Taking on Toddlers During Your Newborn Shoot | Boston Photographer
Just days into embarking on their journey with three kids, the Gillespies were ready to capture some precious moments with their brand new baby and his older siblings. With mom and dad having two toddlers in tow, I was more than happy to be welcomed into their South Boston home for a cozy indoor session. Having two young kids of my own has made newborn shoots even more special to me, give me all the baby snuggles! Also, Charlie was a total natural, and went along with whatever we wanted.
Annie and Jack were so excited to show us all around their home to help scope out their favorite spots to play. As I received the formal stuffed animal introduction, I had dad giving the performance of a lifetime just behind my head while I snapped some playful, candid photos. Between the giggling and jumping on the bed we lost count of how many times we lost Annie’s bow in the silliness, but somehow she had it on for every photo.
The bow itself was the cherry on top of the family’s coordinating wardrobe. The Gillespies pulled a page right from our style guide and accented their neutral-toned outfits with pops of blue. All of which looked great against the backdrop of their home. It's easy to overlook your own bedroom as a photo location, but I find they tend to make a great spot to get comfortable in front of the camera.
After exhausting the photo opportunities in the bedrooms we relocated to the kitchen to break out everyone’s favorite: snacks. When discussing prep for the session I always recommend bringing along your kid’s favorite (non-messy) treat to break out when their patience starts running low. Once we had Goldfish coupled with the rare opportunity to sit on the counter, the kids got the second wind.
The shoot ended with the whole family (including the dog) piled onto the couch to snuggle and love on baby Charlie. What made this such a successful family session was everyone’s attitude. Mom and dad were easygoing, we gave the toddlers some freedom so they had fun the whole time, and this allowed us to capture these genuine, authentic family moments.
How to Have the Best Mother's Day Ever | Boston Family Photographer
This Mother’s Day we are doing a giveaway! We are giving away two mini sessions. One will be nomination based (I’m sure you or someone you know is very deserving of beautiful photos of themselves with their kids), and the other will be chosen at random.Here’s how to enter:
Click the “Contact page” link enter in your email address to be entered. That’s it! You will be entered to win a mini session, winner will be chosen at random.
To nominate yourself, a friend, sister, or any other mama who deserves this, DM me with a sentence or two on who you are nominating and why she deserves it.
Two winners will be chosen: one at random, and the other will be chosen by me from nominations. Both winners will be selected on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 14, 2023, and posted on my story at 10AM.
***Important! Mini sessions will take place next Saturday, May 20 at 5:30 and 6PM in the Boston’s South End. If you are chosen as a winner, you must be available for this time slot.
Mother’s Day video | Boston Family Photographer
Boston Portrait Photographer | Rene's Edgy Mill Session
Having heard about our client’s Jayna’s experience with her senior shoot, Rene contacted us for her senior portraits. Rene was looking for a unique and edgy location for her senior portraits and we had just the spot: the mill buildings. When Rene walked into the studio, the first thing we noticed was how expertly done her makeup was.
One of Rene’s many passions is hair and makeup. She’s part of her school’s drama department and does the makeup for the whole cast. So naturally, Rene did her own makeup for her senior portraits. We could have sworn that she had gone to a salon to get it done, the girl has got skills!
Throughout the shoot, we couldn’t help but ask for her makeup tips and tricks. Rene’s mom came along for the shoot, and we could see her beaming over her daughter. We convinced to the two of them to get in for a mother/daughter photo and they snuggled close for a very special moment.
After getting shot after shot of Rene absolutely working the camera, we wrapped up the shoot with a fun laughing shot of Rene in front of the vintage windows of the mill. Her bubbly personality truly shined in front of that red door, which makes it one of our favorite shots from our session.
Boston Family Portrait Photographer | All the way from Japan
There is something magical for a little girl about a big tulle skirt. Mom and Dad surprised their two daughters with fluffy cream colored dresses at our shoot at the Lyman Estate in Waltham. Hana was so excited by her puffball of a dress that before we even started the photoshoot she was twirling and laughing with delight in the parking lot.
And of course, Hana outfit's was not complete without a flower crown! Kana is a bit too little for a flower crown, but one day soon, she'll rock one like her big sister. This was a special photoshoot for Mom, Dad, and their little ones, as they will be wrapping up their time in the United States and will soon be going back to Japan.
And we had the perfect day to celebrate their time here with crisp blue skies and bright fall leaves to play in. One of my favorite shots is of the whole family sitting together on the porch. Hana was being silly and was swinging around the columns, until she'd run towards Mom and Dad and give them a big bear hug. Kana was cozy with Mom watching all of this ensue until she turned to the camera right at the perfect moment!
We are so glad we could capture these fall memories for them to look back on their time in Boston. I wouldn't be opposed to heading out to Japan for their next shoot though!
Boston Portrait Photographer | The Hodgmans 3 with 1 more on the way!
We’d normally say, “say hello” to little Naomi, but she prefers saying “bye”. One year is such a great age and we love hearing the random sayings they find to be special. In this case, Naomi loves saying bye to people, even when she’s just meeting you! With their home situated near Bulloughs Pond in Newton, we met Nicole, her husband Josh, and their daughter Naomi on a breezy yet sunny November day.
Originally from Chicago, Nicole and Josh lived in the South End of Boston until recently moving out to Newton. They knew they had to move to a home with more space as they are expecting baby number 2 in March! At the beginning of the shoot, Nicole and Josh claimed that they were not photogenic which could not be further from the truth.
