Family

As a photographer hailing from the picturesque landscapes of Maine, I’ve always been drawn to the beauty of different places, and one city that never fails to inspire me is Charleston, South Carolina. Known for its historic charm, vibrant culture, and timeless architecture, Charleston becomes even more enchanting during the holiday season. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit this captivating city to spend time with a dear friend, and I couldn’t resist the chance to capture its festive spirit through my lens.

A Holiday Haven in the Heart of Charleston

Downtown Charleston transforms into a holiday wonderland during this time of year, with its cobblestone streets adorned with twinkling lights, festively decorated storefronts, and the sweet sounds of carolers echoing through the air. From the iconic Rainbow Row to the majestic waterfront views along The Battery, every corner of the city is brimming with seasonal splendor, making it the perfect backdrop for a memorable photo session.

Embracing the Spirit of the Season

More than just a city of stunning architecture and scenic vistas, Charleston is a place where the spirit of the season truly comes alive. Whether it’s sipping hot cocoa by the fire at a cozy cafe or strolling hand in hand with loved ones beneath the glow of holiday lights, there’s a warmth and joy in the air that’s palpable. As a photographer, it’s these moments of genuine connection and shared laughter that I strive to capture—the fleeting yet precious glimpses of holiday magic that remind us of the beauty of this season.

From the quaint cobblestone streets to the majestic antebellum mansions, Charleston is a city steeped in history and brimming with beauty. And during the holiday season, that beauty takes on a whole new dimension, creating a magical backdrop for creating cherished memories with loved ones. As a Maine photographer who frequently travels to Charleston, South Carolina I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced the city’s holiday charm firsthand, and I can’t wait to return again soon to capture even more moments of magic through my lens.

Ask me about discounted photo sessions, wedding, and elopements in the Charleston, South Carolina area!

If I’m being honest, I haven’t met too many children that enjoy sitting still and smiling at the camera for 60 minutes. Who can blame them?! It’s perfectly normal for kiddos to be distracted or wanting to move around. Plus, they’re probably a bit skeptical of someone new trying to take their photo. This summer vacation family session in Acadia National Park was filled with lots of giggles and a little bribery. Maybe even some gross noises and silly jokes!

When the little ones aren’t loving the session, don’t sweat it too much. I don’t want you feeling or looking stressed because, I promise you, it happens!! Upon booking your session with me, I include a PDF to help you style and prepare for your portrait session. It includes tips and tricks that help our session go a little more smoothly. Here’s a few of my favorite things to keep in mind when it comes to little kids at family sessions:

1. If little ones are in tow, bring snacks! It helps to have a few treats like goldfish or fruit snacks on hand to keep them occupied or for bribery purposes!
2. Don’t sweat the small stuff! I work quickly to ensure the best possible results. Don’t worry about getting little ones to look at the camera. You just keep smiling at me, and I will handle the rest!
3. Expect to take breaks. With little ones, it’s common to need to stop and play. We will plan to let them stop and explore as the session goes on.

Honestly, just looking through these photos, you can see their silly personalities and all the fun that we had during our short time together! Enjoy this family session in Acadia on the blog today.

Celebrating 60 years on vacation in Bar Harbor. For Beth’s 60th birthday she wanted her gift to be a session with all of the family together during their vacation to Maine. Since they were all staying at the Bar Harbor Inn downtown, we did their extended family session around the property. The Bar Harbor Inn has so many beautiful spots to capture portraits, especially with the Shore Path wrapping around the front of the property.

Tips for Family Sessions

1. Don’t sweat the small stuff. The point of taking photos is being together and preserving memories. What counts is the closeness and bond you share. Perfection is not the goal!
2. Coordinate outfits. Matching is out, and coordinating is in! Find colors that complement each other and stick with a common theme.
3. Make the most of your session. If you have extended family in town (like this group), make the most of your photos and get as many combinations as possible.

