Fall Family Portraits at Wickham Farms: Fairport NY Photographers

When families come back to us time and time again for their family pictures, it makes our hearts happy.

With this family, we’ve done it all. Wedding, Newborn, Holiday - you name it, we’ve captured their family pictures in many, many ways.

This time around, we took their family photos in Fairport, right before Halloween. So we took advantage of a gorgeous fall evening and went to Wickham Farms together. There, we photographed them in their adorable Halloween costumes, in the pumpkins and then had some time for candid family pictures, while they played.

This kid’s smile is contagious, amirght?

Candid Family Mini Sessions: Rochester Pinball Collective

This Candid Mini Session was unlike any you’ve ever seen before. Why? Because pinball games were involved!

One of the ways our mini sessions are different, is that we try to make them about more than the pictures. There’s often an experience involved, or an activity that your families would enjoy.

The idea for this one came from our family’s love of playing board games together. It didn’t take us long to brainstorm a way to capture this theme for other families too.

A huge thank you goes out to the Rochester Pinball Collective for opening their doors to our group of fun loving families.

Have an idea for an upcoming Candid Mini Session event? We’re always on the lookout, so tell us what your family loves to do!

Family Pictures through the Years: Fairport NY Family Portraits

Over the years, we’ve photographed a lot of family pictures in Rochester. We’ve captured hundreds of photographs of growing families, some of which began as amazing wedding couples.

We’ve literally captured the changing seasons of a family’s life together. From wedding, to first child, to second and on and on. And we photograph them so regularly, they feel like actual family to us. I know what activities they enjoy, and more often than not, I know what’s going to evoke a real childlike laugh from them. I not only know the names of their children, but the name of their child’s favorite stuffed elephant.

I know these things, because for the past five years, we’ve been photographing these particular families on a nearly monthly basis through our portrait membership program.

I know what you’re thinking - whhhhoooaaa, monthly portrait sessions? You crazy?

Well, yes, I am a little crazy - but that’s not what we’re doing here. If you want a photographer that takes the time to get to know your family, and a photographic experience that’s more than poses.

Our portrait membership is what I’m talking about, and if you haven’t yet heard of it - here’s a recap of years of candid, real life moments from one family that has been along for the ride from the start.

If you’re curious, please ask questions - because we want to make it as easy to understand as “E for elephant.”

In Between Portrait Membership: Tie Dye Night candid family portraits

Oh what a lovely, messy night we had! The threat of rain didn’t stop us from creating our new shirts with our member families. These candid family portrait moments are always different, each event changing with the season.

There are some events that are now traditions. Apple picking (which is coming up soon!) being one of them. But this was a new one for us. Tie dye is such a common “summer time with kids” activity, that it made sense to include it in this years lineup.

Big thanks to Dana Sharp (one of our awesome members) for leading the group and showing us all some tips and tricks in creating great tie dyed shirts for the whole family!

Curious as to what these “members” are that we’re always talking about? Check out our membership information, or come to our next event to find out more!

Candid Mini Session Family Pictures: Swim Time in Fairport NY

So yes, technically spring is here. Technically we should have been soaking in the sunshine and warmth.

Technically.

I’m so glad we planned a swimming event for our portrait members in March, because technically - it snowed that day. So rather than complain about the snow, we hopped into the pool and captured our families splashing around.

The best part of this event, was that some of our families were at our last swimming event two years ago, when their littles - were super little. We’ve captured their growth for years. Even my own little has grown. In two years, he’s changed from a nervous toddler who wouldn’t go past his ankles in the water, to finding the deepest spot where he can still touch the ground on his tip toes.

I may not have been soaking in the sunshine, but I was soaking in the memories while my fingers got wrinkly.

We’ve grown together as a group, always welcoming new members with arms open. The kids are all becoming friends and forming bonds. Towards the end, they were playing water basketball as one big group. It’s becoming the thing we hoped it would be - a community.

If you’re still wondering why we keep talking about this membership - stop wondering, and start asking. We want to capture your family throughout the year! We promise, you won’t regret it.

~ Erin

Outdoor Winter Family Portraits in Fairport, NY

When I first met with Marissa, she told me “We’re from Chicago, we can handle the cold.” Oh how little did we know…

It was 32 degrees and sunny on this early November day. It was not what we were expecting! We literally had the boys running down the sidewalk to warm them up! They were troopers though, and we worked really fast to get all the images they wanted and get them back into the car and warmth!

If you ask me, it was worth it. Look at those colors and those faces! Have I mentioned lately how much I love my job? :D

Welcome to Rochester guys! Enjoy the Upstate New York winter,
Lori

Candid Family Pictures: Cookie Decorating

There were cookies, there was frosting, there were marshmallows and sprinkles. It was a sugary delight for all of the kids. And then the big guy in the bright red suit showed up.

My husband told me after the event, that he finally saw it. When I asked him what “it” was, he said “The magic of Christmas.”

Whoa. I didn’t see that coming.

He went on to tell me how he watched the kids’ faces when Santa popped in to say hello, and it was beautiful.

You guys - that right there is everything this program is all about.

See, while we were working to capture their faces, he was enjoying the moment. I imagine, without their camera phones in front of them for a change, our other parents were doing the same. They didn’t need to stress about getting the best picture, because we were there.

I’m so glad to be able to give this gift to our members all year long. Whether it’s the magic of Christmas, or a day at the beach, It’s an honor to capture their childhood.

Thank you to our families who give us this opportunity all year long. We hope you’ve enjoyed the moments and the memories made.

Happy Holidays,

Lori & Erin

Fairport Family Portraits at Home

Two families and Momo, all together for a fun, fast paced session. Most sessions with three kids under the age of four usually are.

To get them all to smile at the right time often requires both of us and some very silly faces and games. The sillier we are with, the happier the kids are. On a warm day, we have to move fast to make sure we get those smiles early on.

It's a little bit of work, but when it happens, it's magic. And as these kids grow up, they'll cherish these images more with every passing day.

Until next time,

Erin

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

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

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

Family Session at the Butterfly Trail in Macedon, NY

We are having such a beautiful Autumn, and this morning was gorgeous. It was my pleasure to walk the butterfly trail with this awesome family of four.

It's hard for us to believe that Mom and Dad are celebrating their 5th anniversary this year. We've been photographing weddings for that long? 

And their two beautiful kids keep them on their toes!

As challenging as toddlers can be, I hope you remember how they only wanted mom to hold them. These memories of throwing rocks in the water (endless entertainment for toddlers) are small, but beautiful. How sweet and loving those kids are, and how dirty they ended up at the end there. :-D

Happy anniversary you two, and thanks for letting us witness your love and share in your joy all of these years later.
-Lori