Extended Family Session at Riverside Park

Extended family gatherings are super rare. They’re chaotic and fun, and full of smiles and laughter that should not be missed! That’s one reason why Valerie hired me to document her and her loved ones for a stunning extended family session. Here are some of the best pics from our gallery!

The M Family came together from many distances and time zones, and it was such an honor to be there for them. Knowing the rarity of such gatherings, they recognized the importance of preserving these fleeting moments, thus inviting me, as a photographer, to document their reunion.

Valerie had rented a gorgeous beach house for the occasion and originally wanted photos of everyone on the beach. Unfortunately, our plans for a beach photoshoot encountered an unforeseen hurdle. The beach was engulfed in gusty winds, rendering it nearly impossible to capture the envisioned moments amid the blowing sand.

However, the M Family had so much flexibility and understanding. They swiftly adapt to the situation without losing an ounce of their enthusiasm. We quickly pivoted our location to Riverside Park.

The wind was still pretty strong at Riverside Park, but the M Family's spirit remained unwavering. We all smiled and laughed as the family effortlessly created some golden memories.

One thing I absolutely love about this session is the family’s outfits. They all look stunning together in shades of blue and olive green. Excellent job, M Family!

The kids were by far the cutest part of this session. It was so much fun watching them discover the Spanish moss! It hung in romantic clumps from the branches of the live oaks, and they loved it!

I’m so thrilled that these timeless snapshots will adorn the walls of their homes. They also plan to share these photographs with friends and family. So special!

I have to say, though. Grandma and Grandpa gave the kiddos a run for their money. My cuteness meter is going through the roof!

In essence, the M Family's extended session was a blast. Their unwavering positivity, adaptability, and genuine affection for each other really made this extended family session special. Thanks so much for choosing me as your photographer!

Holzman Family Mini Session at Riverside Park in Vero Beach

My Riverside Park mini sessions in Vero Beach were a smash hit! I’m thrilled to share with you the next family to participate: the Holzman family!

We had so much fun during their family mini session. They are a vibrant family with three energetic boys: Jett, Reed, and Tripp. Their parents, Brianna and Zach, were eager to capture some special memories of their growing family.

One of the best things about a family mini session is that it is short and sweet. With busy schedules and active children, it can be difficult to find the time for a longer photography session.

But with a mini session, you can still capture beautiful, high-quality photos in a shorter amount of time. This is especially helpful when working with young children who may not have the patience for a longer session.

The Holzman family was a great example of this. Their boys were full of energy and kept me on my toes throughout the session. But with their parents' help, we were able to capture some truly special moments.

Jett, the oldest, was a natural in front of the camera and had no trouble posing and smiling for the camera. Reed, on the other hand, was a bit shy at first but quickly warmed up to the camera and even gave us some adorable "cheese" shots.

Of course, no family mini session would be complete without some photos of the entire family together. The Holzmans were all smiles as we captured some beautiful family shots that they will surely treasure for years to come.

And let's not forget the newest addition to their family - little Tripp. As a newborn, Tripp was a bit more challenging to photograph. But with the patience and expertise of Vero Beach photography, we were able to capture some truly precious shots of this sweet little boy.

At the end of the session, the Holzmans were so happy with the results. They plan to use their photos for prints and for sharing on social media. And as a photographer, there's nothing more satisfying than knowing that I've helped a family create lasting memories.

If you're considering a family mini session, let me know! With a focus on fun, flexibility, and high-quality results, you can trust Stories of Joy to capture your family's special moments in a way that you'll treasure for years to come.

Lucas Family Mini Session Under the Oaks at Riverside Park

The Lucas Family are third year repeat clients. Yeah, you heard that right! I’ve photographed their lovely family for three whole years in a row, and I’ve loved having them in my mini sessions every time.

We’ve done everything from vintage truck mini sessions to beach sessions. They join me for a different one every year, so their family gallery has a great amount of variety. I love it!

This year, we went out to Riverside Park in Vero Beach, FL for a fantastic family mini session under the oaks. This is one of my favorite locations near Vero Beach because of the visual interest of the oaks. It never fails to dazzle!

Michele and Paul have two beautiful daughters. Maddy is now thirteen years old, and Julia is ten. It’s been so much fun to see them grow up into beautiful young ladies!

One huge benefit to booking the same photographer is that your kids will know exactly what to expect throughout the process. I’ve watched Maddy and Julia grow from shy to confident in front of the camera, and it sure helps to be a familiar face to them!

Since Michele expressed a desire for some individual shots of each person, I wanted to make sure that we featured solo portraits of each family member. We also made sure to snap group shots, some of mom and dad together, and a few of the girls!

Myla is their two year old dog. This cutie pie joined their family right before our first photo shoot together, and she’s been a proud part of the family ever since.

Mom and Dad weren’t the only ones to get some sugar! As an energetic puppy, Myla makes photo sessions so much fun. She never fails to bring the smiles and laughs.

Michele and Paul are looking forward to sharing their new photos with friends and family as gifts. I can’t think of a better way to bring your loved ones close when they live so far away!

Thanks so much, Michele and Paul, for joining me for the third year in a row! I appreciate your support of my small business, and I can’t wait to see what kinds of sessions we do next year!

Rinchack Family Session at Riverside Park

This family session with the Rinchack family was out of this world! On the day of the shoot, I couldn’t wait to get back out underneath the oaks of Riverside Park in Vero Beach, Florida. Since I have already done a mini session with them, we were well-acquainted.

This time, they booked me for a full session, so we had a whole hour to get the shots we wanted. It was amazing since we had so many people to capture!

Cassie and Jay brought the whole family together. First, Brandon and his wife Morgan. Then Taylor, her boyfriend Tyler, and their one-year-old son Brooks. Then the teens, Collin and Caleb. And last but not least, the little ones, Jayvon, who is seven years old, Aiden who is six, Logan who is five, Kaia who is four, and Baby Jaylynn, who is just three months old!

As you can imagine, we had our work cut out for us. Luckily, Cassie took the reigns and coordinated everyone, which was by far the most difficult job. With the two of us working together, Cassie and I went down the shot list to ensure that the family had all the photos they wanted.

The session began with a few family shots, with the parents and all the kids together. It was great! Between the glorious oaks, the Spanish moss, and the close-knit bond of the family, it was impossible to take a bad photo.

The older “kids” were great at following instructions and prompts, while the younger ones took some time to warm up. But with a little coaxing and some silly faces from me, we were able to get some adorable shots of the little ones too.

One of my favorite moments of the session was when we did group shots of the whole family under the beautiful oak trees. The kids and teens couldn’t resist the tempting limbs and happily climbed up. The moment was enchanting, with the light simply perfect. We were blown away!

If you’re trying to decide where to go for your next session, I can’t recommend Riverside Park enough. It’s one of the best settings for a family photo session in the area! The charming trees and walkways are so refreshing to the soul. The family smiled and laughed, relaxed in such a fantastic environment.

Needless to say, this was an amazing photo session. The Rinchack Family was so easy to work with, and it was an absolute pleasure to capture these memories for them.

I know that they will treasure these photos for years to come, especially as more of their children grow up and become adults. It was such a blessing to help create lasting memories for them!