Family Photos at the Lake

Last night I had so much fun meeting up with one of my favorite families for their family photos at the lake. The lake house was the inspiration for their very first photos with me almost ten years ago. Can you believe that? These sisters had photos done of the four of them for their parents for Christmas.

So we met up on a chilly November evening and did photos of them on then dock at the lake house. Since then I have the had pleasure of photographing them all several times over the years. So this year mom asked the whole crew to get together for some photos of them all at the lake.

We had a gorgeous night and had so much fun hanging out and grabbing these photos. Thank you guys for trusting me to capture all these memories for you for all these years. It means more than I can say. Here is a little sneak peek of our time together.
family photos at the lake

Beach Photo Session (Niantic, CT Family Photographer)

Last night I had such an awesome time doing a beach photo session with this sweet family. The last time I had the pleasure of working with them was about four years ago. At that time, dad arranged to have the girls photos done as a surprise for mom on Mother’s day.

This year, mom asked for photos for Mother’s day at their new beach house. Honestly, I couldn’t think of a better gift. And to make it better, I was able to photograph them all together as a family this time. I think it’s so important to create family photos like this for everyone to treasure for years to come.

Plus, I can just imagine how pretty these will look hanging on the walls at their new place.

beach photo session

Lavender Milk Bath (Clinton, CT Baby Photographer)

Ahh, I don’t know where to start with this lavender milk bath session! I have had the pleasure of photographing this sweet family for over three years now. Each photo session is better than the last. Which I know sounds crazy, but honestly, it’s true. Today’s session was to celebrate their youngest’s six month milestone.

If you’ve been following the blog, you will likely recognize them and you may even remember that mom’s maternity session was at a lavender farm. With the lavender theme in mind, we did a few newborn photos with a wreath of lavender and then couldn’t wait to use lavender in her six month milk bath session. To say the milk bath was dreamy would be an understand. Mom actually messaged me to say she couldn’t bear to let the water out of the tub because it was so pretty and smelled so heavenly. LOL!

We also did some classic baby photos with some stunning heirloom dresses mom had custom made for the girls. These dresses and the matching bonnet are stunning. The smocking and all the tiny details are seriously swoon worthy.

Take a peek below to see why I am babbling on so much about this sweet session!

lavender milk bath

Outdoor Maternity Photo Session

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting up with one of my favorite families to photograph their outdoor maternity photo session. I am so excited for these guys as they await the arrival of baby number two in just a few short weeks.

There is just something about maternity sessions that gets me so choked up. Not sure if it’s just me reflecting on that time in our lives years ago or if I’m just a big sap. LOL! Whatever it is, I am so grateful to be a part of this special time. It’s truly an honor.

Wishing you guys all the best in the last few weeks of your pregnancy. I can just imagine what a wonderful big sister E will be. Can’t wait to see you all as a family four very soon!

outdoor maternity photo session

Birthday boy

Today I had such a fun session with the sweetest birthday boy. This little guy is about to celebrate his first birthday in just a few short days. We started his session playing on a blanket which was so funny. We were all cracking up because he would crawl to the edge but every time his hand touched the grass he would move quickly back. It was hilarious!

After that we moved into the pavilion and did some photos in there and then ended with a cake smash. He absolutely loved the cake and had a blast getting frosting all over himself. I mean he was completely covered! His shirt actually looked like a painters smock. Who knows, maybe he has a future in the art world. 😉

birthday boy

Farmhouse Living Room Makeover

I’m so excited to finally show you my farmhouse living room makeover. As many of you know we moved into our current home almost four years ago. During that time we have been slowly making it our own one room at a time. You can see our mudroom make over here and our hallway makeover here. But today, I wanted to show the living room makeover.

The living room and dining have always been on the to do list but didn’t actually get addressed until we just recently decided we HAD to get a new sectional because ours was destroyed! So began the makeover plans. Alright, maybe it didn’t start just then, I mean I did have a pinboard of ideas ready and waiting but still, there was lots to do!

