lifestyle + documentary photography
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! 📸
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!
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!
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
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 :)
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!
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.
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!
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 :)
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
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
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 :)
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!
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 :)
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.
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!
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.
I love, love, love sunset sessions. In addition to the gorgeous light, I just love that during these sessions, I can let kids be kids. They can stand (let's be honest...run!) any direction they want and face any direction and the light just works. I don't have to be as careful with lighting because I can get gorgeous images from any direction. I love mixing backlight, sidelight, and the unique shadows and warmth that this time of day gives. I end up with so many more natural moments and a few more cuddly ones too! Of course, sunset coincides with bedtime... but kids really do great. We play, we run, we are silly. They are outside in a new location and after a late nap and a good snack they forget all about sleeping to just have fun and explore.
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.
I met this family during my Christmas Tree Farm sessions last December. B didn't have a newborn session, but they still wanted to capture all things "baby" about him and photograph his adorable little nursery. So, we set up a lifestyle session once B was sitting comfortably (and since he's a mover and a shaker, he said, enough of this sitting business... I'm ready to crawl!). It was a lot of fun to see how much B has grown since December and capture little details about him and their life as a family of three :)
