2020 was so long that when I finally reconnected with one of my regular families that I photograph every year, I found out their family of 3 was now a family of 4. 🎉Since we missed the opportunity to do a newborn session for little brother because of COVID restrictions, we did the next best thing and met up for a one-hour session outdoors before the holidays. Rather than meet at one of the crowded parks this time of year, I’m happy this family trusted my something-different location recommendation when I asked them to meet me in my parents’ Davie neighborhood. The ridge I grew up exploring backs up to Tree Tops Park and has similar beautiful tree vibes with tons of hanging moss, oak trees and private trails.
Tree Tops Park
Engagement Session | Tree Tops Park Photographer
Just six weeks prior, I had been a complete ball of nerves shooting photos of these two, knowing that Michele was about to pop the question. But this time didn't involve any surprises... there was no diamond ring hidden in my camera bag... and we weren't in a race with Mother Nature. Whew. We met at Tree Tops this time, on a beautiful & surprisingly cool Sunday (okay, okay, "cool" meaning low 80s - this is South Florida, after all). Everyone must have been taking advantage of the great weather because the park was very crowded... The good thing is that when you're with a couple who is so enthralled in each other & constantly making each other laugh, it seems like we were the only ones for miles. Congrats again, Michele & Greter![tg_grid_gallery gallery_id="9158" layout="wide" columns="4"]
1 Year Old, Family Photo Session + Cake Smash | Tree Tops Park Photographer
My photography-love-affair started with this amazing family a few years ago, when little Avery was first born. Over the last 3 years, I've had the privilege to not only see her grow up into a beautiful little girl, but also have the same opportunity to capture her little brother, Jackson, since his newborn session a year ago. Last time we got together, we were joined by 8 of their other close family members, spanning 3 generations with a big pre-holiday group session on Hollywood Beach. But being that this was their last session in their (second) baby's first year package, this one was all about Jackson and his first birthday. We started the session at Tree Tops Park for some fun with their wagon, but couldn't resist continuing it in their backyard for some fun cake smash & clean-up photos! Always a blast hanging with this fam - thanks for letting me continue to create lasting memories for your family!
2 Year Old, 4 Month Old + Family | Tree Tops Park Holiday Photos
The third Tree Tops Park post in a row... and my last session there this holiday season - I can't believe how fast it flew by! This great family and I met in an area of the park where there were at least 5 other photographers, most with full holiday prop set ups. Every place I had shot at the weekend before was suddenly flooded with portrait sessions. 'Tis the season. It was easy to work around, but also allowed me to appreciate being so mobile during photo sessions... (because sometimes a mid-session walk to the playground is totally necessary). It was great meet these 4 - such adorable boys!
Family of 4, Tree Tops Park | Holiday Family Photos South Florida
The growing Perez family and I were back at Tree Tops Park in Davie last weekend for our annual holiday mini session. I love watching both of these boys grow into little men... but mostly, I love watching my childhood and forever best friend (and "cousin") grow into such an amazing mother. <3
Husband/Wife Photo Session, Tree Tops Park | South Florida Photographer
Jackie & Jonathan had never been to Tree Tops Park and I loved seeing it through their eyes. Its become one of my favorite places to shoot photo sessions... (and judging by the recent crowds, its become a favorite for a lot of other local photographers, as well). However, since I grew up near it and shoot at it so often, I sometimes forget to appreciate its beauty. It really is a very unique spot in South Florida, with a lot of interesting landscapes that you don't see much of in this area. I love the variety... as Jackie pointed out near the end of the session, everywhere we stopped was very different. Since I've mostly been doing mini-sessions there lately, this session was a great change to really take advantage of some of the great spots in the park without worrying about time. And I owe a big thank you to these two for letting me drag them all over this huge park! It was a great day!
Family Mini-Sessions, Tree Tops Park | South Florida Photographer
This season's first round of holiday mini-sessions took place at Tree Tops Park. Like usual, I had a great mix of repeat clients and some new faces - with little ones ranging from 8 months old to 6 years old! Here are just a few of my favorites from 3 of the families that joined me that day...
3 Year Old Boy, 10 Month Baby Girl - Family Session | Ft Lauderdale Family Photographer
Another family that I LOVE to grow with! I first met Jordan, then just 13 months old, back in 2011 when I took photos of him and his parents at Volunteer Park in Plantation, Fl. Fast forward to the same time of year in 2012, when I took family photos of him, his dad and his then pregnant mom at South Beach Park on Ft Lauderdale Beach. Now it's November again and I get to spend the morning with this great family again... this time, a family of FOUR! Kylie is now 10 months old and already has the same great personality as her big brother. For this year's pre-holiday photo session, we met at Tree Tops Park in Davie, Fl. Jordan does a great job of acting like he doesn't want his photo taken while we were in the process... but then still steals the show with that giant smile. He even got a short photography lesson and took some shots of his own using my backup camera. As usual, it was very difficult to narrow down my favorites of this shoot, but here are just a few...
Family Mini Sessions, Tree Tops Park | Davie Family Photographer
Every year, I try to offer at least one or two days of mini-sessions before the holidays. This allows me to provide an inexpensive, low-hassle way for you to get your updated family photos for your Christmas cards - without having to do any real planning at all. I choose the location and afternoon, you choose your time slot. To make sure each family gets the right attention (and to prevent complete exhaustion), I only offer a very limited number of spots each day, so these sessions book very quickly! This year, four families joined me at Tree Tops Park in Davie, Fl for their own 30 minute family session. I got to hang out with 5 kids, 2 teenagers and 7 adults... and shoot family photos at one of my favorite spots in Tree Tops Park with perfect light! I love letting the sunlight fill my frame to capture its direct relationship with my subjects... in hopes that I can capture it in a way you may not even realize it exists. Here are some of my favorite shots from the day... (and if you want to be notified about any upcoming mini-session dates, sign up for email alerts!)
4 + 6 Year Old Sisters | Davie Children Photographer
Mia and Marley came to Tree Tops Park with me to do some location test-shooting (for the following week's mini-session date) and they were the perfect models! There was a fashion show, an impromptu dance, swings and much more. Six year old, Mia loves the camera and loves the chance to do her best modeling moves... Four year old, Marley, on the other hand, is shy and needs some warming up. I love the challenge of capturing that natural moment that really shows kids' true smiles... even if it means following them down the slide at a playground. (That may or may not have been what happened in one of the following photos...)