Within two days my baby boy turned six and started Kindergarten. It should have been spread out but with Hurricane Irene school was pushed back almost a week so I got them on back to back days. My baby is definitely growing up. Bittersweet.
South Side American Little League. That was where Tara and I first met. We were, gosh, ten years old maybe? Little young things learning to play softball. Her dad was an ump, mine was occasionally as well (and I am pretty sure I got very mad at both of them more than once 😉 ) We ended up going to different lower schools but were in high school together and then went separate ways after high school ended. Then, like so many other people these days, the wonderful world of Facebook connected us again a few years ago. When my husband and I went down to Key West for vacation in January we hooked up again – the first time we had seen each other in many years! While we were down there, Tara introduced us to Renzo – her fiance. I mentioned off hand that I would totally shoot their wedding for them and a plan was born!
And what a wedding it was!!! Tara and Renzo got married at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, where we are both originally from. It was a day full of laughter, smiles and a few tears from an emotional bride and groom. It included an elephant (in fact, the same one that I used to get ride on when I was a little girl visiting the zoo with my family!), wild and crazy dancing including the Cupid Shuffle and some hot Latin dancing, readings and blessings in both English and Spanish to honor both Tara’s family and Renzo’s family in from Peru and lots and lots and lots of laughing. From Renzo walking in to “Somebody’s Getting Married” from the Muppets to the inventive first dance, it was an afternoon and evening to remember and the beginning of what I am sure is going to be a wonderful marriage. 🙂
Congratulations, Tara and Renzo, much love to you both!!!
I shouldn’t do newborn sessions for friends. I really shouldn’t. Because all I do is sit there snuggling their precious little baby and giving it all of the nuzzles and kisses I can’t give non-friend newborns. (Because let’s face it, that would just be weird, even when they are super adorable) It becomes very hard to step back and be just a photographer. Which is a good thing and a bad thing. Really what it is the hardest to do is put the baby down. 😉 Way back when we did their maternity session I introduced you to two of our best friends. My husband has known John since they were in 5th grade (I think?) and Rachel shortly there after. Best man at our wedding, they have become some of our best couple friends over the years. So yes, it was extra hard to put sweet, gorgeous, perfect Veronica down and take photos. But I did.
I wanted to step outside my comfort zone this time and get more off-the-beanbag shots. More interaction. It’s a direction I have been wanting to move with my newborn sessions anyways. Don’t get me wrong. I love my (huge) beanbag and the blankets and the hats. But I love families. I love snuggling, soothing, kissing, just BEING. Some people might refer to it as lifestyle. I might refer to it as that too if I have to choose a word. So that is what I did with this session. I don’t think John and Rachel realized just how much they’d be in the pictures but that’s what friends are for, right? To experiment on!
Thankfully their bedroom was absolutely perfect. White duvet, white pillows, a beautiful simple blue wall and a huge window looking out on the water behind me. I could have shot in there all day long. In fact, I tried. But we didn’t want to take too long of a risk with a white blanket if you get my drift. 😉 We did do some more traditional beanbag shots, but these are by far my favorites.
Sometimes, simple is best. Baby, family, bed, window. All you really need.
I was cleaning out my folders the other day and came across these. I took these the day I got my new 85 lens. I was just playing around and Layne loves to jump on the bed. I love this series. 🙂 My little girl and a peek into my world!
Ahhh…it’s been a while. Back to this. At least for this week. 😉
1. It is SUMMER!! The first day of summer is officially today. At least I think. I didn’t pay too much attention to that stuff when I was in school. Either way I am excited. Beautiful weather, possibly temperatures NOT dipping back into the 50’s requiring us to do shoots with warm clothes instead of cute summer looks… Summer. It’s here and I am so glad to be back outside.
2. On that note Daily Tea is having a great sale right now on summer dresses if you need some ideas for little girls. Think how cute these would be in pictures!! I must try to resist…. I love the bright colors and patterns for photos.
3. And on THAT note, there is a summer calendar update coming up after this post. So if you want to book a session this summer you will definitely want to read that.
4. I am starting to think ahead to fall sessions. Yep. It’s already that time. We photographers are kind of like clothing stores – we are always planning and thinking ahead to the next season. I know, it’s crazy to even consider putting on jeans and sweaters or getting photos for holiday cards…I know, really. But this is when we start shopping for holiday card templates and planning holiday mini sessions, etc. This year I think I am going to be going to the great state of NY for some sessions if I can arrange it with this one family…
5. Kind of a big one – we are MOVING!!! Just about 25 minutes north of where we are now so it won’t affect my business. But still. We are moving! Finally after all these years of my husband’s medical training we are in a place to settle down and stay a while (at least we plan to!) and are buying our first house. Craziness – we are actually becoming real adults. Home ownership. Scary. It’s happening in early August so I will be unavailable the first part of the month (again, see details in the calendar update post)
And since it WAS just Father’s Day weekend, I am cheating for the last five and posting my top 5 favorite daddy shots from this year so far (in no particular order):
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