Jumping into Summer | The Coffee Family | Lake George, NY
When Clark said to me at the end of their Lake George family photo session that they have a tradition of jumping into the lake afterward, I honestly thought he was kidding.
I literally said “you serious, Clark?”
He was.
And they did.
I still have goosebumps, and new family vacation goals.
Thank you to the incredible Coffee family for sharing their morning with me, and inviting me to come and photograph their sweet family at their Airbnb in Lake George! If you didn’t know this is an option, it is. I come to YOU so your family doesn’t have to leave the house (even if you’re not on the lake!)
It will be hard to top this session!
Our Family Vacation | Silver Lake, MI
After hours of driving, there is a place in the road where you turn a corner, and suddenly the dunes appear. It excited me as a child, and choked me up as an adult.
We drove out to spend the fourth of July with my Michigan family in Silver Lake, Michigan, where I grew up. It was the first time Kaiser and Kayden got to experience it (and meet so many of their cousins!) It was a soul-filling and deeply healing week for me.
I did just enough work to keep things moving, but truthfully, I took the time off. It was so deeply needed after such a busy June, and I actually felt refreshed when we got home (which is saying something, after a 14-hour drive!)
We spent the week on the Mac Woods Dune Rides, swimming in Silver Lake, hiking up the Sand Dunes, watching fireworks on my dad’s boat, drinking beer on the beach, making s’mores, and even greater memories. We even connected with Mal, Mike, June, Ian, Kristin, Andrew, and Emma; our Michigan friends who we haven’t gotten to see in a long time. It was a trip that I’ll never forget, thank you all for hosting us! It filled my soul (and my cooler with awesome Michigan beer from The Mitten Brewing Company!)
Adirondack Family Maternity Photography | The Tagley Family | Newcomb, NY
When Erica reached out to inquire whether I’d be willing to travel to Newcomb, NY to photograph her maternity session with extended family in the Adirondacks, I was over the moon.
The weather cleared up just in time for our session at Overlook Park, and Erica’s family arrived dressed to meet her bohemian theme. Her mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother joined her for this incredibly moving session, and it was an honor to be a part of it.
Erica, thank you so much for inviting me to be part of this special day for you. I’ll remember this Adirondack maternity session for years to come, and I’ll be thinking of you as you welcome your sweet baby to this world.
Business Retreat Photography | Kathy King Strategies | Lexington, MI
I landed in Michigan, checked my text messages, and saw that Emily was 15 minutes from the airport. I gathered my photography equipment and stood at the curb waiting to give my friend the biggest hug. We were headed to attend and photograph a business retreat in Lexington, Michigan, hosted by our business coach, Kathy King. We were so excited to meet other like-minded female entrepreneurs and spend the weekend working on the big picture of our businesses.
Emily, my best friend since seventh grade, and the owner of Whole Mama Michigan, introduced me to Kathy, who has helped guide us through entrepreneurship from the start. She has been such a guiding force, a quiet confidence behind the scenes.
I carried my camera to every session and captured photos throughout, simultaneously taking notes and documenting the entire retreat through photography. Corporate and wellness retreats like these are some of my favorite events to cover, from headshots to breakout sessions and mastermind walks on the beach.
The weekend was soul-filling, deeply informative, and left me teary-eyed and inspired on how to grow my business. (Stay tuned for exciting updates!) Thank you so much for hosting us and inviting me to photograph your first retreat, Kathy! I can’t wait for next year!
Catskills Waterfall Hiking Photography | Greene County Tourism | Workshop
When Joe, the creative director at Workshop, asked me to photograph a waterfall hiking editorial photoshoot in the Catskills for Greene County, I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
The weather was overcast and drizzly, but our sweet models, Taegan and Scout, braved the trails and kept up the energy for us to capture sweet photos.
Our goal is to increase tourism traffic and increase awareness of the Catskills region through high-quality photos that help paint the picture of what it’s like to visit the area.
We were so excited to partner with Workshop and Greene County Tourism for these photoshoots (and our motorcycle, mountain biking, and golf photoshoots from earlier in the year, which I can’t wait to share!)
Graduation Photos | Granville High School Class of 2025
The rain JUST started to drizzle as I drove up to Granville High School to meet Nevaeh and her friends for their cap and gown graduation photos. And just as they arrived, the rain dissipated!
This was a first for all of us—their first graduation photoshoot, and my first GLITTER BLOWING photos! I was so excited when Nevaeh asked if we could try some. I did all of the research—how long do you blow? What are the best camera settings? What kind of glitter should we use? (Tips: we used biodegradable glitter that was the PERFECT size and shape, and we took a bunch of tries to see what the perfect amount of glitter was.) They nailed it!
