Category Archives: Family Photography

Feb 15
Our Cloth Diaper Workshop Experience at Diaper Lab


For those of you that don’t know, my wife, Carrie, and I are expecting our first child (That’s not him in the picture, that’s just the creature we practiced diapering on)!   His due date (April 27th) is fast approaching, so, most of our recent conversations have been about baby stuff.  We’ve looked at cribs, read a million reviews about different car seats, and found some ADORABLE clothes (it makes me sad that they done make some of these super comfy clothes in my size!).  Besides all the stuff, though, we’ve looked into a few different classes and workshops.    
Both of us are very conscientious about our impact on the planet, and we know how often a little one’s diaper has to get changed, so we started looking into the possibility of cloth diapers.  Though my parents used cloth diapers on me and my two brothers decades ago, I don’t know anyone who uses them now.  So, the picture I had in my head was one that involved me sticking myself with safety pins while I was trying to put on an ill-fitting cloth diaper on a wriggling baby.  Not a fun prospect, but one I was willing to put up with to not have to contribute thousands of dirty diapers to the ever growing landfills.
Knowing my reservations, and wanting to understand better than the vast number of resources on the internet can seem to explain, Carrie found a cloth diaper workshop that was really close where we have our midwife appointments.

At 9:00 a.m. last Saturday, we headed to Diaper Lab in Somerville . We were surprised at how full the class was; clearly we’re not the only couple trying to navigate this tricky subject. Jennifer was the instructor on Saturday and was incredibly helpful and informative — and full of all kinds of poop-puns that brought laughs out of her half-awake attendees! My favorite of which came when she referred to their wide selection of diapers and accessories as their “poop platter”!  HA! But eeewww!

She started with the variety of reasons to use cloth diapers  (cost savings, reducing environmental impact, and the overall health of our son), then showed us the array of different options of diapers and diaper covers (pre-folds with covers, fitteds with covers, pockets, all-in-ones, and all-in-twos)  — some of which are so adorable, it’s just ridiculous (again, why don’t these come in adult sizes?!?!). Then came the magic moment — technology has come a long way since my parents were using cloth, and now there are these Y shaped fasteners (snappies) instead of those scary safety pins! They work like ace bandage clips and are much less complicated and MUCH less sharp. 

There are also a lot of different fabrics to choose from, like hemp and bamboo, which is so soft!  I immediately put bamboo reusable wipes on our registry, saying that it would make our son’s tushy extra happy (psst!  They are really for me!  I’m going to make those full PJs with feet outta them—complete with a little turtle patch over my heart so you’ll know their mine!). 
We learned a lot there, and not only about the diapers, but how to best wash them (not as difficult as I thought), that they have a program where you try a few different brands/styles for a short while so you know you got the right kind, etc.  I’m really happy we went, and knowing that there are folks there who are incredibly helpful and supportive (and someone I can trade poop jokes with–I’m looking at you, Jennifer!), makes me confident that I can stare, unafraid, into the chasm that will be our dirty diaper pail knowing that I have the skill to provide clean and super soft diapers to our little boy!  


Jan 31
My Job is to be Your Storyteller

Recently, I went to a photography seminar in Mystic, CT that gave me not only the push I needed to be a better photographer and better business owner, but provided me with the direction I needed by having some AMAZING photographers show off the gorgeous images they create, and how they made them.  But, one of the phrases that stuck with me was said by Tony Corbell, which was “Find your voice, but use good grammar.”  


I have found myself at the beginning of a new chapter in my photographic and business life, and I am invigorated by the potential that lies before me.  


This is not to say that I am unhappy with the previous chapters.  As in most books, there have to be those beginning chapters that lay the foundation of what is to come.  They have to establish the tone of the author, and they have to be interesting to keep the reader interested.  Each image that you have seen of mine is a different word to me, showing off my skill, my awareness of how to photograph in different (sometimes difficult) situations, and collectively, it shows off my vocabulary.  


Mr. Corbell’s words have stayed with me and spurred me on.  My goal whenever I photograph you is to tell your story.  You have seen that I have the vocabulary to do it, but, to become a better author, I need to work on stringing  those words/photos together to create a story that reflects who you are as a family, as a couple.  I am the narrator of your story, and I need to use good grammar.  


