A Fall Family Photo Session by the Susquehanna River in Columbia, PA

One of my favorite locations for photo sessions by the water is the Columbia River Park next to the Susquehanna River. The beautiful historic Wrightsville Bridge is a standout feature at this location and the sunlight hits behind it just perfectly at golden hour. Supposedly this bridge is the longest multiple arch concrete bridge in the world!

This family photo session actually took place at two different locations along the Susquehanna River that are about a 7 minute drive apart. While I like the beautiful river vistas with the bridge in the background, there are not a lot of other varied backdrops so I like to combine this location with another spot just up the road. Musselman Vesta Furnace is the easiest spot to put in a GPS and it is technically in Marietta I believe. It offers both field and forest as well as a different perspective on the Susquehanna River.

As you will see in the photos below, by the time we arrived at the second river location the sun had already begun to set and we entered what is known as blue hour. Blue hour is also a magical time but it doesn’t last long before it starts to get too dark for photo taking.

It was a true honor to photograph this family, as Vanessa is a fellow photographer herself and we both happen to be from the same hometown of Chambersburg, PA! Her son absolutely did not want to wear the shirt she had planned for him so we went with his monster truck t-shirt and it all worked out ok. Vanessa is also a former art teacher and told me that she knew she wanted to have some photos taken with my Lensbaby Sol 45 art lens which creates a dreamy blurred edges effect. See if you can spot some of the images below that were taken with that lens!

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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A Sweet Baby Girl Newborn Session in a Harry Potter Themed Nursery

One of the things I love most about newborn sessions is the chance to see the thought and creativity that parents put into decorating their child’s nursery. This couple is a huge fan of Harry Potter and they were able to incorporate all sorts of unique elements into their daughter’s nursery related to the series. From the accent wallpaper to the owl lamp to the framed artwork on the wall, there are signs of Harry Potter in every corner! I think my favorite part is the book mobile with the Flying Keys or Winged Keys hanging from it. I had a lot of fun taking photos through the hanging keys.

This little lady slept through most of her photo session but she did get hungry so we took a feeding break and I got some photos with her eyes open. I absolutely adore when newborns are completely zonked out after they’ve become milk drunk and they can snuggle up in a little ball in your arms. We even managed to capture a little sleep smile and a huge yawn, which happen to be two of my photo goals for every newborn lifestyle session!

And now for a little honest behind-the-scenes: There was a little mishap on my part during this session when my camera shutter completely stopped functioning. In a frenzy I had to rush home (thankfully just a 15 minute drive) and get my backup camera. This has never happened to me before in my nearly 15 years in business! The family was so patient and understanding and you would have no idea from these photos that we took a little half hour break during the session.

Enjoy the photos below of precious baby girl Rowan in her Harry Potter themed nursery! To all the fans out there, see how many different Harry Potter connections you can find! And if you want to get some Harry Potter themed decor for your own nursery or for yourself, they told me they got quite a few things from Pottery Barn Teen and the Harry Potter Collection is linked here.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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An Intimate In Home Maternity Photo Session in Lancaster, PA

I have photographed many pregnant mamas over the years but I don’t believe I’ve ever done an intimate in home maternity session quite like this one. This mom knew exactly the look she was going for; something cozy, simple and intimate with a focus on her growing belly. Though I am usually a color fanatic, I think the light neutral color palette along with the texture of her torn blue jeans really makes the warm skin tones pop.

When I arrived for their session, their home was undergoing some major renovations and she told me that she had just finished installing the headboard above their bed. It was formerly a fire mantlepiece in a historic local home and they refurbished it to become their headboard. It makes for a gorgeous standout piece to frame the setting. I love the textures of the wood and stone combined with the creamy neutral colored linens, her droopy sweater and the flowers.

One of the key elements in setting the stage for a beautiful in home maternity photo session is gorgeous natural light. It just so happens that their master bedroom gets nice bright sun in the morning so we made sure to schedule the session during the morning hours. The white sheer curtains also act as reflectors and can be fun to shoot through. In my opinion you can never go wrong with natural window light that feels soft and intimate.

This glowing expectant mama also had a few details she wanted to include such as an ultrasound photo and baby’s breath flowers. They lost their first son and she also wanted to include his photo in the background of some of these images. I think including personal details like these in your photo session are so important and special in telling your family story. And of course we captured a few photos with her husband and daughter. I think probably one of my favorite images from this series is the first photo below of her holding her daughter on top of her growing belly. I like the anonymity of the image and the focus on her pregnant belly and how it shows the love and connection she has with her daughter.

If you are considering an intimate in home maternity session, I’d love to chat with you! I think having photo sessions done in your home makes your session unique to you and I’m here to document it all!

