Senior Pictures at Chautauqua Institution

Britta Johnson!

A day spent at Chautauqua Institution is always a good one. When I can add photography in to that day, it’s even better. Britta’s senior pictures at Chautauqua Institution were so much fun. The grounds of the institute offer endless nooks for photography, literally endless. The charm of this town is unrelenting! We had several different looks we wanted to fit in to Britta’s senior portrait session, so a location with so much variety was key.

We began the session in the Hall of Philosophy. This structure is used for gatherings of all kinds in a typical summer, I’ve even photographed a couple weddings here! This was the perfect spot at Chautauqua Institution for senior pictures of Britta in a couple of her dance costumes.

maple grove high school student dances in Hall of Philosophy during senior portrait photography session at Chautauqua Institution

From the Hall of Philosophy we ventured over to Alumni Hall, another beautiful piece of architecture perfect for senior portrait photography.

maple grove high school student smiles for photographer on steps of alumni hall during senior pictures at Chautauqua Institution
maple grove high school student smiles for photographer on steps of alumni hall during senior pictures at Chautauqua Institution
maple grove high school student smiles for photographer on steps of alumni hall during senior pictures at Chautauqua Institution
maple grove high school student smiles for photographer on steps of alumni hall during senior pictures at Chautauqua Institution

We had a lot of guests on this shoot all packed in to one car. Here is Britta with her sister Alli, who I photographed as a senior a couple years back! Alli is also conveniently a hair stylist so it was great having her “on set.”

maple grove high school student smiles poses for photographer with sister in back of car during senior portrait photography session at Chautauqua Institution
maple grove high school student smiles poses for photographer in garden with sister during senior pictures at Chautauqua Institution

Britta brought along her brand new puppy for the shoot as well. Isn’t this little lady ridiculous?! SO CUTE!!!

maple grove high school student smiles poses for photographer in garden with puppy during senior pictures at Chautauqua Institution

This puppy was the second puppy in a row to jump in on a senior portrait session, no complaints here. If you like puppys, you may want to take a look at this shoot next!

maple grove high school student smiles poses for photographer in garden during senior pictures at Chautauqua Institution

Besides being a dancer, Britta also loves soccer! We incorporated her school jersey into the session to pay tribute. Chautauqua Institution didn’t have goals set up in their field this year, but we still made the most of the open field.

maple grove high school student smiles poses for photographer while wearing jersey in soccer field during senior portrait photography session at Chautauqua Institution
maple grove high school student smiles poses for photographer while wearing jersey in soccer field during senior pictures at Chautauqua Institution
maple grove high school student smiles poses for photographer while wearing jersey in soccer field during senior pictures at Chautauqua Institution
maple grove student smiles in queen anne
maple grove student smiles in queen anne
maple grove student smiles in queen anne

Big thanks to Britta for being such an awesome model! Best of luck with senior year – and go Lady Dragons soccer!

If you or someone you know is looking for senior pictures at Chautauqua Institution or elsewhere in WNY, please reach out here!

WNY Senior Portrait Photography

Megan Fischer at Long Point State Park

Megan was the first of three Maple Grove High School seniors I got to photograph in the last couple weeks, and we are off to an amazing start. Megan loves the outdoors and nearby Lake Chautauqua, so Long Point State Park in Bemus Point, NY was the perfect location for her senior portrait photography session. Long Point has a variety of beautiful natural settings from the woods to the beach, making it a great location for senior portrait photography in WNY. We started the session with a casual look in one of the forest sections of the park. Megan’s adorable hat not only helped tame hair with the high winds, but made a perfect prop as well.

senior portrait photography of wny student at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
WNY senior smiles for photographer during portrait session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
WNY senior smiles for photographer during portrait session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY

The only request Megan had for her senior session was that her new puppy, Harley Quin, made a few cameos. You tell me there’s a puppy, I will INSIST the puppy makes cameos! Harley Quin is the cutest, softest little lady and already learning lots of fun tricks, as boarder collies do. I love her.

wny student plays with boarder collie dog during senior portrait photography session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
WNY senior and her boarder collie puppy dog smile for photographer during portrait session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
WNY senior smiles for photographer during portrait session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
wny student walks on path laughing during senior portrait photography session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
WNY senior smiles for photographer during portrait session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
WNY senior smiles for photographer during portrait session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
wny student smiles at camera during senior portrait photography session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
wny student stands on balcony of bath house during senior portrait photography session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
wny student stands on balcony of bath house during senior portrait photography session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY

Megan totally humored me with this next location. These are the steps of the Long Point Bath House that lead down to the beach. I loved the vintage green color and just had to take a few moody shots of Megan here. I could have worked solely in this bath house and had an amazing time, I’m sure!

wny student sits on steps of bath house during senior portrait photography session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
wny student walks on beach during senior portrait photography session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
WNY senior smiles for photographer during portrait session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
wny student plays with boarder collie puppy during senior portrait photography session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
student snuggles boarder collie dog during senior portrait photography session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
WNY senior smiles during portrait session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY
student fixes hair during senior portrait photography session at Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY

That’s all for this one! Thanks to Megan for being so easy to work with, and best of luck with senior year!

