Family Pictures at the Lamberton Conservatory: Rochester NY Photographers

Warning: The cuteness level is high in these family pictures. There’s a dash of adorable and a sprinkle of love too.

The request was for family pictures that included Laura’s parents and grandma. So we visited the Lamberton Conservatory and used as many of the various climates as we could in one family portrait session. We captured a variety of family combinations, including one of three year old AJ and his great grandmother, “Mega.”

That particular image might be one of my favorite family pictures of all time. The look of absolute joy on both of their faces caught in that moment is perfection.

Lifestyle Newborn Session in Rochester NY

Last we saw this family, it was at their beach maternity session.

Now, they are a family of four, which includes their fur baby of course. Photographing this moment in their lives together was such a joy. The newborn session centered on the nursery and the gorgeous mural (painted by one of our branding photography clients, Amy Colburn!)

They put on a record and they read together, they snuggled, and they loved on their newborn. This newborn session wasn’t over the top. It was sweet and perfect for this family as they welcomed their little one home. We can’t wait to see them grow.

Family Portraits at Mendon Ponds: Pittsford NY Family Pictures

Family pictures that include active 6 and 2 year olds are not for the faint of heart. There’s often a lot of chasing, a lot of silliness and a lot of patience required from parents.

We’ve been photographing this family since they’re engagement in 2014. Since then, we’ve captured family pictures for them every year. The kiddos now know us by name, and occasionally play along with our antics. By now we know some of the songs that make them smile, when they might need a break, and when to just let the moments unfold in their family pictures.

We know that someday, it won’t be a game of chase to take their family picture, because these cuties will grow up, as they’re already doing way too fast.

But until then, I’ll keep my running shoes on for their family portraits.

Fairport NY Fall Family Pictures: Riley and Company

Riley was the star of her family portraits. This non stop toddler kept her whole family one their toes during their recent family portrait session in Fairport.

Because when your family pictures include only one grandchild, you can be sure that said grandchild will be the star of the show. This family definitely made this fall family session a fun moment to capture!

Fall is coming up fast? Want your own Fall family session?

Extended Family Pictures in Rochester: Fairport NY Photography

60 years of marriage is a huge accomplishment. We were happy to help this family celebrate by updating their family picture!

Extended family pictures are so important. Families have such busy lives, and millions of places to be every week, so having everyone in one place, at one time is basically a miracle.

So when that miracle happens - you not only celebrate it, you capture it. You print it, and you frame that family picture for generations to come.

Just like this amazing family did.

Is your whole family coming to town? When was the last time you updated the extended family picture for grandparents?

Look great in pictures without retouching: Fairport NY Photographers

PS: It's not what you think.

If you ask us about retouching, you may see us cringe. It’s not because we don’t know how, or that we’re not good at it. In fact, some have called us Photoshop wizards.

No, it’s not that. Rather, we prefer to see everyone the way they are, and celebrate that real, honest beauty.

What’s more beautiful than confidence?

So you want to look good in your photos. Who doesn't?
Here are our top tips to look good.

1. Confidence. Radical self love. Acceptance. Whatever you want to call it: if you feel good on the inside, it shows on the outside. So take care of yourself! If that means getting your nails done, do it. If it means going for a run, do it. If it means listening to your favorite music on the way to your session, DO IT! Find what makes you feel really you, and bring that beautiful you to your session.

2. Choose an outfit that makes you feel good. This doesn't mean you have to wear what's trending, high heels, or all black, it just means wear something that makes you smile. Flaunt the parts of you that you love and don’t stress the parts that you don't.

3. Trust your photographer. (that's us!) Through lens choices, angles and positioning, we emphasize your best features, naturally reducing the rest.

   Remember: The eyes say it all. If you are truly present, happy, and connected, no one is looking anywhere else.

In both of these photos, my eyes go straight to Erin’s face. With a twist of her body, thoughtfully placed hands, good light and a fun prop, we have a 3/4 length portrait with the emphasis on her smile.

Why do we hate retouching so much?

1. It assumes we think you need it. We think all people are beautiful, and our differences make us special.

2. It assumes we know what you want to look like. Appearance is a very personal thing. Our preferences may be the opposite of yours. If you want something retouched, we need you to be specific about what that is for you.

3. Where do you draw the line? How many pounds or years do you want to take off? 1, 5, 20? It is very subjective, and if you have found our work, I assume you like the natural feel of our images.

This is example of going to far (in my opinion). On the left, I softened the bags under my eyes (hey, I have a toddler.) On the right, I smoothed away all evidence of skin texture to create an unrealistic glow. I could have even gone farther and added makeup, but then no one would recognize me.

