Rip Van Winkle Brew & Beverage Festival | Event Photography Catskills, NY
Arriving in the Great Northern Catskills region always feels like coming home. So when we were asked to capture photos and video for this year’s Rip Van Winkle Brew & Beverage Festival in Catskills, NY; I was over the moon!
I’ve been thrilled to be capturing more events, both corporate and non, this year. It’s a different kind of challenge—capturing vendors, food trucks, musicians, the venue—and it’s certainly not hard to capture joyful faces enjoying the event! My biggest challenge was not partaking in the incredible beverages that were offered (though I did purchase a bottle of the lilac gin by Black Button Distilling, which was so good!)
We captured both photos and videos, and then we had so much fun visiting downtown Catskill and some of the awesome businesses there such as Foreland, Creature of Habit, and Spike’s Record Rack. We then stopped over to say hi to the wonderful folks at Subversive Brewing—not only do they brew great beer, they also make an INCREDIBLE burger!
We can’t wait to come visit the Catskills region again! Thanks so much for having us!
TWO-dles! Riley’s 2nd Birthday Photoshoot | Clifton Park, NY
Ok, I can’t even take credit for the headline; it was one of the answers to my poll on Instagram to caption the balloon photo, and too good not to use (thank you, Kate!)
Riley’s 2nd birthday photoshoot in Clifton Park, NY was one for the books! And before you think I’m a terrible human for laughing with her mom about the balloon flying away (spoiler alert!) the kiddos were surprisingly calm about it, and we all gave each other big hugs at the end of our session!
Riley and Dylan are two of my favorite little humans in this world, so it was an EXTRA special honor to capture Riley for her 2nd birthday! As I always do with child-led sessions, we let the toddlers set the pace for our session and they are the bosses! We always capture posed portraits first, and then let them roam about and get great candid photos while they play away. Riley’s session was no different!
Then, tragically, as her mom and I watched on in shock and horror, her giant “2” balloon somehow escaped its holder and floated up into the skies. We both froze for a moment, and the two hats I always wear, photographer and mama, switched back and forth, as I finally regained my composure and snapped the balloon’s bittersweet departure. (Ha!) The kiddos honestly held it together SO well even through this, and Melissa and I had some great laughs as we relived our foreboding text conversation the night before about balloon weights.
We had such an amazing time, and I was SO honored to capture Riley to celebrate turning the sweetest two so soon! I can’t wait to see you all again!
NYSBDC | Event Photography | Lake Placid, NY
I moved to New York from where I grew up in Michigan eighteen years ago. It was the bravest choice I’d ever made, to be followed by a series of brave choices that I didn’t know I’d have to make, including starting my own business sixteen years later.
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of photographing the NYSBDC 2024 in Lake Placid, and being in the presence of a group of people who devote their lives to helping small business owners succeed. It was a full-circle day, indeed.
The New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC) provides small business owners and entrepreneurs in New York, like me, with the highest quality, confidential business counseling, training, and business research at no cost. It has been a lifeline for me, and I am so honored to capture this event for them.
Thank you to everyone who made this conference possible, I was so deeply excited to play even a small role by photographing this event.
Spring Mama and Me Session | Mik & Milo | Saratoga Springs, NY
I received a note home from school a few days before Mik & Milo’s Saratoga photo session that there was a snow day give back and school would be closed that day. I froze and did a childcare brain spiral, (as all mamas do when we receive news of a surprise day off of school!) Luckily, Milo and Kaiser have known each other since they were newborns and went to daycare together, so when I reached out to Mik to ask if she’d mind if I bring Kaiser, she was totally up for it!
It wound up being such a hit—the boys instantly started playing together again, and we even snapped a few cute photos of them together!
This session was another reminder of how thankful I am to have such an incredible village of mamas who are kind, compassionate, and allow me to blend the two reasons I started this business in the first place: my love of photography, and my love for my babies.
Thank you, Mik and Milo, for the best spring photo session turned playdate! I can’t wait for the next one!
