What I Am Thankful For

This past week has been an incredibly tumultuous and difficult one. Last Wednesday, my 14 year old niece was diagnosed with a brain tumor and admitted to Yale-New Haven Hospital. On Thursday, the neurosurgeons were able to fully remove this large piece of goop from her head (that is how I explained it to my 6 year old son - in very technical terms!) There were tough times and close calls. Just when I thought every thing would be okay, another crisis would emerge. Thankfully, as of this morning, she is well on the road to a full recovery.

This difficut time has helped me hyper-focus on what really matters and what is really important. And as we approach this Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to talk about what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for....

The doctors, nurses, caregivers and ancillary staff of Yale-New Haven Hospital...
for saving my niece's life and giving her a second chance. It is a gift they have given not only to my niece, but to our entire family. The helped us navigate an incredibly difficult time. Thank you.

I am thankful for...

My family (John, Bobby, Tara and Dave) for completely understanding when plans had to suddenly change and they said "Don't worry about it....do what you have to do. Go and be with your sister. That's what matters." I love you all so much and am incredibly blessed to have you as my family.

I am thankful for...

My friends. What a fabulous support network you have all been. From helping make sure Bobby was picked up and taken to school, taken care of when I couldn't be there...to your prayers, kind words, positive thoughts and general concern. I love that I live in this community. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Thank you so much.

I am thankful for....

my niece. She is alive and kicking and has had to endure more than any child should ever have to endure. She faced her fear and pain with grace and dignity. She is a strong young woman, and I can't wait to see what she does with her life!

I am thankful for....

my sister. For accepting with quiet grace that I wasn't going to listen to her and stay in New Jersey. That I was going to go to New Haven and sit by her side. She, too has had to endure more than someone would in their life. She continues to do so with grace and dignity. And while she may not think so....I believe my sister to be one of the strongest and most courageous people I know. I love you...you are priceless.

Last, but not least, I am thankful for finally listening to my mother and "doing something" (as she used to say) with this gift I have for photography. I get to do something I love and am passionate about, I get to share it with other people, I get to bring smiles to the faces of these families, and I get to give them something they can treasure for years to come.

Have a happy thanksgiving everyone!

Peace,
Gail

Oh....these images...I was working on right before my niece went into the hospital. I love them.

Growing Up

I just finished editing the slide show for this family's recent session. I loved what came from that session so much, I had to get it up on my blog.

I met this mom through a friend of mine (thank you friend!) at a birthday luncheon several spring seasons ago, and I have been lucky enough to photograph her family each fall for the last 3 years. I have watched her children grow, seen her move into a beautiful new home and helped her and her husband compile an album that encompasses images from multiple sessions.

As I edited this session, I was once again reminded of how quickly our children grow and how fleeting our time is with them when they are young. I love that this family wants to document their childhood and to create keepsakes that will become family heirlooms for future generations. The holiday season is fast approaching and it is a time to remember that, through it all, the most important thing we have is our family.

Peace and Happiness,
Gail

Fleeting Moments

I got a call a short while ago from a friend whose daughter I photographed about a year ago. She asked me to come by and photograph her 4 children (before the winter set in) doing what they usually do on sunny afternoons....playing in the yard, pushing a stroller, riding a bike, eating ice cream cones. As I talked with my friend about how she envisioned her portrait session, we both understood she wanted to do this because we know this special time will pass all too quickly. She wanted to capture this moment in time, so that she could hold it dear for years to come.

As I sit here and look at my son (now with 4 less teeth than at the beginning of the year), well into first grade, a full fledged flag football fanatic....I too am pondering just how precious and fleeting this time is.

I'm so glad my friend called. Things worked out that I was able to photograph her children the next day. It was an incredibly warm and sunny day (in the midst of the monsoon season here). It was meant to be. I hope she sees these images as special and as wonderful as I do.

Peace,
Gail

The Moods of Mother Nature

It is cold, windy and rainy today. Not a day for playing outside. It seems Mother Nature is intent on reminding us that winter is just around the corner, so appreciate the nice weather while you can. (I just wish she didn't feel the need to drive home that message all weekend long).

A few weeks ago I was able to photograph this family on a really lovely day. It was later in the afternoon, my favorite time to photograph, and the lighting worked out wonderfully. There was a time, however, when we weren't sure we would ever be able to pull off this portrait session. I was lucky enough to meet this family because they won a gift certificate from one of the fundraisers I participate in every year. Well, we had originally planned to meet in early June, just before the summer start. We had to coordinate 2 sisters, their 4 children and their grandparents. We had to work around school schedules, sports and afterschool activities, one sister coming up from South Jersey, conflicting vacation schedules.....you know....daily life and all that entails.

