Family Portraits at Highland Park: Rochester NY Photographer

Last time we saw this family it was much colder and one tiny human smaller. It was a snowy winter day but also at Highland Park. What a difference a season (and a few years) makes. :)

Chasing the littlest became the name of the game at this spring family session. It's tough work to catch the right moment with a two year old. Sometimes you have to play some silly games, make funny faces and basically just let them do what they want to in order to get those super cute smiles.

But when you get them, they're worth every ounce of work. I mean, look at how adorable they are. Until next time!

~ Erin

Candid Family Pictures: Family Fitness Day

Being active is important, even if it's just getting out there for a bike ride with the family. So teaming up with local fitness vendors for this month's membership event was such a great experience.

The event brought us to Fellows Road Park for Perinton Rec Center's: Walk, Bike, Play, Family Fitness Day event.

We played fun games that got us moving with Joe from Next Level Athletics. We also did yoga with Allison from Butterfly Kids Yoga (some of it in our own special toddler way) while Bach to Rock motivated us with their musical talents.

Doug from RVE was there to get our bikes ready for the summer, and they used the basketball courts to create the perfect track for our bikes and scooters to follow. Then we played on the playground to finish up the morning.

Our families just got to play and do a little yoga together, while we captured their time to give back to them in the form of memories. It was a great Saturday spent being active together.

If this wasn't your cup of tea, our next event is going to take us to the beach - so sign up and join the fun!

To the Dad's on Father's Day

Whether you're the weary, sleep deprived brand new Dad or the veteran in the trenches Dad.

To the kisses and snuggles Dad, the play tea party Dad, or the fishing buddy Dad. To the nerdy, gamer Dad and the outdoorsman Dad. 

To the Dad who just changed his first (of thousands) of diapers and the dad whose handing over the car keys. 

Or, you're the Dad proudly walking alongside your child on their wedding day. Or the Dad, watching his child with their children.

We've watched you grow, we've photographed your moments with your children. We see your strength and compassion, but we also see your love.

Whatever kind of Dad you are, to us, you're a good one. Happy Father's Day!

Lori & Erin

Mom and the Kids, Fairport NY Family Session

They have a path to the Erie Canal in their backyard...

I am a bit jealous of them for that.  :)

It was a gorgeous day, party cloudy, warm spring time. These not-so-little-anymore "kids" bought this session as a mother's day gift for their mom. How perfect is that? 

Along the way, Murphy the family's white golden retriever, predictably headed straight for the water. He's such a happy dog, he just wanted to be near his people - and the water!

But enough about all that, it's the people that really matter, and this family is particularly special. Watching how the interact with each other, their closeness is obvious. The twins, Alison and Jake especially do, but all of them seem to share a very special bond.

I am so glad to have meet you all. I look forward to seeing where the future takes you, together. - Lori

Spring Family Portraits at Home: Victor NY

With two adorable kids, and two adorable kittens, it's really hard to not get a cute image or two. You just can't go wrong.

And how about that backyard? I just loved the McKenzie Child's inspired curtains around the patio and that amazing outdoor couch to curl up in together. Also, we had to get a shot of dad with his Chevy Volt. Hooray for eco-friendly clients!

This family is so easy going and a joy to be around. Hope to see them again soon!
-Lori

Mother and Son Portraits by the Erie Canal

Allyson has been running since she was 11, and has completed several international marathons in her career. Some of her favorites have included New York City, London, Mumbai, and of course, the Rochester Marathon!

During our session, her son enjoyed putting the medals on, taking them off and then repeating the process. He was also a fan of climbing on everything he could find. He was just a happy two year old who enjoyed exploring the canal path in Pittsford.

When I caught the moment in the black and white photo below, at first I thought I had missed it -a protective mom holding his hands to keep him safe as he jumped and played. But when I gave it a second look, it's really about transition. It's about how he's almost to that point where he will be more independent, and less reliant on mom. Isn't that what toddler-hood is all about? 

It's only a split second, but it kind of sums up parenting. So parents - take the pictures, and hold on while you can, because one day they let go with both hands.

-Lori

Family Pictures at Eastman Museum

The last time we photographed this whole family together, was at Gail and Greg's wedding. That was three years ago and before Chloe entered the picture and became part of our Portrait Membership Program. It was time for a full family picture update, and they wanted a fun experience together.

The beautiful springtime gardens of the Eastman Museum were just the perfect setting. Chloe enjoyed running between the flower beds, and all the adults were/are just enamored by her adorable ways.

