Rita and Chris recently moved here from the Chicago area to direct the theater programs at Nazareth and Geva respectively.  It’s easy to take for granted how much Rochester has for a small-ish city, but clearly there’s more to the arts scene in Rochester that meets the eye.

Nazareth also has a great school program where kids and adults can go for $7 per person with groups. If your kids’ school doesn’t already have a field trip set up it’s absolutely worth looking into.

Noah would have much much preferred to be playing any kind of sport than hanging out with me, but once we started playing catch with the oinky pig we made friends.

Sonya on the other hand would have let me photograph her all day long.

We met at Brighton Town Park, which is a fantastic and underused location. It has mature weeping willow trees, water and a path with a parking lot a short distance away. If you’re looking for something ever so slightly off the beaten path this park is worth considering. For more information on how to choose a great location, click here.

Rita did that really difficult clothing thing where you take a plaid shirt and match the colors of other shirts. It’s hard to do but looks amazing. For more on how to choose clothing for a photo session, click here.

And if you’re ever in need of a professional head shot, taking one during your family photo session is a super economical way to do it!

Thank you so much Rita and Chris for sharing your beautiful family with me!

I learned this year that Kim is an excellent gift giver. She found these magical baby socks that somehow never fall off and a book called Red Truck that my two year old is enamored with. Thanks so much Kim!!!

If your last photo of yourself and your spouse was on your wedding day it might be time to update it (note to self!).

It’s been a joy and a privilege to watch these two grow up. We first met when Abigail was in utero and they’ve been faithful with their family photos every year since then. This year was bitter sweet – they sat still and smiled and didn’t make me work very hard. They’re growing up!

As always it was wonderful to see your family and I hope you have a wonderful year!

This year she was a little disappointed in some inaccurate color representations on the shirts she had ordered so I heard she had to improvise. Still impressive nonetheless.

I put on my game face to elicit some smiles from Sarina, completely forgetting her beautiful response to the word “smile.”

This year’s mini sessions were held at Brighton Park on Westfall Road. I’d been thinking of the weeping willows, but we didn’t make it down that far. Instead, the pond and tall grasses were our backdrop.

There’s nothing like a child’s hugs and kisses.

Alethea also picked out a beautiful Christmas card design but I won’t spoil it here. Mini sessions are a fantastic time for family portraits – you can have your cards taken care of in October!