Schmidt Family Mini Session at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, FL

It's always a joy to welcome back the Schmidt family for another mini photo session. This time, I had the pleasure of capturing Timothy, Sarahi, their enthusiastic son Elijah at Riverside Park. Timothy's mom was also able to join us! Here are a few of our amazing photos:

The most heartwarming aspect of being a family photographer is witnessing the growth of little ones like Elijah. Each session with the Schmidts offers a new chapter in their family story, and it's been incredible to see Elijah transform over the years. He’s still as cute as a button!

This year, the Schmidts chose a chic yet comfortable style: neutral whites and creams with tasteful blue accents. Their outfits perfectly complemented the natural backdrop of Riverside Park, adding an elegant yet cozy feel to the photos.

I personally adore Riverside Park for its lush greenery and majestic oak trees. It’s a haven for children like Elijah, who revel in climbing the sturdy oak limbs and balancing on the entwined roots. The park's natural charm always adds a playful and spirited vibe to our sessions.

There’s also a pretty impressive playground here for the kids to burn off some steam after the photoshoot. And if the oak trees aren’t your vibe, there’s also a gazebo with scenic views of the river.

From candid moments to loving embraces, this mini session was brimming with fun and affection. Whether we were chasing the light through the leaves or capturing quiet moments of family bonding, every snapshot tells a story of joy and togetherness.

A heartfelt thanks to the Schmidt family for once again choosing me to document these precious moments. It’s a privilege to be a part of your family's journey and to help preserve these memories for years to come.

Kross Family Mini Session at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, FL

My recent mini session with the Kross Family at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, FL, was a blast! The Krosses, who are repeat clients and now friends, were such a joy to photograph during my November mini sessions.

We went to Riverside Park, which has stunning views of the Indian River. The park’s diverse scenery, from waterfronts to the grove of oak trees, offered a bunch of opportunities to capture the spirit of the Kross family.

Amanda Brooke and Dan, along with their three wonderful kids, Preston, Logan, and Eva, arrived with their usual infectious enthusiasm. Having worked with them before, I know how much they look forward to photo shoots, and it’s always a pleasure to see them.

Some of the Kross kids are also homeschooled, just like my kiddos. It was so cool to have that in common! To highlight each one, we took some stunning portraits.

Mini sessions go pretty fast, so we had a lot to do in the span of about 15 minutes. Luckily, my daughter Abby took up her camera and joined us for the session. She took some awesome photos! Logan was totally hamming it up for her.

One of the boys had a broken arm, so we had to be creative with our poses so that he was comfortable. Fortunately, he had no trouble goofing off with his siblings!

Despite this minor setback, we were able to capture all sorts of photos that highlighted this family’s togetherness, rather than the injury.

I’d say that we hit the nail on the head! I love how this gallery turned out, and I know they’ll be perfect for social media, printing, and gifting. Amanda Brooke is going to have a hard time choosing which to print!

This mini session with the Kross family was a celebration of family, nature, and the simple joys of life. Their cooperative spirit, combined with the stunning setting of Riverside Park, resulted in photographs that they will treasure for years to come.

I'm so grateful to the Kross family for participating in my mini sessions and for allowing me the honor of capturing these precious moments. Thanks so much for choosing me as your family photographer!

Extended Family Mini Session with the Gomez Family

My November Mini Sessions at Riverside Park was an absolute blast! What made it even better was that I got to photograph the Gomez family again. They are amazing long-time clients who have done practically every kind of session I offer, from Disney sessions to the Baby Program. Here are some amazing photos from this session!

The Gomez family was joined by Daniel's parents and Alex's mom. It was so much fun to meet them and watch them interact with all of the grandkids!

Personally, I don’t recommend squeezing an entire extended family session into one mini-session time slot. Especially when you have little ones, it can be a challenge to capture winning shots of everyone if there are too many people.

Fortunately, the Gomez family had the foresight to book two slots back-to-back, so we had more than enough time. Plus, everyone came ready to smile, so major wins all around!

Everyone loved the large oaks at Riverside Park in Vero Beach. These trees are always a winner. The kids love to climb all over them, which makes for some amazing photographs. The paths are also very walkable, so no one had trouble.

What stood out the most during this session was the family’s effortless cooperation. I’ve done so many photo sessions with them that it’s definitely not their first rodeo, but everyone did their best to get along.

