Extended Family Portraits in Plano: The Hoffmans

The Hoffmans have graced this blog many times in one way or another over the years. Allison's bridal portrait session was my very first. I've also captured Hoffman senior portraits, birthday parties, and family portraits. We've done one other big group family session, back in 2012. Their family has seen a new grandbaby, a marriage, engagements, and several high school graduations since then. Needless to say, the "kids" are no longer little! There are a few new faces since the last session as well, so the group has grown. I love doing big sessions like these. They can be crazy, but I enjoy the challenge. Allison is a costume designer, so I know I can always count on her family to have outfits that coordinate well. This session is definitely going in my folder of inspiration for clients who need a little help deciding what to wear.

Arbor Hills Engagement Session: Mallory & Alan

You know what takes any engagement session from "pleasant" to "YAYSOMUCHFUN"? A ridiculously cute pug. A ridiculously cute pug with a purple bow tie. I'm more of a great dane gal myself, but few shoots have ever been more fun to capture than this one with a snuffly little pug puppy following us around. I had to restrain myself from making Neville the only star of the shoot, but thankfully Mallory and Alan are a treat for my camera too, if less furry and snuffly (which is probably for the best). It was also probably the prettiest weekend of the year at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano, so I had ample beautiful backdrops to choose from. As a bonus, I've known Mallory and her sister Morgan (who was there on pug-handling duty) since I was about 13, so we easily fell into telling bad jokes and generally having a good time. I'm glad I finally got to meet Alan, and I'm looking forward to photographing their wedding next year!


P.S. That last photo is 1000% intentionally over the top, and we had great fun with it.

Plano Picnic Engagement Portraits at Arbor Hills

I loved hearing that one of Laurie and Michael's earliest dates was a picnic, so I encouraged them to run with that idea for an engagement session. They brought along their usual picnic gear including a beautiful quilt and a classic picnic basket (I couldn't resist making a few bad Yogi Bear impressions regarding pic-a-nic baskets) as well as some tasty treats. The weather and sunlight were amazing that day, and Spring was really beginning to put on a good show with chartreuse leaves popping out everywhere and trees blooming. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano has been my most popular location this spring for engagement portraits, and I've loved watching the changes in the park every week. I think Laurie and Michael caught one of the very prettiest days. I can't wait to photograph their wedding in a few weeks! I hope the weather is every bit as wonderful that day.

Arbor Hills Family Portraits in Plano: The Siadatis

I'm always grateful for referrals, because they bring me clients every bit as awesome as my referring client! A big thanks to Sepideh for sending the Siadatis my way. We had a lovely late Spring session at Arbor Hills in Plano.

Plano Portrait Photography: The Farberow Family

I photographed the Farberow family back in April, but somehow their session is only just now making it onto my blog. I have a lot of fun with family sessions with adult "children", especially when everyone is enthusiastic about participating. The Farberows were a joy to work with. We tromped all over Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, capturing keepsake portraits and a few intentionally silly "awkward family photos" as well. When my subjects have a good sense of humor, the photos should reflect that!





I crack up every time I see this photo:

Dayspring Nature Preserve in Allen: Treanor Family Portraits

In May, I photographed the Treanor family at Dayspring Nature Preserve here in Allen, Texas. This beautiful park is tucked away behind the Twin Creeks neighborhood, and is a bit of a hidden gem. It made the perfect backdrop for this young family's portrait session! Their baby boy was not in the best of moods, but we tricked a few smiles out of him anyway. I photographed the Treanors' wedding about a year and a half ago. It's exciting to capture this next stage of their lives too!