3 Reasons Why Spring is the Best Time of Year for Family Pictures: Rochester NY Photographers

Spring is our favorite time of year. The temperatures rise, the colors burst everywhere and the sun comes out of it’s winter hibernation in Rochester NY. It’s easy to see why our Candid Mini Sessions in Highland Park are always one of our most popular family mini sessions.

Here’s why we think that spring family pictures in Rochester NY are the best:

1. The weather is ideal

(Mostly. We do live in Rochester after all.)

During spring, the weather is mild and comfortable, not too hot or too cold. The sun is shining, and the natural light is perfect for capturing beautiful family pictures. You don't have to worry about the heat, and humidity of summer or the gray skies of a Rochester NY winter.

2. The world is gorgeous

Spring is the season of renewal, and nature is alive with vibrant colors. The trees and flowers are blooming, and the grass is green and lush. This creates the perfect backdrop for your family pictures, especially at Highland Park. The bursting color will make your family pictures pop.

3. It's a time for family gatherings

Spring is a time for family gatherings like Easter and Mother's Day. This makes it the perfect time to take family pictures. You can capture memories with extended family members or simply take pictures with your immediate family. It's a great way to create lasting memories.

So what’s your favorite season for family pictures? I hope it’s Spring… c’mon say it’s Spring… you know you want to!

Mendon NY Family Pictures: Fairport NY Photographers

A fall family portrait session with the perfect blend of candid photography and posed portraits doesn’t exi…

Oh wait, just kidding. These family pictures in Mendon nailed it.

All of the necessary elements were there:

• A gorgeous day.

• Adorable, smiley kids, and their parents too.

• A swing set to climb on.

• A leaf pile ready for throwing.

• Chickens.

If that doesn’t sum up these family pictures, I just don’t know what does.

Candid Mini Session Events: Fairport NY Family Pictures

The weather was chilly for our first playground Candid Mini Session of 2022, but it didn’t stop the kids from having a blast. And it didn’t stop us from capturing some family pictures while the kids played.

We love the Egypt Park playground, both for it’s proximity to Lollypop Farms, and it’s cute barn theme. There’s also a great paved path for scooters, and the playground area is padded which helps avoid muddy playground pictures in March.

We’ll have family mini sessions at playgrounds ALL year long, so if you missed out on this one - check the schedule below for the next one!

Finger Lakes Family Pictures: Fairport NY Photographers

New rule: Vacations with the ones you love most should always include an updated extended family picture.

I mean, these Finger Lakes views and your family portraits together on the dock like this? We can’t even.

Our hope is that your kids will look back at these family pictures and remember the laughs you shared together on this trip. These are the moments you’ll cherish for years to come.

Family pictures with a 6 month old: Rochester NY Family Portraits

These family pictures were taken almost one year to the date that Laura and Kevin posed in this same spot with an empty onesie and their pumpkins.

Now, a beautiful 6 month old sits in that onesie, in the same spot for her third family session in her first year portrait series. Lori mentioned at the time, that as she shot this session, she got a little teary eyed thinking back to that very first announcement session.

We also got a glimpse of her perfect little fairy Halloween costume - and we’re basically dead.

Check it out, we think you’ll agree.

Family Pictures in Honeoye: Rochester NY Family Photographers

One 5 year old, two dogs, their parents and tons of room to run. Which is exactly what was necessary to photograph this five year old at his yearly family portrait session. They’ve been one of our amazing member families involved in our candid mini session events for all five years of his life. (What is this membership?)

After all this time, we know that playing is the way to his adorable smile. He also knows what to expect from us, and very rarely hides his face from our cameras. It’s one of the reasons that taking advantage of the candid mini session events makes sense.

We let the silliness happen, and we photograph their family pictures as they really are. That’s the side of him that his family wants to remember when he’s grown, so we capture it while we can. Enjoy this glimpse into their family!

PS - If you feel so inclined to check out that big inn behind them in the last photo, that’s Greenwoods Bed & Breakfast, and they’re the newest owners. Check it out, I promise you’ll want to want to take a little getaway after you see it!

Pandemic Reflections: Fairport NY Photographers

One year ago, he left his Kindergarten classroom and everything he knew about life changed.

We were already knee deep in learning so much about him, things that before the end of 2019, we never fully realized. Then toss a global pandemic in like a hand grenade, and everything we thought we knew blew up.

Our first days at home, March 2020.

We fought every day about doing “school” together. We fought about which parent would be the “teacher.” We each battled our own emotions, stormed out of the house, took long walks apart, yelled, cried and fought some more.

I fought with myself, while trying to keep working, and simultaneously creating STEM activities and art projects for a confused, frustrated and bored 5 year old. We made hard decisions on a daily basis, which at times, were paralyzing in ways I’d never felt before.

Don’t get me wrong, our family’s challenges were (and still are) minimal compared to many, but they were still felt to our very core.

Fast forward to now - vaccinations are happening, and there’s buzz that school might go from 2 days, back to 5 days a week. We can soon visit our vaccinated friends and family inside their homes. At long last, that ever distant light at the end of the tunnel is growing closer.

But the difference is, now I’m sitting next to my child, who is doing his school work independently. There have been no tears or fights over school in a long time. And not only that, he’s getting all the answers right. He’s risen to the challenges with a strength that most adults are still struggling with.

And I know, he’s going to be ok.

I’ve learned more about myself, and have found strength to both keep fighting, and also to let go.

And I know, I am going to be ok.

I’m so proud of him, and of us. We’re a team, and we are stronger together.