Mother’s Day on Tap Event Photos | Scotlander Brewing | Argyle NY
I can’t think of a better way to spend Mother’s Day than taking photos and sharing a pint with my friends at Scotlander Brewing for the Mother’s Day on Tap event! It was the perfect way to end the weekend after two photoshoot events at the Rip Van Winkle Brew & Beverage Festival and Mother’s Day on Tap! (Both involving beer, which makes me love my job even more!)
Scotlander did an amazing job with the event, and they were such wonderful hosts to all of us vendors in attendance, including Bark Hill Farm, Bee and Bramble, 4JFarmm, Mapleland Farms, Rollin’ in Gravy Food Truck, Spindle City Leather, and Tim Rodrigue & Norm Allen with the awesome tunes—all raising funds and awareness for Comfort Food Community.
I am deeply proud to be part of this event. Everywhere I looked, there were hugs and cheers, and happy kiddos (and pups!) prancing around. What a way to spend Mother’s Day! I can’t wait to photograph this event again next year!
Mother’s Day Mini Sessions | Glens Falls, NY
The weather couldn’t make up its mind for Mother’s Day mini sessions in Glens Falls, but the sun peeked out JUST IN TIME, and the flowers are just starting to bloom! I had SO much fun photographing my sweet families!
The sessions were supposed to be 15 minutes long, but truthfully I just couldn’t resist snapping a few extras for every session. The kiddos were just so sweet, and the natural candid snuggly moments happen when you least expect it.
Mini sessions are great for kiddos with short attention spans (like mine!) And these sessions, in partnership with Fit4Mom Queensbury/Saratoga, were the perfect welcome to Spring!
We played and laughed, and I had so much fun capturing these sweet kiddos. Thank you all for the giggles! I can’t wait to photograph more family sessions this spring and summer!
John’s Spring School Photos | Glens Falls NY
The day before had POURED, so when I arrived in Glens Falls for John’s school photo portrait session to a cloudy sky, the first thing I did was check for rain. (We lucked out—it started to sprinkle RIGHT after our session!)
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Erica and her family for many years, and had the honor of capturing her business headshots last year, and we even attended last year’s wellness retreat together!
John was such a sweetheart, and such a trooper to go along with all of my silly session prompts. (If you’ve had a session with me, you know that we try to loosen up with some relaxing yoga-type poses and exercises, which elicits a more comfortable experience.)
I LOVE when clients bring an extra outfit, and you should have seen his face light up when he put that Tupper Lake hockey jersey on! I told him next time we’ll have to bring his hockey stick and whole outfit!
We walked around Hovey Pond Park and tried out several of the areas I’ve been wanting to photograph in—it was an awesome experience! We even snuck in a few mama-and-son photos. (Even if you come to a session feeling like you want the focus to be on your child and not be in them, you will be so thankful if you choose to.) Thank you so much, Erica and John, for trusting me to capture your school photos! I can’t wait to see you again soon!
Girls Weekend: Wine Tasting in the Finger Lakes, NY
My sister and I ran away for the weekend to go wine tasting in the Finger Lakes region in NY. As an event photographer, it was every bit as stunning as you’d imagine, and I was drooling to capture everything! As a sister and fellow wine enthusiast, it was EVERYTHING.
The four and a half hour drive from Glens Falls went by in a flash, as we caught up on everything that has recently been going on in our lives. Between us, we have three boys—ages 7, 6, and 4. (Special shoutout to our husbands who so lovingly encouraged us to go while they watched the kids!)
We stayed at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, which was every bit as breathtaking as we pictured. It had a gorgeous view of Seneca Lake, and was walkable to all of the sweet downtown shops and restaurants, including one of my personal favorites, Upstate Brewing (you all know I love good beer!)
