Pietrzykowski Family | Batavia Family Photographers

Check out this adorable little family!

Mom contacted me, get this....BY PHONE! What a concept. Nobody ever calls me anymore, lol. Anyways, I was super excited to chat with her about their session.  She was super open to just about any ideas I had and just wanted some photos of them as a family.  When we finally had the opportunity to meet (the day of their session), mom mentioned to me that her and her spouse are not very photogenic.  To me, love is always photogenic.  I eased her concern with my shooting style and it was going to be more natural and playful rather than super posey.  I don't know about you, but I think they ROCKED their family session! 

There was also a little pressure since I knew that this little family had driven a loooooooong way to be photographed.  See, dad just graduated from school to be a State Trooper.  They currently reside in the Adirondacks with hopes that they will soon be able to re-locate back home. Home being here near Batavia, N.Y.  

I was so relieved when mom sent me an email after they viewed their gallery that read, "Hello! First off, I just wanted to say thank you again for capturing memories of our family. You are hands down the most enjoyable photographer that we've worked with."

That made my day!

Scroll down to see their family photos that they selected as their favorites!

Pollyanna & Dot | Batavia Baby Photographers

Batavia, N.Y. Woman's and Baby Clothing Boutique 

O. M. G!! You guys, look at this adorable baby outfit I just picked up at Pollyanna & Dot here in Batavia, N.Y. 

Pollyanna & Dot is known for their beautiful "fit and flare" style dresses for woman, but let's not forget that they also carry some super cute baby clothes!  Also, another plus, if you cloth diaper like we do, a lot of the clothes she carries are cloth diaper friendly! The owner, Ashley Bateman, is also a fellow fluff mom, too!

This little blue and red, Under the Sea Dungaree is by Little Green Radicals, and made from 100% organic, fair trade cotton. Much of their baby clothing is made up of fun, unique patterns and vibrant colors, which I LOVE! Being a mom of ONLY BOYS, it's hard to find something unique for them. We're usually limited to solids, stripes, or plaid. All of which are fine, but not fun in my opinion.

This baby outfit buttons at the legs for easy diaper changes. It's great for summer, but can also work for colder months if you throw a onesie underneath and where like overalls. I know my son will be wearing this often.  As a photographer in Batavia, N.Y. I of course had to go out and grab some photos of him right away! I have an impatient personality when it comes to this sort of stuff. 

Grab yours before they're gone! P.s. If you have a little girl, she also has some REALLY adorable floral rompers, too! 

Ranlett Family | Batavia Family Photographers

Meet The Ranlett Family

I had the pleasure of photographing the Ranlett Family, and I am so excited to share a few images they chose from their gallery.  Mom did a great job picking out their wardrobe for their family portrait session. I mean, it's  not really hard when you have such a beautiful family to begin with. Am I right!?  Their little girl is the same age as my son and her personality is totally opposite of his. My son would've given the photographer a scowl for probably the entire session......not her! She was so happy to be there and gave me so many smiles. She was non-stop hi's from the moment I met her. Mom and dad did a great job wrangling her to get some really gorgeous family photos.

I would like to also give a shout out to dad for such a selfless act. He just got his hair cut just prior to their session. He grew it out and donated it. It took him 2 YEARS! His haircut was done at Jagged Edges Salon here in Batavia, N.Y. My son is doing the same thing and once I heard dad had done this, I decided to share his story with my son.  My son is 9 years old and sometimes worries that he'll be made fun of if he has long hair. Showing him that other "boys" are doing it, gives him a little more motivation to push forward with his goals. Thanks dad for being the motivation that my son needed.

Scroll down to see a few of their family photos. *Disclaimer* The last image I posted just because. It's totally out of focus, but dad tossed baby up in the air so high that mom, myself, and baby were terrified. Meanwhile, dad was totally having fun. You can see it in her face. I re-live that moment every time I look at the photo, hahaha!

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Pollock Family | Batavia Family Photographers

Meet the Pollock Family

When I started photography I was so afraid to photograph families.  Now, I LOVE IT! Especially when you get that family that just "knows" what to do. This family was amazing to work with and so fun! Let's not forget to mention how adorable their little guy is.  Take a look at a few images from their gallery. 

Metzler Family | Batavia family/Newborn Photographers

This family is AMAZING!!

They are so laid back, easy to work with, and fun! Mom contacted me a while back about doing maternity/newborn photos. I expressed to her that I only offer lifestyle newborn photos. She was totally on board and I have to say, I'm in love with all of their images.  Big sister was so sweet to her baby sister. She loved giving her sweet kisses and "attempted" to hold her as best she could.  