The Gomez family really trusted me to help them document their precious memories together, and I’d say we definitely hit it out of the park!

From Daniel's infectious laughter to Alex's warm smile and the playful antics of the children, every member contributed to the session's success. Their easy ability to follow directions and their openness to creative ideas made the process smooth and enjoyable.

I know that this gallery will have a special place in the hearts of the Gomez family, especially since the grandparents were able to join in. As a photographer, there is no greater honor than to be trusted with capturing such significant life moments. Thanks for choosing me as your family photographer!

Beach Mini Session with the Carkovic Family

On a glorious day in October, the Carkovic family joined me for my Beach Mini Sessions at Riomar Beach in Vero Beach. I absolutely loved seeing them again! Their vibrant energy and deep familial bond, made this experience truly unforgettable. Here are some of the stunning images!

Erin and Alekos are the pillars of this lovely family. While Alekos is flying across the country as a pilot, Erin holds down the fort and homeschools the kiddos. They have three: Ace, Calix, and little Matilda (fondly called Tilly).

I can’t thank the Carkovics enough that they’ve trusted me to document their family on numerous occasions. From a Year in the Life to Tilly’s adorable Baby Program sessions, I’ve also had the pleasure of taking so many mini sessions for them. It’s always a blast!

This time, we went to the shores of Riomar Beach, which was the perfect place to show off the amazing bond of this family. The sand, water, and sky always hold so much opportunity.

With its vast, open spaces, the beach can often be a challenge with young children. However, Erin kept the little ones engaged and relatively "contained." She brought along baskets that not only added a whimsical element to the photos but also served as a playful distraction for Ace, Calix, and Tilly. Genius!

Mini sessions last only 15 minutes, so we had to work fast to capture all of the memories that Erin wanted. It can be pretty tricky to work on a time crunch with young kiddos, but we managed to get some really sweet shots along the way.

As I clicked away, we focused on bringing their connection to life. After a couple of quick portraits, we hit the sand to make some waves.

I live for the candid moments. This family was so full of impromptu laughter and playful chases along the water's edge. These are the moments where true love shines through, turning a photograph into a treasure trove of memories.

As the session drew to a close, I felt a profound sense of gratitude for being able to capture these fleeting moments for the Carkovic family. The Carkovics are a reminder that family isn’t just an important thing, it’s everything.

In the end, we walked away with a collection of beautiful, vibrant photographs that encapsulated the essence of the Carkovic family. And as their photographer and friend, I am honored to be a part of their journey.

Family Session with the T Family at McKee Botanical Gardens

There are few things more rewarding than documenting a family's journey over a period of time, capturing their growth and changes through my lens. This session with the T Family at McKee Botanical Gardens continued their story.

I originally met the T Family through a referral, but have now had the pleasure of photographing several sessions for them! It’s always great to see them, and I’m always amazed at how much the kids have grown.

We went to the McKee Botanical Gardens, which is full of enchanting landscapes and a diverse collection of plants. It’s so healing to come here and enjoy all of the greenery. I know that the T Family felt the same.

Photographing at McKee Botanical Gardens comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. The garden closes early, so we had to work within a time frame that ensured we captured the best light.

Shooting in bright sunlight can be tricky, but my previous experience at McKee Gardens gave me the advantage of knowing exactly where to find beautiful shaded areas that offered interesting backgrounds for close-up portraits. These spots provided a soft, diffused light that highlighted the family's features beautifully.

For wider shots, we embraced the full sun, using it to our advantage to capture the family against the stunning, vivid backdrop of the gardens. The bright, natural light brought a lively and vibrant feel to these photos, complementing the family's energy and the lush greenery surrounding them.

Unfortunately, one of the kids wasn't feeling her best today. Family photo sessions can sometimes be unpredictable, especially with young children involved.

However, the parents navigated the situation with kindness and grace, ensuring that their child felt comfortable and cared for. This empathy and care allowed us to slowly but surely draw her into the session, which allowed us to capture some truly fantastic shots for the final gallery.

Navigating the gardens and dodging other visitors was part of the adventure. Having shot here before, I was familiar with the more secluded spots, allowing us to have intimate moments without the interruption of passersby. This familiarity with the location enabled me to focus on creating a relaxed and enjoyable experience for the T Family.

As their family photographer, I am honored to be part of these precious moments and look forward to many more sessions with them in the future. Thanks for choosing me for your family photos, T Family!