Fetching Prints

Erin & Mike... Engaged! (Part 1)

2012-01-30T20:23:00.003-05:00

I have this little, ripped-up note - a printed out love letter - that I keep in my jewelry box, safely tucked away under my bed. Every year or so, I remember to take it out, carefully unfold it and read it, remembering the butterflies I used to get every time my husband (then boyfriend) came near me. It was the shortest, sweetest note anyone has ever given me, and I like to remind myself of how he can make me feel on the days when routine life kind of swallows that feeling up and spits it out. :) It makes me warm and fuzzy just reading it, gives me butterflies again, and I am so glad I have that piece of our history. Every time I read it, it's like falling in love with him all over again.

When Erin got her pictures after waiting so patiently for them to be done, she used those exact words to describe what she feels when she looks at her collection. And that, my friends, has to be the biggest compliment I have ever gotten, knowing what that feels like, I am elated that she experienced that reaction and loves them. It is why I do what I do, right there. ♥

I have to say that this may go down in the books as my favorite session, ever. Two gorgeous people, so obviously in love, extremely comfortable in being affectionate with one another, expressive hands, lots of kisses and snuggling - and some amazing locations and light to add some icing on the cake. It was a-m-a-z-i-n-g. I was like a kid in a candy store and could not stop shooting. :) We started in downtown Orchard Park, on a hot and humid summer night, a Friday night, and the restaurants were just starting to get busy. At the beginning, everyone is nervous and a little camera shy - we're not models, and it takes some time to get used to being the center of attention, your every move documented! These guys were amazing. Being right in front of patio restaurant, we had many spectators, and they were so adorable. They just kind of, melted into each other and I was immediately taken by how comfortable they were with each other - you could tell they were a little shy and awkward about being watched, but they drew strength from one another and soon they were in their own little world. We eventually walked away from the crowds and found our own little spots here and there, warming up for the next part of our adventure. :)

**Just one little note here... I have to say that Erin is a mega-trooper. We were in a little back alley, I was shooting through a set of stairs at them and through the viewfinder, all of a sudden I could tell something was wrong. There were a few hornets back there and one must have flown up Erin's dress and stung her. She shares my fear of bees and I have to say, if a hornet ever flew up my dress - there would be a lot less modesty, a lot more noise and tears and dress flipping than there was. She held it all in, getting the bee out, squashing the tears back and taking it like a trooper. I am sure that it hurt like a mother. I was in awe from that point on, knowing I'd probably need some time to recover, maybe plan another day to finish up. Nope. She has some serious moxie, that girl. :)

Anyway, after finishing up in OP, we hopped in the car and drove over to Woodlawn Beach. I hadn't been there in many years and was pleasantly surprised to see how much they have done to the place to spruce it up! It was the perfect night for a beach session - warm, breezy and golden - and I was full of ideas on how to exploit every single inch of that sandy studio. I sometimes lie in bed at night, my brain locked on poses and how to get them right. I had many, many ideas and some of them, I admit, were super lame! Sometimes the pose is weird and uncomfortable, but translates very well to film. Some... well, some just stay awkward. But despite my asking them to turn here, kiss here, lay there, climb there, they were willing to do anything. They just had a flow about them - many times in the session, I would get ready to ask them to move into another pose and they would already be doing it, naturally - so awesome! And in any session, there's kind of a magic point when you can let go and just capture, let things happen, stop posing for a little while. Enough time into the session to have gotten used to me, but not enough time to have tuckered out yet. When this happens, I call myself a vulture and just circle and snap. I let you be you, let you melt into the moment and then just move around you and capture that real emotion. Sometimes it only happens here and there - with these guys, it was like, the whole session. :)

Sometimes I joke with couples that they should be thankful for sunset. Because, if the sun never set, I would never stop shooting... and I forget how much tougher it is to be in front of the camera. :) I was actually exhausted by the end of this session, so I can imagine that these guys slept well that night, lol. I took so many pictures that I filled my card and had to run back to the parking lot to grab my other one, never thinking I would take that many. I ran. In flip-flops. And I am so not in shape. I felt ridiculous. :) But, I was panicked about losing the light, since once the sun gets down to a certain spot in the sky, it literally drops like a stone in a matter of minutes. After I got back from running the long boardwalk, I ended up in the water, wanting to get shots of them from that angle, and of course, a rogue wave soaked my jean capris to the thigh. Stupidly, shortly after that, I fell to the ground to capture another angle in the sand... not thinking about how my wet jeans were going to emerge caked in sand. You know what wet jeans are like.. and they got even heavier with the weight of the sand. Oh, yeah. It sounds like a disaster, and sure, I was slightly embarrassed about my appearance, but I was grinning and whooping like an idiot and loving every minute. (Though the moment I got home and changed into dry clothes was pretty awesome too. :) lol) I cannot have loved these guys more for being so open and cute, sweet and adventurous and loving - they made my job extremely easy.

There were so many favorites from this session that I absolutely have to break it up into 2 posts - so much eye candy! I was squealing behind my camera pretty much non-stop, loving what was there in front of me to capture. :) So, enjoy the beauty and love that is Erin and Mike. ♥ Part 1 of 2.... Today is word heavy, tomorrow will be image heavy. All the beach pics will appear then! :)

Blank Page

2012-01-29T21:57:00.003-05:00

I've been staring at this blank page all day... first with annoyance at myself that I couldn't think of anything to write. Then, it turned into a sort of mild dread... that the day was going to get away from me quickly. Now, it's actually a panic - that time is almost out and I am in danger of skipping a day of this challenge.

After 3 weeks of posting, every single day... I think I have officially run out of things to say. :) And I'm actually surprised it took me this long. lol

I know I have said in the past that weekends are hard for me to write a post, and that is a lesson I have learned, but the more specific lesson is that I need to be more prepared - if I want to write something more substantial, I have to start way earlier. :) I have a few more thoughts on passion vs hobby that I'd like to touch on, and a few more sessions I want to share, but it will take me more than just a few minutes at the computer. So, today was going to be another filler post, destined to sink to the bottom of the pile. One I'd write, just to write. :) But then, staring at the title of "Blank Page", at the top of a blank page - it gave me an idea for a post, one about a metaphorical Blank Page.

After we lost our first dog, Ruger, at 9 years old to a slow-growing and undetectable-until-the-last-minute cancer (Hemangiosarcoma), I struggled for months, lost in grief, wanting him back but knowing it was never going to happen. The kids were 18 months old and were in the throes of an intense emotional expression phase. They needed all of me, they were going through an incredibly demanding period, and some days I would just break down at a moment's notice, start sobbing in the middle of the living room on my knees while they were playing around me and they would all look at me, like - what the heck is going on with you? But, I couldn't stop! I would see the spot on the carpet he would lay most of the day, and I would lose it. I would walk by his empty food bowl, and I would lose it. You get the idea. I was emotionally fragile, and the thoughts that helped me most were the ones that promoted the idea that his life had an impact on me and others. I think this is Grief 101 - the comforting thought of keeping his spirit alive somehow was what kept me going for the few weeks afterwards.

I first thought about writing a book to get the message out about Hemangiosarcoma - since its symptoms mimic so many normal aging problems, it is almost always caught late, and almost always a death sentence. We had 4 days. Those few people that catch it early enough to do aggressive and expensive treatment catch it by complete accident. So, I thought if I could help with awareness and in turn help to save other dogs, Ruger's life will have had such a huge outreach!

I have also mentioned that I considered many careers with animals in the past on the search for a lifelong match. These ideas intensified after losing Ruger. I thought about helping out at animal shelters, starting my own wildlife sanctuary, taking over an existing wildlife sanctuary in the area, dogwalker, dog kennel, vet tech, zookeeper... anything that would get me working with animals, anything that would make a positive impact. After I while, I had to concede that none of those options are high-paying - high-reward, but not high paying. :) I gave up after a while, knowing that I would never be able to give up my day job to work with animals because we just would not be able to afford that luxury.

Soon after abandoning those ideas, the idea of researching and writing a book seemed daunting as well, if not wholly impossible with my current demands as a mommy. I wanted to get the word out, shout it out about this horrible disease that was being caused in part, by the regular, dry dog food most dogs eat - but I felt so minuscule, such a tiny voice that still knew so little about the cancer and the cause, that I pushed it aside for the time being. I searched for another idea to latch onto to fill that void, something that would help other dogs and their owners in Ruger's name.

I also have to mention that after my kids were born, I started taking pictures of them non-stop. I had my little point and shoot and I think they heard the little click-tweak sound of the shutter more than they heard my own voice. :) I learned to love it even more than I did before kids, and that is a story many mom-tographers turned professional photogs can replicate. Passion was stirred in giving me an exciting and truly meaningful subject to photograph.

I have touched before on the fact that I struggled and searched for a career to call my own, an actual "what I want to be when I grow up" dream career, not just I "I fell into this job and now I'm stuck" career. The metaphorical Blank Page I speak of now is in the Book of My Life. Every page something about me that will be my eventual legacy. Everyone has one, and I had just finally written on the Mommy page about a year and a half before, the Wife page 8 years before that, the many things about me transcribed on multiple pages to leave behind - the story of my life. But I had yet to fill in the "Career" page, or the more wordy "What I Was Meant To Do On This Earth" page. I had many "jobs" pages, but no career one written yet, and I hoped that empty page would have something written in it by the time that I died.

Looking back, I must have put all of these observations together subconsciously because one fall morning, I opened my eyes after a restful night of sleep (it seems a lot of my life epiphanies occur in bed... hmm... lol) - I remember seeing the dresser next to my bed with such clarity - and I just knew it. I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. As if someone, overnight, had written two words onto that Blank Page for me - Dog Photographer. It was instantly accepted, something that would allow me to spend time with dogs just like Ruger, and dog parents that loved their pets as much as we did. "Working" with people and dogs in this way sounded insanely perfect. :) The bonus is that it was an option that would let me work with dogs in a healthy time of their lives, not a point of crisis. And that sounded amazingly easy, a no-brainer. I could give a gift to people that cherished their dogs, and I would be spending time with my favorite animals on the planet. Sometimes, I really think He knows what He's doing. :)

I know they say hindsight is 20/20, but I almost did a facepalm when I had the realization - a "duh!" moment if there ever was one. Why did it take so long to put 2 and 2 together?!

And that's how my Blank Page was filled, how the idea for my new path was born. He filled in my page overnight, and I was set right that very morning.

One of the first doggies I ever photographed - sweet Casey. :)

Christmas is Still Here!

2012-01-28T15:03:00.003-05:00

Today is a Saturday, so I just know I will have a hard time posting today! It's usually our day to go to a family obligation or to tackle some huge project at our house, but in either situation, I leave very little time for myself to write a post. :)

If you've been reading my past posts, you know that Christmas stays a long time in our house. We like to savor the nostalgia, the magic and the ambiance of lights stuffed in every nook and cranny of our old house. It just keeps us warmer and fuzzier through the worst of the cold and long and dreary winter! As we near the end of January, we start to feel like we are an anomaly and start being embarrassed of it by the end of the month. So.. we finally turn off our outside lights and just enjoy our inside lights until the tree dies.

That's really our moment - what we wait for... the tree kicking the bucket. And we have had some hardy trees in the past! Our record is April 13 - back in 2007... 1 week before the triplets were born, we finally said goodbye to Christmas and welcomed in the rest of the year, which was eat, breathe and sleep triplet. :)

This year, we got a smaller than normal tree for a few reasons, and it's so small we almost forget it is there. It's tucked in the corner of our living room, twinkling merrily... and sprouting new growth. Umm... yeah. We've had a few trees that have done this, and the first year it happened, it blew. our. minds. How the heck can a "dead" tree do this? It must really like it here! So, this year marks the 3rd time we have had this happen, and it makes me happy. It snowed this morning, so pretty outside, a full and fluffy snow that we longed for at Christmastime. This kids were coloring around the table, and I realized that they were all humming Christmas songs... we're still grazing from our hung stockings... and I might just persuade the mister to finally have a fire in the fireplace tonight!

Christmas is still here... and we're loving it. :)

They almost look like they are running for cover from the aliens swooping overhead... :) lol

Grandma Jane's... I adore this deer.

the new stuff, bustin' out...

My Granny's ornament, another adore. :)

all of the bright green you see is new growth! We should name him...

this snow would have been nice a month ago, right?

Lens Flare Love

2012-01-27T17:09:00.002-05:00

Oh, Lens Flare - how I love thee.

Sometimes called "light flare" or just "flare", it's a technique I learned in the very beginning because I was falling in love with every picture I found that displayed it. I started realizing that this was not an accidental, rainbows-and-unicorns type capture - this was actually a deliberate effect. And it was something that made every picture magical and warm... exude ambiance and presence. Like a warm hug overlaid onto the scene.

As I mentioned yesterday, I am in love with Carla Ten Eyck. :) She is one of those photographers that just gives me goosebumps and knocks my socks off with every session she posts. I just love the way she sees the scene before her, the way she uses the camera, her flash, the ambient light. She is a rock star in my world (ok, not just mine - she's a rock star to many people in this world!) and she has so much fun doing it. It's not just a job - it's a lifestyle to her! And it shows so magically in her work. :) She has taught me so many things about perspective... and using - no, rocking - what you have, that I am sure I have much of her influence in my work. (Side note: Mike gave me a mentoring session with her for Christmas - woooot! I am beeeyond psyched to work with her! Dream present, seriously!)

A few years ago, when starting to learn my mother's camera, I was online most of my kids' naptime, basically doing what I do now on Pinterest - looking for visual inspiration. Trying to find my style. Seeing what pictures moved me and trying to recreate what I really liked. Getting inspired, practicing, learning, getting inspired, practicing, learning. Lather, rinse, repeat.

And the day I found a picture with the phenomenon known as light flare, I was smitten. Probably not even the right word - immediately obsessed might cover it more accurately. This picture - again that I do not have! - was a profile shot of a bride and groom, enveloped in this warm glow that just elevated the picture from sweet to incredible. It was taken by Stephen Maloman, a Florida photographer whose work I love too - his is very masculine and modern. Even though I would probably not choose him for my own wedding photographer only because I think his more striking and minimal work would not fit my romantic, rustic and soft ideals (for a wedding), I love ogling his stuff anyway. Back then, he posted this picture I mention on his blog, and I immediately commented, like a crazy girl - something to the effect of... "HOW?" And he answered, "I honestly don't really know - I just do it." :) He did tell me that the effect was called "flair" (notice the spelling!) and it brought to mind the movie Office Space - the Friday's kind of restaurant that Jennifer Aniston worked for - how she needed "15 pieces of flair!" and it threw me for a loop. But it sounded somewhat plausible... you're certainly adding flair to the picture by capturing that light! LOL, I am such a dork... (which also reminds me of my sister, who at a very young age, who heard "Wind Chill Effect" - and thought it was "Windshield Effect", the temperature it feels like if you were out on your windshield, in the wind... Sorry, Beth - I figured if I was throwing myself under the bus, I wanted company! I love you. :))

Anyway, after a few weeks of finding this effect (not the windshield, the flare, lol) in many places from many different photographers who all did not know how they did it - I realized, 1. It's flare, not flair - so it basically means the way the light is flaring into your lens and dominating your picture. 2. It's not always desirable - that's why they sell "flare hoods" for your lenses, so the light cannot enter your lens in that way 3. I needed to know how to do this... I had it bad.

I also have to mention that many of these photographers lived in sunny and warm climates, and I started thinking that maybe, just maybe they were able to do it because the quality of light in Florida, say, is just so much warmer and present than here in often-gloomy Buffalo. I almost gave up!

So, one day, I just thought to myself and entered "lens flare tutorial" into Google, and I was presented with the gift of my biggest future inspiration, Miss Carla Ten Eyck. Because like the generous teacher that she is, she had just recently posted the exactly titled post, Lens Flare Tutorial on her old blog. How freaky is that? So, I clicked. And I learned. And I experimented, and I finally found out how to accomplish this feat of unimaginable beauty, thanks to Carla.

At the time, I tried to use my kids as models - but they weren't really good at staying still yet. :) So, my obliging and patient Golden Retriever, Cody, fit the bill nicely. And here are some of my early experiments with him. I would go out everyday at the famous "magic hour", the hour right before sunset, and snap away until the sun sunk below the horizon. It was late fall, so the magic hour was about 2:30/3:00, right about when the kids were still napping. This is like, Fall of 2008. :)

Here are some of my favorite examples of other photographer's work with light flare. Let me mention again, that some people do not like this - my husband thinks it washes a photo out sometimes and takes away from the vibrancy of the picture, others think it adds wonky color casts. I still adore it, and I love trying to capture layers of light when I do sessions or when I am just walking around the yard.

Maloman Photographers (he does an amazingly great job of keeping the crispness and the vibrancy with the warm flare):

Visit Carla's tutorial above and also her site/portfolio for some great flare images! Here's one of hers I really liked:

Her tips from her tutorial:
"SO….

Time of day to me seems like the biggest overall connector: I don’t think I have gotten lens flare in the morning, or maybe I’m just not up that early shooting, is more like it!! So:
LATE AFTERNOON
LOW ISO
PRETTY OPEN LENS FOR THE BIG LORD OF THE RINGS FLARE
STOP DOWN FOR CRAZY TIME SHAPES
DIFFERENT LENSES YIELD DIFFERENT FLARE

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY…. SEE THE FLARE IN YOUR LENS!!"

ISO is the 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 on the back of your camera - so you want something low, like 1 or 200. "Open lens" is referring to a low f/stop. The "f 4.0" on your display is your f/stop. Go as low as your particular lens will allow. At the time, I had my kit lens on my camera, so f/3.5 was the lowest I could go. I was experimenting with trying to get shapes to my bokeh (my light blur!), so when she says "stop down", that means increase your "f-stop" value. I was working in the f 18.0/f20.0 range for my hexagonal shapes! The lens I have on my camera right now goes down to an f/1.8. This low will give you that all-encompassing glow you see in so many of the examples above. Totally my favorite!

But! If you want the sun to look like a star... then you have to stop down to 18 or 20... or more, keeping your ISO low (1 or 200). Sometimes a very cool effect:

(you've seen this one recently!)

Have fun experimenting! I know I did... and still do! Every shoot, if the sun is out, I try to incorporate some flare somewhere.

Another very cool fact: lens flare is starting to become quite popular - if you look around, you just might see it in movies, ads, tv shows - I know JJ Abrams likes to use it! The new Star Trek movie is loaded with it, and just recently, seeing Super 8, I noticed he peppered it in there too... love!

