BOSTON CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER, BOSTON FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER, BOSTON NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER

With best intentions, I wanted this to be blogged more than a week ago. I finished the gallery and slideshow quickly — and that is because I had an appointment with Corey so she could squeeze me in one day working, and so with that favor, who was I not to edit her images? So I excitedly tossed my laptop in my bag and head to the salon, only to later realize that the minute I closed my computer, the logic board died. When it was finally returned (covered under warranty, yay!), 7 keys didn’t work (loose cable, coupled with a LOT of food in the keyboard). So that added to the delay, and then, well, there’s life.

That said, Corey and Jim were so excited to welcome their little baby girl. And they are both adjusting to parenting, and their new roles, and are so cute, and loving and happy. Corey looks amazing, but we knew she would after we saw how insane she looked during her pregnancy. Baby Nicoletta is so sweet.  Her skin is perfect (even her peely feet, which might be my FAV thing about little babies!).  She is sweet and wide-eyed, and never once fussed (except when she was hungry, and c’mon, I know I still fuss when I am hungry!).  I loved having them at my studio.  And I am so excited for a lifetime of blond hair in my future, and photographs in theirs!

One of my very favorite things about newborn clients is that I am on the “first to know” list when a baby is born.  I actually get a little giddy when I get the email. Another beautiful baby has entered the world.  One of my next favorite things, is repeat clients, who have come back to me over the years.  This family is one.  When I was just starting out, I shot this big brother’s newborn session.  I still remember him being such a beautiful baby, and I used him for so many displays.  As he grew up, twice photographed him along with his BFF (well, their moms are BFFs, so I made a generational assumption there).  So when I heard the good news that he’d be a big brother, I did what I do best.  I immediately lost the email.  Luckily, this mom knows me well, and cuts me slack (as all my awesome clients do), and I was WELL prepared and expecting their “our baby is here!” notification.   And finally, another favorite thing is when clients come and hang out with me in my studio.  It’s honestly just like family.  I am so happy there, warm and cozy with the winter weather.  A little movie action on the big screen.  An adorable baby.  Coffee from the market.  Life is good.

So these guys did not disappoint.  Everyone who has peaked over my shoulder has agreed… they are a gorgeous family.  Thank you so much… I am so truly grateful that you are my clients…and now friends.

The most wonderful thing about photographing friends is that I get an insane amount of leeway for when I post their images.  That said, I was 100% completely done with this gallery on December 17th (as evidenced by us dancing and partying like it was 1999 at the best Holiday party ever).  I finished up their holiday birth announcements in the nick of time.  And then I TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY forgot about their gallery.  Today, feeling rather smug and caught up, I saw it sitting there on the corner of my Bridge desktop and thought “What feels so weird right now?”  And then I remembered it was that feeling I get when I’ve held images unintentionally hostage.

So this little boy is so special because he’s the youngest of I think 27 grandchildren on his mom’s side.  And you’ve all been privy to me photographing quite a few of them.  I shot his parent’s wedding and it was one of the most beautiful, heartfelt events I’ve attended, working or personal.  I truly enjoy the company of both Monica and Todd and think they honestly epitomize what true, everlasting love should be.  And I couldn’t be happier that they allowed me to photograph their little boy in his earliest weeks.  Thank you.

And I am so sorry about the delay!  I hope you love these as you look back now at about 2 months and think “I can’t believe he was ever that small!”  He’s a gem for sure.

I am so happy to be blogging this session for so many reasons.

1. In 2011 I went from being a very awesome, heartfelt, deeply involved blogger about my work and my sessions to being a slacker to being downright absent. A number of reasons accounted for that, time, laziness, guilt, too many things to say, lack of anything to say. But I know that clients and future clients really enjoy seeing favorites from a session, and to share images before they even see their slideshow, and so for 2012, I am going to do my best to document my sessions.

