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A couple of weeks ago, I met the ‘H’ family at Economy Park in Beaver County ,PA.  I had been chatting with the mom quite a few times over the last few months.  We discussed all the details – where to meet, what would be the best time, what would be the best type of location, what type of look does the family want, what types of outfits would look best, what colors would work best with the location we chose.

And I just knew, with all of our preparation and consults, that this would be an absolutely wonderful session.  I LOVE planning out session details with clients and I had a feeling this would be an amazingly beautiful session.

And I was right!!!!

We met on a late Sunday afternoon.  It was a perfect day.  It was warm and the sun was shining.  And their little girl was such a doll and quite the pistol.  She had me in stitches the entire time.  Especially when we were about 5 minutes into the session and she announced “I’m done!”.

I think you will have to agree that this was definitely a perfect session with a gorgeous family!!!!!

Thank you all so much!!!!  It was such a pleasure meeting and working with you all!!!

Until next time!!  XOXO!

I can’t believe it but THIS LITTLE MUNCHKIN has actually turned one!!!!!  Yes, sweet baby E celebrated her first birthday last Friday.  And we could not have asked for a better day!

We held the session at baby E’s home.  She actually lives on a sheep farm!  How perfect is that? We were also so incredibly lucky to actually have a one week old lamb willing to join us for a few pictures!  To top it all off, it was a beautiful and warm spring morning and sweet E was [mostly] full of smiles.  We even ended the session with a good old fashioned cake smash which was a rip-roaring success!!

And now, onto the photos!!  There were too many I absolutely LOVED!

These next two shot of E and her mom I just adore!!!!!  Love me some honest-to-goodness Mama-love!!!!

And if this the most perfect depiction of a little girl celebrating a Happy Birthday…I don’t want what is!

And lastly an outtake that I just love….what happens when Mommy walks away for 1.2 seconds….

Thank you so much Leo and Joe!!!  I love you all and can’t wait until next time!!!!

XOXO!!!!

I recently was reading an article with suggestions on how to create a great portrait.  The focus of the article had nothing to do with creating a technically good photograph.  It was focused  instead on creating “portraits”.

Yes, there is a difference.

It definitely is important to know how to create a photograph that is technically pleasing.  It should be in focus, properly exposed, has correct color balance,  flattering lighting, good composition and a pleasing, non-cluttered background etc etc.

But a portrait goes beyond that.  A portrait is much more than just a good photograph.  A portrait draws the viewer in, captures a moment and provides a glimpse into the subject’s personality.  You look at a portrait, and you see a story.

I had the pleasure of taking 2 year pictures for my sister in law.  Dear sweet Baby D has never been one to enjoy time in front my camera (LOL!).  I guess that crazy big, black box just mystified him and turned me into someone he wasn’t quite sure he should trust.

This time, I thought, let’s try something a little different.  Let’s take our time, let’s let D be D.  No poses, no forced backdrops, no “CHEESE”y smiles.  Instead, let’s play, let’s explore and let’s just have fun.

And it worked!

The first 1/2 hour or so, D got quite reserved and unsure as soon as I picked up my camera.  So I put down my camera and just chatted with my SIL and let him play.  And after a bit, he started to forget about my “black box” and let me take some shots without too much concern.  And I even got some honestly sweet SMILES!

I loved so many of these photos.  I loved capturing D’s expressions as he looked for “fishies” under the bridge.

I got a kick out of watching him find sticks and squeal with joy as he threw them in the creek.

I loved watching him intently study his matchbox cars and then dig them into the dirt.

I thought it was so sweet as he studied Thomas the Train chanting “Cinders and Ashes” over. And over.  And over…..(I guess it is a Thomas thing, with only little girls, I am not up on Thomas lingo.)

Here is a sampling of our session.  We spent about 2 hrs at the park.  And yes, much of the time was spent chatting and letting D do his thing. And here and there I stopped to snap a few moments.

But that turned about to be EXACTLY the perfect recipe for some absolutely adorable photos that (hopefully) lean a bit more towards being a portrait than just a photograph.  I see a little boy who is in awe of the world around him.  I see a boy who loves fishies and cars and trucks and trains and sticks and DIRT and puddles and, well – LIFE!

I will start with my absolute favorite of the day – LOVE everything about this photo!!!!!  Especially the truck and train in his dirty little fist!

Until next time!!  XOXO!!!!!

I was SO honored to have the opportunity to take newborn portraits of the, very adorable, Miss Makenzie!!!!

Makenzie’s big brother was a very special little one to me as he was my first newborn shoot – over 2 1/2 years ago!!!!  Big brother Chase was SUCH an easy newborn to photograph.  I think I have to credit much of my love of newborn photography to getting such a wonderful first client!!!  And his little – and oh-so-adorable sister?  She was just as sweet and easy!!  She rarely fussed and she slept most of the session.  You can’t ask for much more than that!

Makenzie’s session was a few weeks before Christmas, and grandma wanted to get some nice Christmas shots. We also got a few  shots of the very happy family.  What a wonderful morning!!!!  I just love my job!!!!

Onto the pictures!!!

Thank you all so much!!  I just loved getting the opportunity to meet and photograph your newest little one!!!!!

And if you or someone you know is having a baby soon – check out my winter newborn promotion!!!!

Until next time!!!  XOXO!!!

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Yes, usually my blog post for a session occurs [way too many] months after the actual session.  But in an attempt to get things back on track,  I am going to try to start blogging each session RIGHT after I finish editing the session.  So my blogging is definitely not going to be in chronological order of sessions.  Oh well, I guess it is my blog and I can make my own rules!  Right?

This family is originally from the Oil City area, but now live in Pittsburgh.  They still have a cottage by the river though and they really wanted to get some fun family photos in a place that has lots of meaning to them.  And, interestingly enough, not only do they love this area because of their river cottage, but also because it was where they got married!!!!  How sweet is that?????

We had to reschedule this session due to weather, and BOY did we luck out with a new date!  It was a gorgeous Sunday morning.  Not to hot, not too cold, JUST right.

This family really wanted lots of fun and candid shots.  And we got LOTS.  In fact, I had so many fun shots I really had a hard time narrowing my final picks down.  I ended up with a few more than usual!

Here are some of my [many]  favorites of the day.  What an amazingly cute family!!!!  So sweet, and I loved them with all their very different personalities – from the beautiful teenager, the cute and oh-so-sweet pre-teen, the rough-housing boy and the crazy and adorable ” baby” sister!  I know sometimes mom and dad get frustrated when the kids don’t seem to be cooperating, but to be honest, I love when I can capture photos that capture exactly who the kids are right now.  No worries!

Now, onto the photos!!!!!

Thank you all so much!!!!  It was SUCH a pleasure spending a Sunday morning with you all!!!!

Until next time!!!  XOXOXO!!!!

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