This family is beautiful inside and out. I grew up with Michael and photographing his family has been so much fun. They ended up ordering a family portrait as a large canvas for over their fireplace and I received a photo of the final product. It looks great-- don't be afraid to order large canvases. They are such a statement piece for your home!
Heather and I planned this session with warm weather in mind but New England weather has taken us all by surprise this year. The day of Parker's session was cloudy but as we pulled in to start the session, it started to pour. However, as they say, if you don't like the weather in New England, wait a minute. Sure enough, after a quick stop at the library to play with the train set, we were able to get back out there. The clouds didn't deter Parker from running around and seeing all the fun stuff the park had to offer (like a giant digger and backhoe behind a fence)!
Ok, this is my #sorrynotsorry moment of 2016. There are a lot of pics in this post. It's hard to put into words how much of my photography business I owe to my husband and Weston, his business partner. They have put hundreds of hours, nails, laminate floor pieces and creative ideas into helping me make my studio. I can say with 100% certainty that if it were not for both of them, I would not be doing what I am. So, when Weston met Jen, I was kinda planning their engagement pics from their third or fourth date on. I met Jen early on and knew she was the right choice for Wes. We took a little road trip and ended up at Smith College to use their botanical gardens and true to what usually happens- the best laid plans go away. There were so many other cool spots that we never even made it there. I know their personalities shine through in these photos because they smile ALL the time when they are together (unless you ask how Jen's cat is. Then she smiles and Wes rolls his eyes. Not a cat person but LOVES HER ENOUGH to let the cat live with them hahahah). Enjoy!
Their mommy runs a really great blog over at This Twin Life. Check it out to follow their journey of raising two adorable babies and get a great recipe for cookies in the meantime!
I'm always very honored to photograph such an important time in a new family's life and it's even more special when it is a friend. Congratulations, Brittany and Matt!
"Be so happy that when others look at you, they become happy too."
"Every good and perfect gift comes from above..."
Emma is a beautiful and radiant senior. Emma took a negative that happened during her high school experience and created a positive by founding a non-profit organization called Press Pause. Press Pause is a campaign dedicated to today's youth. Her mission is to bring awareness to digital abuse, and teenagers losing themselves to society. I love the message Emma is getting out there to middle and high school students. She is mature beyond her years and it's easy to see that she will go on to do great things.
M's mom made those adorable ladybug letters to go with the theme of her birthday party, but like any good toddler, M insisted the theme be changed to Doc McStuffins :) Well, at least all of mom's hard work resulted in an adorable little shoot with this little cutie. Her hair has the most delicate little curls and she loved my fake snow-- not that we've seen any in RI this December. You won't catch me complaining. It's allowed me to shoot outdoors much later than expected! Happy birthday, M!
It's really hard to sum up what this family means to me, especially Ilsy, who takes care of Emmett and helps me keep the studio running. She is always bustling around getting things cleaned, moved, dusted-- all because she is true friend. She's the definition of what happens when your friends become your family. These portraits were her 25th anniversary gift from me. Her daughters threw them a beautiful party and had the photos on display. That was quite an honor for me.
Jen and I are so similar. She books her family portraits literally 12 months in advance and I LOVE THAT because I'm like that too. Jen likes to have time to plan everything out and for us to have ample time to look at locations. I happened to drive around Lincoln a few months ago and I emailed her saying that I thought I had found a good location. We decided where to meet and then I called her that day and said, "Oh! I found a place with better lighting!" The kids had a great time just running around and enjoying nature. I love that the kids bring their favorite stuffed animals with them. It's so much fun to see how their likes and favorites change year to year!
Matt and Tara, the brains, beauty and creative forces behind Blueflash Photography, do a family photo swap with us each year. For about a month leading up to it, we exchange all kind of emails that say things like, "Where should we do this?" "I don't know. What do you think?" "I'm not sure. Ask Tara." Then we ask Tara, and she says she isn't sure. LOL. It's tough to find a spot that suits both families, isn't too crowded and has a chance for multiple looks. We ended up in Warwick at Rocky Point and LOVED it. Matt, Tara, Ez and Finn are a great family to work with because they are easy going and happy to have their pictures taken. I think we both go into these sessions with the expectation that we trust each other's judgment and we know they are photos of us, just as we are now. So, if the kids cry or they aren't into standing in one spot, we go with it. Emmett spent half the session running in circles but Matt still got great photos. I guess you just have to embrace the "anything goes," when working with toddlers. I will take candid, fun, laughter and sun flare over posed any day and I'm glad the Celeste family does too!