Since I have learned how to capture it, I now know that light is one of the biggest reasons I love to photograph. Emotion is such a close second for me, but light is everywhere, all around us, in different qualities and colors, casting shadows and highlighting, shining through and glistening off - when you learn to see the light and how it plays with our surroundings, it's quite enchanting. The way it sets the red leaves on a fall tree on fire when you see the light through it, the way snow can twinkle like a million diamonds after a fresh snowfall, the way it casts a shadow of your son onto the ground next to him, simultaneously setting his hair aglow - light makes everything more dynamic, more ethereal, more exciting! And playing with light is so incredibly challenging and satisfying when you realize that you can manipulate it too!

Surprise Inspiration

2012-01-26T17:13:00.001-05:00

As sometimes happens, I sit at the computer and I start this domino chain of wandering that most of the time ends nowhere. I hop from site to site, either on a whim, or from a connection made from that site. I do not leave the chair more enlightened or happier or richer or satisfied. In fact, I usually end up leaving annoyed that I wasted a few hours of my time aimlessly surfing.

But sometimes, I visit my favorite sites and there's a little link I end up following that leads me to another - and before I know it - I feel like I was guided there by some force trying to help me improve. Although most of the time I do not know it at the moment. But sometimes I do - that the site I just "accidentally" landed on is something that will change my life forever in some way, large or small.

I started writing a post this morning, somewhat related to this - about how I found another of my favorite photographers, Carla Ten Eyck. She has become my greatest inspiration over the last few years in photography and I found her quite by accident. :) The post is about lens flare (which I will explain about in the post!), and that being the reason I found her, since I was searching the web back then about what this phenomenon was and just how the heck did one go about doing it! No one knew. It was something lots of people did capture, others wanted to try and capture, but no one really knew how they did it... and then she went and just happened to have a little tutorial right around the same time on her old site about how she does it. Voila! Instant Connection. :)

But anyway, that post is going to have to wait for another day, since today became a wandering day - with sick kids and therapies and such, there were so many distractions today! It was just not panning out as a working day. So, quickly sitting down, trying to find answers for something food and health related, I somehow ended up back on photography stuff - stepped through many sites and ended up here, on Karen Stott's Pursuit 31 page, with this quote that I just needed to hear today. Her story deeply resonated with me and her workshop is something I could really use right now, and it's good timing that I ended up there - accidentally. Huh. :)

This quote comes at your fear from a different angle than most inspirational quotes you hear, I think that's why I liked it so much:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Marianne Williamson

Like I have said before, you just never know when inspiration, motivation and connections will be placed in your path, just when you need them most. :)

A little lens flare preview for tomorrow's post:

Ordinary is Extraordinary

2012-01-25T13:56:00.000-05:00

I'm snuggling with a sick little one who stayed home from school today (Cole), so I am trading work for a special round of cuddles (he's helping me write this post!)...and that's a trade I can learn to love!

So... today I want to talk about hobbies. I think we all have them, right? Before I started thinking of photography as a business, it was actually my hobby. I loved to take pictures of anything and everything - and then scrapbook them. It drove my husband nuts. Scrapbooking was my pre-kids guilty pleasure - but now, who has the time?! But even though photography has become my career choice, I realized recently that it's actually still my hobby too - so today I wanted to share how that goes. :)

A year ago, I was looking for a few ways to help the sole money maker in our household, especially since Christmas was coming. I wasn't really into any paying jobs for sessions yet - doing a few shoots for practice here and there, but basically still a full-time mommy. We knew the season was going to be tight, so I got the idea to try selling a few of my nature photos on Etsy to help take the stress out if I could.

I excitedly opened up an Etsy shop, put up a few of my animal/nature pictures that I had taken in the past and waited to see if there was a response. A few of you reading have actually bought a print, and I want to thank you for supporting Santa here. :) But after a while, I started realizing the scope of what having an Etsy shop is like, and that is basically... a tiny little anchovy in a great big sea. :) I never realized just how VAST it is! Unless you are willing to put in the time advertising, networking and getting your shop out there in the forefront of everything - and keeping it there! - it's kinda like your little place is located in a back alley of a town no one ever visits. I was sad about this for a while... it really excited me to think that I might be able to help contribute to the grocery bill with something I do as a hobby - but I finally let my bubble burst after almost 9 months of no sales. I felt like I was fishing in a fish-less sea, lol!

After a disappointing few months, I went out every once in a while, when the kids were napping - or even better, with them - taking walks around the yard, looking for new photos to add to the shop. I was always on the search for what would make a good piece of art! We have a garden here, lots of woods, a small creek and an old, rustic barn - lots of subjects to photograph. It happened that I learned to really look forward to our walks, because I came to realize that I was looking for the extraordinary in the ordinary - how beautiful the things are that we look at every single day - when you looked at them in the right context. We're surrounded with natural beauty, wherever we are. In the city (may be less natural and more man-made, but no less beautiful!), in the country, in the suburbs, on the drive.

My cousin posted a photo to facebook about how gorgeous the dew looked in the morning sun this morning... and that's just what I mean! How the ordinary dew can look extraordinary when we realize... it always has been. It just took that moment to look at it in a new way for us to see that. Once you open your eyes to this, you will always see this way.

Doing this for almost a year, going out and getting new pictures - the act of looking around our yard with new eyes - became such a beloved activity with the kids because I was also looking at things through their eyes; watching what caught their attention and trying to see what they were fascinated by. It became our hobby. I was certainly bummed in the beginning that the Etsy thing didn't take off, but I gained such a new view on life in the process that it was hardly a fail for me. I was getting more practice with my camera, spending quality time with my kids and really enjoying the centering and relaxing Zen activity of finding the simple beauty all around me. It might have been the shadows I had never seen fall before. Or the mist created by the recent rain. I noticed that one scene or flower can never look the same twice - there's always a new context, a new set of backgrounds your subject is in (the color of the light, different shadows, weather, new flowers nearby to complement). :) Plus, I would always be more willing to experiment with textures and actions on these pictures, so it gave me freedom to explore and have fun in post processing as well. So many great advantages and learning experiences.

I still have my pictures up on Etsy (see the tab above if you are curious about how I see my yard and house) - and will probably keep them up until they expire. I may renew or I may not - but since it's a great motivator to keep looking for new material, I love that it prompts me to have an outlet for a walk here and there, looking for sweetness and drama in the everyday with those who cause the most sweetness and drama in my life everyday. :)

As my favorite author has so wisely put: "If we allow ourselves to be enchanted by the ordinary, we begin to see that all things are extraordinary." - Dean Koontz

Some of my favorite listings over the years: **I apologize for the wonky alignment of these pictures - Blogger is acting up today and if I fiddle with them any more to try and get it right, I just might put my coffee cup through my monitor. :)

10 Items or Less

2012-01-24T13:44:00.000-05:00

Have you ever gone to a party and realized that after an hour, you've been monopolizing the topic? Maybe it's something you're passionate about, or maybe you're just feeling chatty because it's good to talk to adults for a change - but that awkward feeling when your focus shifts a little and your inner shy girl backhands you, saying - "CAN it, girlie! Take a breath and let someone else share for a little while! They all have to be sick of your monologue by now!"

That's pretty much what I'm feeling today. :) So far, it's been 18/30 days straight of talking to no one and everyone, out there in the world, and I'm feeling a little sheepish today, like I've been talking and yammering for days and I need to take a break and let someone else have a go for a little while. BUT, since I can't do that - I've made the commitment, lol! - I'll have to move on, and ignore my inner introvert, screaming at me to stop, righteously telling me that what I have to say is just not that important - ignore her good advice (ha) and keep on yammering... for 11 more days. :)

Thank you for sticking with me on this. After 11 more posts, I promise you will not hear me this much - every few days or 2 times a week is what I will be aiming for, and this exercise will have me primed and disciplined to make that seem easy. For a girl who likes to talk... and then feels like I might have overshared - like a fat kid indulging in a secret piece of cake - this is hard. :)

I was going to write more and have that be a preface... but, I think I will make the harder choice to just stop there... and walk away for today. One of the lessons I am learning in this challenge is to accept that I like to write mini novels every time I sit down, but move forward, trying to distill all those words into a clear and concise message. So, basically - be confident that what I have to say is meaningful and important to somebody, but try to say it in 10 items or less. :)

My inner introvert is a tiny kind of proud.

{image via: Sarah and Sons}

My Cousin Tony [Senior Session]

2012-01-23T12:20:00.000-05:00

Two Youts! Two Youts! Anyone who gets my movie reference will let me buy them a cup of coffee the next time we hang out. :)

One of the perks of blogging for 30 days straight is the chance to put up some old sessions that never made it up on the blog. A chance to embarrass my super-cute (yep, Tone, I called you super-cute) cousin who is already attending Nazareth College and thought his senior session was safely put away in my archives. This session was done last year, but since I never got a chance to highlight it here, I am using today to send a shout out and a cheek pinch to my extremely helpful, go-with-the-flow, deeply kind and thoughtful cousin Tony - and tell him that I love him. ♥

Even though he likes to pretend that he's an aloof tough guy in these pictures, he was actually very easy going, adventurous - up for trying lots of different spots in the nearby town of Lancaster. He was quick to laugh at my stupid antics and gracious about not calling me a dork (which I am sure was on his mind). :) He's a really good kid who is tearing it up at Nazareth, blazing his path in life as the down-to-earth good guy he is, showing them all what cool really looks like. You just know he will go far in life, but the best thing about him is that he will never forget where he came from.

I love you, Tone! Hope you are having a blast at college, and seriously - now you are free to call me a dork without big-cousin repercussions. :)

Just Get The Pictures

2012-01-22T21:45:00.001-05:00

When my kids were babies, I knew that I wanted professional pictures of them in super cute poses, but it was just not in the budget. I left my job to stay home with them full-time, so sometimes food wasn't in the budget. lol :) I trolled the Internet during that magic time when they were asleep, in between feeding them - this was after we had a system down of feeding the babies all at once by ourselves, and we were treated to about 45 minutes of free time in between bottles, ha!). :) This was when I became familiar with modern photography studios and that there was something else out there other than JC Penneys.

I fell in love with the natural light (no extra light, just light coming from windows), modern, clean-lined look of all the newborn sessions I was seeing and I thought, what am I losing by trying to recreate what I am seeing with my camera? So, with my trusty little point-and-shoot camera - a little Canon Power Shot - I started doing little monthly photo shoots with them at 2 months old.

If you are at all interested in taking pictures - and who the heck isn't? - or else we all wouldn't have cameras and cell phones with cameras embedded in them - a Google Image search for the subject you want to capture is a great way to find inspiration. Now, just to say it - there is a fine line between emulating someone's work and recreating your own angle of their idea to springboard from - and downright copying things and claiming them as your own, but really - getting pose ideas from other photographers is a great way to start looking at things in ways you might not have seen for yourself.

Many people look to professionals for things they think they cannot do for themselves, but never end up getting anything done due to schedule or money constraints. Even if we had the money when the triplets were born, I am sure as heck that we didn't have the presence of mind to get pictures done. I know it happens, and yes I am jealous! lol - But we weren't even close to that happy place right after we had our guys. :)

So, all I am saying is - if you want the pictures and you can't go out and have someone do them for you - don't be afraid of your own camera! It's something worth trying, because, honestly, even if they don't turn out the way you hoped/imagined - I guarantee they will be some of your favorite pictures - most of all, because they will have gotten done. Getting them done by yourself is getting them done, even if they aren't as good as a pro. Trust me on this one! It's also a fun/funny memory for you in the future, remembering all you go through to get it done. A hindsight tip for laughs and kicks - videotape yourself doing this, it will be an incredibly funny memory to have.

But also, don't be afraid of getting something different than you imagined. Sometimes you hold on so tightly to that perfect shot that you almost miss something just as good.

Case in point:

I found this photographer's picture of a head shot of twins, one in a green crochet hat and the other in a blue one laying in opposite directions. I wish I could find it to show you, but I looked forever with no success, darn-it! Anyway, it was shot straight down, directly over them, both boys looking clear-eyed into the camera. White onesies, black background. Super cute and modern, no distractions. I looked at that picture every day, longingly, for a week until I got the idea of trying it for myself. I had my little point and shoot camera, and all the ingredients, so I thought - what the heck? The kids were just shy of 6 months old, needing their next monthly picture and I was feeling brave.

So, one bright morning, I dressed them all in whatever white onesies I could find, positioned them by the biggest window we have, on the floor - on my black t-shirt - all opposite heads with Alex in the middle and had the hats to the ready. I stood back and realized they all looked so cute just like that, so I took a few of them and was excited that I'd have bonus shots. :)

Well, what I didn't know at the time was that babies tend to get sensory overload very easily, and a textured hat on their usually bare head was something that sent them all over the edge immediately. I put them on fast, and before I had the 3rd one on, the 1st was screaming bloody murder. Ack! I tried to settle them, but to no avail... gave up after a few minutes of torturing them, lol, and decided to snap this picture anyway, for posterity:

Imagine my relief afterwards, when I realized that even though it wasn't what I imagined or wanted so badly, I still had something I would treasure forever - plus! - I had the shot I had just taken moments earlier. This turned out to be one of my favorite pictures ever of the kids (same shot as above, I just rotated it because I thought it had more effect):

Oh, sure - looking at it now with photographer goggles, I think about the fact that it isn't completely sharp, that their baby acne, scratches and eczema are prominent, that their heads may not be perfectly in line... but looking at it as their mommy... I don't care a fig about those things at all. I love it, period.

So, take it from a professional photographer, who also happens to be a perfectionist, if you can't do something with a pro, you are the next best thing - so, be adventurous! Use your little camera and your black t-shirt. :) Turn off your flash and hold your hand steady - lean against something if you have to. Start with your inspiration images, but go with the flow. And I promise you will love them - not just because something is always better than nothing (which it definitely is!), but because it's all about making and preserving a memory of your own kids that you will never regret having, blurry or not.

Brushing Your Teeth

2012-01-21T21:17:00.001-05:00

I do brush my teeth. Well, at least I try to every day... though, I do admit sheepishly that there are some days it just falls off the agenda and it happens right before bed.... or the next morning... :) But anyway, ahem! - today's post is not a tutorial on hygiene, but highlights something I read a few weeks ago about brushing your teeth - more specifically what you think about when doing this mundane, everyday (supposedly, lol) task.

What do you think about? Oh, yes, there are many days I'm doing it as fast as possible to get the kids out the door and to school on time, so those days, I admit - I think about where my keys are, I wonder if I should have scraped the ice off the windows already, or if I remembered to pack a snack with their lunch.

But most days... most days I think about how to capture that light flare a little dreamier, or bokeh a little blurrier, what cute family I could persuade to have a session on the beach or which post processing actions I should splurge for. I wonder about the calibration of the color on my monitor and think about owning a sweet 28mm 1.4 lens someday. I resolve to make it a priority to capture a few more doggies soon, and I ponder the idea of going back to "redo" my wedding pictures with a boatload of textures.

Yes, you may have guessed it, but I am little obsessed with photography.

This article here is what confirmed it for me... I guess I am probably on the right path. It's a pretty great article, you should go read it now! And then come back. :) The message is simple, and what I have eluded to before. Whatever you end up thinking about when you are brushing your teeth (and not rushed!), is arguably, a passion. Ok, so sometimes I think about Brad Pitt, and yes - he could be considered a passion of sorts, but really - the "what you would rather be doing with your time" (ok, will you just get Brad Pitt out of your mind already!) is what I am trying to stay focused on. :) This picture I found on Pinterest is another way to say it:

And I can't think of a better mind-wondering time than when you are attending to the pearly whites.

The bulk of the article I linked to above is more to the opposite point. She was in research, and her mind wandered to photography every morning. It was then that she knew her path! Or at least knew that the path she was on wasn't quite right...

I used to work for a defense contractor. And they were an awesome company to work for. Every area had "teams" and we would work hard together to identify problems and opportunities for increased efficiency and tackle them in an organized manner. We would have weekly meetings, setting aside our productivity time to work on making our workplace better. And at each meeting, there would be a facilitator, helping the team to get the most out of the meeting by keeping to our agenda, diffusing fights and forcing us to examine root causes, both in relationships and work mishaps. I loved the facilitator role, and I volunteered to become one. So, I went through the pre-requisite week-long training with others who wanted the same, and we had a great week learning many new skills.

During the week, we were shown various videos on how to help your teams be the most efficient and honest, to help pull out their talents and ideas and facilitate working through their issues, and to help solve problems effectively, etc... and some were more abstract in their point. One day, one of those videos was about DeWitt Jones, a National Geographic photographer. He talked about everyday creativity, and how, in his line of work, he had to look at things a while before the image he wanted to get - what was interesting him in the frame - came across to him. The point he was trying to make to us, in the manufacturing business was that every problem has a creative solution, if you take the time to look hard enough. Yeah. I got that.

But I also got the bug.

That night, I could not. stop. thinking. about. photography.

I'm sure it was not what the instructors (or my company, for that matter!) were hoping for when they played the video - me obsessing for weeks over the fact that becoming a photographer someday was starting to burn up inside me - it sounded so exciting and satisfying and artistic - which then, working for a technical company, sounded insanely exotic. But I was already on a "career path", with an amazing company - so I ignored this feeling, over and over. I kept telling myself it was silly and impractical (there's my dream crusher again!, lol). I tried to ignore this passion the video was stirring inside me... but for months afterward, every down time I had was spent thinking about how amazing that would be and consequently trying to shove it out of my mind. Oy!

Hindsight is 20/20, eh?

Another relevant Pinterest gem:

When your idle mind is happy, it's pointing at the things you should be occupying your life with the most. I beg you to listen harder than I did! :)

Who Are You? (Who? Who?)

2012-01-20T18:06:00.002-05:00

First, please let me start out by saying how humbled I am at the response from yesterday's post. Holy Christmas! :) What awesome feedback! I was actually a wreck, choked up again and again at every comment that was left, every like that was clicked - and that is a good thing. :) Some people took the time to send a private message too - and to all of you who prayed, wrote, sent a message - even just thought about us, I am so grateful for your sweetness and compassion. It means a great deal to me that we have so much support and love surrounding us - it just feels good. To know there is that much care surrounding you, it actually feels like a tangible thing, like a wall holding you up and protecting you. Maybe that sounds silly, but it's an amazing feeling having that many people reach out to you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your well wishes and prayers, they give me so much strength and hope for his future.

