Boston Family Photography :: Squantum Point Park, Quincy, MA

It’s always good to see familiar faces, especially in a year where we haven’t seen a lot of faces in person. In late September, I met Lisa and Ellis’ family at Squantum Point Park for some fall family photos, and it was such a fun time exploring this place that was new to all of us! The landmark Boston Gas tank across the harbor is something everyone from the Boston area knows and recognizes, and Lisa told me it was a special little thing for her family when her mom comes to visit. She said she calls when she’s at the gas tank so they know how close she is! As a kid, I remember looking out for it any time we were on our way into or through the city.

I had so much fun with the kids, who were very excited to run around and explore! It’s a cool park because it’s on the water, but has these walking trail loops with a lot of stone walls, wildflowers, and lots of areas that made for a great variety of backgrounds.

Lisa and I have known each other for so long, at least since middle school when we both played flute and sat near each other for several years in band, wind ensemble and marching band. We also did our fair share of plays and musicals together! And Ellis lived right around the corner from me! Although we didn’t know each other well, I’m pretty sure we were on the same bus in elementary school. And now I’ve been honored to photograph their beautiful family every year since their little guy (who is growing so quickly!) was born!

Here are some of my favorites from our session together. It was a gorgeous late afternoon in September that was really warm and the sun was juuuuuuuuuust perfectly glowy. The park was nice and big so it was easy to keep a good distance between us, as well as anyone else walking through.

Family Photography at the deCordova Sculpture Park, Lincoln MA

I met up with Emily and Pat and their three beautiful girls in October for a family session, and y’all, it was the most beautiful evening, at one of the coolest places to explore outside of Boston, and just look at how stylish and beautiful this family is. They always bring it with the coordinating and looking effortlessly cool. I’m fine with my life choices living in leggings and sweatpants, but I definitely celebrate anyone wearing real clothes and looking put together! :)

I have now known Emily and Pat for almost 10 years. We met in 2011 when they got engaged and I shot their engagement photos in Boston, and then I got pregnant with Lily and was basically due on their wedding date, so sadly, we ended up not working together on their big day, although it wasn’t all bad, because they still got married and I had my baby girl! I was so thankful, however, when they reached out to me when they were pregnant, and I’ve had the joy of photographing their baby girls and family sessions over the last several years.

And as you can see, this sweet little one in the mustard headband is about 7 months old in these photos! We had planned on a newborn session for her towards the end of March, and then everything shut down and got put on hold. What a year, right? We’ve all had various things cancelled or postponed. So I was thrilled when we could finally, safely, meet up for some photos.

Worth the wait? Definitely.

"Better Than School Portraits" Kids and Teens Mini Sessions :: Newington, CT

First thing’s first - I have missed you all so much! What a weird year, right? It has been a rollercoaster, complete with loop-dee-loops and feeling like we’d jumped the track at times. I know I’m not alone in having experienced loss in recent months, as well as unexpected joy of an incredible summer with my kids.

With two weeks to go before the school year kicks off and we starting thinking of all things fall, I am excited to have a couple fall photography session offers, as well as information about sessions in regards to Covid-19.

Covid-related Session Info

Based on recommendations and to practice safe physical distancing, all late summer and fall session for the remainder of 2020 will be held outside. This can be at your home, a beach, a park, or any other agreed upon location.

I will wear a mask and will be using zoom lenses to ensure we are keeping a safe physical distance.

I will not be available to travel to Rhode Island this fall. Sessions in Massachusetts will be limited to the South Shore area around Scituate and Duxbury. Connecticut sessions will be limited to the Newington/Hartford area or the Shoreline between New Haven and Mystic.

Now for the fun stuff!

“Better Than School Portraits” - Kids + Teens Mini Sessions

These mini sessions are available locally in Newington and West Hartford, for kids and teens ages 3-18.

This year, we’ve missed out on a lot. Let’s embrace the mess and the weirdness, and document this year for your kid(s) with an incredibly special mini session!

“Better Than School Portraits” will take place outside and I encourage you and your child to think creatively about how you’d like to remember this year. Feel free to bring a couple things to personalize your session! A few ideas:

• Bring their backpack and a first day of school outfit and make it a “back to school” session

• Wear their sports uniform or dance costume they didn’t get to wear, bring an instrument they play, a favorite book or toy

• Get dressed up and make it a special, feel good experience! First communion outfits, birthday outfits, Christmas pajamas - anything is possible!