Sandi booked us a wine tour at Experience Finger Lakes for Saturday, and we absolutely loved it! Our tour guide, Liz, was so knowledgable and made our experience all the sweeter. We visited Buttonwood Grove Winery, Silver Thread Winery, and Damiani (where we had a personalized wine and chocolate pairing! I mean, does it get any better than that?!)
We had the best time, and though we of course wished it was longer, I can’t wait to come back to the Finger Lakes, both as a tourist and a photographer! (Not-so-subtle hint: please, invite us back—we’ll capture your girls weekend, bachelorette, or family reunion and even join you on the wine tour (twist my arm!)—we’d be THRILLED for a reason to return!)
Awkward Family Photoshoot | Hudson Falls, NY
From the moment we stepped into the studio in Hudson Falls, NY for our awkward family photoshoot, my sister and I could NOT stop laughing.
For awkward outfits, she found matching white turtlenecks at Peter Harris on sale for $2. They were PERFECT. To add to the hilarity, we had decided to photograph it ourselves, on a tripod. (Always a comedy of errors!)
We created a Pinterest board for awkward photos, and decided to try to keep it simple with three poses: the uncomfortably close, over-the-shoulder pose; the lay on the floor pose; and the wheelbarrow pose.
Every time I set the interval timer, it took 20 photos in a row. The first 5 are spent capturing me running into the frame, the second 10 are the two of us dying laughing, and the last 5 are actual photos. Ha!
We had SO much fun doing this photoshoot, and we can’t wait to print and frame it for our parents! If you want to die laughing and come up with a creative gift for your family, I can’t recommend an awkward family photoshoot enough!
Upstate NY Event Photography | Common Roots Brewing | South Glens Falls, NY
Walking into the new Bierhall space at Common Roots Brewing in South Glens Falls was like taking a breath of fresh air. And being invited as the event photographer for this incredibly special occasion was a deep honor.
You can feel the love of this family with every person who came through the door. The younger kids bounced in with excitement, and the adults carried with them the same energy. Hugs were abundant, and the joyful smiles that came with each conversation were palpable.
We photographed Robin and Bert’s family members first, including seven kiddos under the age of four—the newest addition at 8 weeks! They were all SO sweet and bursting with party energy, and it took everything in me to focus on photographing them and not snuggling those sweet cheeks! (I was so excited to see Oliver and Archer again after our first session last Spring!)
It was a deep honor to capture this event, and the warmth, love, and laughter we were witness to that evening will stay in my heart. Thank you so much for trusting me to capture your event and your sweet family, Robin and Bert!
WorkSmart Galentines Day Event | Glens Falls, NY
Serena, the owner of Hot Yoga Queensbury, running a yoga class
From the moment I stepped into the lobby at WorkSmart in Glens Falls for the Galentines Day Event, it felt like arriving to see old friends. I was welcomed into the spacious building with warmth and hugs, and we spent most of the day catching up and sharing stories of business and friendship.
I was so thrilled to meet Serena, the owner of Hot Yoga Queensbury, who graciously shared her energy with us for a midday yoga session. As I always do with yoga classes, I asked permission to take photos and snapped a few at the beginning of class and then put my camera away so I didn’t disturb the rest of the practice. I know how precious yoga time is (for me, too!)
Allison, the owner of Allison Giam Creative, ran a workshop on social media pain points and I came home with a notebook full of fresh ideas and new accounts to follow to help streamline my social media presence (admittedly NOT my strong suit!)
I came away from this event with my soul filled, buzzing with the energy I received from everyone who attended. I am so thankful to WorkSmart for another wonderful event, and I can’t wait for the next one!
Behind the Scenes: My 40th Birthday Studio Photoshoot! Hudson Falls, NY
This balloon garland kept falling off the mirror, but I managed to get some photos in between trying to tape it!
Cheers to 40 years! I decided to celebrate with a 40th birthday photoshoot this year at The Suite in Hudson Falls, NY.
