Shoshana's Trolls Birthday Party

I have had the pleasure of photographing this family several times, and they fill me with joy every time I do.  I was asked to photograph Shoshana's 5th birthday party, since it was the first birthday party she was having.  During the party, I felt like I really got to enjoy the photography and get creative with my angles.  I photograph a lot of bar and bat mitvzahs, and by 13, kids are aware of an adult with a camera, and sometimes when they become aware, it changes the moment a bit.  But not with 5 year olds.  Since they're used to having helpful adults around, and know me from our prior sessions together, I was able to blend in and get close to the moments.  I even got to be a helpful adult too, with opening a water bottle or lollipop or providing a napkin when they didn't even know they needed one. 

When I was looking through the images of this event, I realized I captured so much more than Shoshana's 5th birthday party.  I captured parenthood, and love, and friendship, and trust.  I captured moms and dads and grandparents and kids and friends.  I also captured plenty of so you fun!

Jared's Bar Mitzvah Pre-Shoot: Lifestyle Family Photography - Ft Lauderdale Beach

I had so much fun celebrating Jared's Bar Mitzvah with him and his family yesterday!  Here are the photos from his mitzvah pre-shoot in November.  I always love when I get to do a pre-shoot with a mitzvah family.  It's such a great way for us to get to know each other a little better before the big day, and for the family to get comfortable in front of the camera.  Also, we have a lot of fun together, and by mitzvah day, it's like we're old friends!  This family is just full of love and fun, as you can see below, and as I captured last night, and I can't wait to get to work on those images!

Heather, Jon, and Jace - Annual Holiday Photo Session

I met Heather and Jon when I first started doing photography, and they were a young couple who wanted anniversary photos with their dog.  It's been so much fun since then to photograph a maternity session, and 3 sessions with Jace!  The holiday season may be behind us, but I have so many lovely holiday family photos to share.  I love that these photos can take us back to the holiday time.  I love that photos are like time machines.  And I love that I get to build time machines for so many families!  As my favorite t-shirt says, "I can freeze time.  What's your superpower?"

Winter Break Family Camp 2017 - Ramah Darom - Clayton, GA

Last week, we had the pleasure of attending Winter Break Family Camp (WBFC) at Ramah Darom in Clayton, GA (about 2.5 hours North of Atlanta) for the second year in a row.  When I have vacation time, I like to travel, and travel days are filled with a morning activity, an afternoon activity, and an evening activity.  No naps, little rest.  I want to see each city as though I'll never return.  

Family camp is different.  It gives us a chance to slow down a bit.  I like to describe it as a cruise, but on land.  That's the easiest way to explain it to someone who's never been.  There are activities for the kids, activities for the adults, family time, 3 communal meals a day, and more adult time after the kids are in bed, all in the beautiful mountains.

Last year I did the Odyssey Ropes Course challenge during the day.  When I went to sign up this year, the day group was full, so I went on the first night!  Not being able to see where I was going in the dark definitely added a new layer of challenge!  After that, there was lots of singing and dancing, some spiritual time, yoga, sports, arts and crafts, and a camp fire with s'mores. One family even celebrated a Bar Mitzvah up at camp!  A New Year's celebration rounded out the week and was a great way to finish camp and head home into 2018. 

Maya, Spencer, Adelyn, and Emma - Ft Lauderdale Lifestyle Family Photography

I've known this family for a really long time.  This dad's mom and my mom have been very close friends since college!  So it's been fun to get to know him as an adult, along with his wife Maya and their beautiful girls.  One of the main ingredients in a session with me is fun, and this family definitely packed in the fun!  The girls were high energy, enthusiastic, and creative, which gave me so many 'so you' moments that were so full of life, and that really capture the spirit of their family.