A few weeks ago I met this cute family for their Simplicity family session in one of my favorite parks in Wyckoff.  Being an on-location photographer in Bergen County I am always on a lookout for new places to shoot around Ridgewood but I keep going back to this park because it has so many different areas and is a with lots of space for kids to run around.  I love shooting there in the spring in the fields of daffodils, in the summer – among wild daisies, and in the fall with beautiful foliage – it looks great every season.

This was baby L’s first photo session and he did great!   During her pre-session consultation, baby L’s Mom told me that he was a very happy and smily baby but when he first saw me he was a bit suspicious of me and my big camera and looked quite serious.  That’s  very common with babies and I usually just ask parents to play with kids like they would at home.  That worked wonders and in a matter of minutes baby L. was laughing and flashing his adorable smile!   And I was able to capture natural, lifestyle, happy images that I am know for:)

Being married with children (at least for us) is about 95% about kids but I think it is so important to remember that we are not only parents, but we are a couple as well.   Whenever I have my own family session and I am in front on a lens for a change I always ask for a few images of just Victor and I.   And I do the same for my clients – whenever I photograph families I always take a few images of parents – sans kids.  It is always fun to see them ‘shed’ the weight of responsibility (even if it is just for a few minutes) and have fun as a couple.