Lifestyle Family Portraits at The Carillon at Byrd Park Richmond VA | Sarah Kane Photography

Lifestyle Family Portraits at The Carillon at Byrd Park Richmond VA

Another beautiful day in the RVA and what better way to spend my morning than a lifestyle family portrait session with a wonderful family? Meet the Newsome Family. I had so much fun getting to know this family and photographing their adorable children Landon and Mackenzie. They both warmed up to me pretty quickly.  Thanks to twelve years of teachingmiddle school I've learned a thing or two about connecting with kids and it comes in handy while photographing them! 

When I first met Heather at the beginning of her session  I asked how she foundme andit turns out that I used to teach with her cousin! When I was first starting out  about 4 years ago I photographed Heather's cousin Melanie's maternity pictures and Heather sawthem andfound me on facebook. Once she told me I immediately saw the resemblance both physically and in their very sweet and gentle personalities.  I knew it was going to be a fabulous session.

We met at The Carillon at Byrd Park. I was thrilled to see that the park hadnot been mowed yet and was covered in yellow buttercups. Where some may see weeds I see potentially for a beautiful photograph!  Witheven a small patch of butter cups, dandelions or other flowery weeds I can  create the illusion of a beautiful field of wild flowers!

Everything went so well during our session and when we came to the end I asked Heather if there was anything she'd like me to capture that I hadn't already. She asked for a couple pictures of her for her business. Naturally I asked what her business was and  she replied, much to my surprise, photography.  (Gulp) During our session  there were no signs that Heather was a photographer. She let me run the show and very humbly admitted her experience only when I asked.  We then spent the last 15 minutes or so talking shop.  

One of the greatest compliments is when I amhired by another photographer, especially one as talented as Heather. Of course I looked her up as soon as I got home and was very thankful she didn't reveal her true identity until the end of our session. The pressure would have definitely been on. 

Lifestyle Family Portraits at Sunday Park in Brandermill | Midlothian VA | Sarah Kane Photography

What a huge convenience living so close to the very beautiful Brandermill's Sunday Park in Midlothian VA. Another amazing spot for family portraits! The best time to visit Sunday park is about an hour before sunset.  The sun setting over the reservoir is truly breathtaking!  I am so thankful to live in this community.  Every time I drive home I feel like I'm escaping into a resort far from the rest of the world!

The sunset was not a disappointment for Charles's birthday photo shoot and  the sky was on fire as were Charles and his little brother Edward! Are they not the most adorable duo ever? Their mom Jess has such a unique style and fashion sense. Charles and Edward were definitely dressed to impress. I loved everything about their outfits!  A great touch with the red and yellow streaming scarves that flowed as they ran along the shore line,  just perfect!  

Children & Family Photography in Midlothain VA | 6 Month Baby Portraits

Hipster Baby

Meet 6 month old Harrison everyone! What fun we had in my studio! He was so happy and giggly. When he wasn't, his mama sure knew how to get him to laugh. There is no better sound than that of a full on belly laugh from a little baby!

The best time for studio portraits and children photography is when your baby is sitting up independently. They are usually pretty happy and proud of themselves for reaching this milestone. They laugh a lot and make the best faces. This is when you and your family will really start to see their little personalities come to life!  It also makes my job pretty easy because they aren't crawling or walking yet and pretty much stay put. In just a few short months they will be on the go and I will be getting my workout chasing them down with my camera!

Harrison was the perfect model. He actually kind of looks like the Gerber baby. So adorable! He was a real trooper through all of his wardrobe changes and humored me as I stuck him in a couple of buckets. The best though, I have to say, was the awesomely adorable hat  (yes I made that word up) Harrison's mom Krystal brought to the session. It was a total little hipster hat. I dug out my youngest son Grady's 1-year-old cake smash knit pants with suspenders and do you know what happened? Amazingness happened that's what! He was off the chain adorable!! I immediately started picturing little Harrison wearing some thick plastic hipster eye glass frames.  I wonder if they actually make those? If not someone should!  Even if I had a pair, as good as Harrison was, I am certain there is no way he would have kept them on without a fight and I am absolutely positive I would have lost. I had to see him in a pair though, so I made my own digital hipster glasses, several pairs actually. The picture turned out just as cute as I had imagined it would. All Harrison needs now is a curly villain mustache!  Yea, you're right that would be a bit much, but pretty funny!

Harrison had reached his limit with me and that was the end of that.

Sarah Kane Photography | Trash the Dress Bridal Portriats at Belle Isle in Richmond VA

This has got to be the most fun I've had on a bridal session to date. When Jessie approached me about doing bridal portraits at Belle Isle in Richmond I was all for it. When she mentioned she would be "trashing" her dress, well that took things to a whole new level and I was beyond elated!! I've always wanted to photograph a trash the dress session, but not many brides are willing to do this. Especially if their dress was muy expensivo! What makes this story even better is that when Jessie and her husband got married they weren't able to hire a professional photographer and Jessie did not have any high quality pictures from her wedding and certainly non of her in her dress. Knowing this made the experience even more special for me. 

