Kayla Schmidt 12/14/21 Kayla Schmidt 12/14/21

Andrea and Patrick's Newborn Session (Aurora)

Andrea and I have been friends since before we were born - our parents were college friends and Andrea and her sister were two of my first playmates. I was SO excited when Andrea and her husband Patrick asked me to photograph their new baby, Aurora. I couldn’t be happier for these new parents and I’m so excited to watch Aurora grow up! Congratulations, Andrea and Patrick!

Kayla Schmidt 11/17/21 Kayla Schmidt 11/17/21

Sara and Bryan's Maternity Session (Long Beach, NY)

Sara and Bryan’s maternity session started at their new home in Long Beach, NY. We did some fun photos with their french bulldog, Scout in the kitchen before heading out to the boardwalk and beach.

Sara and Bryan’s maternity session started at their new home in Long Beach, NY. We did some fun photos with their french bulldog, Scout in the kitchen before heading out to the boardwalk and beach. The sky was grey and the wind was whipping for the beach photos but we made it work (mostly I yelled myself hoarse trying to direct them over the wind and waves). The shades of grey and the white-capped waves actually helped to create a really beautiful, dramatic vibe (GREAT outfit choices, guys). I couldn’t be happier for you both! Congratulations, Sara and Bryan!

Kayla Schmidt 8/12/21 Kayla Schmidt 8/12/21

Zach's Proposal to Kim (Central Park, NY)

My coworker Zach reached out to me about photographing his proposal to his girlfriend Kim in Central Park. Zach had put lots of planning and effort into the day and sent me (and a bunch of their friends who were involved) an email with the plan. Excerpt from said email:

“9:45 - 10 a.m. - Zach and Kim leave to go get coffee at Daniel and to "plan to meet" Dan and Martha in Central Park.
10:30 - 10: 45 a.m. - Zach bends the knee at the "Native Meadow" where Kayla will be waiting for us.

10:45 - 11:30 a.m. - Zach and Kim take Photos"

Central Park is a very common photo-op spot, and the area where Zach was planning to propose was especially beautiful and filled with flowers and plants, so it wasn’t suspicious at all that I was there with my camera. I waited until they were entering the path leading to the large rock where Zach would get down on a knee and I followed. At this point, Kim was getting a bit suspicious as she recognized me as Zach’s coworker and now I was following them, but Zach didn’t waste any time and proposed on the top of the rock and Kim said yes. Yay!

Congratulations, Zach & Kim!

Kayla Schmidt 7/5/21 Kayla Schmidt 7/5/21

Lindy and Willie's Newborn Session (Skyler)

Lindy & Willie live in the same town as me so photo sessions are super easy and fun with them. They always have new restaurant or running route recommendations for me as a relative newbie in town (Lindy grew up here). Despite a few tears at the beginning, Skyler was just as photogenic as her parents and she worked a handful of excellent outfits styled by her mother.

Lindy & Willie live in the same town as me so photo sessions are super easy and fun with them. They always have new restaurant or running route recommendations for me as a relative newbie in town (Lindy grew up here). Skyler was born in late May and she was exactly 3 weeks old for our photo session. Despite a few tears at the beginning, she was just as photogenic as her parents and she worked a handful of excellent outfits styled by her mother. Lindy’s best friend happened to be there for a visit so we incorporated her into a few shots. Willie required a few photos with Skyler wrapped in a scarf from his favorite football (soccer) team, Everton F.C. She is obviously already a huge fan! Welcome to the world, Skyler!

Kayla Schmidt 5/20/21 Kayla Schmidt 5/20/21

Dylan's Proposal to Jocelyn (Garden City, NY)

Dylan reached out to me in early April about photographing his proposal to his girlfriend, Jocelyn in Garden City, NY later that month. The plan was to go out for a weekend run (something they often do together) and pass by a gazebo where he would lead Jocelyn to and ask her to marry him. Dylan and Jocelyn’s mothers arrived to the scene early and decorated the gazebo with flower petals, champagne & candles. As the couple passed by on their run, Dylan pointed out the gazebo and started walking towards it with Jocelyn (I was hiding behind a tree for this part, as I do). Jocelyn was completely surprised and did not see the proposal coming at all. Dylan and the moms successfully pulled off the surprise and got a very enthusiastic “YES” from Jocelyn when he popped the question. My favorite photos are from when the moms (both hiding behind trees farther into the park) popped out and very excitedly ran over to the happy couple, arms outstretched. So freakin’ cute. Congratulations Jocelyn & Dylan!!

Kayla Schmidt 4/29/21 Kayla Schmidt 4/29/21

Lindy and Willie's Maternity Session (feat. Summer the Puppy)

Lindy and Willie have a lot going on in their lives right now! They welcomed a new puppy named Summer into their family and are about to welcome a baby in May. For their maternity session, we started on their front steps and took Summer for a walk through the neighborhood and into Rye Town Park. She caused some mayhem (Lindy’s earrings were a VERY tempting toy) and wasn’t always the most focused model, but she was a wholesome, adorable, addition to this maternity session. My favorite part of the session was when we were down on the dog section of the beach. All the dogs wanted to be Summer’s best friend, and when Summer wasn’t saying hello to them, she was trying to see how big a hole she could dig in the sand. We did get some great non-blooper-reel photos in the fleeting moments of calm and focus and it was 100% worth it to have her there. I highly recommend incorporating your fur babies in photo sessions if you don’t mind things potentially going a bit haywire. Overall, such a fun day and I can’t wait to meet baby soon!