Family Pictures at Eastman House: Rochester NY Photographers

This family get together was planned so that the whole family could meet the newest 11 week old addition, August. So yes, an extended family picture was a MUST.

This crew of 17 people included Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, and Great Grandparents of all ages, from 11 weeks to 90 years old - oh, and a four legged family member.

The wall of greenery at Eastman Museum was a great backdrop for such a large extended family portrait in Rochester. We created family pictures of all different combinations, along with a few adorable candid pictures as well.

Who knows when this whole group will get to be together again like this? No one does. That’s why it’s always an honor to be a part of another family’s moments, even if for a brief moment in time.

Getting together for the holidays? Yes, that’s the right time to create this kind of lasting portrait.

Fairport Extended Family Pictures: Rochester NY Family Photographers

These wide, happy smiles are brought to you by lots of laughter and the promise of pie.

It helps that half of this gorgeous group knows us well, having been their family photographers through our Candid Mini Session Events and various family portrait sessions.

Family in town for the holidays? Why yes, we’ll make beautiful family pictures of your whole family for you. It’d be our pleasure.

(And if we can’t during the holidays, we’d be happy to offer you a gift certificate solution!)

Extended Family Pictures in Hamlin NY: Rochester NY Family Photographers

Their goal when booking this extended family session was to have one picture of the entire family together, having a good time with each other.

They went back and forth a little bit on where they’d want to take their pictures, but in the end the decision was easy. For them, a perfect Saturday includes time at the lake house, good food, good books to read and time with family.

All 3 families together at the lake house for family pictures it was. And it was as picturesque a setting as any for a morning family session. Together, no matter where it is, is a great place to be.

Northampton Park Family Pictures: Rochester NY Photographers

Family pictures just feel different when there’s no pressure to get the perfect posed shot. Great family pictures without the stress of perfection is our goal at every candid mini session.

So we set up what we call “playground parties. This one at Northampton Park was so much fun. We had the park nearly to ourselves the whole time, and the kids climbed and ran and played. I chased them around, being silly and letting their playful personalities shine.

Want to know more about the candid mini sessions?

Family Pictures at Highland Park: Rochester NY Photographers

Remember Class of 2022 grad Ben?

Well meet the rest of the family! When they booked Ben’s senior pictures, they also added family pictures to their session option to remember this era in their lives too. They even included their adorable pup the to family portraits!

This is an important time to capture in family pictures, because as Ben graduates and heads off to his future, things change. So this is a milestone time for all of them. Thank you Ben, and family for a fun session at Highland Park!

Fairport Family Pictures: Rochester NY Photographers

When the whole family comes to town, it’s always a good time for an updated family picture. But when the grandkids are both in town too, that means you do what they want to do. The grandkids are always right - or at least that’s what I hear.

What they wanted to do, was play with the Daniel Tiger house at the Fairport library. I just love that they got right on the ground with them.

It was such a fun memory made. It’s also something that these kids will be able to look back on fondly with these family pictures. That’s what it’s all about right?

Candid Mini Family Sessions in Fairport NY

The weather was chilly for our first playground Candid Mini Session of 2022, but it didn’t stop the kids from having a blast. And it didn’t stop us from capturing some family pictures while the kids played.

We love the Egypt Park playground, both for it’s proximity to Lollypop Farms, and it’s cute barn theme. There’s also a great paved path for scooters, and the playground area is padded which helps avoid muddy playground pictures in March.

We’ll have family mini sessions at playgrounds ALL year long, so if you missed out on this one - check the schedule below for the next one!

Fall Family Pictures in Honeoye NY: Fairport NY Photographers

What do a go kart, zip line and October have in common? One of our favorite families of course!
They schedule their family pictures in October each year, to coincide with this kiddo’s birthday. This year, their family portraits included the latest additions to their Honeoye home.

We captured some really fun family pictures of them - that included their latest toys, but also updated some of their personal, traditional posed portraits as well.

What would you use first - go kart or zip line?

