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.

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.