Terry, Tara, Layla, and Luke at Wynwood Walls

As my business grows, so do the families I photograph!  This year I’m coming up on 4 years for some families, like this one!  And it’s really hit me how fast time has passed and these kids have grown, which makes me appreciate what I do that much more.  I’m freezing moments in time, and as I’ve starting shooting more lifestyle photography, the moments are more real and less posed.  When mom and dad look back on these images, I don’t just want them to remember what they all looked like.  I want to have captured that intangible dynamic that makes their family uniquely beautiful.  I’ve captured the looks, the snuggles, the hugs, the kisses, the giggles.  To mom and dad:  when you look at these images, I want you to remember the sound of their laughter, the feel of their small hands in yours, and the weight of their head on your shoulder.  I can’t wait to capture more So You images of you and your kiddos as they grow!

Gabriela, Juan, Beatriz, and Gabriel

You would never know it because they were such naturals in front of the camera, but apparently this was the first time this family has had professional photos taken in an outdoor lifestyle family photo session!  The light at the park was beautiful that evening, each photo is more beautiful than the next, and I think one of my favorite family photo sessions this year.  I absolutely loved working with this family.  They are beautiful inside and out, and their love for each other really shines.  They were completely open to my guidance, but also relaxed and made it their own, which means lots of So You moments for me to capture! 

Ryan’s Bar Mitzvah

I really love when I get to do a mitzvah pre-shoot, because on mitzvah day we’re like old friends, and that was definitely the case after Ryan’s awesome

beach basketball pre-shoot

!  Also, while the mitzvah family has already seen my portfolio, there’s something about seeing themselves look amazing in my photos that makes them completely relax and be themselves on mitzvah day.  And followers of this blog know, when you relax in front of my camera, I’m best able to capture the moments that are So You!

Ryan started off his day with a spiritual service, which he led beautifully, along with the rabbi and cantor, and joined in many key moments by his family and friends.  The celebration continued that evening with a sports-themed celebration.  Ryan and his friends rotated through several sports on the basketball court and fields, followed by some dancing with the DJ.  Mazel Tov Ryan, I really enjoyed capturing your special day!

Sibling Love and Cowboy Boots

This is a fun pair to work with.  They are gorgeous, adorable kids, and their mom totally nails their photo session styling.  It was a bit of a challenge for me, because I was competing with my own best work from their awesome session last year.  But these two are full of fun and smiles, and now we have two awesome sessions to try to top next year!

Dylan’s Bar Mitzvah

You may remember Dylan from our awesome sporty pre-mitzvah portrait session.  I have to say, I love when I get to do a pre-shoot with a mitzvah family.  They’re always really fun, the pictures are always amazing, and I totally bond with the mitzvah family.  Basically, they realize that they’ve hired a pretty cool photographer that they like, and we roll into mitzvah day like old friends!  That’s how it was with this family.  I really enjoyed working with them.  Mom cracks me up, and Dylan is a pretty cool kid.  I just love how easily and genuinely he smiles!  Mazel Tov, Dylan!