So, after that serious post yesterday, and because I'm behind on what I wanted to post today (I have about 3 posts half-way written!) I'd like to flip back the switch to a fun and fluffy one for today. :) Sorry for the lame quickness, but after the collective emotional sigh I had after Braden's appt, a stomach flu filled the gap - then my husband went out of town yesterday morning... I am better today, which is awesome, but the dishes piled up in the kitchen are not, lol. :) But today's post will help me, so I ask that you bear with me!

Today, I want to know about you. Yes, you!! I have always been curious about who reads this blog - whether it be friends, family, fellow photogs or past/potential clients, friends of friends, silently tagged new friends, well - I guess we can say it, you're all friends now, lol! But I would love to know what drew you here, and why you read. It will help me to in how to know what to post here, who I am targeting this cosmic noise to, and who would get the most benefit out of what.

Oh, I'll continue to post my sessions first and foremost, but also the personal stuff and share my inspirations, my philosophical thoughts and my feelings on the journey too, but I would love to know what you like to read, or just how you ended up here. Please leave a comment if you feel so inspired to - I would love to know how we connected and what you've been liking, and maybe even what you'd like to see in the future, it would be a huge insight for me just knowing how you hear me (are you a photographer, client, friend, family?) and will help steer the future content on the blog. I'm learning so much on this 30-day challenge, but I am curious most recently about how my content affects my readership, and I'd love to know what you think.

In Marketing-speak, I think this means I am trying to get an old-fashioned handle on my demographics... :)

I would be thrilled and giddy if you left a comment!

hint, hint. :)

Thanks, everyone... I truly appreciate your help in 1. satisfying my curiosity, and 2. helping me to talk more effectively, something I really need help with. Duct tape is my next best option. :)

Our Son Has CP

2012-01-19T14:27:00.004-05:00

A sentence that has always been true, but something I have never really let myself believe... or accept.

This is a long one, so I thank you in advance for letting me vent my fears and frustrations. :)

Until this week, I think I was of the mindset that since our son's Cerebral Palsy was relatively mild, that someday he would just... simply grow out of it. That once he was old enough to make a conscious choice of movement, that he would be able to overcome the slight tightness he was experiencing. Silly, yes, but I never realized I had that thought until this week. Since the diagnosis, we have been presented with a myriad of options regarding treatment, some doctors actually advising us to do nothing. Let it go. It's so mild that yes, he will walk with a slightly abnormal gait, but he will be a high-functioning adult, so why put him through anything dramatic to make him better?

It's a hard thing, being a parent. It's hard to make those choices for him, by proxy, knowing it will affect his entire life - it can be quite paralyzing, actually. It's like I wish we could visit his adult self and ask him what he would want us to do, since it should be his choice, but he is too young to understand this now. Heart-wrenching is the best way to describe it. A huge weight. Make the non-choice to let it go or do little and let him possibly suffer compounded aging and asymmetrical grinding effects of his CP, condemning him to a wheelchair by the age of 50 by doing nothing? Or make the choice to do something aggressive now and, God forbid, experience a complication in surgery that renders his leg useless? To think of the worsts in each outcome, both pathways sound crazy.

When you hear so many people describe his condition as mild, you start to think maybe we should let it go... let him be a kid, without day-time braces and constant therapy, special shoes, extra sessions at school, nighttime struggles with those braces, hand-holding on slippery sidewalks, Botox surgeries that kill off his nerves so he can be stretched out more easily, electric shock therapy, casts...

Summer this year was the worst - keep his brace on and let him miss swimming, trampoline time, running next to his brother and sister, feeling the soft grass beneath his bare feet? I couldn't do it. He was overheating with that un-breathable thick plastic mold surrounding his foot and leg to the knee, getting tired so much more quickly and he kept missing out on things that we decided to keep it off for the most part.

So, since he is so mild - so mild he didn't actually qualify for summer PT and OT services for those 8 weeks according to the school district - we decided to let it go, and let him be a kid. He made it through, we felt a little guilty about not pushing the braces, but he loved every minute of his carefree summer.

Then, in September, we noticed he was walking more on his toe and less on the full bottom of his foot. We thought, with a little extra stretching, he would be fine - he would bounce back. It's just because he had some time off. But then he kept getting worse and worse, no matter how much stretching we did...and we started to get nervous. And when he started falling, his coordination faltering, his pre-school teachers and his PT and OT started to get nervous, I started to get a little panicky. Why isn't he getting better? Why is he getting worse? What are we doing wrong?

People ask us all the time if we have done the routine Internet research. I can tell you that I have exhausted many sleepless nights in the search for answers related to the best possible treatment. And what I have found through searches is just not suited for 1. A parent, as most pages out there are directed to medical professionals and hard for me to understand fully - for instance this wikipedia article, ouch. 2. Parents with kids who have mild CP - most pages aim to help parents of kids with severe disabilities and how they can care for them more easily. And honestly, the more articles I find, the more hopeless I feel about his original, maybe-it-will-go-away scenario. And as a mother, who just wants the best, most normal spring-board for her kids - it's a tearful realization.

I thought we had a semi-clear grasp on what CP really is, that (in his situation) basically the part of the brain that controls the contraction of the muscles in his right leg and his right hand was damaged at some point (due to lack of oxygen, most likely because he was a multiple birth preemie, though we will never know the actual why). A normal person with an undamaged brain can regulate the contraction and relaxation of these muscles, but his muscles are always contracted - think of your calf right now and make a muscle in it - hold it, and this is how his muscle is all the time. The nerves that go down to his right leg and his right hand are stimulated at the highest level and his brain cannot turn it on or off, offering no control of the muscle, just full on, all the time. You can also think of his situation as a light switch that can only just be on or off - as opposed to what a healthy person can do with a dimmer switch, any level of light control. This is called Spasticity.

We just found out recently there is another side of the coin, called Contracture. And this is what we are experiencing with Braden right now. This ugly phenomenon occurs when the bones grow faster than the tendons are pliable for and is basically what would happen to a too-small rubber band stretched around a pile of papers. No give at all. His PT basically described our summer as the Perfect Storm of conditions that lead to this contracture, and it is possible that it is permanent... and our fault. Since we did not stretch out the muscles, or keep his brace on over the summer, we did not keep them as flexible, pliable or elongated as they could have been. When his bones grew in a large growth spurt at the same time, we created the perfect conditions for an emerging contracture, something we didn't even know existed. Apparantly, we have to be on a constant vigil for this, especially now that he is on the cusp of a full-blown contracture that he would keep his entire life, non reversible. Game over.

Spasticity can be handled by a recurring injection of Botox - yep, the same stuff people use to stay looking young - in the areas his CP is most prominent. Braden has had this procedure twice. It basically does the same thing, kills off the nerves to the muscles that are overproducing the stimulus, so that they relax and can be stretched much more easily. Sometimes, you can actually make forward gains and get some flexibilty and strength back before the nerves regrow again and make those muscles tight once again. The other side of this picture is that the large muscles that are tight usually overpower the smaller muscles in his leg, and those small muscles could die out (atrophy) from under-use. Scary. Botox allows for a period of time for those muscles to be strengthened again while those larger muscles are "sleeping". :) But, it is temporary. A Dorsal Rhizotomy is a procedure that reproduces that Botox effect permanently. The neurosurgeon goes into the central sac of nerves at the base of his spine and clips the overproducing nerves at the root, permanently cutting off the over-stimulation. This is still something we hope to go through with him, but only when the contracture part of his CP has been addressed and is as controlled as can be. It won't work otherwise, and since it's such a big risk - a one-time only procedure, we need to be sure and ready. It can only happen in kids between the ages of 5 and 9.

Another procedure in helping with the contracture is a tendon release, a surgery where they make small slices in the contracted tendons to help lengthen and slightly release them. All scary stuff, especially when we consider these procedures for our "mild" kid.

The clinic we attended yesterday at Children's Hospital, called a Spasticity Clinic, is quite an awesome resource for those families who experience CP. Many different disciplines are available to look him over and offer their observations, facts and opinions and they share them with each other at a round table discussion with the goal of coming to a consensus on the best possible treatment for him. They have a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Neurosurgeon and Physiatrist go over his history with you and watch Braden perform a wide range of tasks. They convene and return to sit down with you and discuss his performance and things we can do to improve his function as well as options for future treatments. If I think there is a fail for the medical community not having a better parents' resource for education on understanding CP, then this is the next-best thing, at least the best possible resource for advice on how to proceed, knowing you are in great hands. A great piece of the puzzle and a monumental resource for us struggling to make choices for our little guy. Yes, I wish there was a 411 for parents in layman's language about the pitfalls of the disorder and what we should be watching for, but this is what makes me have hope that we are heading in the right direction. I feel rightly guided even if we don't have all the information yet. The more you know, the more you know you don't know... and hopefully a pursuit of information can be the only result.

So, the outcome is hopeful for now... he will be casted, just as if he broke his foot. Stretched to his limit and a cast molded to his leg, and he will wear it for a few days in the hopes that it helps him stretch intensely and fully. Then a new and controversial brace that he will wear during the day will allow his smaller muscle groups to be strengthened in walking everywhere. At the same time it will stretch his larger groups and position his foot and leg correctly to minimize wear and tear. He'll wear a foot (not leg) brace on his left foot to keep his body and gait symmetrical. He'll wear night time braces in the hope that fully restful sleep will allow for a monster good unconscious stretch. :) We are also taking him to see my chiropractor to see if there are any bone shifts he can alleviate. And finally, building his endurance will be encouraged, enrolling him in a very noncompetitive soccer program, hippotherapy (horse therapy!), swimming or low-key tae-kwan-do. Anything that will get him involved, having fun, running around and building his endurance and confidence up, ultimately helping his coordination and balance too. :) I love to think of my little man in a martial arts uniform. Love! :)

A lot of information, and if you are still with me, I thank you. Many prayers were said for us yesterday, and I feel them all working today as our new plan settles in - more aggressive than we ever thought, but much more hopeful too.

A Wedding, As A Guest

2012-01-18T06:19:00.001-05:00

Today is a quick and early post that I am sneaking in before I leave for the day - we're taking our son in to Children's Hospital to a clinic that specializes in guiding those afflicted with Cerebral Palsy. We usually go once a year so the panel of experts that evaluates him can give us their opinions on the road his treatment should follow and the options that are out there. But, he has taken a dive in mobility in the last few months and we are really worried about him. He is having trouble getting around at pre-school, and his gait is worsening, so we are taking him in today to be looked at. Any prayers are appreciated - we are so worried he has taken a permanent turn for the worse.

So, after that downer statement, ahem! :) Here's today's post about one of my favorite inspirational photographers and how I "met" her. Enjoy!

I think by now we all know how I feel about weddings but where I stand about photographing them - how much I love them, but really don't want to professionally shoot them... so back in May, I attended my cousin Steve's wedding as a guest, camera in hand - and watched the official photographer do her thing. I, as every other guest with a camera, did not want to step on her toes, but wanted to give my cousins another angle to keep - my angle - from where I sat, and I thought it was fun to challenge myself to get something different without moving or messing up their professional in any way.

But while I was preparing my camera before everything started, I noticed their photographer in the center aisle. I was instantly in awe of her composure. For the rest of the ceremony, I was aware of how easy she made it look - she was just there taking pictures, right? That was the easy vibe coming off of her. Projecting confidence, but not calling attention to herself - visible but invisible - she was calm, collected and got 'er done. And she also, somehow, made it look like she was having actual fun - not about to fall into a wheezing ball of anxiety, which is probably what I'd look like to the outside world in her shoes. :)

The girl I'm talking about is Erin Oveis Brant, the photographer I was inspired by to attempt this 30-day challenge thing, and this is where I saw her for the first time. I remember her because she was different. Most weddings I have been to over the years, there is usually an older guy... who has a great big honkin' camera and sometimes an assistant, and he's your average photographer joe. In a zone the whole day, he seems a world apart, almost bored. He seems to get all the regular posed shots, nothing too exciting or crazy, everything the bride asks for, yawns and then leaves. And then all the brides I know are just ok with the pictures after, like an exchange just happened that was supposed to happen, the pictures get shoved in a drawer, but no one got really excited about the whole deal (I mean the pictures, not the wedding, lol).

Don't fret if you've never seen this go down. I notice these things, you know. It's kinda the business I'm in. :)

But Erin was different - she was like a breath of fresh air that made me sit up and go - hey! wait! she's different... already, I can tell that her style is something I will dig! She had enthusiasm, and you can tell she was there because it was her dream. And that got me glancing her way more than any other photographer I instantly forgot at every one else's wedding I've been to. And boy, she inspired me! At the reception, if she didn't have fun, then she sure fooled me! She was laughing and circling and following the goofiest dancers, giggling at their antics and capturing every minute. She got all the necessary shots and more - and she did it all without seeming to break a sweat. I was impressed. :)

Shortly after the wedding, I contacted her to see if we could get together and do a mentoring session. I felt like such a stalker even contacting her, introducing myself and letting her know I was inspired by her "performance" at my cousin's wedding. :) But, hey - she did inspire me and she was local, so I took that as God sending me a little connection. I went with it. Since then, WNY has lost a very talented girl, since she has moved to California. :( Yay for Cali but boo for us!

So, I thought it would be neat to share my first impression of Erin here - and tell her how much she's inspired me just by doing her thing. Plus, I thought it would be neat to share my pictures of my cousin's wedding and then send you over to her Facebook page to see hers. A bit of a difference. :) (I hope you can access them!) Erin, I knew you were "different" that day, and after seeing Steve and Tiffany's pictures, it was confirmed that you have some serious talent, girl. I love that you are following your dream, because it suits you and you make so many people happy with it. Take this as yet another confirmation that the path you are following is the right one. <3

Here are some of my pics from the ceremony - I was a total guest, remember, so please go easy on me! lol :P And coincidentally, before I really knew about white balance... hence the orange-y hue - a good lesson that I can't believe I got so far without noticing... They are blurry, orange, others too flash-y, all-in-all kinda terrible, but great context for knowing how hard it is to be a wedding photographer, especially in a low-light room.

Now, go see Erin's stuff! :) Please visit her blog or go to her Facebook page and leave her some love - she always has something great and inspirational on there!

Beautiful Michelle

2012-01-17T17:46:00.004-05:00

A while ago, my mother told me she was having a conversation at work with her friend, who was pregnant, about maternity photos. She had asked Michelle if she had gotten any done because she looked so cute...... and Michelle had no idea what she was referring to! Again, one of the reasons I love my mother, she told her all about how a session works and that her daughter just happened to do them! :) I am always up for showing someone what a session can be, so I welcomed the challenge to wow her. :) Not that she needed to be wowed, but I wanted her to have a fantastic first impression of what a photographer can see!

After our initial contact, and her telling me that she was a blank slate, I encouraged her to do a Google Image search for maternity pictures, to get an idea of what was out there and what could be done - and also to get a feel for what her style might be. After searching, she had something specific in mind, wanting to surprise her husband with a triptych (3 vertical images side by side in a frame) for Christmas. Commence the awwws.... :)

Well, I got all into it when I got there. I knew she only imagined these three pictures, but I went all vicarious on her. I am a total sucker for a pregnant woman. :) Such an amazing time, and it moves me beyond words. My experience was awesome, so I have good feelings from that, but I also just love how beautiful women look pregnant - I have to stop myself from staring that them in public - I am always in awe. And I kept thinking about the mementos she could have of herself, knowing that the time is so short to feel your baby inside you, and after it's over... I know I sometimes long for that feeling again, and since it's such a transient time in your life, I wanted to do it right!

Have you ever seen The Family Stone? Diane Keaton, in that picture Sarah Jessica Parker gives the whole family, the one where she is pregnant in a chair, looking wistfully out a window? Yeah. I saw that movie right after I had the triplets and in the midst of the hormonal postpartum sea I was in, I bawled, wishing I would have had just 1 picture of me like that with them in my belly. Ugh, it was most likely not pretty. But the good and interesting thing about that picture, in that movie was that it was the first stirring of the photography idea in me - the "well, if I can't have it - maybe I can give it to someone else!" My aim was to give it to someone someday, not necessarily start a business, but make it my personal goal to give someone that gift. So, just a little idea of how that all got started and how crazed I might have been at this shoot. lol Besides Stephanie, this was my first maternity session since going pro... it was a good day for me!

So, I apologize, Michelle, for making you pose so much that day, but I certainly enjoyed capturing you in all your maternal glory - you were gorgeous, and I hope these pictures help you to remember just how much. Thank you for humoring me. :)

And a collage I made up for her at the last minute... :)

Passion Is The Key

2012-01-16T14:19:00.002-05:00

Are you what you wanted to be when you grew up?

My answer? No. Definitely not. And that's actually a good thing for me. :) What did I want to be? I wanted to be........ wait for it....... a paleontologist. Yep, someone that digs up dinosaur bones. When I was around 8 or 9, I would spend much of my day digging in the dirt looking for anything that resembled an ancient fossil. And I would put those fossils in a bucket and keep looking. I started finding rocks that looked pretty and I would bring them into the basement and break them open with a little hammer, my eyes protected by those 1950s style protective eye-wear with the flip-out mesh sides - you know the kind? - and save anything that looked more interesting on the inside than the outside. Pretty awesome stuff. We lived in a small, duplex kind of neighborhood, with lots of other kids to play with, but it was a suburb, with very little land to dig up dinosaur bones. And in a way, that was fantastic because my imagination got a pretty serious workout. :)

Then I got into high school. I still loved dinosaurs, but really - a girl, wanting to be a paleontologist, in an era when most bones were thought to be already dug up - getting into the field ... well, I felt... silly - like a little kid with a crazy, impractical dream - not to mention that I got a lot of looks when I talked about it - especially from my guidance counselors. So, I was left without a feasible dream, and in that absence, my parents suggested to me to aim high - why not? - and move forward, aim to be a pediatrician. I was good with kids, I was good at and liked some kinds of science, and I had a great memory - a good tester - so maybe that would be a great fit? It was something concrete to follow, so I went with it.

Nothing against my parents here - they were truly trying to help me aim high, what any good parents would do, but I wish I knew at the time that way more than that would be required to be a doctor. Much, much more.

For instance - passion! Passion is probably the biggest piece of the puzzle I was lacking. Especially since I am naturally lazy, relying on my good memory to get me through high school, I never really tried at anything very hard. And when you are not passionate about something, I guarantee you will not work your hardest at it - you will certainly not love it. And to be a pediatrician, you'd have to work pretty darn hard. No passion + naturally lazy = a lethal combination for love of any career.

