Spring Family Photos and Waking Before the Sun | Glens Falls, NY
I left the house before the kids woke up (which is saying quite a lot, since they awake before 6am these days! We just started using the OK to Wake Clock, and it’s BEGINNING to work. Fellow toddler moms, I know you feel this.) The unseasonably warm Spring weather refreshed my soul, and I was invigorated with the energy of a new season, and the prospect of not having to wear a coat for these photoshoots!
The families that I photographed were so sweet, and the kids were full of the incredible energy that only the first warm weather of Spring can infuse! They were a joy to capture. We put the bubble machine to good use, and channeled a “Wheels on the Bus” vibe. Pro tip: bring your best friend and her kids to your photoshoot to help you entertain yours! This was the first time I had two families of best friends together, and it was beautiful to see them all helping with each other’s children!
It was such an honor to capture these incredible families; thank you Kate, Melanie, Hillary, and Erin for inviting me into your lives and allowing me to stop time for a moment. Here’s to the start of Spring photoshoots in Upstate NY and all of the incredible moments we’ll capture together!
Paul & Rene Leonard: Granville Wedding Anniversary Photoshoot
Congratulations to this incredible couple on their wedding anniversary! It was such an honor to photograph them on this snowy mid-March Saturday.
The day started off with a surprise mid-March snowstorm, and as I drove to Paul and Rene’s home in Granville, NY, I knew they’d be up for the challenge! Paul and Rene are two of the kindest people I know, and we are honored to consider them friends, as well as the people we trust to take care of our babies through their daycare business, Exploration Acres.
As we walked around their gorgeous log cabin home with the snow cascading down around us, they shared their captivating love story with me. The truth is, we see each other every day when I drop Kayden off, but to get the chance to spend this time with them and learn more about their story was incredibly special.
One of the things I love most about this job is that I am invited into people’s lives to capture their most precious moments. Paul and Rene’s anniversary happens to be the same day as my Kayden’s birthday: March 12th, the day after our photoshoot, which feels deeply meaningful. Cheers to this incredible couple and congratulations to them on their anniversary!
Capturing the Music: Aaron Hahn at Scotlander Brewing
For a Saturday in March, the day started off in a beautiful snowstorm and ended with sun peeking through the clouds. It was the perfect day to spend capturing Aaron Hahn and his beautiful wife, Veronica. He sauntered in with a gentle cowboy swagger, and his energy matched the cadence of the music he and Barry played. Laughter and friendship filled the room with joy, and a good time was had by all as I captured this event in Argyle NY. We can’t wait to go back for the next event!
Pink Boots Society Collaboration Brew Day | Walt & Whitman Brewing Saratoga Springs NY
Stina from Slate Town Brewing and Lily from Bolton Landing Brewing
Celebrating International Women’s Day with the ladies of the Pink Boots Society Upstate NY chapter was the perfect place to be today. What an honor to be immersed in the talent, skills, and kindness of these incredible women! We bring vastly different backgrounds and knowledge base in the brewing industry, and it is uplifting to bear witness to the support and encouragement no matter what you bring to the table.
It’s always a bit daunting walking into a social situation where you know noone, and once again, I was welcomed with open arms (and delicious beers!) as together we brewed the Pink Boots Society Collaboration Brew hosted by Walt & Whitman Brewing in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Thank you all so much for inviting me in to capture the magic!
Adirondack Brewery Barrel Fest | Lake George NY Event Photography
The snow cascaded down, coating eyelashes and falling into our tasting glasses, giving a magical overtone to photos of this year’s Barrel Fest event at Adirondack Brewery in Lake George NY. I got the opportunity to combine two of my loves: beer and event photography! We ran into some old friends and made some new ones too!
The roaring palette fire made a warm, exciting centerpiece enhanced by the fireworks. Friends gathered to taste the incredible barrel-aged beer offerings from Adirondack Brewery, Mean Max Brew Works, Speckled Pig Brewing, Battle Hill Brewing, Artisanal Brew Works, Bolton Landing Brewing, Thousand Islands Winery, Chatham Brewing, Common Roots Brewing, Northway Brewing Co., Founders, Fidens, Raquette River Brewing, Mill House Brewing Company, and many more.
Cheers to another incredible year of Barrel Fest!
Baby William | Vermont Farmhouse In-home Newborn Photoshoot
I drove slowly to this in-home newborn photoshoot on a softly cloudy February morning through the rolling hills of Pawlet, Vermont. I pulled up the long, sloping driveway and breathed a little differently, taking in the beauty of this family’s home.
