Wintergarden Family Portraits: Rochester NY Family Pictures

Ever since Joann and Steve's wedding, I've wanted to go back to the Wintergarden! Such a cool space in the city, I met up with these familiar faces to document the next milestone for Alaina: 18 months! 

She enjoyed looking at the plants, climbing on the chairs and playing peek-a-boo with her mom's sweater. Her expressions are priceless! Whether concentration, or laughter, I could not get enough of her little face. Isn't she just adorable? It's always a pleasure to be around this little one.

Check them out, and leave some love or call today for your session!
-Lori

Why you Should Print Your Family Pictures by a Photographer

AKA - Why I threw out my wedding pictures

Yeah, I said that. And yes - I really did just throw them away. As a photographer, it was one of the hardest things I've ever done.

Your current thoughts probably range from - "Ok?" to "What the $%&*? Erin - WHY?!"

Well... because they were useless to me.

Before you think my marriage just went down the drain, step away from the phone and refrain from texting me like a crazy person. I'm still happily married. I promise.

But, I really did throw away my wedding pictures. At least - the two burned CD's that they were living on in the bottom drawer of my desk. I know, they weren't even in a safe place.

I have the files still, I moved them to three different locations years ago. But the CD's were useless to me.

I threw them away because I don't have a device in my home that's capable of reading them anymore. Which is exactly what we've been preaching to our wedding clients and families for years now.

It's also why I made a wedding album. It's why I made a tangible, printed heirloom - so that one day, I won't have to realize that I have no way to share in the joy of those memories.

If you've got discs of photos lying around that you've never done anything with, I'm not surprised. If you want help making those discs into heirlooms - give us a call.

So that one day, you won't have to throw away your memories.

~ Erin

Sledding With Friends: Candid Family Mini Sessions

It can be hard to plan a sledding event in advance. Will there be snow? Will it be cold enough, but not too cold? The weather caused us to skip the wind chill of -3 day. Then we lucked out with 40 degrees and sunny the next week. That weather was perfect for optimal sledding conditions!

We had a great turnout at Ellison Park to enjoy it! The sledding hill is a great hill for all levels, and it was a pleasure to be out enjoying winter with everyone. In addition to sledding, our talented members made a snow man and snow elephant! 

This was the perfect opportunity to spend time with your kids and let us capture it. Friends, we do this every month! Give us the chance to capture the photos while you play! Enjoy the photos, and join us next month!

-Lori

2017 with LucasP: rochester photography

All honesty - 2017 wasn't my favorite year. I'm in a place right now, where I'd prefer to move forward, even though it's hard. Despite all of it's hardships, 2017 had some beautiful moments in the life of Lucas P and our journey as a family.

Lucas grew taller, his words come faster (and louder), his true personality emerging stronger every day. For weeks he wouldn't leave the house without a super hero cape or stormtrooper mask on. He still loves his trains, but now mixes his imaginary worlds together. Batman saves Thomas the Train, and Stormtroopers chase dinosaurs. Holding onto this boy's childhood moments have been a saving grace in the chaos.

Those who know me know that we experienced loss, but also immense love this year. Seriously it was intense and an other-worldly kind of love. It's the kind that leaves you dumbfounded and awestruck. I'd always known it was there, but never fully experienced and felt until this year.

If there's anything I can leave you with from this year, (other than some cute family photos) - it's this.

Don't hesitate to take the pictures. The moment might not be perfect, or the lighting not ideal, or your make up is not on. Some of the photos from this year of my life are literally the last of their kind. I'll never be able to recreate these photos. Take the picture - because someone who loves you, might need to hold onto that photo tomorrow.

These photos bring me smiles, laughs and sometimes tears. But they're reminders of a life that's full, and lived and loved. They're something else to hold on to - keeping me tethered in the storm and giving me a reminder to keep showing up, even if it's pouring.

Because when the rain finally stops, I know I'll see the rainbow.

