Blog - Fifth and Chestnut

A 6 year old boy stands with his hands in his pockets wearing a shirt that says "Future Leader" in front of the Morrill Hall UNR alumni building on the south quad for child portraits by Reno Child Photographer

Kindergarten Cap and Gown Portraits | Reno Child Photographer

August 18, 2021 In Babies & Kids No Comment

My son graduated kindergarten in June, so you KNOW I had to take professional Kindergarten cap and gown portraits of him!

Now that he started first grade, it’s probably time to post these portraits. What do you think?!

I chose UNR as our location, and I also purchased a gold graduation cap and gown set from Amazon.

I was VERY bummed that I dropped the 2021 tassel at home and only realized that once we were at UNR. But by the time it would have taken to go back and get it, all the yummy light would be gone. And my son was excited to spend some solo time with me exploring UNR, so we just did the shoot anyway. So now, for eternity, I will pretend that the 2021 tassel didn’t come with the set or something, LOL.

UNR Kindergarten Graduate Portraits

If you guys know me pretty well, you know how much I love the University of Nevada, Reno. Why? Well, it’s my alma mater, first of all. Secondly, it’s a Photographer’s dream. There is a little bit of everything – greenery, cool architecture, towering trees, open grassy areas. Oh, and not a lot of people in the summer time!

On a gorgeous June evening, my son and I just took our time wondering around the UNR campus for these portraits.

We had a lot of fun looking at the ducks, checking out all the pretty flowers, and running on the cement paths and steps.

I am so proud of my little boy. He is sweet, kind, imaginative and LOVES learning!

Kindergarten Cap and Gown Portraits of a young boy wearing a gold gown, gold cap and a white sash that says "kindergarten graduate" in front of an ivy wall at UNR in late spring

If you have a kindergartener graduating, please reach out to me! I’d love to create Kindergarten cap and gown portraits for your own little one. It’s such a special time to document and remember for years to come.

Reno Outdoor Summer Headshots at Bartley Ranch | Reno Headshot Photographer

August 17, 2021 In Headshots No Comment

It was such a pleasure to work with Janine in creating her new Reno outdoor summer headshots!

Evening Reno Outdoor Summer Headshots

Due to the thick and terrible smoke, most of my July sessions were moved to early August. Yikes! I was glad to get a quick break in the smoke and rain to have a few days of great shooting conditions in a row.

The day of my shoot with Janine happened to be sunny with clear skies. Thank goodness!

At Bartley Ranch, there is a great patch of lush greenery to use for backdrops. And that is exactly what Janine needed for these headshots.

Corporate Reno Headshots

I created these Reno outdoor summer headshots to fit in nicely with the company’s current collection of other headshots.

Their headquarters is across the country. So it was great that my style worked out so nicely!

I want to thank Janine and Kayla at Barr for asking me to create these lovely headshots (and to the Lemaire’s for sending them my way).

Did you know? Outdoor headshots can be an amazing part of your branding. Your clients love to see who they are working with. It can help them relate to you, and get to know you.

Headshots are monumentally helpful in sharing more of yourself on social media, too. And that’s an important place to connect with people.

Reach out to me if you want great professional Reno outdoor headshots and we will create fantastic images of you, too!

Fifth and Chestnut Photo Co. is a woman-owned Reno Portrait Photography company based in Reno, NV.

Neutral Newborn Twin Photos by Reno Family Photographer

August 16, 2021 In Newborn No Comment

I must preface this post about neutral newborn twin photos that I am NOT currently offering studio style newborn photography. Newborn sessions with me are currently in-home lifetstyle sessions with no use of studio props or backgrounds.

When my cousin and his lovely wife found out they were having twins, I was THRILLED! How exciting for them, first of all – but also – I am selfishly so happy for my twins to have twin cousins, too. That’s just so fun.

I also want to say THANK YOU to my wonderful aunt-in-law Denise who asked me to photograph these beautiful twin grandbabies of hers 🙂

Since this session was for family, I again broke out my studio stuff for this in-home session, but I do have to note that I am currently not offering this type of newborn photography to clients. I love it so much, but unfortunately without a studio space, I can’t continue to do studio style newborn photography in the long term.

Newborn Twin Portraits | Ella & Garrett

Now, let’s talk about these gorgeous neutral newborn twin photos!

Ella and Garrett were so fun to photograph – staying sleepy for the majority of our session. We started with their naked portraits, which they were pure rockstars for.

Then my amazing assistant Talia wrapped up these beautiful babies for their prop portion of this newborn twin photo shoot. The twins being wrapped up came in handy for the sibling and family pictures that followed.

