Aydan came to see me at about seven weeks new. He was an absolute dream to photograph with his adorable face and long lashes! I loved that his family brought along some personal items for a few shots - including very special “Champ” boxing shorts to pay homage to his mommy’s late step-father who was called Champ. I absolutely love the tiny boxing gloves too! Mama Said Knock You Out! Daddy Said Knock You Out!
The B Family - Mini Session
Give me all the perfectly imperfect images. I love them! So many times I have told families not to sweat it if their children aren’t looking at the camera or smiling perfectly. Instead, I instruct them to lean into that concept of imperfection. Let them hug and play. Let them hold a little treasure they’ve found on the forest floor. I honestly prefer those types of images over the perfectly posed ones. It shows life as you are living it right now at this stage. And more often than not, after the kids have gotten their wiggles out and become more comfortable, they hold still for a smile at the end.
The B Family - Mini Session
It was fun to photograph my clients, The B Family, and meet their newest addition! We get together every Fall to update their family portraits, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn another little man would be joining them this time around. The kiddos were all smiles running through the fresh, thick blanket of leaves that had just fallen, and the sun highlighted them perfectly behind the remaining colorful branches.
The M Family - Mini Session
I enjoy having my returning clients recreate sessions they’ve loved from the past, and I also enjoy the M Family and their sweet little blonde babies, so this was a real treat! After four years, their mama wanted to recreate a session they had originally done with their one-year-old twins, but this time, to mark the twins turning five and their new addition, Miss Taytum, turning one oh so soon (although, we have a First Birthday session planned separately for her December birthday)!
We visited the town of Harmony to get the same background as we did in 2020, and the family also wore buffalo plaid outfits just as they did four years ago. Mama has some beautiful wall art of the past session, so these images will make a great addition to their home. It was such a fun little session!
Daphne - Mid-Year Baby Session
Daphne is the 4th beautiful baby in her family, and I’m so honored to have captured all four of these siblings as babies. All four of them have the most beautiful eyes and sweet smiles. It was fun to do an autumn theme for this session in the dreamy common area behind Daphne’s house. The sun was setting, and we got just enough time between pop-up rain showers to get these precious autumnal shots.
The F Family - Family Portrait Session
It was great to see The F Family again for some updated family portraits. It had been a few years, and was great to see how the kids have grown - including Wally! For our location, we wandered the alley ways of downtown Zelie to find just the right backgrounds. Here are just a few of my favorites.
Emery is One! - First Birthday Session
I love a theme, and Emery had a great one - Apple Pie! The reason behind it is especially sweet. When Emery’s parents were expecting her, they didn’t know if they were having a son or daughter, so they referred to their baby-to-be as Sweetie Pie. After Emery was born, they continued their pie theme with her monthly pictures, as Mommy baked a different pie for each month. So, of course, when it came to choosing a First Birthday theme, it was obviously going to be pie! An apple pie was just right for her Fall birthday.
Happy 1st Birthday, Emery!
Ryan - Newborn Session
It was a pleasure meeting Baby Ryan and his family for his at-home session. It’s clear that the whole family is in love with their newest member, and I think the feeling is mutual seeing how Ryan lovingly stared at his family - especially Mama! By the end of our session, he was sleepy and settled, so we were able to do a “froggy” pose to match the framed newborn photo of big sis Mary.
Welcome to the world, Ryan!
The S Family - Extended Family Session
It was an honor and a pleasure to create these images of the S Family in their hometown of Hermitage, PA. Regularly, I do my sessions closer to home, but when my son’s speech therapist, who has become a dear friend over the years, made this special request for her family, I was happy to oblige. After some rescheduling, we ended up with the perfect evening! It was absolutely beautiful out, especially with the setting sun in the distance.
We ended the session with the whole family wearing their Pitt gear as a special nod to Grandpa, who was an All-American football player at Pitt in the late 60’s. It was clear that the grandkids absolutely adore their grandparents, and idolize their grandfather. There was so much love between all of them, and I truly enjoyed capturing it.
The G Family - Family Mini Session
The G Family is always a bright spot in my summer schedule. For four years we’ve been meeting to capture their family, and watching the children (and dog) grow every year is a delight. This year, we got a stunning summer evening as bright as their smiles!
