West Chester, PA At-home Lifestyle Documentary Family Photographer

What is lifestyle documentary photography? Good question. My style of photography isn’t quite documentary, but it’s also not the typical lifestyle look. My style is capturing you and your children, just as you are… but in the best light I love capturing playful moments as they naturally unfold, but I will also guide you if you suddenly find yourself thinking… what do I do with this hand?! It’s truly the best of both worlds and I can create photos that are truly you and full of great memories. Even when (especially when) we spend a good part of your session in your pantry and closet!

Fall and Holiday Outdoor Mini Sessions in West Chester, PA

It's that time again... mini sessions!  Tonight, I will be posting the signup for Mini Sessions.  Hopefully everyone will be home from activities and have the little ones in bed! 

The sessions are $325 plus tax, 15 minutes, and include 5 digital images. This year, I will have 4 sets of outdoor minis:

Early Fall Minis:
Saturday 10/3/26
Stroud Preserve - West Chester, PA
(Rain Date: Sunday 10/4/26)

Holiday Greenhouse Minis:
Tuesday 11/3/26 (Election Day; no school for West Chester!)
West Chester, PA
(Rain Date: TBD)

Tree Farm Minis:
Saturday 11/7/26
Yeager's Tree Farm - Phoenixville, PA
(Rain Date: Sunday 11/8/26)

Last Chance Fall Minis
Saturday 11/21/26
Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden - Villanova, PA 
(Rain Date: Sunday 11/22/26) 

The signup will go live WEDNESDAY, September 23rd at 8:00 pm.  I will send an email to my newsletter subscribers with the link! 

I will also post the signup to my Clients & Friends Facebook group.  If you are a past client and not in that group, let me know!

I am using a new-ish booking system this year (it's the same one as last year).  You will choose which session you would like to book and then select your time.  It will prompt you to enter your contact information, sign the contract, and pay a deposit (via credit card).  Once the deposit is paid (50% of the session fee) and your contract is signed, your spot is reserved. 

The past few years, the spots have filled really quickly so make sure to set yourself a reminder!  If they look sold out, keep checking back incase a spot opens up.

I have a few more spots for my regular Petite and Classic Sessions.  If you are hoping for a full session this fall, make sure to send me an email!

I will also be doing some studio, daytime mini sessions and I'll send those out soon!  Some will be for your favorite little athletes (think dance, sports, etc portraits), some will be simple portrait sessions, and as we get closer to the holidays I am planning Holiday PJ Minis and a simple Christmas set!

I'm looking forward to seeing many of you this year!

Sunflower Mini Sessions - West Chester, PA

We squeezed these sweet mini sessions in between rainstorms and had the most beautiful rainbow at the start of this one 🌈☔️ I’m so thankful for families who go with the flow and embrace the weather chaos. It’s always worth it ❤️✨🌻

I loved doing these local sunflower mini sessions at Bailey’s Dairy Farm. It was the sweetest little patch and a perfect size for these two little ones.

Do you have an idea for a mini session location? I’m always excited to mix it up and try new spots… but I definitely think I will be back here again next year. It was amazing!! 🌈🌻

Chester Springs, PA Family Photography

One of the best things about my job is my clients. I love meeting everyone and chatting away during our sessions. My sessions are not formal and I love locations that we can walk around and explore… so do your kids! There are natural breaks during the session where they can play and explore, and I will capture that too!

I love making sure the little details shine - missing front teeth, tiny fingers, and quick kisses!

My Family Lifestyle Documentary sessions are quick paced and playful. Make sure to wear something that you can move in comfortably. Sometimes you may feel intimated by an hour long session, but I promise… time flies when you are having fun!

Kids are often sad when it is over because they didn’t even realize how many pictures they were taking. It feels more like a playdate with the occasional posed picture.

I have a few more spots for Classic and Petite Family sessions this fall. I don’t book them through my website, just send me a message and we can find a time that fits your schedule. Life is busy… especially with kids!

