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

Wanna Play?!?

I got up this morning at 5:30 to start my day. I never thought I would be the type of person to willingly get up this early. I used to make fun of my parents because they would get up before the crack of dawn and never sleep in. Of course, now I am saying, "Sorry, I just didn't understand". But now I do.

I really enjoy the quiet of the morning and find I can get so much done before my son gets up and starts our day. There is always some sort of activity and excitement once he rises for the day. And, once he's up, I rarely get to sit down again before lunch time (Unless, I'm in the car of course).

Which brings me to thoughts on one of my recent mini-sessions. This great little girl wanted to include one of her closest friends. I'm so glad she did. It made her a little more at ease and we all ended up having a very fun time. And when it came time to do images of just my client's daughter, her little friend even helped as my assistant, holding my reflector, etc. What a great shoot!

The other thing I really enjoyed about this shoot was it's playfulness. While this little girl is certainly her own woman, she was more than happy to play, try some different ideas and even came up with a couple of her own. And even though it was a mini-session, we were able to get comfortable enough with each other to get to the essence of who she is and to see more than just one side of her. We got the playfulness, the quiet and calm side and (while they are not posted here) some wonderful, loving images of her and her mom together.

I can't wait to show all of the images to her mom! Have a great day! Oh....here comes to sun!

The Coming of Spring

It happens every year right around late February, early March....the yearning for spring takes over. Usually I start searching for a new home to move into....(much to my husband's chagrin and confusion- he never has any idea we were planning on moving). This year, I find I am settled and happy that we will be in our home for a long time. Instead, as the yearning for the end of winter grows stronger, I find myself being drawn to bolder and brighter colors! I was shopping for some new background materials this pas week - planning on buying grays, blues and black - and I came home with fuscia and bright orange and blue silks. I can't wait to try them out!

I have also found I am loving when my clients are putting on bright vibrant colors. Last week's post with the little girl in her brightly colored costumes started me down the path of searching for spring. And it continued as I photographed a recent mini-session this adorable little girl and her mom in bright reds and pinks! I loved the colors! I had a difficult time creating black and white images - because I just thought the colors were so wonderful!

Here is to the end of winter and the beginning of all things new again!!!!