Candid Family Portrait Mini Sessions at the Seneca Park Zoo

Well from what I’ve gathered, the earth doesn’t much care if the weather is cold on Earth Day. Thankfully, a few of our members weren’t worried too much about it either.

The perk of a chilly day for our Zoo event though? The zoo wasn’t all that crowded. :)

As a mom, it’s one of the places we regularly visit throughout the year. It only made sense that one day our membership program would wind up there too! It just seems right that one of the places you enjoy time together as a family would be the zoo.

So we had our fill of the elephants and the giraffes at the Seneca Park Zoo. Because it was the Zoo’s Earth Day event we also had the opportunity to have a tree to plant or some wildflower seeds to start a butterfly garden.

So even though the weather didn’t want to be sunshine and rainbows, we made the best of a gray day.

Join us next month for a return of one of our favorite events - a planting party at Lucas Greenhouses!

Highlights from Valencia & Barcelona, Spain

There was a request for photos from our trip to Spain, and well, twist my arm!

Most of our trip was spent in Valencia - the Tancat de la Pipa to be exact. That’s where we volunteered, working to restore Lake Albufera and it’s surrounding areas. Our group was specifically working to clean up the lagoons, which supply lake with clean water.

Every day, we traveled down the bumpy dirt road to our project site. Each day we received a different assignment which brought us all around the lagoons. We moved plants, weeded, monitored water levels and waded in to plant aquatic grasses, and it felt great to be making a difference. There are only three full time staffers working this large area, and without volunteers, they simply wouldn’t be able to get it all done.

We weren’t alone. We met volunteers from California, and also local college students getting hands on experience. We traded stories about our cultures while we worked, learned new words and developed friendships. If we had traveled from place to place on a tour bus, we never would have made these genuine connections. This was by far my favorite part of the trip. We got to make an ecological difference while enjoying the sunshine and making friends.

While we were there, Valencia was celebrating Las Fallas. This festival, dedicated to St. Joseph, is several days long. While I had read about this in advance, I truly had no idea how BIG it was. Our volunteer hosts going out of town for the long weekend should have thrown up some red flags, but we had no idea.

Las Fallas is not just a four day festival like I had read - but a month long one. We arrived the week before the festival officially began and were greeted with daily fireworks in the streets. We saw hundreds of ninots (large sculptures) get assembled. And as the festival drew near, we were treated to concerts outside of our window from 12-4am. And on the last day, they burn down all the sculptures!

Despite the noise and festival crowds, I always felt safe. We walked or took the subway around the historic city. We saw mile-long parades of people in traditional dress, carrying flowers to a create a several story tall living monument. (Think Rose Bowl Parade.) We saw the holy grail, the beach, and the largest aquarium in Europe. In Valencia, we were both travelers and volunteers.

Leaving Valencia, we spent a weekend in Barcelona before coming home. Here, we did a 180 and became tourists, taking the open top bus to see all the city highlights. We took a day trip to Montserrat in the mountains and finished with a guided tour of La Sagrada Familia. If you aren’t familiar with Gaudi’s famous structure, go Google it right now. Seriously. I have been in the Vatican, and I would say this church is far more stunning.

We certainly enjoyed our time in Spain and the Tancat de la Pipa! If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about volunteering abroad, I highly recommend you check out Goat Volunteers. They have over 60 projects to choose from in 14 countries. And, if you mention my name when you apply, you can save $25!

So, if you have been to Spain, what was your favorite part? And if not, where should we go next!?

Talk to you soon,
Lori

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

Congratulations Class of 2019: Rochester NY High School Senior Portraits

First, I want to wish the Class of 2019 happiness and success. Second, I want to say thank you! Thank you for sharing your smiles, your stories and your laughter with us.

It has been our pleasure to get to know each of you over the last year, and to document your personality, style, and interests.

This year, we worked with dancers, golfers, baseball and volleyball players. We also worked with musicians, animal lovers, and even some with political ambitions. We visited parks, beaches, schools and farms. We played in the flowers, the rain and even in Rochester City Hall.

Yes, it was a fun year and one for the record books. Thank you to each high school senior and their family for taking us along on the ride! If you want to relive it with us, you can find blog recaps for each student below.

Please join me in congratulating the Rochester NY Area Class of 2019!

-Lori and Erin

Now Booking Personal Brand Photography in Rochester NY

Hey there friend! Erin and I are super excited to announce the launch of a new area within Lori and Erin Photography: Personal Brand Photography!

You asked for it, and we are finally ready to fully deliver. This may seem like something we’ve always offered. You’re not wrong.

We’ve just made the process better, clearer and tailored to growing businesses and their owners. We didn’t realize until now that we could actually give it the name and category it should rightfully have.

We have always placed on emphasis on showcasing your personality, whether it’s a family, senior or business portrait. When folks come to us for headshots, we ask the question:

“What do you want people to see when they look at this?” And I then tell them, we don’t do boring head shots here.

Ok so what’s NEW about Personal BRAND Photography? It takes commercial headshots and business portraits to a new level.

If you are an entrepreneur, chances are yours is the face of your business in a fast paced online world. With the importance of social media to a consumers buying behavior, and whether they realize it or not, customers want to know who you and your brand are.

That’s where we come in. We’ll work together to really discover the essence of your brand, then create a library of images for you to use on your website and social media pages. Whether it’s 10 images, or 50, you’ll elevate your brand with quality images that speak to YOUR client in a way that selfies and snapshots cannot.

When we decided to step into this new space, we did our homework. Lots of it. As business owners ourselves, we have real, every day experience with social media. And while our business revolves around creating images every day, we know that most businesses do not. So how do you have a presence on Instagram, an image heavy platform, when you don’t have a steady stream of new images?

