xo Fall + Family + Favorites xo

Just a few favorite moments from my last rush of shoots before the holidays…it’s always so fun to look back through the catalog of images amassed over the previous year. The love, the funny, the serious, the tender, the goofy- I love that my clients bring me all of it! Lots of blogging to catch up on, but these family moments are a perfect way to continue on my 2020 retrospective. Enjoy!

Home is Where the Heart Is

Spent the loveliest few hours with this beautiful family this past October- being invited to a family’s homestead is among my very favorite ways to experience a session with my family clients. Not only are the kiddos completely happy and in their comfort zone, but it takes some serious pressure off of mom and dad because EVERYONE is relaxed! No tears and no bribes, haha! I’m simply there to observe the magic that is your family and (often) engage in a bit of play with the kiddos. There’s simply no better location to capture images of your family than in the place you call HOME.

Not Your Average Joe-- {Joey, Class of 2021)

The brightest smile and kindest heart…just a few ways to describe this sweet 2021 senior guy that I had the pleasure of photographing on a gorgeous, late summer September evening. Joey (along with his adorable mom + sister) went right along with me, letting me drag them all over our glorious city til the sun dipped well below the horizon- the very best of evenings! Wishing you love and luck as you wrap up high school and set off on the next adventure!

Pieces of Reese {2020 Graduate}

It goes without saying that while 2020 certainly hasn’t been the year everyone thought it would be, there have absolutely been some incredible moments with awesome folks….like Reese. Beautiful, kind, smart, funny, a smile to melt the masses (and my camera) and sweeter than a bit of Reese’s Pieces. I had the most wonderful evening making these photographs with this lovely young woman and her equally stunning mama. Wishing her so much love and luck as she prepares to head to college in Maryland in the fall!

This is Reese—North Allegheny 2020 Graduate.

Desert Delight

Last month I had the chance to travel out to Palm Springs, CA, where every corner is an Instagram post waiting to happen, haha. After spending so much time over the years swooning over the delicious desert images I see online, I was thrilled to have the chance to break out of the standard Pittsburgh gray skies we seem to live under during winter and let that buttery, desert light spread all over my skin! This family drove all the way in from Oregon so that a few of us photographers could work with them during desert golden hour- SO. FUN. And how about that Reclamation dress mama is wearing?? If you aren’t familiar with the company Reclamation, then you must go visit their site because the dresses are a dream, just like this shoot. Please enjoy some delights from Joshua Tree! :)

Let the Good Times Roll: {A Color-inspired Birthday Shoot!)

Nostalgia.

Often it comes knocking at the strangest moments, but, for whatever reason, it's been a perpetual visitor lately.  Perhaps it's the approach of a milestone birthday or the bittersweet pleasure of watching my own kids grow, knowing time is moving forward, regardless, stopping for nothing.

One of my very favorite childhood memories is frequenting the carpet wall-covered skating rinks that used to pepper our region-- many of which, have since been torn down or converted into different spaces.  Lucky for us, we still have an incredible roller rink relic nearby and my daughters get to experience it regularly, in all its terrible snack bar glory.  :-)  It seems the rollerskating culture has had a resurgence in recent times and, so, it seemed like a perfect way to commemorate my sweet girls' annual birthday shoot.  It's no mystery that my girls and I love color and live colorfully whenever possible; hence, rollerskating + graffiti + bubblegum + a retro-rainbow wardrobe= a perfect storm for a shoot.  

These are my Rollerbabes.  :) 

Best in "Snow"

When I was a kid (growing up in rural southwestern Pennsylvania), I could easily say, without a doubt, that my favorite sound in the world was that peaceful whoosh that befalls the world around you during a snow storm.  White noise in the truest sense of the term-- pure meditative magic.  Those perfect, white-noise snowfalls seem to be fewer these days, in comparison, but, oh,  what a novelty when they come!  I've spent probably the better part of the last five winters learning how to best shoot in the snow and cold, along with the help of my sweet little ladies who are [usually] willing to spare a few minutes to dear old mom for my experiments.  I won't pretend for a minute that it's rainbows and unicorns every time I ask them.  I am not above a well-timed bribe. Believe it.  :)

Thinking of shooting in the snow with your kids?  A few helpful tips:

1.  BE PREPARED!  --> If you're going out to shoot with a "vision" in mind (and I recommend that you do), do your homework ahead of time before you drag the kids out into the cold.  Your shoot will be over before it even begins if they're cold BEFORE you start shooting (especially little ones).  The whining will ensue, which will turn into tears and then everyone will be frustrated before it even started.  Preparation is key. 

2. LOCATION --> Scout out your perfect spot before you head out with the kids in tow and know the shortest way to get there to eliminate long, cold walks or snowy tumbles. I'm fortunate to have quite pretty scenery and wooded areas right in my backyard and neighborhood, but it doesn't take an elaborate setting to make a beautiful image. I've been known to pull over on the side of a road because of one pretty snow-covered tree, an unseemly patch of bushes, or even have a spontaneous shoot in a retail store parking lot (much to the delight of my kids, who think I'm a few frames short of a full roll at this point, ha). The point is, beauty is everywhere, you only need to look.  

3. STYLING --> Depending on what you are envisioning, you will probably want to steer clear of the bulky ski coats and snow pants for the shoot.  Styling is huge if you're looking for that "magical" snowfall photo.  I personally tend toward muted tones and soft, natural textures, like crocheted or knit items. (Though, recently, I do love a pop of color!)  I have BIG LOVE for the use of faux fur in my images: Fur vests, furry hats or even a coat edged in fur, I can't get enough of it.  It creates a coziness I love in juxtaposition to the cold scene.  It also looks beautiful with snowflakes catching in the tips of the fur.  Keep it simple!  If I'm using a fancy dress for a photo, then I might add a cozy, fuzzy blanket as the "coat".  I always dress my kids in layers discreetly under what they'll wear in the snow to help keep them warm; thus, prolonging the shoot time!  If I know I want to use different hats or jackets during the shoot, I make sure to tuck those into my pocket or a small bag I can carry so I don't have to run back indoors.  Whatever you decide on, have it ready to go before the shoot.   

4. SHOOTING --> Know that you will likely have less than 10 minutes (sometimes as little as 3-5 minutes if it's pretty cold!) to get the shots you have been planning.  Knowing what you want to shoot before you head out is the best approach.  Kids, especially young ones, have little to no patience for waiting around while you pick a spot or think of a new directive for them.  Have that spot picked out and a good idea of what it is you're hoping to achieve in your images.  Anything impromptu or cute that happens after that is just the 'ice-ing' on the cake.

I hope this was at least a little helpful if you're thinking of snow photos this winter.  This is all just what works for me, though- I'd love to hear what works for you!  Here are a few favorite images I've taken with my kids this winter- they really are some of my very favorites.