With love, and hope for a brighter year,

Erin

Special thank You to NorthGlow Photography for our family session this year!

Brighton Family Portraits in the Snow: Rochester NY

It was such a pleasure to meet Robin, Nick and their three boys. Robin is newly elected to the Brighton Town Council and is already making a difference! I can't wait to see the bike lanes and more that she brings to the community.

With one son in military academy, one in high school and one in middle school, Nick and Robin certainly have their hands full. We got together over the holidays while their oldest was in town and we braved the cold for some snowy family portraits outside, and some cozy shots inside as well. 

Take a peek and say hello to this local family!

Til next time,
Lori

Family by the fireplace: Victor NY Portraits

This winter portrait session was a fun mix of "let's run out in the snow" and "let's warm up by the fire!" We got the best of both worlds. We were also able to include both the new puppy, Bear, and Ninja the cat!

This session was often broken up with a little bit of wrestling as we went - because how else do you make a 7 and 11 year old cooperate? :)

All kidding aside, it was a pleasure working with this crew, so step inside their cozy little world and say hello!

-Lori

5 Years and Counting: Happy Anniversary Us!

So often we get caught up in the daily tasks of running a business that we forget to step back and look at all we've actually accomplished.

But not today. Today we're celebrating a milestone anniversary of us. Five years ago today, we made "Lori & Erin" official in the eyes of New York State - and we haven't looked back. In this industry, so many of us are independent and prefer to go it alone. So, finding a photography partnership can be a little like finding a unicorn. It's something rare.

For those that don't know our story, you can check out the recap in this post from earlier this week. Whether it was the Almighty, Buddha, or Yoda using The Force, I believe that finding each other and creating this business was meant to happen.

We've set goals and faced challenges. We've grown together, as well as individually into who we are and why we do it. We aren't the same people who started this journey. We're stronger and smarter and maybe a little bit crazier (in a good way). And all because we had an idea of a partnership over five years ago.

And it's also because of you. Looking back on all of these sessions has been wonderful. We're so grateful for each of your smiles. You have helped us grow. Thank you for putting your trust in us, year after year to help you treasure your relationships forever.

Here's to another five years!

Lori & Erin

PS - Here's a video recap of ALL five years, are you in it? 

 

FAQ : How did you two meet? The story of how Lori and Erin Photography Began

We get asked this a lot, in one variation or another. How long have you been working together? How long have you known each other? Are you sisters?

Well, you've opened a can of worms... here goes!

The Quick Story

• No, we are not related - though we might as well be

• We each had independent businesses before L&E began

• We met at Greater Rochester Professional Photographers (GRPP) in 2009

• We worked our first wedding together in 2010

• Began planning the partnership in 2012

• Officially signed the papers and became Lori & Erin Photography in 2013

• Now we live|eat|breathe Lori and Erin Photography!

The Long Story

It was a dark and stormy night... just kidding, I don't remember what the weather was. What I do remember was standing in the back of a large room filled with photographers at a GRPP meeting, when this new girl introduces herself as a graphic designer/photographer who works in the printing industry. 

I did a double take as she spoke... is this girl for real? SMH. She was describing me. My first job out of college was working for a print company while I built my design/photography business on the side. Immediately after the meeting, I introduced myself. She was there with her husband, so I met Matt as well.

Who knew I was meeting my best friend? I don't think either of us did.

We got to know each other through meetings and conferences, and eventually starting shooting for each other. I'm not sure how else to say it, but we just clicked. (Ba dum, dum - symbol crash) 

As friends, photographers and human beings, we wanted many of the same things. We both wanted to switch from doing photography on the side, to making it our full time career. We liked working with people and capturing relationships. We even had a similar shooting style.

I made the leap first, and eventually, Erin left her 9-5 as well. The first time a partnership was mentioned, it was in jest.

But then, we started to think it wasn't so crazy. What if...

What if we could make it work?
What if we could support each other?
What if we could share expenses?
What if we could offer consistency to our clients?
What if we could... succeed?