Congratulations to Nevaeh, Jerry, Matt, Kandice, and Faith. You five were such fun to spend time with, and I can’t wait to see what your next life adventure brings!
Salem Prom 2025!
When Salem High School reached out and asked if I would be interested in taking photos to capture their 2025 prom, I had to resist the urge to pump my fists in the air and jump up and down. YES!
I watched the weather all week, and we had about nine days of rain in a row, so I was unsure what the day would bring. However, we didn’t need to worry—the sun made its arrival almost as brightly as each of the students in their gorgeous vehicles!
Salem’s prom is unlike any prom I’ve ever seen. The entire community was in attendance, cheering on their students. Each group of students arrived in a special vehicle, and each drew more “oohs and ahhs” than the last. My favorites were the fire truck and the horse trailer. One student even arrived in a boat! I was lucky enough to catch so many hugs, cheers, and a few happy tears, as well (including my own! It was an emotional day in so many ways!)
Salem, you absolutely made my day with your incredible energy. Thank you so much for inviting me to capture your prom this year—I can’t wait for next year!
Ribbon Cutting Event Photography | Hudson Headwaters Moreau Pharmacy
When Hudson Headwaters invited me to photograph the ribbon cutting ceremony for their new Moreau pharmacy location, I was delighted. I’ve been so proud to partner with them on their provider headshots, and capturing this event was right up my alley.
We lucked out with the weather; it had rained the day before and after, but the sun came out just in time for the ribbon cutting!
Hudson Headwaters had an incredible turnout from so many members in the community and support from both the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Applause radiated from the audience as Dr. Tucker Slingerland cut the ribbon and the pharmacy was officially opened.
Congratulations to the entire Hudson Headwaters team on your ribbon cutting ceremony! It was an honor to be a part of the big day. Cheers!
Grand Opening Event Photography | Light and Lens Studios | Glens Falls NY
I was so honored to be invited to provide photography for the grand opening event of Light and Lens Studios in Glens Falls! Walking into the studio felt like coming home. Jess Keller, the owner, did SUCH a beautiful job pouring her heart and soul into this business and bringing our community together.
There was a steady stream of people coming in to support the business and I couldn’t keep track of all of the warm, loving hugs I saw!
We are all so excited for the studio to be open for business, and I can’t wait to book the studio for a client session! Cheers to Light and Lens Studios!
Lake George, NY Event Photography | Adirondack Brewery Barrelfest
We’ve been attending Adirondack Brewery’s Barrelfest event in Lake George, NY since the very first year. It’s one of the highlights of our year every year! To see incredible breweries like Mean Max Brew Works, Springbrook Distillery, Adirondack Brewery, Slyboro, Northway Brewing, Chatham Brewing, Tree Hugger Hard Cider, and so many more bring incredible beer to the table each year is deeply inspiring.
I even ran into one of my fellow Pink Boots Society members, Lily, from Bolton Landing Brewing!
Tops of Trees kept the energy up with great music to drink your beer to, and it was great to see so many smiling faces in the glow of the enormous fire. (A special thank you to Lake George Fire Department for keeping us all safe!)
I may or may not have spilled beer on my camera, but we field dressed the wound and the patient has made it through.
Thank you to John Carr and the Adirondack Brewery family for hosting another incredible event—we can’t wait for next year!
Light and Lens Studios | Branding Photography | Glens Falls NY
Jess Keller, owner of Light & Lens Studios in Glens Falls, NY
I walked into the door of the new Light and Lens Studios in Glens Falls and immediately felt like I had entered such a calming, collaborative space. The studio that Jess Keller has handcrafted, from the dark room to the rentable studio space and the community room and gallery adorned with photographs of other photographers and equipment for use just glows with the energy they have put into it.
There was another photographer in the studio when I arrived, Bill from Adirondack Alive Photography. I said hello, and the three of us chatted like old friends, though we had just met. It’s so special to encounter a place where photographers and artists can gather and help to lift each other up, not compete with each other. While standing in the darkroom, Bill and I talked about how there is plenty of work for everyone, and when we have a network of photographers that we have relationships with, we can refer clients to each other. This community is beautiful and uplifting, and to see the space that Jess has created to foster that sense of unity is truly beautiful.
I am so honored to have some of my landscape photography up in the gallery there, and I can’t wait to go back to rent the studio space, as well. If you haven’t been, keep up with them on Instagram at @LightandLensGF to follow along with their journey. Cheers to Jess and crafting a community of like-minded creatives!