Studio Simply You Mini Sessions

Oh hello there! It’s only been five years or so since my last blog post. This year, I’m devoting some time to working on the business side of my business and on the list is blogging! For those who don’t know me, I’m a lifestyle documentary photographer in West Chester, PA. My favorite moments are the in-between moments and I love to capture them for you. I believe in capturing emotions and “realness.” When you look back at your pictures years from now, I want you to think, “oh, that was so Sophie!” or remember the feeling of those little hands on your face when they turned your head to talk to you.

This year, we have had a lot of changes in our family. One exciting thing is that I opened a studio in the borough of West Chester! I have been in business over 11 years and have been looking for the perfect space for about 2 years. I finally found it! The before and after transformation of this space is amazing and I can’t wait to share it with all of you!

I have two different spaces in the studio. I have a living room area that is perfect for lifestyle headshots, branding sessions, and newborn sessions. I will continue to offer in-home newborn sessions, but sometimes it works out better for you to come to me - especially if you are in the middle of a move, construction, or just feel more comfortable doing your session in a studio. I can also do family sessions in this space.

I also have a room perfect for portrait photography. This September, I am offering Simply You Mini Sessions. These sessions are on a white backdrop highlighting your child's unique personality; remember your child exactly as they are! Sessions take place at my studio in the borough of West Chester, PA. The session is $249 plus tax and includes 3 digital images (you will choose from a gallery of 15+ images). You can always purchase additional images, albums, or prints through your gallery.

These timeless photos are perfect for updated portraits of your children and will truly capture how you see them right now.

You can book a session right here on my webpage. If you don’t see a time that works for you, let me know!

I have an Open House for my studio this Friday, September 19th from 4:30-6:30 pm if you would like to come by to check out the space and say hello! I’m offering a complementary headshot as well. I can’t wait to see everyone!

The M Family | One Year Session at Longwood Gardens, PA

This was my first session of 2017 and if this session indicates what is in store for me this year, I am so excited!!  We spent the morning at Longwood Gardens, and it was one of my most favorite sessions yet.  It was the perfect combination of lifestyle and documentary and I just loved meeting this family.  Little kids don't like to sit still for long and this location is perfect for that.  There is lots to explore and see and we don't have to "sit still" for more than a few seconds here and there.  I love exploring the children's garden with my clients... and my own two little ones! <3

The S Family | Tree Farm Storytelling Session West Chester, PA

As much as I love doing tree farm mini sessions, it doesn't come close to as much fun I have at a storytelling session :)  During this family lifestyle session with the S family, I documented them cutting down their Christmas tree!  We started the moment they hopped out of their car and ended with them packing the tree to go home.  We captured some lifestyle portraits along the way too.  This year, I will be offering two packages for Documentary Sessions: a half day "storytelling" session and a full "day in the life" session.  If you are interested in finding out more about these packages, feel free to send me an email or submit a question on my contact form :)

The H Family | In-home Lifestyle Session West Chester, PA

I spent a frigid November afternoon with the H family next to their cozy fire.  I love in-home sessions so much. They work so well for all ages... not just newborns.  When we initially were email about the session, Erin said that she wanted to have a session that captures a day in their regular life - no fancy clothes, no fancy posing.  It was wonderful and we captured so many great moments.

The O Family | Longwood Gardens Family Session

Longwood Gardens is my absolute favorite place to shoot in the winter.  It's always gorgeous and always changing so it never gets old.  You also can't beat the weather :)  I did a family session for the O family to document baby Prim's 6 month milestone.  We took plenty of family shots too and had fun doing a mix of posed, documentary, and more lifestyle photos.  Enjoy! 