Also, can we give mom a big shout out at how amazing she looks?!  She's really pulling off this mom of a newborn way better than I did. 

Lifestyle photography is so beautiful and raw. As a newborn lifestyle photographer in Batavia NY, I love how much more comfortable my families are in their own home; especially the children. Another great thing about lifestyle photography is that should the family move to another home, they have these images to share with their little ones as they get older and can show them where they came home from the hospital, what their nursery looked like as a baby, their bedrooms as they became a toddler and so on.  I love looking back on old photos from when I was a kid and seeing the different homes we lived in as we grew up. It's really cool to see and memories come flooding back from that time in my life.  

Thank you, Metzler family, for sharing this amazing time in your life with me. I am so honored to have been chosen to be your newborn lifestyle photographer in Batavia, N.Y. Check out a few hand selected images from their gallery below. 

CLICK HERE to book your newborn lifestyle photography session today! 

Cora says, thanks for checking out our family photos!

Mommy & Me Portrait Special | Batavia Family Photographers

Mom, you are special.

You might not feel that way when your little is puking all over you, the bags under your eyes have swelled due to lack of sleep, you're in your sweatpants for the 3rd day in a row because what's the point?! But I assure you, your place as a mother is one of the most (if not is) important roles you'll ever play.   

As a Batavia, NY Family photographer I feel as though it's important to be IN photos with your kids, and so my goal this year, is to be in more photos with my boys because I am THAT mom that I just mentioned above.  My hair is in a constant state of flyaways, leggings are my favorite "pants", and while spit up is no longer an issue; my sweat from wrangling 3 boys and 3 dogs is! I don't ever feel as though I'm 'photo ready.'  When I look at photos of my mom, her being 'photo ready' is the last thing on my mind.  I'm thinking how great these images are to look back on from when we were little. The memories that were captured. And when she is gone, I will cherish ANY photo I have of her because I won't be able to see her face any longer.

Remember that when you book your Mommy & Me Portrait Session with your Batavia, NY family photographer.  These keepsake photos that you get to hand down to your children when they're grown and starting their own families. I am also offering a FREE GIFT when you pamper yourself at Pollyanna & Dot or Jagged Edges Salon in Batavia, NY.  This is a great Mother's Day gift to yourself or your mom!

These are available for the entire month of May. Space is limited so CLICK HERE to schedule your Mommy & Me session today.

My Family | Batavia Family Photographers

You can NEVER have enough family photos!

I have about 9584445446464675664646413117 x 500,000, photos, but I still don't think that's enough. 

This is a photo that my mom requests every other Christmas. One where most of the family (yep, that's not all of them) gathers to share love, laughter, and of course FOOD! The reason I'm sharing this, is because this is the very last photo I have of my grandmother before she passed away yesterday morning. It was so unexpected and sudden. She is the one sitting on the couch all the way to the right.  I am mad because this was Christmas day 2016.  It is now April, and THIS is the last photo I have of her! That's why that number above is still not enough.

I spent quite a bit of time as a child running back and forth between my aunt/uncle's house and grandma/grandpa's house. I don't remember a ton, but the one thing I do remember is that SHE is why I know of Bob Ross.  I don't recall a time when visiting her, that I didn't hear something about a happy little tree or chh, chh, chh faintly in the background.  I don't recall my grandma yelling (loudly anyways) often. Maybe Bob Ross had something to do with that. His show was so calming. I guess Grandma and Bob Ross can paint together now wherever they are. Happy little trees, clouds, streams, water falls and whatever else their hearts desire. You will be missed, Grandma. Looking at this photo, and you sitting there, so healthy and happy, I just can't believe you won't be there next year. 

Rest in peace Grandma. 

And just when you think you've clicked that shutter one too many times, click it again!

Photographer in Batavia NY | Baby Suzanna | Fresh-48

I LOVE babies! I really, REALLY love new babies!  I was told that Golisono Children's Hospital has a baby snuggler program for the NICU. I "jokingly" say I'm going to be the baby smuggler instead. But for real though, Hahahaha!  

Meet little Suzie.  She was born last Tuesday (4/4). Mom and dad didn't find out what they were having. Can I just say........patience!  I wanted to find out the gender of my children the same day I found out I was pregnant. How these two held out for a full 9 months is beyond me! Here are a few shot from their Fresh-48 session, and I am so in love. I only wish big sister, Cora, could've been there. Unfortunately, it's flu season and UMMC (Batavia, N.Y.) is being very cautious about letting in the littles.  

Your baby will only be this little once! Their tiny little fingers and toes. Skin so pink and soft. You savor it, and I'll capture it! 

Click here to schedule your Fresh-48 today!

