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!

Studio Newborn Session - West Chester, PA

Newborn sessions in my studio are a great option if you are in the middle of a move or another option just works better for your family. We have plenty of space to bring the whole family and an area for the siblings to play and take breaks. My studio is in the heart of the West Chester borough so it’s perfect for a little time out of the house and little stroll this fall!

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!

Studio and Lifestyle Headshots West Chester, PA

Hello weekend! This was a long week. We have a full weekend of kid activities and sports. And I’ll be tracking all the weather apps to see how the rain will affect my weekend sessions!

I’m currently booking headshots in the studio and on location so if you need an updated look, let me know and I can help you find a time that works around your work schedule! 📸

Small Business Branding Photography in West Chester, PA

Fall is a hard season of life for me. It’s my most busy season and my health always takes a back seat. One of the best things I’ve ever done for myself is starting to weight train. It made the biggest difference in keeping my knees and joints healthy (family photography involves a lot of squatting and chasing toddlers).

Last fall, I broke my foot and ended up taking a (too) long break from lifting weights. I’m determined to get back to it and I’m doing the Kickstart Program by @fabfitbylw. Lauren is running a free 4 week program right now if you would like to join me! https://www.fabfitbylw.com

I worked on some branding photos for her business and we had so much fun! If you are a small business and need some branding shots done, let me know! I can do them on-location or in a studio setting… or both!

One of the hardest things about running a small business is keeping up with social media and marketing. I’m here to help you have photos right at your fingertips. From detail shots to headshots, I have you covered!

I’m working on updating my website with more of my branding work, so head on over and check it out!

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!

Rosa | Phoenixville, PA Newborn Photographer

It's rare that I meet siblings who are as infatuated with the newest addition as the parents are.  These sweet kids just adored their new little sister and were so genuinely sweet with her it just warmed your heart.  I truly enjoyed spending my Sunday morning with this family of five and capturing the things that meant so much to them <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 M Family | Extended Family Photography Session Phoenixville, PA

This was the second time I had the opportunity to work with the M family and both times we did extended family pictures.  It's so fun to include grandparents in the session and I love that we can still have a more casual lifestyle session.  This year, we decided to walk around Phoenixville and we ended up at Steel City to warm up at the end.  If you haven't ever stopped by there - it's worth checking out!  We had a great time being goofy while still giving lots of hugs <3 Thank you for choosing me to capture these memories, M family!

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.

Tree Farm Sessions Day 2 | West Chester, PA Family Photographer

We had our second day of Tree Farm Minis mid November and we had amazing weather.  It was so warm we were actually glowing ;)  I love doing these tree farm sessions and look forward to doing them every year!

Tree Farm Sessions Day 1 | Main Line Family Photographer

I did two days of tree farm sessions last year and they were so much fun!  A tree farm is a great, casual backdrop for Christmas cards and the kids always have so much fun.  We started mid day and I wrapped up right after sunset.  I can't wait to do these again this year :)

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 Newborn Session | West Chester, PA

I went to high school with Esther and we have keep in touch over social media for the last several years.  I was so excited to hear she was expecting her second baby and coming home to deliver him :)  After, I'm sure, what seemed like a whirlwind, he arrived safe and sound and we set up a newborn session over Labor Day weekend.  It was so good to see Esther again and meet her beautiful family.  I loved using the spaces they had in the home they were renting to create some of my very favorite black and white images <3

Zooey One Year | Longwood Gardens Family Photographer

As I sit here sipping hot tea and debating about plugging in my space heater, I thought it would be fun to look back at a session from August.  It was SO hot this day and the heat index was over 100.  These guys were such troopers and we embraced the heat, enjoyed the morning, and cooled off at the end in the children's garden.  I love working with this family each year!  They have been with me since I first opened and am so happy to have connected with them.  I've loved watching Dylan grow from a toddler into a preschooler, capturing Zooey when she first entered their family, and now her one year old pictures :) 

Vera One Year | Ridley Creek State Park Photographer

I've known Vera's mom since we were seven.  We did summer swimming together, went to school together, and now are moms together.  I am so thankful to have the opportunity to photograph my friends - new and old <3 I don't take that lightly.  I loved spending the afternoon at Ridley Creek State Park with these five (!) to capture some images for Vera's first birthday.  Vera adores her big siblings and always has her eye on them.  Pretty soon, she will be able to keep up with them too :)  Thank you for trusting me to capture these memories and fleeting moments for you!

Downtown West Chester | West Chester, PA Family Photographer

I absolutely loved this documentary family session.  We spent the morning walking around the borough of West Chester.  The Q family lived in West Chester when they met and it was fun to share some of their favorite spots with their soon to be one year old!  The brick sidewalks and beautiful town were a perfect backdrop for this session and I loved how it had a more urban feel.  At the end of our session, we stopped by D'Ascenzo's Gelato for N's first taste of gelato.  I think she loved it :)

The S Family | Longwood Gardens Family Photographer

I always love when I get to work with this family.  I went to high school with these cuties' parents and I am so honored that they have chosen me to capture these memories for them.  It's amazing how much their girls grow up between each session.  I've loved being a part of this chapter in their lives.  For this session, we explored Longwood Gardens early one morning.  The girls love going here so we made sure to find some new locations for them to explore.

Finn Newborn | Bryn Mawr, PA Newborn Photographer

It was a super cloudy day when I met Finn and his family back in May.  We spent most of the time in a bright downstairs bedroom, but we found a few pockets of light in other areas of the home too :)  Finn was alert during most of our session but was so calm and easy going.  I absolutely love these black and white conversions and the emotion they portray.  It was a great day for a relaxed, lifestyle newborn session!

Mommy and Me | Chester County, PA

I loved doing a few Mommy and Me sessions this spring so that moms could get in the picture.  It's easy to take pictures of your kids, but sometimes life is so busy that you have to make a point to get in the photos with your kids.  We had a fun time at this quick morning session and lucked out with some beautiful trees.