Cash is One! - First Birthday Session

Cash is ONE, and he is also a dream to photograph! This boy pulled the rare trifecta of having an easy Newborn, Mid-Year, and First Birthday Session. He was a sleepy angel for his Newborn, a smiley guy for his Mid-Year, and a happy guy for his First Birthday! He radiates such joy, and I’ve loved getting to know him and his family.

I absolutely loved his outfit, which his mama snagged way back at Easter time for his August birthday. She made such a good choice! I love a little man in classic suspenders.

He ended his session with a cake smash, and he knew exactly what to do.

Happy 1st Birthday, Sweet Boy! It’s been my pleasure to watch you grow.

The K Family - Family Portrait Session

When my session starts with a running hug and kiss on the cheek from a very smiley three-year-old, I know I’m about to have a fun session. The K Family and I met at Hartwood Mansion on a warm August evening, and they were such a joy!

I love how photogenic this family is. They are very natural in front of the camera, giving me lots of opportunities to capture their joy in images. A game of peek-a-boo behind the flower pot is always sure to get some natural grins, too!

After working our way around the property, we ended our session in the mansion “backyard” where I witnessed little Daniella fly through the air with her daddy, and spin through the garden with her mommy. A magical way to end a beautiful evening.

The Y Family - Family Portrait Session

I really enjoyed meeting The Y Family at Hartwood Acres Mansion for their morning session! They brought along their darling daughters and fur baby Murphy. Sunset sessions may not always work for families with young children, so I’m always willing to meet in the morning as well! The sun is similarly lower in the sky, and with locations like Hartwood, we can find many shady nooks in which to create a little magic.

I had to laugh to myself at the dynamic of these two sisters. The oldest was calm, quiet, and sweet, while the youngest was active, funny, and equally as sweet! Little Eliza loved playing “Wheres Eliza?” with me, which made for some precious shots of her little teeth! Darling Molly was such a great listener, and I loved capturing her playing in the garden with the morning light shining through her sweet curls.

Asher - Newborn Session

It was a pleasure to see The E Family again to capture their first images as a family of four! Big Sis Avery was so proud, and did such a great job during our session.

After family poses, we moved on to individual shots of sweet baby Asher Ray. He was an absolute angel, and slept soundly the whole time!

Finally, we ended this session the same way we ended Avery’s newborn session two and a half years ago - with some skis! Both Daddy and Mommy are skiers, and have these photos in their game room. I just love hearing when families have a specific way they are using their photos to decorate their home.

Welcome to the world, Asher! You are were a little dream!

Kaelin - Senior Session

I have known Kaelin’s family since she was a little girl, so to see her as a senior really felt surreal. She was so mature and poised in her photos. I truly felt her natural beauty and sweet demeanor shined through in each of her images. We started off her session in ruffly, feminine dresses as we explored the grounds and gardens at Hartwood Acres Mansion.

Kaelin is a senior at Seneca Valley, and hopes to study Early Childhood Education at Slippery Rock University next year.

We ended her session in her most casual look. For senior sessions, I recommend two or three outfits, and at least one should be a comfortable, every day look that captures exactly how the senior may dress on an average day. These images should convey who they are right now as they stand at the crossroads of childhood and adulthood. Such an exciting and unforgettable time in their lives!

Kaelin, thank you so much for allowing me to capture this milestone in your life! I wish you all the best in your senior year and beyond!

Bella - First Holy Communion Session

First Holy Communion season may be over, but it’s not too late to get some portraits done! I was happy to meet Bella and family over at the prayer grotto at North Catholic High School for a quick portrait session. Little Sis got in a few, as well! These girls were so sweet and beautiful. God bless them both! Congratulations, Bella!

The K Family - Family Portrait Session

I love a golden hour session at Hartwood Mansion. The property is so magical, with no shortage of nooks and crannies to explore. Families who choose this location will get a variety of backgrounds in one locations, which is great for gallery variety.

The summer flowers were in full bloom, making the gardens absolute magic for The K Family. Their girls, especially sweet 3-year-old Ryleigh, felt like princesses inside a story book.

Jordyn is One! - First Birthday Session

It was so fun to meet Jordyn and her mama at the studio for her First Birthday Session! Right from the start, Jordyn was all smiles and full of energy. I loved her birthday theme of watermelons - perfect for a summer birthday!

She finally sat down when we placed her watermelon cake in front of her. She knew exactly what to do, neatly feeding herself little bits of cake, at first, and then smashing it. She even stuck her little foot in it! So cute and funny!

It was so nice to meet you, my new little friend! I hope your birthday party was “one in a melon” kind of fun!

The P Family - Family Portrait Session

What a special session this was. As our nation celebrated it’s 250th birthday, The P Family welcomed their dear parents/grandparents visiting from Taiwan. Natasha’s sweet parents were clearly so proud of their daughter and the life she and her husband have built here in the United States. It is truly an honor to capture these images of family being together.

