Multi-Generational Family Portrait at McConnell’s Mill

After posting about a December engagement session at McConnell’s Mill, I didn’t think I’d get back out to this lovely state park until closer to spring. But a family wanted to get together for a very special portrait with the parents who started it all, their children and grandchildren. I suggested McConnell’s Mill because it is lovely all year round.
However for a family portrait of 13 in January, we hopefully watched the weather. We were hoping for temperatures above freezing and I was personally hoping for there to be snow because it is so beautiful to photograph portraits in the snow. These two desires were met thanks to a week of snowy skies and a quick rise in temperature before the snow had a chance to melt. What a blessing!

multi-generational family portrait

Here are the three sons. Just because they’re all grown and have families of their own doesn’t mean they are too grown up for a portrait together.

three brothers

And here are the smitten grandparents and their grandchildren.

grandparents and grandchildren

We also did individual family portraits. And I have to say, these kiddos were troopers!

family portait by the mill

family portrait on the lookout

family portrait in front of the covered bridge

And last, but not least, the ladies who organized this family portrait. Well done, ladies!

the ladies who organized this portrait

Birthday Party Photography: Enjoy Your Party And Let Me Capture It For You

I had the pleasure of documenting this sweet two-year old’s birthday party at Party Lane in Mars, Pa. It was a snowy weeknight and as I was driving to the party, I was concerned that the turnout would be a disappointment, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a terrific turnout for this sweet little girl. She is a huge Toy Story fan, so her mama went all out and threw her a party complete with a visit from Buzz Lightyear!

birthday girl meets Buzz Lightyear

Toy Story themed birthday party

Party Lane is a fantastic place for little ones to play and it made an awesome setting for this party.

party girl at play

They may have turned down the lights, but this little one’s smile lit the whole room! Happy birthday sweet girl!

Happy birthday!

Time for a quick family portrait!

a quick family portrait at the party

This mama said she wanted to be able to enjoy her daughter’s party without having her phone out the whole time to take photos. That way, she could savor the moments and let the photo-taking up to a pro!

yummy cake!

Also, lighting like this can be a challenge for your average cell phone, so having properly exposed, color-corrected photos is another bonus!

hanging with her daddy

I didn’t include photos of any of the other guests at this party because I don’t have permission from those families and want to respect their privacy. But just look at this cutie pie taking a phone call!

talking on her phone

Birthday parties sure are fun!

playing peek-a-boo

I’d say, this mama adores her little girl, wouldn’t you?

kisses from mommy

Pittsburgh Newborn Photos: Siblings Can Sweeten the Session

In my personal experience, our oldest wasn’t super excited about the birth of his brother. He was indifferent at times and jealous at others (thankfully, they’ve since bonded and are best buddies now). And I’ve photographed other families who have had similar experiences. But when there are big sibs who are actually excited about having a baby, the newborn session just gets that much sweeter. I love to see this and it is a treat to photograph it. In the past, I’ve written about times when sessions were a struggle for big sibs and this recent session provides a great opportunity to write about times when including siblings in the newborn portrait just amps up the sweetness!

the whole family on the couch

adoring their baby sister

big sister and baby sister

taking care of her baby sister

One cute thing about these sisters is that they kept wanting to touch their baby sister’s face. Their mama kept encouraging them to touch her tummy or toes instead, but they couldn’t resist. So cute!

sisterly love

I can’t put my finger on it, but photographs of my two boys together have super powers over me. They completely capture my heart. I hope this mama feels the same way about this photo.

all three daughters

mama and her baby

father and daughter

This next photo at the door was taken there mainly for the natural light, but as I was editing it occurred to me that this could have been what it looked like when this mom and dad brought their third daughter home. So sweet!

the whole family

What a breath of fresh air seeing this sweet family in their first days with their three daughters! I’m blessed to be able to capture such a special time in a family’s life.

Snow Day! Documenting My Boys At Play

A few weeks back we had a snow day, one where it wasn’t so cold that my boys could actually play in it for a while. The conditions were gorgeous and my boys were chomping at the bit to get out there and play, and my one condition was that they had to wait for me to run and grab my camera! As a mom photographer, you’d think I document everyday like this, but it’s too easy to shoot more than you have time to edit, so when a gorgeous snow day comes along like this, I can’t resist—even if I have two-years worth of our own family’s photos to print!

playing in the snow

I started with my youngest who is still not certain if he likes playing in the snow.

watching snowflakes fall

I think he is starting to realize that this is more fun for me than it is for him.

close-up

But not so for my oldest, he loves playing in the snow.

walking downhill

playing with his snowman

And when my little asked to go inside, he lingered by the door to watch his big brother at play.

little brother is torn about playing in the snow

snowman games

smiling for mom

He’s thinking, “Ok, enough with the photos already!” Good sport, though and one of my two sweetest, most mischievous, lovable little guys.

being silly for the camera

Pittsburgh Newborn Session: Photos with a Full Belly

This little sweetheart was just two weeks old when I got to photograph him and his is darling parents. And he started out the session a little fussy – his mama had an unplanned guest visit the hour before the session and she didn’t get the time to feed him beforehand like she had planned. And I can really identify with her, not wanting to turn someone away and hoping that everything would work out. Well, this little sweetie just wasn’t having it, so she took a break to feed him and what a turnaround once he had a full belly! He was so content and it was a breeze documenting this angel and his sweet family.

brand new baby

bright eyes

Look at how content this little guy is.

what I like to call a baby sandwich

father and son

mama and baby

This one of my favorite ways to photograph a baby. I love seeing babies in their mother’s arms, they’re happy that way and what a beautiful representation of this special time.

babe in arms

family portrait on the bed

Just look at those bright eyes! And this little guy is so content, he doesn’t even fuss at being in his crib.

newborn portrait in crib

I also love the simplicity of swaddling a baby.

baby swaddled

And then there are these sweet baby feet! My baby fix has been met and I’m excited for all that’s ahead for this sweet family!

baby feet!