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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Willow Trees and Wildflowers One Year Session at Greenfield Park in Lancaster, PA

I’d like to share some photos from a location I don’t get to all that frequently, but I think it’s lovely in the summer time! Greenfield Park includes lots of beautiful mature willow trees by the water and it was the perfect location for this summer family photo session.

The first time I photographed this family was when they were expecting their little boy. Their maternity photo session was one of my all time favorites and the first time I ever photographed at The Pinnacle Point Overlook (you can view it here!). This one year session with their son Maverick with the willow trees and wildflowers is also one of my favorites that I must share!

I will admit that Greenfield Business Park does pose a few challenges when it comes to photography and I probably wouldn’t recommend it for a group of more than four people. It is surrounded by roads and buildings and parking lots on many sides which you don’t want showing up in the background of your photos. It also tends to be more populated with people walking on the paths throughout the evening. However, it can be picturesque if you can work the angles and it is one of the few public parks in Lancaster that I know of where there are willow trees along the water. It is also very accessible for strollers with lots of paved walking paths weaving throughout.

When I was scouting locations for this family photo session, I got quite lucky when I came upon a wildflower field just up the road. The field was planted by a local church and part of a walking loop that serves the residents in the neighboring apartments. This photo session took place in June when the wildflowers were looking lovely and I was so glad we could end the session in the field.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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Early Fall Family Photo Session at Longs Park

What a gift it is to document families as they grow over time. I take it as one of the best compliments when clients come back to have me take their photos more than once!

I first photographed this family when their daughter Paige was a newborn and they were living in a tiny studio apartment in Harrisburg. Now they are about to welcome baby number two (a little boy!) and I cannot wait to photograph them as a family of four in their new home. Stephanie is absolutely stunning in her flowy boho dress!

As we all know, toddlers can be tricky when it comes to photos. Paige needed a snack towards the end and was not willing to give up her can of puffs without a fight so we got some photos of her at the end clinging to her puffs. She wasn’t a fan of wearing her hat accessory either but we managed to get one good photo of her wearing it (and Dad wore it too!) My best advice for photographing toddlers is to let them be themselves and don’t try forcing them into anything. If they want to pick a flower or throw a rock in the pond, let them do it! And with some subtle suggestions, beautiful in-the-moment photos can be made. I might suggest to have them let mom smell the flower or see if they can reach a tree branch when they sit on top of dad’s shoulders. I think it’s important to make it more about play and less about smiling at the camera to capture authentic expressions.

I love Long’s Park in the fall and it’s probably my favorite time of year to photograph there. Though it can be tricky to avoid people and parked cars in the background, I’ve discovered the angles that work well over the years and have my favorite trees and spots. It’s also an entertaining location for little kids because of the water and there are always ducks swimming around and fish (and sometimes turtles) to feed.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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A Summer Senior Portrait Session With a Horse in Lancaster, PA

I have always wanted the opportunity to do a photo session with a horse and this beautiful summer senior session was my moment! Sydney loves animals and she wanted to find a way to incorporate both her dog and her horse into photos. We found the perfect creek location at Drumore Park just a few minutes away from Silvertop Stables where the horse stables are located. We started with some photos at the park in the stream and then ended at the farm. I love this particular spot in the creek because it is easy for wading and has these huge giant boulder rocks on either side of the stream. There is also a native pollinator garden at this park where we took some photos in the flowers with her dog.

I was blown away by the beauty of the light on the farm as Sydney walked with her horse up in the open pasture on a hill. We lucked out with the most beautiful sunset too! As we drove away I had us pull over on the side of the road just so I could grab some photos of Sydney as the sun went down.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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A Late Summer Maternity Session at Wildflower Lookout in Lancaster, PA

I have been meaning to blog a session from Wildflower Lookout for a least a year now and I’m finally getting around to it! This photo location has really blown up since it opened about 3 years ago and every summer people from all over Lancaster County and beyond flock here for the beautiful photo opportunities. This session was taken in late August when the sunflowers were in bloom. We also spent a lot of time in a field of long grasses that were beautifully illuminated by the sun at golden hour.

Lea and Daniel are expecting their first baby this fall and they were so at ease in front of the camera despite the hot, humid, muggy August weather. At Wildflower Lookout you can rent a private field in advance for an additional fee or just pay a general admission fee to photograph in a variety of fields. I prefer to wander to the different fields and do the general admission fee but renting a private field is great, especially for mini sessions. Another fun aspect of Wildflower Lookout is that they often have props such as a wagon or a wicker chair in the field to use for photo ops. They have picnic tables as well if you’d like to take a picnic and enjoy the views!

If you think you might want to use Wildflower Lookout as a location for your session, you can check their website and social media for field bloom updates starting as early as late May. I have found that it is key to get there about an hour before sunset. Any earlier than that and the sun is too high in the sky and this creates stark shadows. There is a sweet spot shortly before sunset when the golden backlight hits just right and that is my favorite time to shoot.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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How to Prepare for a Newborn Lifestyle Session

One of my most frequently asked questions from parents for in home newborn lifestyle sessions is how they can prepare for photos. I always start out by saying there is no need to worry about tidying up (you just had a baby!) and if anything needs to be moved around, I am happy to do that when I get there. You would be surprised at the beauty that can be captured in just a small corner with good natural light!

