Aug 25 2020

Senior Portrait Photography in WNY

Tessa Mozzi’s Senior Portraits at Long Point State Park and in Bemus Point, NY

The third and final Maple Grove Senior for this week was Ms. Tessa Mozzi! Tessa loves all things related to the water and the outdoors – this seems a common theme among seniors from Bemus Point. Having a hometown on a lake tends to shape people that way. We started our senior portrait photography session at Long Point State Park, a beautiful park featuring woods and a beach, right on Lake Chautauqua in WNY.

This specific location was at the request of Tessa and her mom. They found this little bridge while biking through the woods and thought it would be the perfect spot for some senior portraits. And it was!

tessa smiles while leaning on bridge during senior portrait photography session in Long Point State Park in WNY
Tessa looks over shoulder in woods during senior portrait photography session in Long Point State Park in WNY
Tessa laughs on bridge during senior portrait photography session in Long Point State Park in WNY
Tessa smiles over shoulder in woods during senior portrait photography session in Long Point State Park in WNY
Tessa laughs while sitting on log in forest during senior portrait photography session in Long Point State Park in WNY
Tessa pretends to be a troll under bridge during senior portrait photography session in Long Point State Park in WNY

This next spot was another location picked out by Tess and her mom! Its actually a boat museum called the Lawson Center. The giant buoy was the draw, and the rest was just a bonus <3. This dock is centrally located right in downtown Bemus Point on Lake Chautauqua too. This area of WNY really has so many great locations for senior portrait photography!

Tessa sits on dock on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY, during her senior portrait photography session in WNY

Our last stop for this senior portrait photography session was actually home sweet home for Tessa. Their charming family home had quaint gardens, porches, etc. that made beautiful, and more importantly PERSONAL, backdrops for our portraits.

Tessa smiles for photographer in garden during her senior portrait photography session in WNY

Let’s all take a quick pause to appreciate Tessa’s fabulous shoes.

Tessa sits on deck steps during her senior portrait photography session in WNY
Tessa smiles for photographer on front porch steps during her senior portrait photography session in WNY

I love the kitty inspecting from the bottom right. <3

Tessa smiles for photographer on front porch steps while cat looks on during her senior portrait photography session in WNY
Tessa smiles for photographer on front porch steps during her senior portrait photography session in WNY

A chair, good light and a row of hedges. The simplest things in life are often the best.

Tessa sits on vintage chair in yard during senior portrait photography session near Buffalo, NY
Tessa sits on vintage chair in yard during senior portrait photography session near Buffalo, NY
Tessa sits on vintage chair in yard during senior portrait photography session near Buffalo, NY
Tessa in sunset golden hour light in front yard during senior portrait photography session near Buffalo, NY

Last but not least, some gorgeous late day golden hour light, right from the living room sofa.

Tessa in sunset golden hour light in on couch in living room during senior portrait photography session near Buffalo, NY

Congrats on senior year Tessa, hope it’s a memorable one!

If you just can’t get enough of these Maple Grove Seniors, check out this session with Tessa’s classmate, Megan!

And if you or someone you know is looking for a senior portrait photography session here in WNY, please have them reach out here!

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Aug 21 2020

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!

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Aug 20 2020

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!

COMMENT
Senior Pictures at Chautauqua Institution » Photographer & Photojournalist – Buffalo, NY – Weddings, Portraits, Brand - August 21, 2020 - 1:48 pm

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

Senior Portrait Photography in WNY » Photographer & Photojournalist – Buffalo, NY – Weddings, Portraits, Brand - August 26, 2020 - 8:31 am

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

Aug 18 2020

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!

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Aug 14 2020

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!

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