Fairport NY Fall Family Pictures: Riley and Company

Riley was the star of her family portraits. This non stop toddler kept her whole family one their toes during their recent family portrait session in Fairport.

Because when your family pictures include only one grandchild, you can be sure that said grandchild will be the star of the show. This family definitely made this fall family session a fun moment to capture!

Fall is coming up fast? Want your own Fall family session?

Extended Family Pictures in Rochester: Fairport NY Photography

60 years of marriage is a huge accomplishment. We were happy to help this family celebrate by updating their family picture!

Extended family pictures are so important. Families have such busy lives, and millions of places to be every week, so having everyone in one place, at one time is basically a miracle.

So when that miracle happens - you not only celebrate it, you capture it. You print it, and you frame that family picture for generations to come.

Just like this amazing family did.

Is your whole family coming to town? When was the last time you updated the extended family picture for grandparents?

Look great in pictures without retouching: Fairport NY Photographers

PS: It's not what you think.

If you ask us about retouching, you may see us cringe. It’s not because we don’t know how, or that we’re not good at it. In fact, some have called us Photoshop wizards.

No, it’s not that. Rather, we prefer to see everyone the way they are, and celebrate that real, honest beauty.

What’s more beautiful than confidence?

So you want to look good in your photos. Who doesn't?
Here are our top tips to look good.

1. Confidence. Radical self love. Acceptance. Whatever you want to call it: if you feel good on the inside, it shows on the outside. So take care of yourself! If that means getting your nails done, do it. If it means going for a run, do it. If it means listening to your favorite music on the way to your session, DO IT! Find what makes you feel really you, and bring that beautiful you to your session.

2. Choose an outfit that makes you feel good. This doesn't mean you have to wear what's trending, high heels, or all black, it just means wear something that makes you smile. Flaunt the parts of you that you love and don’t stress the parts that you don't.

3. Trust your photographer. (that's us!) Through lens choices, angles and positioning, we emphasize your best features, naturally reducing the rest.

   Remember: The eyes say it all. If you are truly present, happy, and connected, no one is looking anywhere else.

In both of these photos, my eyes go straight to Erin’s face. With a twist of her body, thoughtfully placed hands, good light and a fun prop, we have a 3/4 length portrait with the emphasis on her smile.

Why do we hate retouching so much?

1. It assumes we think you need it. We think all people are beautiful, and our differences make us special.

2. It assumes we know what you want to look like. Appearance is a very personal thing. Our preferences may be the opposite of yours. If you want something retouched, we need you to be specific about what that is for you.

3. Where do you draw the line? How many pounds or years do you want to take off? 1, 5, 20? It is very subjective, and if you have found our work, I assume you like the natural feel of our images.

This is example of going to far (in my opinion). On the left, I softened the bags under my eyes (hey, I have a toddler.) On the right, I smoothed away all evidence of skin texture to create an unrealistic glow. I could have even gone farther and added makeup, but then no one would recognize me.

So what do we do?

We'll remove acne (we assume no one wants to remember that) and subtly brighten teeth. Other than that, not much unless you ask for it.

Braces are optional, but lately, more folks have opted to keep them in their pictures. If you’ve got concerns about shape, we discuss that in advance and choose clothes and poses that flatter. As for wrinkles, beauty marks and hair, we don’t touch them unless you ask.

So tell us... do you love yourself just the way you are, or do you want to look 20 years younger?

Because we think you are beautiful.

Love, Lori & Erin

I adore freckles like Mallory’s! (above) My niece, Grace, hates hers.

Mini Golf and Family Portraits: Family Pictures in Lakeville NY

One of their first dates was to Minehan’s in Lakeville NY.

Years later, they enjoy taking the whole family. What a memory to have captured as part of their family pictures. We started at Vitale Park for a few posed, but fun family pictures and then we headed to Minehan’s for some candid family pictures on the mini golf course.

Your family portraits don’t all have to be perfectly posed. What makes this family session unique, is that we’re capturing their memories, while they got to live them - in the real, live moment.