Rochester NY Family Photographer

So.  I say this every year. Are you doing family pictures? Yes? Okay. Here's my advice -- whoever you choose for your photographer -- BOOK the SESSION NOW.  Seriously.  If you have ideas of fall photos, holiday cards, your family with great colors outside -- yeah.  You know what i'm going to say, right? Limited.  Openings. So...that being said -- this family booked and we had a huge amount of fun running all over their house and yard and just PLAYING (cuz I LOVE to play!) and George (I maintain that "GEORGE" is the best boy's name ever -- just say it to yourself.  Right? ...


Continue Reading »

So.   Perhaps you've noticed that sometimes I like to try new things.  No?!  Well...I can assure you...it's true.  Take this presentation of Megan's senior photo shoot sneak peek.  It's HOT, right?  Yeah.  I thought so too.  First of all Megan, amazing member of the class of 2012, came to me for her senior photographs.  She brought her best friend and her mom -- and we had an AMAZING session.  It's important, those of you considering having your photographs taken, to be THOUGHTFUL about what clothes you should wear -- my usual discussion with my clients runs something like this:  bring...


Continue Reading »

My team has learned, much like Pavlov's dogs, to cringe when they see me come in like a whirlwind, all wound up, and say:  "Okay.  So I had this idea in the middle of the night..."   Typically that means:  A.  A lot of work.  B.  Switching directions from what they are doing to focus on something new  C.  Tammy is obsessed with thinking about this idea.  D.  Taking a lot of time  E.  A lot of work.  ::laughing:: A lot of times those ideas kind of fade away because they are impractical for whatever reason, or I notice that someone else has done something kind of along the same...


Continue Reading »

There's two spots left for our mini holiday session.  Just sayin'.  If you're thinking about it -- don't wait too much longer!  Also...how cute is this family?!!  Their holiday card is going to ROCK!!


Continue Reading »

This image from yesterday's session with Katie and Aaron just makes me happy...


Continue Reading »

It's that time again! Holidays are right around the corner and you've promised yourself you are going to start preparing for your cards and gifts with a little time to spare this year. But where are you supposed to find that kind of time?!? Well...Tammy Swales Photography has got a solution. Holiday Family Mini-Sessions!!! They are like sessions, only...mini-er! Which means less time out of your holiday preparations, less time to try to coordinate short attention spans and the same priceless photographs without any fuss at all! For more information check out this link!


Continue Reading »

And I mean this as a serious question.  Do you think they are important? I can tell you what I think -- and my opinion is based not on the fact that taking these photographs are part of what I do for a living -- but more of a life-long observation about how our society functions. (yeah.  I'm about to go serious.  brace yourselves!  ::grin::) So.  Many of us have had the experience of being thin and beautiful and then maybe not so much.  Have you noticed how differently you are treated simply based on appearances?  Or...what if you leave the house looking ratty vs. all amazing and cute. ...


Continue Reading »

Four humans and four dogs?! An absolute riot!!! The Darlings were such an inspiring, close-knit family and a hands-down hilarious group. They along with their four furry friends had me laughing so hard I was almost crying the entire time I was shooting. 4 humans + 4 dogs officially = an incredibly fun family shoot! And....and a great deal of teamwork to get everyone looking at the camera at once. Thing is – I've learned this from Lulu – when you're a dog the simplest things are sometimes the most thrilling things in the world... GRASS!!!! OMG!!!! EVERYONE'S SITTING ON THE GRASS!!!!!...


Continue Reading »

It all began with a photograph. Which is funny because normally sessions END in photographs... But this one began with a photograph. Not my photograph, and not just any photograph...THIS photograph: The Stolkas celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. FIFTY YEARS!!! HOW COOL IS THAT!?!? And their daughter contacted us for some family portraits of them with her and her sister while everyone was in town for the anniversary. And she knew she wanted to bring this photograph which of them on their wedding day. And I loved this idea! When I shoot families, I think it is really important...


Continue Reading »

So...yes. Things are CRAZY around here at Tammy Swales Photography. We are right in the thick of the craziest part of summer and (with the help of an unmentionable amount of caffeine) we are LOVING it!!! Myself and the team have been hard at work, but we realized in a rare moment of breathing recently, that we have been surrounded by some fantastic people. Seriously, I have the most fantastic clients!!! I feel so blessed.  And a special shout out to Kristi Hedberg who was a FABULOUS second shooter at both Julianne and Jessica's weddings! So...back to work, but first, here's a snippet of some...


Continue Reading »