Inevitably, going to a good local college, enrolled in the pre-med program, I totally and completely blew it. I excelled in my English and Psychology courses because, looking back - they were interesting to me - they engaged me. I didn't know that at the time, but the Chemistry and Math courses I did not do well in were because they required serious passion and hard work... they were so very hard for me. I just couldn't care less that when you mixed Sodium and Chloride that you got... table salt. Woo-hooo! Sorry to all the Chem Nuts out there, no offense, lol. It was anti-climactic for me, and I found myself drifting away from class so far that I stopped attending and ultimately flunked out.

Which taught me a great and very expensive lesson about responsibility and ownership, but hey - it did nothing to turn on the light bulb I needed to move forward. I moved sideways for a few years, expensively dabbling in courses here and there to try to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up... Electronics (since I was in a job assembling circuit boards and soldering), engineering (same job), medical transcription (working for a podiatrist at an early age), Business (seemed a great back-up at the time)... but never anything in the artistic field. Why did I not think of this earlier?

It's funny looking back at high school, I remember jealously looking at all the kids who were enrolled in the photography elective classes, the cooking classes at BOCES, the art classes. They were like an untouchable caste of kids that I would never belong to - their side of school seemed so adventurous and exciting, but it was not part of the Regents program, so I couldn't even try it (my mindset) - I had no room in my schedule. They looked like they were having fun, but I thought I was where I was supposed to be. I should have realized back then that it was passion teasing me - trying to let me know that I did belong in an artistic career, I just needed help to find out what I was good at, what I would love, what was actually out there.

Plus, I adored my English classes, but never once did I consider a career as a writer - even in college when I did well and loved every minute of the challenges. Why? Well, I think it's partly because the guidance counselors in school do not do a very good job of identifying, encouraging and matching passion with a possible career choice. They like their standard one-size-fits-all careers - nurse, doctor, fireman, librarian - and do not go beyond suggesting more specific real-world options to struggling kids. But also because I had this mindset that there was a separation between technical and artistic personalities that you could not cross unless you had the talent to do so. The talent that must have been there from birth and would have manifested itself by the completion of high school, honed into a usable career. What a silly girl I was!

My whole point to this long-winded essay is that Passion should be the red flag of an impending epiphany. When you find that passion, you may find out what it is that you were destined to be "when you grow up". You will certainly find out what could be a fulfilling hobby no matter what. I say "when you grow up" ironically as I found this whole photography thing out at the age of 31, not in high school - as much as I would have like to find out then, but it required a more mature shift in perception for me, that anything is available to you - not just what an obvious talent prescribes. Sometime you have to grow into that talent, sometimes you have to learn the technicals and polish your technique before your talent starts to shine through. But passion is where it all starts, the energy that drives you down the road - the something that says to you, "Hey! Wake Up! This is something you could be great at!".

I'll have more on this in another post, addressing passion vs personality and what may make a great hobby may not make a great career, but to save this one from getting monumentally long, suffice it to say that Passion is the key to opening up what is great within you. When you find it, it's worth expending the energy on the journey to follow it, to see if there is something amazing waiting for you on the road to self-discovery. No matter what, you will figure out one more piece of the puzzle of what moves you - and that can never be trivial information! :)

This gives me goosebumps in how much passion it stirs in me. :) My lovely little niece Ella and my experiments in increasing the f/stop with light flare. Now that's an example of an experiment I love to do! You Chem Nuts can keep your bunsen burners and petri dishes, lol. :)

Happy Birthday, Mima

2012-01-15T23:21:00.001-05:00

I thought I would devote the post today to the woman who gave birth to me... but who also made me late today, lol. :) Just kidding, Mima.

10 reasons I love my mom. ♥

10. She loves unconditionally - no matter what you do, or how bad you screw up, or how much you lean on her, you can always count on her love.

9. She loves animals too. Her outdoor cat population rivals mine! And she's always worried about them... like tonight, when it's freezing (almost 0F) again, she worries... and makes my Dad do something. :)

8. Her funky curtains. I grew up with her always experimenting with them - she'd bring them home from garage sales all the time, and mix and match them in ways I never thought possible. When you think they're ugly, she pairs them and somehow makes them pretty.

7. She acts likes a kid with the kids. She's one of those grandmas that the kids remember what they do with her, look forward to it and love being with their Mima.

6. She's proud of her family. She can always be heard singing the praises of someone she loves.

5. She supports everyone around her. Not just the people she loves... everyone! She goes out of her way to make sure people know they are doing a great job, she actively shows them the impact they are having.

4. She gardens like nobody's business. :) Everywhere she goes, gardens follow her. My parents moved a few years ago and took clippings of their old, amazing garden... and now it is there at their new house, with more to complement. Whatever she touches, flourishes. I think she may know Mother Nature personally or something.

3. She's a garage sale nut. And I mean a nut in the good way. I used to have the most fun going out with her every Saturday morning before I had the kids - she may have an inner GPS that has the coordinates plotted for all the garage sales in town, because she just always knows where they are.

2. She breathes in life. No matter how hard she works, she knows how to stop and enjoy herself. Especially at The River, our summer vacation spot.

1. She gives. And gives and gives and gives. She's a bottomless pit! No matter what - her time, her energy, her possessions sometimes (here, take this!), her money, her love, guidance, patience... the woman is always giving of herself. She is so good to us all, and is a constant reminder to me to give myself more to those around me.

This was taken at my very first "shoot". Thanks for being my first subject, Mom. :)

I love you, Mima! And I hope you know how much you are an inspiration to us all. ♥

Watermarks

2012-01-14T20:24:00.001-05:00

I've gotten a few questions and subtle inquiries as to why I watermark my images, so I thought I would address this today! Without freaking people out and not wanting them to ever allow an image online ever again, lol, I wanted to highlight the main reasons I do this.

One of the main benefits of the watermark is the obvious reason I do it - exposure! The pictures I put on Facebook, especially, have the potential to be shared and passed on, seen by many more people than I can reach on my page. And that's the reason I also ask that if you do use an image online - not just mine, any photographer's! - that you do not crop out the watermark (or lose the original tag in the picture). So many people will see your picture and not know who photographed it - keeping the link and brand helps tremendously with word of mouth advertising. :) A huge boost.

The more important reason I watermark is also exposure, but of a different kind. Image theft is actually quite a problem in this digital age. Because it is so easy to right-click on an image anywhere online and "Save As", pictures are stolen frequently... and it's a pretty lame thing to have to protect yourself against, but there it is. The photography community is actually a fantastic network of very caring people who watch each others' backs and build each other up... for the most part. There are others out there who want to cycle through the learning phase, the building up of their clientele, the word-of-mouth advertising - the building blocks of starting a business - faster than paying their dues will allow. And these people sometimes quicken their first stages up by stealing others' work and branding it as their own in a portfolio. Awful! I have seen it quite a few times even just in this past week - luckily the people they stole the images from are very well-known, so they had many people out there that recognized their work to let them know their images were being illegally used. I wouldn't have the benefit of that yet. :)

A sad fact, but it's another reason I watermark, and do it in hard to crop out places - that may end up making the image more distracting, but it's a balancing act.

Another image theft, more horrible, if you can image - are images taken to be used on porn/fetish sites. Crazy, but true - the image is taken, watermark removed and the subject of the picture taken out of context. Things added to make it their own, disturbing image. So, I watermark in a hard to clone out area, over multiple layers of background, to make it as time consuming and therefore, a most unprofitable theft. Some people use bars that go along the whole picture for yet another added layer. As for what may already be out there, I search Google Images every week to see if there are any obvious problems, and I am working on a way to disable right-clicks on my blog. Hopefully, those steps will help lessen the threat of an image theft - it makes me quite sick to think of people out there preying on others working hard to make a living.

Many people have said that the watermark takes away from the image, distracts and looks like shameless self-promotion. I say, you can never be too careful, and it's a bonus that people may find me that way. :) This was just an fyi post, since some were wondering. I hope this sheds some light!

An example of the opaque bar, and how much someone would have to clone out to use this image. A little more protection! I could have placed it better, more challenging, but honestly this was before I really knew and wasn't thinking along that vein yet!

Little Miss Avery

2012-01-13T10:33:00.001-05:00

A while back, my cousins Eric and Christine came to me, asking for help with a very special gift for a very special person. Eric's Mom, my Aunt Roey (officially my husband's aunt, but one of my very favorite people in this world, so I can claim her as mine!) became a first-time ecstatic grandmother this year to their gorgeous little Avery. ♥ Unfortunately, due to Uncle Chuck's job, they are in Florida, and her granddaughter is here! Eric and Christine wanted to get some good pictures for her, knowing she would absolutely love them and hoped it helped a little with the distance. I was pretty psyched because I love chances to make her feel happy and loved and this had the potential to do just that. :)

It was a cold day, but we tried to get a few outside and then came in to snap a few more. I think the cold and the wind was just too much for her little cheeks, and she wanted so badly to be done! I am finding that (and not just with babies!), sometimes you can be rewarded with patience and if you just give them a little time, wait them out, let them settle a bit, you might capture a few more that just may end up being your favorites in the end. And that's what happened here... she was such a trooper! I have many more to edit from this session, but here are the few I did get done before Christmas (with one added bonus I did this morning!) that they printed and framed, sending them down to Aunt Roey... and I am happy to report that she loves them all. :) Mission Accomplished, and thank you to Eric and Christine for the idea and chance to help make your Mom so happy. ♥ Little Avery is so beautiful, her eyes especially gorgeous. I love her healthy, chubby cheeks, her perfect lips and her sweet little happy smiles. Congratulations again, you guys - you certainly make beautiful babies, and you can tell how much you love her.

Step Over Uncomfortable

2012-01-12T12:22:00.002-05:00

I'm uncomfortable today. I feel... frumpy. Do you ever have days where you feel like you just don't belong in this world and that nothing you say is relevant?

As a photographer just starting out, there are days you think you have the right stuff, you may be a diamond in the rough, and that someday you will just knock things out of the park on a daily basis. Other days, you can take one look at a gorgeous session from someone you considered slightly above your level and they just knocked it out of the park... today. Whoa.

And then the next day you see another photographer whose personal life is just so social, hanging out at nightclubs, drinking Crystal and throwing money at everyone in the first of many nightclubs they will hit that night - while you sit at your computer, in your old farmhouse, in your pjs with 3 kids clamoring for attention and your teeth not brushed, it just hits you that you feel... old and frumpy and broke.

Do you ever have some days you just feel... not good enough?

Not that hanging out in a nightclub is my style or even my desire, but seeing that much flashy style and money thrown around so casually, and so much celebration in one night - it kinda makes you jealous that you can't even afford a regular Starbucks habit... heck, even a weekly Starbucks habit. :) And really, I am nowhere near that social - most of me likes being a hermit with occasional parties. But some tiny part of me that feels like I may have missed out on something, is intimidated by those pictures!

And the other split side of this post, the talent side - seeing so much perfection come out of one wedding shoot when every single shoot I do, I feel like I have something major screw up, something I am just not paying enough attention to! It's so hard to see that gorgeousness and not drop it all, walk away, hanging my head in defeat - and think that I will never be that good, especially today.

I apologize for the start of this post, complaining and grumbling is not usually my style, but today - I need to write it out, about focusing on becoming ok with being uncomfortable and recognizing that it is a growing exercise. Like the terror post of a few days ago, being uncomfortable can be a similar motivator, but it has the dangerous side effect of claiming more victims than terror. Terror is brief, intense and sharpening. Think of it as a lightening bolt that acts quickly and can leave you recharged! Being uncomfortable with yourself is slow and creeping, almost like a snare of vines creeping over you - and if you let it grow, before you realize what's happening, it is mortally draining and defeating.

I do think that it takes way more perseverance to step over being uncomfortable and keep trudging forward, keeping that confidence in yourself, not that you will be great someday, but that you are good today - that the product you are creating is something special and that the perfection will never ever come, only better, more refined and you, more confident. Though sometimes, I wish Starbucks sold shots of confidence to add into their chai lattes... :)

So, I am going to take a shower, brush my teeth, put on some make-up and make the kids lunch... and cherish the fact that my life is where I belong, what I chose and what I do truly desire. Keep moving forward, step over it... and the confidence will move with you, still there like it had been all along, hiding behind your fear.

Keep walking... and remember to step over and high!

Simple Happy Peace

2012-01-11T11:14:00.001-05:00

My motto. Every single day I tell myself this and try to live accordingly. Those three words are actually quite powerful in their austerity, they can change your life if you let them!

I took this picture of Cody a few years ago; it was just him and me, wandering around the springtime garden. After I got the pictures off my card and I edited this one, I just kept coming back to it. It was speaking to me! I kept trying to understand what it was telling me, and I started realizing, this is just how dogs are, what they are like all the time. It's them simply being.... peaceful, and happy. And I know it made me deeply happy just by looking at it. As a human, I knew I could do better by this life by listening and acting on that message - if only we could learn to take a deep breath and just be....

I owe much life learning to my dogs, but this three word mantra I believe, is the most important lesson imparted during our companionship here. Used separately or together, they can guide me through any situation life decides to throw at me. Used together, it's a feeling, a mentality - how else to describe it? - a simple, happy peace. It's the way dogs live their whole lives without even trying - they exude simple, happy peace! Live in the moment, trust everyone, go for it, rest when your tired, play hard when you're not - don't ever stop trying and never, ever be hard on yourself... Many different lessons layered in that one mantra.

Used separate:

Keep it Simple. From my work (find the simple message with the least visual clutter), to the decor around here (less clutter!), dinners (not too complex - less food, less dishes, less stress!), the relationships (no drama!) to the schedule (nothing unnecessary!). Keeping it simple is so much easier - on the eyes, the ears, the day, the emotions, the psyche, the stress level.

Be Happy. Always a choice. And it's much simpler to be happy, isn't it? It may not be the easiest path some days, but it is the simplest because you always know what to do and where to go.

Peace. Give it, let yourself experience it often, promote it.

Nothing earth-shattering, but it has become the path my life has taken and it has helped me tremendously. I imagine many times that it feels like I am choosing to go down a cool and clear stream, to follow the path of least resistance - and I know that my life will, pun intended, flow better for it.

It turns out that it's a good lesson to have been taught, since it has gotten me through so many decisions, hard times, daily struggles... I keep this print I made of that original picture, adding in the words it spoke to me, right on the kitchen counter. It stares me in the face constantly, challenging me always to Let Go. A many times daily reminder of the person I want to be - and ironically, it's to be more like my dogs. :) It's also a talisman for me, always knowing I have the answer if I just think along those terms. It's a nudge in the right direction, a guiding force through the most difficult decisions, and it has truly helped me.

This all may sound a little too Pollyanna, but it works for me. I am not always Simple, Happy or Peaceful, but when I consciously think this way, it brings my whole world back to center, and I remember what is important. So, my advice - get a mantra, anything! - put it on your fridge or your wall, your bathroom mirror or your nightstand. Frame it or scribble it out on a napkin. No matter what, have it challenging you somewhere important. Look at it at least daily, and make it something you want to strive for. But above all..... make it simple! :)

Why Terror Can Be A Good Thing

2012-01-10T15:40:00.003-05:00

Terror isn't something you wish on yourself, probably not on your worst enemy either - but I am here to say that we all need to experience a little more of it in our lives. There are two kinds of terror - for simplicity's sake, let's call them the good and the bad kinds. You know when you are super excited to do something, like ride a roller coaster, but scared out of your mind at the same time? The same can be said for doing anything you always wanted to do, but were afraid you would fail. This is the good kind of terror. And that's what we need more of!

Recently, I had the opportunity to be a second shooter for my friend's wedding. I think weddings are amazing. The details, the emotion, the love, the details.... did I say that already? So much there to capture, like a banquet for the eyes. I always said that I would love to be a wedding photographer but for a few things:

1. The schedule. Fridays! Saturdays! Sundays!

2. The super duper long days. I love the details, the prep, the ceremony - the reception? Not so much. As I guest, I feel this way too - I like the conversation of dinner, but once that is over, I peter out for the dancing and post-cake social hijinks. :)

3. Flash. I dislike the way I take flash photography. Not saying it can't be done well - I just know I don't do it well, and at weddings, flash is inevitable. :)

4. Equipment. My gear is high-level amateur, low-level pro. My camera body doesn't handle low-light very well and my only battery doesn't handle the long days very well either! These can be remedied in time.

5. So. much. pressure. You have one chance to capture all the mega-important once-in-a-lifetime shots. One chance for that kiss - no going back and saying "uh... could you do that one more time? I missed it!", the emotional hugs of a first look, the kiss of a father saying goodbye to her daughter and handing her over. Monumental stuff, people! And it's that kind of pressure, knowing that you need to be on your toes - and even if you have a plan and are all set to get it - Aunt Edna steps in your face to hit the bathroom right as they are kissing and you've blown it. Your super powers have to be "Highly Adaptable", "Invisible Girl" and if possible, add "able to fly" or "super speed".

6. I was terrified of it.

Notice I said "was"...

No matter how much the rest of that list still hampers me, I can now cross #6 off my list of reasons holding me back, and that makes me happy.

I have had many requests to do weddings, all of which I have turned down for these reasons. My friend Sara was getting married at the end of October and we were invited. I was doing their engagement photos and we were talking about her wedding photographer. This was going to be her first wedding and that stirred a "want to help" feeling in me. First, a desire to help out Sara - it can only help having another camera on the event, to make sure there is coverage. And, without meeting this new photographer, I wanted to make sure she had someone to lean on. Dealing with my own worries about doing a wedding, I think I had a gist of what she might be feeling and I decided to offer my help if she wanted me.

I left that day of the engagement shoot feeling somewhat sick - that "what did I do" feeling settling into the pit of my stomach. I decided to leave it to fate. I offered my help, she had the choice to take it or leave it and I would accept that choice as the Universe deciding for me too. Feeling better about letting go, I got the text a few days later and my nerves began humming. It was the "Holy Crap, what am I doing" thought again, but it was also that ultra-excited, "let's see what I can do with this" mentality layered right behind it. The good kind of terror!

Eventually, as the day got closer, I kept getting more and more nervous - but preparing for the day, practicing here and there, browsing wedding photographers' sites, getting the feel for the look I was going for, creating a mental list of the shots I would need to capture and the ones it would be nice to capture - helped. Preparation and practice are the keys to be mentally ready, and mentally ready means your training and intuition can take more of a lead role in whatever you are trying to accomplish. The terror of what I was about to do kept my visual memory, technical specs and adaptability strung tight and ready, like an arrow notched, and the day began.

