(a special message for my friends birthday celebration – today is the day!)

I have been meaning to take on this challenge for a few years now…and every year, January comes and goes, and I realize by the end of February that I forgot and didn’t make the time for it.  Well, enough was enough…it’s time 2012.  Sometimes, I know exactly what I want to remember as the events of the day unfold, but most times, it’s a little bit of a struggle trying to decide what to photograph..what I want to remember.  I also go back and forth with photographing something ordinary, just to have it, or trying something new.  There’s a little bit of both in here, but I’m only 28 days in…so hopefully throughout the year, I will make the time to push myself more.

This is just a handful of the images I’ve taken so far…I will do random blog posts throughout the year so you can see what I’ve been up to.
I’m excited to see this little window into my world at the end of the year, and reminisce all my 365 images ~ maybe I’ll make a canvas collage!

(The weather felt like October, so I thought I’d make it look like Halloween)

(My sweet Buddy boy…waiting patiently for his walk)

(Attended a beautiful bridal show for Well Wed magazine at the Memorial Art Gallery. )

(Playing with my baby girl in the snow!)

(This pottery was a gift from my dad brought back from Ireland.  I still can’t believe he found a smiling bowl
and knew how much I would love it ♥)

(Beautiful January Wedding, beautiful Bride)

(I see this every morning as I get my little girl out of her crib to start the day)

(I follow an internationally famous photographer, Jasmine Star, and found out this day that she would soon be in NYC.
I bought my tickets immediately and wrote it down in my planner.)

(Attended an all day seminar through my pro photography group, www.grpp.org, hosted by an awarded photographer
Walter Van Dusen.
One of the many topics discussed was using lighting to bring something new to your photos.  After coming home, I practiced with my s’mores.
They’ve never looked so cute)

(This was the last day our holiday decorations were on the house…I loved coming home to these on the porch and missed them immediately)

(My little girls butterfly mobile.  I hope it always hangs in her room…so when she comes home from college to visit,
she can look forward to seeing them)

(If you don’t know this about me already, I LOVE Winter and snow.  I have been having a really difficult time with getting used
to our warmer winters.  It’s teaching me to appreciate the things you love every day…because they might not be there the next.)

That’s it for now ~ I’ll post another handful at the end of February…if you’d like to see something, or have any ideas, I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks for being here with me

I met with Shannon’s parents only a few months ago.  They could tell from the style of my photography that I would be easy for her daughter, the Bride, to work with.  Shannon and Chris only wanted a few pictures of themselves, and didn’t want to spend very long in front of the camera.  The couple lives out of town so I didn’t get to meet them ahead of time either, but from the descriptions her parents gave me of their relationship, and the details for their celebration, I couldn’t wait to see everything in person.  They had me at ‘Winter’,  ‘birch chuppah’ and ‘door knob bouquet’.

The Church, Ogden Baptist, was country Wedding picture perfect, and the invitations were created by hand complete with pockets and a decorative band.
Incredible detail and beautiful.

Mother of the Bride gently placing her heirloom pearls around her daughters neck ♥

Smart phones to the rescue…time for a little music pick me up!

Shannon’s dress was absolutely beautiful, perfect for her, and I adored this detail around the middle.

Starting to smile and dance around a little bit

She even had a white winter cape to wear as they made their way outside to the front of the church.

And white gloves too!

Off to take a quick peak at the guys!  SO funny, I knew right away we were gonna have some FUN!

This was something I’d never seen done before.  A blind folded Groom!  They had to so that the Bride could wait in the same room before the ceremony too!  LOL

So beautiful…LOVE the sunlight pouring through the stained glass ♥

If I can share at least one thing with you, it’s not to be too nervous as your Wedding begins.  Stop, and really look at your Bride/Groom, and remember this moment.

Congratulations!!
As they were taking a quick break during the receiving line, I noticed they were both fidgeting with their new rings at the same time, so cute!

Incredible DIY vintage door knob bouquet

Watching these two interact together was so comforting.  It was like they were the same person, but with their own individuality.
Completely understanding and appreciative of each other.

I am in love with the stained glass picture…Shannon’s tulle dress reflects the light so beautifully ♥

Off to the Senators Mansion!  Beautifully decorated with twinkling branches, warm smiles, and a delectable brunch!

mmmmm!

This guys got the right idea, dig in!

SO sweet, Shannon’s mom knew she wouldn’t be able to talk during her video message, so she wrote it down in advance ♥

I loved this bridal party…what a fun group!

