Maternity Session in Highland Park: Rochester NY

Margaret knew that if this session included only one picture that it would be of them together, focused on her belly, holding onto a pair of baby shoes.

Well, mission accomplished.

The world around them at Highland Park in Rochester NY may have been crowded with families, other photographers and flower enthusiasts, but Margaret and Jacobus were quiet and peaceful together as we captured this moment in time for them.

There’s a moment in time when everything becomes real for new parents, and sometimes that happens when they see these maternity portraits. It’s an honor and privilege for us when it does.

Congratulations in advance Margaret and Jacobus - we can’t wait to meet your little bundle of joy!

Candid Family Portrait Mini Sessions at a Greenhouse in Fairport NY

At Lucas Greenhouses, soil is not considered dirt until it falls to the ground. Well, with ten families in attendance at our planting party there was no shortfall of dirt. There was also no shortfall of fun and real life moments with family - my own included.

My own arrived in full super hero attire…to plant flowers. You guys, this is my real life. When your four year old insists on wearing a cape in public, you let him. And we captured it, because someday that tiny, every day moment will mean everything to me.

This is what our membership does. If this moment resonates with you at all, then please come talk more with us - your family is worth it. Your memories are worth it.

~ Erin

Lifestyle Newborn Sessions and Family Pictures Rochester, NY

This little guy is such a sweetheart! He was alert, calm and watchful at only a week old. We think he got used to the sound of 4 dogs while in the belly - so noise definitely didn’t bother him. And his fur siblings are very protective of the new little one in the house!

I couldn’t be happier for this family, some of the nicest people I have met. Do they look familiar? Well, you’ll be seeing more of them, and so will we! We can’t wait to watch little AJ grow up!

Say hello to our newest portrait membership family: AJ with mom and dad, Laura and TJ!

-Lori

Candid Family Portrait Mini Sessions at the Seneca Park Zoo

Well from what I’ve gathered, the earth doesn’t much care if the weather is cold on Earth Day. Thankfully, a few of our members weren’t worried too much about it either.

The perk of a chilly day for our Zoo event though? The zoo wasn’t all that crowded. :)

As a mom, it’s one of the places we regularly visit throughout the year. It only made sense that one day our membership program would wind up there too! It just seems right that one of the places you enjoy time together as a family would be the zoo.

So we had our fill of the elephants and the giraffes at the Seneca Park Zoo. Because it was the Zoo’s Earth Day event we also had the opportunity to have a tree to plant or some wildflower seeds to start a butterfly garden.

So even though the weather didn’t want to be sunshine and rainbows, we made the best of a gray day.

Join us next month for a return of one of our favorite events - a planting party at Lucas Greenhouses!

Candid Mini Session Family Pictures: Swim Time in Fairport NY

So yes, technically spring is here. Technically we should have been soaking in the sunshine and warmth.

Technically.

I’m so glad we planned a swimming event for our portrait members in March, because technically - it snowed that day. So rather than complain about the snow, we hopped into the pool and captured our families splashing around.

The best part of this event, was that some of our families were at our last swimming event two years ago, when their littles - were super little. We’ve captured their growth for years. Even my own little has grown. In two years, he’s changed from a nervous toddler who wouldn’t go past his ankles in the water, to finding the deepest spot where he can still touch the ground on his tip toes.

I may not have been soaking in the sunshine, but I was soaking in the memories while my fingers got wrinkly.

We’ve grown together as a group, always welcoming new members with arms open. The kids are all becoming friends and forming bonds. Towards the end, they were playing water basketball as one big group. It’s becoming the thing we hoped it would be - a community.

If you’re still wondering why we keep talking about this membership - stop wondering, and start asking. We want to capture your family throughout the year! We promise, you won’t regret it.

~ Erin

Family Portraits in Rochester at 4 Months : Baby Rose

My how quickly life changes. Just 3 years ago, we watched through our lenses as Courtney and Scott said their vows in the beautiful Asbury Church. Now, our lenses turn to a smaller subject, of perhaps larger consequence. Meet Baby Rose!

It was easy to see how loved this little girl is. Happiest being held, or enjoying her milk— she is already tall like her parents. Margaret, the mini schnauzer, was never far away from the action.

