Tips to Use When Scoping Out a Photographer | Orlando Newborn and Family Photographer

I've been thinking recently about what factors are important for clients when they are looking for the best photographer for them and their family, and I have some information I'd like to share.

First off, I'd recommend looking at their website and social media channels, and seeing what genres they specialize in. Photography is not always a catch all. A newborn photographer may not make a great wedding photographer and someone who focuses on posed newborns (think baby in a basket) may not have that eye for in-home lifestyle work (and vice versa). A photographer who is wonderful with rowdy toddlers may struggle posing teenagers. I specialize in lifestyle newborn sessions in the home my clients (I have been voted of the best newborn photographers in Orlando for the past two years!), as well as outdoor family sessions with younger children. It’s also clear that I have a love for pets, and adore incorporating your fur babies in any genre of photography that I am creating.

It’s also important that you ask about the photographer’s years of experience. I've been working as a photographer in the Orlando area for more than ten years and, over these years is how I’ve truly specialized in my art. If you are looking for a newborn photographer or a photographer who specializes in toddlers, knowing what experience your photographer has working with kids and babies is SO important because you want to ensure that the photographer has patience and flexibility required during these sessions.

Look for consistency and editing style in their portfolio, website, as well as social media presence. If you can’t find a lot online, before you book, ask a photographer to see a full sample gallery for the location and genre you’re inquiring about so you know what to expect as far as a final outcome. I tend to find a handful of locations close to the Oviedo area that I use for my outdoor family sessions every year. Below is an extended family session at one of my favorite spots!

If you look at my website and my social media channels, you can see that clients will receive a clean edit with true to life skin tones, and that the images will be in a lifestyle design. But, I also do my white backdrop personality portraits. Although these are different, you can still see the same personality shining through those photos...same is true of my online social media posts.

I hope you found these tips you can use when scoping out the many local talented photographers helpful, and that you find one that fits your needs and style! If you are in the Orlando, Winter Springs or Oviedo, Florida area, and I sound like the right match for you, I’d love to hear from you. Contact me here.

C Family’s In-Home Session | Costa Rica Lifestyle Photographer

“What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.” Karl Lagerfeld said it first, but I couldn’t agree more. There is no better way to capture true, genuine moments than to hire a photographer for an in-home family session.

Over the holidays, I was contacted by this amazing family in Costa Rica who was in need of some annual family photos. After our initial discussion, I learned that they wanted their photographs to be done in their own home. I was elated, because one of my favorite places to shoot is inside a family’s home – where they are most comfortable.

Upon entry into their beautiful house, I was greeted by the two sweetest little boys who were eager to show me all of their favorite things! They relaxed and did that they wanted. They read, played with Legos, colored, climbed their favorite tree and had sword fights. I just took a step back, and captured it all as it was happening. No props, no posing – just real, natural fun.

These images are so special, because they really show who those boys are right now. My hope is that in 10, 15, 20+ years, the parents look back on these images and are immediately brought back to this exact time in their lives.  The time when they were living in beautiful Costa Rica, when their two adorable and amazingly-smart boys loved to read, play with Legos, climb trees and have sword fights.

Thank you, C Family, for inviting me into your home, and allowing me to capture your family exactly as they are.

If you’re interested in family photography in your own home, I’d love to hear from you! Contact me to book your lifestyle/documentary session!

The “S” Family of Three | Costa Rica Lifestyle Photographer

This sweet mama was one of the first friends I made when we moved to Santa Ana, Costa Rica, last year. We immediately clicked because were both from the United States and also had little girls around the same age.  We soon learned of each other’s obsession with Lilly Pulitzer and the rest is history.

We had been trying to schedule some family photography for a few months, but our schedules weren’t meshing. You can imagine my excitement when she snagged the spot for my last Family Play session of 2016 in Costa Rica.

Mom had a perfect spot in Belen with an amazing view that she selected for her session. When I saw it in person, I was SO excited. While the location was stunning, it was her adorable one-year-old daughter that stole the show. From her quirky personality, adorable expressions and the outfit – my goodness – perfection.

I absolutely love photographing children at this age. All of us had fun and played hard at this Family Play session, and I got some amazing images so this family can remember these moments forever. Here are just a few of my favorites.

If you’re interested in some custom family photography in Costa Rica, I’d love to hear from you! CONTACT ME today to learn more about how I can document some memories for your family.  

Waiting for Baby B | Orlando Lifestyle Family Photographer

How beautiful is this expecting mama and her sweet bump and precious family?

I've known Lauren since high school. While our friendship started in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, it continued when we both traveled north to Orlando for college at the University of Central Florida (Go Knights!). We both became pregnant in 2014, and welcomed our first children, hers a baby boy, within a few months of each other. We had many of your typical first-time-mom conversations from the basics of breastfeeding to what to do with that first terrifying middle of the night fever. Thankfully, Lauren works in the medical field and she was always able to ease my paranoid mind. 

I remember sitting at a little sushi restaurant in Oviedo after a play date with the big kids when she shared her exciting news with me! Hunter was going to be a big brother! Of course, I was thrilled with the news, and just as excited when she asked me to take her maternity photos when I was visiting Oviedo. 

When I pulled into this little field in Central Florida, I was all smiles because the evening was SO perfect. We had SO much fun during this Family Play session, with a maternity focus. I was so bummed when the sun finally set, because it meant I had to stop taking pictures. 

While we of course got that traditional family portrait, my favorite images from this session are from all the crazy play that took place. We ran around in circles, made silly faces, and the topic of poop came up more than once. I love these fun, easy-going family sessions. Everyone has fun, and I capture some timeless images that are full of true joy. 

I can not wait to hear if Hunter is going to have a little brother or sister! And, I hope to make it in time for some incredible birth photography! 

Here are just a few of my favorites from their Family Play session!