And if you’d like to see a bit more from one of Maple Grove’s finest seniors, check out this shoot!

If you know a WNY senior looking for portrait photography, please have them contact me here!

[…] a senior portrait session, no complaints here. If you like puppys, you may want to take a look at this shoot […]

[…] you just can’t get enough of these Maple Grove Seniors, check out this session with Tessa’s classmate, […]

Wedding Engagement Photography at Knox Farm

Amanda + Jeff

Amanda and Jeff picked one of my ALL TIME favorite locations in the Buffalo area for their wedding engagement photography portraits, Knox Farm State Park! Knox has such an amazing variety of locations for photography. From their golden fields to forest paths, stables, ponds and even a mansion, Knox Farm really has it all. And side note, if you’re planning a wedding there (like this one!), I happen to be on their approved vendors list! (: It seems no matter who I photograph here though, there’s always just a bit of magic in the air. This summer evening shoot with Amanda and Jeff was surely no different.

We began the engagement photography session with a spot Amanda had found while walking the property with their dog at Knox Farm. This Ivy covered wall made such a fun backdrop!

bride and groom stop to kiss while walking down tree lined road during wedding photography engagement portrait session at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY

From here we walked the various roads and paths through Knox Farm and found so many special little nooks for engagement photos.

bride and groom laugh and hold hands while walking down tree lined road during wedding photography engagement portrait session at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
bride and groom laugh during wedding photography engagement portrait session in field at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
bride and groom stand against fence in field during wedding photography engagement portrait session at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
couple looks at each other against old fence in field during wedding photography engagement portrait session at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY

This little nook sitting pretty in the good light caught my eye during a recent family photography session. I’m pretty sure I’ll be popping by here every time I shoot at Knox Farm moving forward!

engaged couple looks at each other during wedding photography engagement portrait session at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
bride and groom kiss during wedding photography engagement portrait session at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
bride and groom snuggle in forest during wedding photography engagement portrait session at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
bride and groom touch foreheads during wedding photography engagement portrait session at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
groom wraps arms around bride in field during wedding photography engagement portrait session at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
groom wraps arms around bride in field during wedding photography engagement portrait session at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
bride and groom slow dance between two trees at sunset groom wraps arms around bride in field during wedding photography engagement portrait session at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY

Many thanks to Amanda and Jeff for having me as their engagement and wedding photographer! It was such a blast wandering the grounds of Knox Farm with you two while arguing about whether or not Space Jam was a quotable movie. Amanda and Jeff are planning a wedding for next September at Hidden Valley Animal Adventure, one of the more unique wedding venues Western New York has to offer. I can’t wait to celebrate all over again in 2021!

I know, I know… you’re curious about what an Animal Adventure Wedding looks like, aren’t you? Pop on over to this blog post to see some highlights from Veronica and Rob’s rainy day wedding!

If you or someone you know is looking for engagement or wedding photography at Knox Farm, please reach out here!

Knox Farm Family Photography Near Buffalo, NY

Mindy Justin and (a Now Two Year Old!) Grace

Some familiar faces on this blog, Mindy, Justin and Grace, are back for more. Grace recently turned two and we commemorated the occasion with a family photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, NY, just outside Buffalo. This was actually the same location as Mindy and Justin’s engagement session many moons ago! I’ve just loved watching this family grow over the years. From a couple who were guests at a wedding and only dating at the time, to their engagement session, Mindy’s bachelorette party, the wedding, maternity photos, newborn photos and now one and two year old family photos, I’ve got to witness it all through my lens. Having these legacy clients over the years truly means so much.

