The Secret to Getting Natural Smiles in Photos | Lancaster PA Family Photographer | Angie Englerth

The Secret to Getting Natural Smiles in Photos

(Even with Toddlers)

If you've ever walked away from a photo session wondering, “Did we get anything good?”
You are so not alone.

As a Lancaster PA family photographer (and a mom of four), I’ve been on both sides of the camera with toddlers who would rather do literally anything else.

But here’s the truth: natural smiles…the real, belly-laugh kind…are totally possible. And no, it doesn’t have to require bribery or perfectly behaved kids. It just takes a little connection, some silly questions, and a whole lot of play.

It Starts With Banter (The Sillier, the Better)

Want to know my favorite question to ask during a session?

→ “Who has the stinkiest feet in your house?”

It never fails. Someone always shouts “Dad!” and the giggles just roll from there.

As a family photographer in Lancaster PA, I love using humor and conversation to bring out kids’ true personalities. We chat about favorite pizza toppings, pretend birds are landing on my head mid-photo, and even see who can make the best fart noise (with their mouth, of course).

It’s not about making them behave. It’s about making them laugh.
When they’re laughing, they’re relaxed. And when they’re relaxed? We get the magic.

Play Over Posing

I guide families into simple, natural moments.

Tickles. Races. Squeezes so tight they spill into laughter.

Toddlers especially thrive when we lean into what they’re already doing: running, exploring, being silly. I’ll follow their lead and capture the in-between magic.

If you’ve been searching for a Lancaster PA family photographer who can roll with the chaos and still deliver timeless, heartfelt images, I might just be your girl.

Your Energy Sets the Tone

Here’s a secret: kids take their cues from you.

If you're tense or worried about how they’re acting, they feel it.
But if you lean in and just enjoy them for who they are, you’ll be amazed what we can create together.

Trust me with the chaos. I’ve got four kids, and I know how to find beauty in the messy moments.

The Best Smiles Are Never Forced

Some of my favorite shots are the ones that happen in between, the ones you didn’t plan for.

A little giggle at my camera noises.
A glance up at mom during a quiet moment.
A surprised laugh when I pretend to trip over a pinecone.

Real smiles come when we’re not trying so hard.
That’s where the heart is.

Let’s Capture the Real Stuff

If you’re looking for a Lancaster PA family photographer who knows how to turn chaos into keepsakes and bring out the best in even the busiest little ones, I’d love to work with you.

📸 Click here to see session details and availability!

3 Tips for Gorgeous Summer Family Photos | Angie Englerth Photography

3 Tips for Gorgeous Summer Family Photos

Summer is a great time for family photos…longer days, glowing sunsets, and everyone’s in a more relaxed, playful mood. Whether you’re planning a session on the beach, in a grassy field, or in your own backyard, these three simple tips will help your family look and feel amazing in your photos.

1. Choose Light, Airy Clothing

Summer light is soft and golden. Your outfits should match that vibe! Think light colors, soft neutrals, and pastels like blush, ivory, sky blue, or sage green. These tones photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your faces and connection, not busy patterns.

Style tip: Avoid logos and neon colors (they reflect weirdly in sunlight). Linen, cotton, and other breathable fabrics are perfect for keeping cool and comfortable.

2. Coordinate, Don’t Match

Gone are the days of everyone in identical white shirts and jeans. Instead, aim for coordinating outfits that blend together in a natural way. Pick a soft color palette, then mix and match textures and layers within that scheme.

Style tip: Start with mom’s outfit first…something she feels beautiful and comfortable in! Then build the rest of the family’s wardrobe around that.

3. Embrace Barefoot, Windy Hair, and Play

Summer photos are about capturing joy, not perfection. If the kids kick off their shoes, or if the wind catches your hair just right…that’s the magic. Some of the most beautiful images happen when families are relaxed and just enjoying the moment together.

Style tip: Let the kids bring something fun! Bubbles, a straw hat, or a favorite summer book can add a playful touch and help them feel at ease.

Ready to Book Your Summer Session?

My calendar is now open through September, and these golden summer evenings are already filling up. Let’s create something beautiful and full of joy for your family this season.

📅 Book Your Session Here

Have questions about what to wear? I’m happy to help you plan your outfits!

Why Every Mom-to-Be Deserves a Maternity Session

Why Every Mom-to-Be Deserves a Maternity Session

Pregnancy is a fleeting and extraordinary time—a chapter filled with anticipation, love, and the miracle of new life. As a Lancaster Maternity Photographer, I believe every mom-to-be deserves to have this special journey documented with beautiful maternity photos. These images not only capture the glow and beauty of pregnancy but also preserve the emotions and memories that come with it. Here are a few reasons why investing in a maternity session is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your growing family.