Maybe that’s why it hit me like a ton of bricks. I realized that when he goes back, I will miss him.

I’ll miss midday walks in the woods, and going out for ice cream on a random Tuesday afternoon. I’ll miss reading with him on the couch him during the middle of the day. I’ll miss his hugs while I work at my computer. The desk, the art wall, and the space we created for him will be eventually changed back into the office it was before.

Before - a lifetime ago, yet gone so fast.

It’s weird that the thing we’ve complained about all this time, is now the thing I’m going to miss the most. Going forward, my hope and prayer is that not everything goes back to what it was “before.” 

At least, not in our home.

I know my feelings aren’t felt by everyone, but that’s the thing about feelings - they don’t have to be. So tell us, how are you doing one year into pandemic life?

School in progress, March 2021

Why Candid Mini Sessions Make Sense for Your Family Portraits

Recently I shared a blog post full of tips for family portraits. As I wrote it I noticed, that many of the reasons parents dread family pictures, are the exact same reasons we formed our portrait membership program / candid mini session events.

So - below are my thoughts on why our candid event sessions a PERFECT fit for family pictures.

1) Your kids aren’t always “on” for the camera.

If you child has a bad day on the day of your once a year family portrait - that’s your memory of that day. With candid member events, you have chances all year long.

2) Your children get to know your family photographer.

When you book a different photographer for every session, it’s not a surprise that your kids won’t be their real self with them. The kids in our membership get to know us and our silly sides. They trust us more each time we see them, which allows us to capture amazing moments.

3) Real life happens all year long.

And it doesn’t happen in poses either. Sure, it’s nice to have a posed family picture once in a while. But that’s not real life. Our events are different every month, changing with the seasons. They give you a way to play, but also a way to remember that play.

4) Get in front of the camera.

Be honest, which parent spends more time taking pictures with their phone, and which parent is in more of the pictures? Wouldn’t you rather enjoy the moment without the pressure of capturing it? See? We’re solving a problem you didn’t realize you had! Be in the pictures!

5) Variety is the spice of life.

Did I mention you can get photos in all seasons? Prefer fall family fun to winter family fun? That’s fine, but you can have both. Heck, you can even have spring and summer fun too.

There’s no wrong answer when it comes to the kind of family portrait you like, and we offer more than one option. We just really believe in these candid mini session events. We have families that have been with us for years, and it’s amazing to see them grow. So if you want to know more about it - take a peek here.

And if you want to talk more? Hit that cute little button below.

Family Pictures at Webster Arboretum: Rochester NY Family Portraits

As I sit writing this, I’m grinning because this session was so much fun.

This little lady kept me on my toes the entire session. By the end of it, we had played hide and seek, Simon Says, and raced around Webster Arboretum together. She found me the most perfect fallen leaves, and picked dandelion flowers for us all.

Oh, and we took some family pictures along the way too. If that little smile doesn’t light up your day too, I don’t know what will.

How We Safely Photographed Our Member Mini Sessions: Rochester NY Family Pictures

Our portrait membership events are one of our favorite things to photograph. It combines family portraits with real life moments. It allows our members to both enjoy the moment and relive it later. All year long, our families gather, and not only would they get photos, they’d get family time, an experience, and the kids would play together.

So imagine what it felt like for us (and our family portrait members) when it all shut down. Oof.

Though, in true Friends fashion our word became “pivot.” And did we ever. Here’s how we made our 2020 member mini session portraits happen, safely:

1) We Stayed Outside

We kept all of our mini session events outdoors. At first, we photographed them on their own front porch. As the year passed, we sought out locations where we could distance well. We hit the beach, apple orchards, hiking trails and even pumpkin patches. Other than our masks and more distance, it felt normal.

2) We Masked Up

Duh, right? It should go without saying. But along with wearing masks, we accepted that they would be part of the pictures we delivered. This is a real moment in the history of your family. So if the mask was on, we still took the picture.

3) We Scheduled Time Slots

Instead of gathering as one big, happy portrait membership group, we have transformed these events into candid mini sessions. Each family had their own time to arrive so we could capture their fun. This was our biggest shift, but a necessary one.

4) We Leaned In

Instead of hiding our real life, we asked our families to show it to us. Some came in their pajamas with their books in hand. They showed off their handmade masks, and they introduced us to their pandemic puppy. Everyone brought something fun to their time slot.

We have adapted to the world around us. We are continuing to find ways to photograph families through this season of life. If you’re wondering what this whole “membership thing” is, we want you to know, we’re doing it as safely as possible.

(Photos below are from our 2020 Fall Mini Session Event.)

Family Pictures at Webster Park: Rochester NY Family Photographers

You know what’s perfect? When siblings set up a portrait session, so they can surprise their mom with pictures on her birthday. What’s better than giving portraits as a gift?

These three are basically every parents dream, right?

We visited Webster Park with the family pups, and created portraits, as well as some more candid scenes. We had to sneak these in before these three left for school in August - so I’ve been waiting to share them for what feels like forever.

But now that I can, I’m smiling all over again at the reminder of those happy dogs, and a great family.

Maplewood Rose Garden Family Portraits: Rochester NY

They wanted a mixture of fun and family in their family portrait. A little silly and a whole lot of family in a beautiful location. So we visited the Maplewood Rose Garden in Rochester for their extended family portrait.

The evening was warm and full of laughs, and me, trying as hard as I could to get the two littles to laugh at me. It was great to see this family play together, and it was great to capture their time together as well.

Enjoy a little bit from their night, and if you’re ready to get your extended family portrait updated - let us know!