The McCormick & Lovelace Families - Jersey Shore
This past Sunday I ventured out to the shores of New Jersey to photograph this lively bunch. Each summer these two families come out to the shore to enjoy each other's company and soak in the sun after a year of hard work. The thing about this family is that this is only a portion of the whole family. I come from a smaller family, so to see such a big group and how they interact was fun. Now I am wishing I was back at the shore, listening to the waves and enjoying the sun.
A few weeks back, on a particularly warm day in October, I had the privilege of photographing the Peralta-Grullon Twins for their 3rd birthday in the Winding Hills County Park in Montgomery, NY. Such beautiful little souls. They melted my heart as they hugged my legs and exuded enthusiasm.
When you image autumn, is New England immediately where your mind goes? I know that, for me, it is so easy because its where I grew up. Playing in leaf piles, carving pumpkins, drinking hot apple cider, and breathing out vapors of warm air during crisp days. It’s nostalgia wrapped up in a beautiful package. This family portrait session along the West Boylston Rail Trail in MA, sealed the deal for me. More of this and I will be content as a photographer!
I am excited to share these photographs with you all. As a family photographer, is easy to forget photographing those in your own life. Especially your friends and their own families! We've known Phil and Heather for about 8 years now and they have become pretty much family. Even after moving out of Massachusetts almost 4 years ago, and being far, this has remained true. Taking these pictures was also pretty special because these two have waited years for something like this.
Living here in the Greater Hudson Valley of New York is such a treat in the summer time. There are so many different parks, rivers and lakes, and opportunities to just enjoy wildlife. Having the chance to photograph these two Pauly boys in the Bashakill Wildlife Area made my week! I didn't even know this park was thirty minutes from my home till I went online to browse a few possible locations for our shoot.
So about a week ago I was talking with my sis-in-law and she mentioned how she wished she had had pictures done when my first nephew was born. I had originally planned on visiting later on, but when she asked if I could come and photograph the family with the new little addition I jumped at the chance. I never make last minute plane plans like this, but now I know why others do it. Living in the moment and not regretting takes a bit of spontaneity. So off I went!
Going through these images to share with you today made me wish for spring! I also love seeing the energy and expressiveness of these kids. Photographing families has been a constant for me over the years and I still find it to be a favorite! Carmela and the kids met me at Sholan Farms for a quick session in the trees and gazebo out back. I am so happy I was able to capture these moments! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Jenni contacted me about getting pictures of her family over a year ago, letting me know that she was anxious to have pictures once R came home! We finally got that chance to meet up a few weeks back at the Willard Brook State Forest in Ashby, MA. I couldn't have been happier with these three! Adoption is such a powerful depiction of love and dedication. Having the pleasure to work with adoptive parents and their kids is something special. It really gives you a glimpse of how powerful love can be.
I have been waiting patiently to share these images with all of you. These ladies came to me seeking to have photos taken of them to give as a gift to their parents for Christmas. I was so glad they wanted to have pictures taken! I have done work for them individually before and couldn't wait for the chance to capture them together as sisters. We decided to meet at the George Hill Apple Orchard in Lancaster, MA for this session!
I was excited to photograph these four because the last time I did, there were only 3! It has been a while. I was a little daring this time around and decided to work in open sun in this field behind Sholan Farms in Leominster, MA. Thankfully, winter light is lower in the sky so it worked out to my advantage (Any aspiring photographers out there? That secret was for you.) Taking risks, I am finding, really takes things to another level.
I am finally getting a chance to share these images of the Perez family! Such a happy and laid back time with these three. We met at the Wachusett Reservoir in Clinton, MA for a quick session and I really couldn't get enough of the little guy.
Calling someplace home is something we all want. Don't you think so? Sometimes it changes, adapts and takes on different faces. Some get married, others buy houses or rent apartments. All those big, happy (stressful, no lie) moments in life are kind of what defines the next page. I was so glad to know that my friend Kirosha wanted to have her family photographs at home in Leominster, Ma.
