Winter Portraits in Rochester, NY: Rochester NY Family Photographers

So what do you do for your family pictures in Rochester when it’s winter in a pandemic? We recently wrote about this in a recent post: 5 Safe Outdoor Winter Family Portrait Ideas

You go outside and play in the snow! Using a telephoto lens allows us to get great images while easily keeping our distance. This awesome family decided to take us up on the idea, and we were so excited to work with them.

With a football and 2 dogs floating around, this session was extremely relaxed. Some sledding, some cuddling, some masks… it was a great excuse to get out of the house, even if it’s your own back yard.

Your turn! Whats your fun outdoor, pandemic family portrait idea?

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.

5 Ways to Make Your Holiday Card Stand Out

Ready to switch out your fall scented candles for your Christmas tree scent? If so, then I’m going to assume you’re planning your holiday cards too. This year, it feels like getting mail is a treat again - so why not do something to make your card stand out in the sea of 2020 holiday cards. Here’s a few ideas.

1) Make it Interactive:

If you’re going to send a holiday card, why not make it interesting? We have some fun designs to get you started. Or - what if you included some sort of activity for those with young kids? (Think coloring!) There are options out there - think outside the glittery holiday box!

2) Candid Portraits

Tired of seeing the same holiday props and smiles? Let the pictures on your holiday show off something real! Do something fun - snowball fights or ice skating, show off your moments, not your poses. If you need some ideas, check out our latest post: 5 Ways we can safely photograph your winter portrait session!

3) Make it Frame Worthy:

If you do it right, the beauty of the right size holiday card, is that Grandma can lovingly put it into a frame and keep you on display forever. We can help you out with that if you want!

4) Think Local:

Is there a local artist that you know of selling card designs? Show them your love this year, and encourage your friends and family by showing up for your local small businesses.

5) Send it in January:

You know when people need a pick me up? AFTER the holidays. After the tree comes down, and all that’s left is the wrapping paper bits you find throughout the house until February. Bonus factor: You don’t have to rush to get them completed. Some call it procrastination, I call it genius.

Thanks for stopping by! Let us know if we can help you create your holiday card, or it’s gorgeous photos this year!

Apple Picking Candid Mini Sessions: Victor NY Family Portraits

We took a lemon of a year, and turned it into safe family mini sessions. How about them apples?

Ok yeah sorry, that was terrible. What wasn’t terrible, (in fact it was the complete opposite) was our annual apple picking, candid mini member event.

We’ve been photographing our member families long enough to remember when some of our older members were our youngest members. I distinctly remember images and moments from those portrait session events.

That’s what I love about our candid member mini sessions; I love capturing these same smiles, year after year as they go from babies to little kids. It’s such an honor to stay a part of their lives on a regular basis.

Curious about what I mean by “candid member mini sessions” yet? Don’t be shy, find out more information!

How You Can Help a Small Business in Rochester this Season

1) Buy Local:

Money in the community, stays in the community. It’s as simple as that. If you don’t feel comfortable going into their store or location, see if they have an online option, or give them a call to make a curbside purchase.

2) Give a gift certificate:

Have a favorite restaurant you love? Or photographer perhaps? (Yes, that was a shameless plug). Same ways to buy as #1 applies here too!

4) Get Take Out, and Tip:

I know restaurants are currently open, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of the woods. If it’s applicable and you’re able to do it, tip well. Service workers and small family run restaurants need your love.

3) Use your Voice:

Small businesses don’t just grow because of social media. Refer them, share your experiences, be their cheerleaders. And yes, you can do all of those things on social media too. Tag them in your posts, and let others know about them.

4) Engage:

It’s not enough for a business to have followers online, they need engagement too. Comment on their posts, like them, share them, and do it regularly if you’re able. Reach out to them and see how you can be helpful.

5) Leave a Review:

Have some love to share about a favorite business you worked with this year? Give them a google review. You have no idea how much this helps people find and trust a local small business.

Some of this is so simple and even free, so please give your favorite local businesses your love. They/we appreciate you so much and they need you more than ever before. If there’s any way we can help you in this season, please reach out. Let’s keep small business alive together!