So what do we do?

We'll remove acne (we assume no one wants to remember that) and subtly brighten teeth. Other than that, not much unless you ask for it.

Braces are optional, but lately, more folks have opted to keep them in their pictures. If you’ve got concerns about shape, we discuss that in advance and choose clothes and poses that flatter. As for wrinkles, beauty marks and hair, we don’t touch them unless you ask.

So tell us... do you love yourself just the way you are, or do you want to look 20 years younger?

Because we think you are beautiful.

Love, Lori & Erin

I adore freckles like Mallory’s! (above) My niece, Grace, hates hers.

Mini Golf and Family Portraits: Family Pictures in Lakeville NY

One of their first dates was to Minehan’s in Lakeville NY.

Years later, they enjoy taking the whole family. What a memory to have captured as part of their family pictures. We started at Vitale Park for a few posed, but fun family pictures and then we headed to Minehan’s for some candid family pictures on the mini golf course.

Your family portraits don’t all have to be perfectly posed. What makes this family session unique, is that we’re capturing their memories, while they got to live them - in the real, live moment.

Candid Family Portrait Sessions: Rochester Pinball Collective

This Candid Mini Session was unlike any you’ve ever seen before. Why? Because pinball games were involved!

One of the ways our mini sessions are different, is that we try to make them about more than the pictures. There’s often an experience involved, or an activity that your families would enjoy.

The idea for this one came from our family’s love of playing board games together. It didn’t take us long to brainstorm a way to capture this theme for other families too.

A huge thank you goes out to the Rochester Pinball Collective for opening their doors to our group of fun loving families.

Have an idea for an upcoming Candid Mini Session event? We’re always on the lookout, so tell us what your family loves to do!

Cars and Trucks Family Mini Sessions: Fairport NY Photographers

Newsflash! Adorable families and vintage cars go together PERFECTLY in family pictures.

I mean, come ON - these kids are so cute! Not only are the family pictures from our cars and trucks candid mini session perfect, the kids also had fun while we took the pictures!

They were allowed to climb in and on, all sorts of cars, trucks and tractor. They drove the tractor or sat in the truck bed. They honked the horns, and pretended they were in race cars.

They played. Their parents, got updated family portraits - it was a win, win all around!

Mighty for Madison: Support Small Business (and a Family) in Your Community

I’ll never forget that first nice day of Spring in March, when it was 75 and windy. I spent it at the Golisano Children’s Hospital celebrating Maddie and her purple hair. She’s lost it by now.

Maddie is just about 6 years old, and recently diagnosed with Leukemia. She’s smart and fun, and she may be small, but she is mighty.

Her parents run the kid oriented business, Spotlight Performing Arts Studio, which is how we met several years ago. We’re all members of the local merchants association.

Maddie is already deep into treatment, and they expect to be in the hospital for the next 5-6 months. John and Kaitlyn also have a little boy, Jackson.

As parents, all of this is hard to fathom. We did what we felt we could, but there’s such a long road ahead and they could use all the support we as a community can give.

It’s been awhile since I shot this session for them, but their needs remain the same. Please join us in supporting these beautiful people while they go through the impossible.

Here are some ways you can help:

Sign up for the meal train: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/40oeg7

Donate to their gofundme page: https://gofund.me/7839e43d or give directly on venmo @kaitlyn-barthelmes

Family Pictures in Rochester: Fairport NY Photographers

Okay, so if you saw Nolan’s senior portrait blog post, you know we met through archery. That’s also how I met the rest of his family!

So when it came time to book their Nolan’s senior pictures, it was a no-brainer to add-on family pictures too. Ellison Park set the stage for a wonderful fall evening. Angela and John were also celebrating a special anniversary, and look at those kids! I love the way he makes her laugh.

I look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Cheers,
Lori

Winter Family Mini Session Events: Rochester NY Photographers

In December, parents everywhere live behind their camera. They’re photographing every family party, every cute holiday cookie, every visit with Santa - literally everything.

How often do you think that parent gets in one of the holiday family pictures? Or rather, how often do you think that parent gets to truly ENJOY the moment? Think about it - are you that parent?

Here’s how we fix this problem: Our Candid Mini Session Events.

Boom. Done. Look at these moments that would have gone un-captured if mom or dad had been taking the pictures. This style of family photography is what every parent doesn’t realize they want.

Sure, we take your posed family portrait too, but these candid pictures are why these mini session events exist. These moments are the gold.

Check out pictures from our last candid mini session event of 2021 below - ice skating at Roc Holiday Village!