Another super fun session for a high schooler in the Orlando area who needed to update her headshots. We shared a lot of laughs shooting this session together! Haylie, I had so much fun working with you and congratulations on making Encore’s Dream Team!
Information for Children’s Portraits, Children’s Headshots and Senior Sessions can be found here.
I love creating timeless images that truly capture my client’s unique personality. I enjoy photographing Seniors because it is such an amazing time in their lives. A fun photo shoot is a great way for them to celebrate and remember this special milestone.
Together we will choose a location and wardrobe that fits their style and vibe. Whether it’s urban, the beach, or out in the woods, we can find a place to shoot that makes them feel great.
Here’s a peek into Maddie’s sweet session in the woods. Wishing her the best of luck on her next adventure - college!
Sessions for seniors are available year round. Get in touch here if you’d like to chat about a Senior Session.
I started off this family session photographing this sweet pair of sisters.
Sometimes when I’m shooting children it helps to hang out with them for a little bit first. It gives them time to warm up and it allows some time for me to gain their trust. Getting to know the kids really helps their personalities shine through in the photos. It also gives Mom and Dad a few minutes to relax ;)
I love when I get to include furry family members. It’s a lot easier to include pets when we are shooting at home :)
Love when I can convince Mom and Dad to get in a few frames together <3
10 years ago, my husband and I spent our honeymoon in Aruba. I still can’t believe that 10 years has passed us by so quickly! We thought it would be fun to go back and visit the island (this time with our kids) as we celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary back in December.
Our first trip was an escape to the beach during New York’s cold winter. Going back 10 years later (as Floridians) was a bit different. We’ve definitely been spoiled by the sunshine state and it almost felt silly to have traveled so far away when we have our own paradise so close to home.
I had high hopes of documenting our entire vacation from start to finish but quickly realized that was not only unrealistic but also impossible. Sometimes I’m sad when I miss opportunities to take photos when we are visiting new places and doing new things BUT I’ve learned that it’s always more enjoyable for everyone when I’m present in the moment too!
I relaxed, I had fun, and I only took a few pictures...but I’m okay with that :)
A few from #onehappyisland:
Right before the New Year I photographed the most amazing family at their home in Orlando. I have been dying to share their Documentary Family Session ever since! It’s always an honor being invited into someone’s home to photograph their family and there is something really special about capturing a family’s day without any posing or direction.
When Mom saw their family’s gallery she wrote: “Nicole, I am in tears!!! (The good kind) these pictures are BEAUTIFUL!! Oh my goodness, I can’t put into words how precious these pics are of our little family and home in this season! You captured our girl and our family so magically, so accurately! I cannot quit staring at them! These will absolutely be treasured, and I feel like you have managed to freeze time for us. Thank you, thank you, thank you! What a beautiful gift you have!”
Since having a family of my own, I realized that a family’s truth is more meaningful for me to capture than anything that I could style or orchestrate. I love when families trust in the process to just be themselves because it allows me to capture ordinary moments. If you’re anything like me, it’s the ordinary that holds so much significance. Like this Mom said, it’s like freezing time.
If you’re interested in a session like this for your own family click here to get in touch!
Family Photojournalism and Family Documentary Photography speak to my heart but it's really hard for me to put into words exactly why. I guess it's the rawness. It's the honesty. It's the nostalgia. It's the acceptance. Accepting life for what it is and making a tangible memory out of it.
I love that I'm growing a collection of images for my children of their childhood. After all, they're the reason I pick up my camera in the first place.
It's been awhile since I committed to a few hours of personal storytelling. I picked up my camera today and documented my morning. I've been dealing with some anxiety lately. Add in a bunch of cardiology appointments and tests that are leaving me feeling more and more anxious. It's a vicious cycle. Picking up my camera on a rainy morning was just the medicine that I needed.
