Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Daniel

What a busy week. It's been so busy, it's amazing that I still can see straight. From interviewing prospective part-time employees (woohoo, more about that another time), wedding planning (videographer, cake...), putting together more details for Portrait Day 2008 (more to come on this too!), making sushi with friends for dinner last night, meeting some photog friends for lunch today, and oh, yeah...actually shooting and working on some photography, it's been a bit schizophrenic. So I am so excited to share some images with you.

I met Daniel's mom, Andrea, at my friend Heather's bridal shower a few months ago. We had a great time chatting over a delicious lunch at The Swan Coach House and celebrating our adorable friends. Some of the highlights from the session include Daniel playing with the hose in the backyard and walking around in mom's leopard-print high-heel shoes. Seriously, he walked better in them than I do in heels! But my favorite is the image below of Daniel laughing so hard that mom and dad can't keep from laughing too. JA beautiful family portrait of an emotion-filled moment. Love it!

Enjoy the slideshow! Click the image below to view.


Monday, July 14, 2008

10 things ...

Last summer, I was "tagged" to write "10 Things" on my blog. The 10 things that most people don't know about me. I was kind of saving this post for a slow time of year when I didn't have much to say, but THANKFULLY, I've been so busy that I'm really never at a loss for something to post here. Love to hear what you think about all these random things about me, so feel free to leave a comment.

10. I love recycling. Since I've been recycling since high school, I've become so accustomed to recycling everything from junk mail and printer paper to soup cans and cardboard packaging. In fact if I see a small piece of paper in the garbage I will often reach in to "rescue" it (only if it's not covered in rotten food! Not like the "Eclaire" episode of Seinfeld.)

9. I used to dance in college. It's true. I danced with a student group called D'Motions at the University of Rochester. I absolutely loved it. We danced to everything from country to rap to R&B. Despite my nervousness about performing, I really enjoyed moving to music especially Michael Jackson and Seal.

8. I love chocolate. Ok, so not so much a surprise, but the interesting part is I love Hershey's over Ghiradeli, M&M's over chocolate mousse. I'm not the fancy chocolate kinda girl. Just give me a Hershey's kiss and I'll grin from ear to ear. My brother calls it "my chocolate face."

7. I am really sentimental. If you couldn't tell from the images I photograph, relationships are the most important thing in the world to me. And to remember friends, family and experiences, I save all kinds of things. I recently found a box filled with old notes. The notes I used to pass with friends in elementary school were all about whether or not I thought a particular boy was cute. "Check Yes or No." Notes in middle school were about our plans to go to the movies that weekend. Notes in summer camp were goodbye notes, recounting how wonderful the summer was and how much we were going to miss each other. High school notes were always folded so intricately that it was difficult to get it back once I had read the note. But it did serve well for slipping them through the vents in my locker. I have a feeling that the time of written notes is long gone. Everyone's texting now instead, right? It is definitely better for the environment, but just not the same.

6. I think if I wasn't a photographer, I'd probably have gone to school for interior design. I just love figuring out what kind of feeling I want to have in a room and then finding items to go along with it. My only problem is that I have a hard time making final decisions so things like the walls in our living room have gone almost completely bare since we moved in over a year ago.

5. I've been practicing yoga for over 5 years. It brings me great peace and I love how it clears my head and resets me after a long day. It's also great for toned arms. :)

4. Everyone with my last name is somehow related. Pretty rare these days.

3. I'm going to be an Aunt! My brother and sister-in-law are pregnant and due in August and I can't wait to photograph the little one! She will be the first grandchild in our family and it is so exciting! My mom already started knitting a sweater and hat. :) (Creativity runs in the family.)

2. My favorite band is The Police (next to my fiance's band, the Nick Edelstein Band, of course.) They were the first band I fell in love with when I was 10. My brother bought the "The Singles" cassette for my birthday and I listened to it so much, I actually wore out the cassette. By some stroke of amazing luck, I won tickets last year from DaveFM to see The Police in Phoenix. They flew us out there, got us a hotel room and tickets to the show. It was amazing to see them after listening to themso many years.

1. I attended an all-girls' high school.
My parents were generous enough to give me the choice of a coed school and the one I ended up going to. Why choose all-girls? My brother went to the coed school and after 5 years in elementary school known as "Jeff's little sister," I wanted to carve my own path. Plus I had made some wonderful girl friends in summer camp and figured that school would just be one big camp party. Instead what I found was a place where young women were empowed to become whoever they wanted. It was the biggest confidence boost of my life and one of the primary reasons why I had the confidence to start my own business.


If you made it all the way to this point, you deserve your own handful of Hershey's kisses!

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Reese's First Portrait

Reese and her parents are more of my fantastic Decatur neighbors. (I loved the short trip to their home on the other side of downtown Decatur!) Their house is beautiful and full of rich 1930/1940's character - great hardwood floors, wide profile molding and built-in shelves. (Can you tell I've learned a lot about construction and renovation from our house?)

When I arrived, Reese was napping in her crib. Her room was flooded with beautiful light coming through two windows and I couldn't wait to get started. After waking and giving me a smile, she played a bit on the bed and then it was time for lunch. She seemed to love the delicious food on the back porch with mom and dad. Then bathtime in the kitchen sink. The antique/retro look of the kitchen is a really cool complement to Reese's fresh soft skin. I just love the feel and mood of these images. Then to the backyard until the mosquitoes took their toll. Back to the inside for the final few pictures.

I am so excited to document this little cutie's first year. Just look at those eyes!

Click the picture below to view the slideshow.


P.S. In an effort to hear from all your loyal readers, anyone who comments on this post will receive a great gift! Your choice of $20 off any new order OR 10% off a new single portrait package. Be sure to enter your email address when commenting so we can send your gift!


Monday, July 07, 2008

Then and Now

Hope you had a great 4th of July weekend! Nick and I headed to Nags Head and Cape Hatteras, NC. More about that later once I've downloaded some photos.

I was looking through some client files and found two images that I just had to post. I photographed this family back in 2004. At the time they were living in the Virginia-Highlands and had a baby girl. You will recognize this dad and little girl if you've seen our Storytelling Portrait postcards. They are featured on the front of the card sitting in the grass screaming. (You gotta see it to understand.) So during that portrait session, I shot this image of Ailey hanging upside down for a smooch from dad. Years later, 3 to be exact, they were living in Virginia and told me that if I was ever passing through on my way home to Baltimore, that I should let them know so we can do another portrait session. So when I figured out that we would, we got in touch and scheduled it. Ailey now has twin sisters and she has grown a bunch but her adorable smile is thankfully unchanged. We repeated the picture from last time and I just love how it turned out.

You can also see the difference between film (left) and digital (right) photography, and the new black & white tone (on the right) that I use.

Thanks! Just thought I'd share...

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Twins! - Amelia & Caroline

I had the great pleasure to meet 9 month olds Amelia & Caroline last week. We had a really busy morning together. Documenting their day started with bathtime (in the kitchen sink), then lunch, playtime in the family room and dozing off for naps in their sunny bedroom. Amelia & Caroline's big brother is obviously as in love with them as they are with him. I love the picture of both girls crowded on his lap.

It was so special to document their morning this way. Not only were they comfortable doing what they always do (not minding the extra observer in the room with the big camera), but I think their parents will love looking back on these images and remembering this busy and precious time as it really was. Documenting REAL unposed life is my passion!

Enjoy the slideshow! (Click the image to view.)

Look at those eyes as they watch Elmo sing... so expressive!