More than 10 years ago my then boyfriend’s (now my husband) best friend and his girlfriend let me take their pictures so that I could build up my portfolio some more. I remember my images being a little dark and I had forgotten to set my ISO correctly so they were all a little grainy. Flash forward and these two are my dear friends and they have one of those images framed in their home and find it to be one of their favorites. It’s been 10 years since they got married and we met at the Boston Seaport for our session. It isn’t often I get to do portraits in the city these days so it was a special treat.

About a month ago, my family and I flew out to Missouri to attend the wedding of our good friends. I also had the pleasure of shooting their Powell Gardens Wedding outside of Kansas City in the most beautiful chapel setting! It was a wonderful day full of joy, love, and happiness.

Even though this winter has been pretty mild without a lot of snow, it’s felt long being cooped up inside. These last few weeks have been a breath of fresh air having a few days of warmth to get out and enjoy the woods. A couple of days ago, I got together with my friend Samantha to capture this new journey of motherhood in a maternity session. Her little nugget, a boy!, is coming in about a month and we last minute decided that this week was the week because it was so warm out! So off we went into the woods.

A few weeks back our friend Delon contacted us about helping out with proposing to his girlfriend Jenni while they were out here visiting during Thanksgiving. What better way to help out than to suggest a photoshoot turned engagement session at Sam’s Point in the Hudson Valley? It was so cold up top but we snuck away in the short pines for some images where the wind wasn’t as harsh before going to the edge of the cliffs for the surprise! I love finding color when all the leaves have fallen for the winter.

A few months ago I received a message from April letting me know that she was getting married! It was exciting to see the day finally arrive with only a few light showers, but with a whole lot of love and warmth while celebrating April and Brian’s love during the ceremony in Lancaster and then continuing with a reception in The 228 in Sterling. I loved trying to find those early blooms of spring to incorporate them into the day. I’ve never seen a more relaxed bride and it was a pleasure to follow her throughout the day documenting these new special memories.

In February I met with Agnes, my dear friend, and her family outside during an overcast winter day. Such brave souls, going out there in the cold! Thankfully, it wasn’t as cold as it had been. Either way we had to get these images in because little Junior was going to be coming soon! I was so privileged to photograph this backyard maternity session in Sparrow Bush with Agnes. She is a beautiful soul and it shone so beautifully during our time together.

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!

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.

Closing out the end of autumn with this session was so inspiring for me. Tina wanted to include the autumn leaves in her shoot but wasn't sure how to make it happen since most of the leaves had since fallen. With the evening sun kissing the scene and whimsical branches reaching, I think we were able to capture the color and wonder of new life!

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.

Only in the last 10 years has it become increasingly more popular to have lifestyle type family portraits done. I remember as a kid going to a studio and having to sit with my hands propped a certain way in front of a big camera on a tripod. Nowadays photographs have become truer to personalities and set in very diverse locations. I thought I would share 4 myths that I have heard over time about these lifestyle family portrait sessions.

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.

All those in-between moments in life are so special. Especially the ones where life is celebrated during a birthday. I had the pleasure of photographing this party in New Hampshire at Pickity Place. It is set in the woods with little coves and ivy everywhere. 

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.