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And before you start to think that makes me weird, hear me out--I think this may actually help you to trust me in my work. If you're an Upstate New Yorker and you don't know the Goo Goo Dolls, I would be glad to help correct that 🙃 The Goos and I were both born in Buffalo in 1986, and I fell in love with their music when I was 10 years old. Since then, I have seen them play live 32 times. Besides the fact that I am a huge fan, what else can this tell you about me as a person

The further we get into the year, the faster it seems to go! Here is a look back at what kept Sweet Home Photography busy this August: August started in the best way possible, photographing a reunion between brothers after years living far apart. Stay tuned to SHP's social channels later this week for more on this! I am excited to expand my involvement with the Brighton Chamber of Commerce by photographing some of our events, and was glad to get started with our First Friday

Do you remember spending time at your parents' or grandparents' house when you were a kid? Do you remember sitting on the floor to play a game, or looking at the wallpaper in the kitchen while someone made you dinner? I bet you can remember how it felt to be in that space--what the house smelled like when your grandpa made spaghetti, how the carpet felt when you stretched out to relax in the living room, or how the rain sounded on the porch roof. Those experiences become ingr

July was a busy one, but started with a week of vacation! Got back into the swing of things with some additional headshots for the team at the Legacy at Clover Blossom. Then I got right back into vacation mode with the Village at Park Crescent! They turned their community into a cruise ship for a day, complete with trivia, music, a casino, crafts, treats, a pool, and photo-ops! I got to march in my first Pride parade with the Legacy at Clover Blossom, and was blown away by th

Did I ever mention that I quit my last salaried job with no notice? A very un-me thing to do. That was exactly a year ago today, and, when people ask what happened, I usually just say, "our values didn't align." But the truth is that there's more to the story, and today I'd like to celebrate a full 365 days of freedom by sharing it with you. It begins way back in January of 2022 when I started on the journey to become a therapist. In order to bill insurance as a social worker

And just like that, July arrives tomorrow! June was a quiet month for Sweet Home Photography, relatively speaking, but there is a lot happening behind the scenes that I'm excited to share with you soon! I started the month with the Alzheimer's Association, celebrating the kickoff for the Walk to End Alzheimer's on a beautiful night at ISquare--complete with ice cream for dinner! Alzheimer's research is something that matters a lot to my family, and I'm so glad to be able to h

Throughout my career, I've worked in many different settings. While I have enjoyed aspects of each, I never quite felt like I fully "fit." Even surrounded by people doing the exact same job, I still felt that I was operating on a slightly different frequency. Like I cared too much about the "wrong" things, asked too many questions that didn't fit the script, or just couldn't quite make myself at home in spaces that everyone else seemed to inhabit comfortably. I could find bel

Poet W. B. Yeats said, "The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper." Every day, my camera proves to me that this is true. I first fell in love with photography in high school precisely because I DO believe in magic--holding something in my hand that let me freeze time felt like precisely that. In the many years since then, my camera has helped train my eye to look for magic all around me, wherever I go. And the more I see, the more I r

The sun is finally shining, Rochester! Last month's weather was...less than ideal...but life behind the lens kept things bright over here, despite the rain! Here is a look back at what kept Sweet Home Photography busy in May: I got to start the month hanging out with my friends Chuck and Gloria at Parklands, taking more product photos for Aegeliss. This was one of my very favorite sessions to date, and if you're curious why, read more here! Next up: headshots for Willow! I ca

Do you ever have those moments where you can feel something click into place? The kind of moment that gives you a sense that you're on the right path, doing the thing you should be doing, where you should be? I had one of those moments last week, and I can't share it with you without telling a story first: My husband and I bought our first house 16 years ago, a townhouse in a small neighborhood in North Chili. We didn't realize when we made an offer that we would be the young

May is one of my favorite months for so many reasons. It's usually when the weather in Rochester FINALLY feels like it takes a turn for the better, leaves are coming back on the trees, it's the month when I got engaged to my husband (13 years ago this week!), and the air just feels good outside. I recently learned of a few more reasons to keep May at the top of my list: May is Older Americans Month 💛 May is also Mental Health Awareness Month 🧠 The first week of May is Small

In the words of *Nsync...it's gonna be May! 😀 I blinked and April flew by! Anyone else? This past month took me and my camera to some fun places, and I'd love to share them with you! The month started with brunch and an egg hunt with the Easter Bunny at the Village at Unity. I love working with this community, and am always so impressed by the energy they put into their events. They consistently create fun and meaningful opportunities for the people who live there to connect

I still get so excited every time I see a Sweet Home photo in the wild, and last week I came across a few in a way that I did not expect! During a celebration for National Pet Day at the Legacy at Clover Blossom, Hal, a gentleman I've photographed before brought his dog Chuckie down for a portrait. As they got settled in for their photo, I noticed something on his walker that brought a HUGE smile to my face: two prints from previous pet portrait sessions taped to the front. W

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to photograph Lifespan's Celebration of Aging luncheon, a huge annual event that brings together individuals, organizations, and community members who are all deeply invested in supporting older adults in the Rochester area. For me, it was more than just another photo session--it was a full-circle moment. Back in 2009 I was an intern at Lifespan, just beginning to understand the landscape of services available to older adults, families, a

March was one of those months that held a little bit of everything, keeping Sweet Home Photography busy in the best way! The month kicked off with Chili Recreation's annual family BINGO night, complete with costumes, prizes, and a ton of fun 🎉 Next up was my first (but definitely not my last) visit to Encore Chorus, a choir comprised of people living with memory loss, their caregivers, and volunteers. Brought together by the Eastman School of Music, this group's connection,

I’m excited to share that Sweet Home Photography has been named a finalist in the Roc the City Choice Awards in the category of “Best Business Making a Positive Social Impact!!” I’m SO proud to be featured in this category, and have been reflecting on what social impact really means in the context of this work. When people think about photography, they often think about the final images. But for me, the impact lives just as much in the experience of being photographed as it

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to photograph two Rock Steady Boxing classes hosted by Safe at Home Physical Therapy. When I arrived, I expected to document a fitness class — people working through drills, throwing punches, and moving through a structured workout. But what I witnessed was something much more meaningful. The room was full of energy, encouragement, and camaraderie. Participants greeted one another, checked in between exercises, and celebrated small victor

March is Social Work Month (yes, a whole month is necessary--social workers have a lot to celebrate!), and this year's theme is "Uplift, Defend, Transform." Three words that speak to both the daily duties of social workers as well as the broader impact of the profession. At its core, social work is guided by six foundational values: Service Social justice Dignity and worth of the person Importance of human relationships Integrity Competence These principles are not just ideal

Last week brought us into the Year of the Fire Horse--a rare zodiac combination that appears only once every 60 years. It symbolizes independence, bold self-expression, high energy, passion-driven action, and a refusal to be confined. Who do you think of when you hear those traits? These qualities are often associated with youth. But in my work, they show up most vividly in older adulthood. There is a persistent cultural myth that aging is synonymous with shrinking. Becoming

Leaving a home is rarely just a logistical task. Even when a move is the right decision — even when it brings safety, community, or relief — it can still carry grief. Homes hold much more than furniture and square footage. They hold identity, routines, memories, milestones, losses, lessons, celebrations, and everyday life. When it’s time to leave, many people worry about forgetting. Or about what might get lost in the rush to sort, donate, and downsize. Memorial home photogra