Celebrate Your Incredible Journey

Carrying a new life is nothing short of remarkable. Your body is doing something truly amazing, and that deserves to be celebrated. Maternity photos allow you to pause and embrace the beauty of this phase, highlighting your strength, grace, and the love you already have for your baby. At Angie Englerth Photography, I specialize in creating timeless, elegant portraits that showcase the beauty of motherhood in a way that you will treasure forever. My mission is "Capturing your journey to and through motherhood," ensuring every stage is beautifully documented.

Preserve Precious Memories

Pregnancy may feel long, but in hindsight, it is a brief and precious season. Once your baby arrives, those nine months will seem to have flown by. Maternity photos give you the chance to freeze this incredible time and revisit it for years to come. Whether it's the first flutter of kicks or the anticipation of meeting your little one, these moments deserve to be remembered.

Connect with Your Baby

A maternity session is more than just a photoshoot—it is an opportunity to reflect and connect with the new life growing inside you. Taking time to celebrate your pregnancy through professional maternity photos fosters a sense of closeness and allows you to cherish this intimate bond. It is also a beautiful way to document the love and excitement you feel as you prepare to welcome your baby.

Include Your Loved Ones

Maternity sessions are also a wonderful way to involve your partner or other children. Capturing the joy and anticipation your family feels can make your maternity photos even more meaningful. At Angie Englerth Photography, I encourage including loved ones to showcase the shared excitement and love surrounding your baby’s arrival.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

Every pregnancy is unique, and each one deserves to be remembered. Whether it's your first child or your fourth, this journey is one of the most significant and transformative experiences of your life. Having professional maternity photos taken allows you to celebrate this chapter and creates a visual legacy that your child can one day cherish.

You Deserve to Feel Beautiful

Pregnancy can be challenging, and it is easy to forget just how radiant and powerful you are. A maternity session is a chance to pamper yourself, feel beautiful, and embrace this moment in all its glory. I work with each client to ensure they feel comfortable, confident, and stunning in front of the camera. My goal is to provide a stress-free, empowering experience that leaves you with images you'll love forever.

Book Your Maternity Session Today

Every mom-to-be deserves to have their pregnancy story told through beautiful, professional maternity photos. If you're ready to celebrate and preserve this special chapter, I would love to help you capture these priceless memories. Contact Angie Englerth Photography today to schedule your maternity session and let’s create images that you and your family will cherish for a lifetime.

How to Prepare for Your Newborn Photo Session

Preparing for your newborn photo session is an exciting time, and a little preparation can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here are some tips to help you get ready:

1. Timing

As a newborn photographer, I recommend scheduling your newborn photos when your baby is around 10-14 days old. However, at Angie Englerth Photography, I understand that life happens, and I am very flexible if you cannot get your baby in before then. Newborns are typically sleepier and more amenable to posing during the first two weeks, which helps us capture those precious, peaceful moments, but we can still create beautiful images beyond that timeframe.

2. Feeding and Sleep

A well-fed baby is a content baby. Plan to feed your little one right before the session to encourage a full tummy and a restful sleep. This helps us achieve those serene, sleepy poses that parents love in their newborn photos.

3. Creating a Comfortable Environment

Our studio at Angie Englerth Photography is designed to be warm and cozy, ensuring your baby feels secure. We maintain a comfortable temperature and provide soothing sounds to mimic the womb environment, helping your newborn relax.

4. What to Bring

• Outfits and Accessories: While we provide a variety of props and outfits, feel free to bring any special items you'd like to include in your newborn photos, such as a cherished blanket or heirloom.

• Essentials: Pack extra diapers, wipes, and any feeding supplies you may need. Having these on hand ensures you're prepared for any situation.

5. Family Involvement

Including parents and siblings in the session adds a personal touch to your newborn photos. Coordinate simple, neutral-colored outfits to keep the focus on your family's connections.

6. Patience is Essential

Newborn sessions can last up to 2 hours to accommodate feeding, changing, and soothing. We take the time to ensure your baby is comfortable, allowing for natural and beautiful moments to unfold.

By following these guidelines, we aim to create a relaxed and enjoyable experience, capturing the tender moments of your newborn's early days. If you have any questions or specific requests, please don't hesitate to reach out to your trusted Lancaster Newborn Photographer.

Celebrating 10 Years of AEP | Lancaster PA Maternity & Newborn Photography

10 Years

As I sit here writing this blog post, I can hardly believe it’s been 10 years. There have been plenty of struggles and growing pains over the years, but I couldn’t be more grateful for every single year. I look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for AEP in the years to come!

I thought it would be fun to look back at some of my favorite photos (there’s no way to include them all)! If you came here from Facebook or Instagram, you may already be aware I am also giving away a photo session and digital collection valued at $775! See below for details on how to enter!

To enter, simply head to the Giveaway Entry Form and submit to win!

