I’ve said it many times and I am sure that will say it many more times again – I have the most amazing clients!  It may sound like a cliche but after working and photographing families year after year clients really turn into friends and I really look forward to seeing each family, catching up with parents and being amazed at how much the kids grew.  This is the case with this family – this is my third year photographing them (and a forth session) – I first met them when J. was still in his momma’s belly!  When I came for their styling session prior to the photoshoot I was speechless at how much he grew and changed!  Instead of a chubby and adorable baby I saw last summer there was a chubby and adorable BOY, who kept laughing, hopping everywhere and talking up a storm!

We decided to do this family photo shoot at their home in Mahwah and kept it very casual.  The Mom and I talked prior to the session and thought it would be awesome to capture them doing what they do – cooking and relaxing at home.  But J. had his own plan and since he is two I figured it would be fair that we followed his instead of mine:)   This ended up being one of the most laid back sessions I’ve done and it all happened so organically – there was lots of hugs and laugher, jumping on the bed and hanging up-side-down, toasting to the weekend with milk bottles and wine glasses and watching TV in bed.  I love love love lifestyle sessions and was so thrilled that this family trusted me to capture their ‘everyday’.

And a few days after the session I got an email from this Mom with a review she wrote for me.  I cannot say how much it meant to me so I am totally bragging and sharing it here:)

“I don’t normally write reviews. Good or bad. I have two kids, a full time job, a house, husband, dog….I just don’t have time to write reviews. But Lena deserves my time. We have known Lena since 2013 and she has guided us through four family photo sessions. I have nothing but great things to say. From spending a TON of time picking just the right outfits (which make us all look fabulous), to sessions which are FUN, to the pictures which always make me cry, Lena does it all. There are no rules during sessions – she just goes with the flow. When my kids want to ride bikes, she catches amazing moments. When my daughter wants to tell jokes, she catches amazing moments. When my son wants nothing to do with what the rest of the family wants to do, she catches AMAZING moments! After each session I wonder how she will pull it off and she never ceases to amaze me. Lena is patient, kind, and full of talent! If you want family photos which far exceed your expectations, and you want to have fun while having them taken, please call Lena!”

I just had to include this image because it makes me laugh every time I look at it:)