Chris, I will never forget you

After a few ‘formals’ (sort of), I asked the guys to get closer and interact with Chris…so one of the guys, literally just put his hand on him. 

Beautiful girls!

We took just a few photos inside the mansion, and I wanted to make sure we captured their shoes too, ballerina slippers!

I’m going to end on this funny group shot…as soon as we started, they instantly covered up and didn’t look at the camera, too funny.
Congratulations Shannon and Steve!!  Your Wedding was beautiful, and so creative!!

Wishing you a lifetime of wonderlands,
♥
~Sue

As I sit down at my desk to write this post, I am flooded with visions of smiles, beautiful details, tiny toes, amazing locations, and more hugs than I could ever imagine getting used to.  I am so incredibly thankful for the life I have been given, for the path I have chosen, and for the future full of hope that I foresee for myself and my family.

Celebrating the beginning of a new year brings all sorts of emotions…usually starting with excitement…and soon afterwards, a sense of failure…before even beginning.  New Years resolutions are evil.  They’re supposed to help us, but they usually just make us feel bad because it’s almost impossible to commit to something…just because of a new date on the calendar.

I’ve decided to focus on what I didn’t accomplish the prior year and to make a point to incorporate some of that into my every day behaviors.  Even if it’s as simple as eating one less cookie a week…it’s something

One thing I wanted to do all year and didn’t, was to purchase a new lens for my camera.  I bought a flash, but only because I had to…and it’s no fun when it’s because you have to.  I’m already looking forward to the images I can produce with it.  Still me, still my style…just more variety.

If I’m really lucky, I will purchase a camera body that allows me to take video too.  I really really really want to be able to do that.   I will figure something out.

Most importantly, I want to focus on what I didn’t do last year for YOU, the amazing people who choose me for their memories, and those that support me and my business with recommendations.  I would not be able to sustain my path without your love and praise and thanking you will be my top priority.

As the snow (finally) falls outside my window, I am filled with peace.  A quiet calm that I will harness and save to bring with me for everything I do.  May you find peace this year as you make your choices, and always, share a little love and laughter.  ♥

“One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this:  To rise above the little things.”  ~John Burroughs

Happy New Year!!

If you’re expecting, or know someone who is…I would love to be able to preserve this special time in their lives too.  As the mom, it seems to last forever…but 9 months in comparison to the lifetime of joy that a baby brings is fleeting.

Thank you Sarah and Mike for inviting me back into your lives ~ I couldn’t be more excited for you, and I look forward to meeting your sweet little one very soon!

Toys, and stuffed animals…well, maybe not ALL of them

With love

and

baby rattles,

Sue

They live in Buffalo, did their research, and still chose me which is very exciting, and I’m looking forward to heading out of town for their celebration!  Thank you Amanda!  I love you and can’t wait to photograph your smiling face too!

After talking with Michelle and Andy about their session, we knew immediately where to go.  They are avid Disc Golf players, and visit Ellison Park regularly when they visit family in Rochester.  These two are serious.  Seriously.  It’s neat because I’ve never been exposed to the sport, and probably will never play…or so I thought.  I wanted them to play for their session and as I watched, I started to wonder if I could feel that excitement from it too.  I think I might give it a try next year…I’ll let you know

For now, let’s leave it to the pro’s.

Congratulations Michelle and Andy!  I am so excited to see you again on your Wedding Day as you’re surrounded by your loved ones, and beautiful smiles everywhere.  Enjoy this wonderful time together and have fun planning!

So cute, they even have special shoes to play in

SO serious! 

And of course, being from Buffalo, they both have a love for the Bills…good thing they cleared that up on their first date!

Have fun you two!

Love,

Sue

Yes, I realize that I have never lived outside of New York State, but I have visited many different places and I can honestly say that I truly would not want to live anywhere else.  There is SO much variety here and as I am sent out into our surrounding cities, I am blessed to see incredible landscapes simultaneously with love and smiles.  I can’t imagine a better way to give back to the world, than through helping those I meet, to remember their lives beautifully in their pictures.  Taken in an instant, treasured for a lifetime. ♥

Thank you Megan, and Nick, for inviting me back into your lives again ~ I can’t believe how quickly your beautiful twins are growing up; you’re doing an amazing job as parents ~ they’re adorable!

Nick’s brother, Mark and his wife Sue, along with their baby boy Nathan, joined us for the afternoon too which was so nice!  Their family has been making trips to Letchworth State park all their lives, so it holds great meaning for them.  What an incredible day we had.

Enjoy!