Batavia, NY, Family Photographer Quits!

I'm tired.

This photography business is TOUGH!  It's a grind every. single. day!  

I started photography because I loved it, and because I wanted to have great photos for my kids to look back on one day.  Since starting, photography has been an uphill battle. This industry is loaded with SOOOOOO many amazingly talented people that it's easy to doubt yourself. I am in constant wonder what do I need to do to stand out from the crowd? I am starting to lose my why. Why I started photography in the first place. I seldom grab my camera to document a moment these days, rather, to market it, or to find away to make the image relate-able to my fan base.   It's no longer fun; it's work!  Now, don't get me wrong, I never thought this was going to be easy, and I definitely knew that work is work no matter the field, but if you get to choose what you want to do, you should enjoy it. 

This passion and business will always be here, my family will as well, but they're in a constant state of change. My kids will NEVER be this little again, and it's time to savor it; savor their youth; savor their innocence.   It's time to throw up the white flag, and step down; for my family. 

So if you're reading this, thank you! Thank you for your support. Thank you for your commitment. And most of all, thank you for making it all the way to the end because here you will find out that today's April 1st, and you know what that means......

I LOVE the hell out of this business, and my kids get plenty of mom time, and if any of you know me, you know that I document everything! What I stated above about my kids is absolutely true, and they will never be this little again, so that is my why and I will never lose that.

-Happy April Fools Day!-

Batavia, N.Y. Photographer | Metzler Family

Look at this adorable family. I mean, come on! Momma is due any day now, and look how fantastic she looks.

This session did not start off on the right foot. This family brought their pup, Charlie. He is a Border Collie, and oh so sweet! We did their photos at Genesee County Park, which is not too far from Batavia, N.Y. As we were walking to my desired spot to get started, a man pulls in yelling out his window, "LEASH UP THAT DOG!" Mind you, this pup sits and stays on command. Perfect little listener.  Better than my children if we want to get real here.  Mom and Dad go ahead and leash him up.  I leaned into dad and quietly mention (tension breaker if you will) "I'm sure he's saying that because he has some crazy dogs, and he knows his are the real trouble makers here."  Low and behold, out jumps 2 pups just as crazy as their owner! Barking, pulling on the leashes, ready to rain on someones parade. That someone, is us.  The gentleman apologizes (for his tiny wild beasts) and moves along. We then get started. We're grabbing some shots, playing in the snow, being silly, and just when we thought we've rid ourselves of this man, along he comes to thank mom and dad for leashing up their pup (at this point Charlie's been unleashed again, oops.)   But we entertain the man anyways. Mom and dad accept his thank you, all the while, mom, dad and little Cora are all posed and ready to go. Can you say, awkwaaaaaard. Unfortunately we just can't get this man to GO AWAY!  Finally we do, but holy cow, this day definitely reminded me why I'd prefer to steer clear of heavily trafficked locations. It was a beautiful day (thus the busy day at the park), but not so much that we could just spend hours frolicking outside with a toddler.  I'm so glad that mom and dad were such great sports about the whole thing, and that little Cora really enjoyed playing with my bag of fake snow because we might not have gotten so many adorable shots. Well, you'll see if you continue to scroll down.

To give you an example of how patient these two really are, I must tell you that mom and dad don't know what this little bean will be. They know the baby is a human (that's what dad says), but what do you think? Will Cora get a brother, or a sister?

Western NY Family Photographer | How do I choose what photos are keepers?

I take being a family portrait photographer very seriously. Before EVERY session I get knots in my stomach, my heart begins to palpitate, my face gets really warm, and I start to sweat a little (in case you ever wondered why I smell, well here you have it). These memories are not to be taken lightly, we never know what the future holds for us and everything could change overnight. It's my job to capture the now. So with that being said, how do I choose which photos are keepers?

This photo is a really great example of that.  I first choose as a mom. I think to myself "is this a photo I would love and cherish of my family, baby, child(ren)?" and I second choose as a photographer, "technically speaking, is this a photo lit well, in focus, and does everyone look genuine?"

When I look at this image I re-live this exact moment! This family's sweet little baby was not really into having photos done prior to this moment and so I sent her off to dad to play for a little while. I grabbed some shots of just mom and her son. I then asked dad to bring the baby over to try again (she appeared ready), but I didn't just ask him to bring her over, I asked him to fly her in like an airplane and that he did.

I debated keeping this image simply because it was suppose to be a photo of mom and her 2 kids, but when I look at this, I see a story, I see happiness, I see family, and most importantly I see LOVE!

Click here to book your family session today!

Western NY Lifestyle Photographer|Why I LOVE it!

