I could just stop and stare, and look at these pictures in amazement of this little newborn baby and the fact that his parents are some of my best friends. I photographed him last week and meet him for the first time at just nine days old. He’s small but he packs a punch, as his mom likes to say.

Mom.

When I first met Sarah nine years ago at cross country preseason as a freshman in college we were far away from becoming moms. I knew we were going to be good friends within a few conversations and I think she did too, after she got over the fact that I was wearing tall socks when we met. (it was cool in high school what can I say). Nine years later Sarah is one of my best friends and has been close by through my adventure of starting a business, always willing to offer advice, listening ear and encouragement which has meant so much to me. I can’t wait to be there for Sarah as she takes on a new role as a mom to little Kingsley, who is adorable beyond words.

Sarah, a graphic designer, has a penchant for type and made the focal point of the nursery a large, lowercase, helvetica k. I think it was a good move and love the use of red through out the room. Sarah bought both the K + mobile on etsy: the k from : hindsvik and the cloud mobile from : babyjives.

The blossoms have bloomed in the nation’s capital and it is one of the most gorgeous times to visit. That would also make it a perfect time for engagement photos, which I took for Liz and Matt this morning. After an early flight we got right to shooting to avoid the coming rain and it really paid off. The cloudy skies set the stage for romantic and moody images with soft light all around. They have been most gracious hosts and even took me by Georgetown Cupcake for a birthday treat! I love to visit this city – can I stay longer?

Something special happens with the addition of a baby. A family changes and grows as it welcomes a new member and it doesn’t take long until you can’t remember what life was like before. You take on new roles, change your routine, and in a way it’s a reminder that you’re a part of something bigger, that life isn’t just about you but about those around you.

Last week I drove up to Rochester to the home of the G family and documented their beautiful new baby girl named Charlotte. While I was there, I was able to witness the interaction between a family and photograph not only her but the people around her. It’s those interactions and exchanges that take place between family members that often go undocumented or overlooked. They may sound ordinary – like a father holding his daughter, a mother quieting a cry, or a little girl holding her sister – but they are not. They are moments from a time in their lives that they will always remember… when they went from 3 to 4.

I sincerely mean it when I say it’s been a pleasure to photograph this family for the third time. I love watching them grow and documenting their lives while also getting to know them personally. So thank you for inviting me in to your lives and here’s a glimpse of their family:

Norah is the best big sister you could ask for. It’s amazing how quickly a bond between sisters can form and I think these two will be inseparable.

love baby details. so much changes in the first few months you have to document it before it’s gone

I can’t help but love Charlotte’s sad face, but don’t worry it didn’t last long – she has two amazing parents to take care of her.

You know you’re in love when you sacrifice for the other person. You try something new, let them make the plans, and life is less about you and more about us. That is why when Tim proposed to Andrea he cooked her dinner. Not a proclaimed chef or foodie, but someone who was about to propose that Andrea spend her life with him, it was the perfect gesture that said both “I’m willing to do anything for you & I love you.” Cooking is romantic and it certainly won Andrea over as she said yes and slipped on the diamond ring he gave her.

I met Tim + Andrea at the conservatory in Highland Park for their engagement session. It was a wintry day, but inside the conservatory there was life, greenery, and a reminder of what’s to come. Everyone should stop by the conservatory when they’ve reached the point of too much winter and I promise you’ll feel better.

After the perfect escape from winter inside, we headed out to enjoy the snow and take some pictures in the Valentine’s scene set up by Colleen McCray from Mountain Pie Press. I loved the letterpress signs and the heart chains that were sew together and blowing in the wind.

Andrea and Tim also brought their dog Laila along and she had fun playing in the snow and making her camera debut.

It was an all-around perfect session with plenty of variety and a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy Andrea + Tim and I can’t wait to photograph your wedding day!

She plans to go to med school. She pole vaults for her high school track team. As an editor of her high school yearbook, she’s seen all the tricks in the book and knows what kind of senior pictures she wants. She’s has two brothers and one sister, and has frequent gatherings with her extended family that live throughout the Rochester New York area… and it’s because I know all of these things about Kristen that I was able to take such amazing senior photos for her.