The R Family - Family Mini Session
It was a pleasure meeting the R Family for their session amongst the trees. I love this little stretch of trail hidden in the middle of a business park. It’s so unexpectedly beautiful with it’s meandering path, and just enough tree coverage to shield from the harsh sun, but give us enough glow. The R family looked radiant in the sunlight, and I could really sense the friendly, loving relationship between brother and sister.
Taytum - Baby & Family Session
Little Miss Taytum is on her second of three sessions of her First Year Special package. This package gives the client three sessions (newborn, baby, and first birthday) for the price of two! It was a real treat for me because, I also got to see how much her brother and sister have grown since I did their twin sessions nearly five years ago.
I love summer evening sessions. The figurative and literal warmth in the images always draws me in. Since we knew we’d be outside on a warm summer night, we had planned to do a milk bath for Taytum’s individual shots, and can I just say - this was one of the neatest milk bath sessions I’ve ever captured. Taytum’s amazing mama brought her own breastmilk to use! I was so impressed, not only with her supply, but also with the fact that she is a regular donor to local milk banks, so babies in need can receive a mother’s milk. Such a noble cause, and a strong mama!
Nursing or bottle fed, breastmilk or formula, fed is best no matter how you do it. <3 As long as that babe is happy and loved.
The H Family - Family Mini Session
The H Family are regulars of mine, and every year I enjoy catching up with them and seeing the new dress that Mama has sewn for Miss Annie. Such a special personal touch to their annual family photos. Every year, they have chosen a different location for their photos. This year, they chose Venango Trails.
This is one of my favorite settings in which to shoot. I love the weeping willow trees that surround the lake, and the way the sun sets behind the tree line. In the summer time, it really illuminates my subjects, and cast the most beautiful light upon them. It’s also fun to play with the depth of the gravel pathway. Lots of fun perspectives to explore!
Aiden Andrew - Newborn Session
Aiden was perfect for his at-home newborn session. I loved the beautiful neutral palette of his family home as a backdrop. After snuggling with Mommy and Daddy for some candid lifestyle shots, Aiden got snug as a bug for his styled portraits. He gave me several smiles as he drifted off to dreamland.
Evelyn is One! - First Birthday Session
It has been a pleasure to capture little Evelyn throughout her first year. This darling girl is so precious, as is big sissy Hadley. The girls looked like two miniature princesses running around the Hartwood Mansion garden. Every time I do a session there, I feel like I am in England at a stately manor. I was a little disappointed by the lack of blooms in the area for early May, but the M Family brought all the beauty we needed to get some great shots.
Happy 1st Birthday, Sweet Evie!
Olivia Poppy - Newborn Session
It was my pleasure to capture this sweet, new little family of three. From the moment I stepped into their home, it was clear that Baby Olivia is her parent’s pride and joy! Both of them were positively beaming with happiness. For her at-home session, her parents chose to do a mix of family and baby. I especially loved the black & white close-ups of her tiny tootsies.
Welcome to the world, precious angel!
Aiden Michael - Newborn Session
Baby Aiden is the missing piece to his family. He slept sweetly for his in-home session, which featured a mix of styled and posed images, and some with his two big sisters. He is such a blessed little guy to have two little bonus mommies to love and care for him - (three if you count “fur sissy” Ruth, who I can tell is equally as proud). I could not get enough of this little man and his smiles - complete with a dimple!
Nico Lee - Newborn Session
It was so fun to capture Nico and his sweet parents in his beautiful nursery. His parents did not know if they were having a boy or a girl, so they opted for a gorgeous green and neutral room, that they could easily enhance with little touches for their little one. The only gender-specific thing they purchased ahead of time was a Little Dude shirt (a nod to mama’s maiden name), and their intuition was correct! Their little boy arrived on April 3rd.
Nico was active, but pleasant, throughout his session. Giving me so many smiles, direct eye contact, and hand movements. And his handsome head of hair was so very precious. I can’t wait to work with him again throughout his first year!
Emma Grace - Newborn Session
The beautiful Emma Grace (and her gorgeous head of hair) came a few weeks earlier than expected - due to be an Easter peep, but arriving as a lucky charm the day before St. Patrick’s Day. She slept peacefully all through her session, and even pursed her lips and smiled a few times. She was a dream to photograph, and I can’t wait to watch her grow over the next year!
Sadie Elizabeth - Newborn Session
With springtime comes new life, and the arrival of beautiful Sadie Beth. She has completed the P family! What a lucky girl to be surrounded by such love, including two big brothers who were so noticeably proud of their family’s new addition.
Welcome to the world, Sadie!
