10 Month Old Sitter Milestone Studio Session | Reading, Pennysylvania Family Photographer
The Mauro Sisters | Wyomissing Fall Family Portrait Session | Berks County Pennsylvania Photographer
Next up on the blog is one of my favorite local families. Technically this year it was just the sisters participating, but I know it took a family effort to make it happen! (And I think their mom deserves an award for finding the absolute best outfits for each session!!) Due to the early sunset time and typical crazy fall schedules (x3 with these talented, involved girls), we had less than 30 minutes to make magic together. With their personalities and boundless energy, I had no doubt we would be successful. Looking back, I definitely think we nailed it. We started at a tiny field near Blue Marsh Lake that had the perfect pops of fall color left on the trees, and then finished up at one of my favorite spots on the Penn State Berks campus. Thanks again for trusting me with your portraits, Mauro Family! And thank you for the smiles and laughs, as usual. I hope you all have the most incredible 2022.
Marley's First Birthday Cake Smash | Pennsylvania Family Photographer
Today is Marley’s birthday!!! Not only am I happy for her, but I’m so excited that I can finally share these photos! We met up in my studio recently for her first birthday portraits, followed by a cake smash and milk bath. This fabulous little girl was overflowing with personality the entire session! It made it so hard for me to choose which photos to share, but I guess that’s not a bad problem to have. Huge thanks and virtual bear hugs go out to Gourmand Cafe for creating a picture-perfect (and very yummy) cake!
It has been such a joy celebrating Marley the past year-and-a-half. First with her mama’s maternity session (see it here), and then with her newborn session (see it here). I was so honored when Kristen, Maxx, Marley, and Eileen returned to my studio to celebrate this upcoming milestone!
Without any further delay, here are a few of my favorite images from our photoshoot. I hope you have the most amazing birthday ever, Marley! I know that your family is very excited to celebrate with you today.
The Pridie Family | Outdoor Fall Family Portrait Session | Berks County Pennsylvania Photographer
This is the time of year when I get a lot of requests from potential clients for “just one quick photo for their holiday card.” I’m going to let you in on a secret - I’m not a fan of mini sessions. Yes, sometimes I cave in to peer pressure and offer them, but I try to avoid doing them except for very isolated occasions. (Like when Santa stopped by my studio a few weeks ago, because I wanted to give as many clients as possible the chance to hang out with Mr. Jolly himself!)
The real reason why I try to avoid scheduling mini sessions, especially around the holidays, is because I don’t want my clients to miss out on opportunities to unplug and temporarily forget about all of life’s distractions, and to just exist in photographs - and moments - with their loved ones. My photoshoots give them a chance to do that, so I want the experience to last longer than 10 minutes. My portrait sessions typically last between 45 and 90 minutes in length. During this time, I explore the chosen venue with my clients, as I try my best to capture them being themselves. Sometimes those interactions happen naturally, sometimes they require some prompting. I always have tricks up my sleeve to bring out the best (and most authentic) expressions and interactions in my clients. And being able to capture that amount of incredible, real moments during a full session outweighs the convenience of a rushed mini session, 100% of the time. During a mini session, parents often feel rushed and stressed, kids often feel rushed and stressed, heck… even the pets feel rushed and stressed - and all of that makes me feel sad. All of that anxiety gets thrown out the window when we have extra time to relax and to just “be.” I want you to look back on your photos with fond memories of the time we spent creating them together.
Another advantage of scheduling one session per morning and one per evening is that all of my clients are scheduled during the best light of the day - not just the lucky one who happens to snag that mini session timeslot on that given day. (You’ll see what I mean when you get to the images I’m sharing!)