It’s true that there are good sessions and then there are great portrait sessions. Some of that has to do with me, some of it has to do with the subject, but it almost always relies most on our interaction. Making people feel comfortable in front of the camera is an art just as much as capturing gorgeous photos is. Each photographer is different and what they tell or don’t tell you to do, their reactions and encouragement guides most of the session. What I try to do is first make people feel comfortable, since relaxed and natural photos are my top priority. From there I encourage them to be more confident in front of the camera, to give me some different emotion, and to have fun.

I loved shooting Kristen’s senior portraits and think she not only did a great job but that she’s gorgeous. Don’t you love her red hair? Here are a few of my favorites:

fierce. I love a good camera stare down.

Below is Kristen’s model shot where she started to open up to the camera and play around. I think it’s so fun, and Kristen you did a great job – enjoy looking through the images and I look forward to seeing what your favorites are!

this photo above was one of the first that I took when Ryan was helping position him… and it stood out to me, and I love that his hands are a part of the picture. (mental note to take more hand pictures – but not the ones with hearts – in the future)

Natural light + soft sheepskin + sleeping baby = newborn photos. It’s a simple recipe but one that works. I photographed Gabriella when she was just one week old, and she was the sweetest baby that slept so well during the session. I will add it took a little while to get her to sleep which is totally normal and all part of newborn photography – I do have some tips and tricks of course to help. I’m sure she’s grown already since the session but it was my pleasure to photograph her when she was so new and tiny.

See the full set of images in Gabriella’s gallery here which you can view and order from for two weeks. While you’re at it, visit my facebook page and join in on the coversation.

For the third time I was able to photograph Henri and he’s just over one year old – it’s been fun to see him grow up so much from past sessions.
Michelle + Ben’s before the baby session was fabulous and so fun to spend some time with them in Rochester (thanks for coming down!) They are excited to become parents and I’m so happy for them.

There’s full posts from these sessions to come so look for them soon! I just had a great weekend in the Adirondacks and even though it was just a long weekend of vacation it felt like vacation (almost) every minute. We were able to go out for a long paddle – for me – since I’m new to the whole canoeing for distance thing; get up early and watch Ironman Lake Placid, ride 50 miles along the bike course to see the race in action and cheer in finishers after seeing the pro’s come across the line; and enjoy some fabulous food none of which we had to cook ourselves! Oh and the bad food choice I was speaking of on twitter? That was “Josh’s Fire Fish” which is basically fish+chips but with buffalo wing sauce on the fish. I know, sounds crazy but after my long bike ride I was starving and I went for it… and it was pretty good.

I’ve been MIA from photography as last week I helped with the cross country and track camp at Houghton College. We had a great time but the days were non stop and included: getting up early (for me, I know- 6:30), morning runs, sessions, more workouts, stretching, meals, lots of games, and more. While following the regular schedule of camp I’m hoping to carry over some of the habits (keep up the morning runs?) and looking forward to getting back into a routine with work. Now that we are approximately 90% moved in to our new place my office is coming together and that will make things even easier. Doesn’t it seem hard to work when things are unsettled or out of place?

At the end of the week, which would only be yesterday, I met up with Alphonse and Samantha for their engagement session at Ontario Beach Park in Rochester, New York. It was fun to hang out and spend time with them and the image above is one that stood out as I browsed through their photos. It was just before sunset so the light was warm and soft and lovely! I’ll be back up in Rochester on Tuesday for several sessions and available for meetings – let me know if you want to get together and talk weddings!

We were determined to make the session happen. After meeting up after the wedding I shot in Rome, NY we drove to our planned location and it immediately started to downpour. We waited it out for around 15 minutes until the rain died down, although it was still a challenge to find the right spot for pictures. After a few tries we found our way to a quite overlook where we could avoid the glances and stares of passerby’s – no one wants a crowd. So finally with no rain, no crowd, and a nice setting this is what I captured, starting with some classic boy + dog images…

this just looks so classic to me! their dog is hilarious and obviously very good with kids.
the Stevensons obviously already have one very cute son, so I can’t wait to see what their daughter looks like!

Diane looks fabulous! Even though it took me a little longer to finish these photos… they weren’t taken that long ago. I want to look this good 4 weeks before having a baby!

I’m glad we were able to meet for this session and I wonder what my chances are at photographing their newborn… too bad I don’t live closer! Either way next time I’ll plan better weather :)