Evelyn | Bryn Mawr, PA 6 Month Milestone Session

I did Evelyn's newborn session earlier in the year and I was so excited to see her again for her six month Milestone session!  I love documenting the first year because they grow so much and go through so many changes.  We did this session right at sunset and Evelyn was the happiest little girl.  It was fun to catch up with her big brother too :)

The A Family | Ridley Creek State Park Fall Session

We had a beautiful warm and sunny morning for the A family's session at Ridley Creek State Park.  When we scheduled the session I was not sure if there would be any leaves left on the trees (this was in early November) but we ended up finding some pretty foliage :) 

The A Family | Newtown Square, PA Lifestyle Family Photographer

I am vowing to never get behind on blogging again, but I will say, I love revisiting these fall sessions and I am finding new favorites for each session as I look through the galleries again :)  We had a beautiful night for the A family... perfect temperature (which was a nice surprise for November!) and a beautiful sunset.  I absolutely love working with this family.  I knew I could take them to this location and that they would be up for a little hike ;)  They totally go with the flow and give their kids endless love.  We captured lots of fun and lots of love.... which is always my favorite <3

The G Family | Bryn Mawr, PA Lifestyle Photographer

I met the G family at their home for a family lifestyle session.  They wanted to capture the kids playing and enjoying a Saturday morning together.  It was nice outside, so we were able to play outside for a bit too.  During my sessions, I don't stop shooting very often.  While we were getting ready to go outside, I was taking pictures of Mom putting on her daughter's shoes.  She said to me, "Why are you taking a picture of my mom tying my shoes?"  And I said, "Because one day, you will tie them on your own." <3

The T Family | Haverford, PA Family Session

I met up with the T family at Haverford College for a Family Lifestyle Session.  It was a beautiful night with perfect weather.  I especially loved some of the Mommy and Me shots we captured <3Little B sure was a snuggler with his mom but he loved flying high with his dad!

Lifestyle and Park Session | Ardmore, PA Lifestyle Photographer

I had a wonderful time last fall with the R family.  We started their session at home and took so pictures doing some of their favorite activities with their daughter: reading books, playing with their doll house, and being silly.  They also love going to the park, so after we finished up at home, we walked the park and I followed behind to capture them hanging out as a family.  I loved this session and I know they will love looking back at these images of their home and town when their daughter was young <3

The T Family | Ridley Creek State Park, PA

I am so behind on blogging my fall sessions and I've been eagerly waiting to get to this session.  I was so excited to work with the T family again.  I did A's newborn photos and it was incredible to see how much she has grown.  Valerie is an amazing local photographer (I can't get enough of her posed newborns!) and we spent a good bit of time deciding on the perfect location... we wanted lots of grasses and a gorgeous sunset.  Beautiful light was a top priority.  We ended up with a perfect night and I love the casual, lifestyle images we captured.  Their gallery was HUGE and it was so tough to pick my favorites to blog :)

Twins at Longwood! | Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA

I love that I get to work with this family multiple times each year.  This past fall, we met at Longwood Gardens and explored the conservatory.  It was a hot, humid day so the conservatory was a perfect spot for a session.  The girls were excited and we were able to get lots of fun, playful shots :)  Stay tuned, because the next week I did an extended family session with this family.  It's up next on the blog!

The S Family | Longwood Gardens - Kennett Square, PA

We were so lucky that we didn't have rain for this session!  We had Longwood Gardens to ourselves this morning and had a wonderful time being silly and exploring.  We even had an outfit change at the end to get into some of the cutest play clothes I've ever seen!  :)  I went to school with this mom and grew up in the same town, so it was fun to reconnect after all these years!  Her daughter was the cutest toddler and I loved her giggles!

Celebrating One... times two! | Fort Washington, PA Lifestyle Photographer

Our goal for this lifestyle/documentary session was to capture life at one!  Making it through the first year is something to celebrate - both for the baby and for the parents!  This sweet family wanted to remember what life was like with two one year olds running around because these ordinary, often simple moments are the ones that make life extraordinary.  I arrived and the twins were waking up from nap and we captured everything from bath time to dinner time.  I always like to include pets in my sessions... after all, they are family, too <3

Lifestyle Family Session | Ridley Creek State Park, PA

I had a wonderful time with this family and their sweet little girl.  We explored the park and tried to stay cool on a hot summer day!  She loves reading The Hungry Caterpillar so we took a break to read for a bit part way through the shoot.  It was so fun to wok with these three!