When Adriana called me a month after her beautiful wedding, I couldn't even image the exciting news she was about to share with me.

She was pregnant!!
And Mychal didn’t know yet!!

Facetiming her and seeing the pure, ecstatic joy on her face was such a special moment to me. I felt truly honored to be one of the first to learn this amazing news and was simply thrilled for one of my all time favorite couples! 

I had a surprise to share with Adriana, too... I was pregnant as well!

And no one else knew! We had both only found out a day or two before we talked, and are due the same week in June! What a once-in-a-lifetime phone call!! <3

During our chat Adriana revealed her adorable plot to surprise Mychal with the big news. We decided to fabricate a photo shoot and to pretend that I had reached out to her requesting they model for me as I did a portfolio-building-photo shoot. 

Poor Mychal probably severely resented me haha- he had showed up to the session after taking a red-eye the night before, and after taking 1000 wedding photos less than a month prior. He probably thought we were nuts. But man, was he a trooper! I’ve said before that the love these two have is truly special, and it shone through once again at our  ‘couples session meandering through the park’.  ;)

At the end of the session I (well, really Adriana!!) had ‘one last idea to try’ .... and the rest is history!

The Surprise!

I told Adriana and Mychal to write three things they love about their spouse and to reveal it on the count of three...

I love how happy he is here - and he has no idea!

Truly. the best secret I've ever been in on!! <3

The sweetness is overwhelming. 

You two have moved beyond clients and are permanently lodged in my heart. So happy for you guys and Ellie!!! Cannot wait to meet your bound-to-be-gorgeous baby (just a few months away!!). So much love to you!

Looking to capture your own pregnancy announcement? I'd love to dream up a session with you!! But watch out, because I feel big feels and will probably tear up while photographing it ;)  

When your mama's a photographer you'd probably expect you'd get prompt photo service.... unfortunately, not always!! My sweet Rosie is quickly approaching her third (yes, THIRD!!) birthday and I stumbled upon the images from her first birthday cake smash. While we've printed and shared these portraits with loved ones, I never posted them online! This is yet another reason why I truly LOVE printing photos, holding them in your hands, enjoying them day after day, (ahem..not being like this photographer who let them get lost in cyber-space...,haha!). BUT I also wanted to share my sweet girl's simple and sweet, Lilly Pulitzer inspired cake smash. 

Enjoy the pink and green and excuse me while I go cuddle my totally-not-a-size-18-months-anymore little lady and try to convince her to quit it with this growing up thing ;)

Looking for a full-service, children's photographer for your little one's first birthday portraits? I serve the Victor, NY area and would LOVE to chat with you!  

It's no secret I love lifestyle sessions. Capturing a family in the place they love most brings the warmest, most genuine portraits. I always find lifestyle sessions seem to tell the full story - a snapshot at this moment in time. So when some of my best friends had a baby,  I couldn't wait to worm my way into their home to capture all the sweetness. And let me tell you, Tessa's brought such sweetness. 

Smith Family, we are all so beyond thrilled for you.
Tessa is such a perfect to your already rad little family. 

I look forward to worming my way into your home for many more family sessions in the future. But for now, please enjoy some highlights. All the warmth you guys show, and all the details brought me to tears over and over while editing. We love you guys!!

A few little sneak's from Tessa's studio session 

To add even more to the story, here are a few maternity portraits of Katie right before she had Tessa. It was so special to then take the newborn pictures in the same location.
And, side note,  Katie's hydrangea is killin' it!!  

Looking for a lifestyle newborn, maternity, or family photographer in the Victor, NY area? I'd love to chat with you about a portrait session that would make your heart sing :)

I had been putting the brakes on wedding photography ever since I started my business. I had a million silly reasons why, but Adriana gave me the push - and I've fallen head-over-heels in love. It would have been impossible not to!

Adriana and Mychal's love story has quickly become one of my favorites. Truly, I keep tearing up editing photos from their beautiful day. The vows they wrote to each other and Ellie, the love notes Mychal had chronicled for months before proposing, even the way he looks at 'his girls' - ALL of it is so absolutely precious. 

We beat the rainy forecast with lots of time inside a lovely old farmhouse. 
and had a beautiful (dry!) outdoor ceremony. It all happened in perfect timing- including a stunning rainbow shortly after the ceremony!
 
Your family and friends are fantastic (and seeing Adriana's dad's expression while he walks her down the aisle has made me cry more than once), and you put such thought into every detail :from the handmade bouquets, the 'cannoli cut', and the amazing food truck, to the yummiest homemade cookies I've ever tasted - the details of this day took my breath away. 

Thank you for making me fall in love not only with wedding photography, but with you three as well!! <3 <3

Congratulations to my beautiful first bride and her handsome groom!! I am so thrilled for you two as you begin this next adventure!! So, so much love to you!!!

