Rachel, Greg, Ellie, and Cullen

For the past few years, this family has had their annual family portrait taken by my mentor, the best wedding photographer in the business, Ricky Stern, and this year, I was to have that honor!  Needless to say, I had big shoes to fill!  This family made it easy though, as they were AMAZING with giving me great candid moments. It's a tough balance between poses and free-for-all so insane I can't capture you, and they nailed it.  I always say to just be yourselves in front of the camera and I’ll be able to capture the moments that are “So You”, and this family did just that.

This was a special on-location session, as they recently moved into this house, and wanted to capture that memory.  Lucky for us both, behind them to the West is a golf course, which means lovely golden hour sunset lighting.  Cullen is also lucky enough to have a drain in his front yard so he can say hello to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles any time he wants!  I wish this family many more happy memories in their new home!

Abby’s Bat Mitzvah Celebration

Abby was Bat Mitzvah’d this summer in Israel, and after meeting her and her mom for her pre-Mitzvah portrait session, I was looking forward to capturing her celebration.  They “claimed the night” at the newly remodeled CYN (which stands for Claim Your Night, formerly Off the Hookah).  Abby looked beautiful beyond her years in her shiny purple party dress, a color which carried through to her family’s clothing, balloons, dance props, dessert, and favors.  Pure Energy Entertainment kept the crowd going as they enjoyed the bi-level dance floor / stage, colorful lights, and blasts of fog.  It was a high energy celebration, and I wish Abby and her family Mazel Tov, and may they look forward to celebrating many more simchas together.

Layla, Allan and Philip Maternity

One of the things I typically share, in addition to how awesome a session is, is how I’m connected to the subjects.  In this case, when I asked Layla how she found out about me, she said, Google!  I am so excited and feel so “big” that I can be found in a Google search!  I do maternity photography, and we are in the same area, so we met at my favorite park to photograph this family that will soon be a family of four.  I love their dark blue oufits and Layla’s shiny necklace.  And the lighting in the park today was just great.  We may not have leaves that change colors in South Florida in the fall, but we have cooler weather (read: 85 instead of 95), less humidity, and beautiful light that shines through trees and makes photographers happy. 

Madison’s 3 Month Family Portraits

Last weekend, I was out to lunch with my family, when this mom walked into the same restaurant with her family.  We gave each other that, “I know you from somewhere” look, and determined we’d grown up in the same community.  This baby is too cute (read: I wanted to get her in front of my camera), so I of course handed mom my business card, and said, please call me if you need any pictures!  As it turns out, Madison was just celebrating her 3 month milestone, and her parents want to do portraits every 3 months for the first year. 

We met at the park yesterday, to capture this beautiful baby on a beautiful day.  We hung out in the shade provided by a tree with a nice big shady canopy, and Madison played with her parents, and relaxed on her blanket.  She has a very calm and happy disposition, and I’m looking forward to getting her in front of my camera again in January!

Danielle’s Pre-Mitzvah Portraits

This young lady is family-BFFs with my aunt, so I’ve watched her grow for many years now.  It was really a pleasure to have this 1/1 photo session with her in downtown Ft Lauderdale.  I don’t remember looking like this at 13!  She had her hair and make-up done for the occasion, and had two great outfits picked out, with a stylish, but classic pair of Converse.  I suggested an urban session because they tend to give a lot of options for edgy, yet youthful photos.  We spent some time taming her hair due to the wind, but when it blew favorably, it led to some great shots. And those eyes – my goodness!  I hope I didn’t take too many close-ups!  I’m looking forward to celebrating with you at your Bat Mitzvah later this year, Danielle!