Fun family photography in Western MA

Pregnancy photography, Western MA

Oh my goodness. I love love love pregnancy portraits, mainly because it’s such a  creative experience of a profoundly transformative, exciting and beautiful life experience. Every session I do is different, for good reason: the women I photograph are unique, surprising, interesting, and inspired, and I love to hear what they’re hoping for in their images. 

For this session, I was asked to create abstract art full of all the curves, shapes, and shadows of her incredible pregnancy with twins. She wanted to make sure there was nothing contrived, “cheesy” or anything lame in general (no problem!), and most of all she wanted the images to be interesting.  I had such an incredible time photographing her this way, the session time just flew by, and I am totally in love with the images we created together. I hope you enjoy them!

Family photography in Western MA

I drive on Bay Rd. from Belchertown to South Hadley several times a week, and every spring I think to myself, “I sure would love to photograph a family in these apple orchards.” The blossoms are so beautiful, and so fleeting, just like all the wonderful moments of childhood. I got tired of hoping and waiting for a client who would magically say to me, “Hey, let’s go to an apple orchard!”, so I asked a friend of mine to offer up her gorgeous growing belly and beautiful family.

I can’t thank her enough for saying yes.

They are such lovely, lovely people, and photographing them was such a gift. The blossoms have been replaced by ripening apples, and the baby will come any day now. But they will have this moment in their lives to enjoy forever, the moment right before their family blossomed from 3 to 4. Thank you for letting me enjoy it with you.

Pregnancy photography, Western MA

One of the most important elements in the way I work is to not only have the images be creative, but to reflect who my clients are and what matters most to them. Jill is an artist herself, and had wonderful collaborative ideas about what she was hoping for in her pregnancy portrait. The location might seem familiar, it’s where I photographed Daniel’s Senior Portrait. She has an architecture background as well as being an incredibly talented painter, and so structure and color were very important to her. And, both she and her husband really wanted the emotion to feel real, to feel nothing like a typical, canned dime-a-dozen portrait. I think we succeeded! Her husband is the most genuinely sweet, kind, loving man you could ever meet, and he participated so beautifully in the experience. I felt truly honored and grateful to be able to share in this incredibly touching and meaningful time in their lives, and their images truly reflect the love they share as well as the beauty of pregnancy. 

Newborn photography, Western MA

I love what I do, and honestly my favorite session is usually the one I’ve just had, but, holy cannoli did I totally love this one! This little angel cutie-pie was just 12 days old, and the way she is so comfortable and relaxed in her dad’s hands just made me go all gooey inside. Newborn portrait sessions are really such an exquisite experience; they’re so tiny, so precious, the time is so fleeting. I always feel so thrilled that the parents will be able to have this feeling forever, to know that yes, she really was that teeny tiny and could sleep in her dad’s hands…

western mass Family Photography

I LOVED working with this family. They were wanting something special before the kids got older, and it had been a while since they’d had any kind of photography session. I love how natural they are with each other, I love the light, I love how it’s real. I hope you enjoy their images as much as I do.

Western Massachusetts Family Photography: Client Spotlight

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the past year, and one thing that has really caught my attention is how truly interesting and fabulous my clients are. I have so enjoyed meeting each one of them, and I found myself wishing they could all meet each other somehow… 

And so, I’ve decided to post regular “client spotlights” to highlight all the interesting and varied things they do! There will be links, photos, writing, videos, all kinds of yummy tid-bits.

First up is Emily Neuburger, you may have seen her on the cover of this month’s Pioneer Kids or been to her wonderful crafting blog Red Bird Crafts. She also has a storefront on Etsy where she sells bright unique artwork for either wearing or decorating your home. She uses vibrant colors, hand carved stamps, nature, thrifted finds, re-purposed materials, and modern materials to make original designs. It’s beautiful!

 One of her latest projects is Conversation Love Rocks , and it’s a totally fun project to do with your kids—enjoy!

 

Models Needed: Pregnancy, newborns (1-2 weeks) and babies up to 6 months

During the winter, I love to take time to create images for the art of it. Winter months tend to be be slower, and so now is the perfect time for a model call. If you are pregnant, have a newborn or baby up to 6 months, I’d love to hear from you. These sessions are very limited, and the style and content of the session is up to me—it’s a chance for me to play and try new things so that I can add them to future offerings.

