Mrs. Vakili… to be

May 7, 2012

Valarie and her fiance, Josh, are some close friends of ours. They’re in our small group with our church and we just love ’em. They’re getting married in a few short weeks and to help celebrate, Valarie’s sisters, mother-in-law-to-be, and mama all came to town to help throw her a shower.

Or course, her precious little baby niece made her appearance between naps.

Isn’t she a doll baby?!?

Valarie, with her mother-in-law and her mama.

Just lovely.

And… the picture that makes me wish I had sisters…

Doesn’t that just look like fun? My friend has a saying that, “women are the glue that hold a family together.” If that’s true then this family is truly blessed with 4 ladies to keep them close.

Congratulations Valarie and Josh! I can’t wait to photograph you again on your WEDDING DAY!

sarahgrayphoto

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Maternity • Newborns • Babies • Family
Photographer based in Tallahassee, Florida
Master Baby, Family, and Maternity Photographer awarded by @napcp

There are certain places that just make everything easier.

The light falls right. The space feels calm. The family relaxes without even realizing it.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the locations I keep coming back to, and what it is about them that works. Some are outdoors with gorgeous natural canopy and soft, open light. Some are quieter, more tucked away. Some I discovered by accident and now I wouldn`t trade them.

What they all have in common is this: they feel true to the families I photograph here in Tallahassee and the surrounding area. Unhurried. Warm. Real. Give me all the "old Florida" vibes.

Swipe through to see a few of my favorites right now. Do you have a favorite spot around Tallahassee, or somewhere nearby that means something to your family? I would genuinely love to hear it - drop it in the comments or send me a message. I am always looking to grow this list.

Seen here are Goodwood Museum and Gardens, St. Theresa, Summer Camp Beach, Park Avenue Chain of Parks, and Dorothy B. Oven Park.

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 18022539362884509

There are certain places that just make everything easier.

The light falls right. The space feels calm. The family relaxes without even realizing it.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the locations I keep coming back to, and what it is about them that works. Some are outdoors with gorgeous natural canopy and soft, open light. Some are quieter, more tucked away. Some I discovered by accident and now I wouldn't trade them.

What they all have in common is this: they feel true to the families I photograph here in Tallahassee and the surrounding area. Unhurried. Warm. Real. Give me all the "old Florida" vibes.

Swipe through to see a few of my favorites right now. Do you have a favorite spot around Tallahassee, or somewhere nearby that means something to your family? I would genuinely love to hear it - drop it in the comments or send me a message. I am always looking to grow this list.

Seen here are Goodwood Museum and Gardens, St. Theresa, Summer Camp Beach, Park Avenue Chain of Parks, and Dorothy B. Oven Park.

That’s not a filter. That’s the finish.

Editing isn’t about fixing something that went wrong, it’s the last step in creating the image. The light, the color, the feeling. It all comes together in the edit.

Raw files are a little like unfinished film negatives. They’re where we start, not where we land. What you receive is the image as it was always meant to look.

This is the part of the work I genuinely love. And it shows up in every single image I deliver.

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 17940814791276580

That’s not a filter. That’s the finish.

Editing isn’t about fixing something that went wrong, it’s the last step in creating the image. The light, the color, the feeling. It all comes together in the edit.

Raw files are a little like unfinished film negatives. They’re where we start, not where we land. What you receive is the image as it was always meant to look.

This is the part of the work I genuinely love. And it shows up in every single image I deliver.

These seasons with your family are fleeting.

I know that sounds like something you see on a sign at HomeGoods, but I mean it in the most practical, un-cheesy way possible: the version of your kids that exists right now will be different in six months.

The way your toddler laughs, the way your baby fits in the crook of your arm, the way your whole family piles onto the couch on a Tuesday night - it changes. Gradually and then all at once.

These photos were taken of my daughter on her last week of kindergarten this year. Her playful spirit, in her bedroom, wearing the dress she wore for their Peter Rabbit end of year program. All the sweetness of the year in a few snapshots. I will love them forever.

The photos I make for families are not about having a perfect day or a perfect outfit or perfect kids. They are about stopping long enough to say: this was us, right here, in this season.

That is worth something.

If you have been thinking about it, reach out. We will find a time that works for real life.

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#portraitphotography #portraiture #simplyportraits #portraitoftheday #portraitphotographer #portraitsmag #portraitshoot #photographerofinstagram #photographyofinstagram #photographerlife #instaphotography #justgoshoot #photographylover #baby #familyphotography #tallahasseebabyphotographer #ihearttally #tallahassee #tallahasseephotographer #850 #floridanewbornphotographer #themotherhoodanthology #tma #lifestylelighting

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 18062577776721544

These seasons with your family are fleeting.

I know that sounds like something you see on a sign at HomeGoods, but I mean it in the most practical, un-cheesy way possible: the version of your kids that exists right now will be different in six months.

The way your toddler laughs, the way your baby fits in the crook of your arm, the way your whole family piles onto the couch on a Tuesday night - it changes. Gradually and then all at once.

These photos were taken of my daughter on her last week of kindergarten this year. Her playful spirit, in her bedroom, wearing the dress she wore for their Peter Rabbit end of year program. All the sweetness of the year in a few snapshots. I will love them forever.

The photos I make for families are not about having a perfect day or a perfect outfit or perfect kids. They are about stopping long enough to say: this was us, right here, in this season.

That is worth something.

If you have been thinking about it, reach out. We will find a time that works for real life.

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*
*
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#portraitphotography #portraiture #simplyportraits #portraitoftheday #portraitphotographer #portraitsmag #portraitshoot #photographerofinstagram #photographyofinstagram #photographerlife #instaphotography #justgoshoot #photographylover #baby #familyphotography #tallahasseebabyphotographer #ihearttally #tallahassee #tallahasseephotographer #850 #floridanewbornphotographer #themotherhoodanthology #tma #lifestylelighting

.... now you know.

Which session memory has been living rent-free in your head lately?

Drop it below, I love hearing these. 🤍
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#portraitphotography #portraiture #simplyportraits #portraitoftheday #portraitphotographer #portraitsmag #portraitshoot #photographerofinstagram #photographyofinstagram #photographerlife #instaphotography #justgoshoot #photographylover #baby #familyphotography #tallahasseebabyphotographer #ihearttally #tallahassee #tallahasseephotographer #850 #floridanewbornphotographer #themotherhoodanthology #tma #lifestylelighting

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 17937907863320920

.... now you know.

Which session memory has been living rent-free in your head lately?

Drop it below, I love hearing these. 🤍
*
*
*
*
*
#portraitphotography #portraiture #simplyportraits #portraitoftheday #portraitphotographer #portraitsmag #portraitshoot #photographerofinstagram #photographyofinstagram #photographerlife #instaphotography #justgoshoot #photographylover #baby #familyphotography #tallahasseebabyphotographer #ihearttally #tallahassee #tallahasseephotographer #850 #floridanewbornphotographer #themotherhoodanthology #tma #lifestylelighting

He studied everything first — the trees, the park, me — before he decided we were okay. And then? That smile. 💛 Loved capturing this family`s time with their au pair under the soft Tallahassee light.
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#portraitphotography #portraiture #simplyportraits #portraitoftheday #portraitphotographer #portraitsmag #portraitshoot #photographerofinstagram #photographyofinstagram #photographerlife #instaphotography #justgoshoot #photographylover #baby #familyphotography #tallahasseebabyphotographer #ihearttally #tallahassee #tallahasseephotographer #850 #floridanewbornphotographer #themotherhoodanthology #tma #lifestylelighting

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 17970456798087075