These are the non-professional pictures from Jessie's actual wedding.  Doesn't matter who takes a picture of Jessie or with what equiptment she is always stunning, but I'll let you decide if there's a difference between professional and non-professional pictures ;)

First let me start by saying not all trash the dress sessions really have to completely "trash the dress" (although Jessie did). A bridal session after the wedding when you are not as concerned about getting a speck of dirt on your dress (that you will never wear again and will likely be preserved only to be stored away forever) is perfect for getting unique artistic pictures. Plus you get to put on your dress again! Some brides do it right way and others wait a few years. As long as you can get in your dress it's never too late :)

Belle Isle is so beautiful in the fall and Jessie looked absolutely stunning! So many of her images look like she could be on the cover of a high-fashion bridal magazine! Jessie's not your average girly girl though. She is a down-to-earth nature loving tom boy and I loved that she chose to wear her cowgirl boots with her dress!

Everything was perfect. We wandered all throughout the park and took a variety of very diverse pictures.  I was completely in the zone and could have stayed there day. At the very end of the session we made our way to the rocks along the James River where, despite the freezing cold temperatures, Jessie got right into the water with her dress on (hence the reason it was trashed). Up until that point there was not a scratch on it just a little bit of dirt. I'm so glad I got to help Jessie out and give her the pictures she never got from her wedding day. We not only created beautiful images that day, but many amazing memories!

Look at this girl! How did she even get up there? Love it!

Here are a grouping of some of my favorites! You wouldn't believe how long it took to get that one in the middle right. Oh how I wish I saved the bloopers!

I love the light coming in on her face!

Some more of my favorites. Look at the color variation in the trees! So cool!

And now...

Just a teeny bit cold.

Jessie with her game face on. Can't even tell her feet are frozen blocks of ice.

Richmond Family Photographer Sarah Kane | Family Portraits at Belle Isle in Richmond VA

Sarah Kane Photography

Another favorite location in Richmond for family portraits is right along the James River at Belle Isle. This park is so beautiful in the fall! It has so many different backdrops to choose from. Whether you are jumping rocks along the river, set in a tall field of grass, strolling through the paths, admiring the cityscape from the Pedestrian Bridge (or even from the river) or exploring the ruins of buildings left behind, this park has so much to offer!  Not only is Belle Isle a great choice for a portrait session, but Brown's Island is right there too and is another great spot for a portrait session!

The Pedestrian Bridge, also known as the Suspension Bridge, is so magnificent! When I take my boys there we like to pretend that the bridge is a path that leads to a secrete portal that takes you to Narnia! When you get to the end of the bridge there is an industrial walkway that really does feel like you are heading into another dimension (that is if you haven't lost your imagination). It leads you straight to a massive opening which once served as a prison for Union soldiers during the American Civil War.  We then explore all of the "secret paths" in this strange land until we head back through the portal to our home land! I have so much fun with my own family at this park.

Speaking of fun families I'd like to introduce you to the Richards family! A very easy going family who loves the water.  Little Dean captured my heart with his calm demeanor and sparkling blue eyes! Mom and Dad helped me out and knew exactly how to get him to smile! Oh and what a smile it was! All it took was a toss in the air from Daddy or a squeeze from Mommy! Don't worry Dean, I don't take it personally that you wouldn't smile for me. I'm not really all that funny.

Well, I hope you enjoy meeting this family as much as I did! Wishing the Richards family much love and happiness  in 2015!

A Little Bit of Christmas Magic on Christmas Day | Sarah Kane Photography

I've always loved Christmas. Even after I no longer heard the ring of Santa's Sleigh bells there was something magical about the time of year. Every Christmas eve, in the small harbor town of Ashtabula Ohio, my family and I would head to church at Mother-of-Sorrows. This was a very old traditional castle like church with beautiful stained glass windows. Also at mass was my grandpa, my aunts, uncle, cousins and all of my friends and classmates. It was the only time of year I didn't dread going to church. The next day my entire family, my mom's side and dad's, got together at my grandpas house for Christmas dinner. I was so fortunate to grow up surrounded by family. When I was 11 everything changed though. My dad got a new job and we moved to Syracuse NY leaving behind family and among other things the magic of Christmas. It just wasn't the same. 

The magic did not return for many years, not until I became a parent. It wasn't so much the fact that Santa once again visited my house or watching my kids willfully run to bed with excitement because the big guy was spotted just a few states away. It's the fact that my family is close by and together again. I am so thankful that my children get to grow up with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. On Christmas day we all head to my aunt's house for dinner. It is then that the real magic is present. Although this was the first year that Scott (my hubby) was not able to be home for Christmas being surrounded by family made it easier. I hope everyone who celebrates Christmas had a magical day! 

Decorating for Christmas!

This is the coolest toy! Santa brought it for my nephew. It's a Zoomer Dino. They have all kinds. It's a pet you can control with a remote. He'll even do things spontaneously. He is very curious and happy most of the time, but he can get really mad too. After losing our sweet Lily about a month ago Brennan has been asking for another dog. I'm nowhere near ready for that, but perhaps a Zoomer Puppy I could handle. 

You must watch this sad short video of my nephew Colin and all he wants for Christmas.

Aunt Dia's (that's what they call me) got you covered Colin! If it's snow you want, it's snow you shall have!!

After a long day everyone settles in to play with their new "hi-pads" as Grady would say that aunt Sis got them all. Even though they aren't really ipads at all. It's the Fire HD kids Edition Tablet. These are actually pretty cool. They are specifically for kids and parents can set time limits. You can even require a set time to read before you can play games!

Grady only made it until 5:45 pm. Poor little guy crawled onto my lap at the table and fell fast asleep. He actually slept straight through the night until 8:00 am!! It was a very long and exciting week! 

Happy Holidays!