Mommy + Me Mini Sessions

I’m going to share a little secret with you.  I never wanted to do Mommy and Me Mini Sessions. Around this time every year I get inquires by the boatloads asking if I will be doing Mommy and Me Minis and every year I just don’t have the time. Do you know what changed that?  KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION.

That may sound silly but listen to where I am coming from - when you have your first baby, you feel like you have all the time in the world to cuddle that little pudgy guy or gal. The sleepless nights seem to last forever and you feel like you are going to spend the rest of eternity changing diapers. Sometimes you have another baby, and maybe another. Your life is full of sticky fingers, rough housing, snotty noses, bedtime routines, whining, and time outs. But you know those moments? The special ones that you tuck away in your heart? When your little ones first start telling you that they love you or when your toddler comes home from a playdate and says how much he missed you all day. Or when they want you to cuddle with them at bedtime and sing them a nursery rhyme. 

It’s easy to get caught up in life being “Mom” instead of “Mommy”. Trust me, I know.  But now that my four-year-old is going to be away from me next year for 6 hours, 5 days a week, I’m wishing I would have slowed down.  I wish I would have played more and worked less. Maybe gone on more picnics or had more trips to Monkey Joe's. I wish I would have pictures of me doing the things I love with my kids - cuddling, dancing, playing, tickling, laughing - instead of always needing to be on the other side of the camera.  I find myself being so jealous of the portraits I take of Mommies with their babies at sessions!

That’s why this year I knew I needed to set time aside for Mommy and Me Mini Sessions. Every Mommy, no matter what age, deserves special portraits with the ones she loved into being.  April 17th I will be holding mini sessions at The Children’s Lake in Boiling Springs (if it is good weather) or at my studio at 6 E. Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg (if it is bad weather).  Sessions will be 15-20 minutes long and for those of you have worked with me at mini sessions before know that I give a LOT of pictures. I encourage everyone to bring grandmothers, too!  It did begin with them, after all;)  Gift certificates are also available. Want to book your time slot?  Click here

Here are two of my favorite pictures from this past year with my boys ...  Thanks to my mom ;)

And this portrait from a few years ago is blown up big in my house! Four generations: my Nana, mom, me, and Greyson.

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A Review of 2015

So that’s it. 2015 is a wrap!

Looking back on the 2015 year, the 4th year of Jessica Snider Photography, I have many mixed feelings.  While compiling some of my favorite images from this year (which is like choosing between children!) I was on an emotional rollercoaster. I’ve met so many beautiful people and had some amazing sessions. I’ve attended several crazy, exciting, romantic, tear-jerking weddings.  I’ve hugged brides, helped them get dressed, pinned flowers on the groomsmen, set up reception areas, even wiped some tears.  I’ve photographed babies of friends, babies of old classmates, and babies that came into this world a little too early. I’ve felt a special bond with babies-turning-toddlers and helped them smash their faces and hands into beautiful crafted cakes. I’ve made some hilarious memories with seniors (both high school and college) as they made it so apparent that I am officially old and have no clue what music they listen to.  I’ve belly laughed with families, went on great adventures with them.  I’ve been the first to know about pregnancies and present during proposals. I’ve lived with the incredible people that grace this blog - I’ve felt their happiness, their surprise, their sadness, and been there for chapters in their life. I have watched their children grow and it’s as joyful and heartbreaking as watching my own little ones get older.  What a painfully beautiful job I have!

This year I’ve grown so much. I feel like I am finally creating a style in my work that people would be able to recognize as my own. I love color, true laughter, golden hour, and natural light. Of course everyone loves a good pose but my favorite moments are the ones that happen AFTER I pose you - the natural, real moments.  I’ve learned to stay true to what I like… so I’ve officially adopted the title of“natural light photographer”. I hate the look of artificial lighting and I was dreaming of a place where customers could relax, snack, and be subjected to a huge amount of props.  With that, the Jessica Snider Photography studio was born. My perfect little space has been such a blessing. Because of my natural light studio and the control I have when shooting there, my newborn sessions and cake smashes have been taken to a whole level.  And I’m not done growing in those departments yet!  This year I plan on making Cake Smashes and newborn sessions a main focus along with……

Weddings!!! What a glorious year of weddings! I’ve worked with more couples this year than ever before and I LOVE it. I plan on attending one or several workshops this year so that my wedding style can be always growing and cutting edge. Years ago, when I was just a young photography-major, the last thing I wanted to do was be a wedding photographer. Now, it’s one of those things that gives me an endless amount of artistic vision and joy. I will be adding new wedding pricing packages, products and promotions this coming year and I am so excited to work with a whole new group of brides and grooms - some who are dear friends to me - and plan to add many more couples to the roster!

Lastly, a big thing I have learned this year is to slow down. For those who know me personally, know that I am a self proclaimed people-pleaser and have a hard time saying “no” to work.  As hard as it is, I vow to take more breaks this year - vacations, one-on-one time with family, etc. - because the truth is, taking breaks makes my work better.  With that being said, I do plan on hiring someone to help this year with tasks like answering emails, scheduling, etc.

So as Ansel Adams once said, “When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs.”  Enough with this rambling! Enjoy some of my many favorites from 2015.  Thank you all for your business and belief in me. I promise you the best is yet to come.  xoxo

I would like to bring attention to some vendors who have been incredibly valuable and wonderful to me this year.

La Bella Bakery // Baker

Katie Cakes Cakery // Baker

Mad Crayfish Co. // Web design

Micaela Burkholder // Second Shooter/Assistant

Jarred McGowan // Second Shooter

Also a never-ending thank you to my parents and fiance for being my biggest supporters, best babysitters, and patient prop-makers. Your hard work does not go unnoticed!