the light box

the look

The day before I went out of town last week, I had an amzing session with "K" and "S." It was a last minute add-on because mom wanted to have the session at their new homesite before the walls went up! The girls walked the timber beams, hung from the rafters, made graffitti on the concrete retaining walls, and tested my balance along the way. Then "K" found my cell phone....and proceeded to read all of my text messages.

a quick one of "S"...I don't want her to feel left out.

more from their session soon.

a quick one of the top floor...

just keep chuffing....

I am home. I am gone. School is out, and I will turn around 3 times and school will be back in session.  Mix that with regular photo sessions and the daily workings of life...well some days "i just keep chuffing" and still can't manage to get it all done.

I was thrilled for the opportunity to photograph the *superstar* Thomas the Tank Engine.  He made a very brief appearance all the way from the Island of Sodor this past weekend, and I was lucky enough to be there. 

Until next time...

I am out of town this weekend, but I could resist grabbing these two images from a session yesterday. Little "j" is one of the most content babies I have ever seen. He didn't make a peep the entire session. (he didn't want to sleep either) Here is a quick sneak peek, and yes, that ball is signed by Pele. The ball belongs to his grandpapa who played with Pele in Brazil. More images from this session later. Have a great Memorial Day Weekend everyone! I will be back in the office Tuesday.

sunflare

I am a total sunflare addict. While backing up folders I came across this image from back in the early fall. (one of the last days of summer from last year) I had initially overlooked it, but today I love it. The look of quiet independence on "E's" face, Mom trying to "herd" the family into position, "M" with his grown up body language, and of course the sun streaming over the roof of the house. The only thing you can't see in this image is Dad. He was off to camera right doing something for Mom. An almost perfect "slice of life image" of this family at that moment.

full circle

babies. babies. babies. I have been photographing lots of beautiful newborns lately. The newborn stage is so fleeting. The wrinkly skin, jerky movements, and flexibility only last for a few days. (that's why I will practically move mountains to schedule newbies within the first 7 days) If you are expecting and want to schedule a newborn session don't wait until the baby arrives to call. I routinely will pencil in expectant families for newborn sessions and then make adjustments to my schedule to accomodate mother nature.

Meet Presley. She is a beautiful and super cooperative young lady. Her parents are full of energy and super fun. (I am so lucky to have such wonderful clients.) Mom went in to labor shortly after her maternity session, and Presley slept through most of her newborn session. Amazing. Here are a few images from the both....

until next time....

never a dull moment

The superheroes found a turtle, Private Gumm, today. (finding creatures on the front porch is another sign that summer is indeed here at our house) Private Gumm is a fast turtle-- Really fast. Not faster than the heroes mind you, but faster than the average turtle. The boys scooped him up and into a box he went. A few google searches later we had all the info for creating a turtle habitat, and enough entertainment to last the entire evening.

Pvt. Gumm ran in the grass, ate lettuce, drank water, and even attempted to chomp a finger or two. Likewise, the boys ran in the grass, ate ice cream, drank juice boxes, and took turns carting Pvt. Gumm around the yard. The turtle tried to escape his awesome new digs at the slightest opportunity. (I am certain the fear of being dropped had something to do with his repeated escape attempts.) Even though our turtle wasn't the slow and plodding type that is so often written about he inspired me to slow down and enjoy a few simple moments of summer.

(I am also happy to report that Private Gumm was released from his awesome new habitat and is on his way home for dinner with his family. No harm done to turtle or heroes.)

Private Gumm

a run in the grass

an escape attempt

the re-capture

release to go home for dinner

we are having chicken for dinner

Over the past several days the weather has been nothing short of divine. Cool mornings and a balmy 80 by noon. ahh....summer is here. Scalded Lettuce (thank you again to friends and patients for sharing their garden with me), sidewalk chalk, waterguns, and steaks on the grill all signs of summer settling in at our house.

On my afternoon errands, I couldn't pass up the 2 inch rib-eye steaks at the grocery-- a perfect opportunity to grill out. All 5 of us gather around the table, ready to enjoy the steak and more of the leaf luttuce, when Drew (4) asked where steak comes from. From cows. I didn't even give it a second thought. Oh boy...My oldest (10) was mortified! He announced with resolute authority in his voice that steak DID NOT come from cows. "Cows make milk, and we could never kill and eat such a beautiful and lovely creature." He just would not be party to killing or eating a COW. Banter ensued. The seven year is now wondering why hamburgers are not *actually* pork. The three year old is gleeful that his 10 year old brother is still refusing to eat *cow*, and I am wondering if there will be enough lettuce for seconds. Then just like someone flipped a switch, the oldest (10) announced that he would be having chicken for dinner, and then promptly ate the rest of his rib-eye. I guess it is really just a matter of perspective.

As I sit here enjoying my version of a pinneapple upside down cake, I am certain, we will be having chicken for dinner again soon.

until next time.....

happy easter...

Tomorrow I promise easter bonnets, spring dresses, and two adorable girls from a session this week.  Today, I wanted to share the view out of my window this morning.  A spring snow....sigh...life is getting good at throwing curve balls.  It was 80 at the beginning of the week.  Stay warm.  Until next time.

extraordinary...

My MAC crashed today. Yikes. I was scared. We have been proofing and sending orders into production like mad this week. All of a sudden today my Mac had an acute mental status change. It wasn't oriented to person, place, or time. It didn't recoginize me at all, and actually thought it was brand new. All orders--gone. All actions--gone. All documents--gone. (did I mention taxes are due soon?) YIKES!

I can handle when my patients do this...often times I can even "fix" it when my patients become confused, but I am completely beyond my scope when my hardware looses its mind. Next stop....Genius Jason at Apple. He had never seen a MAC do this, but after 45 minutes with me on the phone we were on the right track. I am happy to report that my MAC has returned to normal. (exhale for me) Thanks Jason--you are indeed a Genius!

A few travel dates to keep in mind for booking sessions:

April 6-8th Closed for the Holiday. I will be checking email and voicemail sporadically

April 10-20th The studio will be closed, and I will have no email or telephone access. All requests for sessions or wedding contracts will be answered upon my return.

May 4-5th Studio closed, but I will be checking email and voicemail.

May 10-14 Studio closed, but I will be checking email and voicemail

Summer Sessions: There is only one weekend session left the month of June, and 3 weekday sessions.

double your fun...

Announcing the arrival of Max and Matt!! These adorable baby boys have the *longest* eyelashes I have ever seen on newborns, and were most content when snuggled cose together.