As a thank you for participating you will receive:

—A free portrait session, style of my choosing, at my studio in Belchertown

—A $50 print credit

—Reduced pricing of 20% off normal catalog prices, including custom framing.

There is no pressure to purchase anything from the session, but your experience will have the same high level of customer service as full-paying clients, and the option is open to you.

If you’d like to have some fun, have some gorgeous artistic images created of you or your baby, and would appreciate a price break, now is the perfect time to come in for a session.

IT'S THE 50/50 Partnership Promotion!! Dec. 21-23rd

Still need the perfect gift?  Then this sale is for you! Come to Lola and Me Too in South Hadley to find the perfect last minute gift and receive a gift certificate from Sarah Prall Photography!  

If you haven’t been to Lola and Me Too in South Hadley, now is the time to go… It’s a fabulous boutique that carries wonderful child and baby items. In partnership with them, we’re offering a  fabulous promotion: for every $50 spent in the store, you will receive a $50 gift card from me redeemable towards prints or session fees! 

This is the perfect opportunity to find the perfect Christmas gift, while getting a wonderful gift for yourself: beautiful family portraiture.

Northampton Couple's Portrait

If you’re in a relationship, do you have fabulous images of the two of you together? Or do you just have a hodge-podge of random snapshots that do the job but are nothing special? Having an on-location portrait session is not only a kick-in-the-pants good time, but also the perfect way to have gorgeous images you’re proud to show everyone! This couple and I had such a fun time, I’m so glad they were into doing an urban-themed shoot in Northampton, and I totally love their style. Thanks J. and Selena!

Now this is how to use color in your portrait session!

This is the fabulous Walterscheid family, they are moving to Oregon and wanted something really special of their family to capture where they lived. We had a blast, their daughter is a super-star cutie-pie and Devon was wonderful to collaborate with. I wanted to post these images as an example of how color can be a great addition, when the colors are chosen carefully and go well together. The pink and green they wore are the same color value, and their daughter’s dress is a perfect mix of the two. Here is how to not look too matchy-matchy and perfectly coordinated. Thanks  for a beautiful portrait session, I had so much fun and I know your wall portrait collections are going to look spectacular in your new home!

When they're about to leave the nest...

With the summer comes release. The last day of school, family vacations, relaxing in the bliss that is the warm weather. And then, the fall comes, kids become seniors in high school, and kids leave for college. I am posting some images from a portrait experience late last summer of a mom and her grown daughter who was about to leave for school. She knew it was the end of an era, and as proud as she was of her daughter, she really wanted something special of the two of them before she officially left the nest. We had such a wonderful time! If you have a child leaving for college in the fall, or even just leaving the teen years to enter the 20’s, consider having something special of yourself and your child. The summer is the perfect time, and you will cherish the images for many years to come.

Western Massachusetts Senior Portraits

It’s that time of year, when local kids leave their junior years behind and become high school seniors! I love to photograph high school senior portraits, because each one is so different and interesting. I don’t just shuttle people in and out of the same studio set-up, we talk about what each senior is about and then create a custom experience to express the awesomeness of who they are. I thought I’d show some examples of what we can do, because now is the time to start scheduling your appointments. Believe it or not school deadlines for photos are right around the corner!

Here is Allie from Longmeadow High School, she wanted something fun, fashionable, and different from any other location. I found a place that had old rusted trucks, gorgeous wildflowers, old wooden buildings. It was perfect, and we had such a great time!

 And here is another example of something totally different… Daniel is a ballet dancer, and wanted a specific location with beautiful architectural elements. He wanted portraits that could really show what he is capable of, but done in an interesting and artistic way. I was truly inspired by his talent.

Northampton Pregnancy Portraits

The lovely Abby from Northampton and I had SUCH a fabulous time with her pregnancy portrait! If you can believe it she is carrying twins, and had the babies a week after the session. The veil wrapped around her is from her wedding, and is over a hundred years old. The fan, jade jewelry, and red scarf were all gifts from her husband—I was so glad to have them included in the images. Thank you so much for the opportunity to be with you during such an amazing and beautiful time in your life!