I know that a lot of you are interested in this type of photography for your own family but have fears and reservations. I get that. I sometimes feel vulnerable taking or sharing certain photos too! I hope that as you get to more about me, you will feel a little more comfortable and maybe even brave enough to try out a Documentary Style Session for yourself. In the meantime, check back to see what else I'm brave enough to share over here on the blog ;)
These portrait sessions just for kids are so fun!
I hung out with this future heartbreaker for about an hour in Downtown Orlando.
How sweet is this kiddo?!?!
I really enjoy hanging out with these little ones and capturing their adorable faces and unique personalities!
If you're thinking about having portraits of your little one taken or need headshots don't be shy and say hello! I'd love to chat with you about an NAP Kids Session :)
My Lifestyle Sessions are perfect if you're looking to have casual, beautiful and fun photos taken of your family. I want everyone to have a stress free experience and enjoy having their photo taken in a way that truly represents their family.
I met this family over at Walt Disney's Amphitheater Bandshell in Downtown, Orlando. I gotta say, I love photographing family's at home or in sentimental places. This was a new and really fun location!
It's no wonder this couple has 3 beautiful girls. Mom and Dad were both hot stuff. How adorable are they?!?!
Their little munchkin gave us a bit of a run for our money but Mom and Dad played it totally cool. I loved her spunky toddler personality and I kinda think she stole the show with her cuteness!
I always feel so lucky when I meet such awesome families. Mom told me they were thrilled with every photo and I can't tell you how happy that made my Mama heart :)
My Lifestyle Sessions are available year round. If you're ready to update your family photo with some real smiles and lots of laughs get in touch! I'd love to hear from you :)
This month I joined the ladies of the 5 on 5 Documentary Blog Circle to share a set of photos from a regular day at home. Normally I discourage the kind of crazy that leads to couch cushions on the floor followed by leaps and jumps but every once in awhile I'll grab my camera instead of being the "fun police" ;)
These shots were taken and culled with my son in mind. He’s at this in-between stage in his life where he’s big enough to play rough but still very much a baby. I wanted to capture that along with the joy he experiences while playing with his favorite pal, his big sister.
I ran for my camera the moment I saw him tearing the couch cushions apart…
Then I waited for a moment where I could get in close enough to feel like I was a part of the action too.
Being sure to capture him among the pillows.
Rough landings and all!
When I realized that I was able to truly capture my children without posing or directing them it changed the entire way I approached photography.
Nothing extraordinary is happening in this set but it doesn't mean these moments aren't worth documenting. I've captured my son's authentic joy as he bonds with his big sister.
When I look back at the photos I've taken over the last two years I don't just see cheesing faces. I'm reminded of the toys that were loved, the games that were played, the clothes that were worn and the way life felt during that particular time. In the background I can see the slow transformation of our home as we continue to tackle projects big and small. For me, it's all about being able to look back and remember things just as they were. I'm so glad to have these photos for my kids and they already enjoy looking through the photos that I’ve taken of them.
Sharing next in this month's blog circle is Melissa Kayser, a St. Charles, MO documentary family photographer Head over and show her some love!
Thanks for stopping by!
Some of my favorite images are the in-between moments when everyone forgets they’re being photographed. It’s in these short moments that I am able to capture something honest and real.
When I began documenting my life at home and photographing my client's without direction there was a lot more honest and real being captured. I realized that those images were the ones that really made me feel something. Feeling something and connecting with my clients - that's what inspires me as an artist. For me, it has nothing to do with what happens when a family poses and smiles for the camera and everything to do with what happens when a family is living in the moment. That's what I want to capture.
As much as I'm shooting for my clients I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also shooting for myself. I shoot from my heart and not from a list of Pinterest poses.
I want to be in the moment with you and your family. I want your kids to be 100% themselves. I want to capture more than just what your family looked like but how you made each other feel...
Lisa, thank you for allowing me to do my thing while you and your family enjoyed hanging out together. There's nothing better than photographing families full of love, like yours.
Interested in a Lifestyle Family Session like the one above? I'd love to chat with you about these fun sessions that will capture your family honestly and beautifully. Click here to get in touch.