32 sessions in 31 days: October in review

In almost 8 years of business, October 2026 was Sweet Home Photography's busiest month yet...by a landslide! Here's what kept me busy last month:

The month started with First Friday networking with the Brighton Chamber of Commerce, hosted at the Ronald McDonald House!

Next came the Rochester Walk to End Alzheimer's. This is an event that I've been lucky enough to photograph for the past few years, and it was a beautiful, sunny morning for a walk! Alzheimer's disease research is a cause that is important to me and to my family, and I look forward to a day when we can say there is a cure 💜

It was a privelege to capture Honor Flight Rochester's Mission 98 as they returned home. HFR's missions are complete for 2026, but there are four on the schedule for 2027! If you haven't had a chance to attend a welcome home, I HIGHLY recommend making a point to do so!

Photographing an ordination ceremony was not on my 2026 BINGO card, but I'm so glad that the opportunity came up! I loved being witness to such a special moment and it was a lot of fun to capture some beautiful connections in such an interesting space.

If you've known SHP for a while, you know that I always enjoy my time spent with Episcopal Senior Life. I was glad to be able to photograph their annual awards dinner again this year. It was inspiring to hear so many stories of how the people on their team make a positive impact. Congratulations to all the awardees!

One of the most meaningful moments of the month came while capturing members of Jewish Senior Life's Generations program. I had the honor of spending the morning with this brother and sister duo, who very graciously shared parts of their stories with me. A highlight was hearing about the tuxedo that this participant had custom made many years ago while living in Ukraine!

I do a lot of networking and sometimes get questions as to why. What I have learned in recent years is that you never know what connections will lead to, and this is the perfect example! Thanks to my friend Laurie, who I met through the Brighton Chamber, I got to spend a fantastic evening photographing a fashion show fundraiser to benefit the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester.

I spent a few weeks hanging out with Episcopal Senior Life's marketing team, capturing award winners across their communities. I have learned so much from Sarah and Becky in my time working with them, and they always make these sessions so much fun.

Remember that one random afternoon that turned out to be almost 80 degrees? I got to spend it at Ellison Park with Jonathan, class of 2027!

Speaking of the benefits of networking...this year I was so surprised and honored to receive the "Rising Star" Award at Brighton Chamber's annual awards ceremony. It was a great morning celebrating all of the winners, and I am so grateful for the recognition as well.

As an artist, it brings me so much joy to see other artists and their work. And as an "I don't know but we can figure it out" kind of person, it is so exciting to see that mindset in the community. Combine these two favorite things, and you get the first annual resident art show at the Legacy at Clover Blossom! When their parent company decided not to hold their annual calendar contest that featured residents' work, Michaela and the team at Clover Blossom took matters into their own hands. Michaela singlehandedly collected sponsorships to fund the project on their own, culminating in an art show featuring 70 pieces! The winning 13 pieces will be featured in a 2027 calendar---stay tuned for the final result!

Speaking of Clover Blossom, they truly outdid themselves with this year's fall festival--and even though it was cold, the sun cooperated! It was a great Saturday for carriage rides, a delicious spread, local vendors, games, friends, and family.

Did you know that Sweet Home Photography's focus on older adulthood doesn't end with humans? When my friend Sarah reached out to schedule a session to celebrate her Zoe's 15th birthday, I was so excited. Zoe was a natural and brought star energy from the first frame on 🤩

You've heard me talk about how thankful I am for GRAPE, and I always love taking headshots at our new member orientation as we welcome new people to the group. I especially love when new members come in the form of colleagues-turned-friends!

Speaking of GRAPE, I was honored to be invited to capture one of the founding members of the organization with her husband in their beautiful backyard! What better Christmas gift for adult children who have everything than a portrait?

Speaking of GRAPE and network connections AGAIN, it's how I got to know Webster Comfort Care Home, and how I happened to spend an evening capturing the beautiful connections between the volunteers who keep the house running. Thank you for all that you do ❤️

I love fall for so many reasons, but this year brought an extra bonus with the return of the Bridging Generations program at Fairport Rehab and Nursing now that the kids are back in school! The smiles say it all 😊

One of the best feelings as a photographer is being invited back to capture family memories year after year. Thank you to the Wignots for our annual visit!

I couldn't let October pass by without celebrating Halloween with my friends at Chili Recreation, who, as usual, threw a larger-than-life community event!

I got to spend a chilly morning with friends in Geneseo, taking family portraits for the Bodekors, the McIntyres, and the Schwytzers! Fun fact: I used to bring my camera to this same exact spot in high school for assignments, and it was really special to come back to a familiar place with a new lens on life.

The Village at Fairways brings the best Halloween costumes every year, and this year's celebration did not disappoint!

Made a quick stop for pickleball and networking with GRAPE, with a touch of Halloween flair 🎃

And last but certainly not least, celebrated a VERY festive Halloween at Violet's 6th birthday!

It feels important to end this one with two specific points: the first being a HUGE amount of gratitude for all who continue to support Sweet Home Photography and who made this such a fun and wild month.

The second is a disclaimer that this is the highlight reel. Social media works like that, right? Not pictured are the big lessons I have learned over the past few months about work-life balance and what has to happen in order to be a regular, functioning human.

If you made it this far, thank you, too ❤️ See you in November!