To be honest, I thought I’d feel apprehensive—gasp! Over the hill! But to my surprise, 40 feels like slipping into the most comfortable sweatshirt that fits me just right. I am embracing my toddler mom era, and I can’t help but mother everyone around me to try and care for and protect them—fellow business owners included! I’m so thankful to everyone in my life for helping me get this far. Here are some fun behind the scenes moments from this session!
Behind the scenes:
This photoshoot was so special, and it DEFINITELY had its challenges! I decided to take the photos myself, and let me tell you—I should have practiced what I preach and hired a photographer for this one! There were many bloopers, which had me cackling in the studio all by myself.
To start, I created the balloon garland myself (with lots of helpful assistance from my 3-year-old, Kayden!) While carrying it into the studio and trying to unlock the door, I popped a balloon and scared the bejezus out of myself!
I carried the cake in on a solo trip, trying desperately not to trip on my way in. It was a work of art created by A Spoonful of Sugar Bakery, and as clumsy as I am (remember how I tripped over the flags during the PSA 5K photoshoot?! HA!) Luckily, it made it unharmed!
I had big dreams for the balloon throw photos, but it turns out that it’s really hard to set the camera timer, run in front of the camera, AND throw balloons in the air! I managed to get about five small balloons in my hands, and they just wouldn’t fall the way I wanted to! I was sweating running back and forth from behind the camera to the front, but I had a blast!
40 is already turning out to be so much fun. My word for 2024 is “play”, and that’s exactly what I did for this photoshoot. I can’t wait to have more fun this year and really live in the moment as much as I can.
Do you or a friend have a big birthday coming up? Let’s celebrate together with a session like this one! I’d LOVE to hear about your dream birthday photoshoot!
Makayla’s Cosmetology-inspired Vermont Senior Photoshoot | Pawlet VT
Like an oasis in the middle of this rainy fall and winter weather we’ve had, Makayla’s senior session glowed with the sunlight I’ve been missing for weeks.
She derived inspiration from her cosmetology practice, and we did some fun photos with her shears, based on the Pinterest board we created together. (I joked that this could be the cover art for one of the murder podcasts I love so much.)
We also found some fun ways to include her dog in her senior session!
And like the sun shone, so did she. Her beautiful energy radiated from her with the hope and promise that only a senior can possess. She was confident, calm, and NAILED it.
Makayla, I just know big things are ahead of you. Thank you for sharing a piece of your life with me!
How to Include Your Dog in Your Engagement Photos | Argyle, NY
This tree farm engagement photo session was a SPECIAL one, because Vinny booked me before he popped the question! We scheduled his engagement session with Ty before it was even official, and I was BURSTING to know how everything went!
Vinny and Ty reached out shortly before their session to see if it would be okay to bring their dog, Sunny. I had to check with the venue, and Scotlander Brewing happily replied that they love well-behaved pups on leashes, so off we went!
Our session was to be about 30 minutes, so we split it half and half: we left Sunny tucked safely in the warm car while we took a few of the happy couple alone, and then we let him out to roam the tree farm and celebrate with his mom and dad!
We let him sniff around and get some of his wiggles out, giving him time to acclimate to his surroundings. Once he was comfortable, he sat like such a good boy for his photos!
Fur babies (like human babies) just need to settle in and feel comfortable in order for your session to be the most enjoyable for all of you! So we take our time, and go at their pace. Just like my toddlers, if they need a break or a snack, we’ll take it! And we’ll make sure to snap everything in between!
Congratulations to Vinny, Ty, and Sunny! And best wishes for the happiest life together as a family!
An Upstate NY Family Farmhouse Holiday Session | The Armstrong Family | Granville NY
This is a story about how I fell in love with a cow.
When Morgan reached out to schedule her family holiday session, I was SO excited to visit their home and capture them while they were all together over Thanksgiving. And I’m a cat person, but when she asked if they could include their sweet cow named Thyme, I had to resist speeding over that instant to meet her.
The Armstrong family welcomed me into their home with a warmth I’ve only experienced with my own family. They offered me warm drinks (and a beer), and I almost took them up on it. I could have sat and visited with them all day; they were so authentically kind.