My photoshoots don’t just involve asking my clients to stand (or sit) and smile at the camera in unison. They are so much more than that. As a very busy wife, mother of three, recent Ph.D. graduate, business owner, and consultant, I know how hard it is to find a date and time when everyone is available. And on top of that, trying to perfectly coordinate outfits provides a completely different set of challenges and stressors (for most of us, at least). So, it is my hope and ultimate goal to capitalize on the valuable time you have chiseled out of your schedule to spend with me, and to provide you with the best photographs - and memories - that I am able to during our time together.
So, if you are looking for a photographer who will “take just one photo for your holiday card” at a super-discounted price, that’s not me. I value my time, and I value yours, and I schedule (and price) myself accordingly. If you are looking for a photographer who will take the time to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera, and who will provide you with not just images, but also memories of time spent laughing and smiling and hugging and playing together, then I’m your girl.
In conclusion, I will leave you with the original reason for this post - some images from one of my recent “non-mini” sessions with the Pridie Family. Their session took place at a friend’s private property in Oley, and it was the perfect spot for them to stretch their legs, open up their arms, and chase that Golden Hour sun. Thank you, Pridie Family, for giving me the honor of freezing time for your family on that chilly afternoon! And, thank you to all of my clients (like these) who continue to trust me and my artistic vision. I am so grateful for you. These sessions fill my heart so much more than you know. I hope to see even more of you in front of my camera next year! (P.S. If this was a mini-session, about 3/4 of these images would not have been possible due to the time restriction placed on the session. I can’t decide which images I would eliminate - can you??)
The Murillo Family | Blue Marsh Lake Fall Portrait Session | Pennsylvania Family and Children Photographer
I recently met up with the Murillo Family to update their family portraits. (You may remember them from last year’s session which I blogged here.) Well, their little guy has become even cuter and more mobile since last year’s session! And I love everything about that - I love a challenge, especially when it includes chasing kids around trying to capture their true personalities in my photos.
This was just supposed to be another typical session. But, it turned out to be anything beside that for me. Let me explain…
First, that day started off with torrential downpours. As multiple weather forecasters were predicting that it would clear up before our session began, we decided to stick to our plans. I was recently at this same location for an engagement session, so I knew that there would be a few areas where we could escape any lingering water and mud.
Shortly before our session was scheduled to begin, Amanda texted me saying they had arrived early - but when I arrived, there were no other cars waiting for me at that spot. It turns out that there was some miscommunication, and we were waiting for each other at locations about 20 minutes apart. After some phone calls and texts in an area with spotty cell reception, we finally found each other. (I take full responsibility for that - I will definitely be clearer next time with my directions! Thank you for being so understanding, Murillo Family!) I always try to build in a time buffer when I schedule my sessions, to account for walking time, outfit changes, or other unanticipated things that come up - and that night, I’m glad that I did! The light was nice at the start of our session, and it was only getting better as our time together progressed. So, I’m actually thankful for that mishap that got us started a little late! Golden Hour was on full display during our entire session!
As soon as we found each other, the session began. I usually try to warm up my clients a bit with some exploring and small talk while we walk together, but we jumped right in to take advantage of all of our available time before the sun disappeared. I remembered that Louie was energetic and a little squirmy during our last session, and I was mentally prepared for whatever game plan he brought to our session that evening! :) And, he did not disappoint.
We spent the next hour together walking, exploring, pausing to attempt to capture a few posed shots, but mostly just letting Louie do his thing and rolling with it. Louie’s bike (that was custom painted by his Grandpa) even made an appearance during the last few moments of our session, just as the sun was calling it a day. His excitement and joy while riding his tricycle around the parking lot were contagious!
I absolutely love how this entire session unfolded. We did manage to get a few shots of everyone smiling and looking at the camera. But, I’ll be completely honest with you. My favorite images are the ones that capture Louie’s adventurous spirit, energy, curiosity, and personality. And the images that capture the way Amanda and Luis parent him with love, understanding, a firm gentleness, and the most amazing combination of patience and humor. What made this session magical was the way Amanda and Luis gave Louie the freedom to be himself - the freedom to wander, to be curious, and to explore boundaries - the freedom to be a kid.
