Holiday Mini-Sessions

Every year there are a couple of months out of the year that I want to offer mini-sessions, but don't have the indoor location to do so.  Last year I was lucky enough to use another photographer's studio.  This year, I've created my own!

I never really loved the idea of using part of my home as a studio.  My home is...my HOME, not a business.  I like to keep the 2 separate.  But after realizing the hundred reasons why it would be a great thing, and that I LOVE my clients so much...it's more like having friends over for some fun instead of strangers over for business.

So this year, I decided to offer Holiday Mini-Sessions at my at-home studio.  My husband and I are in the process of converting it from a computer room to a studio, but it works! And all the ideas it's brought to mind are SO exciting :D  Here is a peek at the sessions:

 *Lia*

 *Hagan*

 *Adele & Clara*

 

*Amelia*

*Dominic*

*Happy Holidays*

5 Things I LOVE about fall!

I love fall...LOVE LOVE LOVE!  I look forward to fall every year and dread the winter.  Although this winter I'm excited for Aaron to play in the snow.  Or at least sit in it for 5 minutes ;)  Here are some things I love about fall:

1. Pumpkin.  Anything pumpkin!  Pumpkin lattes, pumpkin bread, pumpkin seeds, pumpkins on my doorstep, pumpkin chili, pumpkin cheese cake and probably most of all - pumpkin rolls from WEGMANS.  I thought I overdosed on eating these delicious rolls while I was preggo last year.  Not so much...any excuse to eat a pumpkin roll is fine with me!

                                              This image is from www.VeryBestBaking.com

2. The leaves.  I love the colorful trees on every street as the sun peeks through.  I even don't mind raking unless it's cold out :)  I love piling up the leaves and tossing my dog or son in them...I love the smell of them on the ground.  Watching them fall off the trees on a windy day is beautiful!

3. The cold.  OK - yes I said I hate winter...the cold! But after a hot summer I am ready to move to cooler weather.  I don't mind bundling up and going for a hike.  Getting back indoors to thaw out means a hot pumpkin drink under a warm blanket.  ahhhhh, yes please!

4. Hoodies!  It's finally ok to wear my hooded sweaters again! YAY...my favorite thing to wear is a warm hoodie and comfy pair of jeans. Plus if I eat too many pumpkin treats, it's easy to hide ;)  Even Aaron rocks his hoodies.

5.  Decorating the house.  Though I am no pro (far, FAR from it), I like to decorate the house for Halloween and Thanksgiving (and Christmas, but we're talking fall here). I'll admit last year I didn't do it, but I'm back at it this year. I LOVE going to the dollar bins at Target and buying decorations.  I'm lacking in decorations this year for Thanksgiving, so a trip to Target is in order (oh darn!).

                                             This image is from www.couponingwithrachel.com

This is just a bit about me! I'm going to try to do this more often :) Fun to share!  What do you love about fall??

Jaglas | Family Session * Rochester, NY Family Photographer

The Jaglas! I look forward to this family's session every year.  This was their 4th year with me and each year brings a smile to my face.  The girls are full of fun, smiles and poses :)  It was the perfect day for their fall session!

 

 

 

 

Thank you for coming back to me year after year!  Can't wait until next fall :)
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Shakin things UP!

Things at Photerica have been going really well for the past 4 years.  I'm busy, I LOVE my clients, I'm enjoying running a business (as small as it may be) on something that I love and am interested in.  I love being my own boss.  But I want to grow...I want...NEED to start making more progress towards my long term, and some short term goals.  It's so easy to get frustrated when certain things aren't happening at the speed I want, or if some days I feel like I'm not improving.  I get sick of writing down my goals over and over and over...because it seems like nothing gets checked off the list.  So this is the year I've decided to change that.  

It's been beyond a great year being at home with Aaron.  A challenge handling multiple things at once, but I am as happy as a clam.  I can't tell you how good it makes me feel to be home with him and take photos of him every.single.day <3

However I have the itch to shake things up for my business.  Get things moving, get MYSELF moving again.  One thing I've wanted to do for a couple of years now, but have just been too nervous to push the button on, is to take an in-person mentoring class with a newborn photographer that I've admired.  I have so many questions and am craving that hands-on experience that will hopefully connect the dots and send me down the road to accomplishing my goals.  Last week I finally decided to sign up for a mentoring session.  I'd had it with wishing I had the guts to do it...so I did it!  Just me, 2 other women and...JACI FORTSHAY PHOTOGRAPHY!!!  Jaci is amazing.  Please take a few minutes and check out her site and FB page.  It's a 2 day hands-on workshop that I am beyond excited for.  I was so nervous to hit the "submit payment" button to confirm my spot.  With this comes flights, hotel rooms, a second payment for the session etc...it's not cheap.  If I take this workshop, spend all this money and I don't improve, well...I'll be disappointed in myself.  And I HATE that feeling.  But I'm tired of NOT doing things because I MIGHT be disappointed. Things won't change, I won't grow, unless I try new things and step outside of my comfort zone.  So I took a deep breath, and did it (with my eyes closed as I clicked SUBMIT).  Needless to say, I didn't sleep much that night with all the excitement and adrenaline running through me!  A big thanks to Jay and my dad for cheering me on the days before. <3

So yes, next year there will be new, fun packages for you to purchase and different props to choose from...but there will also be a reinvigorated, rejuvenated Erica, hopefully dying to show you what I learned ;)  There will also be (at least) one goal I can cross off my list. BOO-YAH! Since this workshop is focused on newborns, I will also be featuring a special for newborns in the month of February.  Stay tuned...!

Marisa | Senior Photographer Rochester, NY

Marisa came to me wanting senior portraits that reflected her...relaxed and natural.  No problem, I knew the perfect spot.  I will do a photo session at this field ANY time.  It's a beautiful spot with gorgeous light and always makes my clients look amazing.  See for yourself!

Happy Senior Year Marisa!!!  Enjoy it...it'll go by fast but the plus side is that college is even better ;)

Ollie | Newborn Photographer Rochester, NY

Sweet, sweet baby...goodness how cute he is!  I loved this session for several reasons - Ollie is insanely cute, I used to work with his mom & dad and couldn't wait to see them, their house was a perfect mix of modern design and soft light *LOVE*.  I am so happy for Rosi & Marshall. They are wonderful parents and the love they have for Ollie shows through right away <3

Welcome to the world Ollie! Hope to see you for your ONE year photos next summer ;) xo