The key to weddings, that I soon found out - is the ability to adapt to the many things that WILL go wrong that day. Will you miss things? Yep. Are you going to have to be ok with that? Yep. And knowing that now, it is ok. There are SO many things you are expected to capture, that it will happen. Like Aunt Edna walking in front of a key moment - and you will get your best shots on your ability to work around those catastrophes! There are many things I wish I could go back and change on how I handled the day, but besides being able to cross something off my bucket list, now that I am on this side of the day, I know more about what to expect. And for me, that was a large portion of the terror. :) Aside from also not knowing what the day would hold, I now know that I can do it, and that question loomed larger than anything else in my head, the self-doubt threatening to overtake most of my rational psyche.

There's also the added bonus of doing something that scares the pants off you, that when you get through it, you feel like you scaled a mountain. You learn things, you gain pride in yourself, you gain courage... you are always stronger in the end for it.

That's not to say things will always go well if you tackle that terrifying thing, but you will always be stronger and more ready for the next encounter. Part of the terror is the unknown... and just by doing the terrifying thing, you eliminate that variable right off the bat. Never again will it be unknown! And isn't the anticipation of not knowing what it will be like almost 75% of the terror?

As the bad kind of terror helps us to survive by playing the same role, the good kind keeps us razor sharp, focused keenly on the present. We can't live our whole lives like this because it is plainly exhausting, but it helps get us to the top, to succeed and pushes us to come out the other end with more than we could have imagined we could do. And when we are done, we can look back and say... I did that. I did that! And poof! Just like that, the unknown factor is irrelevant and will be gone forever.

Terror will always be there - and I hope it is at some smaller level, at any shoot. It is what keeps all the cogs and wheels of your mind lubricated and strung tight, working at top peak; it enables the clarity of focus to make sure you are trying to get what you planned to get and to tap dance around the eventualities with ingenuity and come out with something great. And most times, that something great you end up with is not the same something great you imagined, it is something better - outlined by the sharp edge of terror and filled in by your creative reaction to it, and that can never be a bad thing. So, I say - bring on the (good kind of) terror. We are all the better for it in the end!

Beautiful Sara. I never would have gotten this image, that I love, if I hadn't experienced the terror. :)

What Makes Me Tick

2012-01-09T11:21:00.000-05:00

Ok, let's do something more fun today! I think it's always neat to see what makes people tick - their likes, dislikes, dreams and fears - these basic components all work together to form their personality and those traits are (consciously or unconsciously) reflected in their work.

And it works with people who aren't in artistic careers too. Some people have technical jobs or service jobs and I think their personality determines how they approach their work day. My husband has a technical job (a programmer) and yes, his personality is most definitely suited to it, but the facets of his personality that make him really good at his job are not the technical ones - they're the intuitive parts. His motivations are often to make sure the person who uses what he makes is not only satisfied and efficient, but also that the end flow is the best that it can be. He tries to think of that end user and writes his code with them in mind. Of course, integrity is also a key part of doing a great job - if you don't care about the end user - whether you're a programmer or a nurse or a photographer - then no one will be satisfied with the result of a day's work!

Without getting too deep, I know that life experiences and stages play a part in your enthusiasm for your work as well, and that can change daily - but I think the main building blocks - the things that motivate you, scare the pants off you, move you or repel you - are the ones that we can always come back to as the reasons we eventually do what we do - work, play, rest - and how well we do them.

As another of my favorite photographers and inspirations, Jesh De Rox says, "The way you see the world is a self-portrait." Us photographers give back a visual of the way we see the world, which is different than most, but the way you do your work is your self-portrait too! I dunno, makes sense to me this morning. :)

Ok, so here's a random list of the little things that make me who I am, and hopefully you see a lot of this reflected in my pictures here and there:

I like to please people. I like to take care of them! Above all, I love to see them happy. And if I can be the reason or vehicle, I will do anything. After watching the American President (with Michael Douglas, love that movie!), I remember thinking I would be an awesome personal assistant to the President. No, no - don't want to be the President, I'd rather get your dry cleaning. :) (Unfortunately, this has also bred a need for approval in life, but hey)

We have triplets, in case you haven't read that yet. Two boys and a girl. Right now they are almost 5. It was a spontaneous, my-grandmother-was-a-triplet kind of shocker. Runs in the family and we were the lucky ones to receive that lightning bolt after 8 years of bolstering marriage, thankfully... If you want to read the story I wrote about finding out, it's here. :)

My other main passion is writing. I thought about pursuing a career in it for a while and then photography commandeered my life. (Hence the pen name on my writing blog above, Trinity Cole)

I love the author Dean Koontz. Which is weird, since I don't like the horror genre at. all. Something he does makes me believe in the human race... through a horror story. I wish I could sit him down and ask questions and listen to his stories for a night. What an awesome night of conversation!

My nickname is Bear. It's what my husband calls me - short for Cher-Bear, which is what my family calls me. A derivation of Cheer Bear, my favorite Care-Bear since birth. Or shortly after.

My name, Cheryle - has that extra "e" at the end, I was named after my mother's sister who was still-born.

I am a sci-fi geek through and through. Star Trek, Star Wars, Dune, Stargate (SG-1, Atlantis and Universe), Lost, Warehouse 13. Eureka, Battlestar Galactica (Frak!), Sanctuary, Heroes... I really could go on and on, but suffice to say - if it's on SyFy channel or has the word "Star" in it, I will probably watch it and love it.

I love animals. I considered careers as a dolphin trainer, a dog shelter owner, a zookeeper, a kennel in my house, a wildlife sanctuary owner. That should convey my level of crazy when it comes to animals.

I am addicted to Green Mountain Coffee's Island Coconut pods for my Keurig. I did not start drinking coffee until I was 34. I am 35. Weird?

I am currently reading Dean Koontz' latest, 77 Shadow Street and The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin.

I am a country girl at heart, but the city always calls to me. When I was younger, I considered living in NYC for 3 months just to get it out of my system. When I am there, I am invigorated beyond comprehension... But I adore my hermit country life and I know home is here.

I am an old-soul and proud of it. I love Billie Holiday, Sinatra, Ella - the fashions and hairstyles of the 40's - the cordiality of the 50's. I believe in integrity and hard work, the sweetness of anticipation, the pride in earning what you get. The simplicity of the less is more philosophy, with little waste. And the all for all mindset, no one is greater or more important than the other. We are all brothers in this life together.

I could never ever ever ever leave my family, and that is why we still live in dreary Buffalo, NY. Gloomy and cold most of the year, I still love how nice and considerate most people are to each other here. Oh, and there's the food.

Terrified of insects. Bees mostly, but anything insectile inspires fear in me. I've often thought that moving to a new, warmer climate would be nice, but the larger and ever-present bugs there always deter me from being happy about it - I think that could be considered a genuine fear. :) C'mon, I've seen those sci-fi movies! I know how big they can get down in the southern swamps - big enough to swallow a man whole! lol

I love movie soundtracks. Not the ones with song compilations, the ones with the gorgeous string scores. How to Train Your Dragon and Avatar rank at the top of my list right now.

I played the saxophone in my middle and high school band. The alto and the baritone. Hated it. I always wanted to play the violin, but it was a small school. I still may try someday... hmm.

Top Movies: This could get long....
Sweet ones: How To Train Your Dragon, Lion King
Action: (the new) Star Trek, Iron Man (any comic book ones are great and fun!), James Bond
Drama: Braveheart, Narnia, LOTR
Chick Flicks: You've Got Mail, 50 First Dates, French Kiss
Comedy: Super Troopers, Spaceballs, Goonies

I know how to solder at a military-grade level. It was my job at a defense company for almost 10 yrs.

I love to flower garden, a passion inherited from my mother. She has a neon green thumb, mine is more brownish green. I love the design of it more than anything, but it's so nice to have a place to go and putter and let your mind unravel for a bit.

In the summer, I love sunny and super hot days. In the winter, I prefer cozy cloudy days and snow on the ground. Seasons as they should be!

Being a mom has been the ultimate make-someone-happy gig, and I revel in seeing my kids giggle, smile or just shake their heads in amusement. I just love to see them happy. Teaching them is hard, but rewarding and satisfying beyond belief. I've got some pretty amazing memories of my childhood and it's a motivator to give them the same.

I strive to give more every day. I would love to spur a Pay-It-Forward movement someday, perhaps on Facebook, when things settle a bit. Most people want to give, they just need the motivation, incentive (sharing it with one another!) and opportunity. We are all inherently good, I believe it!

Things that make me feel alive: hiking, jogging, swimming in an Adirondack lake, wrestling with my kids.

I am a texture/sensory addict. Real or virtual. I can't walk through a store without touching things that look awesome - fur, silk, velour, prickly... all texture calls out to me. I think that's one of the reasons I like gardening so much, digging in the dirt with no gloves is intoxicating to me! And obviously, I like to use textures in my photos.

I like to create mosaic things. I'll cover anything with broken shards of glass, pottery, tiles - and grout them down to stay forever. It's a kind of Zen activity for me.

I don't watch sports of any kind or the News. We don't get even get a newspaper.

I can make a pretty darn good dutch apple pie. :)

My son has Cerebral Palsy. It's considered mild, but it's a central issue in our household. Lots of therapies, doctor appointments, stretching... and at times, worries for the future! Yet he is so resilient, stubborn and determined, so worries are probably irrelevant and just garden-variety Mom worries. :)

I have an obsession with dinosaurs, sharks, owls, waterfalls, mercury glass, pretty wrapping paper, asian decor, Anthropologie, Pinterest and looking at design blogs. (Young House Love, anybody?) Seriously, all you need to do is look at my Pinterest pages to see what makes me tick. Heck, I didn't need to write out this list!

Christmas goes on in our house until the tree dies. However long that may be. Anywhere from January 31st to April 10th (our record). Our mottos: why throw out a perfectly good tree? And... why not give yourselves more of the comfort, magic, coziness and nostalgia of Christmas to get you through the bleak, long Buffalo winters?

I'm highly emotional, philosophical and very sentimental - an explosive combination. I apologize to my husband daily. :)

Smells: Lavender, Rosemary, Basil
Food: Anything Italian, a good steak, grilled veggies
Sweets: Brownies. Always and Forever. Any kind, any time.
Biggest fear: Losing my family or Leaving too early
Places I'd love to go: Italy, Greece, New Zealand, Fiji, Ireland, Alaska, Maine, Washington (Olympic Nat'l Park) Anywhere naturally breathtaking, architecturally interesting, or where they have mesmerizingly blue water.
Ultimate place: Bora Bora

And last but not least... I love to talk. Huh. Shocker!

Phew! Now that I think you know everything there is about me, I think that's enough for one day. :)

Image? Yes, please! What makes my heart tick the fastest.

What makes your heart tick its fastest? What's your biggest fear?

Andrew ...Class of 2012...

2012-01-08T16:41:00.001-05:00

In January of last year, I got an email from Karina, a girl from my past - we went to high school together, and I haven't seen her since. Facebook had reconnected us, and she had come across my photos there. She had some very sweet words for my work... and she asked if I would be open to working with her in getting some Senior pictures done of her son, Andrew, sometime over the summer and I, of course - said yes! I really enjoy doing Senior pictures - it's a great time to really focus on getting a collection of images that showcase their personality at such a pivotal time in their lives - I think I said it to her when we first talked about it - something about the moodiness contrasting with the contained excitement at that age (and life stage) make for some really great pictures (especially after they get more comfortable!) - capturing the bridge between childhood and adulthood. So, I was super excited to 1. Meet and try to capture her son's personality and 2. Get to see her again after all these years!

A really cool thing I found out right before the session was that she was pregnant with her second child - and what a neat spectrum of ages in kids she would soon have! Hint: More on her second child soon... :) She looked radiant and Andrew was a joy to photograph - he's got the GQ model look, is so interesting with his myriad of hobbies, acts super cute with his mom and girlfriend and seemed like such a good kid with a sense of adventure and a great sense of humor - he was willing to do whatever I asked and I love that in clients! Combined, it all made for a super fun afternoon. He really made my job easy!

I headed over to Rochester and we landed in Highland Park at the Warner Castle - which turned out to be a pretty awesome location, especially for a Senior Guy! Lots of stone textures, wrought iron, concrete and greenery to balance it all out. Pretty much a dream for me! I processed these with a range of textures to enhance the masculine backdrops and add a little grunge. :) I love working with textures, so this was a fun post-processing procedure for me, even though it took longer than your average session.

^This one makes me laugh... about 15 minutes before this pic, he was talking about how he just really didn't like cats... and then this stray cat came out of nowhere. We laughed about it and it actually came right up to us, jumped up on the bench and just hung out for a few pictures - crazy, right? I had a hard time keeping the camera still because I was laughing so hard. :)

{Challenge Notes - weekends are tough! Hopefully the weekdays will help to get me back on track and posting earlier... thank you for sticking with me!}

What's In A Name

2012-01-08T00:34:00.000-05:00

So, yes. I am so totally late on this blog post for today - 3rd day in and I am already a screw-up! :) Posting at 12:34 has got to be good luck, though, right? Even though it's more than a half hour late, and I am exhausted from a fun day - reason for being late, so I guess that is a good thing - I will take it. I have a post, more serious and thoughtful that was about half-finished as of this morning, but the day tumbled into a serendipitous shopping/dinner/Playstation Move kinda night and even though I thought and stressed about this post many times throughout the night, I knew I would end up here sooner or later, and the fact that I am still doing it makes me a tiny kind of proud. Even though it's late.... really late. :)

So, instead of the more thought provoking goodness that I tried to get to today, I present you with my first filler post. lol Yep, I said it. You're about to read filler. :) Hyping this down, aren't I? Thank you for staying with me and even continuing to read... I love you all the more for it.... Laura. <3

Some people have no idea how the name of my business came to be - some faithful readers (Laura and Mom and Mom and Beth and MJ and Erin and Lisa) who have been with me from the beginning know what I started this journey out to be and some of the whys... but here's the story:

I love animals. Especially dogs. Especially my dogs. Our two dogs were our wedding presents to each other, so you know where we both stand on dogs and family right off the bat. Cody (The submissive and highly snuggable Golden Retriever) and Ruger (The aggressive and highly loveable German Shepherd) were our world for 8 years until the triplets came into our lives and we vowed never to be the family that forgot about them once kids came into the picture. Well, with 3 demanding babies at once, they certainly were overshadowed for a few years - not much extra ball playing or floor snuggling time. Oh, we tried - we did! - but we never felt like they were getting the full attention they deserved. I remember saying to them, just wait a few more months, buddy! We will all be a family again, one where everyone gets equal mommy/daddy face time - we're so much closer now! Any time now, and we'll be able to spend more time with you!

And then there was the day Ruger collapsed on us... and we lost him 4 days later. And after that, so "close" to our goal of being able to spend more time with them, all of us together, it was gone. Game over, plan shattered. We had Cody for another year and a half, and I am happy to say that he did get much more snuggle time, many nights reading together in bed (well, I did the reading, he did the spectacular sleeping and snuggling next to me), because I realized it could be any minute and he would be gone too. I cherished him, I can say that, definitively. No more waiting until the time was right. And we did lose him too, soon after that, both gone way before their time. They were both a huge influence in my life, they were akin to my first children - I felt like a mommy... and they taught me so many things. I owed them so much, but I knew I owed them enough to share their lessons with the world.

The thought for as to how I stumbled upon photography through them is part of what I was writing in my post today, so I won't get into it here... but I intended to write this post after that one, so some back story became necessary.

The basic part of that back story that is important today is that I originally started out intending to get into pet photography and only pet photography. I wanted to spend as much time with other dogs as I could, to bask in their simple, happy peace. So after I came up with that plan, and started to teach myself the technicals of a camera, I sat up groggily in bed one night, totally half asleep - zapped with the clear idea for a business name. It was like, delivered to me, handed over on a silver platter - and I think I may have an idea who may have delivered it. :) It was before we lost Cody, so only one recent doggy angel may have been the culprit - but I was dreaming about him, as I often still do, and it just felt like a message of some kind.

So, Fetching Prints Photography was born, the play on words for both dogs and photography too perfect to resist. I captured a few doggies, but before I knew it, I started photographing people for practice too - and I realized as a shocker, that I really, really liked it. I love being around dogs, and I connect with them so much better than humans - ask my sister which one of us never cried during Beaches, but sobbed during Benji, oh yes, that was me (blushing) - so it was totally surprising to me that I would love to photograph people as much, if not more than, dogs. Engagements soon became my swooning hobby - the emotion! And I still loved to photograph dogs, but the opportunity for practice on people was so much more prevalent that my new path was born.

I have often wondered if I should change the name for my business, to something more suited to the all-encompassing nature of what I am pursuing now - not just pets anymore! But every time I consider it, I remember my dream, my start, my inspiration... and it feels too right to let that reminder of why I began slip away. So, I keep it simple... and I go with my gut feeling... and always it says, "Stay."

My first sons, and my inspirations for all this - I miss them, and I think I always will...

I will see you tomorrow, bright and early, lesson learned!

The Roycroft Family

2012-01-06T10:31:00.001-05:00

There are people that come into your life that sometimes, just by looking at them, you know they are meant to stay there. I'm not sure what it is that speaks to us - but I know that God and the Universe try to send us messages about people, and hey, sometimes it's not so subtle - like they are trying to say, "Look, you guys just need to be friends, 'nuff said."

Enter the ultra-cute Roycroft Family. I remember meeting them a few years back when on a day trip out to the Maple Festival in the spring, and it was just for a moment. But in that moment, I knew that we were kindred souls, future friends or not. Never-mind the obvious that we have similar young families, it was more like I knew that us adults would just really get along. I attribute it to us being old-souls, but I think when we find other old souls, something just immediately clicks.

Then I get a chance to spend some time with them to take some family portraits - they were up for anything! And it was then that I knew the full extent of how awesome they really are - so real and warm and honest and fun! I had such a good time with them, following them around the yard trying to capture them being them - which was not hard, btw - no faking it here! The whole time was just a glorious swing of my camera from cuteness to loving to joyful to sweetness, all in some amazing light... although they probably felt that they were hard to photograph, and that is just what I love about them. They have no idea how uplifting it is to be around them! They have some pretty intense bonds and I thoroughly enjoyed trying to capture them.

