Studio Simply You Mini Sessions

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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!

Zooey One Year | Longwood Gardens Family Photographer

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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 :) 

Downtown West Chester | West Chester, PA Family Photographer

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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 :)

This is us | Family Documentary Photographer West Chester, PA

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I recently joined a "This is Us" blog circle and I'm excited to share bits and pieces of our family life here on this blog.  I fell in love with photography soon after my first daughter was born.  I loved watching my family grow and capturing the little "stories" and milestones along the way.  Lately, I've been getting so caught up in everything that needs to get done each day, that I've been picking up my camera less and less.  I sometimes forget that this is where my passion lies. 

On the Thursday after Easter, Leah remembered that we never actually dyed Easter eggs.  We had a kit and lots of eggs, so during Sophie's nap, we had some fun.  Now, clearly, this is not all of "us."  In fact, it's just one of "us."  :) But it's a start!  It was fun to do a little documentary photography session in my own home and I'm hoping this project inspires me to start capturing more pictures of all of us... doing the things we love to do together. 

Up next is Elaina B. Photography.  I am always inspired by her photography.  I love her rich tones and the way her lighting always draws you right to the subject.  I hope you enjoy Elaina's posts as much as I do :)

The photographs that are close to my heart are ones that happen between posed portraits. These ordinary moments are the ones that make life extraordinary.

I’d love to hear from you if you are in the Chester County or Main Line area and looking for a lifestyle newborn, child, or family photographer.  I would be honored to capture these fleeting moments for you and your family. 

Tree Farm Mini Sessions | Chester County & Main Line PA

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Now that Christmas is over and cards are out, I wanted to share some more of my favorite pictures from the Tree Farm Mini Sessions that I held at the end of November. I had SO much fun doing these and hope to start doing them annually. Here is part one and I'll share part two tomorrow!

The B Family | Malvern Family Photographer

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I had so much fun working with this family at the end of the fall season. It was a windy day and pretty cold in the shade. These kids were troopers though and we even found some leaves to play in at the end!

Extended Family Session | Chester County PA Lifestyle Family Photographer

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I met up with the M family a few weeks ago at their family farm.  We took a few extended family group shots (which we are keeping as a surprise!) and then had fun exploring and taking some more family photos along the way.  We really lucked out with a perfect evening and fun kids!

The S Family | Chester County Family Photographer

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I had the best time working with these three the other day! It's always nerve wracking when you photograph another photographer, but Jeni was a natural and so easy going. I was honored to be able to capture some family pictures for her so she could be in the photo with her (super fun!) son.

The S Family | Phoenixville Lifestyle Photographer

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I  always have the best time working with this family!  A and E really keep me on my toes and keep the energy flowing.  I always think that leads to the best pictures though... and it definitely lets their personalities shine through.  After rescheduling for rain, we couldn't have picked a more beautiful night.  It worked out perfectly. I'm so happy I get to capture these girls as they grow!

Family Lifestyle Session | Chester County Photographer at Ridley Creek State Park

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I'm an over-sharer by nature, but especially when it comes to photos of babies and children.  I really can't narrow them down! Each little moment in time is my favorite... until I see the next one.  I overshare because what if that was the day the "clapping" phase ended?  Or the last day they only had a couple of teeth?  Or the last time they did the scrunched-nose-smile?  I always have to remind myself that the nights may be... well… l o n g.  But, babyhood is fleeting. Happy birthday, sweet O.  I can't believe you have one year under your belt already!

Ridley Creek Maternity Session | Chester County Photographer

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I had so much fun spending the morning with this soon to be family of four!  They were seriously the coolest family (is it still cool to say "cool"? lol).  I love working with young kids, letting them lead the way, and capturing moments as they explore new places.  I sent this gallery off over the weekend and I received the sweetest, most thoughtful thank you note from mom.  It seriously made my week.  I'm so happy she loved the images as much as I enjoyed working with them!