My heart is so full just looking at these images. This family is just perfect! I was greeted immediately by mom and her 2 small children; smiles from cheek to cheek.  This is not always the case when I do on-location shooting. Little ones can typically be a little reserved and shy, but not on this day!  That is one of the benefits to doing a lifestyle session. The kids start out way more relaxed.  Another benefit now that we are starting to roll into the colder months here in Western NY, is that we get to stay nice and cozy inside.  Dad was even prepping a nice toasty fire.  

I don't really need to speak more about why I love being a Western NY lifestyle photographer because I feel these image will do that for me. Scroll down and have a look.

If you would like to BOOK YOUR LIFESTYLE session, click here!

Western NY Lifestyle photographer

Today I am headed out to a lifestyle session.  The thing I LOVE about being a Western NY lifestyle photographer is getting to capture a family in the place they spend a lot of their time together.  Where they have had many laughs, many tears, many family meals, and many adventures.  I get to bundle all of that up and showcase them in photographs. Photographs they'll look back on and remember that couch that had the stain on the underside of the cushion from the time they shared sundaes as a family.  The kitchen they prepared holiday meals together in.  The bed they shed tears together in and most important; the rooms they brought their brand new babies home to.

When I look at photographs from when I was a child, I don't just look at the people in them, I look at everything else too! Why you wonder?  The objects in the photo typically flood me with memories and I love that! I feel as though I am re-living that moment all over again.

CLICK HERE to schedule your lifestyle session today!

Western NY photographer raises money, but for who?

On Novemeber 1st I made the announcement that I would be teaming up again with Amy from Amy's Fluffy Friends here in Batavia, NY. Last year we agreed to donate the proceeds to All Babies Cherished.

This year I wanted to donate to another cause, but was still on the fence.  I took to a local mom's group for suggestions.  All the ladies provided me with fantastic charities; I just had to choose one.  That's tough! How do I decide who needs the money more? A few days past and I had made my decision, until I got a phone call that morning.  This phone call was not one that I was expecting, but I knew in that moment I wanted to help.  I will not go into much detail as it is too soon, but for those of you who know Amy, know that she could use this right now!

So with that being said, the proceeds for this event will be going to Amy, owner of Amy's Fluffy Friends.  If you don't want to have your photos done, that's fine, I will be taking donations in addition to the event. 

We hope to see you there during Christmas in the City, on December 2nd, from 5-9 at 238 Ellicott St. Batavia, NY.

Happy Halloween!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing this handsome little fella.  I am so in love with his little costume; Max from King of all Wild Things.  Imagination is sometimes lost as your child grows and so having these memories to look back on are pretty special.  Being a western NY Children's photographer, the weather can be a little tricky at times (especially for kids) and it was a little wet for us, but he was a total champ!  Scroll down and have a look at a few of his photos. 

The Beautiful Children of Western, N.Y.

I did a model call a few weeks back and I was sent over 50 photos of beautiful children.  It was really hard to make a selection, but in order for me to maintain my sanity in my own family life I had to choose a select few.  There are still more babies and kids to be photographed and when I complete their session, I will add them to this slideshow, but for now, have a look!  

If you are interested in booking a session for your little one(s). Please do so here

A BIG change for this little nugget!

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This weekend I photographed so many beautiful babies and children.  I always leave each session knowing that those photos will be forever cherished. They all have a story to share, whether it's big or small. Maybe they just turned a new age, lost a tooth, or just started school, but those stories are not like this one!

This little guy challenged me from the second I met him. He cried, he fussed, he only wanted mom and dad. That's typically not an issue, but the problem was, this was not a family session.  This was a session just for him! A session to highlight what once was and will be forever changed.  You see, in one weeks time this little nugget will be going in for open heart surgery.  His condition is totally fixable, BUT STILL! He's so little and yet has to do something many adults don't ever face in their lifetime.

I had so many ideas for this little guy in terms of props, outfit ideas, "poses", but at the end of it all, THIS is my favorite image of him. No, he's not smiling, he's not in some super adorable outfit, or an amazing vintage prop (unless you count dad), but THIS photo I feel, signifies the change he will take on. THIS is all about him!  Everything stripped down to just focus on him. His hand just slightly near the location that will never look the same. The look on his face reads bravery and calmness.  THIS is the photo I didn't plan for, but was meant to be.

Mom and dad don't know it yet, but I am releasing the cats from the bag.  I have already planned to have this little nugget back in hopes to re-create this shot with his new chest.  That is my gift to you, mom and dad. You are brave; you are special, and NO PARENT should EVER have to go through this! I only met you once, but I know you are strong, you are patient, you are kind, and so I know you will make it through.