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.

The S Family - Mini Portrait Session

The S Family kids love to move and play, so for their session, we did exactly that. Letting children guide the posing through play is a fun way to get natural smiles, and take the stress off of the family. The golden sunlight was the perfect touch to illuminate those sweet faces.

The G Family - Mini Portrait Session

It’s always a pleasure to see The G Family every year. I’ve been watching the kids (and Marshall the dog) grow since little Camden was a baby. I’m happy to offer a Mini Portrait Session package year-round for those who want a simple update to their family portraits without an extensive session - it perfectly suits families with pets and little ones.

Every year, The G Family chooses a new spot to mix up the background of their pictures, and this year, we landed on North Park boathouse. I love this location because you can get a majestic natural background and a cool stone building in one location. Great spot for families too with OTB Boathouse restaurant and Millie’s Ice Cream right there! A great incentive post-pictures! These kids definitely earned it, as they were perfect…and Marshall was too. :)

The C Family - Family Mini Session

The raindrops outside didn’t keep us from capturing some beautiful images of the C Family. They visited me in the studio for a Mini Portrait Session, which is a service I offer all year. It’s perfect for families with young children who may not have the attention span for a full hour of photos.

I so enjoyed their beautiful children (those eyes!), and hearing all about air conditioners from sweet boy Henry. I hope they cherish these images for years to come, and look back on this crazy time of life with a smile.

The H Family - Family Mini Session

Some people call them ‘signs’, some say ‘God-winks’, or ‘glimmers’. Mother Nature gave us a few for the H Family’s session at Adams Twp. Park.

After a beautiful clear day, we had rain shortly before the session began. When it stopped just in time, I noticed a heart on one of the trees in the tree line. God-wink number one.

Then the fields gave us an abundance of daisies just begging to be in the pictures. They were the perfect prop for Annie to hold, and place behind her ear. I always love a touch of natural whimsy. Glimmer number two.

Lastly, while photographing the family of three in the field, we noticed another family in the distance. A few sweet deer were watching us and frolicking in the tall grass. Sign number three that the H Family is blessed and so special.

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!

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.

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!

Fall Mini Sessions 2023

Just a few of my favorite shots from Fall Mini Sessions 2023 at Cranberry Woods.

The K Family - Mini Portrait Session

This family just radiates love and support for one another. It has been a joy getting to know them. We had so much fun playing in the leaves, while their middle child Carson, kept us all laughing. They’re so much fun. and looked gorgeous in their fall colors.

The K Cousins - Mini Portrait Session

I met the K Family in one of their favorite spots, Fawcett Fields, for their mini session featuring Baba, Pap, and their six adorable grandchildren. The park features a long shallow creek with a trail running alongside it, and is where the kids play when they visit their grandparents. The lighting along the creek was just right at golden hour to highlight the kids and the slightly orange leaves changing above their heads.

After a few shots in the creek, we moved over to the trail to walk back to our cars, and I was able to get a shot of the cousins walking side by side. Although we were fighting darkness at that point, the shady forest made the trail glow with freshly fallen leaves. Magic!

I hope these images of these little ones in their favorite forest will forever remain in their family as a reminder of their childhood.

Franco & Joey - Mini Portrait Session

I had so much fun capturing these sweet brothers! I just love their cool and casual style. Both sweethearts had fallen asleep in the car on the way to their session, so it took some dinosaurs and music to warm them up, but once they did, they had the sweetest smiles as the setting sun glowed through their ginger hair. Simply adorable!

The G Family - Mini Portrait Session

The G Family brought along a special guest for their annual session - their new puppy Marshall! Marshall fits in perfectly with his new family, and even has the matching blue eyes! It was a joy to capture this chaotic, but fun time in this family’s life. In my opinion, the crazy, candid shots are the ones you will look back on with a smile.

The H Family - Family Mini Session

I so enjoy photographing the H Family every year to see how much their sweet little girl has grown, and also to see her beautiful dress! Every year, Annie’s mommy makes her a gorgeous unique dress for their family photo shoot. I really loved this year’s style with the layers and the tulle. A perfect nod to her love of dance!

Fall Minis 2022

We could not have had a nicer day for Fall Minis at Cranberry Woods. The sun was shining, and the personalities were too! Thank you to the families who booked!

The D Family - Extended Family Mini Session

Grandparents are one part parent, one part teacher, and one part best friend.

I know this is true of my own children’s grandparents, and I’m certain that’s the case with The D Family, as well. When the whole family has an opportunity to get together, it is always so special. Their grandmother brought along a family heirloom, a quilt made by her own mother, for the session. The quilt, along with some lollipops, served as a perfect prop. Aren’t grandparents known for bringing comfort and sweets to everything they do!?

The G Family - Family Mini Session

The G Family looked beautiful for their family mini session under the shady trees. I love the summery colors they chose to wear! I always start a session with a few posed family shots, and then follow the children’s lead to get more natural looking captures. Noelle had fun picking flowers, and little man Cam enjoyed running and exploring the forest. He was very busy, but I got him to look at me with a few irresistible peek-a-boos. Sweet boy couldn’t help but crack a smile.