As the kids get older, it’s always a challenge to get everyone together in the same place, coordinating, and on the same page. But since they were all together for her big birthday vacation, we made it happen! Check out the fun we had documenting three generations of love in this fun extended family session.

I hope you enjoyed this beautiful family photo session in Bar Harbor, Maine. I know it was a favorite of mine!

Looking for a family photographer? I’d love to capture this special season or momentous occasion in your life. See my recent family sessions on the blog. Contact me at the link below!

I didn’t think it was actually quite fall yet in Maine, but it felt like it to this southern fam. Our late summer temps in Bar Harbor were a bit cooler than expected. So just before their session, mom made a Target run for some warmer clothes and sweaters. That resulted in the perfect fall look for the upcoming months! I really enjoyed this fall family session at Sand Beach.

With four kiddos and two grandparents, it can sometimes be a bit of a job to get everyone looking and smiling at me at the same time. But holy moly, these guys made it easy! They were up for some playful fun at Sand Beach in Acadia. Because of this we were able to get lots of combinations of photos. Quick and painless..except for maybe the sand that was consumed by the little one.

Thinking about getting family portraits of your own? Here are my top three reasons why you should consider taking family portraits soon. First, it’s an opportunity to capture precious memories with your loved ones. As time passes and children grow up, having these images to look back on can be incredibly meaningful. Second, a family photo session can be a fun and bonding experience for everyone involved. It’s a chance to spend quality time together and create something special as a family. Finally, professional family photos can be a great way to update your home decor or share with friends and family. Overall, a family photo session can be a valuable investment in creating lasting memories and cherished keepsakes.

Enjoy these images from this sweet fall family session at Sand Beach!

A family session that feels like you. One that shows your family dynamics – the love, the silly, the unbreakable bonds. 

Every year on family vacation, the Fox family has photos done in the cool, new place that they are visiting. While they were here camping in Acadia, doing lots of hiking and outdoor activities, they decided to throw in their annual family photos. This year was a bit different for them though… 

Mom didn’t feel like battling with the kids to wear nice dress clothes that didn’t really feel like them. So instead, she very tastefully coordinated everyone in clothes that truly felt like them.

I couldn’t believe how much I loved this idea and the outcome. I’d just met these strangers, but I knew that their L.L. Beans jackets and hiking boots truly felt like them. They were comfortable in what they were wearing and it really solidified the Maine, camping, adventure vibes of their trip. 

Moral of the story, you don’t have to always follow a style guide – that’s really just there for suggestions and guidance. You should wear what makes you feel good and reflects this chapter that you’re living.

Related Post: Tips for Planning Your Family Vacation Session

My newborn sessions aren’t your typical posed and propped session that you mostly see on the internet. While I love seeing those photos so much, they are a whole different ball game when it comes to skill and studio space. So as a wedding photographer, when I am requested to take newborn photos, I typically come to your home for a lifestyle type of session! That could look like: lounging on the couch, cuddling on the bed, rocking the baby in the nursery, just your everyday type of things.

This session was extra special for me because the baby just so happened to be my nephew! As a first time auntie, and a photographer, I was of course getting in on this action. And now, almost a whole year later, we just did his first birthday photos (how?!) so I figured I should get this session on the blog. A year later and I am still so in love with these photos.. I know, I may be a little biased. You HAVE to see for yourself how precious his nursery is and his big (dog) brother Jesse, who couldn’t resist being in all of the photos too. 

I low-key squealed with excitement when I saw the Zimmerman family show up in these outfits. So many cute little details and accessories, yet still coordinating so perfectly!!! The weather, however, was not so perfect. There were off and on rain showers throughout the day, but this was the only day that our schedules lined up while they were vacationing in Bar Harbor. So, we waited out the rain a bit, and snuck in some INCREDIBLE family portraits in between rain showers. And it was soooo worth it. The fog and hazy sky made for some super cool photos on the rocky shoreline in Acadia National Park. This fam absolutely killed this session – check out their adorable outfits…oh, and the Bar Harbor Whale Watch boat appeared at just the right time to get in the back of a photo.

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