And then it was time for all the family portraits. This is one of my favorite parts of a newborn session. It’s just so sweet to see a family loving on their new babies.

It took me back to my memories of bringing home twin babies. What a whirlwind. But oh so amazing.

Congrats, Tess, Mitch & big sister Olivia! They are beautiful and I can’t wait to get to know them as they grow!

a beautiful baby boy on a neutral blanket sleeps peacefully during his newborn twin photos by Reno Family Photographer

The family photos above illustrate what I love so much about being a twin mama, and why I love creating newborn twin photos! Check out my newborn portfolio to keep updated on the type of newborn photography I offer.

Spring Verdi Family Photos | Reno Family Photographer

August 13, 2021 In Family No Comment

I loved creating these spring Verdi family photos for the Spangler family! It was full of laughs and rude little boy humor (which I absolutely love, FYI)!

This lovely apple orchard in Verdi is a gorgeous backdrop for any photos, but I always find that it’s especially fun with kids. They usually love walking in the tall grass and checking out the cool trees. AND, as if this spot couldn’t get more magical…we almost always see deer passing through at the end of our sessions here.

It just so happens that some deer did visit us at the very end of our time together in the beautiful meadow.

Wesley and Parker cracked me up for the duration of our session and I hope they had fun making me laugh!

This session has the perfect mix of posed & candid portraits…I love them ALL. It was so hard to narrow down a reasonable amount of images to share on the blog.

Thank you for trusting me with your spring family photos, Caitlyn & Shaun! I hope to see you all in front of my camera again soon <3

If you’re looking for Spring Verdi Family Photos, please contact me to get lovely portraits like you see above!

Family of four sitting on a gray picnic blanket for spring outdoor newborn portraits

Spring Outdoor Newborn Portraits by Reno Newborn Photographer

August 13, 2021 In Newborn No Comment

These were SUCH fun lifestyle outdoor newborn portraits to create for a couple that I last photographed at their 2016 wedding!

Amanda & Bradley’s family has grown by two more beautiful humans: their daughter, Eliza, and their newborn baby boy, Everett.

I was so excited to hear that they wanted me to create lifestyle newborn portraits for them at an outdoor location. Things have been kind of crazy with pandemic precautions – so doing things outdoors has had more of a sense of ease and safety for the time-being.

Galena Creek Outdoor Newborn Portraits

A nice, neutral picnic blanket helped to cozy up the forest scenery – in a spot that is always amazing to be! And the blankie offered a wonderful place for little Everett to lay and sleep for his moment in the spotlight!

He gave me AMAZING awake moments and also sweetly fell asleep for us as well. I adore getting BOTH of those things on camera.

Eliza entertained me with how much she loves being a big sister, and also with her discovery of amazing rocks. She was so adorable, holding her baby brother. Getting these family photos is such an important piece of what I do when I photograph a sweet new baby!

Congrats to this awesome family – soak up these days because they go so fast (I know we all know this, but I can’t help but say it).

Colorful Reno Family Portraits at Crystal Peak Park | Reno Family Photographer

August 11, 2021 In Family No Comment

It was so fun seeing this family again for their colorful Reno family portraits at Crystal Peak Park! It’s been a while since they were in front of my camera.

Seeing families grow and change is one of the greatest joys of my job. And since I saw this family last, they added a new little boy to the group!

Adding pets to family photos

The Pearson family also wanted to include their puppers into the family portraits, as they are both getting up there in age. It’s so special to be asked to create portraits with pets – once they are gone, those photos are invaluable.

One thing I thought was so fun about this session is that the Pearsons are a funny group, and they weren’t afraid of silly pictures. I was laughing this WHOLE session.

I hope you love them, Pearson family! It was blast catching up with you guys!

Colorful Reno Family Portraits with pets at Crystal Peak Park by Reno Family Photographer

Family standing in a field with their dogs wearing colorful outfits for their reno family portraits

Another note, I love this family’s wardrobe color scheme. Not only are they some of my favorite colors, but also it’s fun to add color into sessions. If you’re looking for colorful Reno family portraits, this session can serve as amazing inspiration for your own wardrobe choices!

Spring Bright and Airy Family Portraits | Reno Family Photographer

July 23, 2021 In Family No Comment

Oh boy, it looks like I let time get away from me! I created these Spring bright and airy family portraits back in April for this amazing family!

It was so fun to see them again on a GORGEOUS spring afternoon (I created their fall photos in 2019 and maternity photos before that).

It was an absolutely perfect (and warm) day for portraits at Rancho San Rafael. Blossoming pear trees are some of my favorites in our area. Luckily, some had started to bloom at the time of our session.

