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SEEN 2009

I know. I know. Please forgive me for it has been way too long since my last post. It seems every year I need to resolve to do better at this.

I finally entered my first photography contest. I guess it won't be my last, since I was fortunate enough to win three prizes, including best in show. Here's the image that won Best in Show, and 1st in Babies.

 

 

This one took 2nd in Portraits:

 

This one was accepted in the show and made it into the book, but did not place in the contest:

 

All of the images can be seen at Studio Altius until the middle of January.   If you'd like to read more, click here. 

Animoto.com

I had the joy of photographing an event for the my friends Joey Wilmsen of GoSpa and Holly Cunningham of Holly Berry Catering. It was a launch of their new joint venture Parties That Pamper. Great food, wine, friends, massages, mani-pedies what more could you ask? Oh yes, the cost of admission...a donation to Friends of Kids with Cancer. What a great organization. All around awesome evening!!!

Nikolas

I just love that families I have had the privilege of photographing return for more. 

I am becoming so familiar with feeling rushing time; infants suddenly toddle into sprinting kids who appear more as little adults that the children who were once so helpless. Now they are armed with strong wills, opinions and insights that stagger new parents out of any delusion they had figured out life or themselves.

Nikolas is the wonderful little boy who came into Rick and Kathi's life in much the same way and time that Sophia entered ours. So I know they appreciate parenthood as much as we do and the love they share is heartwarming to say the least.

I have learned a couple of things about photographing families. First, shots that reveal the relationship moments are generally cherished over time, and second that mothers rarely get in these shots unless they come to someone like me because they are usually the one holding the camera. Often, we moms are documented for all of time in the posed vacation shots taken by a passerby or a waiter trying back up through the wall to get everyone in the frame. The moments of cheesy smiles and tired kids make up the albums of our lives which bear little resemblance to the moments. 

So while I will always shoot smiling, eye to the camera, best face forward shots. I also strive to provide my clients with a glimpse of the brief moments where you can feel the love that makes up this speck of time. The ones that when you see them they make your heart sigh and feel as if you were just hugged. These images document the legacy a love for the family.

I do it for mom to hold on to as her child heads off to the first day of kindergarten or college. I do it for dad so he remembers his softer side and how he felt when he realized he could love someone so much that it hurt.  I also do it for the child who will one day be on his own feeling lonely, heartbroken or homesick and see an image that reminds him he is unconditionally loved. 

Enjoy the images and don't forget to capture the moments that matter in your family before they slip away.

On to some of my favorite moments.

Sophia's 4th Birthday at Chucke Cheese's

Beautiful Emilee

I was honored to take Emilee's photographs yesterday. The images are to be submitted for the "photogenic" portion of a pageant in which Emilee is competing. All I can say is I would be surprised if she doesn't steal the show. I knew she was beautiful, but you never really know how someone photographs until you open the images on the "big screen". 

Her images took my breath away. Each one has a timeless feel to it. What I found in photographing her was a mystery in her eyes and expression that drew me in and told me an interesting and unique story.

I hope you enjoy.

Lest you think this was all too easy, I have worked with Emilee's mom Shelley for a number of years and told her in advance that my daughter Sophia would be here and sometimes (okay everytime) she makes a photo shoot VERY unpleasant. She doesn't understand at 3 (almost 4) that the world doesn't ALWAYS revolve around her. So she does her best to disrupt. Jumps in pictures, puts finger prints on my lens and cries ALOT. Here's the proof.

 

Fortunately Shelley has four wonderful children and remembers. Emilee seems content amidst the wailing and did not miss a beat. Even posed for several with her... because truly all Sophia really wanted was Emilee.

Best of luck in your competition Emilee. I think you've got this one in your pocket.

Ava's 7th Birthday Party

I haven't really shot any photos of my nieces for awhile now. That needs to change, because one is more beautiful than the next. They had great fun in the pool. They also enjoyed giving me their version of the "attitude" shot.

First we have Ava.

Then we have Grace.

Here's Maya, the oldest and most rehearsed at this.

And Aleksandra...

Sophia just wanted to have fun.

The 3 sisters.

Chris & Betsy the parents of these beautiful girls.

My sister Nancy and brother-in-law Tom...parents to Betsy (above).

...and finally a special thank you to Tom. The one who gave me my very first 35mm camera and showed me how to use it.

To see more from this fun day at Ava's birthday party click here.

Kleithermes June 2009

I am thrilled every time I get to photography this wonderful family. They are a joy to work with and now that the photographer supplies candy bribes, I think the girls will endure everything for art, even 100 degree temperatures.

To see more of the Kleithermes shoot click here.

Iron Man Brady

11 year old Iron Man Brady is about to race is first triathlon. Brady has been training like crazy and investing his own money in a new road bike. I just love kids with ambition especially this one.

I wanted to show my support of him by taking some pictures of him with his new bike. Thanks to Brady and his mom, Cindy for enduring the blazing heat yesterday to do these shots.

Good luck Brady!!!

To see the rest of Brady's shoot click here.

Hamilton Video

Happy Early Father's Day Garrick. It was a pleasure photographing your family!!!!

Mike & Kate's Wedding

I met a local photographer named Sarah Corbett, who shoots primarily weddings (God help her). She and I both attended a photography networking event and enjoyed sharing stories of our passion for this craft. She needed some help for a wedding last weekend and I had the opportunity to meet this lovely couple.

These are a few of my shots from the event.

Their first kiss as man and wife.

The kissing continued at Balducci Winery

I love the way he looked at his new wife.

The rest of the wedding party.

... and the flower girls.

This is Mia.

...and her big sister Haylie.