We’re going to help with that!

If you’d like to learn more, click here to read on. We’ve created a whole magazine full of information to help you determine if Personal Brand Photography is what you need to grow your business.

And if you’re ready to jump in with both feet, contact us now and let’s get you on the path to a thriving, relatable brand in your community!

Cheers!
Lori

Senior Portrait at Eastman Museum: Joe

His mother told me that it’s rare to see Joe without a hat on. She just wanted some simple photos to remember her son at this stage, before he heads off into college and then the real world.

For Joe’s senior photos, we returned to the same location where we photographed his sister just a few years earlier: the always beautiful Eastman Museum.

It was one of those mornings where I drove through a passing rain shower on the way to the session. Uh oh.

But it held off for us to make some images. Joe chose the very first portrait for his yearbook photo, a nice casual close up. Then we had fun using some of the different backdrops and textures available to us on the grounds. Rochester NY has so many great options for senior portraits.

Here are a few of my favorites. Say congrats to Joe in the comments!  

Have a great year!
 -Lori

Fairport NY Senior Pictures: Kristen in the Sunflowers

Kristen came to us all the way from Rome, New York for her senior portrait experience! She had read all about the Sunflower Festival at Wickham Farms and knew that was what she wanted for her senior photos. We hit up the Thomas Creek Boardwalk first to fit her barefoot country vibe, then enjoyed a sunset in the sunflowers. 

Who knew there were so many varieties of sunflowers? I sure didn’t. Tall, short, yellow, orange. They were all beautiful and fun to play in. Kristen was fun to work with and up for anything. I hope you enjoy her Fairport senior portrait session as much as we enjoyed capturing it!

Thanks for choosing Lori and Erin Photography, hope you’re having an awesome Senior year! 

-Lori

Mercy High School Senior Portraits: Emma Kate

Emma Kate’s senior portrait session took place in two parts.

First, we had a bright windy day in the sunflowers where we laughed and laughed. Part two took place almost two months later so we could include her dad. They certainly have a special bond, because they were still smiling throughout the cold, rainy day. Love it!!

Pittsford Dairy was a great backdrop for this session, and we enjoyed warming up with hot chocolate after!

Thank you for trusting me in the rain, and rocking your senior photos Emma Kate! It has been such a pleasure photographing you. Good luck with the rest of your year at Mercy, and see you again soon!

-Lori

Family Portraits in Rochester at 4 Months : Baby Rose

My how quickly life changes. Just 3 years ago, we watched through our lenses as Courtney and Scott said their vows in the beautiful Asbury Church. Now, our lenses turn to a smaller subject, of perhaps larger consequence. Meet Baby Rose!

It was easy to see how loved this little girl is. Happiest being held, or enjoying her milk— she is already tall like her parents. Margaret, the mini schnauzer, was never far away from the action.

Thanks for inviting us back into your lives to capture the next stage on your family’s journey. You’re amazing parents and we can’t wait to watch little Rose grow.

Til next time,
Lori

Senior Portraits, Pittsford Mendon, Rochester NY: James

I had the pleasure of meeting James last year when he came along to his brother’s senior portrait session as comic relief.

This time around, it was his turn in front of the camera. He rocked it with his Led Zeppelin t-shirt. He also donned a sport coat and a sweater which fit his dreamy, reflective personality - the way his mom describes him.

It was a great day for high school senior portraits in Highland Park, and I’m sure there are many more great days ahead for this bright soul. Thanks James, I can’t wait to see where life takes you next!

-Lori

Pittsford Dairy Farms Family Pictures

It’s the dead of winter, the time of year when it starts to get harder to see the grey skies every single day. Personally, winter isn’t my thing. I prefer spring time and summer to this bundling up.

But then I photograph an awesome family like this and I think “ok, yes, maybe winter can be bright and happy.”

I mean, they were the perfect amount of giggles and hugs and fun with a hot chocolate break in the middle. A little goofy fun mixed with a whole lot of love. They made photographing a winter family portrait session look easy.

And when the snow fell lightly at the right moment, adding just a touch of season to the images - perfection all around.

See for yourself!

~Erin

Coffee Shop Personal Branding Session, Fairport NY: Nicole

I’d like you to meet Nicole Sipple of Visual Impressions! Nicole is a talented graphic designer working in both print and web design. I have had the pleasure of working with her on several projects over the past year, and was excited to finally get her in front of the camera!

We recently had the opportunity to create some images to help illustrate her brand. I’ll let her tell you a little bit more about it.

Who is your ideal customer? Small businesses and entrepreneurs who are passionate about their business.

What problem are you solving for them? Creatively helping them design a cohesive branding solution from logo to designed collateral and a stellar online presence.

How do you want your client to feel? We want clients to feel warm and welcome. I want them to feel that they are in good hands and can trust that through working together we can achieve something that is pretty unique. 

What is your one key story that you want your client to know/learn? The average time a consumer takes to review your website is 7 seconds. That's not a lot of time to grab a potential clients attention enough for them to want to stay and want to know more about your services. You need to have a cohesive brand solution that can capture their attention to help them gain and keep clients. 

What is your point of difference and how do you stand out? My point of difference is I am a graphic designer who has years of printing experience. There are a lot of great designs out there that look great on screen but sometimes it doesn't translate as successfully once printed. I know digital is becoming the future but i do not think print will ever die.

Want to know more? You can find Nicole at www.visualimpressionsdesign.com

Tell her we sent you!
Lori

PS: Are you a small business owner looking to stand out with personal branding photography? We’d love to help bring your brand to life. Contact us today!