This is where they got Engaged a few years back! ♥ Right on the front porch of the Stone House

This picture absolutely cracks me up   You never know what it’s gonna take to get kids to smile….with the little boy, it was yelling where’s your ‘Big Smile?!’   … and that’s what he did LOL!

Little miss Emma was just having a moment…as most around 2 year olds do.

Thank You Sarah and Chad for continuing to invite me back into your lives ~ I adore you and your beautiful family and it makes me so incredible happy to get to see you here and there as we capture these heirlooms.

Enjoy!

Wishing you all a ghoulishly fun Halloween, followed by an amazing Autumn of colorful smiles and memories.  Have fun out there!

As Fall started to approach, I immediately began looking into things to do with my 20 month old toddler and we’ve been having so much fun!  I have to give most of the research credit to a website all new moms come to know and love, Kids Out and About.  It has everything and anything for families to do in Rochester AND all the surrounding areas of Western NY.  I wouldn’t have found Stokoe Farms, or Powers Farm Market without it, and I wanted to share some of our memories with all of you.

I’ve got a few more sessions and am already excited to share those in a few weeks too, stay tuned!

Hmmm, what’s over there… Boo! 

I think this was the most last minute Wedding I have ever been chosen for ~ 2 months before the Big Day!  I was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet Liz and Dan ~ they’re HILARIOUS!  Once again, this couple chose me through a referral…this time, the Brides Matron of Honor was someone that worked with my Husband.  She had been following my work online ever since he showed her images I’d taken of our baby girl…she had a baby around the same time that year!  Once her friend was engaged, she recommended me; Thank You Natalie!

Liz loved my work, and it was also very important to her to keep the services ‘within the family.’  I loved that ~ same idea as buying local…supporting our Rochester businesses, thank you Liz!

We had to get our Engagement session portraits done right away so I had time to get them edited/enhanced for their Guest Book.  If you look through the images, you’ll see what crazy chemistry these two have…too funny!  (The guests kept coming up to me at the Wedding telling me how great the book was too ~ I love them; such a great keepsake!)

Liz and Dan had the PERFECT weather for their Wedding Day; low 70′s, beautiful blue sunny skies, and a light breeze.  ahhhhhh.

Once I made my way up to the Bridal suite of the downtown Rochester Hyatt, I was immediately taken a back with the view of the city, wow!  The dress HAD to go in the window, I love it.   I only wish I could remove the curtains to see more of the view!

I LOVE this great look from Liz…she was SO excited to put on her dress…she looked like a glamorous movie star!   And so much sparkle!

Liz, you are beautiful ♥

Time to head to the chapel ~ how unique, a Wedding at the Memorial Art Gallery!

As the girls laughed, relaxed, and waited in a back room,  one of them looked out a window and noticed the Groomsmen walking in.  Too funny, there’s Dan in the lead, wearing his favorite cap, talking on his cell.  Classic.

Nice.   Look at that handsome smile!

Congratulations!

♥

Liz!  Absolutely stunning

Aw!  The new Mr. & Mrs. ♥

And we’re off to the Rochester Club Ballroom!

The coordinator, and staff did an amazing job all night long.  They were so attentive to the guests, the food was seriously delicious and the atmosphere was so warm and inviting.

3 hilarious champagne toasts…what a pair!

Can’t remember the last time we were served a soup course at a Wedding…mmmm delicious, potato!

Mother of the Bride ~ she was a hoot!

Aw, first dance…nice to see a loving gaze…for a little while anyway

I was SO prepared and waiting for Dan to smash Liz’s face with cake…who knew they’d be sweet, gentle, and romantic with it.
I think they laughed more because they DIDN’T smash it!

Their cake was a cheese cake, but for everyone else, there were plates and plates of different types of pies…wow, it was an incredible display.  I feel like I can reach out and grab this
pumpkin one…mmmmm

Ok, I’m throwing this one in here because this was MY table… ‘Fun Fourteen!’  Hi guys!

Let’s get this party started!
Typically, Weddings play hit music, but tonight, it was all about the classics and our DJ Brian from Drum King Productions was a hit!

There was so much dancing at one point, the floor was bouncing up and down!  We literally ‘shook’ the dance floor! LOL
p.s. this guy is smiling on the inside ~ that’s how he rolls

What an incredible party ~ Congratulations Liz & Dan!

With love & huge smiles,

Sue

Please check back in a month or so to see their entire gallery; I’ll have information listed here.
You can also view and share their images that are posted to my Facebook page; become a fan and keep in touch!