Pittsford NY Family Portraits: Tinker Park Family Pictures

I grew up playing in Kate’s backyard. We were “neighbors,'“ even though we lived a solid 3/4 of a mile away from each other. We were friends through high school, where we were co-editors of the yearbook together.

So imagine how amazing it felt when she moved back to the Rochester area, and asked if I would photograph her beautiful family at play in their new home, and nearby at Tinker Park.

She was worried her littles wouldn’t cooperate, but they were so adorable and amazing. It’s a common fear, and a reason why so many parents hesitate to have family portraits taken. But it’s one that we are always prepared for. We play games, we let them play and we get to know what helps make them tick.

Our job is more than just pushing the button - it’s making kids laugh, and being silly with them so they’ll trust us enough to let us take their picture.

In the end, the pictures say it all, don’t they? Thank you Kate, it was amazing to reconnect with you, and an honor to be part of your world for an afternoon.

~ Erin

Rochester NY Family Portraits: Extended Family Pictures

How many people update their extended family photo regularly? Were your now grown children, babies then? Has it been years?

One of the things that make us happy is when families like these come back to us again and again to update their family portrait. We get to update their growth and their changes as they move through life together.

And after years together, we begin to know exactly how to make them react at the right moment for a great photograph.

So when was the last group portrait your family took?

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!

Rochester NY Family Pictures: AJ's One “Plus” year portrait session

It was supposed to be AJ’s one year portrait session. But as many others, it ended up being a one “plus” year session due to the pandemic.

But honestly, just look at that smile - we can’t be mad about much of anything with this little one in the pictures. Roberts Wesleyan College was a great setting (not to mention empty of students) and the perfectly even light that day was on point.

As one of our Candid Portrait members, we’ve had the opportunity to watch him go from baby into toddler. His smile will only continue to grow, and we can’t wait to capture it as it does.

Mini Member Sessions: Fairport NY Family Portraits

In June, we called our Member Mini Session the “Pandemic Portraits.”

We asked our families to show us what or who kept them busy during their time at home together. Because as hard as it all is, it’s real at this moment in their lives. And man, did they ever deliver.

Our members showed us everything from gardening to their brand new puppies. It was the first time in months we’d seen them and it felt amazing to be able to capture their families again, even if it was only for a few minutes.

We don’t know what the coming months will bring, but we know that these families can handle anything, as long as they’re together.

Pittsford NY Family Portraits at Mendon Ponds Park

Oh I miss these colorful fall family portrait session days and this little family. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m totally ok if Fall waits it’s turn right now. I’m just reminiscing over happy smiles and family fun.

We laughed a lot as we wandered around Mendon Ponds Park. We visited the fairy houses, we played a game of checkers, and had a blast in the woods together.

That’s what it’s really all about, playing and being together while occasionally taking a great family picture - right?

Father's Day Photo Gift Ideas: Rochester NY Photographer

Honestly, over the years, I’ve often heavily relied on school to help my son create a memorable Father’s Day gift idea. Other than that, Lucas and I also pick out something of the Star Wars variety to go along with it.

But sometimes, I do get a little bit clever. I mean, I have all of these amazing moments captured, so why wouldn’t I make something great with them?

And why wouldn’t I share those ideas with you?

Here’s a few photo gift ideas that we can help you create in time for Father’s Day.

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Simply sweet photo collages

We can make these in almost any size, using custom designs or your own ideas. Frame it, make a canvas.

(I found this one on pinterest, so it’s not my own - but I love the idea!)

Put your favorite phrase and images on it!

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Photo Books or Accordian Books

Large or small! Use your favorites of Daddy with his little people through the years, or use ones we’ve taken!

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Metal Prints

Or how about, a photo collage ON a metal print?! Boom. Done.
Metal prints are a unique, modern way to show off a favorite photo!

Most Dads won’t say it out loud, but they want to be captured, in their element, with their kids too.

Do something they love and capture that moment.

If you want to wait for us, we’ll be here when you’re ready.

But most importantly, print your pictures.

Don’t let it die on your phone or with a beautiful comment attached to it on social media.

Please, print your pictures.