This. kid.  I love all my nephews so much, and Shawn is no exception.  He's so freaking cute, so smart, and so so funny. He's not even 2, and he has such a big personality.  He talks in funny voices, he laughs all the time, and he melts our hearts. <3

And, I have to get him used to Aunt Lauren's camera, so why not start young? Thankfully, like his older brothers, he's already pretty used to me following him around taking pictures.  What a good thing, too, because I absolutely love taking candid pictures like this.  I don't do it enough, but I always have great opportunities of adorable subjects every time I come home.

Plus, I'm pretty sure he doesn't mind. He got a long bubble bath out of the deal this weekend, soooo.......

I love being home.  A few weekends ago, Jake, Adam and I went golfing at Elkdale, then we met Katie and Ben at EBC in Ellicottville for some dinner and adult beverages.

Our friend Lee met us later and bought us shots.  Why, Lee..did you buy us shots? :) Kidding...thank you. 
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I used to work with Dana, many moons ago, and I was SO excited when she recently reached out and asked me to take family photos for her.  ESPECIALLY because she asked if their doggy, Cota, could come.

Have I mentioned how much I love dogs? :)

We met at a park near Durand (right across from Lake Ontario) for the pictures.  I was hoping more flowers would be here, but it was okay.  It was a gorgeous night, with amazing lighting.  I wanted to get some shots near the lake, but with the horrible flooding we've had, there's virtually NO beach right now near the lake :(.

Their son, Levi, was too adorable for words, and we were able to get some amazing family shots, shots with Levi by himself, a few shots of Cota, and some of my favorite ones of Dana with her hubby.  We also were able to capture some amazing candid shots, which always end up being some of my favorite shots of most sessions.

Thank you for letting me capture some shots of your family, Dana!  I look forward to working with you more in the future!

Jen contacted me a few weeks ago to do a family shoot (x3). I had taken photos of her family a few years ago, so I was thrilled that she reached back out.  In addition to shooting her immediate family, she also told me that her two sisters would also be there with their families.

So, included in the picture request was a shot of all of the kiddos - that's 9 to be exact.  But, I love kids, and I wasn't nervous at all.  It helps that they were all soooo good.  We did these photos first, and they turned out so cute.  We played a few games, which allowed them to be a little silly and get out some energy.  

We then did individual family shots, some pictures of the siblings, and more.  

We did these pictures at Highland Park - a few days AFTER the Lilac Festival, while the lilacs were still in bloom.  This park is one of my favorites - it's so beautiful and has so many options of photo locations.  I love how these pictures turned out :)

And after the shoot, my boyfriend Adam met me there to have a little dinner picnic.  However, he didn't bring food.  He just brought a ring and proposed.  So, this shoot really couldn't have ended any better - because I got engaged!  

Yay for families and yay for love! <3