​I had photographed this family last year during the Covid lockdown as part of my Front Door Project in my neighborhood. After they received and loved their images, they mentioned how they would love for me to take their family photos later in the fall.

We scheduled the session for just after Thanksgiving.  I took them to one of my favorite outdoor locations, the Celery Fields in Sarasota during the golden hour - my favorite time to photograph families outdoors.  After we had to reschedule once because of high winds, the day we had the session turned out to be a beautiful, gorgeous golden hour day.

I mean, look at that couple.  Doesn't this photo show just how much in love they are with each other?  It's all about capturing emotion and connection. This is why I love lifestyle photography.

Connect with me to schedule your outdoor family photo session.  Click on the button below to get started.

Catching up here.  In the last month, I had nine sessions within three weeks of each other.  With preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas during that same time, I'm a little behind in posting my sessions, so be prepared to be inundated here on the blog with highlights from those sessions over the next several weeks and beyond.

First up is this beautiful family that lives in my own neighborhood and contacted me to take their family photos.  After having to cancel two times because of weather, third time was the charm.

We took these photos right in our neighborhood on a beautiful morning.  The grandparents joined in for some shots as well.  Wearing color-coordinating clothing really makes the images pop and not distracting to the eye.

A local landscaping nursery has graciously set up five different Christmas backdrops again this year that they are allowing photographers to come and take photos for families. This is fantastic and the setups are amazing! Really puts you in the Christmas spirit.

Wouldn't you love to have gorgeous images with different Christmas backdrops to print and share with your friends and family? I would love the opportunity to be your photographer and take professional photos of your family in front of one or more of these backdrops.

​Click on the "Book Here" button below, but hurry! The nursery opens up for the Christmas photo areas the weekend after Thanksgiving. Limited dates available. I only require a $50 non-refundable deposit to reserve and hold your date.

I love to have repeat families.  It warms my heart when I hear another baby is on the way.  I photographed their first baby at just a little over three weeks old and their second baby when she was just three days old.

Since this was an out of state session, the timing didn't work until the baby was one month old.  Which is okay.  For lifestyle type of photography, you can take photos anytime.  It's all about real, natural moments.

This session was a little crazy at times because the two-year old girl just wasn't having it.  But, that's okay, too.  That's real life.  We were still able to capture fantastic, memorable moments.

Enjoy some of my favorites here.

Would you like to have your own newborn session with me?  Get in touch with me here.

It has been awhile since I have taken photos because of the Covid-19 situation, so I was very happy to get back behind the camera again.

I had the pleasure of documenting this little guy's 9th birthday by capturing this special day for him in photos.

I was excited to do these photos at the Celery Fields in Sarasota. As the name implies, this was a former celery field consisting of 360+ acres.  It is a wetlands site on the Great Florida Birding Trail.  It is dog-friendly. You can fish, have a picnic, walk various trails and view plenty of wildlife. It is also a popular site for photographers. I had never been there before and had been wanting to visit and shoot there for quite awhile.  It did not disappoint.  We didn't even get to cover half the area.  I definitely want to go back and explore it more.  It was the perfect place to take these photos.

I'm ready to take your photos here or any local outdoor area to capture you and your family enjoying the beauty of Florida's natural environments.

​Patti specializes in lifestyle Maternity, Fresh 48, Newborn and family photography. If you are ready to book or chat about your photo session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Inquire Now" button below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them?  We hope so.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Concerned about your photo session with your toddler(s)?  You might be thinking:

• I know my toddler will not sit still during the photo session
• I know my toddler acts a little crazy - constantly on the go and probably won't smile
• I know my toddler will want to hide behind me and will be hard to warm up to the camera

As a Sarasota family photographer, I can understand your concerns with having family photos taken with toddlers. As a young grandmother of six grandchildren (with the seventh on the way), four of them being 3 years old and younger, I know exactly how you feel.  You might be stressing that we won't get any great images with your toddler staying still or smiling at all. If this will be your first time working with me, you may be wondering exactly what to expect.  

Since I am a lifestyle photographer, it won't bother me one bit if your toddler just wants to be a toddler. Whether that's running around, digging in the dirt, or playing in the water.  They are being who they are at that moment, and that is what is important to capture and you will treasure forever.  It does not make sense to me to EVER try and make a child be anything other than themselves, except how they are feeling at the moment I am capturing them. I don't photograph with everyone stiffly posed, forcing smiles looking at the camera. I may get one or two of those shots, but it will mostly be capturing emotions, connection and true life.  I love candid moments.  By hiring me as your photographer, this is what you want captured for you and your family.  Capturing those genuine, raw, authentic emotions are what you are after.  This may mean running around with your children, playing games or snuggling up on a blanket.  I always strive to keep your toddler interacting and happy.  This will, of course, mean you'll be happy which, in turn, will result in incredible images and a memorable photo session.