We started our family portrait photography session the same way we did the engagement session – with a walk down this beautiful tree lined road in Knox Farm.

family walks on path during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo
baby smiles for photographer during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo
mom and dad swing child during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo
family smiles for photographer during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo
family snuggles during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo

Daddy got sweet kisses and mommy got a head butt. I saved that photo for their private collection… (:

baby kisses father during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo
parents and baby smile for photographer during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo
mom and baby laugh during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo
family holds hands while walking on path during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo
family holds hands while walking on path during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo
parents swing child during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo
father hugs daughter during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo

Grace is potty training and was ready to roll if the opportunity struck!

child carries poddy during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo
baby poses with stick during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo
baby stands with stick during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo

Another tradition for this family, Justin picked Mindy a flower during their engagement session as well <3

father gives daughter flower during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo

It’s always important to get a few photos as a couple too! As much as life changes and focus shifts once babies are born, capturing a couples relationship to one another is more important than ever. Grace will adore this picture of her parents some day, I’m sure. (:

mom and dad looking at each other smiling during family portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo
family laughing during portrait photography session at Knox Farm in East Aurora, a small town near Buffalo

Thanks as always to Mindy and Justin for inviting me to document their sweet little family!

If you or someone you know may be interested in a family photography portrait session at Knox Farm or elsewhere in the greater Buffalo area, please send them my way! You can find my contact info here!

Adirondack Mountains Wedding Vow Renewal

Lori, John, Wyatt & Doggos on Mount Jo

Back in 2016, I met a couple photographers from the Rochester area, Lori and her business partner Erin, at a photography conference in New England. It’s amazing to me how brief encounters such as this can magically transform in to standing on an Adirondack mountain top photographing a stunning and sweet wedding vow renewal years later. If there’s one thing I love about social media, it’s the way it keeps people connected. Facebook is still good for something these days! Lori and I could have easily crossed paths, never to hear from one another again. I’m so grateful that in this case, Lori and I linked up on social media. She saw my love of the ADK through my posts and thought I would be just the photographer for a special occasion such as this, and I’m so glad!

The original plan was to celebrate 10 years of Lori and John’s marriage back in May. They were planning small party in the Adirondack mountains that included a collection of their nearest and dearest. As you can imagine, plans changed as they do in 2020. Lori, John, their sweet 8 month old son Wyatt and two dogs decided to rent an Air BNB for a little retreat for themselves and find a quiet mountain top for their vow renewal instead. My job was simply to create a photo-journalistic collection of pictures of their family hiking together and the wedding vow exchange. Dream job!

We picked Mount Jo for our Adirondack mountain hike/wedding vow renewal primarily because the summit has gorgeous views of Heart Lake and the Adirondack High Peak Region, but doesn’t require a super strenuous or lengthy climb. Since we were traveling with a baby and two pups, this was important! Mount Jo is a great hike for climbers new to the ADK and for families as well!

Mount Jo, here we come!

trail signage on Mount Jo in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of New York

We chose the shorter, steeper way up and the longer, less steep route down, if anyone was curious. (:

family signs in at trail head for Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY

After signing in at the trailhead, off we went, scrambling up some classic Adirondack rocky terrain.

family climbs up rocks on Mount Jo trail during their photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
family hikes up Mount Jo during their photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
family hikes up Mount Jo during their photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY

Wardrobe change!

mom and dad change baby on top of Mount Jo during their photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY

These photos of Lori breast feeding Wyatt are just all time beauties. What a scene! And can we talk about the adorable hiking boots and dress combo? My kinda lady.

mom breastfeeds baby on top of Mount Jo during their photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
mom breastfeeds baby on top of Mount Jo during their photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
mom breastfeeds baby on top of Mount Jo during their photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
baby on top of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
baby on top of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY

Time for the wedding vow renewal exchange with the beautiful Adirondack Mountains standing tall in the background!

wedding vow renewal ceremony on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
wedding vow renewal on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
wedding vow renewal ceremony on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
wedding vow renewal ceremony on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
wedding vow renewal ceremony on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
wedding vow renewal ceremony on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
wedding vow renewal ceremony on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
wedding vow renewal ceremony on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
wedding vow renewal ceremony on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
wedding vow renewal ceremony on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
wedding vow renewal ceremony on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
wedding vow renewal ceremony on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
candid family portrait on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
candid family portrait on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
family portrait on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
feet during family portrait on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
dog on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
mom and baby family portrait on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY
dad and baby family portrait on summit of Mount Jo during photojournalistic family photography session in the Adirondack High Peaks Region of NY

Back down we go!

Big thanks to Lori and John for inviting me along on this special mountain climb! So glad I could be part of this Adirondack wedding vow renewal in one of my all time favorite places. What a treat!

If you or someone you know is thinking about renewing their vows, or just looking for a fun family photo shoot like this, please have them contact me!