Five Rivers in Slingerlands, NY - Donnelly Fall Family Session

This sweet family session was such a treat for me — mostly because they are practically family, and returning customers. We met up at Five Rivers in Slingerlands, NY, which is easily one of my favorite spots for portraits this time of year. The tall grasses, fall colors, and warm glow of golden hour make it such a dreamy backdrop for family photos.

Now, if you’ve ever had photos taken with a little one, you know things don’t always go perfectly smoothly — and that’s totally okay. Courtney and Ryan's daughter, Lucey, was full of energy (and a few big feelings!), so we had a mix of laughter, running around, and a couple of tiny tantrums in between. But honestly, that’s real life with any child, right?

We(the adults) suggested a few opportunities for posing, but instead of forcing poses, I leaned into photographing the in-between moments — playing, exploring, and I let her personality shine through. Even with the slight hiccup to the photo plan, I was still able to capture so many sweet, genuine moments of connection between the family. Those are always my favorites — the unplanned giggles, the way she looked up at her parents, the hugs that turned into laughter.

As the sun peeked through the trees, the light turned golden and wrapped them all in this perfect, soft glow. It was the kind of light that makes you stop and take a breath because everything feels calm and beautiful for just a second.

By the end of the evening, we walked away with a gallery full of warmth, love, and plenty of personality — proof that even when things don’t go exactly as planned, there’s still so much magic to capture.