In my experience, all you need is some nice window light and a warm space where baby is happy and can be cuddled and loved. When I arrive I’ll take a look around your home for the spaces with the best natural light and possibly open blinds and curtains. Usually we begin by taking photos in the nursery and a then a living space such as a bedroom or living room. I’m always game for outdoor photos as well if the weather is nice.

I suggest that baby gets a feeding before the session if possible but I like to keep things relaxed and always allow time for feedings and diaper changes as needed. I recommend starting mid morning for newborn lifestyle sessions when babies tend to be happier and sleepier versus evenings when they tend to be fussier. Timing wise, usually a newborn lifestyle session with me lasts about an hour and a half on average.

Another tip is to lay out a few outfits, swaddles, blankets or accessories that you might like to use in photos and I can help you decide what might work best visually. I love using various cozy textures with newborns such as chunky knit blankets or stretchy muslin swaddles. I always bring a couple faux fur rugs along that are nice to lie a swaddled baby on top of. I tell mom that if she is nursing it’s wise to wear something that is nursing friendly (and I’m always happy to take nursing photos if mom wishes!) Typically lighter softer colors and textures tend to photograph best for newborn sessions (though it’s not a hard and fast rule!). Sometimes families like to coordinate their colors with the baby’s nursery or the colors found in their home.

If there are older siblings involved, often I’ll ask them to give me a tour of baby’s room, or their room or play room so they can get used to me. I’ve got three littles of my own and am very experienced with toddlers!

Below are some photos of this brand new family of four! Little Izak did absolutely great for his session, mostly slept and peeked at us for a few photos towards the end. Seeing a tiny baby in an oversized chunky knit sweater is just the cutest! And I love the soft pastel color palette they chose for their outfits contrasted with mom and dad’s tattoos.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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Lancaster Family Photography: A Colorful Fall Family Photo Session with the Trains at Red Caboose Motel

There are so many great locations in the Lancaster area for family photo sessions and the Red Caboose Motel is one of the more unique theme locations for anyone who likes trains. I have been wanting to share images from this location in a post so that others can get a feel for what a session there might be like.

If you or your kiddos enjoy trains, the Red Caboose Motel is a great family friendly spot for a photo session. Along with a small wooden train that kids can play on, they also have a petting zoo with various animals (pigs, horses, llamas, etc). And if you prefer to have some greenery in your photos as well, there is a lovely weeping willow tree along the edge of the property that makes for a nice backdrop in addition to the colorful rows of train cars.

Strasburg is a cute little town that is perfect for train lovers. In addition to the motel, just up the road is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania as well as the Strasburg Railroad where you can book tickets for a short train ride. And if you’re looking for a kid-friendly spot to grab a bite before or after your session, Speckled Hen Coffee is one of our family’s favorites.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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A Fall Lancaster Maternity Session at the James Buchanan's Wheatland Home

The James Buchanan’s Wheatland home is just minutes from my house on the outskirts of Lancaster City and somehow I never thought to do a photo session here before. My family has enjoyed picnics here in the spring and my kids love the secret hidden fish pond. I made sure to get in touch with someone at Lancaster History (the non-profit that manages and maintains the property as well as runs tours) to request permission first of course. The property is beautiful in all seasons however the variety of trees on the on the grounds, which are a part of the Louise Tanger Arboretum, makes for an absolutely stunning fall backdrop. This maternity session was timed perfectly at peak fall (which happened to be the end of October/early November in 2022).

I honestly would have a hard time choosing a favorite from this fall maternity session, but if I would have to choose, I would say probably the shot taken with my Lens Baby Sol 45 art lens amongst the orange and auburn red leaves. If you scroll down about midway through the photos, it’s a vertical image where the couple is standing together in the center of the frame and facing opposite directions. The lens creates a bit of a blur around the edges of the photo that makes it appear so dreamy. The Lens Baby Sol 45 is manual focus only and has the ability to tilt so that you can change what area of the image is in focus. It is hands down a favorite for portraits and maternity sessions and as a bonus it is very small and lightweight. I can’t say it always works great with active children, but I do bring it out for my family sessions from time to time.

Cecilia wore a flowy sage green maternity gown and is nothing short of glowing and radiant. It was one of those photo sessions where I had a hard time putting the camera down because it was just that good! And even though that golden sun only peeked through for a few shots, the overcast sky and wet leaves made the colors even more briliant. It was a pleasure to photograph these two (who were absolute naturals in front of the camera) and I was honored to document this new chapter in their lives.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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