We were able to work through all those (moms will find a way!!!) The thing we couldn't work through...you got it....Mother Nature. Every time we were set for our session, the wind kicked up, the rain came down, the sky rumbled and our plans were spoiled.

But, lo and behold, we finally got an afternoon where all the stars aligned!!! The weather cooperated, the children got to play in their grandparents backyard and I was able to capture some lovely images of three generations of a family.

As I sit here and look out at the miserable weather and dread going to stand in the rain for school pick up, I look at these images and know....better days are ahead!

Peace,
Gail

A Little Halloween Fun

In our house, my son has enjoyed dressing up in costumes since he was very little. Sometimes they would be costumes from previous halloweens (our lion costume), sometimes from trips we've taken (Jack Sparrow from DisneyWorld), sometimes gifts from Santa Claus (the astronaut outfit and helmet - one of my favorites), and sometimes just things he would find around the house (vests, belts, hats, dad's suit jacket and ties). There are times when I feel like everyday is halloween around here.

But there really is something special about Halloween. It's a day when we all get to use our imagination and play for just a little while - whether you are a child or an adult. I think it's so much fun to get caught up in creating and playing these characters for an afternoon and evening(and who doesn't love the chocolate?!?! Come on, admit it....do you raid your children's halloween buckets after they have gone to bed? I sure do...it's one of my guilty pleasures.

On Saturday and Sunday, October 24th and 25th, I will be hosting a special Halloween Mini-Portrait Session event. My mini-sessions are 30 minutes and will be set up similar to what you see in these images. Sessions are limited, so be sure to call to reserve your spot. 908-868-8023. Creative fees for these mini-portrait sessions are $50 and you get a free set of wallets to show off your kids creativity and imagination and joie de vivre!

Peace,

Gail

An Afternoon in the Park

I photographed this session earlier this year, but it is still one of my favorites. I wanted to share with you what a full session with me is like - the full breadth and depth of what I try to capture during a portrait session. This is also my first attempt at uploading and sharing video. And as much as I use technology on a regular basis....going through the process drove home the fact that ..."I am an artist...not an engineer". Good thing I'm married to one though.

Also, I wanted to remind you that I am currently running my fall fundraiser for the Community FoodBank of NJ. $75 of your session fee is donated to the FoodBank and is tax deductible to you. So...if you have been thinking about have a portrait experience for your family, now is a great time to book one.

You can link to my website www.gscphotography.com or call me at 908-868-8023 to book your portrait session.

Peace,
Gail

It's Hard To Smile When You Are Hungry

Do you ever watch "The Actor's Studio"? At the end of each interview, the guest is asked to answer a series of questions, one of which is "What is your favorite sound?" Time and time again, I hear the response..."My child's laughter." It's mine too. I love to hear my son playing with his dad and giggling his head off. To me it is such a comforting sound. I know he is happy, I know that he is safe and, in that moment, I know that he feels that all is right with the world.

But I also know that there are so many mothers and fathers right here in New Jersey who don't hear that wonderful sound. Every night in New Jersey there are thousands of children that are going to bed hungry and every morning there are so many children being sent to school not having had a decent breakfast - not because they don't want to eat, but because their families can't afford to put food on the table.

Every fall, I run a fundraiser with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. The CFBNJ is a fabulous organization that works hard to help families right here in New Jersey ease the burden of worrying how they are going to feed their children. You can learn more about their great programs on their website http://www.njfoodbank.org . This year, as a thank you to clients who donate $75 of their portrait session fee to the Community FoodBank, I have put together specially designed and specially priced portrait collections. You can get more details at my website.... http://www.gscphotography.com/

When we can make a child smile, the world becomes a better place. I have included some of my favorite smiling faces. Enjoy....I hope they put a smile on your face.

Peace,

Gail

What A Summer It Was!

Where did the time go?!?!? We had a fabulous, crazy, busy summer. And it went by way too fast! I know it's been some time since my last post. So to my loyal followers....thanks for hanging in there.

This was the last summer before my son started first grade, so I was feeling like it was a very special time for us. Sort of like a last hurrah before he heads out into the world. We spent time traveling to visit friends and exploring new places, going to our town pool, to the beach and some days just lounging in our back yard.