Western Massachusetts Family Photography

Saturday is Pride in Northampton, and it’s going to be a gorgeous day! My Sarah Prall Photography booth is front of the Italian pastry shop, (how perfect is that) come by and say hi! I’m also having a drawing for a portrait session give-away, come fill out a ticket to enter and win! And since I can’t post without a photo, here’s one of my cutie-patootie son…

Northampton Family Portraits

Here are a few from a recent shoot with Lisa and her little one at my studio in Belchertown. It was such a treat to be with both of them!

Western Massachusetts Family Photography

I just came back from a fabulous trip to Tucson to photograph some of my favorite clients, and I wanted to share! I go to Tucson a couple times a year for portrait sessions, and it’s always so much fun. Most of the families I photograph I’ve been with since their first child was just a little dumpling, and now they’re all so big!

This is Aumi and Eric’s family, their boys were superstars and we had a great time.

Maternity and newborn models wanted!

I’m having a MODELING CALL FOR MATERNITY MAMAS & NEWBORNS! I have a lot of new props and ideas that I would love to try.  I would especially love to photograph newborn twins, so if you know anyone that is expecting, send them my way.  Here are the details:

• Models will receive a complimentary session (reg. $195), and an 8x10 print. Photographs are purchased seperately at our regular rates.
• Maternity models must be at least 34 weeks pregnant.
• Newborns must be 3-7 days old so it is important to call while you are pregnant.
• A signed model release is required.
• Please allow 2-3 hours for your newborn’s session.  Newborn sessions take a lot of patience!
• Sessions are limited.

If you are pregnant or adopting call 413.835.1578 or email today!

Pioneer Valley Pregnancy Portraits: Sarah Prall Photography

I just couldn’t wait to post some images from my latest pregnancy portrait, one of my most favorite subjects to photograph. Kasia and her sweetie Scott were fabulous to work with, and we did their session at my natural-light studio in Belchertown. Congratulations to Kasia on her third child, scheduled to enter the world on February 8th!

Family Photography Class in Northampton: 12 Tips for Fabulous Family Photographs

Hi everyone,

Struggling to take decent photos of your family? Do your kids run in the other direction when you pick up a camera? Would you like a little help with your family photography skills? Then come to my photography class!

I am teaching a class about Photography Tips for Parents at Cradle in Northampton on Saturday, January 30th from 2-4pm. You can register online here, or give them a call at 413.341.5282. (If you haven’t been to Cradle, it is such a terrific resource for families in so many ways. They provide a variety workshops, classes, mom-tested and selected products and wellness services for new and expecting parents to care for themselves and their babies both physically and emotionally.) Here is the description for what I’m offering in the class, hope to see you there!

Photo Tips for Parents

Taking beautiful photos of your own family is something most parents would love to do, but unfortunately it’s much harder than it looks! It’s the main reason skilled family portrait photographers are so appreciated, because parents often struggle to get  those great images themselves. Come join professional photographer Sarah Prall, whose images hang on Cradle’s walls, as she teaches you 12 tips for Fabulous Family Photos and learn how to beautifully document your family and have fun in the process. This 2 hour class will cover technical tips, composition, mood-management, and how to make all different kinds of lighting situations your friend.  Please bring the camera you like to use, as well as some examples of both the photos you love and the total disasters, and most importantly, bring your creativity and sense of humor!
  
“I wanted to teach this class to parents because I believe with my whole heart that family photographs are everything. They are a family possession like no other. Professional photographers have an important role to play in a family’s history, because parents need someone else to capture those moments that happen between themselves and their child—you can’t document the moment and be an active participant at the same time. But it’s the parents who know their children best, and are present at all kinds of wonderful moments. With a little technical help and  a new way of seeing, parents can document not only the history of their family but truly capture how it felt to be there, with each other, in that split second of time that will never happen again. Great family photographs have the power to make manifest the love that moves throughout each family and make it something you can hold in your hands forever. And how amazing would it be to give that to your own family!“