It was filled with the warmth of newborn snuggles, and Marny smiled at me with the happy, sleepy eyes of a mother with a newborn. William stayed awake for his entire shoot, wanting to take it all in. Their sweet cat, Oreo, joined him for a few photos. (Oreo was bigger than William, and my heart exploded a million times watching them snuggle!)
He was such a good sport with us putting him into the adorable outfits and placing him on a soft pillow in the spots of the farmhouse that had the most amazing natural light. (Spoiler alert: the amazing pillow was a dog bed I purchased from TJ Maxx! I’m a Maxxinista now.)
It was truly the biggest honor to be invited into this family’s home for a photoshoot just one week after they welcomed their new baby boy. It was a special treat after I had the privilege of photographing their family this summer, when Marny pulled the ultrasound photo out of her pocket and surprised me! I barley kept it together with happy tears that day.
As I was packing up my gear to leave, Marny handed me a few jars of homemade jam and salsa, and said to me how nice it was to have a photographer come to her home so she didn’t have to pack up the baby and leave. I was so thrilled she had as great an experience as I did!
The truth is, it’s been a rough week in our family, after losing our sweet kitty Linus last Thursday. But this photoshoot filled my soul in a way I didn’t know I needed. I left with a fuller heart than I arrived with, and as I drove home, I sighed happily and thought to myself: I can’t believe THIS is what I get to do for my job.
Photos & Pints | Scotlander Brewing, Argyle NY
The drive to Argyle, NY was a winter wonderland, and as I pulled into Scotlander Brewing for the first ever Photos & Pints event, I couldn't help but visualize all of the different locations I'd photograph people in for these couples mini sessions!
The beer was good, made even better by the welcoming company and the stunning landscape. Conversation flowed as people trickled in, and we sat and drank a few beers in between shoots. (The Black Tie IPA was my favorite!)
A sneak peek of Kaitlin and Craig’s session is below—these love birds were so much fun to photograph!
Thank you so much to everyone who came out for the first ever Photos & Pints event! I can't wait for the next session! If you have a suggestion for a brewery you'd like to see for the next session, I'd love to hear it! Cheers!
5 Reasons Why You Need a New Headshot
You’re working remotely.
Working remotely is a party of one. I would know! Running a small business on your own is the most solo example of remote working culture. When you enter that Zoom meeting with your team, you want to stand out in a sea of colored circles with initials. Even if you’re rocking the business mullet: blazer up top, pajamas on the bottom: show that you’re professional where it counts, and create your own repeat brand impression daily for your coworkers (and your bosses!)
2. You’re ready to level up your career.
It’s a new year, and you’re feeling burned out and ready to start looking. We’ve all been there. Before you start hitting “Connect” to network on LinkedIn, make sure your headshot reflects who you currently are. Was it taken over 5 years ago? Is that even what you still look like? You’ll want your headshot to be an authentic representation of who you are. When you land that first interview, leave no surprises to your new potential employer.
3. You want to raise your prices.
Whether you’re a small business owner, or selling handcrafted items on Etsy (admittedly, I’m both), including a professional headshot will help reach new customers and make you look like you know what you’re doing, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. Professional product photos can also help. By making your product look higher end, your target audience will be willing to pay your new higher prices for what will be perceived as a higher quality product.
4. You want to increase engagement.
Do you have future influencer ambitions? Or just want to increase engagement on your social media accounts? This incredibly interesting study explored how professionally taken photos tend to improve user engagement on social media posts, relative to photos taken by amateur photographers. I’ve seen it happen on my own accounts, though I didn’t want to believe it. Putting yourself out there is hard for some of us, but it turns out people want to see your gorgeous human face. They’ll give you the likes to prove it.
5. You’re single and ready to mingle.
Professional photos aren’t just for people looking to get a promotion. The brave new digital dating world requires an authentic representation of who you are. You’re paying for the premium subscription on Match because finding a quality partner is worth the investment. Double down on your investment and make sure the photos on your profile are updated, too. You’re more likely to attract partners who are on your level.
Your headshot can be anything you want it to be—professional, conservative, lighthearted, filled with a bit of humor! Indoors, outdoors, with lasers in the background. Talk to your photographer ahead of time and get a game plan together for what you want your first impression to be.
Thank you 2022!
2022 was filled with incredible headshot, branding, family, maternity, and corporate event photography opportunities that I am deeply thankful for. It was the birth year of my photography business, and it allowed me to grow roots in our beautiful small town of Granville, NY.
Summer brought the breathtaking opportunity to take headshots for Headline in New York City at One World Trade Center. The natural light flowing in from the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Statue of Liberty rendered lighting equipment unnecessary, and both the experience and results made my heart so happy.
