Ericka was looking for some Easter photos of her children and niece and because the weather was a bit on the chilly side that day, we met up at the Memorial Art Gallery.

Personally color matching like this is hard for me, but I LOVE it. The plaid with the light blues and white beautifully complement each other without looking overly matchy. Brilliant.

It’s easy to overdo a location like the MAG because it’s such a scenic space. It has beautiful lighting, several different backgrounds in a small area, and that peaceful water fountain, art gallery vibe. It’s listed as one of the top 5 Indoor Photography Locations in Rochester with good reason!

Ericka’s family was a joy to work with. The kids were beautiful, easy going, and had big natural smiles.

We did a couple of different groupings – the kids by themselves, all the kids together, Ericka’s niece by herself and just Ericka’s kids. When you’ve gone through all the effort to get there it’s a good idea to do all the things.

Thank you so much Ericka for sharing your beautiful family with me! You were an absolutely joy to work with.

Shannon and John recently welcomed this beautiful baby boy into their lives, and wanted to commemorate his first Christmas with some family photos.  Their green and red theme was perfect – you’d think this would be a common choice but it isn’t, so if you’re tempted to go for Christmas colors I’d definitely say go for it!

Shannon is working on a neurology fellowship at URMC and John works with the x-ray technology used in security systems at airports. They recently relocated from Baltimore.

Sebastian was absolutely perfect in every way. He was a chill sort of baby (just like his very calm parents) and wasn’t particularly interested in smiling but wasn’t unhappy either.  Some babies are like that and that’s great too.  We’re all about real life over here.

People often ask if I have a studio and I do not, on purpose.  Instead, in the winter months we either head outside, meet at your home, or go to a few great indoor Rochester locations. The Memorial Art Gallery is a great space for this – especially on a weekday morning when it tends to be quiet and peaceful, and/or around Christmas when they have lots of Christmas trees and lights around.

Thank you so much Shannon and John for sharing your beautiful family with me!

Kimberly and Matt both work in marketing – Kimberly is the president of a local firm and Matt works for Wegmans.  When I learned that, I have to confess I was a little tempted to scratch the session and ask them to impart their knowledge on me.

But that would have made the session about me and not about them… so we didn’t do that.

We’d picked a beautiful cold, wet, fall day for the photos so we retreated to the Memorial Art Gallery and their picturesque atrium and water fountain.

Andie and Robin were at the perfect age and temperament for photos. Kids at this age are easy to photography since they’re not old enough to think it’s a waste of time, and not young enough to want to run away. So if you have kids ages six through nine or so and are contemplating a session, do it now!

Of course, they were setting up for some kind of event at the MAG, which happens with some frequency, so we tried to move quickly and then headed outside.

It was on the very cold, dark and wet side, but that’s what lighting umbrellas are for.

And some awesome family Christmas card photos for the win.

Thank you so much Kimberly and Matt for sharing your beautiful family with me!!!

A few months later, baby TJ made his entrance into the world and we met at their beautiful home in Pittsford to capture his miraculous little life.

Six months later, TJ was laughing (hysterically), smiling and almost sitting. Betsy said sometimes she just would sit and watch Andy and TJ play together.

Recently, TJ celebrated one of life’s childhood’s greatest milestones – his first birthday. We met at the Memorial Art Gallery to mix it up a little. Of course, there was some kind of huge event in the atrium, so we found a picturesque corner and then went outside for a while.

Below is one of my very favorite images from the session.

TJ was a perfect one year old during the session finding that thin line between being hugged and being held in place. He was also happy to show off his extensive toddling skills.

Congratulations TJ on your first birthday!

Several women shared their Arbonne success stories. Including this woman who flew all the way from Oklahoma!

Neyir’s son Maxwell helped draw the names of the prize winners.

He also found time for a few snuggles.

Neyir had initially not planned on getting a Mercedes quite this large. Then she found out she was pregnant with twins, so they had to get a larger model. And here’s the moment when she’s handed the keys.

Afterward we went outside to take a few photos with the cars.

Congratulations Neyir on the promotion, the new car, and the twins. I can’t wait to meet them!

Then right before this session, which was my fifth with their family, they announced they were moving to Colorado!  We had one day to do their session and she really wanted to use the Memorial Art Gallery as a location.  We were hoping to also spend some time outside, but it was raining so our movements were a bit restricted.

Danielle has ties to the Memorial Art Gallery, which hosts a fundraising event near and dear to her heart annually. The camp is called Camp Good Days whose mission is to “develop, challenge & empower Rochester’s urban youth – to serve themselves, their families & our community as vibrant individuals & dynamic citizens.” Danielle was the camp director for many years.

The Dream Big Auction this year is on Sunday, April 26th. You can purchase tickets by clicking here.  The silent auction includes hundreds of items, including a session from Debra Wallace Photography!  Our family attended last year (and will be going again this year).  Highlights for us were caricatures, a magician, balloon animals, face painting and elaborate crafts.  I don’t know if those things will be there again this year, but I have no doubt that it will be another amazing family friendly event.

This is one of my favorites – he just seems so happy to be alive.

Larry is so relaxed during portrait sessions and a very good sport!

This pig is my secret sauce.  It makes a ridiculous oinking sound when you squeeze it.  Trevor LOVES it!

A little healthy skepticism.

Danielle and I both absolutely are in love with this image.  So true to life.

Born of the creative work of mothers who publish on-line, each production is directed, produced, and performed by local communities, for local communities.”

In 2015 there are 39 cities across the country that will be hosting LTYM and Rochester is one of them! I’m excited to be the official photographer. Here is a glimpse behind the scenes of the lovely women who are throwing themselves into this production.

Auditions filled up quickly, but you can still attend.  Mark your calendar for Friday, May 8th, 2015 at the Memorial Art Gallery at 7:30 pm.

Melissa is a graphic designer at Flight 9 Creative.  The women there do some amazing work.  You may also remember her from Opal and Twig.  Which is unfortunately on hold for now – my daughter was just noting that she ran out of goblin snot.

Her husband has a passion for photography too, which always gives me a little performance anxiety, but he was absolutely laid back and awesome.  So was Patrick, who serves our country in the Navy and currently lives in Hawaii (!!!).

Casey is one lucky little sister!

This wasn’t one of their picks, but I had to share it anyway because the statue is a really nice addition to the family.

The Memorial Art Gallery also has a really nice archway right outside the front door that is a great spot to hug your spouse.

And a silly one for the girl about to go eat some sugar!