Hi, I'm Sam Schinsky, your family's photographer

during a family photo session in berryville virginia a family squishes together in a forested area with the sun brightly shining in view.

during a couples photo session in central michigan a husband wraps his arms around his wife from behind and nuzzles his nose in her ear while she smiles off camera in joy.

during a children's fine art personality portrait session a little boy stands on his head in downward dog, looking back between his feet at the camera.

during a family photo session in leesburg virginia a family of four and grandma stand at a fenceline at sunset in front of a river and stack of canoes while the boys look at the camera and adults smile elsewhere.

newly wed couple sits on the stoop of the large home in maryland snuggling up and being close and one kisses the temple of the other

A family photographer based in Round Hill, Virginia... but will follow you just about anywhere

I'm trying to find the perfect word that describes those tiny moments you feel when you're truly paying attention. The little bubbles of effervescence that start fizzing when life slows down and you're in it for real. You can't really see them because you're so in the moment, but you can feel them, coursing through your entire body, giving you the very breath you need to survive. True Contentment.

Maybe you're a momma snugging up real close to her littlest little, breathing in that scent that only you know. Perhaps you have found your partner for life, and you just cannot get enough of one another. How about celebrating you, completely letting go - not for the camera but because you found you.

I am here to show you what you look like when you're head over heals for your life, absolutely smitten with your little loves, completely taken by your partner, and hungry for more. And just like magic, you're going to be able to relive those moments over and over and over again.

I challenge you to love out loud, be seen, be heard, be photographed so you never forget what it felt like to be here.

- Sam Schinsky, Round Hill Virginia

Photo Credit to Amy Williams Photography

WHY ME?

you have a nail girl, you have a hair girl... let me be your photo girl.

Family Photo Sessions

We're on the hunt for all the fun, engagement, movement, and joyful bliss - whatever that means to you. I’m not here to give you posey-poses. We’re going to heavily lean into what moves your family – moves you to get close, be still, go wild, find engagement, and be content. Where do you feel most at home? Is it actually at home? Is it just being together? Maybe it is playing a game or doing an activity that brings your family close together, feels sincere, and creates those core memories we are always striving for. Whatever we end up doing it needs to feel natural and well versed for the authenticity to translate in the photos. We're going to find the moments that speak to your souls now and years down the road when your memory is fuzzy but your grandbabies want to know just who you were and what it was like to be you back in the olden days.

BOOK NOW

Love Notes From

Melissa Rudder

Sam of s a schinsky photography is truly wonderful. From the initial booking to the final reveal, she is professional, personable and makes everyone in front of the camera feel at ease. She has a special eye to capture beauty, joy, and the unique personalities of each member of the family.

You hope to have a few favorites from a photo shoot but I loved every single one of mine. She captured some of THE BEST pictures I've ever seen of myself in addition to my two energetic boys at a time that I will cherish and remember as a mom.

If you're looking to document a special time in your life or just the everyday in-between moments, book a session with Sam!!!!

Round Hill, Virginia

MORE TESTIMONIALS

Every family has a story

My grandma was the first person to ever print and frame one of my images. When I sent it to her she said "there is a story here, Sam... I wonder what it is". Since her passing, I've taken that framed photo and remind myself every time I look at it that my work matters in every chapter of every life. After all, this one image meant something to her and she wasn't even connected to it. Every time I pick up my camera I am giving the scene a story to hold on to, to live up to, to give it essence and life. There is no getting around it, every photo holds a story, and I am absolutely obsessed with finding each and every one of them - including yours.

I photograph to remember

I have a fear... its the fear of forgetting. I know I'm going to grow old and my memory will be fuzzy and even though I tried to be present in every moment, those moments won't stand the test of time.

I know, my clients have that same fear. I know they think to themselves how quickly those moments fade into one another and become days, which bleed into weeks and there we go, another year gone.

I know as a parent the heartbreak that ensues when you've felt like you've done your best to make just another mundane day something to remember and it just isn't enough some days, or maybe you hope its forgotten all together. But there is nothing like the love and forgiveness from your baby, holding your hand, taking you to them, and letting you know it's all okay because I am right here - the same words you have told them over and over again.

That is it. That is the cure. That is the moment that needs to be made timeless. That is the feeling that needs to be remembered over and over again - every time you need it, it can be there.

I cure this fear of forgetting by taking photos. For myself, for you, for whoever needs to remember whatever.

Through your annual family photo sessions I can show you what it looks like when you love your babies. Then they will have something to show their babies when the time comes. As time passes, the photos will be there to guide your future generations fearlessly into the aging process, promising grey hair, stiff joints, and laugh lines - but never allowing them to forget that their grandparents, parents, aunties, uncles, etc were there.