Photos at Home :: Documenting Living History from a Safe Distance

This week, I have been trying to wrap my head around how to keep my business afloat moving forward while we are all staying home and keeping a distance. It’s been a challenging week in many ways, but also inspiring in even more ways!

As a family, we have tried to get out for a walk each afternoon to get fresh air, say hello to neighbors who are also outside and walking. Connection is so important during times like this! It lifts the spirits and helps everyone feel less alone when things feel very uncertain and scary.

Seeing families outside together reminded me of all the wonderful times I have photographed families outside their homes, together. Now it feels like we are in the midst of a major time in history. Many of us with young kids probably can’t help but think they’ll grow up and talk about this the way we talked about 9/11, or our parents talked about JFK and MLK and the moon landing.

How did you spend this time? How was it challenging? How did you feel? What did we learn about each other or ourselves?

I know it’s not conventional in any sort of way, but I am offering a very small service, to families, small business owners and entrepreneurs who are now at home, to have some pictures taken, from a distance. I can work from your front yard, sidewalk, or driveway and capture you or your family, so you have memories captured of this time in our lives. Small business owners and entrepreneurs, you can use the photos to talk to your clients and audience, share with them how you’re spending these days.

So what do you think? :)

Due to the nature of these things, I think I would only be able to do this within a 20 minute drive from my own home, so Newington, Wethersfield, Rocky Hill and West Hartford.

I will not come close to your family. I won’t come in your house. You might pretend I’m like the paparazzi, just hanging out by your house.

Sound interesting? Fill out the form at the bottom of this post, or email me at hello@shannon-sorensen.com and we can figure it out!

Family Beach Session at Harkness Memorial State Park :: Waterford, Connecticut Shoreline

I had the joy of photographing Emily and Tom's family again earlier this month to capture their growing family at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, Connecticut. It was a gorgeous, quiet Sunday morning by the water, and I love the images from this session. We got a nice mix of family portraits and those candids you know I love, little moments of giggles, snuggles, silliness and affection.

I've photographed this family four times now, and each time has been different and wonderful. I shot Emily and Tom's engagement photos at Yale, Martin's newborn photos, a fall family session when Martin was about 5 months old, and now this spring session where the kids are 4 and almost 2. It's such a gift for me to be entrusted with documenting this time, when the kids are growing, their personalities are flourishing, Emily and Tom are right in the thick of parenting, and the days are passing so quickly. 

When I shot Martin's newborn photos, I was about 4 weeks pregnant with Andrew. 

Time flies!

Here are some favorite highlights from their session at Harkness Memorial State Park. I especially love the series of mother-daughter images at the end. It was a little cool and Emily picked up Claire to help warm her up. It was very quick, this sweet, snuggly moment as we were walking back to the cars.

If you're a Connecticut resident, parking here is free, and it's a really lovely place to spend time, for a picnic, walking along the water, fishing, or exploring the gardens. And it's a short trip from Mystic, if you are looking for more activities for the kids and sights to see. 

Spring Family Beach Session at Harkness Memorial State Park Waterford Connecticut Shoreline by Shannon Sorensen Photography

Shannon Sorensen is a Connecticut-based newborn and family documentary photographer serving families throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. For more information or inquiries, contact Shannon or email hello@shannon-sorensen.com.

Ain't No Mama Like the One I've Got

What do you want for Mother's Day?

Every year my husband asks me this and every year I stammer and wrack my brain and end up mumbling "Uhhhh I don't know, breakfast something something quiet day something something I don't need anything."

I don't really need anything. We're healthy and happy. I have everything I need. But what's the point of Mother's Day but to honor the women who are so special to us, in whatever role they fill in our lives. And to be celebrated. Am I the only who for some reason feels guilty for being celebrated? How silly is that? I grew two humans! That wasn't easy! It's still not easy. haha

With Mother's Day a couple weeks away, I can think of no better gift to give than time together taking beautiful photos of mamas and their babies. Whether your babies are tiny or in high school or grown up, or you want generational pictures and include your own mom, or your babies are covered in fur and keep your feet warm at night. There are so many ways to be a mama, and they should all be celebrated and honored!

So, when you are asked what you want for Mother's Day? Send them here. Have them email me at hello@shannon-sorensen.com. Or if you are the one doing the shopping, I can send a printable or physical gift certificate to give alongside that awesome breakfast in bed!

And if you book a documentary family session with me now through the end of May for the remainder of 2018, you'll receive a free 5x5 coffee table book featuring your favorite 10 images (a $90 value) from your session! This offer is valid for family, motherhood, fatherhood, maternity and anniversary sessions - it does not include newborn sessions. Contact Shannon for session pricing and details. 

