Family fall photo sessions are full of color, warmth, and excitement (because holidays are coming!). People want to show off their cute outfits, and sweater weather reminds us of comfort and joy. I’m totally biased, but this family fall session it’s probably the most fun I’ve had in a long time, and for a good reason: they are MY FAMILY! My brother, sister-in-law, nieces, and nephews (and Leo!) got together to experience their first family photoshoot with me.

We spend birthday parties, holidays and other events together; but this was the first time I got to witness their love and connection at full force (other than my brother’s wedding day, of course!) It was so amazing to prompt them and then wait for their reactions! I mean, they’ve never seen me “in action” as a photographer, so seeing their surprised faces at the prompts I was throwing at them was priceless. I also saw some butt pinching somewhere in there, just saying…. 🙂

I think it’s sometimes easier to photograph people I’ve never met because there is a blank slate and certain expectations, and it’s really up to me to build rapport with them and give them a wonderful experience. With family however, I never know if they’re going to cooperate and be nice or give me a hard time… just because they know they can mess with me and I’ll never get mad at them! 🙂 But I decided to treat them the same way I would someone I had just met. It worked and they were incredible! They were engaging and fun; and despite the chilly weather, the bare trees and the overcast day, my favorite location in Rhode Island shined through and their portraits are just beautiful!

This was a super special session for another reason. Natalia, my oldest niece, recently got married to her high school sweetheart, and these were their first portraits as husband and wife (because Covid, you know). I took their prom and graduation photos, and now they married! Talk about feeling old! Can you see their young love pouring through the images? I hope that when they look at back at these photos in a few years from now, they remember exactly how they feel right now – all the closeness, devotion and admiration they feel for each other.

Hernan, Michelle, Naty, Julian, Krystal, Andy and Leo: thank you for letting me capture your beautiful family… my beautiful family! I hope to see your walls covered with these beautiful portraits next time I come to visit! 🙂

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