Topsfield MA family portraits / Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Could this possibly be the first time I’ve blogged a fall portrait session? I feel like it might be, and while it’s certainly shameful, the fall season is generally bananas for photographers so I’m going to cut myself some slack for this. As in, the only reason I can blog right now is because I am waiting for my computer monitor to calibrate.

Personally, summer sessions on the beach will always have my heart. So what’s to love about fall portrait sessions?

-Well the obvious answer is the fall foliage. That’s a no-brainer, so let’s move on.

-Sun sets earlier in the fall, so most sessions start around 5 pm. This works for most littles because it doesn’t interfere with bedtime the way summer sessions do.

-Fall fashion, and I likely need not say more, but I will. Plaid shirts, chunky cardigans, cute boots, blanket shawls, and scarves.

-Cooler temps and low humidity so you won’t be shiny and frizzy in your family pictures.

There is no shortage of locations on Cape Ann and around the north shore of Massachusetts that are perfect for their fall settings. Scroll through to see some of my favorites from a session I had with a dear friend and her family, taken at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Be sure to leave some love in the comment section and tell me your favorite thing about fall!

Vacation Family Portrait Session / Manchester-by-the-Sea

It’s no surprise that coastal Massachusetts is a summer vacation destination for many families- hundreds of miles of gorgeous beaches, small towns with nautical charm, incredible dining, and history around every corner you turn.

Each summer, my calendar fills with families who are visiting from out of state who want me to help capture their vacation memories. I love being able to show visitors exactly why Cape Ann is so special, choosing the perfect location for their family portrait session.

Scroll through to see some of my favorite images from a family portrait session at Singing Beach in Manchester by the Sea, MA, and let me know your favorite vacation spot in the comments!

xo

Cassie

Rockport, MA family portraits on the beach / Esther and Dan

Posed or unposed? Every person has their own style when it comes to family portraits. When I photograph my clients, I will always start with the posed shot, but then continue to capture images while everyone is looking at each other or snap that candid image in between poses. They always end up being my most favorite images from the session—those moments in between where the only thing on display is emotion.

I can’t believe I’ve waited this long to share this gorgeous family portrait session because it’s honestly one of my all-time favorites. It features one of my good friends Esther from Esther Mathieu Photography. We were pregnant at the same time (our due dates were days apart!) back in 2016, and we’ve bonded over photography, gardening, north shore living, and topics I’ll label as “other” haha.

It was hard to choose just a few favorites from her family session on the beach in Rockport, so scroll through if you have several minutes and leave some love in the comment section :)

xo

Family Portrait Session in Manchester-by-the-Sea

Usually I will be the one recommending locations for my clients’ portrait session, but this is an example of the opposite! Willa asked to use this off-the-beaten-path location in Manchester by the Sea for her family portrait session, and I think it’s the perfect mix of beachy and nautical, with all the boats docked in the background.

It was such a pleasure to photograph this sweet family, and it has been sort of a surreal experience checking in with them on Instagram lately to see how much the kids have grown since then! These moments fly by, you guys! Capture these memories as you can *points finger at herself* haha

Check out some of my favorite images from this sweet seaside family portrait session and leave some love in the comment section below!

Sunset Maternity and Family Beach Portraits / Jenna & Rob

So we’re about two weeks into the coronavirus shutdown, and I’ve been trying to take the kids out for a nature walk each day. It’s still a little chilly, so we haven’t yet ventured out onto the beach, but looking back over Jenna and Rob’s maternity/family session has made me eager for those warm nights with glow-y sunsets. It’s still a bit weird not knowing what the next few months will bring, but at the very least we will hopefully be able to socially distance ourselves on the beach!

Jenna is one of the real MVPs during this pandemic because she is an amazingly fearless BA nurse AND a mom to two boys. And also, obviously, a stunner too because she absolutely slayed this maternity session! Take a scroll through to see some of my favorite images from her and Rob’s beach session and be sure to leave her some love and appreciation in the comment section!

Planning for Spring / Coolidge Reservation Manchester-by-the-Sea Family Photo Session

The days are getting longer, Daylight Savings is right around the corner, and the extra sunlight has been giving me life! Despite the lame winter we’ve had, I’m ready for the warmer weather to arrive.

I get THE MOST excited to photograph in the Spring. Maybe because after a long winter of staying inside, I’m ready to begin exploring nature again. Or because I’m eager to pick up my camera after a restful off-season. But REALLY I think it’s about the flowers. I get so excited about Spring blooms and flowers because they are fleeting. They last for a short few weeks and then they are gone for the year. And there are so many gorgeous north shore MA locations with incredible spring blossoms. I literally get psyched to photograph families and couples in the Spring.

I had the privilege of photographing Linda and her family a few seasons back. Linda is the owner of All Purpose Flowers in Gloucester, Mass so she knows allll about the most beautiful Spring flowers. She’s my plant guru. As I look back at Linda’s maternity and family session, it is getting me excited for my 2020 photography season! Check out her bright and glowy maternity and family session and show her some love in the comments below.