Lucy - Newborn Session

It was such a pleasure meeting Lucy and her parents! I always enjoy incorporating a few special items into a session, so when her parents asked to bring along some things relating to their hobbies, I was all about it!

Lucy’s parents met on the golf team at Robert Morris University, and golf is still such an important part of their lives. They also both grew up in rural areas, and have a love of hunting - a hobby they still enjoy together. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until little Lucy is learning both sports right alongside them.

It’s clear both Mommy and Daddy are so in love with their baby girl. I have a feeling that being her parents has already become their new favorite thing to do. Welcome to the world, Sweet Lucy!

The F Family - Extended Family Portrait Session

It was a pleasure to photograph The F Family on a beautiful June afternoon on Father’s Day weekend. I had photographed their individual families for years, but had never photographed the entire extended family together. What a special occasion for them all, especially Pap and Grandma.

As someone who enjoys both art and history, I can’t help but think about where these portraits may end up in the future. Some day they may very well be in the hands of a person who is yet to exist - looking back at their family tree. Extended Family portraits are so important. They are freezing time and preserving memories for not only the people in the portraits, but those future generations, as well.

Thank you for entrusting me with your future memories. You’re such a beautiful family!

Spencer & Maizey - Newborn Session

From double-scoops to double adorable! It was wonderful to see The S Family again. I first met Mom and Dad in April for our two-part maternity session, beginning with some fun shots at The Meadows where we highlighted a favorite pregnancy craving - ice cream!

In May, their precious new additions arrived and their family doubled! The new family of four visited the studio for their newborn session.

The sweet boy-girl twins wore classic pink and blue for their first ever session.

They also requested some starry sky themed photos, as well, and I just happened to have the perfect background packed away from years ago. They were so sweet lying together in the same wrap. Sissy loves to snuggle her brother.

Welcome to our big, beautiful world, you two! I can’t wait to watch you grow!

Jacob William - Newborn Session

This was a first for me, photographing a family of seven at my studio. I loved the beautiful pastel color palette this family chose, and the sweet snuggles they shared.

After the family photos were complete, the older siblings left, leaving Baby Jacob alone with his sweet, calming mama. He snoozed soundly for us, as I posed him in various wraps, and his mom enjoyed some fleeting moments of peace and quiet. I always try to make my studio feel like a cozy oasis for busy parents, and a calming atmosphere for babies, of course. Jake must have enjoyed the space too, because he kept giving me little sleepy smiles. What a bundle of joy!

The Z Family - Mini Portrait Session

I met the Z Family for a quick afternoon session at North Park in May. We were blessed with a beautiful spring day, and the kids were all smiles.

Although golden hour is such a magical time for lighting, I can do morning or afternoon, as well. I completely understand that with baby schedules, sometimes there is no other choice. Just give me a big ol’ shady tree, or the shadow of a brick wall, and we’re golden! (see what I did there) Keeping your family happy and comfortable is the most important thing!

This sister/brother duo have some of the most gorgeous eyes I’ve ever photographed. They were a joy to work with, and I hope to see them again some day as they grow.

Joseph & Amelia - First Holy Communion Session

I just love these kids! They are always fun to photograph, and I was honored to be asked to capture such an important time in their lives. It is so special to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time, and even more special to get to do it along side your best friend - your sibling!

God bless, Joseph & Amelia!

Joseph Christian - Newborn Session

I was so happy to visit Joseph’s nursery for his in-home newborn session. I remembered just two years earlier when I was there to photograph his sister, and the room looked totally different. His mommy and daddy did a great job transforming the space to an adorable baby golf theme featuring olive green and natural wood tones. The family wore the perfect colors to compliment their surroundings, and big sis Olivia was all smiles!

Olivia, who just turned two a day before her brother was born, was so attentive, and even shared some of her play food with her new baby brother. Such a kind sissy!

We ended the session with some shots of just Joseph in his crib and snuggled in a basket. He slept soundly, and even gave me a few little smiles. He is such a sweet little guy, and I can tell he is already so loved. Welcome to the world, Joseph!

Nora - Newborn Session

Oh sweet Baby Nora! This adorable baby girl really fought us on the sleep, but we did manage to get a few “long blinks” here and there. I, personally, love the shot of her looking straight into the camera. What a doll!

Her beautiful name, Nora, is a derivative of her mother’s name, and has been repeated throughout her family tree. That is so special!

I also adore her little, pink newborn tootsies. I can tell she is so very loved by her Mommy and Daddy, and she knows she’s safe in their arms. Welcome to the world, Nora!

Sophie is One! - First Birthday Session

It was a joy to have Sophie in the studio for her First Birthday Session! She was so pleasant and cooperative. We started her session off in front of the Flower Wall, which perfectly matches the colors in her nursery at home.

We then celebrated her “Berry First Birthday” with a cake smash! We couldn’t help but smile at her little tongue peeking out. Someone must be cutting a tooth!

She really worked her cake smash, and even smooshed her little tootsies in there. Happy 1st Birthday, Sophie! You’re as sweet as strawberries!