Rochester, NY Family Photographer | It has snowed about a foot and a half outside my window today. And it’s still coming down. Things are closed left and right. And earlier today, even if we wanted to leave our house, we wouldn’t have been able to because we were snowed in–there is no way we could’ve made it down our driveway.

Looking at these images reminds me of better days. I can close my eyes and remember our beach session with these two cuties and their parents. I can remember the waves creeping up to toes and the shrieking of laughter that pursued. I can feel the breeze of a warm summer night and see the glorious glow of the setting sun.  I can see hand holding and quilt cuddling and a pink hued sky lined with seagulls.

Here in Rochester, it’s not my favorite beach situation. The sun doesn’t set where I’d like it to–it sets over some beach houses. The sand isn’t clean and white. And there’s usually a bunch of gross guck lining the shores. But if you angle yourself right and find the good parts of the beach, it’s easy to ignore the ugly and see that happy moments can be made anywhere. You just need a little bit of love, a little bit of tickles and a little bit of silliness.

I adore this family. I’ve been photographing them since their first was just two years old. I see them every year, and I grow more fond of them each time. Their beautiful smiles and gorgeous little faces make photographing them so much fun for me. Capturing the essence of their family in their “here and now” is such a joy. I’m so honored to be called their “family photographer”–they are such a blessing to me!

Rochester, NY Family Photographer | Ontario Beach Park