Leila's Bat Mitzvah Pre Shoot | Hollywood Beach, FL Photographer

A mitzvah pre shoot portrait session is a great opportunity to get to know your photographer, get some fun relaxed photos with your family, and get some photos of the mitzvah child to enjoy in decor or programs or for other day of celebratory photo purposes. It was an absolute pleasure to spend the evening with Leila and her family. Mom and I had chatted quite a bit before our session. She wasn’t sure if the family would be able to “pull it together”, and I shared a story about one of my best portfolio pics of all time, which was taken in a very not put together moment. I encouraged her to gather the family and show as themselves, and THEY DID. They showed up authentically in front of the camera, and it’s magic every time. Thank you for sharing your you with me! Enjoy this sneak peek of the result!

Kylie's Bat Mitzvah Pre Shoot | Hollywood, FL Mitzvah Photographer

I'm so excited to share the sneak peeks from this lovely Bat Mitzvah family pre-shoot. We met at the beach on a weeknight for better weather (after 2 reschedules due to rain and then wind), and less crowds. And it was worth the wait!

We were hanging out with the recycled art and golden hour light on the Broadwalk, and were invited to meet the sea turtles! One waved at and interacted with us. Such a friendly little guy! We finished up our session on the beach where Kylie got to tumble for the camera. How fab is the back of that leotard?!

A Family at Hollywood Beach FL | Lifsetyle Family Photographer

I loved getting to meet this family for their photo session last year, so I was absolutely thrilled to get them on the calendar again for this year! During the pandemic, we’ve all been taking refuge outdoors, as a break from the four walls of our homes, and many of us have been spending a lot of time at the beach. So it was no surprise that this family wanted this year’s session on the sand, and I was happy to oblige! We were blessed with an oasis of sunshine between weeks of rain, and this family brought their own inner light to reflect the light of the sunshine!

Hollywood Beach Lifestyle Family Photographer | Twirling Dresses

You guuuuyyyyyyssssss, this session was EVERYTHING!!! This family visits South Florida every Thanksgiving from Chicago, and for the past 3 years, I’ve gotten to take their fall family photos. Our most recent session was at Hollywood beach on Thanksgiving morning, so it was pretty quiet. It was also just the right amount of overcast so no one was super squinty, and the skies were blue. But even if we had full sun, we were going for it anyway, shadows and all!

Mom dressed the girls in these AMAZING dresses which were just made for twirling! (Hanna Anderson). There was beach play on the sand and in the water, and on the broadwalk, and a snack, and the playground, and we finished our session with a run through the fountain.

And this session was magic. The magic happens when you relax in front of the camera. When you stop looking at me and start enjoying each other. And sure, I’ll give you direction to do that awesomely enjoyable thing you just did from a different angle or in a different direction, b/c that’s what lifestyle photography is, but really. Let go and allow the moments to overtake you, because they’ll overtake me too, and then you’ll have a gallery that looks like this!

Kerry, Mike, Asher, and Miles: Hollywood Beach Family Photo Session

I worked with this mama for a few years and took her family photos at the beach 2 years ago when they first moved to Florida from Minnesota.  She proudly displayed the photos in her office, and it was finally time for an update for this year’s holiday session!  We met at the beach again, and lucked out with an absolutely gorgeous evening with one of the softest watercolor sunsets I’ve seen in a while.  And I absolutely LOVE that this family took my gentle guidance for play and genuinely interacted and enjoyed each other at their session.  It shows, and these images are SO YOU!