Now that I live in NY, it is easier for me to make trips to New England to fit in a few sessions during a long weekend. I was excited to find out that this family was able to meet with me a few weeks back at the Wachusett Reservoir in Clinton, MA. This is their third time and I always love seeing families change over time in beautiful ways. This time Grandpa was able to join!
I could not wait to do this session, you guys. After seeing my nephew for the first time in CO this past February, I wanted to go back to be with family again. Not only did I want to capture my brother and sis-in-law again with this little squishy boy that I love to the moon and back, I wanted them to have good pictures that they could keep. We headed into the mountains of Boulder and were able to capture some really beautiful images during golden hour.
It is so fun to be able to photograph families more than once. The Rutt family I had the opportunity to photograph before their littlest was born. Now she is here! Such a beautiful family. We roamed around this wonderful park in Wyomissing, PA with a creek and a few fields.
I have known this family for quite some time and I am so grateful to call them friends. Nick and Guadalupe are those people that you want to keep around because they are so warm, giving, and energetic about ministry. To have the opportunity to photograph them as well as hang out at George Hill Orchards in Lancaster, MA, was such a treat! And their girls are so sweet.
You guys, going through these photos and figuring out what I wanted to share, made me realize how important it is to have photos taken of the ones we love and to be able to treasure them. This family right here came to Philadelphia just a little bit before we moved here ourselves and now are moving on, 2 years later, to the paradise island of Honolulu.
Liam is one of my favorite little guys. His mom and dad met with me over a year ago to get pictures together while awaiting his arrival. Now we have a little guy that is running around and being a charmer with his little teethy grin. When I photograph littles I like to ensure that they just act the way they are and follow them around. My little friend made me run! Without a doubt these portray his little personality and childlike spirit.
This past Sunday I ventured out to the shores of New Jersey to photograph this lively bunch. Each summer these two families come out to the shore to enjoy each other's company and soak in the sun after a year of hard work.
Being a photographer will always give me the opportunity to know new people, but it is when you get to know more about those people that the blessings really start to flow. Pastor Tara was the one that gave me my current job as a secretary for our church and I have learned so much about small business, ministry, and leadership through the experience that I wouldn't trade for the world.
I am thankful that the fall and winter months are somewhat warmer here in southern Pennsylvania. With that comes more opportunities to photograph families! In the late fall of this past year (time goes by so fast!) I photographed the VinCross family again for their Christmas card.
This past fall, while I was working on revamping my site, I had the opportunity to photograph the Stones and their sweet little boy. New families are always fun to watch and see their excitement despite the change of pace.
While out in CO I got to spend some good quality time with these three. We don't get to see each other very often so I was especially thankful for these times.
Probably the best description that I have heard given about adoption was told by our pastor, Tara. I wasn't adopted, so to understand the concept is kind of hard. What she explained is that we all are adopted into the family of God. Plucked out of a difficult situation and brought into the arms of Someone who can provide our every need. I know that I probably paraphrased that horribly but it spoke to me as she told the story of adopting little Josiah and being able to give him her and Caleb's last name. The power of a name never had such hope in my opinion.
I am still at it posting photos from the fall. I did a lot of work for what I had going on at the time. Last year I photographed this family and had a lot of fun. This year they came with Santa hats to bring in the Christmas season. They were using them for Christmas cards for this time of year. I guess it is appropriate to show them now.
Krystal Irrgang
Krystal lives in the outskirts of the Catskills in NY with her husband, Chris. Together they bought a fixer-upper in the woods which is the hub for Krystal Anita Studios, a web design and photography business, and creating a welcoming space for guests and family. Her passion for the home and making it a safe place for others is what sparked a desire to share inspiration here on EIG.
Most of the time I photograph families in country settings, but for this shoot I had the opportunity to photograph the Lallo Family at Elm Park in Worcester, MA as my backdrop! A few years back I worked with this crew and it was so fun to see the kids getting older and having their own style. Oh, and this park had an awesome bridge to use! I love bridges for some reason. Anyway, I had a lot of fun capturing back flips, jumps, and all these beautiful faces. Enjoy!