I will let the toddler sort of and/or let them think they are in charge of the session.  If they want to sit down and play, we'll do that.  If they want to run, we'll run.  If they want to be all lovey and snuggly, we'll do that.  May I suggest you not say, "no" or offer bribes?  This may actually spoil the session.  If you truly want authentic emotion and connection, this probably won't be the best way.  I just try to keep it fun and laid back.  I just want you to be with your children as if you are on an outing and I'm not even there, at least, for the most part. :-)  I absolutely want to finish the session seeing how much you and your children had fun.

Excited to experience a relaxed, fun lifestyle photography session?  Contact me.  I'm ready to have fun.  Are you?

Many Bradenton/Sarasota, Florida families wonder when is the most opportune time to take family photos outdoors.

We are so fortunate to live on the West Coast of Florida where there are beaches, parks, trails, you name it, in which to choose the best location for an outdoor family photoshoot.  All these places and more are so photogenic.  However, since this is Florida, the time of day does matter when you want to capture the best and the most flattering natural light, as well as not get too roasted in the heat.

Golden Hour is Our Friend for Being the Best Time of Day

When is golden hour?  It is the time of day about an hour before sunset where the light is absolutely gorgeous and "golden."  This type of light ensures everyone will look fantastic!  I LOVE scheduling outdoor family sessions during the golden hour.  If your family session will include little ones (two months and older), I highly recommend they take a late afternoon nap, if at all possible, and feed them snacks or dinner prior to the session.  This will help them be in their best mood possible.

However, you may ask, "What if I can't be out that late with my little ones?"  No problem.  I will be happy to accommodate you in whatever way is necessary.

If We Can't Do Golden Hour, Morning Time Comes in Second for the Best Time

I can certainly serve your family and still capture beautiful images no matter the time of day.  So, if golden hour won't work for you, we can schedule your session during the morning hours, usually around 10 a.m. when the sun isn't up too high yet and the light isn't too harsh.  The morning hours actually work best for newborns and toddlers.


Let me know when you are ready to capture your lifestyle outdoor family session.  I would love to see you at the golden hour.

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​Next week, I’ll be able to photograph again.  Yay!  Outdoors only for now. So, you may be wondering what you should wear to your outdoor photoshoot.
 
There is no absolute right or wrong answer to what to wear.  However, there are certain choices that will allow your images to look fabulous!
 
Read on for my suggestions:

Since I mainly photograph newborns, safety has always been my number one concern when handling babies.

Now, with the outbreak of the Coronavirus COVID-19, safety is upfront and center right now.  As your photographer, I just wanted to let you know the extra steps and precautions I will be taking when photographing you, your baby and/or family.  


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• We will reschedule your shoot, if necessary, if myself, you or anyone in your family has a fever or respiratory illness.  
• I have the benefit of working from home, so I am not frequently out in public.  Especially now, I will limit my exposure to crowds.  When I am out in a store, using a public restroom, etc. I always use a sanitizing wipe to wipe the cart and use a paper towel to grab the handle of the bathroom door when leaving.  I've done this for years, but it is very important now.
• I will always wash my hands thoroughly before I pick up my camera.  If we are doing the photoshoot in your home, I will wash my hands as soon as I enter your home.  If the photoshoot is outdoors, I will wash my hands thoroughly before I leave the house.  I will use hand sanitizer in front of you and again when I leave.  Upon arriving home, I will wash my hands again.  As you have read and heard, washing hands for at least 20 seconds is the number one defense against this virus.  
• As I only do lifestyle sessions, the only equipment I bring inside your home is my camera equipment.  My camera and lenses are wiped down before I walk into your home and when I return back home after the photo shoot.
• When we first greet each other, I will fist bump or bump elbows instead of shaking hands.  I will resist the urge to hug anyone.
• Instead of using my hands to handle or position a baby, children or adults, I will be very conscious to not touch any of my subjects.  I will do my best to guide you with my words.  If necessary, I may show you pictures of how I would like you to position yourself.  

Until this outbreak has passed, I want to err on the side of caution and be extra vigilant in protecting you, my clients, as well as myself.

May we all take the extra precautions as necessary and pray a vaccine will be developed sooner than later and the virus will be eradicated soon.

​Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands!

​Patti specializes in lifestyle Maternity, Fresh 48, Newborn and family photography. If you are ready to book or chat about your photo session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Book A Call" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them?  We hope so.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.