There is no better time to capture memories with your family!

I can't wait to hear from you!

Shannon Sorensen is a newborn and family photographer based in Newington, Connecticut. She joyfully serves families throughout New England. Email hello@shannon-sorensen.com for inquiries. 

Documentary Family Photography :: Fall in Wilton, Connecticut

I'm so excited to share my sweet bestie's family with you today! We spent a beautiful fall morning at their home in Wilton, Connecticut, playing outside, getting lots of snuggles, and then heading inside for some more casual, candid shots while their little guy had a snack and played.

I love at-home sessions, especially for kiddos around this age (1-2), because they are in their comfort zone. They have their stuff and familiar surroundings. They are more relaxed, and mom and dad can enjoy themselves a bit more knowing they don't need to pack a car of snacks, clothes, diapers and toys to keep the kiddo happy. They have everything they need, so they can focus on spending time together, play, snuggling, reading books and showing what their family life is all about. 

Lake Mohegan Family Photography :: Fairfield, Connecticut

One of the most fun parts of photographing families is getting to see how much kids grow and change over the years. I met Briana's family last year at Lake Mohegan in Fairfield, Connecticut for family portraits, and at the time, Briana and I were both pregnant, just a couple weeks apart. So this year, I got to meet Owen! He and big brother Christian were such a treat to spend time with. Here are a few of my favorites from our session.

Spring Mini Sessions for Mom

A couple weeks ago, my husband asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day, and although I haven't told him yet, I know exactly what I want, which makes me wonder if it's what other moms really want as well. 

I want photos with my kids. I want photos of my holding them, snuggling them, kissing their cheeks. I want Lily in my lap and Andrew in my arms. I want to freeze this moment in time where they are so little and I'm young(ish) and full of energy and our days consist of snuggling and loving on each other and exploring the world with wonder and fresh eyes. I want photos so that years from now, I'm not wondering why I was always behind the camera but rarely in front. I want more than selfies. 

I think a lot about why I love being a photographer and how it spills into every moment of my life. I take pictures to remember, to remind myself someday of the little things that made my life beautiful. To show our kiddos what they meant to us and how we loved them. That when they were tiny babies, we spent our days snuggling and napping, holding their tiny bodies on our chests so our hearts beat next to each other and our breath synced up. To know that even when they grow up and move out and on with their lives, we'll always be connected by a bond that is greater than anything in the universe.

So I am honored and excited to offer mini sessions for moms - all moms - with your kiddos or without, whether you have five kids, one kid, you're pregnant, your kid is your dog, you want photos with your own mom, or you just want some gorgeous and happy pictures of yourself because you are awesome and deserve it. 

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Mini Sessions for Mom - $150

Sunday, May 21 at Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, CT

8:00am // 8:30am // 9:00am // 9:30am // 10:00am

20 minutes of photography, 10 final images in an online gallery, set of 4x6 proof prints to keep. Additional prints and enlargements are available to purchase through your gallery. 

Mini sessions require a signed contract and full payment at the time of booking. Participants should arrive 10 minutes prior to their session so we can start on time and not delay the morning and subsequent sessions. In case of rain or drizzle, sessions will be pushed to Sunday, June 4, at the same time slots. 

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here's to the beautiful moms in our lives

Shannon Sorensen is a Connecticut-based wedding, newborn and family photographer who believes in real over perfection, and specializes in documenting candid, intimate and emotional moments. Click here to book your next session or event.

Fiona :: Northwest Park Windsor Connecticut Family Photographer

It's a new week, and I have a sweet birthday session to share with you. I am excited to share this (finally!) because in a few short weeks, I get to hang with this sweet family again when they welcome their newest baby girl!

But this shoot was all about Miss Fiona! She turned two in August, and we met up at Northwest Park in Windsor Connecticut to photograph this fun milestone. It was so much fun seeing her again since her first birthday shoot the year before. She is a very busy little girl, wanting to check out ALL THE THINGS. Lucky for us, there was a lot to see, from flowers, to animals, so open spaces that called out to be frolicked.

Emily and Pat, her sweet parents, also took a moment to let me photograph them since it was their fourth anniversary! I was so sad to miss photographing their wedding due to having Lily that same week, but I am so grateful they've come back to me for their maternity photos, Fiona's newborn photos, and now to photograph their growing family. 

I also loved getting to visit this new (to me) park, and returned in October for some family mini sessions, which will be shared soon as well! It's a great place to bring your family and walk around, especially if your kiddos love animals!

But back to the little lady of honor! Here are some of my favorites from my morning with Miss Fiona.