Twins!

It's been over 2 weeks since my last posting and while my work is slowing down, thank goodness, it's certainly not stopping! Between my usual shoots and my charity work for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, which is becoming a more regular thing, I have work to do almost every day.

In the past, I haven't had many shoots in Dec or Jan but this year I have had several mostly b/c I can now do indoor studio portraits during the colder months of winter. I'm delighted and surprised at the same time.

A few weeks ago one of my good friends brought her 7 month old twins over for their first photo shoot. I wasn't sure how this would go b/c I have never had the opportunity to shoot twins but in a short period of time (I always want more!) I was able to capture some fun shots of them together -- as well as individually. They are scrumptious!

Pride & Joy

First of all -- I am playing around with my blog colors and title graphics. So yes, you have found my blog even tho it looks slightly different.

This weekend was a great one. I had minimal work for the first time in about 10 weekends. That was truly an odd feeling. I did some work but didn't really HAVE to -- it was more habit but I don't have any true deadlines right now. Feels great.

In any event, as today's blog title says, this weekend was one of Pride & Joy. First JOY -- I finally felt the Christmas spirit for a lot of reasons but one of them resulted from seeing some amazing decorated homes in our area. I just LOVE when people spend countless hours decorating the outside of their homes for purely the sake of others to see and enjoy. That is true selflessness to me! These two homes are striking and very different. One of them is so elegant and high-end -- this family, whom I do not know, started broadcasting music to their light show last year. There is a sign that tells you where to tune in on FM. There are about 5 or 6 songs for the entire 'show'. It's amazing. The grass is covered in green lights and every tree, bush, border has color....it's so hard to convey this in my 2D photos. And it's a very stately home so they way they have done this is very elegant. But you get the idea. There is always a line of cars sitting waiting to get a closer view -- and folks come in from all over the area just to see it.

The other home is close to us as well and a tiny home that is literally covered with inflatables, lights, toys, candy canes on the trees...every inch -- you cannot even see the house! And with this one -- the owner lets folks walk thru his front porch and yard so you can get close to everything! My boys thought they were in the North Pole -- they didn't want to leave! I chatted with the owner/decorator who said he's been doing this for 40 years and starts decorating the weekend of Thanksgiving! I had no idea and I grew up here. He even decorates for Halloween and invited us to come back for that next year. This year he said he had over 400 trick-or-treaters! Where have I been? So if you are in the area, you must take an evening drive to these two homes which are only about 2 1/2 miles from each other.

Lastly, my PRIDE. My sweet Jackson performed his first piano recital this weekend. After 3 months of lessons, he did it. It was not easy -- lots of angst all week. Even for mom and dad. He kept telling me, "I am SO not happy about my piano recital". It was so funny yet I remember that feeling after 8 years of lessons myself of having to perform and not wanting to. He was the youngest there out of 11 students and did great -- I don't even recall one mistake. But here's the thing. This is one of those life-moments you'll never forget as a parent or only hear about before you're a parent. How cool is that? Molded in my brain forever. So proud.

(remember to click on an image to see a larger version)

Happy Advent to all! It is for me now!

Thanksgiving at my mom's

For a change, I have a personal post here. I actually forgot to post these a couple weeks ago. My family spent Thanksgiving dinner at my mom's house -- a whole 2 miles from where we live. The day started in the low 70s and by dinnertime had dropped to 40s! It was pretty cool to see the cold front move in during dinner -- windy, dark, rain, leaves falling like snow. Yes, I realize this is an odd thing to think is 'cool' but this comes from someone who wanted to be a meteorologist!

In any event some of these shots were from the earlier part of the day -- clearly, when we were outside. Aren't the colors great? And finally, the one photo of the 4 ladies is my mom and her 3 sisters (my mom is 2nd from the right). This was a special Thanksgiving b/c 2 were visiting from Australia and the other from LA so this was the first time they were all here at my mom's for Thanksgiving -- ever! My mom grew up in the Philippines and is 3/4 Spanish - 1/4 Filipina which is why they are SO exotic looking! I get funny stares when I tell people where she is from b/c I certainly don't look the part and reactions are always priceless! Anyway, it's so fun to be around them as they laugh, make fun of each other, can't make up their minds which langauge to speak (including tagalog) and play mahjong -- a Chinese game they have played for decades. Like Gin Rummy but cooler and with words like "kong" and "pong"!