When Morgan walked up with Thyme on a leash, I practically swooned. YOU GUYS. THIS COW is now my one true love. (Sorry to my kids and husband.)
We took photos around their farm in a few different locations, and Thyme followed us the entire session. She was truly the star of the show: our cattle centerfold.
I am so thankful to have met the Armstrong family and get to know them this year. They are such a lovely family with incredibly warm hearts. And dare I say our session was… wait for it… deeply moooooo-ving.
Come on, I had to.
Granville Lighted Tractor Parade | Granville, NY
Walking through the streets of our sweet hometown, Granville NY, last night, you could feel the magical energy in the air. We pulled our kiddos in wagons across the footbridge, under the twinkling snowflake lights to get to main street, where the annual Granville Lighted Tractor Parade was about to begin.
We were so thrilled to be asked to capture this event again this year! My husband, Karl, took some drone video, and I captured still photos. It’s an incredibly special event for us as a family—our kiddos loved this event long before we started capturing it—and we are so happy to support and uplift our town.
There were a record 75 tractors registered this year, and as they took off from Telescope Casual Furniture parking lot, each family beamed with happy energy, kids and adults alike.
Every year, I find myself tearing up at the smiles of the children and the warm, inviting atmosphere. (You all know how emotional I am, and this event is no exception!)
Thank you so much to all of the volunteers and participants who made this event a beautiful success. From the bottom of our hearts, and the hearts of our sweet kiddos, you made our holiday season brighter. We can’t wait for next year!
Ladies Night Event | (g)row for kids | Glens Falls, NY
I was so honored to capture the Ladies Night event in Glens Falls last night at (g)row for kids, one of the sweetest children’s stores in the area!
To be honest, with two kids ages 6 and 3, I don’t get out much. And I REALLY don’t get out much during the week, after dark. So when the ladies at (g)row asked me to join them for this event, I was over the moon in more ways than one!
What a treat to get to see the twinkling lights that adorn downtown Glens Falls this holiday season. You could feel the energy of all of the people strolling downtown, happy laughter floating on the sparse snowflakes that fell gently from the sky.
The energy inside of (g)row and many of the other businesses was electric. Women gathering to support each other and catch up over a glass of champagne or a Common Roots beer (I was lucky enough to be set up across from Lindsey at the Common Roots booth, and she so kindly handed out samples. My beer-lover heart was in pure bliss—taking photos and drinking some Good Fortune IPA. What could be better?!
I was so thrilled to see a few friends, meet new ones (like Emily from ADKDoula and Emily from The Upstate OT) and give out free hugs!) This event was truly one-of-a-kind; I can’t wait for next year!
Tips and Posing Prompts for Families with Older Kids | Argyle, NY
I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Sarah, Ryan, Hudson and Neva for a little over a year, and was so thrilled to photograph them for the second year in a row. Not only are they the sweetest family; they have two kids who are at the age where they could roll their eyes at the silly things I make them do. But you know what my favorite thing is? Now that we’re all getting to know each other, the kids know me and my sassy personality, and I know theirs. So I started the session telling Neva: “you know I’m going to make you do silly things to make you laugh!” And she was such a doll that she went along with it all lightheartedly. By the end, we were all doubled over with laughter! Here are a few tips for my families with older kids:
Tips and Posing Prompts for Families with Older Kids
We start the session by building camaraderie. Kids appreciate when you’re straightforward with them! So I try to say “Okay, you guys. I know photoshoots might not be your favorite thing, but bear with me, and we’ll get it done as quickly as we can!”
Then, we actually get it done quickly. Stay true to my word helps build rapport and trust with them, and they’ll be more inclined to keep their energy through the session. I study ahead of time and have a strong workflow, so you can get the same number of photos in a short period of time that you would with a longer session.
“Hug your brother like you love him!” Though it might start out with wrestling and giggles, the sweet candid hug happens in the middle of the beautiful laughter!
