A Spring Mommy and Me Session in the Flowers at Buchmiller Park

This past spring I photographed more sessions than I ever have at Buchmiller Park located just south of Lancaster City. It is not often crowded with photographers as some of the other local parks are, and it has a wide variety of spring budding trees that flower early April through mid-May, beginning with the weeping cherry trees. Amanda contacted me about doing a mommy and me session with her daughter (and a few with her boyfriend as well). She is an artist herself and it’s always an honor to be chosen as a photographer for a fellow creative.

This spring photo session at Buchmiller Park was one of my favorites for many reasons; the golden sun, the connection and movement between the family members and of course the colorful flowy dresses and spring flowers. Though outfits aren’t everything, they do make a huge difference in what your photos will look like. Amanda’s daughter is wearing a Joyfolie dress from my client closet that is great for twirling and flowy movement. I have a handful of girls dresses available to lend to clients for photo shoots, as well as some women’s dresses that all lend themselves to great photos. Please ask me if you are interested in borrowing something for your session! I am always happy to advise on what to wear (and not to wear) for your photos.

At the end of the session we went over to a wildflower field close by. It was my first time photographing there, and we discovered that the field was scattered with stinging nettle, whoops! But we managed to capture some beautiful images regardless.

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 Spring Maternity Session in the Weeping Cherry Trees at Lancaster County Park

This was my first official spring session of 2021 and I have to say it is a hard one to beat. My dear friend Magdiel is absolutely stunning and when she asked me to take her maternity photos for her fourth and final baby I was immediately on board. I had her model a unique vintage bohemian lace dress that I have in my client closet by Cora and Violet. The golden hour light was perfect and the way the sun came through the weeping pink cherry tree was heavenly. As I type this, the family is now at home adjusting to life with their newborn baby girl who joined the family in May. I will let the images below speak for themselves because honestly I could gush about them forever.

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 Creative Celestial Branding & Lifestyle Photo Shoot with She Was Blue Jewelry in Lancaster, PA

This past winter I had the opportunity to participate in a couple creative photo shoots with some local vendors and artists. This celestial themed shoot for She Was Blue Jewelry was by far one of my favorites. Allison, a local Lancaster creative, took her vision and brought it to life. She dyed the blue backdrop, created the moon, brought the wardrobe (and jewelry of course) along with the gold stars and moons streamers.

When Allison of She Was Blue Jewelry told me about her vision for the shoot, I immediately thought of fairy lights to add some extra dazzle and depth to the images. The combination of golds and blues along with a very talented artist and model Taylor Holmes made for some stunning images! And all the credit for hair and makeup goes to the ladies of Anthology Salon & Style Bar in Lancaster City. Feast your eyes on the stellar images below!

Location/Hair & Makeup: Anthology Salon & Style Bar

Jewelry: She Was Blue Jewelry

Creative Direction: Allison Rohland Art

Photography: Melissa Engle Photography

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 Spring Milk Bath Maternity Session at Renew On Walnut Airbnb in Lancaster City

I don’t often get the opportunity to do milk bath maternity sessions for my clients, but they are beautiful to photograph and I’m always excited when I get requests for one of these unique maternity sessions. Lila had a specific color palette in mind for this shoot and the flowers she chose were perfect for this creamy soft romantic spring milk bath session.

I can’t say enough about how important the tub and lighting is for these shoots and Renew on Walnut has the perfect space for these. This Airbnb in Lancaster City has been beautifully renovated and furnished and along with the amazing claw foot tub, there is a beautiful attic bedroom where we took the photos of Lila in the red dress.

To create a milk bath, you just need a bit of powdered milk, but don’t make the mistake I did and add the milk as the tub is filling because it will cause foaming and bubbles. You must fill the tub first, then add the milk little by little, mixing it around until you have the desired cloudiness for your bath. Also, be sure to use real flowers and not fake ones because fake ones may not float.

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 Senior Photography: A Winter Downtown Lancaster City Portrait Session with Mekai

Most of my photo sessions these days revolve around growing families, but every now and then I get requests for senior portraits. My approach to senior portrait photography is a little different than documenting families because I get to focus on just one person instead of multiple people interacting together. I think the thing I like most about senior sessions is that I get to incorporate the senior’s personality and get to know them a bit since the session is one on one. They also allow for a little more creative experimentation whereas with families and young kids there is a lot more action and movement and fewer patience and attention spans.

Because Mekai’s senior portrait session happened in December, we chose Lancaster City as the location for the shoot. As you know, winter landscapes can be pretty sparse and the colors and textures of the city are fabulous year round. There is a lot of beauty to be found in the historic architecture, murals and roof tops around Lancaster City. And as a bonus, I’m just a 10 minute walk from the center of town. For this session we met at the Lancaster Central Market, a classic Lancaster City icon, and then headed up West King Street to one of my favorite roof top parking garages. I really wanted to sneak a mural in somewhere so we stopped at one of the newly painted murals sponsored by Music For Everyone, painted by local artist Keisha Finnie.

I think my favorite image of Mekai has to be him sitting on the concrete ledge of the rooftop parking garage with the stark sunlight and perfect blue sky with puffy clouds behind him. Which one is your favorite?

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 Sunny Fall Session in the Evergreen Field with the Gehman Family at Lancaster County Park

I have so many favorite 2020 photo sessions from this field in Lancaster County Central Park. This fall session with the Gehman family is one of my favorites. In the late spring through the end of summer, the field is full of tall wildflowers that change from white to yellow. You can often see deer here in the evenings (and lots of poop evidence of their presence in the grass-ha ha). I think probably the best thing about this field though, is the way the sunlight hits it in the evening. It casts a warm glow through the tall evergreen trees and has become my go to location throughout the seasons because even in the starkness of winter it is lovely. And lately, especially on the weekends, you can often see horses heading out on trails from the parking lot across the street.