And, yes, I am now booking Rochester area brides looking for laid-back, luxury wedding photography! If you're in love and starting to plan your 'ever after' I'd love to chat!

Venue:The Beal House in Fairport, NY
Florals: Homemade
​Catering: Roc City Wingnutz Foodtruck 
DJ: Patsy the Karaoke Kid 

This summer has nearly whizzed by and I didn't want it to end without sharing some special first birthday moments that I had the pleasure of capturing!

My time with Riaan and his family was such a joy! Friends and family had traveled from all over to help celebrate this adorable birthday boy! It was evident how very loved this little one is! <3

Before the party began, we were able to document all his wonderful family with a few portraits of each family member with the birthday boy- aunts, grandparents, great uncles - everyone had their time to cuddle!

Mom and dad had a few quiet minutes with Riaan (and their pup!) , and OF COURSE, our favorite new one year old had his own little portrait session!

It was such an honor (and truly so much fun!) to capture all the laughter, music, details, and cake smashes that made this day so special! 

​Happy, happy birthday to the cutest first birthday boy around!!

Looking for a portrait photographer in the Victor, NY area to capture the sweet moments and special details of your little one's birthday party? I'm always excited to help make this their BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!! :) Give me a shout! :)

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It's a rainy day here in Victor, NY - but this beachy photography session is giving me hope that summer really IS just around the corner! This family photo shoot was also threatened by rain- the moment I climbed into my car after we wrapped up the skies opened! Considering this sweet family trekked from Syracuse for their family photos (and someone special's FIRST birthday photos!!) - I was especially happy that we beat the rain to capture these beautiful images!
​Snuggles and smiles! Some of my favorite things!! :) 
Enjoy <3

Looking for the best family photography experience in the Victor, NY area?
I strive for nothing less and CANNOT wait to work with you!
​Let's chat soon and start daydreaming together!! <3

Nothing says springtime quite like a little family photo session exploring the beautiful apple blossoms at The Apple Farm in Victor! We had fun not only meandering through the orchard, but interacting with the ,,, er, locals? The girls LOVED watching the goats, pigs and chickens! I, on the other hand, realized I have a secret fear of roosters! (There was one stalking me the entire time!! Every time I put my camera down he would be closer and closer!!)

But, aggressive roosters aside ;) , we had a lovely Spring morning! I love the ease and playfulness of this sweet family. It was such fun capturing these moments. Enjoy! <3 

Are you on the hunt for a luxury photographer in the Victor, NY area? I would LOVE to chat with you about your vision! From outfit choices to what size Wall Art to hang, it's my pleasure to show you all that our full service studio offers!

​When looking for a maternity photographer, you probably wouldn’t expect one to call you up out of the blue and ask you to model your gorgeous baby bump. But that’s exactly what happened to this beautiful pregnant mama!

I first met Steph about two months ago at her first visit to our church. I immediately loved her friendly personality and knew she was a keeper when she shared that her baby girl’s name will be Rosie (for those of you who don’t know- that’s MY baby girl’s name!
​Great minds!!)
​
So, when a few Rochester photog friends and I dreamed up a customized, collaborative session ( a la The Rising Tide Society), I just knew Steph was meant to be our model! After looking through the images of this beautiful expecting mama- I know you’ll agree!

Are you expecting? Looking for a beautiful, unique Maternity session? Know someone who's pregnant and want to give them THE perfect gift?? 
Let's chat!! 

Collaboration with : Emi Rose Studios, Mischief and Laughs Photography,
Danielle Ramirez Photography, Diana Kapatos Photography 

Hair and Makeup: Bombshell Beauty by Juli Antonucci

Nails: My Manicure by Bri

Venue: The Arbor Loft, The George Eastman House

Have you ever prayed so hard for a friend and, rather than work in mysterious ways, the Lord just plops one directly in your path? It’s nice when that happens- isn’t it? I had three- yep THREE –dropped in my path when I desperately needed them most.

My hubby was deployed and I was a very (VERY!) pregnant first-time mama. I had decided to move home with my parents for the first few months of my son’s life until my husband returned. I hadn’t ‘lived’ in New Jersey since high school. Other than my family, I didn’t really stay in close touch with anyone from my hometown. Everyone seemed to have moved, changed, drifted, or just plain left. I was so lonely. Further, most of my friends weren’t moms yet. I was scared, a little overwhelmed, and a lot preoccupied with nursery decorations. I just wanted a fellow mama to walk through life with me.

First came Kaitlyn. I remember clear as day awkwardly staring at her during my first bible study meeting in New Jersey. She looked alarmingly familiar but I was also certain I hadn’t ever met her. Strange thing was, she was looking at me with the same exact expression. After Bible study we got to chatting- turns out that we had mutual friends in high school (different towns) and had seen each other in our friends’ photos/ heard of each other from them. Our due dates were less than a month away – both our firsts! – and um, she was just awesome. Instant friendship. No seriously, we went to the diner immediately afterwards, ate like only women in their third trimester can, and chatted for hours.