So, I’m going to split these images into two categories: 1) the images that are usually the ones to make it onto walls and holiday cards, and 2) the images that capture a more realistic version of life. I love them all, but the latter are the ones that are my hands-down favorites. Look at them and you’ll probably see why. (For the record, the “real life” photos are the ones that I would personally choose to put on display on my walls!)
Without any further delay, here is the Murillo Family - version 2019. Thanks again for this opportunity, Murillo Family! But mostly, thank you for the smiles, memories, laughs, and opportunity to reflect on my own parenting adventures. You two are crushing this parenting game.
Here is the first set of images: (I’ll call this The Pinterest-y Collection.)
And here is the second set: (I’ll call this The Real Life Collection.)
The Roccamanta Family | A Berks County Newborn Session | Pennsylvania Family Photographer
This summer, I got to know Kristen and Maxx a lot better during their incredible maternity session. We spent a few hours together, starting out in my Shillington studio and ending in downtown West Reading. (Click here to see it.) It is one of my absolute favorite sessions ever - we had great locations, wonderful weather, and amazing light on our sides… but what made the session perfect was Kristen and Maxx’s incredible love for each other. Seriously, I don’t think it’s possible to take a bad portrait of the two of them together! I really treasured the time we spent together chatting about life and their excitement to meet their little miracle baby.
Well, a few weeks ago, their daughter Marley made her grand entrance earthside, and I had the pleasure of photographing her in my studio. Kristen, Maxx, Marley, and Kristen’s mom Eileen ventured over to my studio for a few hours, and it was such a fabulous reunion! It’s so hard for me to find the words to describe the love they have for this little girl, and their excitement to be on this lifelong adventure called parenthood. So, I’m going to let the photos speak for themselves.
Thank you again for this honor, Roccamanta Family. I’m happy to call you clients - but so appreciative to call you friends.
Congratulations, and welcome, Marley!
The Carr Family | Gifford Pinchot State Park Summer Session | York County Family Photographer
I have had the honor of photographing the Carr Family on a number of occasions. (Like this session at Blue Marsh Lake, and this one at Copper Mountain in Colorado. ) We have had more sessions together, but I’m not sure if I ever blogged them. (Oops!) I always love the time we spend together - and it’s not just because Jeff and Ashley treat me to incredible dinners afterwards! (But I will not deny that I love that part, too!)
Last week, we met up at Gifford Pinchot Park, and walked along some of their favorite trails. Then we stopped at Simpson Park in Mechanicsburg to dip our feet in the water, and finally at a sunflower field near their home. We arrived at the sunflowers just as the sun was setting. It’s rare to find a sunflower field at golden hour that isn’t overrun with photographers (like me) and instagrammers these days - but we hit the jackpot!
Here is a selection of my favorite photos during our evening together. I can’t wait to do it again!!
Baby Erika | Mahwah, New Jersey Newborn Session | Bergen County Family Photographer
I stopped offering newborn sessions this past year while I buckled down and finished the last few requirements of my Ph.D. program. While I was on the final stretch of completing my degree, my niece Erika was born. Of course I couldn’t refuse an opportunity to photograph this sweet girl, so I packed up my camera gear and took a road trip to Mahwah, New Jersey. Here are a few of my favorite photos from our time together!
P.S. I finished my Ph.D. in July and am now offering newborn sessions again!! So, if your family is growing, hit me up for some photos of this exciting time in your lives!
The Youngquist Family | Mindowaskin Park, Westfield New Jersey Family Session | Pennsylvania Portrait Photographer
This past winter, I had the privilege of photographing the Youngquist Family at a (very popular) park near their Westfield, New Jersey home. We made some wonderful portraits together, in spite of the mud and the crowds that decided to join us there at Mindowaskin Park that afternoon. Thanks again, Youngquists! I hope I have the honor of photographing your family again soon.
