Author: FamilyTales Photography

March 12, 2015

Ansley :: Marietta Newborn Photographer

I recently opened a studio in my home (Look for a blog about that soon!) And Miss Ansley was my first studio customer. I wasn’t “officially” open yet as a Marietta newborn photographer, but they agreed to overlook the disorder and bring their brand new baby girl to me. It was a wonderful experience on every level. She wasn’t too interested in sleeping, but I used all the magic tricks I picked up through my years of photography and she eventually gave in. Mom and Dad were awesome….Dad was a enthusiastic, proud daddy. He couldn’t have been more adorable with his tiny new human. I was relaxed in my own space trying out new props and techniques. And I feel as though the end result captured my comfort and happiness in my new studio. I am already looking forward to photographing this family again and again 🙂

FamilyTales Photography is located in Lancaster County, PA. Specializing in premiere in studio maternity, newborn, family and wedding portraiture. Serving Lancaster, York, Hershey, Harrisburg and surrounding areas in Central PA. All images and design © FamilyTales Photography. All rights reserved.

March 10, 2015

Ethan :: Newborn Photography, Milton

Ethan’s mommy and I went to school together. I hadn’t heard from her in years, but she must have been following along with my Facebook posts because as soon as she had little Ethan she messaged me and told me I had to take his portraits! Who am I to deny an old friend? This session gave me some angst because Mother Nature was playing games with the weather and the forecast was not good. I didn’t want to push Ethan’s newborn portraits too much later because I didn’t want to miss his “sleepy baby window”. So I ventured up to Milton despite the weather warnings. I am SO glad that I did. This smirky, happy little guy was absolutely worth the trip. And, of course, it was great to catch up with his mommy after all these years too.

February 17, 2015

The Coups :: Family Photography, Milton

This is my friend, Jessica. We go way back….to junior high school I think? She lives an amazing life. She has always been the girl who thinks WAY outside the box and has never feared anything. She lived in Pittsburgh with her husband for many years after high school and college, but a few years ago they sold their home and set out on an adventure. They now live in Italy doing all the things that Italian people do. The travel and drink real wine and they make olive oil and ride scooters around villages and she has picked up quite a photography habit. She and her husband, Scott, write the most amazing blog called The Soul of the Heel: An American’s Life in Puglia.

Anyway, this is the second time I have had the opportunity to photograph Jess and her family. She was home for a week to visit and asked if I could find some time to squeeze them in. Of course I could!! I always find it a little nerve-wracking because she is such a talented photographer herself. And this session had the added element of sub-zero temperatures and winds and snow on the ground. I had driven back from Atlantic City to the Milton Public Library to take these portraits and LOOKED like I had been traveling.

But, just as she always does, she made me feel like a rockstar…putting me at ease with one of her huge bear hugs and making me feel a bit silly for ever being nervous. With her she brought some old articles we had co-written for our high school paper and some LOVELY photographs from our high school years together. All in all, the visit was far too brief and a bit too cold, but I am hoping that next time we visit we can spend more time together catching up (in HER home! A girl can dream, can’t she?)

February 6, 2015

I am Chandler Bing.

My 14 year old and I are binge-watching Friends on Netflix. The other night was the episode where Chandler and Monica were attempting to get their engagement portraits taken. As I was sitting there bonding with my teen I realized something about myself.

I AM THE CHANDLER BING OF BLOGGING!!!

Many of you probably don’t know that my major in college was mass communications with an emphasis on journalism. I was the editor of my high school paper. I never met an English class I didn’t love. I had MAD writing skills!! Then I attempted blogging. (Here is my ridiculous first attempt at blogging.) And much like Chandler, who loses all ability to smile when he is in front of a camera, I lose all ability to write creatively when I sit down to blog. Who knew?!?

Currently, I am sitting in the faculty room at my children’s school where I volunteer on Fridays waiting on the copier to finish a massive job. I was bored so I decided to give the old pen (Bright green! Go, Donegal!) and paper (the backside of a copying mistake pulled form the recycling bin) a try. I am not sure it is going any better than when I type.

So, why blog, you ask? As a photographer it is my goal to let my work tell the story, right? A picture is worth a thousand words and all that jazz. Well, research tells me this blogging thing is a necessity in building my business. I will spare you the very boring details. But, here I am (again)…..blogging….and, let’s be honest, not terribly well. But guess what?!? Business is growing. So, I will continue along with my Chandler Bing-like writing skills and hope that you all stop by once in a while to at least take a look at all the pretty pictures 🙂

By the way, here are two of my friends that are the supermodels of blogging: Jessica Coup and Susan Heydt. If my blog hasn’t put you to sleep you should definitely check them out! You won’t be sorry.

February 2, 2015

Ella Rose :: Harrisburg Newborn Photographer

I booked Miss Ella’s newborn portraits months ago. Her mommy found me on the Internet by searching for Harrisburg newborn photographer (which always makes me happy). I felt an instant connection to Jen because she shared with me that they chose the name Ella Rose for their firstborn daughter. Ella is my eldest daughter’s first name and Rose is my youngest daughter’s middle name. How fun is that?!? (I considered asking if they had a dog named Henry at home since that is my son’s name, but I was afraid they would think I was insane and change their minds about using me as their newborn photographer.)

