There’s something magical about capturing a family’s true essence in photos. And I believe it just can’t be done in a perfect picture, with everybody looking at the camera, and fake smiles. Yes, if you book me I’ll probably take a few pictures with everybody looking at the camera, BUT, what I want to give you are photos that will make your heart melt. I want to show you the real sparkle of your son’s eyes, that same sparkle you see when he smiles at you, because he just loves you so much.

I want to take photos that will remind you, years from now, of how excited your baby got when you talked to him, even though he couldn’t understand a thing you were saying. Remember that big smile? What about how little his toes were? If these things being photographed are not important to you, then I’m for sure not the right photographer for you.

And when I do give you photos with everybody looking at the camera, you bet you will all have natural smiles, because I will never just ask you to “smile,” but I truly hope while talking to you, you think I’m funny enough to smile your real smile at me.

Why do I love Lifestyle so much? Because seeing your daughter get tired doesn’t make me nervous, because I know she gets tired at home. And let’s be honest, it’s kind of adorable when she clings to that blanket. If you agree with me, these photos are priceless, why? Because they are REAL. Kids get tired. Telling them exactly what to do during photos is not my thing. They can do whatever they want, I’ll just follow, and sing to them, and be silly, because those are the moments I’ll get my favorite images. And I bet you’ll love them more than I do.

Traditional might mean everybody in focus, but Lifestyle tells a story so much bigger. Bring your babies’ favorite book and let’s read it during our session. Now how special do you think your kids will feel when they are older and see this picture? Because you don’t have a photographer (most of you anyways) at home with you to all the time to photograph moments like these. I want you to have these. I want you to remember how sweet life is. How precious all that time you spent with your kiddos.

And yes, there will be lots of photos where you’re not all looking at the camera.

But I guarantee you will love the story behind all of them.

XO, Poly Mendes