Marion High School Senior Portraits: Brooke

This is our second time photographing Brooke, but her one and only High School Senior Portrait session. When she’s not swimming or taking her own photos, she’s getting ready to study graphic design in her college adventures.

She is a country girl at heart who loves to swim and take her own photos. So we spent our time together in a natural setting, chasing the sunset light at the Webster Arboretum.

It was a gorgeous August night, perfect for catching Brooke’s smiling eyes. Here’s to you Brooke, enjoy the year ahead!

~ Erin

Family Portraits on Lake Ontario

This is my favorite way to capture a family portrait session: a few smiling portraits with the family, then play time! 

Teddy enjoys staying at his grandparents house where he can play on the shore of Lake Ontario. It’s made even better when his cousins are in town!

Whether it was throwing the ball for Orzo, the Goldendoodle, jumping in the water or having splashing contests, it wasn’t hard to capture natural smiles on this kiddo.

Teddy loves life, and I love documenting his enthusiasm for the world. It helps that he has a pretty great family as well!  

Long live summer fun, 
Lori

McQuaid High School Senior Pictures: James

As a high school senior photographer, there are two types of seniors we typically see. A: Those excited to have special portraits made to celebrate where they are in life and B: Those who are smiling because mom asked them to.

I am so pleased to say that James went from a “B” to an “A”.

Last time I photographed James, he was approximately two feet shorter. It was such a pleasure to get him in front of the camera again and see how he has grown. Not just physically, but as a thoughtful, caring young man. He is an eagle scout, varsity football player and drives a cool truck, but what really sets James apart is his leadership and volunteer commitments. He spends his spare time on the Executive Council at McQuaid, showing new students around and also working at Camp Stella Maris on Conesus Lake.

When I asked how he wanted to be remembered, he easily replied with the McQuaid motto, “A man for others”.

James, I see big things for you in the future and am proud to know you. Enjoy your senior year!

-Lori

Extended Family Portraits at Eastman Museum: Rochester NY

With 18 people to gather it can sometimes be a chore to set up a family portrait of the whole family.

But not for this family. Even with a last minute time change because of the weather, they were all ready and willing to make these portraits happen at the Eastman Museum. The cloudy skies made it easy to set up a portrait most anywhere on the grounds. 

This is the type of family portrait that only happens once in a blue moon, especially with large families. So when it does, we love to be able to be there with you. And if the family is as easy going as this one was, it'll be a piece of cake!

~ Erin

Penfield High School Senior & Family Pictures: Sean

Part family session, part senior session, all fun! What's better than hanging out in your backyard with your sisters and parents?

For his senior portraits, Sean wanted to keep it simple. He selected his favorite shirt, his favorite tree, and a beautiful summer night. I loved creating images for this gang of easy going people for them to cherish as Sean heads into his senior year at Penfield High School and beyond.

Say hello to Sean and family!

-Lori

Pittsford Mendon Senior Portraits: Hudson

It was one of those days with a summer storm moving through. I had my fingers crossed that the clouds would stick around, but not the rain. We were in luck. The timing worked out perfectly and who doesn't love the reflection you get in a puddle? 

We got exactly what we needed to make Hudson's senior portraits epic, both at his Pittsford Mendon High School, and the Rochester Public Market. Then we capped it off with some downtown Rochester, rooftop pictures at dusk.

Looking for something different? Perhaps, some night shots for your senior pictures? Look no further, we've got you covered.

For now, enjoy Hudson's Rochester senior portrait session: baseball, graffiti and city skylines!
-Lori

Tinker Park Family Portraits

Ella the elephant was an important part of this particular family portrait session. After all, she's two year old Chloe's BFF. I can't say that I blame them, they are pretty darn cute together. Especially when Chloe felt that Ella was hungry and should have a dandelion snack.

Chloe always keeps us on our toes. She loved finding flowers and leaves at Tinker Park in Henrietta. She also loved playing with her birthday balloons and the end of the session.

A portrait session with a two year old is kind of like a race. It's a fun game of chase, because two year olds have a love for exploring. Chloe is a natural explorer with a smile that lights up the world around her.

And we just love capturing that smile.

~ Erin

Our Lady of Mercy Senior Photos: Madison

While she attends Our Lady of Mercy, Madison is a Fairport girl. After some family portraits at the house, we went exploring around the canal, right here in our quaint little village.

