Sometimes I forget that some people are new to this whole photography thing. I forget that for some, this is their first photo challenge. Annoying, right? Actually, one of the things I love most about my 30 Day Challenge is that it opens up a whole world of photography to people who think you need a...
Holiday card: handled.
Vintage red truck ✅
Private ranch in Myakka ✅
Fifteen minutes flat ✅
Kids, babies, dogs, or all of the above. No forced smiles, no stiff poses, just your people, together, laughing at something that’s funny only to you.
Red Truck Mini Sessions are one day only: Sunday, November 15, 9am - 1pm. Seven spots left.
Link in bio to book. 🧡
#sarasotafamilyphotographer #sarasotaminisessions #holidayminisessions #redtruckminisessions #myakka #sarasotamoms #firstchristmas
50 things about me. Counting down.
30: I love Ted Lasso and I want to be Rebecca when I grow up (Hannah Waddingham is all sorts of amazing).
29: For someone who used to get devastatingly homesick, I somehow developed a full-blown travel addiction.
28: I ran a whole bunch of half marathons during the 3 years I lived in the San Francisco Bay area.
27: Favorite book this year: The Frozen River.
26: I discovered my love for portrait photography when my good friend (the amazing jazz singer Ellen Winters) asked me to take her headshots because she knew I had a "good camera."
New ones every Tuesday. Catch up anytime in my Story highlights. 🤍
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#GetToKnowMe #BehindTheLens #SarasotaPhotographer #PhotographyOrigin #PhotographerLife #TeamRebecca #50ThingsAboutMe
She still reaches for your hand without thinking.
One day she won`t.
That`s the whole reason I do mini sessions. Fifteen minutes. A beautiful spot. No forced smiles, no stiff poses, just your family exactly as you are, and a handful of images you`ll actually want on your wall.
2026 Holiday Mini Sessions are booking now at Siesta Key, Phillippi Estate Park, Urfer Family Park, and Red Truck Ranch in Myakka. Several dates and locations have already sold out, so grab your spot while there`s still a choice.
Link in bio to book. 🧡
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#sarasotafamilyphotographer
#sarasotaminisessions
#holidayminisessions
#siestakeyphotographer
#sarasotamoms
50 things about me. Counting down.
35: My favorite composer is Stephen Sondheim.
34: Most favorite on-stage role: The Baker`s Wife in Into the Woods.
33: I love cooking. I don`t need a recipe. I`m good that way.
32: I was an IT Network Project Manager for 25 years.
31: I love singing, but hate the process of learning new music.
New ones every Tuesday. Catch up anytime in my Story highlights. 🤍
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#GetToKnowMe #BehindTheLens #SarasotaPhotographer #MusicalTheatre #PhotographerLife #Sondheim #50ThingsAboutMe
3 spots left at Siesta Key.
Fifteen minutes. Golden light. No forced smiles, no meltdown-inducing marathon.
Just your people, real laughter, and photos that actually look like your family.
Dates and booking at the link in bio. Once they`re gone, they`re gone.
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#SiestaKeyPhotographer #SarasotaFamilyPhotographer #SiestaKeyMiniSessions #HolidayMiniSessions #SarasotaMoms
✨ They`re back! The beloved Vintage Red Truck Minis at Myakka Ranch are officially open for 2026!
📅 Date: Sunday, November 15
🕐 Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Private Farm, Myakka Ranch
Each session includes:
✔ A 15-minute session with our cozy holiday red truck setup
✔ 5 hand-edited digital images (with upgrade options available)
✔ Print release + curated gallery
✔ Professional print + gift options
✔ The chance to actually enjoy the moment, chaos, giggles, and all! 🧡
🎁 Don`t forget, we`ll also be collecting toys for our Holiday Toy Drive to spread extra cheer this season.
✨ Spots are very limited and always go quickly, reserve yours today!
👉 Book now, link in bio.
#RedTruckMinis #HolidayMiniSessions #SarasotaMiniPhotoSessions #FamilyPhotosSarasota #SarasotaFamilyPhotographer
Michaela Ristaino Photography
michaela@ristainophotography.com | 941-957-8088 | Sarasota FL
Thanks for the tips, Stephanie! Just downloaded Aviary on my ipad…..so far looks user friendly!
Very well written, great advice and motivation! Thank you Stephanie and Michaela!
You’re welcome, Rachel! I love Aviary! I figured it out, so it must be easy to use!
I was very surprised to learn that you only use an iPhone! Your work is stunning, and I especially like the flashlight tip. Curious about editing on iPad. I edit with Aviary on an Android phone and think the only way to edit on iPad is to email photo to myself. Thoughts?
Hey Deb!
Fortunately (or unfortunately) the beauty of the Apple koolaid is that if you have an iPhone, your images automatically sync between devices. So, they automatically pop up on the iPad if you have an iPhone.
For Android, you could download Dropbox (or another cloud server) and have all your photos sync to dropbox and can then pull them down to your iPad fairly easily.
Hope that helps!