Location: Coolidge Reservation, Manchester by the Sea Massachusetts

Get Outdoors on a Snow Day / Winter family photo session with style

One of my favorite things is when I get to take pictures of people I love. Mostly because when I’m with my clients, I try to rein in the excitement I get from a session and keep things profesh. With my friends though….I can really just let loose. “Oh my god, this looks so good!” *Insert squeal of joy here*

I had the absolute pleasure of photographing my dear friend and her family while we were away together on a getaway in Maine. We found a great tree farm nearby, and spent some time playing in the snow.

I absolutely love the outfit coordination in this session, and I often steer my winter clients to these images for inspiration. It’s okay to mix patterns if you’re working in the same color scheme.

I mean, come on! Don’t they look like a J Crew ad?! I am still so obsessed with these images.

During a session with me, I always try to get that one shot with everyone smiling into the camera. But it’s those in between moments that I really love, because that’s where you can find all of the emotion. Just look at the joy these guys have in being with one another.

To end our session, we made a quick stop to a forest filled with white birch trees. Sigh.

Winter is a great time to get outdoors and have some creative fun with the camera. You'll need to come prepared to capture these majestic landscapes, and you'll want to keep your creative senses open for new ideas. Here's another useful resource to read for tips and ideas on winter photography.

Beach Maternity Session | Esther and family

When I was first starting out in the Gloucester/Rockport MA area as a photographer, I began to look around at other local photographers to see if I could start to make connections. Almost immediately, I came across Esther's website (because she's fabulous and super talented !) and a blog post on her site about the importance of showing a collaborative spirit with competitors. When I reached out to her, she was super supportive and friendly so it didn't take long for us to become friends.

I think our friendship really cemented itself, though, when we discovered that we were both pregnant with due dates only days apart from each other! It's always comforting to be able to commiserate with someone who is going through the same experience as you at the same time. (Ultimately, I delivered about a month earlier as I have twins who needed to be induced.)

Anyway, it was pretty much a no-brainer that we exchanged our maternity pictures.  Take a scroll through Esther and Dan's maternity session on the coast at Bass Rocks in Gloucester and at Good Harbor Beach. Be sure to check out that super-moon at the end!

Carroll Family Winter Portraits | Beverly Tree Farm

The Fall is such a busy time for photographers, and it's no wonder with all the amazing colors we get with foliage in the Northeast. When that busy season pushes into November and December, though, you can sometimes be left at a loss trying to find a location that doesn't look barren and grey.  

For my late fall/winter clients, I often encourage a trip to a tree farm, like this one at the Beverly Tree Farm. The evergreens provide that festive pop of color that bring an image alive. 

I absolutely love this session with the Carroll family and their sweet little guy. He was such a happy baby, and kept giving his momma and dada kisses throughout the whole session! Oh my heart! I think his little smile speaks for itself. 

Enjoy some of my favorites from this winter tree farm session and be sure to leave some love in the comments! xo

Good Harbor Beach Family Portrait Session | The Rileys

I love the idea of having family traditions, and taking yearly family portraits is a perfect way to incorporate traditions into your family. Especially when your kids are still little, it's just so fun to track their growth from year to year. And your children will thank you later for getting in front of the camera yourself to help build these special memories. 

In this darling family beach portrait session, I'm taking you all the way back to 2014! (Gasp!) If you could see these little munchkins now, they already look so different and grown up!

Enjoy these family pictures taken at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, MA.  If you love the memories these guys have made, be sure to tell them in the comment section below!

Brooksby Farm, Peabody MA Winter Tree Farm Portrait / Cousins Make the Best Friends

Gloucester, MA Snow Day Winter Portraits \ Hannah & Tony Family Pictures

When Hannah contacted me to take her family's pictures in and around Gloucester, Mass, my mind got to working with all the fun places we could visit for our photography shoot. After weeks of planning and sending each other Pinterest ideas, we were ready!  On the morning of our session, it snowed--meaning that I was beyond excited and somewhat giddy to capture all that snowy goodness!  

We stopped by Gloucester harbor to take some family photos in front of the family fishing boat, and then made our way around the harbor for some other seaside shots.  

Our session wrapped up with an in-home studio session--pups included! Check out my favorite highlights from this sweet family's winter portrait session below!

Intimate Wedding Ceremony Rockport, MA | Roger and Suz

Roger and Suz's 4th of July wedding was special and intimate in so many ways. While they exchanged vows, they surrounded themselves with those who matter most--their two daughters and well-loved family pet Pippi.  

I arrived early to capture some special moments as the family got ready--putting on makeup and jewelry, last minute hair adjustments,  playing a few chords on the guitar, and showering Pippi with hugs.  A friend of the family conducted the ceremony as the girls sneaked excited grins at each other.  The thing I loved the most about this beautiful at-home wedding ceremony was how relaxed and genuinely happy the entire family was.  