Dani & Matt

The first two words that come to mind are "cutie pa-tootie's" when I see this couple. Maybe it's because of the slight (okay, huge) disparity in height! Dani is about 5'2" (I'm going to err on the taller side!) while Matt is at least 6'4"!!! So we have to be creative with shooting! I love how striking Dani's eyes are and both have radiant smiles. Dani booked me in early November and I was barely able to squeeze their session in but we did, and had to, as their wedding will be in March -- AND April! They are having a ceremony/dinner at Kentlands Mansion in March and then a full on dance and cocktail reception in April at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town. How cool is that? I have some very cool weddings to shoot in '08!!

The Golden Family

Well I am about done with the last of my 22 portrait sessions since mid-September....no small task with a part time work schedule. OH! How much easier it would have been with a full time work schedule! I was able to squeeze in a couple last minute families after Thanksgiving unsure if I would be able to get orders done in time for Christmas but I will. The Golden family contacted me a couple years but we were never able to schedule a shoot for various reasons. Finally, we got it done! This is one hot family and I love their outfits which I was surprised to learn they are from Hanna Anderson. I always think of them as having colorful clothing primarily for girls but now am proven wrong! I love how the red tree behind them just adds that extra element of Christmas!

Kari & Brian

Now here's a couple I adore. From the moment I met with them to discuss their wedding, we all hit it off. I love that instant chemistry and I'm really lucky b/c all my 2008 couples are so fun.

Kari and Brian are getting married in October 2008 out at White Hall Manor -- I look forward to that venue in October as I hear the grounds are beautiful. Our engagement shoot was so easy and quick. They were so comfortable and carefree in front of the camera -- totally affectionate and fun and didn't appear to be self-conscious (which isn't unusal when you're suddenly thrust in front of a camera for any length of time!). They really didn't require much of my usual 'floor directing'. We were able to do their shoot in about 20 minutes at the fabulous Roosevelt Island. I met Brian at Keli & Danny's wedding we both worked at last spring (on my april blog) -- he's a DJ (among other talents) so if you're getting married and are undecided about music, please check out his work!

Tamara, Matt and Brodie (the dog)

Last weekend I had the pleasure of shooting Tamara, her mom who was visiting from the mid-west over Thanksgiving, as well as her husband, Matt, and their dog, Brodie. I met Tamara when I was volunteering with Junior Friends over the past few years. She lives close by and when she called to do a shoot, I was delighted. As I've said before I enjoy the mix of shoots I get to do -- babies, families, siblings and couples. And this fall I have had an inordinate amount of pets in my shoots as well! I agree they are family so naturally SHOULD be included in the family portraits! I was cracking up with Brodie as he was the most spirited little dog I have had to shoot yet! He was not really the type of pet that wanted to squish himself on your lap -- his interests were more about the ball they were throwing and just galavanting on the property where we were taking photos! Check them out!

The Condon Family #2

So here's the 'other' Condon family I mentioned a while back. Heather and her family have been coming to me for 3 years now for their holiday card portraits. This year we have Finn (who's newborn photos are somewhere on my blog!) making his family-photo debut! We had a glorious day last week after having to cancel one in late October for a rain-out. Leaves were still on the trees which is unusual for late November around here. I took a LOT of photos as I usually have to do when I'm working with a toddler. And as such, I am very pleased with the results which I wasn't totally feeling confident about after the shoot. Isn't Logan's hair awesome? And Finn's lack of hair? And look at their eyes! I am hoping these pass inspection with mom?!

Also, I have to say that Heather is one of my biggest fans and I'm so, so grateful. She essentially could be one of my PR reps. Always promoting my website and my work and I have received several referrals b/c of her. Thanks Heather!