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.

Little Baby......

As I get ready to plan my son's 6th birthday celebration, I find myself reminising about earlier days. Little baby hands, little baby feet, little baby lips.....need I say more.

They told me the time would pass so quickly. (Of course, like any mom, there were days when I didn't believe that this comment was based at all in reality). But here I am realizing that my days of snuggles and kisses goodbye and holding hands as we cross the street are coming to a close. Of course, it is a bittersweet realization.

I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who have stopped me to tell me how much you are enjoying my blog and the images I have been sharing with you. As an artist, when someone tells you that your work inspires them and brings them a certain pleasure... well, that is an inspiration in itself. Thank you.

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!!!!