After the ceremony, Roger gifted Suz a pen with the lyrics of an Ed Sheeran song engraved on it-- "Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars."  Excuse me while I go melt into a puddle at the sweetness of it all.

Congratulations Roger and Suz!!

xoxo

Makeup: Makeup by Nikki C (makeupbynikkic@yahoo.com)

Mines Falls Nashua NH family pictures | Joell & Mandy

Here in eastern Massachusetts we've had, like, the third snowiest winter on record. Just yesterday we wrapped up yet another blizzard, and tomorrow we are forecasted to get another six inches.  It was only about mid-January when everyone was wondering where the snow went.  Then we stopped wondering when the snow never stopped!

Personally, I'm a fan of the snow. If it is going to be bitter cold, it might as well be snowing.  I'm fortunate enough to not need to deal with commuting in the snow and I have a big strong man to shovel away my snow.  

Little did we know back in October when we shot this family portrait session that we would be waist deep in snow by now.  

When Mandy and I were exploring location options for her family portrait session, I mentioned Mines Falls on the recommendation of one of my fellow photographers.  Mandy and Joell were instantly excited--this was a special spot for both of them.  In fact, they take their beloved black lab Roxy for a walk there nearly every day.  This was my first time exploring Mines Falls, and I could instantly see the beauty of the natural space.  

Before their session ended, we took a few moments to capture this young family in front of their home, as they were going to be moving in a matter of a few weeks.  This family is so sweet and so near and dear to my heart.  I hope you enjoy these precious photographs as much as I enjoyed taking them!  Feel free to leave some love for this adorable family in the comment section below!

Declan | Northshore Massachusetts Newborn Portraits

Welcome to the world, Tater! (I know that you have a big boy name now that you've arrived in the world, but Tater is just fun to say!)

It was incredibly special for me to photograph Declan because I also had the privilege of photographing his big sister Jayne a couple of years ago. Of course, as we were working on keeping Declan sleepy and warm during his shoot, Jayne was keeping a watchful eye over him like a good big sister. Declan is super fortunate--he has THREE big sisters to torture look over him!  Check out some highlights from his gallery, and don't hesitate to add a comment below!

Courtney & Glenn | Malden, MA maternity and family portrait photography

Winter photography isn't easy for a portrait photographer.  It's cold. (Red, runny noses anyone?).  The lighting stinks. (Sun sets at 4.) And there is an ever present threat of the weather going ahead and ruining a scheduled shoot. (Especially in New England.)  Not surprisingly, most portrait photographers slow down during the winter time.  But do you know who waits for no one?  Babies!  You can never be sure when those little things will pop out.

So when Courtney asked me to take her maternity photos, I was excited at the opportunity, and eager to get started.  Her due date was about 2 1/2 weeks away during this shoot!

It had just snowed a couple of days prior, so we got to take advantage of a snow-covered landscape.  Expecting mommas run hot, apparently, but it was also unseasonably warm that day!

Drake popped in for some fun too!  I photographed Courtney during her first pregnancy with Drake, too, so that made this maternity shoot even more special for me!

We took advantage of the light for as long as we could, but did I mention that this was the day before the SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR?? Um yea.  Light was fleeting.  Time to get creative.  

I brought my flash along with me for this shoot, anticipating that lighting would be working against us.  For this shot, I bounced the flash off the snow. Instant reflector! Score!

Shortly after, we went back to their place to take a few more pictures of the family together.  I wanted to focus on relationships and interactions here, so I went for a "lifestyle" portrait feel.  All this basically means is that I let Court and Glenn interact naturally with each other and with Drake while I was busy perched on top of the couch snapping away. I think you can really feel the love in these pictures.  Oh the heat!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this maternity and lifestyle portrait photography shoot. Leave your comments below!

Essex, MA fall family portraits | Langley Family

This fall I was itching to get outside to take advantage of the beautiful fall foliage and shoot some family portraits.  So I enlisted the use of some family!  It wasn't difficult to twist their arms, so we headed out to Essex.

We were in the Greenbelt, so we set out to explore the area and began our portrait session in the clam flats.  

It was pretty cold, so the wool plaid blankets came in handy.  

I stinking love these kids!  There's nothing like being able to capture those giggles.

Photographing a family is a bit of a challenge (who knew it would be so difficult for four people to have their eyes open at the same time?), but these guys made it easy!  

Look at these cuties! Nothing says fall family portraits like a barn backdrop.

And last, but not least, the MONEY SHOT!  We did more than a couple of takes, but don't you know, it's always the first shot that comes out best.  

What do you think of how they came out?  Any comments? Suggestions?  Talk to me, and leave me a comment below!

Good Harbor Beach Maternity/Family Portraits

Well, here we go. My first official family shoot, and here are some of the results.

In typical New England fashion, it was subzero temperatures  in May.  Photoshop will take care of red noses, thankfully!

Oh yea, and it was a maternity shoot as well!

And baby JUST made her appearance this morning! Welcome, Jocelyn!