Harrisburg Newborn Photographer

Ella was due to make her entrance into the world on March 6th, but instead arrived January 24. Jen emailed me asking how we handled newborn pictures since the newborn would be spending some time in the NICU. I explained that she should just contact me when they were released and we would do her portraits at that time. And then, on a whim, I offered to go to the hospital and do a quick lifestyle photography session to capture these early moments. Jen enthusiastically agreed.

So, this morning after some serious disappointment over the lack of a 2 hour school delay, I was off to Hershey Medical Center. Good news! Ella was progressing well and was moved to the Continuing Care Unit instead of NICU. I arrived at feeding time and just went to work snapping Ella and her mommy together. Jen is a natural and Ella…..well, Ella is just beautiful. I liked Jen and instantly felt at ease. We chatted and I snapped. I snapped and we chatted. She shared with me some photos of Ella and her daddy from her phone.

All in all, I only ended up spending about a half hour with Jen and Ella, but I had such a wonderful time. I am so anxious to hear from them that they are headed home and I can see them again. Until then, enjoy this adorableness <3

FamilyTales Photography – Harrisburg Newborn Photographer

January 28, 2015

Ben & Bailey :: Engagement Photography, Marietta

I met Ben and Bailey for the first time at this engagement shoot. Ben’s mother is a teacher friend of mine and gifted them with this session. I wasn’t sure what to expect….I usually meet couples at a wedding meeting before I schedule their engagement shoot. Thankfully, they were friendly and adorable together. They didn’t complain ONCE about the below-freezing temperatures (though I did my share of whining) or about the fact that I bounced them from location to location. They were one of those couples that I love so much because they do a great job smiling for the camera, but then when they look at each other they just light up!! It always makes me giddy to see a couple with that connection <3

January 28, 2015

Barry & Jackie :: Wedding, Watsontown

Jackie is the mother of one of my very best friends. I was so excited to find out that she and Barry were going to tie the knot. They are clearly such a happy couple with so many shared interests. They are always checking in on Facebook while out doing fun things together. I was thrilled to be part of their day…to spend time with my friend and all of her family. It was a beautiful December day (yes, there is such a thing) and an even more beautiful ceremony.

January 27, 2015

Bruce & Sharon :: Wedding Photography, Manheim

Who doesn’t love a new year’s eve wedding?? Actually I think there are a lot of people that think it is crazy to get married on new year’s eve. Whenever the holiday nears people start asking “do you have plans for new year’s eve?” More than a few times I have replied that I am shooting a wedding. Most people are surprised. However, every new year’s eve wedding I have ever photographed has been really fun….and then there was this one.

Sharon and Bruce threw a PARTY!! The Booking House venue was beautiful. The couple was GORGEOUS. The ceremony was quick (like record time). And the guests were CRAZY FUN! There were no formalities of a wedding. It was a relaxed vibe with the buzz of excitement over bringing in a new year. Everybody danced. Everyone laughed. And at midnight, everyone cheered for my camera 🙂

January 16, 2015

Valerie :: Senior Photography, Mount Joy

I was first contacted to do Val’s older sister’s senior portraits a few years back by her mother. Though their mother was a friend of mine, I knew nothing about “the girls” until I met them for Lizzie’s session. At that time Val was just tagging along for moral and fashion support. She was quiet and just kind of hung back and let Lizzie do her thing. I was once again shocked at how quickly time flies by when Kelli contacted me to do Val’s senior portraits. She couldn’t be a senior already! When she showed up she had grown several inches and matured so much since I had last seen her. She was outgoing and friendly. She told me that she is taking a year off between high school and college to do mission work. When I asked if she was joining the program with friends she said it was something she was doing on her own. So brave at such a young age. She was headed to her interview right from her portrait session. I really love when I meet a senior and by the end of the session I know without a doubt that he or she is going to make a huge impact on the world. This was one of those times 🙂 eri

January 15, 2015

Justin & Heather :: Maternity Photography Lancaster PA

Maternity Photography Lancaster PA

Heather’s parents won a gift certificate for a session at a silent auction for maternity photography, Lancaster PA. When she contacted me she mentioned she was pregnant with a baby boy and wondered if she could use the certificate for a maternity photography session I was thrilled. We tried to get together and shoot the session several times, but Mother Nature had a different plan. So, when I arrived for this maternity photography session near Lancaster PA, I was shooting a couple I had never met at a location I had never seen. As it turned out I hit the jackpot with a gorgeous couple and an amazing location. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

Maternity Photography Lancaster PA

Maternity Photography, Lancaster PA

Maternity Photography in Lancaster PA

Maternity Photography Lancaster PA, was done by top rated and reviewed photographer Jaime Warburton of FamilyTales Photography. Maternity and newborn photography are a specialty of Jaime, who has many years experience photographing babies and moms throughout the Lancaster County area.