A Peek of Stephanie's Beautiful Belly

I did this maternity session a year ago. Yes, a year ago. :) It was one of my first shoots EVER - and I was so scared/pressured/honored that my sister's friend Stephanie would let me do this for her. Really, scared first and foremost - How do I pose? What do I say? Will I get any good shots? I am such a dork and socially challenged that I stumbled my words and kind of just pointed a lot. :)

BUT, I think there is almost nothing as beautiful as a glowing pregnant woman - and this beautiful pregnant woman was going to be my subject to practice on! That means I was excited too; to have 2 beautiful lives to photograph and their already close relationship. I have to say that I was very lucky she was such a natural in front of the camera, since I had no idea how to pose a person yet - let alone a person who was growing another human being. :)

I still struggle with this, but on that day, I was so quiet and introspective, I was kind of so lost in the process that I would forget to talk! Oh, poor Stephanie, and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for being such an amazing, teaching and expressive model. I learned so much from that shoot - not to be so lost in my head, to remember to express what I am seeing and feeling to encourage natural expressions and movements. There was much to learn in post processing as well - so this shoot was a wonderful part of the beginning for me. This is just a teaser - there were so many I ended up liking from the session that I would like to share a bunch over the next few days!

A Picture of My Cat

That's it, readers - you tuned in to see a picture of my cat. :) So, ok - not one, but FIVE pictures of my cat. Just wanted to keep up the posts, even if it is a random shot here and there and even if they are about as boring as the movie Watchmen.

Jinx, almost blue-eyed with the reflection of that cushion she is about to nap on - which coincidentally is the very same space I park it to feel the photoshop editing love. A very comfy cushion indeed. And this chair - well let's just say the chair has been in my family for a long time - it is very heavy and I have been tempted to find a new home for it a few times since we've been married - because I have been known to make the Monk (aka, my Mike) lug that thing around from the barn to the basement to the upstairs guest room and back again. That sucker is heavy! But I love it so much, its looks and accompanying memories - that I have kept it around.  And now, it is only fitting that it's new home is with me, every.day. In fact, my setup is the same chair and desk combo I used in high school to place and avoid finish my homework! That was almost 20 years ago...whoa. And now I am using it to really finish my lovely hobby-that-will-hopefully-be-a-career-someday picture editing. My, how I have grown up! Well, kind of. :) Funny how you don't avoid work you actually want to do - in fact, it's not like work at all when you do what you love and love what you do. And I love this new "do" of mine!

The point is, I don't feel like I am settling for a crappy folding table or even a "just the kitchen table" set-up here - with these two pieces under my tush and my laptop, I feel... home... and where I belong. And apparently, Jinx does too. Sometimes she shares the seat with me into the wee hours of the morning - sweet little thing. :)

So, here are those pictures - of that cat, that chair and that desk (way in the background).

I would be lying if I said this one didn't freak me out a little. :)

But this one I adore - that cute little nose. :)

I am hoping I get the chance to use this chair in one of my upcoming sessions! The beautiful lines and the color and the scratches would work it, I think. :)

I am also hoping to share many of the shoots I have done over the last year very soon, so stay tuned! Plus, teasers of the few sessions I have planned as the leaves turn... (sounds like a soap opera...lol)

Mary Jayne - Head Shots Preview

My lovely sis-in-law lives in NYC, an aspiring actress with so many loves... theater, vintage, visual arts, music, animals... Martin - just to start the list. :) She stands as an inspiration to all of us who would want to make the most of our lives, living with no regrets. Her life is passion, defined. She is a sweetheart and no-doubt beautiful, with a down-to-earth, mothering, loving and warm persona. But she can be oh so feisty, fiery and downright determined when she knows what she wants! Just like her mom, I love watching them when they are in that "state", it's an awesome thing for my passive self to witness that boldness. :)

Most of all, she is not afraid. She is an old-soul that seems to know just where she is going to end up in this life and is navigating with the ease of a competent traveler, soaking up all the beauty and meaning in the ride. I consider myself lucky to have landed in the family where she belongs; she is a wonderful listener and confidante - lucky, since she has been called upon to use those skills with me many a time. :)

She was "home" recently for a short trip, and we took advantage of the blazing heat and sun to grab a few impromptu head shots for her return to the City. We had a blast searching downtown Lancaster for textured nooks and crannies and the little village did not disappoint! Here's a few of my favorites from the first part of her preview.

I love the flag in the background, so American, so New Yorker... it just fit! :)