Mother's Day Special!

Mother's Day is approaching fast, and booking a special Mother's Day photo session is the perfect way to honor Mom and Grandma this year! Create and capture lasting memories together, whether it's just Mom and Grandma with the kids or the whole family!

Have your session before Mother's Day, and have the stunning images ready for her special day, or give a gift of a session (gift cards are available, too!) on Mother's Day.

This session can be at your home or on location. We'll pick an activity or two to do during the hour, and also will capture some traditional portraits for you.

Book a One Hour Documentary Photo Session for $275 for up to eight people (additional people $25 each). This session pricing includes ten web resolution watermarked images and a beautiful matted 8x10 print (with mat 11x14) of your choice. More products are available for a la carte purchase. A non-refundable $100 deposit is due at booking.

Book by April 15th, and have your session by May 31st to secure this special pricing. Contact me at Stories of Joy Photography, and let's wow mom this year!

One March session available in Chesapeake, Virginia, and more availability in Vero Beach, Florida, and the surrounding areas.

Beach Sessions in Stuart, Florida!

I love our beaches in Vero Beach, but sometimes it is nice to go explore a new location. When a family suggested a beach in Stuart - about half way for both of us - I was happy to make the drive down.

This beach did not disappoint! The evening we were there the colors were breathtaking, and the rocks on the beach and in the water made a nice contrast. The boys loved climbing on them, too!

One of the boys got pretty wet within the first ten minutes of us being there, but that is the beauty of our documentary beach sessions - these sessions are relaxed, fun, and a show a glimpse into real life. This family will chuckle about the wet shirt, as they know that just shows his adventurous personality!

One thing that is always common to children and beaches: sand on their faces! I'm so glad we had a chance to take some beach portraits of the boys as well. Capturing the sand is a must!

During the One Hour Beach Session we spend a few minutes to get traditional portraits, and depending on how the kids co-operate we'll get more or less of them (wink). These boys were so fantastic! And very photogenic!

I have yet to have a family whose kids didn't love the play time on the beach where I concentrate on capturing special moments, fun action and the love that makes a family. There may be brief meltdowns, but that is a part of life, and often pictures of a child having a meltdown will end up being favorites in the family.

So for my southern Florida families (or anyone, really!), let me know if you're ready to book your One Hour Beach Session at one of the Stuart beaches! I have some availability before all the summer craziness.

You can read more about the beach sessions here, and this link will bring you to my contact page. Make sure to sign up for my newsletter for some extra joy and maybe even specials!

Vero Beach Beach Photo Sessions

Florida's gorgeous beaches provide a wonderful setting for your family photos! We have so many beautiful beaches to choose from in Vero Beach, Sebastian, Fort Pierce, and in the surrounding areas. 

The One Hour Beach Sessions are a mixture of traditional family portraits and relaxed lifestyle beach photos. My goal is for everyone to have fun, and feel at ease in this natural setting.

You get to spend time with your favorite people, with the addition of a new friend (me!) along to capture your fun beach trip.

You can read more about the One Hour Beach Sessions here.

Please contact me for more detailed information, and to book your family’s Beach Session!

A Disney Day in the Life - with Ni Hao Y'all

A DISNEY Day in the Life? What is that?

It is a Day in the Life Photo Session at Disney World! I join your family as you enjoy the park, and make photos of your special time together at this magical place.

If you are familiar with China adoptions, chances are you have found your way to the Ni Hao Y'all blog. I did, many years ago, and have truly been inspired by their family. Stefanie and her husband Chris have adopted from China nine times, and they have a total of thirteen children. Go ahead and bookmark their blog, it is a fantastic resource for China adoptions, and Stefanie writes so honestly about their life, their joys and challenges. The photos are swoon worthy, too!

Last month the Ni Hao Y'all family came to Florida with eleven of their children. Stefanie and I had already been talking about doing a Day in the Life Session together, and when they had plans to come to Disney, we decided to do a Disney Day in the Life instead, at Epcot. What fun!!

Here is a short movie of their day together - enjoy!

I am so excited to offer these Disney Day in the Life Sessions. When your family (finally) gets to go to Disney, the last thing you should worry about is making photos of your day. If waiting in line to get your posed shot, or poor quality ride snapshots aren't enough for you, you definitely want to find our more about A Disney Day in the Life. I have a few spots available in April and May, and you can also inquire about fall dates. 

Stay tuned for more information later. Or go ahead and send me a message!

A Day in the Life Session with the N Family!

About two weeks ago, I spent a special day with the N family. They are a very busy family with three fun children, and a much-loved dog Cheeto. Our Saturday together ended up being one of those wonderful, rare days with everyone home. 

It was so clear everyone loved being together. I was able to document family games, a walk/bike ride to a fishing pond, meals, and time at a campfire at the end of the day, listening to music. And all the in-between times, too. A hug, a kiss, a hand on cheek. Moments you don't want to forget.

And I caught a bunch of naughty moments. Actually, a few of them. Not all made it to the movie, but at least one did. (I just hope a certain someone didn't get in trouble after mom and dad saw this movie!). 

The thing is, we all want real, right? We might not know it at first, but raw and real is what we do want to remember. No one's life is perfect, no family is perfect, no children behave perfectly. And you do want to have blackmail material for later years, or entertainment for the wedding reception, yes? 

Enjoy this Day in The Life movie. It is about four minutes long.
(Make sure you have tissues nearby, even if you don't know the N family personally!)

If you're not familiar with Day in the Life Sessions, you'll want to read more here. Contact me for pricing and scheduling.  I would love to help you make a documentary of your life from right now.