I was also so happy to include their two beautiful german shepherds into the shoot as well. They were so well behaved and fun to work with, too!

This family is always such a joy to photograph and I hope to see them again soon!

four children in pastel and neutral clothing huddle together for bright and airy family portraits at rancho san rafael

If you are looking for bright and airy family portraits, Fifth and Chestnut could be the Reno Family Photographer for you! Contact me today and inquire about a fun family session!

Oh and if you’re looking for spring wardrobe inspiration, check out this Pinterest board!

Happy Spring Family Photos & One Year Portraits

July 7, 2021 In Family No Comment

These happy spring family photos and one year portraits at Evan’s Canyon Trail make me so HAPPY!

Let me tell you why:

First of all, I met Shannon several moons ago before I was a full-time photographer and I’ve always thought she was so kind and amazing. And now she is married and they have the SWEETEST baby boy. So I was elated to create these family portraits for her!

Secondly, her little guy, Braven, is turning ONE, so these portraits get to be a part of that incredible milestone.

And third, Shannon was the lucky winner of the Mother’s Day Giveaway I hosted in collaboration with The Stylish Scribe, Cherry Bomb Catering, and Quality Event Design.

Spring Family Photos at Evan’s Canyon Trail

Although it’s a short trek to get to this spot, it’s so worth a little tromp through the dirt. It can also apparently be a little mushy in Spring, but this family handled it like champs!

I’m so glad that Braven gave me the happiest smiles for his one year portraits here, and I got some of the BEST family portraits as well.

I hope you guys feel the happiness that I do in these images 🙂

A young family of three stands in front of a beautiful tree at Evan's Canyon trail wearing blue, tan and white for their Happy Spring Family Photos by Reno Family Photographer

Looking for happy spring family photos yourself? Contact me today for info and to set up a session!

Downtown Reno 2 Year Portraits | Reno Family Photographer

July 2, 2021 In Family No Comment

I first photographed Hetty & Branden when they became engaged – and I just photographed Reno 2 year portraits of their sweet baby girl!

When I first set out to photograph weddings, “staying with” a family as they grow was always my dream from the get-go. And this family has fulfilled my wish!

Just take a look at all the events I’ve photographed for them:
Hetty & Branden’s engagement & wedding (back before I re-branded)

Maternity Portraits

Alyssa’s Newborn Portraits

Alyssa’s 6 Month Portraits

Alyssa’s 1 Year Portraits

And now….Alyssa’s 2 Year Portraits!

It’s been amazing to document these many wonderful times for this family! And it was so good to see them after a whole year has passed.

The last time we saw each other was RIGHT when I was allowed to start working again after the original pandemic shutdowns. Alyssa has grown SO MUCH.

This sweet girl always has the most adorable outfits, which you can see by looking at our previous sessions. I absolutely love all of her ensembles!

Near the end of our session, Alyssa wasn’t totally feeling the photos anymore. Can you blame a two-year-old? Of course not! Luckily, I found that she enjoys watching things fly – so I threw my stuffed duck at my own head. Hetty then brought out Alyssa’s special pig and she had a BLAST throwing that poor piggy all over the place. The whole thing produced my favorite photos of the whole session.

I also want to applaud Alyssa for giving me some wonderful smiles for her Reno 2 year portraits even though I’m wearing a mask – thank you, sweet girl!

And we’ll end with this inspiring life lesson from Alyssa: when things just seems hard, throw a pig in the air and walk away like it ain’t no thing.

Rustic Winter Reno Family Photos with Reno Family Photographer

June 16, 2021 In Family No Comment

The Hale Family has been in front of my lens a few times now, and it’s been an absolute joy to watch their family grow! They are moving out of the area, so I’m glad they made time for these gorgeous rustic winter Reno family photos before their big move. I will miss these guys!!

Katie chose Bartley Ranch as their location, and it’s one of the very best spots in Reno for winter portraits. With it’s cool buildings and rustic look, you don’t need lush greenery to have great backgrounds at all!

Roaming Bartley Ranch for winter reno family photos

I absolutely love Bartley Ranch for winter Reno family photos. In addition to the beautiful scenery, it’s a great spot for kids to roam and play a bit in between poses. There are cool trucks, old western wooden buildings and farm equipment all over the place.

Some of my favorite photos from this session are the ones by the blue truck! And I’m a sucker for portraits in front of sagebrush, which this location has plenty of, too. The picture of the boys standing together with the desert background is also one of my faves. But who am I kidding…I love ALL of these!

The Hale kiddos were so fun to photograph during this time – even though we had to pretend to be warm! They did a GREAT job at keeping those smiles going strong. And I got a good workout in trying to get the youngest boy to pay any attention to me – LOL!