Click on the title of the blog post to view the entire entry.
that I hear are waiting anxiously for new pictures of this little man:
Isn’t Miguel growing up to be an absolute doll? We had such fun today playing in his room and enjoying all his new tricks and big, happy smiles.
I always have such a unique bond with the babies whose births I have been asked to photograph, and Miguel is part of that very special group.
Now, you need to help Mom (and I need help too) with this one. Color, or black and white?
Session 5 of 5 for this week was today, and I admit that while it was busier than usual…I LOVED all these cute kids! I think all but one was between 15 months and 2.5 years (the one that wasn’t in this age category is due with her first in about a week and a half-so she gets a pass on the age guess).
It has just been so fun playing with all these little people! And it really reminds me of why I love what I do. Meeting these different personalities and working hard to draw them out and make them comfortable (and then photographing the heck out of them). It can be so challenging, and it makes me think…I notice that I’m really drawing on social work skills that I learned and used years ago in my old jobs.
It’s important to start where the client is (aka-are we in a good mood this morning? did we sleep well last night? any fussiness? munchies? dry pull-ups? are we overwhelmed by all there is to see and hear, or are we taking it in stride and ready to explore?). Lots of reflective listening “You hear a DUCK! You see a PLANE! You are excited to be here!”. And even a smattering of ‘let’s get them to want to play over there, where the light is so great’ which is more of a parenting thing than anything else.
Anyway-I’m rambling. Long week. Lots of kids. Lots of siblings…but the easy part-lots of solo siblings (does that make sense?). Littlest sisters of three girls, for example.
Meet Ellie-She had Mommy all to herself today while the two oldest were at home with Daddy. She and I had deep, thoughtful conversations about the animals we could see/hear/imagine in the park. She is the queen of naming animal sounds-I was so impressed!
Of course, I’m pretty sure that she thinks I’m a goof…but we had a ball looking for roly polys, throwing leaves, singing songs and looking for the duck that she just knew was in the stream (we never saw him). I don’t mind being the goof, when it means we end up with gorgeous pictures like these:
Just a fun one I wanted to throw in her…JUICE BREAK! Doesn’t that look yummy?
So said Jacob after our park session this morning. Rain, mud, mosquitoes and an absolute lack of any breeze made for a sticky, sweaty, humid and (my husband’s favorite word-he’s weird) moist session. Little brother Parker made it about five minutes before tumbling, knee first, into the mud…and I think Mom and Dad sort of mentally threw up their hands and thought “screw it…let’s just get through this”.
We got through it, and I am beyond thrilled with how they turned out. You’d never know that everyone older than 30 had sweat running down their foreheads, and everyone younger than 4 had mud forever embedded in their khakis.
Take a look at this sneak peek-and join in as we reassure mom that this is how every park session in August is going to be. Sticky, hot, itchy and moist. But dare I hope that every session results in gorgeous portraits such as these?
…..Guess where tomorrow’s session is going to be held? Stay tuned for part 2 of “The Park Mosquitoes Tried to Carry Me Into the Bushes“
****
The website that was promised in July is *this* close to being finished. So close. Once the design guru’s fix the one little glitch that cropped up we’ll be live. Can’t wait to show off the new site!
Until then-meet the folks behind the voices/emails/ordering sessions! In case you thought it was really just my other two personalities returning your calls for information packets, style assistance, and booking ordering sessions…know that my alter ego’s would be lucky to be as good looking as these ladies!
Mindy: Gorgeous, laid back, perfectly accessorized mom of three little girls. I think part of why she loves what she does is that she has Sugar pics of her own all over her walls…it’s like she’s doing her part to spread the good word. Sugar for all mankind!
Debbie: Poised, organized, and a little queasy in the mornings. Debbie just found out she’s expecting (definitely one, we’ll know in 28 more days if it’s two (OMG!)). My daughter is most impressed with the “pin in her nose”, and wants one for herself. I think I want one too… She’s been busy with ordering sessions, and a message from Debbie means you’ll soon have your session in your hot little hands, ready to share with everyone you know!
****
and with that, I’m off to dinner with my favorite local photographers! Excited about meeting Casey from my favorite reality show! Wondering if I’ll ever stop loving exclamation points!
We had such fun this morning (and it started on the right foot when the guys working on the house next door whistled as I walked up to Ava’s house. That’s all it took to put a smile on my face and a lift in my step. Yes, I’m easy like that.)
Ava and I had a ball in her front yard. We explored the landscaping in the side yard and had serious conversations about princesses and ballerinas.
Who is her favorite princess?
“Ava!” (of course!)
Sweet Ava thought I did such a good job that she had her Mommy give me a lollipop! It was yummy-thanks Ava-bug!