This fall family session with the Gehman family was taken at the very end of November. I had so much fun with their two children as they frolicked through this field and raced and romped. They had no trouble warming up to me and the camera and were happy to play while I took photos. I always try to make my family sessions with young kids about play because I think it is so important in capturing their personalities and helps them to relax. When parents are stiff and strict and yelling at their kids to sit still and smile, they often want to do just the opposite or they look unhappy and smiles are not genuine.

As you will see from the photos below, these kiddos were right up in the camera, and mom and dad were happy to play along. I think the reason this session gives me all the feels is because it does a great job of portraying my favorite elements to capture in my work: joy, movement and color!

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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!

Lancaster Family Photography: A Playful Light Hearted In Home Family Session with the Hostetler Family

Family lifestyle photo sessions have my heart these days, especially as a stay-at-home-mom who wants to document not only the beautiful perfect moments but the in between moments of my active, sometimes emotional, sometimes messy toddlers’ lives. Right now I have a five-year-old and a two-and-a-half-year-old and most days they can keep themselves entertained without my help for a good while. I love watching them play together and hearing their giggles as they chase one another throughout the house.

Hiring a photographer to document the memories you make in your home is something you will not regret, especially while your children are small. As my wise friend Shelby would say, these photographs are an investment that will only grow in value with time. You and your children will treasure these photos even more years from now when you realize how quickly those baby and toddler days flew by.

When my friend and neighbor Shelby approached me about doing a family photo swap, I agreed right away! Shelby is a fabulous photographer so it was an honor that she invited me to document her family home life. I must also add that she has a unique eye for home decor and is a talented creative in addition to being the amazing mom of two adorable children, Ezra and Daisy. She has her own Etsy shop Whisper Creative where she makes unique clay creations. I own some of her jewelry as well as a custom planter that she made for me.

I hope you can feel the love and laughter from this fun, light-hearted in home lifestyle session with the Hostetler family. There were pillow fights and bouncing on beds and flying airplanes and snuggles happening all around. And we ended with a little barefoot romp in the backyard.

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 Winter Session in the Evergreens at Roland Park with the Smith Family

It’s crazy to realize that I’ve been living in Lancaster for fifteen years now and started my photography business ten years ago! Over the years I have become accustomed to my favorite locations for taking photos and I dare say a little too comfortable with my go-to spots. The forest of pine trees at Roland Park in Akron never really came across my radar as a potential location until now. It has a similar look to the pine forest at Overlook Park but is much more dense and way less popular for photographers (fingers crossed it stays that way!)

I’m so glad I ventured out to this beautiful evergreen forest earlier this summer for a maternity session because it really is a lovely spot. In the summer time you have to watch out for poison ivy, but in the winter there is a nice ground cover of English ivy that brings a lush fairytale vibe to this location. I actually worked in Akron for four years and had been to this park numerous times but never really explored the pine forest.

I have been photographing Bill and Rhianna since they got engaged a handful of years ago and now they have 3 beautiful, active children that are always a delight to photograph. I can not get over how adorable their little girl is, and how much her older brothers adore and care for her. The light was just perfect on this November morning as we walked through the forest.

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 Maternity Photography: A Fall Maternity Session at Muddy Run Park with Drea and Dani

One of my besties is having a baby! Drea and Dani are taking on a some huge life changing milestones in 2020: getting married and having a baby. They got married on 3.14.2020 (pi day) just in the knick of time before our world shut down due to the Covid19 pandemic. About a month later they found out they were expecting a wee ‘quarantini’ baby.

I have known Drea since we became roommates the year I graduated from college and moved to Lancaster for my first real adult professional job. I only knew a couple people in Lancaster at the time so she became one of my first Lancaster friends. We eventually started our own jewelry making business and traveled to Morocco together and for the past 8+ years we have lived just a few blocks apart in the Cabbage Hill neighborhood of Lancaster City. My kids call her “Tia” (auntie in Spanish) and we adore her (and Dani too of course).

Because she is so dear to me, of course she and Dani’s maternity photos had to be epic so we went to Muddy Run where the fall foliage was in it’s full glory in mid-October. I can not wait to meet their little baby boy or girl Rodriguez in December!

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: The Edwards Fall Family Session at Long's Park

One of the things I hear so many parents say when considering a photo session is “my kids never sit still, how will we get good photos?”. Well I am here to tell you that you do not have to sit still for a photo session with me! I firmly believe that the best, most genuine expressions of joy and wonder come from allowing kids to just be themselves. Sometimes it’s the art of distraction (Elmo always comes along with me), sometimes it’s about creating a game that kids will enjoy like ring-around-the-rosie or holding hands and having a race. One of my favorites, especially for fall, is using a blanket to create a hammock swing or a parachute for the kids to run under.

Yes, I know that every family wants at least one good photo with everyone smiling and looking at the camera and I always do my best to capture that image; however, when you book a session with me you will see that the majority are candid, interactive photos. My favorite photographs tend to be the ones that capture moments and allow kids’ personalities to shine. I have two children of my own and so far it rings true that “they grow up fast” and as a stay-at-home-mom I am constantly documenting our days. My favorite photos are almost always the ones where they are interacting with me or one another.

For this session with the Edwards family, their two very active boys loved popping bubbles, swinging in the blanket and racing through the grass. Mom and Dad may or may not have bribed them with gummy worms a few times too…On the day of this session at the end of September, the fall leaves were just starting to show their color. Enjoy the fun family photos below.

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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