They have been through so much in the last year - enough to break most families, but they have weathered it so gracefully and humbly and positively that it can only be a testament to their faith and their love for one another. I am constantly awed by their ability to take things in stride, to come out on the other end with their sense of humor intact and fully ready to take on another day, whatever comes. You guys are an inspiration to me - to take on whatever life throws at us with a smile and to keep on enjoying each other, no matter what. And I am looking forward to seeing what the Universe has in store for us. If I barely know you guys and I already adore you all, how great of a base is that? :) Looking forward to Round 2 this summer - oh, it will happen!

Challenge of Balance

2012-01-05T16:02:00.000-05:00

Life is all about balance, isn't it? As humans of this new technological age, I think the more time we save because of it, the more we look to fill it in.... and always end up doing more and more and more than we ever have - it never feels like we have enough time to just sit and relax, read a good book or spend time with the kids without that guilty pull in the back our our heads that says we need to be doing something else - laundry, dishes, phone calls, emails... etc - feel free to fill in your list here. ;) Point is, I am having a hard time with balance most days, not really doing the stuff I need to do, or more importantly - the important stuff, like just spending most of this fleeting few years with my impressionable and exquisitely squishy kids. And also my husband, who would probably not like it if I said he was squishy. :)

In a day, there are things that may be things we really could be doing less of that we don't really think of until we examine our day. The Internet is called the Great Time Sucker for good reason! Because I spend a lot of my time editing, I am at the computer most of the day, and between Facebook - where harmlessly checking in on a few people's day, or Pinterest, pinning a few visual lovelies here and there - or researching something new I've been meaning to get more into - all awesome things, but put together and you've lost a few hours, my friend. So guilty of this, almost every day!

I like to re-prioritize a few things in the shift of focus the new year brings, and Facebook and Pinterest are at the top of my current list of need to re-size addictions. :) And here I go trading things again, but I would like to get back to blogging again - mostly for my mother-in-law - lol - who doesn't have Facebook and never gets to see my new work, since only posting it there. But she does have a great point, in that there are many people out there that may only see me here - and I can be plenty more verbose in this arena than on FB, let me tell you.

And that may or may not be a good thing - the jury's still out.

So, inspired by one of my favorite photographers, Erin Oveis Brant, who has just recently completed a December 30-day blogging challenge (seriously, sister - December? You are one brave girl - and you did Awesome, btw.), I am going to try my own here. Maybe only my Mother-in-Law (I love you!) will read the posts that come out in the challenge, but hey - at least I will have stopped the seemingly harmless eternal wandering in the Great Time Sucker and actually do something that's on my list for a change. :) And maybe it will actually become a habit... a good one this time.

Thanks to my 4 year old, Braden, for this pic - I let them each have a chance to take a picture of Mommy... I love that it's his take, and it's his first picture with my camera - and I'll take it. :) My one resolution: To not be here in this spot as much this year, yet get further in this photography endeavor. Hmm. Another challenge!

Gearing Up

2011-09-15T12:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome back! As you can tell, I have updated the blog and now I feel like it's finally all coming together! I actually have a portfolio and proofing site, a connection to the Facebook page and all my places are starting to have a cohesive look... one might dare say, branding? Haha, ok, maybe not there yet, but I am very much liking the way it is gelling and that my whole online presence is kinda feeling a bit more legit. That's important to a fledgling business, I think. At least, it's important to my psyche, at least :)

If you have a moment, please click on a few links on the top tab bar, help me to know they are working and each page is looking alright alignment-wise... it would mean a great deal to me! Some details still need to be added and filled, like more into the portfolio, but it's a start in the right direction. And it feels really good! One place for all my links. Ahhhh. Forward progress!

As great as it feels to have a few checks off my huge list, I still have SO much work to get through - this is the first test of the "real world", as I have always called it. One bittersweet thing of note is that our triplets started preschool last week, so that time is now FP (Fetching Prints) time for me! Time to get 'er done and now that I have it all together... it is on... like donkey kong. :) Now that I have the blog back up and running, I will start posting my sessions and getting on with the business of this thing I call a dream! Thanks for hanging on with me - the ride has officially begun... keep your hands inside the car at all times... :)

As any post is better with a picture, here's one from a recent, sweet beach engagement session - coming soon! Now that the weather is getting colder, this picture makes me want to jump in and bask in that sunshine, warm my toes in the sand. Oh, summer I will miss you.

FYI: I will be posting my packages soon - fall is coming, a great time for portraits! And Seniors, some of you have just a few more weeks to get your images captured... :)

Last of the Stephanie

2010-11-13T12:26:00.000-05:00

Well, I have to say that this blogging thing is hard. Like, hard. :) I am having such a difficult time keeping it updated with all the new work I am doing because, well - I am doing all that new work! I have no idea how this gets done in the real world - maybe I'll hire an assistant! Yeah, that's it! They can post all my new work as I send it through - great idea! Now, to find one that will work for leftover Halloween candy, an occasional cup of coffee, the music of my screaming kids and the bonus of my company... Any takers? No? :)

Well, pushing onward - here's the round-out of Stephanie's maternity session. And after this, we move on to more of Mary Jane's head shots - a sampling of my favorites! After that, more of Stephanie and Chad's engagement session (who, btw, are GETTING MARRIED today!!! Congrats you guys!), then one of my favorite families - the G Fam, my cousin Tony's (sounds so MOB doesn't it?) Senior pics and then the reveal of more of Little M and the Buck Fam. So much to process, so much to put up!! Seriously, any takers yet?

I also have news about some unique Christmas gifts coming soon - I have decided to create a line of Fine Art prints from my photos to offer on my very own Etsy page - woohoo, exciting! - and they will be up very soon. Many vintage, rustic, natural and ethereal prints - if you are a texture-nature-rustic-beautiful light lover, you may just want to pick up a few for gifts or for yourself! I will post more on that soon - gotta finish them first! :)

Enjoy the last of Sweet Stephanie in all her loveliness! And if you are in the WNY area, enjoy this awesome weather. :)

Stephanie and Chad - Engaged Session Teaser ]

2010-10-14T23:15:00.002-04:00

What can I say? This is why I want to be in this business. To see friendships like Steph and Chad's and to be able to capture images like these with them. To be around people that are just, well, real and down-to-earth! Corny? Well, this couple is just.... ahhhh....so. flippin'. cute! I loved watching them be themselves, be comfortable with each other, but still be so excited to be together, like two past lives that keep meeting over and over, but now have the added benefit of experiencing those new relationship butterflies at the same time. The comfort AND the excitement. That was the paradox I witnessed the two days I got to hang out with these guys. They were so sweet and up for anything - which is honestly my favorite combination in people. :) I knew they loved lens flare... how awesome is that? I knew they loved nature and loved their little jack russel, Diesel. So, to put all that together - it was a dream shoot for me. Yep! Here's a little preview of the sweetness and the light and the love I got to be around this past weekend. I know you're jealous! :) Thanks again, guys - I can't wait to go through the rest!

Stephanie - Beautiful Baby Belly

2010-10-12T23:31:00.000-04:00

Maternity just sounds so... clinical to me this morning. So, I will go with the awesome alliteration in this title instead for today. Ah, fun grammar makes me dorkily happy. :) Here are a few more of the session with Stephanie a year or so ago. Sorry these took me so long to put up! I do all my editing on a parked laptop that my great husband bought for me a few birthdays ago (not knowing I'd be using it for this endeavor!) and space is at a premium after loading up a few tens of mega-sessions. So, I need to constantly move off the old to make space for the new - and I put them on a backup hard-drive. This session has been living there for the last 8 months or so, and getting to them proved to be an adventure. But, here they are now, most of my favorites. How about you? Have you got any after seeing some of them? Please leave me a comment with it and why, if you know! It helps me to know what kinds of angles and light and finishes people are liking these days. :) Thanks in advance!

One more post for Stephanie after this one, and then lots of new material to share! I have been a busy girl this fall - and will get even busier in the next few weeks - a new head shot opportunity, a senior session, family shoot, a "friends and family" shoot, which will hopefully include some toddler shots and a 9 month old to capture separately... whoa. I may need to get a more comfortable chair... :)

A Peek of Stephanie's Beautiful Belly

2010-09-29T14:24:00.000-04:00

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

2010-09-24T01:05:00.001-04:00

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

2010-09-14T12:57:00.000-04:00

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! :)

Goodbye For Now, Sweet Cody Bear

2010-06-24T13:33:00.013-04:00

Warning: this is a long post, a detailed one...and a very sad one.

(my cody bear)

To do two things at once is to do neither. -Shunryu Suzuki

Honestly, that's been my approach to life for the last year or so, but it has never been more true than recently.

Our sweet Cody Bear - who I can truly say has become my best friend over the years, has left us for now. And as hard as it was to say goodbye to our Ruger baby - this was immeasurably harder... because Cody and I had bonded even more through that recent awful loss (never thought that was possible!). The day we put Ruger to sleep, Cody had come with us and had slung his head over our sweet shepherd's back as the injection was administered, causing even the vet tech to crumble into sobs.That night, Cody slept in bed with us - something he never did, since there was no room for all of us to sleep comfortably in our own space - tucking his muzzle right under my chin for a perfect fit, snuggling into my neck and face and slept the whole night that way. A treat never repeated, I know he really needed us that night just as much as we needed him.

Since then, the bond has cemented further as Mike has been working so much and the kids have grown older and have been taking so much more of me as cranky/ energetic/ mouthy/ imaginative/ demonstrative 3 year olds! He has been my refuge, my rest from the day-to-day grind, usually at that day's end I looked forward to spending time with him - as comforting to me as a big bowl of homemade mac & cheese in winter, he would cuddle with me at night as I read a book, walked the yard with me on a beautiful day, followed me around the house as I did my chores, only settling if he knew I would be there for a while. He was there with me, always - a true companion. Never judging, always listening, always happy, always seeking affection and giving me tons in return.

I am a stay-at-home-mom...with very little socialization; I am here every.single.day. And him being here with me and the kids has been one of the biggest blessings of my life; I can honestly say that he was the one that made it all bearable, enjoyable actually. I am an animal person, through and through - many people close to me would say that I enjoy being with animals and relate better to them than I do people - and they would be right. :) Cody and I were a perfect fit as a dog and owner - I loved to dole out affection, and he loved to receive it. Yin/Yang if I ever saw it. :) Reading a book called "For Every Dog an Angel" (thanks, Lisa - again!) I have discovered that Cody could be termed my "Forever Dog" and that I was his "Forever Person". In essence, it's like we knew each other before, kinda like soul mates for dogs and their owners. If you get a chance to read it, it is very cute - and who knows what waits for us after we die? I would love to think that I will see everyone I have lost again someday - the idea of Heaven as portrayed in the movie "What Dreams May Come" with Robin Williams - the gorgeous painting-like scenery, in a beautiful house overlooking Lake Como in Italy and fields and hills of grassy meadows to run through with the dogs and picnicking with the people you have treasured and lost...certainly sounds like the perfect ideal to me. I miss him so much, that I do hope I get to see him again someday - otherwise loss of any kind would just seem too unbearable to get through. It's like a thread of hope to cling to - to be able to see your lost loved ones once again, to rejoice with no suffering or pain of any kind - or daily life to get in the way. Just pure time to spend when time no longer means a thing.

Anyway, that is a whole philosophical digression that I will not get into here, just simply say that I hope. And hope is what will get me through.

A few months ago, we started noticing an odd limp on his right side - it was right around the triplets' 3rd birthday party, so we watched carefully until the chaos was over and then took him in to our regular vet. I hadn't been back to this vet since we had received our devastating diagnosis for Ruger - then lost him 2 days later. Being in the same room - only for the diagnosis mind you, not even the euthanasia - It was enough to choke me up almost 2 years later. A few minutes later, our nonchalant and thus now former vet thought there were a few possible problems that could be causing his symptoms, one of which was a brain tumor. It was all I could do to stifle the angry scream I wanted to let out. I kept thinking that this was so unfair. To him and to us. Why now? Why this early?? But honestly...what is fair? Life is life, and it is what is is. You have to make the best of it while you have it - like we have all heard so many times. But, often you never really heed it until the end is staring you in the face.

I kept thinking that both dogs didn't get to live to a fair ripe old age - were both going to be taken away early - and that with the arrival of the triplets, they had both taken a back seat to our time and affection because we could not possibly give any more. We kept thinking, let's just get through these first few years and we can all be relaxed and happy, a family together! But, it was never meant to be. Just as we were able to give them more of ourselves, they both had to go. And that makes us feel so guilty that their last years were full of "Not now, babe" "We can play later, pup" "You have to get out of the way, pupster" - not the playing and loving and relaxing we dished out before the kids, what they deserved to get. I was happy to have been able to spend a small amount of that with Cody - I have fewer regrets with him because I was so painfully aware that time was short. But he was still taken away early, and that made me angry, sad and helpless.

I realize that dogs are our wonderful dogs because they do not hold on to this emotional baggage - they are present in their lives and deal with things as they come and let go as they go. They are not afraid to die, they have no regrets - they live and live and live, squeezing the good out of life and then when it is their time, they do not wish for more - they just go on to their next adventure. This is just simply how it has to be. It is me that has the anguish, and I know that I need to take more pointers from them. :)

So, lamenting will get me nowhere - but I do miss him every day. I miss his presence, like a hole in my life where he was and now he isn't. And that is hard. The places he used to lay on the floor or on his couch or my bed, looking ridiculously comfortable - the food bowl that no longer holds any food. The half empty food bin that none of our dogs will ever need anymore. Not having to take a dog out at night to pee for the first time in our married lives. Seeing them running through the woods with glee, seeing them do anything with glee - which was pretty much everything. Hearing the bark when I came home, the barely contained whine of excitement, the wagging tail of happiness, the inevitable sloppy kisses. The snoring while he slept next to me while I read in bed, the twitchy doggie dreams of far away chases and soft barks through his slumber. The slobber soaked tennis ball and frisbee that came back to us time and time again - a breed living up to his name. :) The kittens that we would swear were his own as he had to go check on them every time he went out, gently licking their fur and doting on them. The cute little chuffing noises he made and that sweet sigh of contentment whenever he got situated in his comfy spots. Ah, I know from experience that this will all get better, but for now I know that the only way to get through the grief is to plow right through, not avoid it. The fastest way through, yes - but the hardest.

We had Cody to help guide us through or grief last time - another dog to keep using the toys and food and treats - another dog that loved and knew and missed Ruger like we did. A buffer of sorts. But now, it is the end of an era for us - these two dogs were our first children - they were wedding presents to each other - Ruger to Mike and Cody to me. And with them both gone and no other dog to buffer us, it is a sorrowful time at our house and in our marriage.

I had a hard time accepting that his diagnosis was a brain tumor, so I pored the internet for information regarding the options of what he just might have. Yes, brain tumor was high on the list, but it seemed too cruel of God to dish this out after a swift Hemangiosarcoma (the top killer of all cancers) took our other boy in what seemed to us a matter of days. After a few x-rays and bloodwork to determine what might be wrong (both of which were clear and perfect), I decided that our vet was just not compassionate enough to continue the care of our family members (don't get me wrong - he was good, but not nearly caring enough for us). He stuck by the brain stem tumor diagnosis and unless we wanted to do a $3500 CT scan on his brain, we would never know for sure and he told us he could no longer help us unless we wanted a referral to a specialist. He was not eating at the time, and our vet gave him about 3 days to live if he did not eat. (Thanks! Any chance you might want to help me get him to eat?? Grrr.) With clear bloodwork and x-rays, I was not going to give up that easily!

We took him to a different, highly rated vet in the area - and I was so glad we did. I asked for a second opinion and the doc thought the diagnosis was still very probable but wanted to help me keep him eating and comfortable and try to get to the bottom of the puzzle. I felt like we were finally doing something for him. I was successfully getting him to eat by mixing some wet food with dry and all seemed well - his appetite was great! I was encouraged. The vet also thought it might be an abscess in the brain instead of a tumor, something that might be fixable with a strong antibiotic. We were willing to give it a try, of course...but unfortunately to no avail. He kept going downhill slowly but steadily - starting to veer to the left, like a car that needed an alignment... another symptom of a tumor rearing its ugly head. He was starting to walk into things and each new digression of symptoms made me bawl in the dark as I waited for him to do his business before bed each night. I was losing my baby little by little.

After the antibiotic round, he seemed to be getting better - his symptoms abated a bit, he started wanting to play again - we wondered if maybe the abscess diagnosis was accurate! He was running across the lawn again! And then a week later, we woke to him suffering an acute vomiting/diarrhea attack in the early morning...he could not seem to stop. I had to take him in for fluids and an anti-vomiting drug. It turns out the excitement over him eating his food was short lived as what I was feeding him was way too rich for his poor tummy. I did that to him. :(

A few days later, we woke again to a different problem - he did not want to get up at all - he was fine the night before and then he wasn't the next day - such a dramatic difference in him. Since it was a Sunday, we knew we would have to call and take him in for the last appointment in the morning. Unbelievably, the next day he was better.... We had no idea what was going on.

He seemed to have these occasional "episodes" - he had been having them from the beginning, and we though they might be tiny seizures. After this weird change in energy in 1 day, we found out that they were possible mini-strokes. Basically, the brain tumor was quickly building blood vessels that were unstable and the larger the tumor got, the larger the unstable vessels that were built. They would collapse and cause a CVA or basically a mini-stroke. He would suffer the attack and then recover. Apparently, dogs recover from this kind of brain bleed much more quickly than people do. So, he could have one, take a few hours to get better, be good for a while and then have another...cycle, cycle repeat. Some were worse than others and would take more time for healing - the one that morning must have been a doozy. But he recovered.

I was able to be there with him for some of the strokes, I would hold him in my arms until it passed and waited with him until he could stand up and move again, sometimes carrying him inside if they happened in the driveway or on the lawn. He was declared anemic from all the red blood cell loss, but he kept recovering. I started to imagine we might actually go through that emotional roller coaster for a few months. He was not suffering, as bad as this description makes it sound - when he recovered, he was almost as good as new. But, toward the end, they kept coming faster than he could heal from them - and his other symptoms got the best of him.

