Tag Archive for: portrait

Multi-Generational Family Portrait at McConnell’s Mill

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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

Pittsburgh Newborn Photos: Siblings Can Sweeten the Session

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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.

Pittsburgh Newborn Session: Photos with a Full Belly

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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!

Family Portraits and Overcast Skies—These are a few of my favorite things!

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I love shooting in overcast skies, especially family portraits, oh and I love The Sound of Music too. I keep finding myself using lyrics from that show in blog posts. But overcast skies are where it’s at—even lighting on everyone which is super helpful in keeping up with little ones on the move, because I don’t have to put much thought into adjusting for changing light. Because of this, I don’t think I could ever move away from Pittsburgh’s overcast climate! While we have a lot of cloudy days here, you can’t count on the weather. So whenever those cloudy days coincide with my sessions, I count it as a blessing!

family portrait in the woods

brother and sister on a tree stump

The sun had started setting and the skies started to clear, so it was the perfect timing for a portrait backlit by sunset.

family portrait at sunset

I love seeing kids be kids and breaking up the posed shots with fun action shots can be so good for keeping kids interested!

kids blowing bubbles

little girl portrait

big brother portrait

We were on a mission to get some more fall foliage in before the sun set completely. I love how this little one is pulling her family along as a fearless leader!

walking family holding hands

We made it in time to capture a few shots before the sun went down.

family and fall foliage

I really like this one of the four of them on the blanket. What a handsome family they are!

family on blanket

Cranberry Family Portraits: On-Location with Little Ones

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I know this sweet family from church and was blessed to be able to make some portraits of them this fall. It’s great to get outside for family portraits, especially with little ones because they aren’t confined to the limits of a studio (i.e. – sitting still so that the light is right and the tripod doesn’t need to be adjusted…as a mom of two young boys, I am a firm believer in the least restrictive environment!). Although I will say, it’s a workout for parents to keep their little ones close and engaged. But the results are so worth it!

family portrait in Cranberry

I just love the sweet and pure faces from little ones this small.

little boy close-up

We were shooting right into the sunset on a particularly sunny day for Pittsburgh!

family at sunset in tall grasses

I love walking shots, and for little ones it’s easiest sometimes to put them up on a parent’s shoulders.

family walking through the park

And I love this moment where this sweetheart pauses just long enough for her close-up.

little girl close-up

And this happens at almost every session with toddlers. Dads love to turn their kids upside down and the kids love it too!

lifestyle portrait with little boy

Here’s our fearless leader leading the way!

family walking across the bridge

And this is probably my favorite shot of the whole family. So blessed!

family portrait in the woods