During an excursion to Home Goods (I just love that store), I found these great mushroom stools to use for props and my son agreed to a portrait session in our back yard. Hope you like them. We had a lot of fun (I think my son is a budding musician!)

Keep tabs on the blog...the posts will be more frequent. While we did lots of fun stuff this summer, there were also some great portrait sessions (which I will be posting here) and lots of planning for the fall. I will be updating you on my fall fundraiser with the Community FoodBank of NJ, new sessions, events, products and the like. Summer is over, fall is in full swing and it's back to work!

LIFE IS ART!

Peace,

Gail

The Importance of Fun

One of the things I really try to encourage with my clients is a sense of playfulness during our portrait sessions. It's one of the things that I think makes me different as a photographer and artist. Being able to let go, have fun and even be a little silly is so wonderful. Our lives are filled with so many stressors on a regular basis....work, home, school, sports, extra-curricular activities, volunteering..... I could go on and on, but I don't want to stress anyone out! Taking time to just goof off for a little bit helps to keep this whole thing called life in perspective.

I recently photographed this family who totally got it! While the weather was not what we were exactly hoping for....we let that go and had a bit of fun. I especially love the silly faces at the end. They made me giggle.

The Giggles

I LOVE WHAT I DO!!!!!

I really am looking forward to the coming of summer because outdoor portrait experiences are my favorite. These images from a recent session were taken on gorgeous (but very hot) day, at an outdoor location with some amazing gardens and architecure. It was a day full of fun and surprises and tons and tons of giggles. With young children involved in a portrait experience, going with the flow allows for some incredible moments. We might not always get what we planned for... but we are NEVER disappointed. (Promising them ice cream when they are done helps things a bit too.)

I really do consider myself to be incredibly lucky to be able to do something that I love so much and that makes other people so happy at the same time. My cup runneth over!

Mother's Day is in one week. A portrait experience with GSC Photography would make a fabulous and unforgettable gift.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is on the horizon

I find this holiday a bittersweet one for me. On the one hand, I love celebrating with my son and husband. I always get breakfast in bed (I'm hoping for chocolate chip waffles with strawberries this year....hint, hint!), beautiful flowers, wonderful cards with heartfelt messages and usually, some much needed and appreciated mommy quiet time! It is always a fun day, filled with love and happiness, and hugs and kisses (always the best part about being a mom!)

But on the other hand....I find myself spending a lot of time thinking about my own mom on this day. Unfortunately, my mom is no longer with us. She lost her long struggle with cancer a few months after my son was born.

As I have traveled my journey through this adventure called motherhood, I find myself understanding more about my mother now, than I ever did while she was here. There are stories and moments I wish I could share with her. There are times, even now, 5 years later, where I find myself thinking...."Oh...I should call mom and tell her this. It will really make her laugh." Most often, I wish I could call her and say...."I totally get it now mom" and, of course, "I love you mom".

Recently, I have been thinking about my portrait sessions and what are some of the moments I enjoy most. And I have found that, consistently, it is what I like to call my "Mommy Love" images. During each session, I ask to photograph mom with each child individually. But what I like to do is to try to capture that feeling that a mother and child have for each other. I feel these images are timeless and priceless. My goal is to create an heirloom for a family that will reflect the love that passes between mother and child and that can be enjoyed for years and generations to come.

As I have spent time reminiscing about my own mother, I realized that I have no photographs of my mother and I together (except for one from my wedding day). Ironic, isn't it. That I am a professional photographer and yet I have no images documenting the relationship between my mother and I. And, of course I realize that, probably, I am so focused on those relationship images for that very reason.

Mother's Day is such a special day. A day for celebration, appreciation, reflection. It is a day that should be filled with the overwhelming love we have for our children and to be thankful for every day we have with them and with our own mothers.

The images I chose to post today are some of my all-time favorite "Mommy Love" images. I hope you enjoy them.

The Smile of a Child

The smile of a child can alter the course of your day. The day of this session started out as a very challenging one on the personal side ...but once we got going in our "Look Ma...No Teeth" mini-session, the laughs and giggles helped to alter my perspective on the day. And how could it not. To try to coax the laughs and smiles, I have to use all sorts of humor....sometimes the boy humor, while it may be a bit coarse...makes me laugh the hardest. I'll leave to your imagination what we were laughing about...but his mom was laughing right along with us (I think..... I hope). Thanks for the smiles.