Just as the Summer began to fade into Fall, I was called to one of my favorite events of the year—a two-day corporate retreat and headshots for Mannix Marketing, held at the Villa Nirvana in Lake George, NY. Getting to know this team and their energy was a true honor, and I can’t wait for the next corporate retreat!
Fall was filled with family photoshoots of all shapes and sizes, and they are some of my FAVORITE shoots! Being invited into these families to capture their most sacred moments is truly what fills my soul. This adoption celebration photoshoot was one of the most emotional for me.
We capped off the year with some family holiday photoshoots, and I am so deeply thrilled to have been able to offer tree farm photos at Mandy’s Nursery in Granville, NY. This shoot was the cherry on top of my year, and I can’t wait to do it again next year!
A deep thank you to all of my clients and everyone who has uplifted and supported my small business this year. I will be pouring my heart and soul into serving you all in 2023, and I am so thrilled and thankful! Cheers!
Upstate NY Pink Boots Society Holiday Party | Bound by Fate Brewing
I’ve been a member of Pink Boots Society for so long that the closest chapter to me was NYC. I was never able to attend any events or really get to connect with any of the women in my group, until I discovered there was an Upstate NY chapter!
I attended my first event yesterday, which was no small feat for an introvert like me! Walking into a brewery I’ve never been to, with a group of women I’ve never met but highly respect and admire was a brave feat for me.
I walked into Bound by Fate, and Pam instantly welcomed me, and that feeling came over me—you know the one—where you feel with your whole being that you’re in the right place, on the right path.
It was amazing connecting with the women from Bound by Fate Brewing, Common Roots Brewing, Unified Beerworks, Indian Ladder Farms Cidery and Brewery, and more. Finally getting the chance to meet Jess, the graphic designer from Common Roots, was especially awesome, and we geeked out over SEO and fonts in the back corner during our icebreaker. (Hi Jess!)
These women are incredibly talented and knowledgeable, and when we raised our hands to introduce ourselves, I actually felt like a true business owner. I can’t wait for the next event, and I’m so proud to be a part of this incredible group.
My Baby is Five
My baby is five. It feels like a big number, and as I sit here before he wakes, the living room awash in the glow of the Christmas lights, it all comes back to me.
How my water broke three weeks early, while Karl was busy untangling the lights. How I expected everything to move so quickly, like you see in the movies. The blur of childbirth, asking the midwives to give me one more hour to push before we explored the option of a C-section, knowing my body could do this, and it did.
The murmur of people around the room as they laid my baby on my chest. Holding him awkwardly, unsure of my new promotion to mama. The burst of love surrounding Kaiser and I, as people busied about us.
I remember how hard breastfeeding was, and how much I felt like a failure. Being released from the hospital at 11pm, and how the heat was out in the house. Having to go get literal midnight oil to warm it again. How afraid I was to be alone with him.
The sleepless nights, the cluster feedings, the heart murmur, the plagiocephaly, the febrile seizure, the postpartum anxiety.
Hearing you say “bahb-eyew” (I love you) for the first time, the way your presence calms me instantly. Seeing you take care of your brother, share your toys, get him a bandaid when he gets a boo boo. Hearing the sound of your laughter, and seeing that mega-watt smile light up the entire world. My entire world.
I am irrevocably changed. And I am so deeply thankful that you chose me for your mama, my sweet Kaiser. Thank you for the greatest Christmas gift ever. I love you big as the sky.
Village of Granville, NY Tree Lighting Event Photography
Mayor Paul Labas, searching for his dog, Max
When the Mayor of Granville asks if you will capture photos of the 10th anniversary of their annual tree lighting event, your heart grows three sizes and you say yes!
This event was near and dear to my heart for many reasons. I love this beautiful small town; my husband Karl and I have put down roots here and are raising Kaiser and Kayden here. We attend the tree lighting every year; it’s walking distance from our home, and we went long before we had the boys. Something about it makes me tear up every year, and this year was even more special, as I had the opportunity to capture behind the scenes photos of all of the volunteers and their hard work to make magic happen for this town.
From a lighting perspective, it was different from what I typically capture, and trying to snap photos during the flashing light show proved a welcome challenge. I also used my Lume Cube, which helped to provide some fill light on faces when the light was very low.
It was truly such an honor to be asked to capture photos for this event, and now I can tell my mom that I got to meet the Mayor (aka the Grinch!)
Headshots and a Corporate Retreat | Mannix Marketing | Lake George, NY
I was first asked to capture the corporate retreat for Mannix Marketing at the stunning Villa Nirvana in Lake George, NY. The event itself was incredible, and they made a smart investment and chose to add headshots to their event coverage! It was the perfect combination. Based on the timeline of the event, we chose a few hour block and a sweet hidden corner of the Villa to pull people individually and capture their headshots.
