Tag Archive for: kids

April Showers Photo Shoot Fundraiser for Ukraine Relief

Last week, I shared about Inspo Shoots, monthly fundraiser photo shoots.  For this first shoot, we’re raising money for Ukraine relief through Samaritan’s Purse.  This organization is operating multiple medical facilities in various parts of Ukraine and providing food and non-food relief through church partners in both Ukraine and Moldova.

Pittsburgh Family Portraits: Sessions in the City Are Fun!

This family’s baby girl just turned one and so the time was right for an updated family portrait! We headed to the city for a change of pace and found some unexpected fun, like fountains and gardens, the train station, and an excellent opportunity to encourage these sweet kiddos with a treat of ice cream after the session was over: Millie’s Market Square Scoop Shop The next time I’m downtown, I want to check this place out, it was hopin’!

Anyway, we had lovely sceenery, happy children and fun times!

family portrait by the fountain

Part of the fun of downtown sessions is walking between locations. And I can’t get enough of seeing families walking together hand-in-hand.

walking through the park

Or silly moments! While this sweet girl is all giggles, big brother is busy styling dad’s hair!

giggles with mom and dad

When you’re one, it’s exciting to sit in a big chair, and mama is close-by to supervise!

birthday girl with her mama

Here’s a close-up of the birthday girl – look at those eyes!

birthday girl close-up

Big brother was excited to go to the train station. And to be sure that he felt special too, we stopped to get some portraits of just him with mom and dad too!

at the old train station

mama and big brother

dad and son

If you’d like to schedule a session in the big city, I’d love to talk with you! Please use this form to get in touch, thanks!

Pittsburgh Children’s Portraits: Embracing the Mood of Your Photo Shoot

Sometimes kids like this sweet little girl can be very serious when it comes to participating in a photo shoot. She was pleasant and didn’t seem to mind being photographed, but she just wasn’t feeling like smiling that day. It could have been the hot weather that made her sleepy, but despite the efforts of her family and myself, we couldn’t get her to smile. And as these things go, she probably smiled as soon as we left North Park! But I find these images which capture her sweet nature and thoughtfulness, can be just as meaningful—if not more, than a big cheesy grin.

little girl close-up

little girl pointing

This might be my favorite portrait of her from this session. Such a tiny sweetheart!

little girl sitting on a chair

As far as props go, I like using things that are functional and natural like books, chairs and bubbles. We used all three of those in this session!

young family reading a book to their daughter

Ah, the wonder of bubbles!

little girl watching bubbles

And in this last shot, I don’t think she was consciously posing, but I find it so endearing!

is she posing?

I’d love to hear from parents on your thoughts about smiling vs. serious portraits and what they mean to you!

Cranberry Family Portraits: First Birthdays and Celebrating Milestones

A first birthday is a great time to schedule a portrait session. Our babies learn and grow so much over the first year, so there is so much to celebrate! And while you’re at it, it’s a great opportunity to update your family portrait, which is exactly what this sweet family did. I’ll start of with this photo of the big and little sister – how precious to have a photograph of these two to look back on?

sisters

Bubbles are a favorite activity for little ones during sessions and this big sister was pleased to help with the bubble-making!

blowing bubbles

Little ones learning to walk is pretty high up there in my list of favorite things to photograph. So proud!

big girl walking!

And Cranberry Woods has these amazing paths through the woods that make for great and safe walking shots. No roots to trip on!

family walking holding hands

We stepped a little farther into the woods for this family portrait.

family portrait

This mama wanted to document her daughter’s first taste of cake and even made the cake herself! Very impressive!

first birthday

While this little sweetie was timid, she definitely enjoyed her cake!

cake smash

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