Henry is 6 months! | Main Line Baby and Family Photographer

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I had such a wonderful time with this family a couple weeks ago as we celebrated H's 6 month milestone!

Baby N | Philadelphia Newborn Lifestyle Photographer

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I spent a wonderful morning with this new family of three a couple of weeks ago! Mom and Dad were so full of love for this sweet little guy.

The M Family | Chester County Lifestyle Family Photographer

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I've known Leslie for a long time and was so excited when she touched base about taking photos of her family. I loved exploring Longwood Gardens with her family and meeting her two adorable kids!

Fun at the park! | Chester County Lifestyle Photographer

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I had SO much fun chasing (yes, chasing!) around these two little ladies at Kerr Park a couple weeks ago! I loved documenting everything about their 2's while they giggled, climbed, and shared lots of hugs.

Father's Day Storytelling Special | West Chester, PA and Main Line Family Photographer

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Father's Day is sneaking up on us! Celebrate the favorite dads in your life with a Storytelling Session. I'd love to capture the moments they love best. It could be a game of catch, a Home Depot outing, or just hanging out and playing with some favorite super heroes! If you book a Daddy & Me Storytelling Session between now and Father's Day, you'll get two free 5x7's included in your package!

Muffin Baking! | storytelling

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I know many of you may be wondering, what exactly is a storytelling session? And, what would the images look like? Well, each session will be different, but I wanted to share a lot of images from a recent session so you'd have a better idea of the type of images you'd see in a gallery. I had SO much fun with the B family while they baked muffins with their mom and grandparents. At one point, they realized they were out of apple juice, so mom imporvised and that was probably everyone's favorite part. "Real life" moments are definitely my favorite ones to capture and share!

Storytelling Sessions | Chester County Lifestyle Photographer

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I fell in love with photography soon after my first daughter was born. I spent hours upon hours reading about photography during late night nursing sessions and spent my days practicing what I learned so I could get the perfect portrait of my daughter. It wasn’t long before I realized that my favorite images were the ones captured between the posed portraits. I love looking back at the pictures of my daughter’s tiny hands stacking her alphabet blocks or holding our favorite books. I love seeing her sweet eyes peeking through the holes in the laundry basket that I’ve had since college. And I love reminiscing when I see her tiny feet from the day she crawled into her toddler bed for the first time. For me, photographs mean so much more when there is context and memories associated with them. I’ve always loved looking back at the pictures my parents took of us when we were growing up. I especially love all of the details: the linoleum kitchen floors we roller skated on, the pink living room couch we sat on while we waited for the bus on rainy days, the wooden rolling pin that my mom has always used to make sugar cookies.

As much as we take photographs for our own personal memories, we also take them for our children to look back at years from now. Their favorite images will be the ones that stir up memories of their childhood: ordinary moments from everyday life. For me, these ordinary, often simple moments are the ones that make life extraordinary.

I want to capture these moments for you and your family so you can share them for generations to come. In my Storytelling Sessions, I’ll capture a glimpse of your favorite family activities: baking cookies, playing dress-up, planting flowers, getting ice cream, bedtime stories, bath time, playing at the park, a game of catch, potty training, folding laundry for the baby-to-be, riding bikes, eating finger food for the first time… you name it! I would be honored to capture these fleeting moments for you and your family.

Please contact me for more information on these special sessions!

The R Family Maternity | Chester County Lifestyle Maternity Photographer

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I recently had the honor of photographing my friend, Autumn, and her growing family of three.  Autumn was also due with her second baby this spring, so it was fun to swap photography sessions with each other!  Autumn and her family were just glowing and it was fun to capture such genuine smiles and their love for this sweet baby boy (though, it was even more fun to meet him yesterday to take his newborn photos!!). I want to give a special thank you to Gardners Landscape Nursery for letting us use their beautiful greenhouse on such a bitterly cold Februrary morning!