I took these photos just last week of my sister-in-law who has been gracious enough to let me hone my skills and try new things with her on several occasions.  I have tried to lay these out in a way that it tells a story, each photo acting as a sentence or even a paragraph.  I am curious to see what story you infer from them.  So, look at the images, make up your own story, then compare it with the one I hoped to create, which I posted after the images. 

 Click on any image to see a larger version of all of them.

This was a fictional story of how this girl met you.  Normally, I would have the story be played out in front of the camera, and the viewer (you) would be an observer.  But, her husband was not able to join us.  I feel like he was definitely there, though, as I kept asking her to think about when they first met, what she noticed about him, and so on.  Anyway, I came up with a story of how you noticed this person in Davis Square (my neighborhood) and were taken with her beauty.  You found it necessary to sit down for a moment because you were so taken with her.  Then, you see that she notices you.  This leads to an invitation to join her on the bench and you start chatting.  Then, she has to go, but invites you to join her to walk her to her destination.  Yep, it’s a short story, but I am happy with it for now.  


Nov 02
First Family To Take Advantage Of The Holiday Special!

I got an email from Aimee right as I was launching my holiday card special.  Most of my clients have come from other clients referring them, but she found me after she  “…spent sleepless hours online looking at pictures of families in tan pants and white button up shirts.” Knowing that she wanted something less posed, something more genuine, she sent me an email.


So, her family was the first to take advantage of the holiday card special!  I have another shoot in a couple days, and more to come after that!  There are only a few spaces left, so email me or call me today if you want some vibrant, fun holiday cards to send to your friends and family!


Below are just a few images from our shoot.  If you want to see all of the photos from our one hour session, go here

Oct 31
Holiday Photography & Card Offer

With the holidays come mailboxes full of cards from family and friends sending out smiles and warm wishes from their family to ours. I’ve always been a little jealous of how organized they must have been to have gotten these done and sent out before the new year!
This year, I would like to help you be that organized, with-it friend or relative! I want to provide you with great, relaxed photos of your family, and a choice of five designs for holiday cards that you won’t find anywhere else! Check out the details here: www.iamwhatisee.com/holiday and Happy Holidays!!

Aug 11
A Play Date With Your Photographer

I want you to expect more from a photo session with me, because that is what you’ll get. Sure, I come to your house to take photos of your family, but it’s more than that. I am all about capturing the wonderful times you share with your family.





The summer before junior high, my mom begged me and my older brothers Chris and Greg to go to Olan Mills Portrait Studio and get a photo of the three of us. It was a hassle. Mom got upset because we couldn’t coordinate our schedules, and we really didn’t want to get all dressed up to do this. Well, finally Greg took Chris and I there, and we got our picture taken. One photo. Despite my mom and dad having all kinds of family photos on display in their house, this one is nowhere to be found. The problem is, that this photo isn’t us.

It’s not genuine. We were dressed up, though Greg preferred his jean jacket and Adidas, and I would have been much more comfortable in my Airwalks and skater clothes. Mom wanted a picture of us. She got it, but she didn’t get any memories of it. She wasn’t even there. I remember it, but only because it was so out of character for us.







This is not the type of experience I want people to have. I want you to just be together, while I witness the giggles and love that y’all share. Several times during our sessions, I have heard clients remark “It’s been a while since we’ve been able to spend an afternoon together!” That is one of the greatest compliments I can get (at least I take it as a compliment). I want this to be a positive memory for you, and I want the photos to remind you of that day, and those times you shared.

I’m stepping into your life rather than you stepping into my studio where you have to be on stage performing for the camera. Please, lounge on the sofa with your morning cup of coffee while I photograph your newborn exploring the world, or let’s stroll down to the park and play, above all, be yourself.





I’ve met many kids wary of the big guy with the beard, but after a few minutes with me, they see that I am fun to play with (I am just a big kid, after all, just ask my wife!). I’ve often heard from clients how good I am with their children (this is another of my favorite compliments to get). For me, it’s all about engaging them on their level, both figuratively and physically. Get them interested, get them relaxed, then they mostly ignore me, which provides for much more genuine moments between them and their family.

All I ask is that you have something planned you like to do. Do you want to organize a treasure hunt, go for a walk or take a ride to the playground or the pool? Think about what’s most fun and relaxing for your family, the every-day moments you want to look back on and remember for years to come. Just be yourself, act natural, and I’ll do the rest!

I had my wife come along on a couple recent shoots to show how I work. It’s me in action (along with the photos I took)! 🙂


All Photos ©2013 Patrick Rogers Photography