• Keep it simple and come as you are!

Cost: $175

Includes:

• 20 minutes of photography

• Private online gallery of edited photos for viewing and sharing

• Digital files to download and keep for personal use

• $25 print credit

Additional prints are available for purchase (a la carte style) through your online gallery.

If you have more than one child, I will fit all kids into one mini (which will result in fewer pictures of each child), or you can opt to add on an extra 10 minutes to your session for $25.

Mini sessions are shorter and simpler than full hour sessions. We stick to one scenic location and maximize every minute of our time together!

“Better Than School Portraits” Mini Session Dates and Locations

Fri August 28 - Mill Pond Park, Newington 4:30pm // 5pm // 5:30pm // 6pm

Sat August 29 - Elizabeth Park, West Hartford 8am // 8:30am// 9am // 9:30am

Sat September 5 - Deming Young Farm 8am // 8:30am // 9am // 9:30am

Click here to book your mini session.

Here are some fun photos from past late summer/early fall sessions - you might recognize some of these sweet faces! And keep scrolling for fall family session info!

Fall Family Sessions - $500

Fall family sessions include:

• 60-90 minutes of photography on location

• Online gallery for viewing and sharing your photos

• Unlimited number photos

• Digital files to download and keep for personal use

• $50 print credit

Family sessions typically take place at a local park, beach or otherwise agreed upon location. During our session time, we focus on getting an assortment of relaxed portraits and playful candids, including the entire family, portraits of each individual child, siblings together, parents/partners together, parent and child.

Connecticut dates (Hartford County or Shoreline areas only):

Sat August 29 - 5pm // Thurs Sept 3 - 5pm // Sat September 5 - 5pm

Thurs September 10 - 5pm // Fri September 11 - 5pm // Sat September 12 - 8am + 5pm

Thurs October 1 - 5pm // Fri October 16 - 5pm // Sat October 17 - 8am + 5pm

Massachusetts dates (South Shore area only):

Sat September 26 - 8am // Sun September 27 - 8am

Sat October 10 - 8am // Sun October 11 - 8am + 5pm

November will not be scheduled to allow for postponements and rescheduling as needed due to weather or other circumstances.

Click here to schedule your session.

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Shannon Sorensen is a family and small business photographer based in Central Connecticut. She is available for newborn, children and tweens, family, senior, engagement, and anniversary sessions; elopements and intimate celebrations; creative entrepreneur and small business branding; personal branding and product photography.

Scituate Harbor :: Family Beach Photography

I feel like every few months I remind myself to catch up on family photo sessions here on the blog, and then a pandemic or a hurricane happens and time passes and…

This spring I had the joy of photographing Lauren and Mike’s family at the beach in Scituate, Massachusetts! They added a new baby boy to their family in April, and sadly we were unable to work together for newborn photos due to quarantine orders. But once it was deemed ok to do so, we had a distanced beach session and had a really fun morning drawing in the sand, throwing rocks and shells and discovering jellyfish!

Interested in newborn, kids and family photography?

Contact Shannon to schedule a relaxed kids and family session to document this special time in your lives! Shannon serves families, small business and entrepreneurs throughout Central Connecticut, Connecticut Shoreline, and South Shore, Massachusetts.

Fall Family Photography Sessions

Fall sessions are happening, just in time for the holidays!

I sent Lily off to her first day of second grade this morning, and now it feels like fall, my friends. Labor Day weekend is upon us, we’ve had a handful of cooler days, and I am starting to think of sweaters and apple cider donuts and my favorite time of year that stretches out to Christmas. Yes, Christmas!

So, of course this made me think of family photos and cards and the fact that we’re overdue for our own photos. I have a whole wall of pictures from almost two years ago. And that feels like a lifetime ago, especially when you have little ones.

It doesn’t matter if it’s been one year, two, five, or you’ve never had family photos done. There’s no time like the present to capture sweet memories with your favorite people!

Like previous years, I will be scheduling sessions in both Massachusetts and Connecticut, around the South Shore and Hartford County. I have a selection of locations you may choose from, ranging from coastal and beachy to park-like and woodsy. You may even opt to have a more documentary-style session done at your home!

