Ella | Class of 2025

I get so much perspective during my senior photo sessions… this incredible moment in life they’re about to embark on - moments that they will remember for a lifetime and memories they will create with friends who will be cherished forever. I leave these sessions with a deep feeling of gratitude because I drive home to my 5 and 9 year old, who still ask me to lay with them as they fall asleep and insist on going everywhere mommy goes.

This moment is not lost on me… but it does get hard being mom day in and day out, when the days are long and the years are somehow so short. I’ve heard it so many times before - that it all goes by so fast… so these sessions are my constant reminder to live in this moment a little slower, and hold my baby’s a little bit tighter!

Cheers to the Class of 2025!

Build Your Team

You’ve heard it before, the phrase “it takes a village”… but it isn’t until you actually need people to rally around you, that you realize it truly does take a village - a team - your people… who can be there for you in those core moments in life - build you up and prepare you to make the best possible choices and be there for you in the triumphs! The best moments in life are those spent with the ones we love - our team - building us up when we need it the most and loving us right through it all.

Brianna | Class of 2024

We all have those moments… the ones that stop us in our tracks - and force us to realize just how quickly life is moving. That split second you instantly feel grateful and also a little bit mad, that you have been reminded of the fact that the days are long… but the years are short. Yep - that’s what happens to me at senior sessions. What an awesome milestone to be capturing - life is about to change drastically for these kids and their parents too… and I know my time will come soon enough. My eight and four year old surprise me every day with how quickly they’re growing up… So until then, I need these little reminders… to, let the kids have ice cream as we watch the sunset together, stay at the park a little while longer than I’d like too… and play in the rain when all I feel like doing is taking a nap! Because these little moments will soon turn into bigger moments with them much farther away from me… and that day will undoubtedly come sooner than I’d like.

Family Strong

Every once in a while, a family comes along that touches my heart in a really special way… and I leave the session feeling truly alive. Alive in the sense that some tiny part of me, a part of my heart and a part of my soul are sparked - and reignited.

That was my session with this beautiful family - whose story can be told through the love they share for each other… the love that they give, the great love that was lost, and the love that is yet to be.

This family right here has a very special story, and I feel so grateful to have been chosen to capture it - even if just for a moment.

Please visit aroundforrylee.com to learn more, and to support a beautiful cause

#ryleestrong

A Walk In Her Shoes...

One of the greatest qualities a parent can have, is empathy… being able to take a step back and put yourself in your child’s shoes to understand the why, the how, the when and the what. It is also one of the best ways to get past any frustrating situation - but it’s so damn hard!

Now that she’s growing up and having her own ideas, plans and struggles - it is something I strive to improve on the daily… and it is also something I am deeply trying to instill in her own heart.

My baby girl - growing up right before my eyes… This is 6

Halfway There

6 months ago a tiny wrinkled baby boy was born into our world and we haven’t been the same ever since. We named Giovanni after his Great Grandfather and his Great Great Grandfather, both from Italy, who equally shared a deep love for family and a great pride for working hard. I think Gio will carry these same traits with him into his life, because already we can see the deep love he has for his sister and the careful way he explores his toys and the world around him. He’s our little lion… and we are so very lucky to call him our son.

It’s so hard to believe we are halfway to his first birthday, it almost isn’t fair how quickly children grow up! So instead of dwelling on how fast time is passing us by, we’re going to grab his chubby baby cheeks and kiss them for as long as we can… because we’re halfway there BABY, and each day with you is oh so sweet!