I kept thinking that if I gave him more energy in the form of better food - I could help him heal faster, stay ahead of the cycle and we could give him a few more weeks. It worked for a while - scouring the internet yet again, I found all the foods that give dogs energy, stop diarrhea, are extremely good for them as well as palatable, full of iron and the vitamins that help absorb iron. He never seemed to eat the same thing from meal to meal, he would become disinterested and not eat, so I had to change it up every meal. I discovered that boiled sweet potatoes are not only great at stopping diarrhea, but they also are very rich in protein (for energy!), iron (yay!), Vitamin A and Vitamin C - which are both needed for proper iron absorption. It seemed like the perfect food for him. But would he eat it? One of my biggest "regrets" is not realizing just how much he would relish the. sweet. potato. Holy Cow! If he was having a bad day and wanted nothing else, he would gobble up sweet potato like it was candy. Who knew? I fed him stonybrook yogurt, that had the specific probiotic needed to keep his stomach happy and broccoli (loved that too), certain bland and nutritious canned foods (Hills ID) and sometimes eggs or tuna, cottage cheese and egg noodles and beef liver. They were all great for him, but the only thing he would consistently eat were the potatoes. :)

Many of his meals had to be hand fed to him because one symptom of the strokes was something called tortocullis - which meant his body was curling in on itself - his muscles kind of stuck that way for a few hours. He literally could not straighten himself out to find the dish of food until his body healed again. So, I would sit on the floor with him and hand feed him until he wanted no more.

The last week, every time he would go out, he was starting lose his balance. The last day, he would fall right over, like a tree after you yelled "timber!" and hit the ground hard. I would have to walk him to where he needed to go and steady him next to my leg. It was so sad to see him physically go downhill when mentally all he wanted to do was play! I kept saying that he was a puppy stuck in a body that didn't work anymore - that was so hard to see the desire to move, while the ability was lost.

I was looking to see a decrease in his appetite as the sign that said "let go and stop fighting for me, mom"...but he had a very good appetite until the very end. Even the day we made the decision for him, I fed him a huge meal of all his favorite things - he gobbled them up quickly, licking his chops and then I fed him a big bowl of vanilla ice cream, his last meal. We sat on the floor together and I helped him get every last little bit. Looking back now, it was so hard and stressful to have to take that extra time to make his food, figure out what he might eat and sit with him, hand feed him... and then take him out down the stairs, like helping an old man - but I miss that time doting on him, I enjoyed literally nursing him through his illness, if that was the way it had to be. It was more bonding time for us and I consider that a final gift of time spent with him, concentrating on him and what could make him more comfortable. I will always be thankful for that last 2 months of time, truly quality time. And that is what makes the opening quote so true - he was my focus, I had to - no, I wanted to - concentrate on caring for him and make that my primary task. Making him comfortable. And that's why I fell off the face of the earth for some time - he deserved my full attention, and it makes me happy that I chose to do this - he deserved to be treated this way his whole life, but I was glad I got the chance to make him feel so important to me, to show him how much he meant to me - even if only so intense for a short time. Without complaint, I would have nursed him through however long he was granted to stay on this earth.

The time had come, and we said goodbye to him the same way we did to our Ruger, lovingly holding him in our arms on the floor at the vet, bawling over the impending loss of our last baby. Stroking his super soft fur and talking to him, and soothing his and our souls over what was to come. Telling him how much we loved him, how much we were going to miss him, to say hi to Ruger for us - that it was just "goodbye for now". Thanking him for being such a good boy always, for loving us, for being one of the best dogs and companions a family could ever wish for. We both talked of the flashes we were having about him as a puppy, frolicking and loving us in better times. It was hard and sad and beautiful all at the same time, holding his body as the last of his soul left his mortal body, heading for a different place. We stayed with him for a while, letting the true impact of his loss wash over us. We said goodbye one last time and waited for him to be prepared for us to take him home, to be laid next to Ruger in the garden.

We buried him with his frisbee that day, sobbing, remembering and already missing him so much. I have since planted a few perennial flowers over his grave - one a sunny "gold" colored perennial, Sundrops - the color, and the name both reminding me of him, how the sun loved his golden coat so. The other, an Obedient Plant, because he loved us so to be just that. A truly good, sweet and gentle dog, my baby...so full of life and goodness. I will miss him every single day of my life from this moment on... and I will just hope - hope that I am fortunate and good enough to be graced with his companionship again someday, just as I was fortunate enough to have known him here. Cody Bear, I love you so much. Thank you for making us all better people through your goodness and perpetual happiness - I hope you felt as loved as I did. xoxo, Mom.

Fetching Prints - In a Commercial!

2010-04-06T10:49:00.008-04:00

I just love typing that... and it's awesome that it's true!

Yep, it's official - some of my pictures have been used for a commercial! What a cool thing to experience, let me tell you. :) Sitting in an armchair, watching Jerry Springer (because I do that all the time...) and all of a sudden seeing pictures that I have taken... broadcasting on the television. A very, very cool feeling.

So, the details.... I have been on facebook for a little over a year now and have re-connected with many of my old high school friends. One of which is John Schu - who was the first chair awesomeness to my second chair awfulness in our high school band...did you know I played the alto sax? Yep, a little known and usually very well-hidden factoid from my past. I was t.e.r.r.i.b.l.e. :) and he always saved my out-of-tune playing (if you can call it that!) with his amazing skills. Thank you, John. :) Sorry I never practiced! lol

Anyway, he is now the Creative Services Producer for local TV stations WUTV/WNYO here in Buffalo. He makes commercials! Yay! And one day he contacted me about making a commercial for Treats Unleashed, a local natural pet food store and bakery in Amherst. They make their own nutritious treats and have a variety of natural food choices for your pets - as well as a boutique for those lovely non-food gifts and "necessities" for your favorite pets. :) I love all-natural, small-business places like this, devoted to animals! He asked if I would be willing to let him use some of my pictures for two 15-second spots to air locally. I think I said yes before he even finished asking! What a great idea!

So, they aired a few weeks ago, and I was thrilled to see them on TV - thank you to John for including me in this...well, one of my bucket list accomplishments. :) He did a fantastic job putting them together, so I feel honored to have been involved. If you are local, check out Treats Unleashed next time you need something healthy, delicious, nutritious, luxurious and just plain yummy for your best friend, your doggie daughter or your kitty son... it is an asset to our community to have such places to spoil our family pets. :)

One of the other cool things is that he was able to work in a picture of Ruger - our awesome German Shepherd "son", whom we lost a year and a half ago... and who inspired this whole journey of photography for me... and it was incredible and lovely to see him immortalized on screen. In fact, all of our "kids" made it into one of the commercials! Pretty darn cool. Again, thank you John for giving me a perma-smile these days. Look for a handsome, regal shepherd in one of these!

Here they are - and the pictures that inspired the making. Enjoy! Also, these videos are the collective copyright of Treats Unleashed, WNYO/WUTV and John Schu. :) Thanks for letting me share them!

Cody, actually taken with our point and shoot, back at the beginning!

Ruger, taken by Mike! Another cool fact - this was taken on the day we found out we were going to have a baby - back then, on that day - we hadn't found out about the triplets yet. :)

Jimmy, taken recently.

Cody, taken the same day as above - I am in love with his beautiful brown eyes....

Jinxie - back from her ambient light night shoot!

You've seen this one recently!

Dominic and Sadie!

More of Cody Bear:

And that's that! Enjoy this lovely and cozy rainy day - hopefully snuggling with your pets. :)

Sweet Sera

2010-04-02T00:05:00.000-04:00

I wanted to post about this sweet little pup I got a chance to meet last fall...before it's fall again.

This is Sera, the super adorable big sister to Casey, pups of my friend Stephanie and her husband Shyri who came out on that mizzzzerable day, way back in the fall. These doggies were both such a joy to photograph, and I loved seeing how different their personalities are. She is more the shy and sweet to Casey's high energy leadership. I love how they seem like a yin/yang kind of duo!

Her eyes are what got me the most, huge and brown and oh so expressive! Enjoy the seraphic Sera - and yes, it's actually a word believe it or not...I googled synonyms for sweet...since that is truly what this little girl is. :) And I came up with her name in one of them...cool, huh?

Another cool thing - Sera is famous! She appeared in one of those commercials I keep teasing and not posting...so she is technically famous, right?! Steph, I sure hope she's not going all diva/Mariah Carey-ish on you. :) Here's the diva herself, enjoy!

And I pinky swear that my very next post will be about... the commercial! Woohoo! Details soon. Nighty-night! :)

Spring... In Pictures

2010-03-25T12:12:00.000-04:00

You know it's spring when a certain number of things happen all at once to let you know that winter is finally coming to a close. 2 weeks ago, we had 2 FEET of snow...you could look out on the deck and not see the bottom layer of the lighted Christmas trees - heck, you almost couldn't see the second layer! And then one day...we saw the SUN. We asked, "what in God's name is that?!" It had been so long since we had seen it last. And then it happened again...and again! A week straight, and that snow was melting fast...

I walked outside one morning to let Cody out...and I heard birds. Whoa. And a lot of them - almost like our yard had been transformed into an aviary - so many different tweets and chirps and caws all fighting to be the loudest. I looked around in amazement and realized...spring was suddenly...here.

So, I did what any sane budding (get it?) photographer would do - I ran in to get my camera to document the sudden change in our climate... of course! Here's my morning out, before the kiddos woke up that day.

Here are all those important signs that spring is indeed here.... kind of like a visual documentation diary thingy.

The firewood pile is almost gone... :(

The windows are ready to be cleaned...

The yard debris has revealed itself from under the massive piles of snow...

The sky has been THIS blue for about a straight week now...impossible...

The buds are just peeking out....

This new sun and still barren tree combination make for really cool shadows on the soggy ground....

The MOSS is sprouting....!!!... yes, I have an obsession for moss (and also ferns fyi, in case you see the fiddle heads on here soon)...but I had no idea it sprouted this time of year and looked so. freaking. cool.

Just Awesome.

And then I saw this little patch of one of spring's loudest heralders...the snowdrops. These guys are usually peeking through the snow...but here they are, revealed in all their glory for all to see...and photograph.

I saw this patch above, but it was so visually cluttered with leaves and pine needles and such that I knew I had to crawl under this dangerous, prickly forsythia bush to lay down for a closer look on their level, to isolate them better.... I just had to. Ok, so maybe not dangerous, but certainly uncomfortable! lol

And I saw them in a whole different light from this angle....

And then, one of my favorites from the morning...the variegated grass seed heads, a leftover from last fall, highlighted in the sun - the difference in the two photos is interesting to note - how different a picture can be, just by moving your camera the tiniest bit...

Welcome Spring! I hope you decide to stay for a while and not let winter back in anymore - you are so beautiful. :) Happy Spring everyone! Hope you get a chance to see the little things today.

Aunt Erin

2010-03-23T13:01:00.000-04:00

You've seen her on here before! She is now a two-timer on Fetching, since she is one of the triplets' faaaavorite aunts. Aunt Erin is one of the people I am most thankful for in my life, and the kids just adore her.

And I think Alex just adores her even more than the boys do...which is a LOT. :)

So, back in the fall - during our mega-shoot - Erin asked if I would take pictures of her with the kids. I did, and it was actually sunny in the morning! Ha! The rest of the day turned out to be poo. But, I think I took about 85 pictures...do you think I could get ONE where the kids are all looking and smiling at me? Umm...ok, one. But we ended up with a few more cute ones - and this is the first time Erin is seeing them too! Sorry, Erin... :)

I do hope you know how much we love you...and couldn't do without you. :)

The one pic we did get! Erin's poor abs! :)

The funny outtake, all three doing their own thing, Erin trying to make it work!

A sweet eskimo kiss, adorable.

Alex in the leaves, with snot coming out of her nose...typical fall day.

And my absolute favorite...the triple hug.

Love you, Erin!!!

♥

Coming next - spring is here...some maternity pics and still some fall/winter favorites. Stay tuned! Oh, and I can't forget to tell you about all the commercial goodness. Have a happy day!

Hunter Scarecrow-Last But Not Least

2010-03-11T10:23:00.002-05:00

Last post of the so-cute-he's-almost-edible Scarecrow Hunter! More with his cute hat on, then I have to go feed the kids more breakfast - they are SO crabby today! Food fixes everything (let's hope...) :) There are a few duplicates here in different finishes - see if you can spot them! Too cute to pick, so they both go up... :)

A few different posts for a while (like, whoa, my pics in a COMMERCIAL!! Woot! Woot!... and some miscellaneous personal shots), then I will get back to a few cute shots of the whole family together. Enjoy your day everyone!

Hunter Scarecrow - Part 2

2010-03-09T23:30:00.001-05:00

Hat On! Well, there is one I forgot to add in yesterday...but too cute not to include, even if it doesn't categorically fit... :)

This costume was just too adorable, and combined with those killer blue eyes and sweet dimples... I must have taken 400 just of him as a scarecrow. Again, can you blame me? So, while it may seem that I am including every.single.shot of him, rest assured that these segments were very well edited - probably what took me the longest was deciding which ones to blog about! One more post after this one, and then we are on to the whole family, cute separate, but much cuter together. :) Enjoy this little scary scarecrow!

I loved the little details on his costume, especially by his little feet!

Again, more scarecrow-dimple-blue-eyed goodness tomorrow!

Scarecrow Hunter - Part 1

2010-03-08T14:44:00.001-05:00

Wow. It's just amazing how fast a month goes by around here! Things are just as crazy as ever - I am still trying to sort through all the old stuff - which the oldest is now officially a year ago tomorrow. Ugh!! With only a few minutes a day to edit, sort, etc... it's taking really long - and then I have added a few shoots into the mix as well. My sis-in-law's head shots, a few birthday parties, a few personal... it adds up. :) It's why I always say I am not going to take on any more until I am officially done with the backlog...but then I always do. I love to shoot, what can I say?! Someday I'll be done.... someday. :)

Here's the first part of Hunter the Scarecrow - first up, hat off - saving the best of the little cutie till tomorrow!

And then a teaser of him and his adorable hat...

More tomorrow....

Hunter and His Momma

2010-02-09T12:24:00.001-05:00

Momma? Mama? Either way you spell it, this is his Mommy! Meet Laura! My cousin Mike's very cool and beautiful match - a wonderful and loving mom whom I am very glad is good and gracious at taking care of them both. :) Just in my short time with them all, I could see just how much she loves Hunter, how much she dotes on him is truly a sweet thing to see. I wish more moms were this way.

She also made him an awesome scarecrow outfit for Halloween, and it was making me green with envy for her creativity and sewing skills! :) It turned out awesome, as you will see in the next post! I loved watching them just be them, falling into an easy and comfortable rhythm of mom and baby - the bond is obvious, tangible and so. cute.

Next up....Scarecrow Hunter!

Hunter and His Daddy

2010-02-02T18:44:00.002-05:00

Here we go! This post is the first in a 4-part series devoted to my cousin Mike - his wife, Laura and their super-duper cute son, Hunter. I took so many pictures that day that I ended up with many, many good ones - and with this guy...really, even the bad ones were good ones because he is just.so.adorable. So, I will have to do a series of posts just to give you the gist of the day - otherwise, you will be on cute overload for the rest of the week. :)

First up in the series... Hunter with his Daddy. I love seeing these two together! I know I mentioned it before, but Mike grew up very close with my sister and I - even though he is 10(?) years younger than me, we spent so much time together that he really felt like a brother to us. We were annoyed by him, loved on him, played with him and occasionally kicked him *gently* into the wall. :) He had so much energy that he kinda liked it! lol Let's just say we made a game out of it to drain that excess energy. He kept coming back for more! :) haha! Good times.

All kidding aside, we love him like a brother, and now I am really proud of the man he has become...and I really miss him now that he lives in Florida with his family. I had no idea just how much I missed him until after they packed up in the van and left this shoot - and I was left with a longing that could only be described as homesickness. When life separates you geographically, your mind sometimes soothes that gap automatically by making you feel alright with it - but the moment he left, I really wished we all lived closer - I can only imagine what his parents are feeling!

Anyway, since he is like my little brother, I feel such pride seeing him with his first born son - seeing how gentle and sweet and loving he is with Hunter makes me very, very happy.

Here is my attempt at documenting just how cute they are together. :) I noticed today that my favorites in this series are mostly black and whites - I think they do a better job at isolating and freezing the emotion between them.

playing with a vintage, textured look:

love this.

Yep, I snuck a duplicate in here - did you notice? I really like how intimate and cozy this finish is, how it made the picture so different than the vibrantly colored one. What do you think? Which one strikes your fancy more? :)

Stay tuned...next in the series: Hunter and his Momma! ♥

Casey

2010-01-28T12:00:00.002-05:00

I am trying to catch up on the backlog I have created for myself (21 posts! Geesh!), little by little. :) I seriously have sessions from way back from last spring I still have yet to finish... See, one of the things I have learned along the way is that if you take 800 pictures, it takes a HECK of a long time to go through each one...and then, if you do get many different good ones, you want to work on and send each and every one...which may end up turning out to be around 400 pictures (time to edit: x's 5 or 10-20 or sometimes even 30 minutes... a piece)...for each session. Yikes. It's called the "spray and pray" method of photography, and its one an amateur uses...so it's something I need to remedy! Look around and compose more, take less. :)

I can see how Mike gets mad at me when I come home and he asks how many pictures I took...and I just shrug and casually say..."500". The time it takes as well as the space they take up (about 18M per picture)! My computer is f.u.l.l. Honestly. I have about 1G left...no space for anything new. Since I don't really want to delete originals of potentially good pictures, or ones I may need to "harvest" faces from to make a similar picture with that one person not smiling perfect... :) Wow, does that sound horror movie-esque, or what?! :) Mike gave me a new external hard drive for Christmas...so when I am done with the backlog, I can store everything neatly categorized and still have space for the new. Ahhhh. That sounds so relaxing!

So...I am attempting to use the very sporadic/random free time I get to work on getting the done...really done. :) To make it the most productive, I am letting my feelings take reign (I guess that's how I roll). I seem to work better on things when I actually want to work on them...and believe it or not - there are some times I actually want to fold my laundry. It's kinda peaceful. :)

Anyway, to get to this post, I sat down one day and decided that I wanted to work on Casey's pictures. :) Such a beautiful boy - a gorgeous, well-behaved, spunky and happy black pit bull with deep brown eyes...all in the yellow fall leaves...*sigh* Yep, I was in heaven! A few months back, I put out a casting call to all my facebook friends for a day-long modeling shoot. I wanted to practice a LOT of learned skills, so in order to not tire out the models, I asked for a bunch of different shooting situation volunteers to fill up the afternoon...my intent was to keep on shooting different subjects and because I can shoot beautiful things all day - honestly, it's much more tiring for the models to keep posing and smiling - it actually takes quite a bit out of you - I wanted to give people/pets some time in front of the camera and get some pics while I got a bunch of new experiences and new material to work with.