Picking the paint color took a bit but I finally landed on Agreeable Grey by Sherwin Williams. Then it was time to go couch shopping. Honestly, I thought this was going to be a one and done shopping trip but was actually just the opposite. I ended up looking at over five stores before I found the winner. Once, I decided on this one, then began the wait. Of course it was a special order and took close to seven weeks to come in. But that actually worked in my favor because there was a TON of painting to do. If you follow along on my IG account, you probably saw me and my big painting messes. LOL!

And although it was a TON of work, I am thrilled with the results. I do still have a few small things left I’d like to do but I would say it’s about 95% done. We are loving it, even Toby is as you can see in the pictures. What do you think of our farmhouse living room makeover?

farmhouse living room makeover

First birthday photo shoot

This morning I had a fun first birthday photo shoot with sweet Miss. N! I have had the pleasure of photographing this little cutie since she was a tiny newborn. We started her session with some traditional portraits and then ended with an amazing cake smash.

Her mom had the most beautiful cake made just for today. I love that it was covered in the prettiest pink and yellow flowers. I am a sucker for flowers. Miss. N was quite smitten with the flowers too. As a matter of fact, she licked the frosting off of each and every one. It was pretty hilarious and we all had a blast watching her enjoy it.

first birthday photo shoot

Birthday girl turns one – Woodstock, CT Child Photographer

Today this sweet birthday girl turns one! Crazy how fast time flies by. It hardly seems possible that its been a year since we did her adorable newborn photo session. You can peek at those by clicking here. Today was so fun to have her session on her actual special day! We started with some posed shots and ended with the classic cake smash. It took her a little bit to warm up to her cake but once she did she loved very bite. It was pretty darn cute!

Thank you guys for choosing me to document this past year. It’s been such an honor.

birthday girl turns one

My turn in front of the camera!

As a photographer, I spend most of my time behind the camera. So when the time came to get some new headshots, I’m not going to lie, I was dreading it. I am always so awkward in front of the camera. For that reason, I knew for sure I couldn’t get away with doing self portraits. I knew I needed another professional to help me, be my best me.  So I decided to reach out to a fellow local photographer, Nicole Bushey.

Having never met her in real life, I was a little nervous to reach out and ask her to swap photos. Asking another photographer to swap is scary but I summoned my courage and reached out. She said yes right away which had me both excited and nervous. I was excited to finally get some good headshots of myself but also nervous because as I mentioned I am a hot mess in front of the camera.

After a few messages back and fourth we decided on a location and time that worked for us both. When the day of came, I decided to let go of my worries and just try and go with the flow. We met and instantly started talking like old friends. I was surprised how easy it was for us to connect and have fun. We did photos for a little over and hour and then grabbed a tea/coffee afterward. The whole experience was great and left me reminded this is how my clients must feel.

Which  is why I wanted to take a minute to say, if you’re nervous to be in front of the camera, I get it. If you think you will just be a hot mess and there would be no way I could get a good photo of you, trust me, I get it, but let me assure you, it’s just not true. My job as a professional photographer is to help you relax and be “YOU” in front of the camera. So if you are reading this, thinking, this sounds like you and you’ve been putting off photos for the same reason, I encourage you to reach out and contact me. Let me show you just how good you can feel and look in front of the camera.

And speaking of looking good, check out what a great job Nicole did with that very task. Here are just a few of my favorite pictures from our time together.

Winter Maternity Photo Session

Last night I had so much fun doing a winter maternity photo session for S&J. These two were so much fun and such good sports. Especially J, she trudged through snow and sand all while wearing a gown like a champ! Not to mention it was a bit chilly and windy and she didn’t complain once!

It was obvious just how in love these two are last night. We were all cracking up during the photo of S looking at J from the doorway. In my best Joey from friends voice, I could totally imagine him saying “How you doin?”. LOL!

Thank you guys so much for a fun night. I can’t wait to meet your little man. 😉

winter maternity photo session

© 2018 Beth Benoit Photography | Connecticut Newborn & Family Photographer | Serving Hartford, Tolland & Windham Counties