Fairport Family Pictures in the Fall

There’s a general feeling that families should hire a photographer only when their children are little for family portraits.

I understand the reasoning. Families get busier when the kids are teenagers, and tend to forget that these moments are passing at a rapid pace. But yet, so much growth happens in those tween and teen years that deserves to be photographed.

Take this family for example. Before the youngest, Hannah (we took her senior pictures too!), heads off to college, this family of five was due for some fun and an updated family portrait. I love this hidden boardwalk in the heart of Fairport, and the flowers that night did not disappoint.

So yes, right now IS a good time to take your family pictures. Especially when one of those grown up kids is now a high school senior and they’ll soon be leaving home for college. This time is important, and deserves its own family portrait session to remember it by.

Harry Potter Themed Birth Announcement Photos

We are super behind on these blog posts, because by now these two have already had their maternity photos taken with us. But, we’re still going to share the news that these muggles are expecting! And SOON!

With their matching Hogwarts shirts and onesie, we got together for some socially distanced announcement photos. Taken right on their front step, the fall decor was a perfect compliment to the Harry Potter theme.

Life is a crazy journey, and some (highly anticipated) moments deserve their time in the spotlight. We simply CANNOT wait to meet your little one!

Why Candid Family Picture 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.

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?

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.

Highland Park Family Portraits: Rochester NY Family Pictures

Years ago, we photographed this family at a day in the life session at their cottage near Sodus, NY. This time though, they wanted portraits that showed their fun and closeness as a family. It was fall, and the scenery was beautiful but they knew that the focus wasn’t about getting a quintessential Fall Family Portrait. The emphasis to them first, foremost and always was on family.

I loved to see them hug, play, and laugh through Highland Park on one of the last beautifully warm fall days of 2019. It was important to me to see this group having fun together, and sharing real smiles whenever possible.

Capturing them in one of their most photographed moves, jumping, was the finale to a great session. I know that these photographs will be cherished as precious moments of lives well loved.