Thanks for inviting us back into your lives to capture the next stage on your family’s journey. You’re amazing parents and we can’t wait to watch little Rose grow.

Til next time,
Lori

Pittsford Dairy Farms Family Pictures

It’s the dead of winter, the time of year when it starts to get harder to see the grey skies every single day. Personally, winter isn’t my thing. I prefer spring time and summer to this bundling up.

But then I photograph an awesome family like this and I think “ok, yes, maybe winter can be bright and happy.”

I mean, they were the perfect amount of giggles and hugs and fun with a hot chocolate break in the middle. A little goofy fun mixed with a whole lot of love. They made photographing a winter family portrait session look easy.

And when the snow fell lightly at the right moment, adding just a touch of season to the images - perfection all around.

See for yourself!

~Erin

Home Based Family Portraits in Fairport, NY

The youngest just turned one, not that you need an excuse to celebrate your family! These guys invited me over, and we played inside while it snowed like crazy outside. Each of the kids showed me their favorite toy, they read me a book and played a little piano too.

I may not have kids of my own, but I sure feel blessed to be able to spend so much time with them anyway. Kids have this ability to take the mundane and make it magic. I hope they, and all of us adults too, hold on to that forever.

Say hello to some of my Fairport neighbors! Thanks for inviting us into your lives. We really do love it!

-Lori

The Playhouse, Swillburger Rochester NY Engagement Session: Helen and Tim

Their perfect evening is a good beer and sitting home together playing video games. Everyone has their thing together, and for these two it’s gaming. Naturally, the first idea that came to mind for their engagement session was heading downtown in Rochester for an engagement session at The Playhouse. Conveniently, this was also where they had their first date.

It was super perfect - from skee ball to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They laughed and played and fake pouted when the other person beat them in a game. Along the way, we photographed who they really are as a couple.

After a drink and some games, we headed outside to Highland Park for a quick outdoor portion to their session. It was cold, but the light was perfect and they kept each other warm. We’re loving these Rochester winter engagement sessions lately. It seems to be making a come back, and we’re all for it!

Enjoy!

Erin

Extended Family Portraits at the Lamberton Conservatory, Rochester NY

Last time I saw this group, Emerson was Preston’s age, and Preston didn’t exist! My how time flies. It was so wonderful to catch up with everyone again, this time enjoying the warmth and greenery of the conservatory while it snowed outside.

The boys are definitely the stars of this show, and it’s obvious they love their parents and grandparents. I know these photos will be treasured now, and as they grow older.

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy this winter holiday celebration of three generations!

-Lori

Family Portraits in Fairport NY at Blue Hour

With 3 girls in college and 1 in high school, it’s rare to have them all in one place. In fact, it had been more than a year!

After discussing what mom wanted in these portraits, we both agreed it would be fun to incorporate the holiday lights in the village of Fairport. We created a few different looks along the Erie Canal path, then warmed up a little bit at Fair Pour while we waited for the sun to drop down below the horizon.

Golden hour gets a lot of love from photographers, but have you ever heard of blue hour? It is just as magical. It’s that time after sunset, before the sky goes black, there is a brilliant blue that contrasted perfectly with their bright red hats.

I had so much fun with this group, braving the chill for some memorable images. See you soon!
-Lori

Rochester NY Family Portraits: At home portrait sessions with four kids!

In order to create photos like these, it takes a level of trust. There must be a willingness on behalf of the subjects to let me into their homes, play rooms and backyards.

Alicia knows.

She knows that from her side of the lens, she sees chaos, and kids that are shy/cranky/rambunctious/sweet/silly/loving… you name it. And those feelings and expressions change FAST!

But Alicia trusts me. After all, we’ve been doing this for 7 years, since their oldest, Stella, was a baby. With the additions of Liam, Cormac and Finn, it just gets more entertaining each time I photograph the family.

This time, the kids showed me how they make their own instruments, pine cone piles, even no handed flips onto a mat! My favorite pictures almost always end up being the unscripted ones. My job is leave room for the kids to express themselves, and be ready to capture it.

Here are just a few of my favorites from their most recent session. Love you guys!

-Lori