The M Family - Family Portrait Session

As a mom of young kids myself, I get so excited when a family nails their session. I know how hard it is to get everyone dressed, out the door, and cooperating. Everything seemed to come together for The M Family on their picture day, and I’m so happy it did!

The sun was shining through the white clouds, the temperature was perfect, and the kids were all smiles! I loved capturing their personalities, and the little things that make them happy - like Charlotte’s special locket…

…and William’s fierce love for his mommy! He reminded me of my second-born; a mama’s boy who loves hard! It’s always a joy to work with The M Family - what a sweet family they are!

The W Family - Family Portrait Session

This is what Golden Hour dreams are made of. The perfect setting sun, filtered through the tree line, with an adorable family at the center of it all. My evening with The W Family was just that.

How lucky is this little man to have, not one, but two big sissies to care for him!?

Even though the Fall Foliage has been slow so far this year, I love all the warm tones that the setting autumn sun highlights. This glow can make even a cut field look magical.

I love this shot of the kids running to Mom and Dad for a hug. It was a great way to end our time together.

The N Family - Family Portrait Session

It was wonderful to see The N Family again to update their family portraits. I had first met them last year when little Lennon was born. She has changed so much in 11 months, but one thing that has remained the same is her adorable, sweet face!

We met at Hartwood Acres Mansion near their home. I love this location for it’s beauty and the array of backgrounds. We got so many different looks, simply by walking around the gorgeous historic property.

I was happy to take a few shot with their pups, Axel and Moose, at the end of our time together, too.

The N Family - Family Portrait Session

I was so excited to see The N Family again to commemorate their new home in Zelienople! Their move also coincides with Nico turning 18 months, so a double milestone was being celebrated.

We were sure to hit all the landmarks of Main Street Zelie; The Kaufman Tavern, The butterfly outside Curio, and of course The Strand - Zelie’s famous theater featuring both stage performances and movies. Being a Seneca Valley grad myself, I’ve always loved Zelie. It’s a perfect mix of nostalgia, hometown pride, and in more recent years, modern shops and restaurants. The sweet Main Street honors the history of the past while welcoming the future.

We had to end the night with a sweet treat from Ice Box Creamery to celebrate Nico’s half birthday. Nico was so cute with his ice cream cheers! Congrats to The N Family on their new home!

The D Family - Family Portrait Session

One of my favorite parts of photography is connecting with the families I photograph, and in many cases, it’s reconnecting. I hadn’t seen The D Family since my oldest was in the same pre-k as their oldest. That school year abruptly ended (2020), and so many of the happy faces from our sweet early learning school became memories. So when this lovely family reached out for a session, I was thrilled to see them.

Not only are their daughters beautiful, but they are also full of love and light. It was fun to watch their three distinct personalities shine through, just as brightly as the late September sunset.

Sweet baby sister Evie was the centerpiece of many of our photos. I can see just how much her older sisters adore her.

The P Family - Extended Family Session

I have been so blessed to have this lovely couple as my landlords at the studio, and was absolutely thrilled when they asked me to photograph their gorgeous family over Labor Day weekend. The family was gathering to celebrate a milestone family birthday in the backyard of their beautiful home, and the lighting was just perfect for a glowing golden hour session.

The N Family - Extended Family Portrait Session

It was such a delight to photograph this beautiful extended family - they were so much fun!

An extended family portrait session, like this one, includes both photos of the big group as well as the smaller groupings that make up the family. I absolutely love the color scheme this family chose, and I’m continuing to adore the willow tree backdrop this summer.

At the heart of the family are these three ladies - holding it all together.

They are beautiful inside and out!

The L Family - Extended Family Portrait Session

When I first posed The L Family under this big willow tree, I had no idea that is where Mom and Dad had gotten engaged years prior - not this specific tree, but a tree like it. Willow trees are always favorites of mine, not only for the shade, but also the whimsical blowing of the branches through the summer breeze. They offer a perfect natural backdrop.

The L Family also brought along their grandparents and uncles and aunt for an extended family session. I could tell how close they all are, and how family love and support runs deep, just like the roots of a big willow tree.

The A Family - Family Portrait Session

The most gorgeous evening, the loveliest family, the sweetest new home. All of the ingredients were just right to have a fun, memorable session with The A Family. I was so happy to help them commemorate their recent move closer to their parents/grandparents. They found the most adorable house in the greatest neighborhood, and are ready to put down their roots.

We used their new home as the backdrop for the session, complete with the coolest tree swing. I could see these boys enjoying it for their entire childhood.

Little brother preferred his tricycle in the driveway. It was so fun to capture candid images of these sweet little guys enjoying their boyhood on a warm summer night.

I loved how their family shots truly embrace this stage in their lives with two little boys and two active dogs. They also incorporated a prayer candle to represent the sweet baby boy who is waiting for them in heaven. His presence is certainly with them at their new home, and in their hearts forever.

I truly enjoyed meeting this special family, and welcome them to their new neighborhood!

The T Family - Extended Family Portrait Session

Summer is a time to reunite with family. The T family came together from all over the region and out of state, to have fun together for a whole week! It was my honor to capture their portraits.

I love the color scheme they chose, which looked so nice against the background of Hartwood Acres Mansion.

It was evident that there is a lot of love between this group.

It was a sweltering evening, but we found some shade behind the mansion on the beautiful patio steps leading down into the pavilion area.

As the sun was setting, we made our way into the gated garden area to capture each sibling group within the grandchildren.

I hope these images are treasured for years to come.

The B Family - Family Mini Session

Summer is a time for travel and reuniting with family. When family comes together, especially from two different sides of the country, it’s so important to capture those moments. A photograph is a ticket back to a moment that is otherwise lost, and I hope The B Family cherishes these images for generations to come.

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.

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.

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.

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!

The B Family - Portrait Session

If you’ve ever wondered, “why golden hour?” - this is why. No other time of day can you get these streams of sunlight, these vibrant colors, these highlights. I so enjoyed playing with the B family in the leaves, and meeting their 15-month-old new addition! All four children are so sweet!

The B Family - Portrait Session

It’s always a joy watching this family grow from year to year. Their kids are energetic and fun, which makes for great candid shots. When kiddos aren’t into sitting still, I simply make movement a part of their session. A family doesn’t have to be sitting or standing perfectly still to get a great photo, in fact, a lot of times movement makes the photos look more natural and interesting. So families with little ones - don’t ever fret when your children are running around and exploring the setting around them. We can make it work!

The F Family - Family Session

I am the lucky aunt, godmother, and personal photographer of this little man; my nephew Leo! He is the absolute sweetest little squish! It was my pleasure to photograph his family for their first family Christmas card! I don’t know how they’re going to pick favorites - he is absolutely adorable in every shot…and this is only a few of them!

The B Family/Ariana is Six Months! - Family and Baby Milestone Session

I have been photographing this beautiful family since they started their journey as parents over three years ago. I was thrilled when they contacted me to say…Surprise! We now have a baby girl! Ariana is simply adorable, and it was so fun to photograph her in her gorgeous outfit, complete with the sweetest rolls! The B Family requested that we do a family session, and also focus more on Ariana to mark her six month milestone. I was happy to oblige them, as a family portrait session can be whatever the client wants. If you’d like to focus in on a certain family member, or have more candid shots versus more posed…just ask!

Omar is One! - First Birthday Family Session

It feels so good to be shooting outside again! We had a beautiful evening for Omar’s First Birthday Session featuring some family pictures, as well. Omar could not have been any cuter, and his big brother too! I love a set of adorable brothers. They absolutely nailed their session, and were a great start to the spring photography season!