating their new home in Webster as well as Jena, their daughter getting another year older. Jena loves their two bunnies and riding horses. My favorite part was just watching Jena's eyes light up when she got to hold the bunnies. They were most authentic smiles out of this girl!

We love working with you to tell your story, in your own home. Give us a call or tag someone that you think would enjoy our work, won't you pretty please? 

Have a great day,
Lori

6 Month Session at Home: Family Pictures in Webster

Little Alaina is just full of smiles! It was such a pleasure to spend some time with her in front of the Christmas tree for her first Christmas and also, her six month photo session.

She may be young, but she was definitely ready to rip open some gifts! She also loved when her momma read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Alaina is a lucky girl with two awesome parents and a wonderful nana to spoil her. And oh my cuteness, she's definitely got her momma's hair, look at that!

I look forward to watching her growth continue! Until next time,
Lori

Family Portraits in January: Rochester NY Photographers

Have I mentioned how much we LOVE seeing our wedding couples with their families? I mean seriously, so. much. fun.

I can't get over how much bigger these kids are from a year ago. They've grown into non-stop full on toddlers, and they made sure to let us know it at their session.

We followed them around letting them be themselves, occasionally trying to capture them as one big family. Slowing the kids down didn't appear to be an option, so we made some cute portraits for their New Years cards while they played.

Can't wait to see how cute they get as the next year goes by!
~ Erin

A Winter Family Session at the Holidays

What a joy it is to spend the holidays with your family. When you've got folks living in three different states, together in the same room, it's really something special. And it was my pleasure to document the gathering of this really fun family.

There wasn't a dull moment as they packed in the memory making. After making a few portraits, things turned to a more documentary style of photography as Lily wrapped presents with grandma, and read books with her grandpa and uncle. We even got outside with the snowmen and left some treats out for the local deer. 

It felt like I had known everyone for years. What was captured in less than two hours, will now be tangible memories to take back to their homes, hundreds of miles apart.

To Kirsten and the whole gang, thank you for choosing me to capture this moment in your family's lives. Enjoy the photos, and I look forward to seeing you again next year!

Cheers,
Lori

Cobblestone Portraits: Victor NY Family Session

This beautiful Cobblestone neighborhood family is fun, smart and very active! The kids (though they're more like adults) are crazy athletic. They are in everything from baseball to basketball to gymnastics.

Mom's idea of a perfect Saturday is one where they don't have the chaos of activity, and they can spend rare time together at home. So at their home, we recently made a few portraits of the family for the Cobblestone magazine - where they all actually had the chance to be home at the same time!

Besides that, anytime we get to meet and include the family pup as well is a good time for us.

If you see them in the neighborhood, say hi! 

~ Lori

Winter Family Portraits: Rochester NY Photography

First there was Dana and Michel. Then came Emry and Olivier. And now, their newest puzzle piece, beautiful little Leona. 

This session was about celebrating Leona and them as a family of five, in all its beauty and craziness. Around the house and in the freshly fallen Rochester snow we played.

One day, these three kids are going to go through a box of these photographs - laughing at their childhood smiles and at how young their parents looked "back then." They might not know our names as the photographers who took them, and that's ok with me. What matters is that they have them at all - because Dana and Michel continued to trust us to capture them.

All along the way, from wedding day to three kids later - we've been a part small but important part of their lives. It was seven years ago, that they trusted me enough to give me a start down this path. They were among the very first, and I'll forever be grateful to them for that.

As always, thank you, Dana and Michel for letting us play this role for you.

~ Erin

An Extended Family Portrait Session: The O'Connor Family

Grandparents, parents, kids, grandkids, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews - all in one place, at one time. For some families that's a near miracle.

We've photographed Rosanne and her family before, but this time was different. Because it's a rare occurrence for them all to be together, and for this family it was a privilege to photograph for them.

So they gathered at The Century Club in downtown Rochester, and we captured the whole family together. They're so kind and fun, and one of the easiest large group portraits we've ever had the opportunity to photograph.

Here's a few of the images that we were happy to capture of this great family. Enjoy!

~ Erin

Family and Christmas: Rochester NY Photographers

For a million reasons (and I won't go into them all), I'm ready to say goodbye to 2016. One in particular is that over the past month I'm pretty sure we've had a grand total of three cold/virus free days among us. Every time I think we're out of the woods, a fresh new daycare germ finds its grubby way into our house.

Recently in fact, we had family come into town and stay with us. And while it was great to have them here, I'm guessing they didn't count on taking care of our son while both my husband and I were in bed with yet another stomach bug.

But then, isn't that what family is for? They could have left, gotten a hotel room and let us fend off this one ourselves. But they stuck it out, and not only took care of Lucas when we couldn't, but then cleaned and disinfected the whole house in an effort to avoid catching it themselves.

They were only here for three days. They deserved better than what we gave them. And I hope they know how very grateful we are. For their compassion, for their support, for all of it.

So what does this have to do with Christmas? Everything.

No amount of gifts under the tree could ever replace the amazing family members and friends we're lucky enough to call our own. They are the people who support our dreams, lift us up and then occasionally catch us when we fall.

Christmastime is about being together with these people, as best we can, wherever we can.

So in short, whether you're having a banner year or ready to kick it to the curb - be grateful for the gift of family who love you, in good times and bad.

Because they're truly the best gifts we could ever have. Merry Christmas to you and your families - may it be healthy, fun and full of love.

~ Erin

Holiday Family Portraits: George Eastman Museum

When I showed up to this session wearing a cream sweater, Seana joked that I could be a part of their family photo. It may have been in jest, but this crew certainly knows how to make you feel like part of the family.

The kids were probably all a foot shorter the first time we met, and I last saw Jack when he was a senior at McQuaid. Perhaps the best part of this session was catching up and seeing what everyone is up to these days.

Or perhaps it was encouraging the parents to sneak a kiss in the library while the kids looked on. (Seana was a librarian when she met Brett.)

Or perhaps it was the snowball fight in the gardens at the Eastman Museum.

Or perhaps it was grabbing a hot chocolate in the cafe after the session.

Oh well, I can't decide. But I do know that it is always a pleasure and honor to capture your family story! Thank you for being the amazing people you are.

Sincerely,
Lori

Fall Family Session in the Eastman Gardens

The Eastman Museum is gorgeous all year round, but the colors of autumn cannot be beat. This family of four and I enjoyed the afternoon exploring the gardens.

As with most of our sessions, you'll find a great mixture of portraits and play. And play we did!

Enjoy these cuties and the Fall colors!

Until next time,
Lori

Three Kids at Home: Fall Family Portraits

My favorite type of photographs to make are documentary. I love to let kids be kids and find ways to make interesting photos out of it. 

This family has been with me since the beginning, and always lets me have free reign. There might be a plan or a goal, but when naps or tantrums get in the way, we roll with it. Honestly, I believe that is when we make the best photographs. 

They are real, honest and often silly. Or sometimes quiet and focused, like when three year old Liam played his violin with his dad. (That kid has more talent in his pinky finger than I do in my whole body!)

But really, the point of this session was to celebrate the arrival of baby Cormac, and to honor the angels in Heaven that came before him.

In Alicia's words, "I miscarried once after Stella and three times after Liam. For me, the suffering that I endured was more redemptive than anything else. I now have a stronger faith and a greater appreciation for what God has given us."

The picture below sums it up for me. The smile on the babies face while the family hangs out in front of their home on a sunny Fall day.

Love. Family. What more do you need?

Tom, Alicia... thank you again, for reminding me how blessed each of us are. Thank you for opening your home and sharing your story. You are two of the strongest people I know.

Love,
Lori