There is always something new to see and enjoy in our town, and I love it here. From the stone wall to the famous bridge and the gazebo, we hit all the hot spots. 

The weather was iffy, but the clouds provided the perfect cover. We actually did feel a few rain drops, but it didn't slow us down one bit! And besides that, how perfect is that umbrella? Madison rolled with it and rocked her whole senior portrait session.

Fairport NY really is front porch friendly, and we love living here. Thanks Madison for choosing us to capture this pivotal time in your life. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and your whole family! Have a wonderful senior year!

Cheers,
Lori

Victor NY Family Portraits at Home

Bacon and eggs a la Dad in the morning. 

S'mores in the fire pit at night.

BBQ's out on the patio.

These are just some of the ways this family loves to hang out together at home. With four great and very different kids, home is a big part of their world.

So why not plan your portrait session in your own space? Let the kids show off their rooms. Or let them giggle together in the kitchen.

Even if for most of the day it rained, you can still have fun inside like these cuties did. The possibilities are endless.

~ Erin

LucasP: Year 4

Yesterday I noticed that his feet are almost to the edge of his toddler bed.

Today, his beloved Star Wars light up shoes no longer fit him. Funny thing about that though - I only bought them two months ago. So in just the last two months, he's grown a full shoe size right before our eyes. 

The threenager stage of life is no joke. Terrible twos look like a beach vacation compared to three. The seemingly endless task of potty training, the wanting independence vs "You do it Mommy". The constant time outs and counting to three. It's exhausting for sure.

But we're proof that you do come out of the other side, and scattered among the time outs, are some pretty incredible moments.

Watching him overcome fears, and try the things he hasn't been able to do until now is amazing. His love for all things Super Hero / Star Wars has only grown as his understanding of them does also.

I've learned that he can be both shy and outgoing at the same time. I think he gets that from me. But when he makes a friend, he instantly says they are his "favorite friend." 

He loves going on "adventures" with Daddy - tent camping, hiking and s'mores. He's even created his own campfire dance, forever known to family as "the Sticky Icky Dance."

There were a lot of firsts within the past year that aren't shown in the photographs below. Some are from our portrait membership program, others are still sitting on my computer waiting to be edited. If I tried to include them all, this post would be 10x longer.

Since his last birthday, so many things have changed. I won't say they've all been great changes, but we're focusing on the good as often as possible. And here's hoping we will always be able to.

Happy 4th Birthday LucasP!

Love you too the moon and back, and beyond the stars,
Momma

Syracuse, NY Outdoor Family Portraits

The last time I photographed Barrett, he was a newborn, being baptized. Now, he is a little boy who loves running and playing. His big sisters have turned into beautiful young ladies that are a joy to be around. Maybe it’s the familial bias, but they are some of my favorite subjects.  :)

However, this session did present some logistical challenges. Planning from Rochester and Kentucky for a session that would take place in Syracuse was fun. And wouldn’t you know, when we finally agreed on Franklin Square Park, they would be painting the benches that day? We managed to keep the kids away from the wet paint, and used the sculptures, brick and ivy as our setting.  

We broke up the posed shots with some playground time and enjoying exploring the outdoor stage at Thornden Park. Check out a few of my favorites below!

Until next time,
Lori

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Beach Family Pictures in Rochester NY

I honestly don't know how else to say it - our members ROCK. They get it, they get us and every time we see them it just gets better and better.

The photographs we take at these events are of real life. These kids are real, and their parents let them be that real because way back in the back of their minds, they know that these are the moments they'll forget over time.

They'll forget that big excited grin as they run to the water fully clothed. They'll forget collecting shells and feathers and rocks along the shore. They'll forget how watching their kids play makes them feel, no matter how crazy the day was up to that point. They might even forget that sticky mess of an ice cream cone, melted all over their face, clothes and shoes (though, not anytime soon.)

Except - This night they won't forget, because these photographs will be there to remind them. This moment in their children's lives is now captured, preserved, and forever cherished in photographs.

This event might have been one of my all time favorites - a perfect night for sand, sun, waves and ice cream.

If you want to remember that messy but happy face, if you want to remember the moments in between the dressed up portrait sessions - you should be here, with us.