As soon as I walked into the Buonavolonta’s apartment tucked away in a hidden little corner of Youngstown, I fell in love.  Sam and Melanie are both true artists in every sense – Sam is a musician, and Melanie is a fellow portrait photographer.  Youngstown hosts an amazing creative community, and though we have a ton of mutual friends, this was my first experience getting to spend time with the Buonavolontas and really getting to know them.  Just three months ago they welcomed their baby girl Tillie into their world, and she is so clearly the light of their entire universe.  She’s named after her great-grandmother, and I just love when a name has special meaning like that!  We spent the morning hanging out in their eclectic studio apartment, and I absolutely love everything about their bohemian living space.  Artwork lines every wall, stacks of books and music decorate the majority of surfaces, plants breathe life into the window sills, and their personalities shine through in every space.  Although it seems impossible to pick just one, my favorite little corner of their home might be the glorious wall of mugs in their kitchen.  Not like ten mugs hanging on hooks, I mean row after beautiful row of mugs that each tell a story.  Just wait, you’ll see!

Melanie and Sam, thank you for inviting me to share a day with you and tell your story.  Seeing the way you love each other and how that love overflows to Tillie is just beautiful – remember these days forever!

Bohemian Studio Lifestyle Session | Youngstown OH | The Buonavolonta Family

I see so much of Sam in Tillie!

Sweet mama moments

How do you even pick just one?  Tough decisions here.

Tillie LOVED sitting on her daddy’s lap while he played the piano!  I think she likes watching the keys move in the open top!

Lemonade wasn’t super interested in being a part of the photoshoot, but we tried.

Tillie scored a front row seat to the best show in town!

Melanie, you’re a queen <3

Love, love, love.