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

10 Year Anniversary Session: An Italian Portrait Session

I told him we had to get up at 5:30 am for our session...on our vacation. He winced and said "ok." I know that after 10 years of marriage, there were more words he'd have liked to add to that. But he didn't and I love him for that.

"It feels like our wedding was just yesterday" isn't a true statement for me. It feels as though it was rightfully ten years ago, but not in a bad way. In a lot of ways, we're not the same people we were then.

And we're definitely not a perfect couple. Honestly, I don't know that such a thing exists. We procrastinate. We leave laundry in the basket for weeks. We have our bad habits that drive each other nuts. 

But we also have 10 (plus) years of history. He's my saving grace in times when I just can't. He lets me vent, cry and sometimes yell. He brings me flowers when I've got the flu. He's a terrific daddy to our son. He takes care of us, and loves us in his own quiet, daily ways.

To me, it feels like 10 years of building something, together - a home, a life, a family.

The quiet, practically empty square at Piazza San Marco greeted us, and all at once we knew it was worth it. There were no tourists, no vendors, no crowds - just us, and Siza (our photographer, who was amazing!!) and the beauty that is Venice in the morning.

It was instantly easy to let the romance of this moment wash over me. Was it Venice? Maybe, but more likely it was because of the realization of a dream we had shared for all 10 years of our marriage.

These photographs top any souvenir or bottle of wine we brought home from Italy. They'll live on long after the case of wine will. And they were worth every step of the last ten years.

Here's to the rest of our story,

~ Erin

PS - For you Matt, save this dance for me.
 

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

Head Shot Sessions in Fairport NY

One of the things I look for in a head shot is life in the eyes. Nowadays, anyone can take a photo and edit it quite quickly. So what set's a professional portrait apart? The eyes.

Maurini was so easy to talk to, this session was a blast. We took advantage of an overcast day in Fairport to walk along the canal and make some portraits. Maurini recently received a fellowship in library sciences, which is what the photos were originally for. 

So, how do you get life in the eyes? In this case, all I had to do was ask her about her husband, and she instantly smiled, a real smile. Which made me smile. If your husband can still do that after 20 years, you know you found the right one. That is all I know about him, and I can't wait to meet him!

For now, meet Maurini, and how about those eyes?
-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

Take the Trip: Italy Destination Photography

Ten years ago, on our honeymoon we made a decision. On our 10 year anniversary, we would take a second honeymoon to Italy. We were younger, child free and had substantially less responsibilities. It was easy to say we'd do it at the time.

Fast forward nine years. Life had changed a lot. As much as we wanted to still take the trip, for various reasons we questioned whether or not we should.

Ultimately, we decided to do it. And now that we're back, readjusting to normal life without a daily gelato, it was worth every penny we saved and every one of the over 100,000 steps we walked on the trip.

As a husband and wife, we needed this time together. We also desired to fulfill the goals we'd set for ourselves.

It would have been easy to cancel the whole idea; we had a three year old after all and we'd had a harder year. But something inside me couldn't accept all of that.

I read a sign in one of our B&B's that said "travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer." I couldn't agree more.

If there's anything I hope to pass on, it's that idea. Your bank account is not a measure of your richness. Take the trip, live the moments and be rich in those moments, not things.

Ciao,

Erin