We did a few straightforward headshots, and also some silly ones to capture the personalities of the Mannix team! What a vulnerable thing to ask of people who just met me, to be comfortable enough with me to show their silly sides! But the team warmed up right away, and they were all so open and wonderful.
So the next time you invest in having a photographer at your corporate event, retreat, or even holiday party—why not take advantage of having everyone in the same place, and capture headshots too?
The Chapman Family | Holiday Tree Farm Photoshoot | Granville NY
This was the tree farm photoshoot I’ve been dreaming about for months! The morning was a bit chillier than we anticipated, but luckily our location at Mandy’s Nursery in Granville, NY provided the perfect cover, as we were able to park the cars about 15 feet from this spot and ran to warm up whenever we needed to!
This sweet family was the lucky winner of the holiday photoshoot giveaway, and I am SO thrilled to have gotten the chance to meet Julianne, her husband David, and their sweet 4.5 year old son Joseph! It was pure magic to see how calm and collected they were, and how caring they were towards Joseph when he needed to warm up.
Our photoshoot was efficient and we managed to get in some great shots in between all of us warming ourselves in our cars, and we even got some of this sweet couple, too.
Honestly, it has been my dream all year to do a family tree farm photoshoot, and this incredible family and this stunning location in Granville made my dreams come true!
The Wheeler Family | Family Adoption Photoshoot in Glens Falls, NY
This was, quite possibly, the most emotional photoshoot I’ve had this year. I got the chance to capture this incredible family and their sweet 19-month old twins four days before their official adoption ceremony.
There was a point where I worried I had made a mistake in taking this on. This sweet mama had already had a photoshoot with another photographer, and the photos had not turned out as she’d hoped. My heart immediately wanted her to have the photos she and her sweet babies deserved for this special day, so I offered to do a reshoot for her. The morning of the shoot, I worried—was I overconfident that I could deliver a photoshoot experience that delighted her after her previous experience? On top of it all, it was the first photoshoot I’d ever brought Kaiser, to, since it was Veteran’s Day and school was closed. I of course cleared it with my client, but I wanted to offer this day as an option, as she’s a hard working mama of two babies and we all know time off is precious.
Chief Bubble Director, Kaiser, taking his role seriously!
Though I was a bit nervous, Kaiser’s presence calmed me AND the babies. He greeted them with monster trucks and took his job as Chief Bubble Director very seriously. The babies instantly warmed to him, and we got SUCH incredible photos because of it.
I worked hard to delivery the gallery early, as I knew their big adoption day was fast approaching. On gallery delivery day, I checked my email. Kaitlyn had written three long paragraphs expressing how happy and thankful she was. And I teared up knowing I was able to make her dreams of photos to celebrate their adoption day come true. A deep congratulations to the Wheeler Family! Kaiser has not stopped talking about the twins since that day; you’ll be in our hearts forever.
The Gazdeckis | Holiday Family Photoshoot in Glens Falls, NY
This family is incredibly special to me. Sandi and John met in college, and will be married 10 years next year! They’ve been through so much through the years, including losing their sweet kitty PoPo this week, who we all loved deeply. I’ve been privileged to be able to walk beside them and witness it all, because they’re MY family! Meet my sister, Sandi, her husband, John, and my sweet nephew Jaxson!
She’s one of my favorite models (and humans), so you’ll see her gorgeous face in many of my photos. She’s one of my biggest cheerleaders, and I’ve also had the honor of designing the brand identity for her wellness brand, Sandi Gaz Wellness!
This shoot was the second of the day, on Veteran’s Day, so school was closed, and Kaiser was there to assist for his second shoot ever! Boy, was he excited when I surprised him that his new clients included his best friend and cousin Jax! His presence also presented a challenge from a photographing perspective though, as he loves his cousin so much that he kept wanting to run and be in all of the photos. So we got creative, and when I had Jax run to hug his mom and dad, I had Kaiser run alongside him, just out of the frame! (My sister later texted me that she thought it was genius, which made my day!)
Their family photoshoot went off without a hitch, and when we were done, we got some sweet couple shots to help celebrate their upcoming 10 year anniversary while the boys played on the nearby playground at Crandall Park!
20 Years of Friendship
The five of us have been friends since we were the age our children are now. I met Sarah in second grade, Mal in seventh, and Em and Steph came together with us like kismet along the way.