Corporate Retreat Photography | Lake George, NY | Mannix Marketing
It was such an incredible honor to be invited back to capture Mannix Marketing’s corporate retreat at the Silver Bay YMCA in Lake George, NY for the second year in a row.
What a wonderful feeling it is to see familiar faces, be welcomed with hugs, and to capture the authentic affection this team clearly shares.
Capturing a corporate retreat may be different than a wedding, but it’s the same in many ways. You’re present to witness the special dynamic between people, to see how they interact together, and ultimately how they function as a whole team.
I got the chance to see the team explore kayaking, hand out awards to their grateful fellow team members, and even practice their archery skills!
Corporate retreats are one of my absolute favorite types of event to cover, and I am so thankful to be welcomed back! I can’t wait for next year!
Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day | Upstate NY Brewery Photography
Megan from Bound by Fate Brewing pitches in to brew our hazy pale ale.
Yesterday I had the honor of joining my fellow members of the Upstate NY chapter of the Pink Boots Society for Collaboration Brew Day at Unified Beerworks in Malta, NY, to brew a hazy pale ale to help raise funds for scholarships.
I’ve been a member of the Pink Boots Society for many years. I’m a huge beer geek, and I’m lucky to have worked with brewery clients such as Scotlander Brewing, Mean Max Brewing, Subversive Brewing, and others, providing photography and graphic design services.
Getting to walk past the taproom into the brewery area where the magic happens is always a special experience. I like to call it aromatherapy on brew day; the air is filled with the scent of brewing and if I could just stuff my face into a bag of hops and stay there all day, I would.
The women who gathered yesterday to brew “Think Pink, Drink Pink” were from many breweries including Active Ingredient Brewing Company, Bound by Fate Brewing, Hex and Hop Brewing, Indian Ladder Farms Cidery and Brewery, and of course our host, Unified Beerworks! We laughed, we brewed, and we learned so much from Lynn, assistant brewer for Unified Beerworks.
Read more in this Times Union article!
Thank you all so much for a great brew day—I can’t wait for next year! Cheers!
2024 Granville Lighted Tractor Parade | Event Photography | Granville, NY
Each year that we are invited back to photograph the Granville Lighted Tractor Parade is better than the next. The energy of our beautiful small town coming together to put on such a wonderful event is palpable; I don’t know who is more excited each year—our kids or the adults!
The entries were extra creative this year, and it was such a joy to see Granville lit up with both lights and the energy of everyone in attendance.
Thank you to everyone who put on such a wonderful event again this year, it was such an honor to capture it again; your hard work brings joy to so many!
View and download photos here!
Mason’s Winter Vermont Senior Photoshoot | Pawlet, VT
As I pulled into my favorite little secret spot in Pawlet, Vermont for Mason’s winter senior photoshoot, I was so excited to see his sister, Makayla, whose cosmetology-themed senior photos I took last year, and their dog, Dixon.
Mason, a class of 2025 senior at Poultney High School, was super laid back and we were able to get some sweet photos with his pup and the wintery Vermont landscape.
I had so much fun with this family. It is the highest honor when a family comes back to me for another sibling’s senior photos. I love celebrating these kids and watching them succeed after graduation!
Granville NY 2024 Tree Lighting | Event Photography
I received the call that I lost my job on the Monday after Thanksgiving two years ago. On Wednesday of that week, I had a message from Mayor Labas asking me to photograph Granville’s tree lighting event. He had no idea what had just happened to me, and how much hope this event now held for me. When he reads this, he will find out for the first time.
I’ve been booked solid with branding photography, events, and families ever since. My husband and I have always loved this event (even before we had kids, we would walk up from our home to enjoy it!) and now it means so much more. Thank you to this incredible community for lifting our family and this business up from the very start. It’s my pleasure to give back and continue to photograph this and the Granville Lighted Tractor Parade each year that I'm able to.
A Country Christmas Family Photoshoot | The Armstrong Family | Granville, NY
This blog post wrote itself. The Armstrong family kindly invited me back this year to capture their dear family at their farm in Granville, NY, which also happens to be my town!
We had our first snowfall on Thanksgiving this year, and I watched the window all day hoping it would stay. It DID.
If you’ve had a photoshoot with me before, you know that I send out a questionnaire to each of my families with a few questions to help me customize your session (personalities of each person, if there are any special needs I can be sensitive to, if anyone is shy in front of the camera, etc.) When Morgan filled hers out this year, I learned that a lot had changed for the Armstrong family.
