Down The Shore

So I was sitting here this morning "Down the Shore" (a truly Jersey phrase) contemplating all that down the shore means to me. Here I am drinking my coffee, watching the sun come up over the water, trying to catching what little breeze we are going to have on what is going to be a hot and humid day, and all I can think is....this is so NOT what is being broadcast about New Jersey on TV these days.

This is what Down The Shore is for me.....

- Slow mornings with a cup of coffee, saying good morning to the ocean - before anyone else gets there.
-Taking a walk along the boardwalk at Seaside Park or Island Heights.

-Going to Mrs. ObCo's for fresh donuts first thing in the morning before they sell out.
-Watching the sailboat races on Barnegat Bay on Saturday mornings from the bulkhead.
-Crabbing off the pier in Island Heights and trying to figure if fish heads or chicken skin is the best bait.
-Waiting till after the first full moon in July to go crabbing because that's when the crabs will be over 5 inches.
-Watching my husband and son play in the waves and body surf together - knowing that this is what my husband's father did with him and what my son will someday do with his son.
-The annual family gathering and days filled with so much laughter and good conversation.
-The whole family building sandcastles together.
-Coming home from a day at the beach and pulling together a fabulous seafood meal with lobster and crab and corn on the cob and eating till we're stuffed!
-Grabbing a seat under the tree with a glass of wine and having some quiet conversation after a full day of activities.
-The Fourth of July Bike parade in Seaside Park - with all the families and their decorated bikes and the kids riding as fast as they can past the fire truck's gushing fire hose - while the mom's stand back trying to figure out how to get past without getting soaked.
-Arriving Down The Shore and going "Once Around the Lagoon" before we head to the house.
-Staying at the beach all day till that "perfect light" arrives and just watching the beauty that is The Jersey Shore.

My summers are filled with moments that will take my breath away for years to come. They are calm and beautiful and special times that I know I will never forget.

I will be doing a limited number of "Down The Shore" sessions this summer. Call and book your session soon. 908-868-8023

Peace and Love,

Gail

Taking the Indoors Out

We had a little bit of fun last week. I have this cool, funky chair I got at Home Again, a totally awesome furniture consignment shop in New Providence. I love this store and have gotten some really cool things there. You should check it out. (http://www.homeagaindesignnj.com ).

My little friend, C. and I took my chair out into my garden to have a change of scenery. I loved the idea of taking something and putting it where you normally wouldn't see it. And then I had a little more fun creating a beautiful work of art for her that looks a little like the Anthropologie ads! She is such a cool, hip little girl! Love her!!!!

A World of Smiles for One From Your Child

This month I am working hard to raise money for WorldVision, an organization that is dedicated to bettering the life of children and families in impoverished areas of the world.

By booking a mini-session before June 15th, I will donate 50% of your creative fee to WorldVision. As a thank you for helping me raise money for this great organization you will receive a 5x7 gift print (an $85 value).

You can find out more about WorldVision at www.worldvision.org and can book a mini-session with GSC Photography by calling 908-868-8023. We CAN change the world...one smile at a time.

International Competition

A little over 4 years ago, I joined Professional Photographers of America (PPA). This organization is dedicated to helping professional photographers learn, grow and continually improve in their chosen art form, not only in artistic and technical aspects, but also in ways that help photographers grow their business. It has been an incredibly inspirational resource for me and joining PPA is one of the best things I have done since I have decided to become a professional photographer.

Each year, PPA holds its international competition with thousands of professional photographers from all over the world participating. Images scoring a certain level of points earn merits that we photographers need in order to obtain our Craftsman Degree from PPA. Earning the Craftsman designation is a goal I am pursuing. This year...I'm ready to compete among this esteemed group of professionals and earn those merit points.

It is a daunting proposition....putting images that I have created and that I love in front of a group of very demanding judges for their critique. (Not something for one who can't handle criticism well). In striving to be the best professional photographer I can be and in preparing for participation in this competition I have taken numerous technical workshops, read countless books on art and photography and lighting and posing and the entire process of creating beautiful and impactful images. I have mentored with some of the best photographers around and have found a network of colleagues to provide support and advice and sometimes even a kick in the butt.

Choosing the images was also a challenging prospect. Of the thousands of images I have taken, I can only enter four. The following four are what I feel are the best of my work to date. I have met with competition advisors asking their thoughts, opinions and advice, have shown them to my closest champions, have worked with these images to take them to their highest level for show.

And now....I'm ready.....
Ready, good or bad what the judges say. (of course I hope for the best). I know my work can stand against those of the best in the business.

But participating in this competition is not just about having my work judged...it is another step in my learning process as a professional photographer. I will listen to the judges comments (I am having the critiques videotaped and I think I'll have a glass of wine before I watch those tapes! LOL!), I will learn from them. I will see the work of other amazing professional photographers and learn what makes what they do special also.

Am I nervous? Of course, it is not easy to put one's art, one's self on the line for others to judge. But I am doing it because I want to create the most beautiful images I am capable of...and I will never stop striving for excellence. Carpe Diem!!

Wish me luck! And have a fabulous day!

Peace and Joy,
Gail

Competition Image #1: Pinkalicious


Competition Image #2: Sand and Sea



Competition Image #3: A Trio of Love


Competition Image #4: Serene Light

Look Ma...No Teeth!!!!

I have been waiting patiently for J. to give us the okay to photograph him. Finally, we got the go ahead for one of my favorite type of sessions....the Look Ma...No Teeth! Series. I love how kids at this stage feel so cool and grown up just because their front teeth have fallen out. (Puts a kid's view of the world in perspective, doesn't it!?!) We got to do this session with one of my favorite props, my mushroom seats. They are just very fun and whimsical and out of the ordinary (and when you put them together and lie on top of them, it's like you are flying!!!! )
And when one of your best buds comes along for the session....you get some real giggles and laughs out of the day!

Thanks, J.! You are the BEST!!!!!! (So says me and B.)

A special rite of passage

First Holy Communion is a very special rite of passage for children in the Catholic Church. And so it is important to document this auspicious event. At the same time, as a photographer specializing in children's portraiture, I cannot help but also want to document the fun and excitement that these young children are experiencing. The sacrament of communion is a solemn affair, but the age and innocence of these children is also something to be revered and treasured.

As we move away from communion season, I am proud of the images I have been able to create and I feel a certain privilege to have been included as a part of this very special time in the lives of these children.

The beauty of a child's smile, the sound of a child's laughter, the wonderful, uninihibited energy of a child....these are all things that remind of of what is right with the world and should not be overlooked or underestimated.

These images of S. make me smile. We had fun outside on a gorgeous afternoon. S. got to romp and play and have just a bit of fun, along with appreciating the wonderous occasion of her first holy communion.

Peace and Joy,

Gail

The Cutest Little Girls

I recently had to opportunity to photograph a dance class for Elefante Music. What a fabulous time we all had. The girls aged 3 - 5 all had a terrific time dancing and playing with their teacher! I had a fabulous time watching them turn, twirl, curtsy and pirouette. The room was bright and airy, the teacher was wonderful, the girls were adorable! (makes me wish I had a little girl to dress up in a ballet outfit and send over to Elefante's Dance class! - Oh well, coach/pitch baseball has its benefits! Back to the baseball diamond for me.)