Branding Headshots in Fairport NY: Rochester NY Photography

A retired FBI agent and a yoga instructor walk into the same studio…

…and BOTH get updated branding headshots that reflect their business.

Listen, I know I need to work on my material, but I’m a branding photographer, not a comedian. The fact remains, that even in a 15 minute branding portrait mini session we could create two different looks for totally different businesses.

We are so thankful to Ali at Yoga 170 for sharing her amazing space with us, giving us the opportunity to bring these brand photographs to life.

Interested in leveling up your brand in 15 minutes? Check out the next round of branding minis, coming soon!

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?

Tips for Senior Pictures: Fairport NY Senior Portraits

Senior pictures for the Class of 2024 are underway! So we thought it might help to share few tips for some great senior pictures in the Rochester NY area.

After all, these senior portraits will live on the pages of the high school yearbook and on your walls for years to come. The experience you have should be fun, memorable and unique! So here's a few tips to get you thinking...

1) Clothing

Do your best to avoid clothing with words, stripes and plaids. Solid colors tend to photograph much better, especially in a busy background like a park or among colorful flowers. Make sure you're comfortable in your choices, and that they are flattering to you. If there's a part of you that you're self-conscious about, like your arms - simple solution, wear sleeves! Be comfortable in your clothes, so that it shows in your photographs! Also, keep your jewelry simple so it doesn't distract from what we're really capturing - you!

If you have questions on what to wear, bring a variety of options - from dressy to casual! We can help you pick the right outfit for the right setting.

2) Makeup

Don't feel like this is an opportunity to layer on makeup. We want a natural you in your high school senior pictures, not someone that no one will recognize! Your makeup should only be slightly heavier than usual. And please...don't use sparkles, they only make you look shiny in all the wrong places. Don't worry too much about blemishes either, we have ways to help diminish those!

3) Shaving

Unless you're into a bearded look, shave prior to the session to avoid unwanted stubble. If your face gets irritated easily, leave enough time for it to return to normal before your senior pictures.

4) Props, pets and activities

Here's the fun part. What is it that makes you, you? Do you have a cat, dog or pet iguana to include in your senior portraits? We're game, just make sure you bring treats for motivation, and someone to keep watch over Fluffy the Lizard while he's not in the photographs.

We encourage you to bring items that reveal your personality and hobbies. For example, an instrument, sporting equipment, vehicle, collectible, or whatever it is you enjoy!

High School Senior Pictures Fairport NY

High School Senior Pictures Fairport NY

High School Senior Pictures Fairport NY

High School Senior Pictures Fairport NY

We're so excited, and really can't wait to work with each and every one of you. If you're planning or have questions - contact us today!

Victor NY Senior Pictures, Class of 2023: Erin

Congratulations to our very first Class of 2023 senior, Erin!
Her senior pictures for Victor High School were so much fun to create. We traveled to Canandaigua where we captured a variety of great senior portraits along the waterfront and nearby playground; the images from there were so vibrant and playful!

We also showed off a bit of Erin’s talents at swimming and crochet in her senior session, as well as included Mom and Dad.

We fully believe that senior pictures should include people who have supported you on your journey, and for Erin it was her parents. This family are some of the nicest folks around. (Including her brother Elliott, who we also photographed!)

We look forward to seeing what’s next for you, Erin! Congratulations!

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.

Family Pictures with High School Seniors: Fairport NY Photographers

Bella’s senior portrait session wouldn’t have been the same without including the rest of the family: Mom and Zada, their Italian Mastiff.

Part two of her Senior Pictures took place at the hidden gem that is Corbett’s Glen. (If you missed part one, find it here.)

It was clear to see the special bond these two beautiful ladies share, and I was honored to capture a little family portrait for them.

Say ‘hey’ to Stephanie and Bella!

Cheers!
-Lori

Victor NY Senior Portraits: Class of 2022, Ethan

Ethan is a Class of 2022 Senior from Victor High School.

For his senior portraits, he wanted to keep it simple. We visited his home first, where we caught a few minutes with his loveable cat Missy. Then we photographed the rest of his senior pictures in Macedon at The Ganargua Creek Meadow Preserve.

I especially liked the way the late evening light fell just right in these senior pictures.

If you know him, leave him a congratulations on his graduation below!

Victor High School Senior Pictures: Class of 2022, Ben

Senior pictures in late fall… is it everyone’s favorite season in upstate NY? I know it’s not just me!

For this Victor High School Senior (and baseball player), it was like magic. First, we took some casual senior portraits of Ben along the water and trail, followed by some pictures in action on the diamond.

I love to photograph athletes. The goal is to create senior pictures that feel natural, so we go where the subject feels comfortable, and Ben was definitely at home on the baseball field.

Thanks for letting me capture this moment for you, and congratulations! -Lori

Mercy High School Senior Pictures: Class of 2022, Emma

I love it when our students bring their personal style to their Rochester senior pictures! The Memorial Art Gallery was the perfect setting for this beautiful soul and artist, Emma.

Just like her brother, Ethan, she had a confident ease about her that just made her a pleasure to be around, and gave her senior portraits the perfect glow.

Don’t those string lights just make the coolest background for senior pictures? Love it! Congrats Emma, and best of luck next year! -Lori