Family sessions start at $500 and include an hour of photography on location, an online gallery, and download access to your digital files for personal use. Dates are booked on a first come, first served basis.

Sessions are booked for Saturday mornings between 7:30am and 10am and afternoons between 3pm and 6pm.

NEW LOCAL WEEKDAY EVENING MINI SESSIONS

Weekday evening mini sessions can be booked Monday through Wednesday, within Hartford County, between 5pm and 7pm before Daylight Saving Time on November 2. These time slots may be used for family sessions, kids, maternity, seniors, and anniversaries or engagements. The price for these local sessions is $250 and includes 30 minutes of photography, digital files and online gallery.

It’s my joy and honor to capture these yearly milestones as your family grows and changes. I hope you see you on the other side of my lens this year!

schedule your fall photos

2017 Fall Family Photography Sessions Are Open!

Happy September, ya'll!

I am so excited for fall. I know there are many out there who refuse to acknowledge pumpkin anything before September 22....but I'm not one of those people! I practically tapdanced when I woke up to a chilly 55 degree morning. It's supposed to be in the 80s next week for a couple days and I will be confused and grumbling about New England weather and not knowing if I need a sweater or a bathing suit.

It's. All. Good. 

Fall is an exciting time of year! The leaves are changing, kids are back to school, we start thinking about the holidays (and holiday card photos)! For me, it's busy season and I go go go until Thanksgiving. Last year was amazing, and I learned a few things along the way to make some adjustments this year that I believe will benefit everyone!

Fall Schedule

At the moment, I am only planning on September and October travel dates. I will open up November in a couple weeks. 

9/2-9/4 Connecticut - available for full sessions local to Hartford County.

9/9-9/10 Connecticut - available for full sessions throughout the state.

9/16-9/17 not available.

9/23-9/24 Connecticut - not available 9/23. Available for full sessions local to Hartford the morning of 9/24.

9/30 Connecticut Mini Sessions in the morning at Elizabeth Park in West Hartford; 10/1 Connecticut Mini Sessions in the morning at Lake Mohegan in Fairfield. Contact me for times and availability if interested.

10/7-10/9 Connecticut - not available 10/7. Available for full sessions throughout the state on 10/8 and 10/9.

10/14-10/15 Massachusetts - available for full sessions local to Scituate, Duxbury, and Plymouth.

10/21 Massachusetts Woodsy Mini Sessions in the afternoon at Bird Park in Walpole; 10/22 Massachusetts Mini Seaside Sessions in the morning at Scituate Harbor. Contact me for times and availability if interested. 

10/28-10/29 Connecticut - available for full sessions throughout the state.

Mini Sessions - quick and (fingers crossed) easy!

As you can see, I am planning one weekend of mini sessions in Connecticut and one weekend in Massachusetts. Other than those dates, I will not be booking any other mini session dates this fall. If you are not able to book a mini session on those dates, I would love to chat about scheduling a full session! 

Mini sessions are a great opportunity to get a few updated family photos, or to capture a milestone such as maternity, engagement or senior portrait. Mini sessions exclude newborn photography. Newborn babies may be included in a family mini session, but will not be posed and photographed on their own. 

Mini session investment - $200

Includes: 15 minutes of photography, online gallery of 10 fully edited photos, $50 print credit to be used through your gallery towards any print products, and (this is new!) any image you order as a print, you will also receive the digital file of that image. 

Full Family Sessions - fresh, modern and personal

Gone are the days of stiff posing and plastered smiles! I work closely with each family to plan a session that is personal and tailored to her or his interests or family dynamics. From location to wardrobe, including pets or some fun personal props (think little red wagons, bikes, a trip to go apple picking or to the pumpkin patch), these sessions are less formal and more documentary style. I will guide you through your session so that you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. I want to see laughter, snuggles, play and JOY!

Click for more info on pricing: senior portraits // newborns

Full family session investment - $350

Includes: 60 minutes of photography, online gallery of fully edited photos, $100 print credit to be used through your gallery towards any print products, and (this is new!) any image you order as a print, you will also receive the digital file of that image. 

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Contact me as soon as possible to book your session! You can email me at hello@shannon-sorensen.com, or use this contact form. I am SO excited for this season and look forward to seeing your beautiful families!