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Photographing for the Mount St Mary’s Good Works Gala with my fab intern, Mari! (at Niagara Falls Country Club) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoFiVbXgP9V/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=178c5pis2hcz

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These boys!  This family.  This couple...this WOMAN!  Many of you reading this already know Ami Patrick, a warrior among women, that little voice inside your head that keeps you motivated to strive for self care.  That little sprite that smiles at you while she’s kicking your butt in P90X.   Ami and I have been on a journey together since we met about 2 years ago, and boy - its been a wild ride.

Our journey began like most - in Ami’s basement gym  in Youngstown ;)   I was working to get back into shape after the birth of my third (and final) baby.  Ami was training women and teaching P90 - both of us were content and motivated - but we both knew it was time for something more.  I had begun to look around for photo studios in the area.  Ami mentioned she may also be looking for a space to call her own.   One day I stumbled across a listing for the Red Brick schoolhouse in Lewiston.  I knew the building, but had no idea what big, bright, beautiful spaces they were hiding on their second floor.   I walked into what would be my studio space that day and knew immediately it was meant to be.  I also knew when I walked into the space across the hall from me who was meant to make her dreams come true in that room.    

Now here we are, 1.5 years later.   Ami has an army of amazing women here each and every day working hard to be their best selves - and Ami brings that out in them.  She is a truly gifted, beautiful soul and its apparent to see once you meet her.   I’ve been blessed to get to know her family - her hilarious husband Mark who spent many nights painting and hanging equipment while my husband was across the hall doing similar things.  Their boys, Finn and Desi are spectacular people that I can no longer call little ones because they have sprouted up so much in the past 2 years.   We had a blast at their fall shoot - a busy time for us both but we pulled it together and even survived a little bit of rain!  I think the slight gloom really pulled out the colors both in their attire and in the beauty at Artpark.   

Mark and Ami recently celebrated their 15th wedding Anniversary - still a lot of laughs and love between them.  

This group of #fallphotos are among my very favorite of 2017 - my absolute favorite I’m posting below of their beautiful family.   The only thing that could possibly make it better is their cute as a button little dogs being in it with them (#2018goals)!

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Posed and reception photos - part 2 of Mike and Maggie’s wedding day 6/15/17.   Ceremony took place at Silo City in Buffalo, NY - and the reception at Canalside, Buffalo.  <3

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Maggie & Mike - Silo City Buffalo

Welcome to Maggie and Mike’s world - a world where the rustic appeal of old industrial Buffalo meets the grace and beauty of their nautical romance.  These two took the time to do what rarely can happen for a wedding - they made it a fun, easy-going, enjoyable day that was just the way that they wanted it.  It was one of a kind, because the two of them are like no other couple, and they didn’t want a cookie-cutter experience.   There was laughter in the air all day and all night, with the exception of a few tears of joy before and during the ceremony.   Their friends and family all hopped on boats for leisurely ride over to Canalside where they docked together for the real party to begin.   Up above the docks, Gary Clark Jr. took the stage and played - seemingly just for them.   Mike, Maggie and guests mingled with Canalside participants on the pier (and yes, may have danced a little with the crowd) .     I couldn’t help but fall in love with their romance, capturing their unique, gorgeous, and sometimes outrageous day was truly an honor I’ll never forget.   

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Summer newsletter - read for tips on creating a memorable summer photo session (and some special savings!) 

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Meet Vanessa, one of the prettiest babies I have ever seen! <3  Little at those little rose bud lips! Swoon!  Vanessa was a dream newborn, she was calm and sleepy, and let us pose her any which way we pleased.  I credit her good nature to her loving parents, Tori and Garfield.  They’re newbies at this themselves, but you’d never know it.  They’re naturals, it was so fun to see them with the new center of their universe.  

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Why are cake smashes my favorite shoots?  Um, let’s see - there’s cake, there’s a baby, and there’s smashing.  It’s just a pretty awesome sight to behold.   

Check out my little drummer boy, Joey.   We were keeping our fingers crossed that he would do what he does best and use those drum stick on the cake - and he did not disappoint!   Such a fun afternoon, and big sister Victoria got to get in on the fun, too!  <3

Special thanks to the Village Bake Shoppe in Lewiston, NY for their awesome little drum cake :)

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Stephanie, Paul and Charlie - already the funniest, sweetest and most adorable family you could imagine - were expecting their first baby (girl!) at the end of April.  I can’t wait to meet the newest little beauty, although she’s going to have some pretty fierce competition in the cuteness department with little Charlie Brown at home :)

Hoping Stephanie and Paul are enjoying these last few weeks before their lives are forever changed. <3

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To know Violet is to love her.  She is the sweetest little thing you’ll ever see, with the biggest blue eyes in the world.  The best part?  She’s not just a sweet, pretty face - she’s got energy, vitality and spirit!  What better way to celebrate her vibrant and lively personality than to let her have the run of the studio - and a wall full of tutus!   She danced and spun and twirled and ran circles until her mommy and I were tired out! :)   A memorable day, I’m very much looking forward to her next day of whimsy!

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Julia is not just a funny, sarcastic, beautiful and kind friend.  She happens to be the mother of my son’s best friend, Lucan.  Understand, this elevates her to superstar level in my house.  I have watched with pure admiration as she has powered through her 4th pregnancy these past 9 months.   Working, working out (even last night - and her surgery is today!) and keeping her 3 (well, 4 - if you include Johnny) boys happy.   It was a joy to reflect back to her the beauty that she has that radiates out to the rest of us in this maternity session.  She and Johnny confessed this is their first one!   I’m overjoyed that they were able to document this pregnancy (I’m told it’s their last - but you never know!) and am waiting on pins and needles with the rest of their friends and family to know if this baby is a boy or a girl!  

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Madeline’s Cake Smash - 1st Birthday

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Danelle is a sweet friend I met years ago in a book club that was more like a wine club, but was always a good time.  I would not be opposed to a reunion, I think someone needs to make that happen.  I’ve had the good fortune of photographing her incredibly beautiful family over the years, but this cake smash for little Madeline was by far the most fun.   We were nervous at first that she might not take to the cake, but she discovered just how much she loves frosting (just like her mom!)   She tasted every inch of the cake, even using her foot for a while to check it out.   Big brother Michael sat on the sidelines with dad (Dan) oh-so-patiently waiting for his turn to dive in.   We finally gave him the go ahead (and yes, he did test the feel of the frosting on his foot as well!)   I could have photographed these two beautiful kiddos all day - but all good things must come to an end (just before the sugar crash!) 

 #madelinecakesmash #chelseamodernimages #frostingloversunite #modernphotoswny 

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Maternity photos (expecting beloved baby #3 in early September!) and Mother’s Day photos with my littles.  

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My 6 Year old son’s Mother’s Day song - he practiced it all weekend.  Swoon!