Sweet Thyme, my first ever cow model, passed away in April. I was heartbroken to read this, but also so happy that her cousin Trixie, who was born 6 weeks prior, was able to join us for the session, along with Butter and Brownie (ducks), Mc, Molly, and Ginger (the pups). We had a full house, and everyone had such a wonderful energy about them! I also learned that Morgan and Nate had gotten ENGAGED since we last saw each other! I wanted to run-and-jump hug her when I saw her, but I tried to keep my wits about me.
I just love this family, y’all. From Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Rich to Allison and Rich, Morgan, Nate, and Thomas—they all welcome me with open arms every year. As I was leaving this year, Nancy said to me a few words that I can’t stop thinking about. She asked how old my boys are, and I told her 6 and 4. She nodded with kind eyes and said, it goes fast. There are two important things we can give our children: roots and wings. Giving them wings is the hardest. I cried at my client’s house for the first time that day. Thank you all SO much for inviting me into your home and your family. You made my heart so full.
5 Tips for a Snowy Winter Family Tree Farm Photoshoot | Argyle, NY
I call these “snuggle sessions” for a reason. Winter family photoshoots in Upstate NY may bring a bit more chill, but they can be so much fun! Here are 5 tips for a fun winter session!
Bring a blanket. If you have little ones, bring a blanket to snuggle them up! Cuddling up as a family can give you the sweetest photos.
Have a snowball fight! It makes the kids giggle, and you can do this with kids of all ages! (Teens included! Let them have some fun and get mom and dad!)
Wear layers. It may be cold outside, and if you happen to get warm while you’re cuddling up, you can peel them off as you go. (Vests and fleece sweaters are GREAT for this!)
Park close by (if possible). This way, we can let the kids warm up in between photos, and even sneak in some sweet mom and dad photos while they watch from nearby!
Have fun! Winter sessions can be some of the most fun. And if you happen to have them at a tree farm, like these sessions at Scotlander Brewing in Argyle, NY; you can add some extra holiday cheer!
How to Give Back as a Small Business
It’s giving season, and it makes my heart so happy to be able to give back. Building a business in a small town is a beautiful thing: the community has rallied around us, from hiring me to cover event photography for the Granville Lighted Tractor Parade to countless referrals, both personal and commercial.
I once saw a post looking for a photographer, and within 15 minutes I had eight different people mention and refer me. It was a powerful moment in which I realized I am not alone in building this business. We are building it together, as a community.
One of the ways I’ve chosen to give back is donating gift certificates to basket raffle parties in our community, for the Granville Penrhyn Fire Company, the FFA, and other organizations in our area. I love serving families that I see each day when dropping my kiddos off at school.
So when Allison reached out as a winner of one of the gift certificates, I was so excited to meet her beautiful family (especially sweet Cooper—can you even with those two little teefs?!)
We had a gorgeous day for their fall family photoshoot at Congress Park in Saratoga Springs, NY; the weather was perfect, and it wasn’t too chilly! It’s days like these that make me so thankful to be a photographer. Thank you so much for bringing your crew to spend the day with me, Cooper!
Girls’ Trip | Sedona, Arizona
We met in second grade in Livonia, Michigan. Bound by fate, a group of five girls who joined the group one by one. Through the years, we bonded in twos and threes, each individual relationship grown through the teenage years, then college (Go Michigan State!), then adulthood.
We have held each other’s hands through high school sports, college parties, marriage, motherhood, and more. We now live in four different states (Mal and Em in Michigan, Sarah in Montana, Steph in Maryland, and me in New York.) We have nine children between all of us (eight boys and one beautiful girl!)
We made a vow to try and get together once per year for our annual girls trip, and this year—the year we all turn 40—we chose Sedona, Arizona!
It was honestly a miracle that we all arrived by plan—all flights came in on time, and I received the most Instagram-worthy airport hugs. Sarah came from Montana and rented a car to pick us all up at the Phoenix airport. We all piled in and got on the road—a two hour drive to Sedona. And though there were changes—the car was fancier than Sarah’s high school Explorer—we were transported back in time, riding in Sarah’s back seat while the songs from our high school days played in the background.
We settled in as if nothing has changed in twenty years, and I heard myself laugh in the deep, gutteral chuckles of sixteen-year-old Staci.
There are some memories that you can feel adhere themselves to your brain as they’re happening. Some people that were placed into your life that cement themselves as part of the foundation of who you are. We might have families and fancy jobs now, but I was sixteen again this weekend. I can’t wait for next time!