We all hail from Michigan, and are now spread across the country from Montana to Maryland. We’ve seen each other through the ebbs and flows of life, and into marriage and motherhood. I’ve joked that we’ll be Marco Polo-ing our way through menopause, but at this point, that’s not too far fetched.
It’s our 20th highschool reunion this year, and though I would have loved to see everyone, we all decided it was most important that we make space to be with each other. It’s no small feat to arrange the care of 9 children between us, time off from jobs and the businesses we own.
And though we get the chance to be in each other’s presence once a year if we’re lucky (last year four of us made it, though Covid kept us from all being together), when the five of us all walked into that living room of our AirBnB in Charlotte, South Carolina, the energy shifted in the most magical way. And when we got into the sketchiest cab to go to the beach, complete with broken seats and the oddest music selection, we were doubled over, gasping for breath, trying to hold back the tears from laughing so hard. In an instant, it was like no time had passed at all, and suddenly I was 17 again.
The McEnaney Family | Fall Photoshoot in Glens Falls, NY
It was a chilly Fall morning for this gorgeous family photoshoot in Glens Falls, NY. I had looked up the weather, as I always do, but it was much cooler than we anticipated. Luckily, the McEnaney family was up for adventure and hung in there with me! A recent storm had brought down a good number of the remaining leaves, but we found the color and brought them out for this sweet family!
The McEnaney girls were SO adorable with their sweet smiles and those gorgeous curls! The bubble machine was a big hit, and their giggles kept us all warm. Jay and Amanda stayed cool as cucumbers through their 30 minute photoshoot, which is such a testament to their energy and dynamic as a couple.
I had a warm blanket in my bag of tricks, and we stopped to take a break and warm up the baby for a few minutes. I always photograph at a pace the family is comfortable with, and we take breaks for snacks or warming up whenever we need to! It was such an honor to witness this family’s relationship with one another, and you could truly feel the love through Crandall Park this brisk fall day for their family photoshoot!
Fall Family Fun and the F Word
We’re very into the F word these days, and I don’t mean “Fall”. It’s entirely my fault—it’s been a stressful pandemic, and I have a potty mouth. Whatever the excuse, my sweet smiling babies have taken a fancy to repeating this word with an impish grin at every turn. It was funny at first, and I couldn’t stifle my laughs. But it’s grown into an unstoppable force that has us glancing at each other wide-eyed with gritted teeth. If you see us out and my angelic cherubs are repeating this colorful language, please know we’re employing all of the tried and true parenting tactics to right the wrongs in the world.
If you’ve just recently found me, welcome! I’m Staci, and when I’m not running photoshoots, capturing headshots, or designing logos; I’m busy chasing around my 4.5 and 2.5 year old toddlers, Kaiser and Kayden, with my husband, trying to raise them sans swearing the best we can.
They’re my favorite models, and the biggest inspiration for starting this business. I look back and realize I didn’t have a maternity photoshoot or professional family photoshoot, and I wish I had captured those memories. My babies are growing so fast, so I try to stop and live in the moment whenever I can. The best way I know to do that is to view them through the lens of my camera—especially when we sneak into our neighbor’s yard, my husband grabs a leaf blower, and they dutifully sink into all the beauty that Fall in Upstate NY has to offer.
Capturing a Corporate Retreat | Mannix Marketing
The weather was unpredictable, to say the least. At one point, the thunder clapped so loud that all of us standing on the balcony overlooking Lake George jumped, and though we had met only the day before, the friendly Midwesterner in me grabbed the shoulder of the person next to me, as we all laughed in shock.
It was a two-day corporate retreat for a lovely company called Mannix Marketing; just enough time for everyone to acclimate to the idea of having a camera document their entire event, which is no small feat! It’s an honor to be invited into the chemistry and dynamics of a company’s culture, and to be joked with and accepted as one of their own is the highest award.
The retreat itself was immaculately planned—the location was the incredible Villa Nirvana on Lake George in Upstate NY. There were swag bags, a food truck, a yoga session, sip-n-paint, cornhole games, volleyball, hiking, pickleball, basketball, and even mini golf. For some, they had worked together virtually for months, and this was the first time they had met in person. You could feel their energy as they relaxed and got to know each other better. The value of in-person gatherings like this, especially for companies, was palpable. It allowed people to connect, laugh, and build even stronger relationships than they had before.
I took group shots and individual headshots of the team. And when founder and CEO Sara Mannix said to me: we’d like some “fun” shots, too; I knew she had amazing energy and that we were a great match!
The retreat ended with the handing out of awards, and carefully crafted words of warmth for each employee. And as I slipped out after the second day to drive home along Lake George, I warmly remembered why corporate events are some of my favorite things to capture: what a true honor it is to be invited into the family of a company.