“Do you guys want to see how these are turning out? Come behind my camera and let’s take a photo of mom and dad.” The kids can step out of the frame for a breather, and they get to see how good they’re looking. Bonus: we get some photos of just mom and dad, and the kids feel involved!
When you book your session, I send a questionnaire and we talk ahead of time. I ask what jokes or questions might make them giggle. (I’m not ashamed to admit that at my own recent session, we yelled “POOP!” Like, a lot.)
Sessions with older kids are some of my favorites! It helps when I’m fortunate enough to build a relationship with a family through the years, and the kids get to know me (like the sweet Sassamans!) When we’re able to get to know each other’s personalities, everyone is more comfortable, and the session is the most enjoyable for all!
Tips for a Relaxing Photoshoot with Your AMAZING High Energy Kids | Clifton Park, NY
This session in Clifton Park, NY with Cindy and her sweet son Jack was soul-filling! We chased crunchy leaves, spotted huge bulldozers, and even had a tickle fight! I left feeling so thankful to this family for spending the morning with me.
I am a photographer specializing in high energy kids and their families! With two energetic kids of my own, ages 5 and 3, I know just how it feels to spend hours choosing the right outfits, stress out the morning of, trying to get everyone dressed and in the car (where are your shoes we just bought?! Everybody go potty! Stop hitting your brother!) Truth be told, I choose our own photographers based equally on their work and their ability to calm my own family during our session. (By the end of our beach session, Jessica’s relaxed and encouraging energy had us all dashing into the ocean playfully!)
It wasn’t until after a recent session with one of my favorite families that the mama turned to me and sighed, and as we both watched her son happily bouncing off into the field, told me how relaxed she felt during our session, and that every other session she’s had left her feeling frazzled and stressed. She said that my calming presence and patience helped her to actually ENJOY her session! It was the most remarkable feedback I could have received. Here are a few tips I’ve learned being both behind the camera and in front of it to bring some namaste to your session.
Tips for a relaxing session with your high energy kiddos:
Bring layers. (whether your session is hot or cold, you can add or remove outer shirts for your kiddos to help them be most comfortable! Bonus: if they get dirty, you have a backup!)
Trust your photographer. We’ll chat beforehand, and I’ll ask you what your hopes are for the session. The more information you share with me about your kiddos’ personalities, the better prepared I am to jump in and play games with them! (Are they Team Chase, or Team Rubble?) I build a shotlist for every session, and come prepared to help guide you through your session. You’ll feel confident knowing I have it handled, and you can relax and enjoy your session.
Embrace the chaos! It may feel like craziness to you as the mama, but know that all of the magical candid photos that occur during your session are happening in the middle of all of that. I just need a few seconds to capture that heartmelting smile!
Cindy and Jack embraced all of these, and came into our session with the most open minds and hearts—I had the most incredible morning with them, and left feeling so thankful that this is my job. Thank you so much, Cindy and Jack!
At Home Backyard Fall Photos | The Gazdecki Family | Glens Falls, NY
I’m often asked whether photos can be taken at your home. YES! Your photoshoot can be at a location of your choosing! There are popular locations that I often capture sessions at: Crandall Park in Glens Falls, NY; Mettowee Park in Granville, NY; Dana Thompson Memorial Park in Vermont. And one of the MOST favorite location requests is your home! We can do your session right in your own backyard! This option is great if you have small kiddos and want the convenience of not having to travel, or a family pet that you want to include but don’t want to pack into the car.
Worried that your backyard isn’t picture perfect? Don’t stress, mine isn’t either! We’ll work around those strewn about monster trucks and rogue hoses.
We can even take your session right inside your home! These sessions are great for new babies, so your pets and kiddos are comfortable in their own space. And again, you don’t have to worry if everything isn’t straight out of a Martha Stewart spread. That’s what careful cropping and placement is for!
When you book your session, we’ll choose together what works for you and your family!