We walked through those first months of mama-hood together. The anticipation before the due date. The first days home. All the ‘figuring out’ we didn’t even know we had to figure out. Bouncing ideas, dreams, and concerns off each other. Kaitlyn was there with her three week old newborn walking my I’m-pretty-sure-I’m-in-labor-and-need-to-take-a-brake-at-each-driveway bootie around the block the night before I went in to have Clark.

My memory of Allie:

One summer night we went to the Lake George drive in movies. We arrived late and had to pull into the very first row of cars and look straight up to see the movie. But the movie we happened to be seeing, War of the Worlds, had aliens flinging cars everywhere and our sitting so close actually made the movie startlingly realistic.

We had run the AC the entire time. Who knew that kills a car battery?? And when it was time to leave - we couldn't. The car next to us said they'd be willing to jump our car but didn't have cables. So we set off on a mission to find jumper cables. Allie, obviously being the outgoing, personable one, bounced from car to car, a smile on her face the whole time. The locals were surprisingly unhelpful. I mean, how could you say 'no' to Allie?!? Finally someone offered some up and we went on our way. During the drive back Allie started laughing realizing that she had phrased the question "Will you jump us?". I was oblivious how at the time that could have been perceived as off-color, but her sudden realization made us laugh the whole drive home. (and helped us forget how we had been temporarily scared of aliens...)  

​It all started unintentionally.

Wendy and I had stood outside in the parking lot, our monthly creative entrepreneur meet-up having ended hours ago, continuing to pour out our hearts despite the chilly temperature and our freezing fingertips. We stomped our feet side-to-side unwilling to end the conversation and trying to ignore the cold.

I can’t remember who finally suggested what probably seems obvious to you, but one of us finally offered up a “why don’t we go somewhere to chat?”.

Being 10PM in downtown Rochester, I went with ‘safe’ – and we ended up at the Market Café at the East Ave Wegmans. We both realized neither of us had eaten dinner so we scarfed sandwiches while sharing our business fears and dreams, personal heartache, and our many colorful stories of motherhood. It was such a simple idea, but my heart had so desperately needed a ‘mom’s night out’ and so, apparently, had Wendy’s.

Declaring that we needed to do this again, and knowing how things can get swept to the side if they aren’t actually scheduled, we decided that once a month, after our Tuesday’s Together meetup, we would grab a bite to eat and chat about life.

Almost a year (!!!) later, we’ve taste-tested, and enjoyed multiple Rochester restaurants during our Moms’ Night Out. It dawned on us that other mamas looking for a night out could benefit from our previous ‘scouting’
​(let’s face it- we mean eating/drinking/enjoying!!)

So we thought we would share our monthly adventure with you (Hey, when you’re a stay at home mama – a night out IS an adventure!) ;)

​Full disclosure- Wendy and I have dined here before. The first time we ate outside (anyone else missing warm weather??) It was a quiet Tuesday and we felt relaxed and, dare I say, doted upon. Our Tuesday’s Together group had just finished being filmed by an Irish documentary film crew (for real! You can watch the trailer here) and would you believe we bumped into the group of Irishmen perusing The Old Toad’s menu? I think they missed home(ish) food? I’m pretty sure they felt us grinning at the humor of this because they ended up scooting away from us (We’re lovely…I promise!) and dining at the sushi place next door.
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Unlike last time, we went on a Monday- which unbeknownst to us, is trivia night- and it is POPPING! It was such a fun environment- they award prices for both the winner and the loser. We knew virtually none of the answers: who knew Abraham Lincoln was the only president with a US patent?? But loved laughing at our attempts. 

​Casual-ish. You could absolutely rock jeans and a sweater, but you wouldn’t feel overdressed in your slightly fancier I-can-actually-wear-this-without-my-kiddos-destroying-this hot mama dress ;)

We ordered garlic mushrooms  and ‘chips’ with cheese and gravy. Go for the garlic mushrooms -sooooooo yummy!! Both were filling, winter food that were perfect to nibble on while we sipped our drinks and chatted. And the chips?? Dip ‘em, yo! The gravy makes it perfect. But, oh is it filling. So, so filling.

Our first visit we both also ordered the corned beef sandwich- very yummy as well!
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Further, they offer a great $5 Moscow Mule. How can you go wrong with that? 

​Both times I’ve been here I’ve had the loveliest British servers. Yes, they are actually British. Not actors hired to talk with British accents (our first waiter told us he’s constantly asked this). This time we had a bubbly waitress who called us ‘love’ and made me want to visit England again immediately. 

​Fun, cozy, and warm but a touch masculine for a girls’ night. I’d bump it up to 5/5 when you can dine outdoors in warm weather. 

Have a fun Rochester location you think we should taste test, photograph and enjoy??
​Let us know!