Every chapter is different and beautiful, and we love being there while you live it. Until next time!
-Lori

Candid Family Portrait Mini Sessions in Webster NY

It was the perfect night to play. Our membership events aren't complicated. Most of the time, they're short outings. They're designed to give you a break to spend time doing the things that actually matter. Whether on the weekend or a beautiful night at the playground.

Our group continues to grow, and not just in numbers.

We watched this week as our families and kids actually grew together through play. They raced each other, they climbed and they hunted for bugs. It was awesome.

We've also watched them grow physically, from babies to running, jumping little kids. Keeping up with them all has become an exciting challenge.

It was a simple trip to the playground, but it was the perfect day to capture the little moments of play that we want to cherish forever.

~ Erin

PS - if you want to be a part of it all, get in touch!

Extended family fun with grandparents in Rochester NY

There is a special bond between child and grandparent. I saw that when Teddy stopped running long enough to sit still on grandma's lap and take part in "If you're happy and you know it." He beamed, he clapped, and he asked for more. And grandma loved every second of it, never tiring to oblige when he asked.

He was happy to read books with grandpa, play puzzles with his cousin, and push his toy car down the sidewalk, squealing with happiness. My favorite moment is in those sweet eskimo kisses!

Hope you enjoy the sneak peek into Teddy's time with his family.

Until next time,
Lori

My Perfect Mother's Day Gift

Last month, my family gathered at my childhood home to spend one last day in the woods behind it. There's a long muddy trail, that leads back to a creek where a space was cleared years ago for just this type of gathering. Family, friends, a campfire and togetherness. 

It was the one of the last times, I would walk (or four wheel) that trail. It was bittersweet. But wow, was it fulfilling to watch my son play in the place I grew up. We watched him swing on the rope swing, laughing his head off with every push he was given. He got muddy, he played by the water, and we cherished the day as a family.

Soon, a new family will grow up there. They'll swim in the creek, and they'll have their own campfires. I can only hope they enjoy it half as much as we did.

At the end of the day, I sat with my son by the edge of the water, to tell him why this place was special to me. That's when I was given my Mother's Day present.

My aunt, and then my husband picked up my camera and took our picture while we talked. Was I muddy? Yes. Was my hair a mess. You bet. Were either of them professionals? Nope. None of that mattered to me one bit. They saw a moment, and took my picture. I don't know if they realized in that moment what a gift that was to me.

As a photographer, and a mom, I'm rarely ever in the pictures. Moms everywhere - you get me right? You're the one typically setting up the photos, capturing the candidness, and then taking selfies to prove you were there. I know this, because I am too.

Don't get me wrong, I have beautiful photos of my family and I together. But they often have to be posed or selfies. It's very rare, that I'm in a candid photograph with them. (For the record, once I realized I was being photographed, I did ask for one of both of us looking at the camera. Because honestly, it was hard not to notice.)

But on this day, in the place where I grew up, I have a few images (that thankfully include me) to show that despite our hardships of the past year, love carried on in this place. And hopefully, it always will.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms of all kinds!

~ Erin

Photos below taken by: Donnalynn Sullivan and Matthew Perrotta

Cobblestone Living Family Portraits

I met them at their brand new home - so brand new, that they'd just signed the paperwork as I arrived to photograph them! It made finding areas to shoot within their home pretty easy without furniture to fight with lighting!

These three are adorable. Especially Jack, Heidi and Mike's "almost" 1 year old. Whether out for a walk, or enjoying a drink together on the patio, they love to be together as a family - whether breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Honestly, at this stage in their family life, that's what it's all about. They don't want to miss these moments together as a family of three. With cuteness like this, I can't say that I blame them.

Together is their favorite place to be - and I'm loving it.

Lori

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Husband and Wife Portrait in Allens Creek, Rochester NY

Wow, have these two got the story you just won't believe. Within days of showing me their home filled with stunning art and MacKenzie-Child's influences, their home was sold. It was never even meant to be on the market!

Susan admitted they hadn't really given thought to moving. But there was an interested buyer, the families met and instantly hit it off, and then suddenly they sold their home. Susan and Michael will be moving, and starting a new life down south. If that's not taking a cue from the universe and rolling with it, I don't know what is!

So what started as portraits of the couple in their home, quickly became a treasured memento for them to take with them. They'll use them to remember the many years of happy memories they made here.

Susan and Michael - it was a pleasure working with you both. I wish you much happiness in your new endeavors!

Cheers,
Lori