Well, it turned out to be a super crappy day, weather-wise - very cold and dark. Bad timing! :) Even though, I had a few awesome models come and stay, walking around the yard on a cold, damp and drizzly day in good spirits. The foliage was beautiful...and it was really one of the last days it was all up on the trees...but dang, the weather stunk. :)

One of my peeps that came out to see me and help me out was my friend Steph... from high school! Way back then! :) We recently reconnected on facebook and it was so great to meet her husband, Shyri and her pup kids, Casey and Sera. She hasn't changed a bit, and what a beautiful family! I love that we got to hang out, catch up a bit and I got a chance to photograph her super sweet and did I mention - adorable - doggies. They were both extremely well-behaved and that's a very good thing for me, photographing them in low light. The more still, the better! :) Thank you again you guys for hanging out in the stinky weather! I'm hoping to get another chance with them before the snow melts...

Here is just one of her gentle babies, the lovely cutie pie pit bull, Casey... His sister Sera will get her chance on another post!

Plus, this gives me a chance to get back to my roots here...I started photographing animals - dogs and cats - and found out in the last year that I love to photograph people too! I am unsure where the business is headed, but I WILL for sure, include dogs, cats and horses as a main part of my focus...but I would also like to share that time with my human friends as well! I think I will narrow my focus as time will tell (maybe just kids, couples and animals?! Not all together, of course! Unless the perfect opportunity presents itself... :)). But this gave me a nice circle back to where it all began - I really do love taking pictures of dogs - and this was a very helpful practice session in low light. Thanks, Steph and Shyri! :)

Please excuse some posted in black and white AND color...some were just so dynamic both ways, I couldn't decide...

See what I mean?

The adorable parts...make up the whole cute Casey!

My favorite of the whole day - it was hard to pick, he is so dang cute!

Casey Sneak Peek and Some Tired Ramblings

2010-01-26T23:29:00.001-05:00

Well, I have been in the middle of posting something for about.... 2 weeks now. :) The blog post is open, and halfway done, but not yet - my ever so patient readers! I do apologize, but this is teaching me something about myself here and my new path. Something that this perfectionist is having a hard time absorbing!

I have been busy being "the preschool teacher" lately (which I love), so I am playing and teaching and setting up organized projects and learning opportunities...but that means my chores go completely undone until naptime...and bedtime. :( I have been cleaning and laundering and scrubbing and stacking firewood and scraping playdoh out of the carpet and cleaning up cat puke (yes, I said it), cutting up bits and pieces of food, optimizing the house for learning and sanity saving (mine) and cooking dinner and breaking up fights and giving time outs and stopping what I am doing to explain consequences of actions...all of which makes everything take so.darn.long.(er). Anyway, I'm not trying to whine or complain...just simply explain where I am all day, and why I haven't returned an email or phone call or posted a new post. :(

This is what I meant about learning my new path...some things, I just have to be ok with letting go of. And that's really hard for me. Like letting the laundry sit for another day or not taking a shower (for a few days...shhh!), but also not trying to squeeze in a post before bed...but when I do have the time, I can. I have to be ok with that time in between posts and just move on like it never happened! And being ok with it means not getting stressed that it's not "getting done". Just do it when I get to do it and love every minute of my "relaxing hobby". If posting is on my to-do-list, I will never, ever be able to relax and enjoy it - and that means I might have to stop altogether! And that thought makes me sad (though I could never do that - it is part of me now, and I need me to stay, even if it's a minuscule part right now)....so this is a much more amicable path for me at the moment!! lol

Unfortunately, that stinks for the readers I may have left (hi, Mom!), but, alas is the sporadic nature of motherhood. ;) So, I decided today to tease more often - to fill in and give you guys something to look at in the in-betweens and give me some padding time to finish the rest. They are all edited by this point, but I have to resize and add the logo, since there are crazy photo stealers out there that apparently do some pretty weird and disturbing things with others' photos. Don't ask.... I didn't. :)

Anyway, I hope this post made sense...(yet another reason I don't like to type when I am tired, haha! It comes out all drama-filled and crazy-woman-esque!)

Enjoy Mr. Casey! His shoot will be up the moment it is finished...cross my heart. :) (have you seen the movie "Up"? So, so cute)

The Raspberry

2010-01-13T18:38:00.005-05:00

Texture is a very trendy thing to add to a photograph nowadays. I do know it is a very controversial tool in the photographer's bag of tricks! Some use it well, some overdo it, others think it is absolutely unnecessary. And everyone out there has a different opinion!

Me, I just like to play around with it! I love that it can take any picture and give it a completely different feel, depending on what you choose, if anything...and you can use several on one picture. It's an art form, and one I enjoy seeing others display and one I really enjoy working with. You can take up-close pictures of trees, concrete, the clouds, your hair, wood grain, basket weave, water, paper...do I need to go on? Everything around you has some kind of texture - so it's neat to overlay any kind of texture picture over an existing picture in Photoshop to see what happens. Plus, there are tons of free high resolution pictures on the internet from people all over the world that have offered them up for free use. Cool, huh?

I can see how some people don't like it at all...and I shied away from using more of it in the past based on some opinions...but since this is a learning journey, fun...and a picture of my kid...I figured I couldn't go wrong! :) I especially love what it can do to a mediocre picture, even though sometimes it can be way overdone.

This picture is of Cole....and Spaceballs lovers unite...he's giving me the raspberry. :) (I HATE raspberry!) hahaha, I just love that movie. :)

Here is the original picture...one I was practicing on him with the flash - it came out a little too bright, - it's still cute, but I thought I would play with it - and I think the added overlay texture (a high resolution picture of a blue leather couch, by the way!) gives the picture such an old-time kind of Polaroid feel - I'm liking how different it is from the original. But they will both go in his baby book for sure!

Tell me what you think! Love it or hate it, why? I would love to know your feelings on what it does to you. Texture is so controversial! Of course, I wouldn't do every picture like this, and most not even this obvious, but some just call out for...something to highlight the focus of each picture. Discuss!

Capturing Light

2010-01-10T22:26:00.005-05:00

About the light I have mentioned trying to capture in pictures....

Here are a few I just recently edited of some taken in the fall of my kids...of course Alex is in most of them again.... :)

I love making the light into something you can see, almost something tangible in photos....I hope this demonstrates what I mean. Any season you can do this! On almost any day - even on bright cloudy days, the light is still there - it may not be shining into your lens for some beautiful flare, but it can still be harnessed in the reflections and bounced glow it gives off many things...

This one highlighted and came through the beautiful tree at Grandma and Papa's house - leaving a nice lens flare at the bottom in its trail. I have this one hanging up on my wall in the living room. She just glows!

Same here, but a different and cute closeup...

My Braden - I am loving the way the light just wraps around him and bounces off me to highlight the blue in his eye...

And then Cole, throwing sticks and stones into the creek, having a ball with Grandma - he is just glowing from head to toe in the late afternoon sun...

Light is everywhere! Even when it's cloudy or you are in the shade, you can still bounce it off things and capture it that way - this one was bouncing off the picnic table my girl was sitting on from the opposite side of me.

Next time you take a picture, instead of shying away from the sun, try aiming your camera at it and see what you get! Happy Capturing!

Sunset, Sunrise

2010-01-08T17:45:00.004-05:00

The new year is always bittersweet for me, one that gives me simultaneous hopes and regrets, a push to the future and a wistful look back at yet another year gone.

Thus my dilemma.

I have come to a crossroads in my life journey - one that will be displayed here as photography is one of those very roads. What to do? What to do? Soul-searching has been a constant "state of mind" for me lately.

I have stumbled upon this photography part of my life, just as I had onto motherhood - pure, sheer luck or.... fate - as one would have it. The triplets were certainly a surprise and an instant dive into the dirty deep end of parenting! Mike and I have fumbled and struggled (we still are!) but realize that this is our only chance at creating a life for the only children we will have (if we can control that one - the last time I said that, God laughed at me.... and then threw three kids into my uterus).

We want it to be the best it can be for them, an amazing childhood, a loving home, fond memories for the start of their story. I want to teach them the world, not have someone else do it for me! I want to be an integral part of that, for me and for them. I realize that home schooling their entire curriculum through high school would be a disservice to them, since I am not a certified teacher and they deserve to be social with others than just their frumpy old mom. But, I think...no, I know, that I want to home school their preschool years - I want to be the one that opens their little eyes and minds to the world outside our door - to learning the basics and beyond - together. Here. With me. While I can get it!

I have often thought I would make a good teacher of early elementary kids...now I know I can be a good teacher of my own kids for this time. That is why I was given the ability to interact with young children well, but why I never chose to use it as a career? I can see why God has given me this ability, and I plan to use it full force on my children...God help them. :)

But, I can also see my limitations will begin just as kindergarten starts, so I will take these next two years to mold my kids into learning, loving readers and artists and mathematicians (right) who will want to soak up all there is to learn about the world, about people, about themselves - about what the world could do for them and what they can do for the world someday. I want to guide and shape their senses in a way that they keep them open and know that learning never ends, that there is always more than one perspective and that humility is the key to making the world a better place. All that and more!

My kids are my world right now, and I need to focus on that world for the next two years with the most ferocity that I can muster. It is all I will get and I intend to make the most of it.

That's where the crossroads comes in....

A year and half ago, when we lost our German Shepherd Ruger, my first baby (truly), one morning I woke up, almost with a start, seemingly with a message delivered through the mourning of his loss, from him (or Him), or both - that my purpose other than being a good wife, mother and family member was to make a passionate career out of photographing animals just like him. To spend time with the people that loved those animals as much as I loved Ruger - to make the most of the time I had on this Earth mean something, and that meant capturing the spirit and love and connection of these people and their beloved pets. It was so clear! I loved to take pictures, to see the extraordinary in the ordinary and I loved animals so much I had been constantly searching for a career immersing myself in their presences. That morning was incredible - finding out in an instant what you were meant to do is humbling to say the least.

Exhilarated, I realized I had a lot of work ahead of me. I still had to learn how to take those pictures. Technically, I had never used a complicated camera - and logistically - I didn't HAVE a complicated camera. But I knew that I could do it, if I set my mind to it. Somehow.

The triplets were about a year and a half old at the time, I was a full-time stay at home momma, and so we were shy one half of our income, and running at 3 times our normal (pre-kid) expenses. Hmm.... Luckily, my mother had a complicated camera she was willing to let me borrow (hijack) for a very long time...and I devoted all my free time to scouring the internet for resources, how-tos, inspirations...and then applying them to the awesome said camera. It took a lot of time to master the basics, but I think I did - always learning, though! Throughout the year, I had a few willing (shy!) participants step in front of the camera for me to practice and that practice was invaluable - since I realized that part of the reason I loved to photograph was to photograph people as well...

I realized I loved to photograph emotion. Emotion is so awesome to see and even more wonderful for others to see it in a photograph I took. It makes me smile and giggle with glee and sometimes even cry every time I know I have captured the essence of a person, of a relationship, of an animal - and to give that to someone is my best reward.

I also learned that I love light.

Light to me is a presence in a photograph. I love capturing the sun/other lights in ways that make the picture take on a new dimension. It enhances, it helps characterize, it stands on its own - it warms, it sparkles, it glows, it twinkles...so many different qualities to impart. But it is a presence to me! It may seem silly or New Age-y, but I like to think that when I capture light in a photograph of someone, that it is the spirit of Ruger, letting me know he is there, and that he approves of my new venture. That he is there is all I need to know, and another reason for me to never stop including it.

Emotion and Light! That about sums it up. I have learned a lot in the last year - and even though I had hoped to have a standing, functional business by now (it was a goal for me last year), I am glad about the way things are shaping up. I need to learn more before I am comfortable charging money for what I do - I am solid and firm about this, regardless of what my wonderful supporters are telling me (I love you guys).

And now that I know I am solid in my desire to home school preschool for the next two years, I am at a crossroads between family and business - isn't it always the way?! :)

I know that I want to do both now, but now is the time to teach my kids - and in two years that time will be over. The photography will still be there, conveniently at the time I would need to go out and get my day-job back. :) Sweet.

So, the plan - after much soul searching - is to continue on this path - of technique and form learning and continually searching out my "style", of becoming more comfortable with the idea of calling myself a photographer. Of photographing "Ruger's light" in the most beautiful way possible... But also of learning about what I love to capture and trying to give people that gift, if only I can.

Teach my kids and be the best momma ever...first. Then photography world...look out!

So, to the title of my post: the opposite of the supremely depressing song I hear at every funeral... I took these pictures in the late summer across the street in a beautiful field watching the deer go by, sitting on the quad, sucking up the warm late summer air....I am such a country bumpkin...and I LOVE it. These are my faves, symbolic and serene.

I want this end to 2009 to be a beautiful sunset followed by a glorious sunrise of 2010. Both years equally great and the light from both to be my guiding force. Thanks again, Ruger - I miss you, babe.

Just a note: I have really thought about this, and since I have so much I want to concentrate on to make myself whole and ready in/for the next few years, I will not be taking on any new shoots this year. I have some learning opportunities already set up and so much to do - so if you are looking for a pet photographer or a portrait photographer, I can recommend a few whom I really love in the area! Hopefully next year, I will have the time available to make myself available - and that will really be great. :)

Please feel free to leave comments on my learning selections over the year, in fact, I would be honored to hear your voice! I will still be posting as I learn, and I still have a backlog of sessions done in the fall, so I will be here - I hope you keep along with me on the journey!

Thankful

2009-11-26T12:25:00.004-05:00

Yes, this post is titled "Thankful" and it's all about my sister and her family... :)

Happy Thanksgiving to all, hope you have a wonderful day surrounded by loving family that you love just as much. I love this day because we can eat so much amazing food (made by my in-laws and I am NOT sucking up here - it truly is unbelievable), but also because you can slow down and really think about what makes your life so amazing, big or small, what you are truly grateful for experiencing. Yes, family is probably at the top of that list, and here there are no exceptions. I am so incredibly thankful that I am able to go upstairs every morning, usually in no rush, and enjoy my babies. Get them dressed, sing to them (with them now!) and be goofy with them all day, relishing in their learning and seeing new things through their new eyes. And then to see them all be so happy when Daddy comes home, they love him so much and it shows in their beaming smiles and sweet choruses of "Daddy, Daddy!" We are truly blessed and life is good.

I am thankful for all of my family, and today - here - I get to focus on my sister. Because without her, I wouldn't have even gotten this far in my photographic journey. She has been the one reaffirming that I might be good at this some day, constantly egging me on, to go for it, to help critique and mold the way I look at things through the camera, that I am where I am meant to be. Constant, gentle guidance - So, for her sweet and much needed steering, I am thankful. She is truly a sister - my sister. And that is just one reason I am thankful for her..... :) Love you, Beth.

Here are a bunch from her family's shoot in the orchard a few weeks ago - I have more to go - so, consider this Part I. :)

My favorites in the family pic series...

I giggle when I see this one because it makes me so happy!

Have a fantastic and yummy Turkey Day!

Jordan, Senior Portraits in The Yard

2009-11-14T16:42:00.005-05:00

Well, finally..... here are my favorites from my cousin Jordan's Senior Portraits that were shot here in my yard. Again, she was super cool to work with, always smiling! Plus, I had the added bonus of Aunt Jeanne as an assistant for both me and her... holding reflectors, suggesting poses, making her laugh! It was a blast with you both, and thanks again for the cool opportunity to practice in this genre. :) You made my first foray pretty dang easy.

As a technical note, after I uploaded this (which took forever!) I realized that I probably need to sharpen my images before making a slide show...something must happen in the conversion that fuzzes them up a bit...so I will apply that little gem to the next shoot spotlight....which is..... Mike, Laura and their super cute babe, Hunter! Mike happens to be Jordan's sister and so also my cousin - though he happens to have grown up so close with my sister and I, which made him feel like our baby brother.... :)

For now, enjoy the beautiful Jordan!

Jordan's Senior Photo Shoot from cheryle ertel on Vimeo.

Beautiful Magic

2009-11-12T13:42:00.004-05:00

I know today is Jordan's day, and I will post her shoot later this evening, but I just had an inspiration for this collage and after I made it, I liked it so much I wanted to share....

Little Em, such beautiful magic...all little girls are just that, and I felt that this showcases her and all little girls' magic, the magic so beautiful, that fleeting innocence and sweet angelic nature that we only get to keep a part of into adulthood. This is what it's all about to have a sweet little daughter, folks...that lovely, beautiful magic, that only they can use on us. :) And we are powerless to resist.

Teaser Bonanza

2009-11-09T23:58:00.010-05:00

Yes, I have been up to a lot around here! So many awesome opportunities to capture emotions and special milestones in lives - something I will always be grateful for. I needed and still need the practice! :)

Here are a bunch of teasers for the sessions I have been doing, many are still waiting on my computer patiently to be processed, but here are a few teasers... I will try to post the ones that are actually done over the course of the next week...keep checking back - if you are still with me, thank you! :)

Kristie and Al's 2-part Engagement Session Extravaganza! :)

A Ring Shot!

My Sister's Family in the Orchard!

More of Little E and her Family!

Little Hunter and his Family (My cousin)!

Stephanie the gorgeous Preggo! (Whose little baby boy Benny has already been born!!)

I love the shadow of the daisy on the spot of sunlight strategically placed over the baby bump - thanks, God. :)

And more of my Cousin Jordan's Senior Shoot!

And many more to come of little things here and there and everywhere.... New sessions I have yet to get to...and my kids...and a walk in the field across the street... I do like taking them, and they get taken a heck of a lot faster than they get processed, so I have created one heck of a backlog for myself... :) But, I am awesomely and blessedly busy...and that is a very. good. thing.

First up..... Spotlight on Jordan's Senior Shoot. Hopefully tomorrow!!! (Which probably means the day after... ;) )

Holy Crow!

2009-11-07T10:08:00.002-05:00

I had no idea that it has almost been a MONTH since my last post....

I have been so incredibly busy working shoots, post-processing them and being a full time mommy that I hardly noticed the passage of so much time...

Thanks to all for being so patient! "Clients", readers, whoever you are and why you are here, you deserve a teaser! So, I will try to do just that tonight after the day's end... Teasers from all my latest projects and some insight to what I am loving about what I am learning - about photography, about myself, lots of learning.... :) Stay tuned!

Here are three, just for making the journey - and check back tonight for more! Happy Day!

Little E, a beautiful tiny little dancer.... so sweet. :)