no words wednesday!

More Gymnastics Buddies

I have alot to say about my most recent family portrait session with my friend Melissa. Melissa, was one of my most fierce gymnastics competitors (when we were 12). She was known for being tiny and cute and having perfect form in floor and beam. AND she was crazy flexible. Her splits were flawless. Her shoulder flexibility was FAR more than ANYONE else's in our gym. One of my memories is her laying on her stomach and bending her back over her head so far that her bottom touched her hair. NUTS. And this of course, made me crazy jealous.And, she was nice. I mean, NICE to the core: friendly and positive and kind.

And this is the type of mom and wife she is. I am so proud of people that I knew as pre-teens, who turn out to be professional, good to the earth, kind hearted and loving. Not to be all sappy, but she is still amazing. I admire the type of mom she is. I hope she doesn't mind if I call and ask parenting questions once my little boy gets here!

And this is her awesome son, who was so cute and active and elusive. He wasn't super duper into me taking his photo, but I did manage to get some photographs of his sweet smile.And here is the dad. He is an avid gardener. Their yard was so amazing and I wanted to actually steal some of their yard statues.

bragging, a tiny bit.

One of my photographs is about to turned into a 7 foot window display. WOW. The photograph was taken 2.5 years ago, in Raleigh, North Carolina for the furniture line Svan (sweet high chair on the right, which can be purchased at Land of Nod). It is sold by Scandinavian Child, who was one of my most favorite/best customers. The photo shoot was staged in an uber modern house (built by two architects) that featured corrugated metal walls, an asymmetrical fireplace, the most gorgeous walk in shower I have ever seen, and lots of perfect wood. I love photographing furniture. I love photographing kids. Especially when my final images are used in large and awesome ways. Yay!

book design

soooooo excited to show this sneak peak of my newest press-printed baby book. This is Miss Kysa. And because she and her parents are awesome, I picked a whimsical, hip design for her one-of-a-kind memory book from our fall 2010 family portrait session.

LOVE

LOVE

LOVE.

more Ohio snow portraits!

Can you imagine having FIVE girls under one roof? The really good news is that there is probably always plenty of hairspray, cute sweaters and gossip. Remembering when I was the precious age of 10/11, I would have LOVED to have had an older sister, for advice, someone with knowledge (and coolness). Photographing sisters is always so MUCH fun, because girls this age LOVE having their picture taken. Or maybe it is just me... maybe I am suddenly super cool.

snow day portraits!

I am learning that it snows ALL winter, here in Ohio. On December 1, I think it snowed for 14 days straight. January has been similiar. I think the schools have already been out for 9 school days, which seems to be wonderful for the kids. And I love doing snow portraits on snow days. Because being outside is SUPER fun and snow covered yards are always so pretty. The kids get to play, make snow men and have snow ball fights.During each family portrait session, I try to get a few shots with everyone calm and happy and covered in snow. Here is my most favorite. Because it is so natural and cool. I love all the hats.

conversations with boys

Boys. They can be interesting little creatures. And when they are super polite and quiet, I am not quite sure what to do with them - to get them to open up and giggle and be all "yay, photo time". This little one is quiet, pondering type. He contemplates answers to all questions. And he loves his dog Lucy.
Once I figured out he had things to say about Lucy and Star Wars, I was good to go. We talked about the new Star Wars characters and the starships, sabers and other weapons. He let me know he knew how to take pictures with phones. AND SURE ENOUGH, he took my iPhone, found the camera app and VOILA, photographed his parents!
Below, is my MOST favoritest photo from the bunch. I just love it. He was showing me some star wars moves! How awesome is that?I wish I would have known how to get quiet children to talk to me five years ago when I started photographing children. Who knew it was as simple as Star Wars?

a girl & a guitar

the more I work with kids over the age of 5 the more I love it. I didn't need to feel scared! The only challenge with children who can talk is: if they think you are NOT cool, they tell you. And sometimes I feel SUPER old, so I ask for pointers on how NOT to be old. My client Miss T told me that since I have chuck taylors like hers, I was cool. Now if Only I could play a guitar.This cricket below made her SCREAM and r u n!!!Her best friend drew on her shoes. It's a robot. Maybe I should draw on my shoes...

my bank teller

I get clients from all over. once, in Trader Joes. Once at TJ Maxx. And this time, my bank. This is Sarah. She is just the sweetest young lady. I am nearly twice her age. UGH.
I got to photograph her and her younger brother. Both as nice as they could be...

a family that apples together stays together

My friend Lainie and her awesome family. Her children oooooze of coolness. They asked for a traditional family portrait, and where is what I gave them. A true snapshot of them spending quality time together!Such cool kids. I love this shot below (although the color processing was a bit too artsy for Lainie!)

reading & playing portraits

Miss G is my kind of girl. She is an avid reader who prefers to share stories with friends (like her Raggedy Ann or her lucky giraffe doll who was sitting in my lap while this photo was taken).She likes her bedroom and all play spaces to be tidy and neat (which her mom and dad appreciate!). AND, she loves her dog Barkley. Which might be the best dog name ever (although in my head I called him Bugsly).

seriously good hair

I am furiously editing and filling Christmas orders and HAD to post this yummyness. A sweet fellow all wrapped up for fall weather. Handsome and sporting the best hair EVER.

I want Dan to have hair like this. Spikey, messy, fantastically similar to a mohawk... That would make him the most noticeable badass scientist in Oregon.

1 week in NC - girls portraits

Last week in North Carolina, I photographed 8 girls (2 newborns), 7 boys and 11 sets of parents over a span of six days. I learned a few things: Very little separates a 9 year old boy from his XBox (especially if photos with sister is the alternative) , pizza and ice cream are universal 'good listening' motivators, princess costumes must match slippers (even if they do not fit), I miss NC barbeque in a bad way, and Dora the Explorer bandaids have the power to make up for a pretty big fall (off a swing). Oh, I learned one other thing: escalators look really cool juxtaposed with fancy Christmas dresses and patent leather shoes!