Welcome Back....Finally

It has been a long time coming, but finally, I am ready to get back in the saddle again.  Many of you, my friends, followers, clients and colleagues know that in October in 2010 I was diagnosed with Stage 2 invasive breast cancer. The long and short of things is, while it took much longer than I thought, today I am healthy, strong and so happy to be living life to the fullest!
With all that behind me, it is time to start doing what I love most and what I was always meant to... creating really beautiful portraits.

Here is just a quick peek of a recent session at Raritan Park in Far Hills, NJ

Enjoy!

The Cupcake Session

So the day we did The Cupcake Session, was the same day of the anniversary of my mother's death 7 years ago. As I did this session with adorable C. I was reminded of the promise I made to my mother the day she died.

I spent years listening to my mom, in my young and naive view, harrass me about what I was doing with my life. I worked in the financial industry, lived in New York City and was very successful. But mom was always on me saying, "You hate math and finance. Why are you there? Why don't you do something creative and artistic? That's where your real talents lie." Really, I heard this so much I think I may have been saying it in my sleep.

Mom passed away three months after my son was born. And while it was an incredibly difficult time. I was given a true gift by being able to spend the last 6 weeks with her. She was surrounded by her family on her last day. Towards the end of that day, I went outside to photograph the sun setting over the water. And when I came back I made a promise to mom.

I promised her that I would do "something" with the gift for photography that I had been given.

Here I am, 7 years later, doing exactly that. And all I can think is "Oh boy...Mom was right!"

Little C. and I had a fabulous time with these cupcakes from Brownie Points Bakery in Summit, NJ. We had Red Velvet, Mint Chocolate Chip, Chocolate and Vanilla (ok, we didn't eat all of them. But we did have our fair share). And I thought of Mom....that she was right and that she would be proud of me today.

I love you mom and I miss you. Put in a good word for me upstairs.

Your daughter,

Gail

'Scuse Me While I Get This Text.

I love coming up with fun ideas for sessions. These three kids were great! (I say kids trepidatiously - young adults is more like it). But we had fun and they were willing to go along with some creative ideas. In fact, K., the little sister, was instrumental in helping to pull together the style and concept of our session. She has quite the flair and energy. I totally loved her.

During our session, I asked them to all pull out their phones and pretend to text (because that's all teenagers want to do all the time anyway (lol!)) - but I think they really were texting their friends (one even texted him mom who was sitting in the room with us!) Later I had the boys doing the overprotective big brother thing. Those were so cute and fun, I was laughing the whole time I was editing. It really works out great when both I and my clients come to a session willing to get creative and playful and go with it for just the moment.

Enjoy the portraits we created together and Peace Out!

Gail

More Look Ma...No Teeth!

I've said it before and I'll say it again.....I love the "Look Ma....No Teeth" sessions. I love them because the kids are so proud of themselves - they finally feel like they've reached the big time being a big kid now. I love them because they are never shy about showing off their big toothless grins. And I love them because this is such a short window of time in their lives.

I have been watching this little boy grow up over the last few years. I think he is totally adorable, funny and gorgeous. And I think he may be even cuter with no teeth!

Sisters

Sisters. When I was young I remember what a pain it was having one. She was always getting me in trouble, always complaining about me, never letting me hang out with her and her friends (they were older, so obviously cooler). And she never wanted to let me wear her things. I used to think, "Boy it sure would be nice if I only had brothers."

Then, of course, were the good times. The family vacations, the Christmas holidays, turning the living room into a world of FisherPrice toys (the castle, village, airport, etc) playing with our barbie dolls all day long, the playing outside from dawn till dusk during the summertime. Those times were the best and I couldn't imagine NOT having my sister around.

Now that I am older, it's funny.... but sometimes I still have those same feelings. I can't stand when my sister tells me like it is and says things to me that no one else in the world would be able to get away with. And then.....there are the times that I am so glad we have each other. She knows me and my history like no one else. And there is great comfort in that.

My sister doesn't live close to me, so I don't get to see her as often as I would like. But we talk all the time. She knows that I am here for her no matter what. If she called me and said she needed me, she knows I would come running to her side. (I would go and have gone running to her side even though she didn't ask me to. Because she is my sister and I KNEW she needed me there.)

When it comes down to it, a sister is going to be the best friend you will ever have. She will know what makes you tick (and what pushes your buttons). She will tell you the truth when no one else will dare. She will let you know that come what may...she will always be there....to lean on, to cry with, to laugh with and to help you live life to the fullest.

Sis...I miss you lots. Give me a call tonite so we can chat.

Peace and Love,
Gail

TCFW

Too Cute For Words, that is!

I had the opportunity to photograph this young woman recently. She will be a senior and will be heading off to college and hopefully a fabulous, wonderful musical career.

She was just too cute....the gorgeous smile, fabulous dimple, green eyes, beautiful blond hair and a personality to match. I had such a great time photographing her. The other plus was we got to pull out some fun new backgrounds that I recently acquired. I am LOVIN' the look! When she's a huge success I hope she lets me photograph her for the cover of Vanity Fair!

Oh...and little sis jumped in on the action too! I think she is going to follow in her sister's footsteps. She was so cute and a little firecracker too! I loved her!

Back 2 School is Back 2 Cool

It's August and we still have about 5 or 6 weeks before school starts. But let's be serious, we are all thinking about that first day of school. Some of us are dreading that day (the kids more than the moms) and some of us are silently (or not so silently) looking forward to that day.

One of the great traditions of each school year is the school portrait. Every year, we get our kids dressed in their best and send them off to have their image captured as one more year in their lives moves forward. Sometimes we are happy with the result and sometimes not. I find that, (okay....I'm a professional, I do this for a living, I've taken lots of classes, workshops, etc) I'm usually okay with what comes home. But what I always think in the back of my head is...this is a nice picture of my son, but it certainly doesn't reflect who he is as a person. That type of image is not what you get with the traditional school portrait.

To capture that essence of who your children are really needs a portrait experience. Time spent with your children, getting to know them, having fun with them, letting them be a little silly, letting them play and run around (cause that's what kids are about).

This year, we are all talking about the school budgets (most of which have been cut). Those of you booking a portrait experience by September 30th, Gail Cushing Photography will donate $25 of your creative fee to your local PTA. And one lucky mom from the school where the most sessions were booked will receive a really cool, custom-designed Back 2 School calendar. So hurry, call 908-868-8023 to book your children's portrait experience and help keep our schools as fabulous as they have always been!

Keep Cool!

Gail