It took nearly a full year to design the new business. We talked everything through. Who would do what tasks? How would we pay ourselves? Who would be responsible for various things? Who would switch their brand of gear... oh that could be its own post!

By January 2013, we felt confident in ourselves and each other, and we jumped. We pooled our resources and began opening new doors.

Five years later, I still feel it was the right move.

We push each other to be better as people, as creatives, and as business owners. We are able to remain best friends - perhaps because of the business. Or perhaps because we respect and accept each other, quirks and all.

---

Our first photo conferences together. Where we met, started getting to know each other and the story began! Yes, we're admitting there were togas involved.

Then we proved we could survive 12 days together in a foreign country with 1 car, with our husbands. Clearly we were ready to start our business!

Us have fun at a wedding? Nope, never. 

Well, there you have it. Was it what you thought? Do you think we are crazy? Or, are you glad we met? Let us know in the comments. 

Thanks for being here,
Lori

Pittsford Mendon High School Senior: Evan

Kind, observant, steadfast. This is Evan, a senior at Pittsford Mendon High School.

He is part of the Brighton Police Explorers, guitar player and batman fan, among other things. His session was an adventure off the beaten path near Shoen Place.

Evan is the middle of 5 kids, and the second one I have had the pleasure of photographing. Meet his older brother, George, here. Younger brother, James, came along to provide the laughs and keep him from stiffening up in front of the lens.

Without further ado, here are a few faves from the session! Enjoy!
-Lori

The Value of a Portrait: Rochester NY Photographer

I want you to go find a photo - maybe it's you and your parents, or your parents wedding album, or you with you deceased grandmother.

Look at the people in it. What do you see? How does that photograph make you feel?

Now, imagine never having that image. Was it 5 years old? 10? Can it be retaken? Do you still have the story behind that image? Imagine how you would feel, if that photograph was taken away from you.

Or rather, try this scenario. Imagine holding that image after 40 years. Are the people in the image all still with us, or have you lost a loved one over the years? Does it mean more to you now that time has passed? My guess is, it does.

For all of these reasons - that's the value of a portrait. 

I can tell you from first hand experience that the photos of my son with his grandfather are some of my most valued possessions. You can have my tv, my computer, heck, you can even take my camera. But if I ever lost those photos, I'd be a wreck.

Those photographs are how I'm going to teach my son who his grandfather was. They're how I'm going to hold on to him when I need to hear his voice. They're part of our story, and serve as a reminder to our history.

But had they never been printed, or worse, never been taken at all, I would have only have the pictures in my ever fading memory to rely on.

Moral of the story - take pictures, and then also print them. Because to me they're one thousand times more valuable than any of the most expensive gifts you'll ever receive.

If you don't understand the feeling right now, trust me, someday you will.

~ Erin

Anniversary & Family Portraits in Penfield, NY

New to the area, this gaggle of girls and their parents love the outdoors. They are excited about the seasons, stomping in puddles and look forward to playing in the snow!

Chelsea and Steve are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, and coupled with their recent move from Florida, this was the perfect way to celebrate!

The girls are so full of energy, and each has their own personality. We enjoyed hopping and climbing, even roaring in the woods. Besides that - just look at those gorgeous fall colors! 

Thanks for inviting me along on the adventure, and welcome to Rochester! I look forward to seeing everyone again soon!
-Lori

Colorful Fall Family Portraits at Tinker Park Rochester, NY

I'd love to say it was the perfect day, but I gotta be honest. It was a really cold one! Sure looks like the perfect fall day though doesn't it?

Jed, Kate, Grace and Harper were troopers for this November session. Tinker Park in Henrietta was the perfect backdrop for some running and dancing. They ran not just because they're kids, but to keep warm! 

These two, young sisters are funny, sweet and full of energy. It was truly a pleasure to photograph them. I hope these photos help them remember the love they have for each other as they grow.

Enjoy,
Lori