Orlando Family Photographer for a day.

Dear Social Media. You are a blessing and a curse. You keep our noses glued to our devices. You share embarrassing pictures for all the world to see. You cause otherwise sane and rational people to sit at a restaurant or stop light and rudely ignore the life that is happening right in front of their eyes.

But, I will tell you a secret.

I sort of love you. I love the connection. I love feeling connected to my friends and family who are far away. I love seeing the pictures of their families, their dogs, their cats, their LIVES. And I love living vicariously through their vacation adventures. I love that I can be a part of a community of photographers that I’ve never met. That I can learn and grow from them, and hone my craft, and be connected. In the past year, I’ve had the honor and privilege to not only meet, but to photograph 3 of these photographers and their families. Social media friends are the pen pals of the digital age. So, as much as I stomp my feet and complain about how Facebook is ruining the world, I’m secretly so grateful that it’s been the place to introduce me to so many people whose lives would never have crossed with mine in a Facebook-less world.

One such person is Amanda of Amanda Schoch Photography. Funny, kind, and crazy talented, her heart is as big as her laugh and I’ve looked up to and admired her since the moment I “met” her in an on-line class. So when she and her family were planning a trip to Disney, I just knew that I had to see her. And then, when she asked if I would photograph them, I was beyond excited!

What I really wanted to do was kidnap her for a day to have her all to myself. But I didn’t think her husband Matt would appreciate that.

After spending a few hours with them at the Magic Kingdom, we went back to the Coronado Springs Resort  where the heavens immediately opened up and the rain poured down like crazy. But it was a perfect time for Amanda’s little guys to get in a quick nap while we waited out the storm. And, like Florida does, the rain stopped and the sun came out. And that’s when the magic happened.

Thank you Amanda for trusting me with your family’s memories. And next time, it’s you and me and a bottle of cabernet.

be joyful,

michaela

Ready to book your Photo Session? I am currently booking Senior Sessions for the Class of 2016 and Professional Headshot Sessions.  

Contact me here for more information or to secure a date.

Michaela Ristaino of Ristaino Photography is a Sarasota Portrait Photographer who is always happy to travel to see the mouse and impersonate an Orlando Family Photographer!