Rachel & Weston | Lancaster PA Maternity and Newborn Photographer | Angie Englerth

Rachel & Weston

I first met Rachel and Ryan for their maternity photo session. They were busy with new puppies and snuck away for the session. Rachel looked beautiful in every shot and we talked in anticipation of their newborn session. Fast forward a bit and it was time to come back for their newborn session. Weston was wonderful and his session went flawlessly! Ryan and Rachel and their families are big college football fans! Scroll through the favorites to see which team they wanted to feature with Weston’s photos!

Just for fun…here’s some Q&A with Rachel herself:

How did you prepare for our photo shoot? How was your experience? Were you nervous or worried before? How did it turn out?

We didn't do much in preparation for the newborn photos besides venture outside the house. We had a great experience; Weston was totally comfortable with her and all the props and outfits. We could not have been happier with the end results!

What would be your advice to someone considering booking with AEP?

Do it! We did maternity and newborn and very thankful we did so we have those memories forever.

Have we done a session together before? If so, why did you decide to book another?

We originally booked as a package but if we didn't we would have definitely rebooked for newborn shots after our fun experience getting maternity shots done in some not so ideal weather.

What have been the most memorable parts of this pregnancy?

My pregnancy wasn't easy but having maternity shots done highlighted such a monumental time in our lives as a married couple about to welcome a new family member.

Did you have any pregnancy cravings?

Chick Fil-A everything

And now for the part you’re really here for….here are some favorites from their sessions with me!

Rachel & Stella | Lancaster PA Maternity and Newborn Photographer | Angie Englerth

Rachel & Stella

Where do I begin? When Rachel and Jared told us they were expecting, I may have let out a scream! Rachel is Ben’s younger sister and we have been looking forward to this moment for so long! After their long journey to get to this point, we were all thrilled for them! Fast forward to being able to capture Rachel’s maternity photos as well as Stella’s newborn photos, I was honored! I may be biased, but my niece is the cutest!

We had a lot of fun incorporating Mark (their first baby/fur baby) into their maternity session! Then we included their favorite sports teams into Stella’s session! My kids took advantage of the session to sneak a few extra peeks at their cousin! Let’s just get right to it, shall we?! Here are lots of favorites from Rachel’s maternity session as well as Stella’s newborn session!

2020 Highlights | A Year in Review

As I sit here to write this blog post, I’m not sure where to begin. I know I am not alone in saying that 2020 was a hard year full of challenges and obstacles that we were forced to find ways to navigate through. In my personal life alone, there were challenges.

We watched my Mother in law battle cancer and brain tumors that required surgery and radiation.
I landed in the hospital three times in March and April for kidney trouble, alone as the hospital was on lockdown.
We struggled, and are still struggling, with remote learning with our oldest.
We navigated through months of my business being closed and my income going from a substantial part of our household to nothing.

When I began to work on gathering highlights for the year, my heart sank. It truly hit me how hard this year has been. My folders for Milestone, Maternity and Family sessions that once were full of many moments captured, felt insufficient. When I began to run my numbers for the year, I felt a pit in my stomach, like I was letting my family down. This year was HARD.

That said, I also realize just how fortunate we are. God provided and we were always able to pay our bills. I was able to get the medical care I needed to avoid any permanent kidney damage. My mother in law was able to complete her treatments and is currently doing great! Our son is still struggling with school, but after actively seeking answers this year, we were able to get him the help he needs and he is on his way to being the best version of himself.

My family has grown stronger this year with all the time we’ve been forced to spend together. We’ve gone on camping adventures together, hiked and explored together, build box forces together, played games together, laughed together, cried together and grown together. That alone makes all the hardship worth it to me. I pray that I never take it for granted again to spend time with my kids while they are still kids and form bonds with them that will last a lifetime.

My sister in law recently reminded me of Hebrews 13:5 “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” That could not be more true for me this year. I am not sure what I would do if I did not have the hope that God is in control and he works all things together for my good.

Now for the highlights, which I know is why you are all here anyway. A huge highlight for me was being able to spend more time on sessions for friends and family. Instead of cramming them into my schedule where I could, I was able to dedicate time to them alone which made for some magical sessions! I gained a new niece and nephew and was able to have sessions for them as well! I also have a client, Alyssa, who definitely deserves a serious shoutout after trusting me to capture her fourth maternity and newborn sessions in a row. (Thank you Alyssa!)

The newborn aspect of my business remained fairly stable throughout the year and I cannot state enough how thankful I am for trusting me to capture these first moments for you. Sure, studio sessions looked a lot different this year, but thank you to those who accepted the new policies and just rolled with the punches to get through sessions safely!

I also feel the healthcare workers deserve a special shoutout! I am sharing some of my clients this year who are frontline workers, but there are so many more of you out there. Sincerest thanks for all you do and are doing!

I know this year isn’t going to be a magical reset button, but I am hopeful and optimistic that I will be able to see more of you this year and capture more priceless memories for your family. Cheers to 2021 and God Bless!