Piled on to the bed, the family cuddled close for some very sweet photos. We soon made our way outside to test out Naomi’s new kicks: purple air jordans. Yes. purple. Air jordans. On a one year old. Incredible.
We soon broke out the bubbles and Naomi was so intent on catching them. She wanted to chase after them so badly, and we got some truly precious photos out of it. We sang the baby shark song, threw leaves in the air, and had an overall fantastic time enjoying the last bits of fall.
Boston Portrait Photographer | MadDi's Sister and Dance Session was one of our Favorites!
My Senior Rep Maddi chose to have her senior portraits in one of my favorite places to shoot, the Lawrence Mill buildings. I always tell my clients to bring best friends or siblings to their photoshoot because those closest to us often bring out the most genuine smiles! Maddi had her two fabulous younger sisters and Mom come along.
Between inside jokes and silly faces there were plenty of smiles and laughter going around. All three sisters dance at Nancy Chippendales and you can tell, they have perfect posture. I found it so funny that I kept on telling Maddi to relax into her pose and slouch which is the opposite of what dancers are supposed to be told.
After basking in the sun where Maddi and her sisters were literally glowing with their genuine smiles, we made the trek across the street to the Mill buildings and Maddi got into her dance shoes.
I was amazed by how giggly Maddi transformed into this regal ballet dancer, as she leapt and danced across the room. Something as simple as putting on pointe shoes, or going on elevé is completely transformed when Maddie does it and made for some of my favorite shots. I can see why she plans on studying dance after Senior year!
Boston Photographer | Top 10 Mother's Day Gift Ideas, (and a big announcement at the end)
A few years ago, I started giving gifts based on experiences, and I have to say they are my favorite types of gifts to give. Something you can do together is the best! So here is the list, and most of them (not all) are experienced based. Make sure you read until the end of the post to see May's big announcement just for moms!
Like most of you, I am often stumped when it comes to birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas, and most gift giving holidays. A few years ago, I started giving gifts based on experiences, and I have to say they are my favorite types of gifts to give. Something you can do together is the best! So here is the list, and most of them (not all) are experienced based. Make sure you read until the end of the post to see May's big announcement just for moms!
10. Tickets to something she’s into. This is the easy one - Red Sox game, comedy show, musical, ballet, concert. The list of events happening in and around Boston is endless, and let’s be honest, mom is usually the one who organizes anything like this, so take the reins and make it easy for her by surprising her with her favorite tickets (bonus if dinner is included).
9. Boston Olive Oil Company 253 Newbury Street, Boston, MA. This place is awesome because they have over 50 varieties of oil and vinegar, and you can taste them all. My favorites are the Fig balsamic, and wild mushroom and sage olive oil.
8. A museum visit. I’m sure you have a few on your list (no judgement if they have been collecting dust on your list for years), but a few of my favorites are the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum, The Institute of Contemporary Art, and of course the Boston essential, Museum of Fine Arts. If you are looking to make a day of it, plan on stopping by the SOWA district after to stroll through the many galleries in Boston’s art district. Bonus if you go on a Sunday, the SOWA open market will be in full swing!
7. A class at the Essex Art Center. I teach photography here and it’s such a hidden treasure! They have an amazing array of fun classes, for all ages… and at SUPER reasonable costs. My favorites are their one day workshops in pottery or painting. Even if mom’s not into art, she will appreciate the zen time away.
6. Helen Thomas Simply Smashing gift card, or almost anything from the store. They have so many cute gifts that it’s nearly impossible to go in there without finding something you can gift to mom, (and yourself). Located at 90 Main Street, Andover, MA.
5. A workout. I know that sounds like a terrible idea at first thought, but there are so many new studios with really fun workouts, they are a blast, and it’s something you can do together. My favorites are Flywheel in the Prudential, Cyc Fitness in Park Plaza, and hot yoga at Baptiste Yoga in Brookline. And what’s a Sunday morning workout without a good brunch after?
4. Save her a grocery trip. Send her a service like Blue Apron or HelloFresh and make dinner super easy for her. Bonus if you cook it for her.
3. Boston Cupcake Crawl. Um, who doesn’t like cupcakes? It’s a 2.5 hour walking tour through Boston where you get to learn what goes into the perfect cupcake, and obviously cupcake tasting. Tickets here: http://www.cloud9living.com/boston/boston-cupcake-crawl
2. Revamp her style with a personal stylist! Susan Kanoff offers consultations, closet purges, and personal shopping. You’d be surprised how little time mom has to put into her wardrobe, this might be just what she needs. www.agreatnewlook.com
1. OF COURSE I am biased here, but I truly believe in what I do, and I can’t think of a better gift than a portrait session for mom. She is always the one asking (ok usually begging) for everyone to cooperate for family snapshots, the gift of a professional family portrait session, creating memories that will last forever, will definitely guarantee you a spot on the favorites list.
And now for the big announcement I promised: In honor of Mother’s Day, if you book a family portrait session anytime during the month of May, you’ll receive your $220 session fee in product credit… so basically your session is free. Woah. This is first come, first serve, once May sessions book up, they are gone!
I'm going to end with these photos of my Mom and Nana. Nana absolutely hates having her photo taken, but when they came for a visit two years ago, after some debate and much hesitation, she agreed to sit for me... She loves these photos.
I always love to hear from you. What is your favorite Mother's Day gift to give? I'd love to add to the list! If you are a mom, what is your favorite gift that you've ever received for Mother's Day? Please share in the comments below!
Please contact me for more information on booking your May session