2. I shot this session on Friday, and I am blogging it three days later. That’s not off from how I used to work.  But get this: their slideshow is ready. No joke. Undoubtedly, this trend won’t stick. There is no way it could. Typically it takes me a day just to upload, backup, organize and “star” my sessions, let alone to proof, final edit, rename, resize, select for slideshow, upload, produce, and publish. But I have almost nothing else in the hopper right now and if I didn’t do this, I’d have to clean my studio and I REALLY don’t want to do that.

3. I love this family. Read On.

I met these guys late in 2010. It was a session that almost didn’t happen because it was booked late in the year, then we rescheduled, and it was close to cutoff. But it did. And for some reason I had no expectations when I arrived at their house. Not high, not low, just no. And when I walked in, I was happy. They are my perfect family. Beautiful. Gracious. Smart. Kind. In love with their daughter. And BALLBUSTERS. Steven immediately let me know that I had to exceed the output of a friend’s family portrait “montage.” And thus with every click of the shutter, I was reminded of the bar I must vault. All while Jill shushed him and shook her head behind his back. And Ella smiled. I think I spent two hours with them and drove laughing the entire way back home.

A few weeks later, I decided to listen to my home phone messages (a rare occurrence) and there sat a message from Steven with a heartfelt thank you. Not only had Jill thanked me over email, which was awesome, but Steven had taken the time to call. This blew me over [and more important meant he WON the montage bragging rights]. I deliver countless orders to clients and other than checking the tracking numbers, often never hear directly from the client they’ve received their orders and were pleased. I don’t expect to hear each time, I delivered what I promised (usually late) and it’s end of story. But to get a call, from a husband no less, really meant something to me. [Please don't go calling, my home phone is in the garbage pail and my mobile voice mail is full].

This year, I was thrilled to hear from Jill that they wanted another session, but more important, that Ella would become a big sister in December. Oh happy day. I love hearing that my clients are expecting, I love that I am on their “notify” email list when the baby arrives, and I love that I can share in their growing family. And so twice in about 6 weeks, I was able to visit them and document more of their life, and share in their happiness.

So Kramers, thank you. Your third “montage” is on its way to you. Hopefully now you have three winners of which you can claim bragging rights to. I am so happy you have selected me to document the milestones of your life. You guys really are more than I could ask for and seriously amazing clients.

I cannot get enough of this face.  And she’s not even mine.

High key B&W images make my heart sing.  Even when they are serious.

And welcoming Evan.

Okay. Stop here. Girls, this is EXACTLY why your mother-in-laws have reservations about you. Because honestly, why wouldn’t you try to knife down any other person that received THIS LOOK from YOUR SON.

All I could think of when I was looking at these images was “it’s the little things.”  Because it is the little things.  It’s figuring out how to correctly give a bottle (it doesn’t matter, they get the milk they need somehow), whether the little changes are normal (the skin peels, they get zips, they turn into little red screaming aliens), and if they are awake too much or sleeping too much (newborns aren’t on a schedule).  But it’s all these little things that have such utmost urgency and importance, that fade away so quickly and become distant memories.  And when you look back at other new mothers you vaguely think “Oh, yeah, don’t freak about that, it’s all normal.”  Because you are on to the next thing.  You are moving to solid foods, you are installing gates, you are taking away binkies, you are wiping bums from the potty (WHEN DOES THAT END?????)… and before you know it, your kids are dressing themselves, running out the door to play with friends, and barely looking back to give you a second glance or a wave.

All this nostalgia might be surfaced because I am shooting so many high school senior sessions, and watching these kids with their parents, grown, getting ready to leave the house for college, driving, making decisions, and just be ready for the world.  And I think “my babies are still babies, 3 & 5 are still really just babies.”

But back to the topic, the little things.  I loved more than anything documenting Madison’s little things… and her bonds with her mom and dad (and grandmother)… and DOG!  And I loved looking at her little folds, and her little peach fuzz, and her perfect eyes, and her teeny toes.  And I loved how her parents cared for her, and made note, and worked together to figure it all out.  It made me just want to hit pause and tell them to love these days, and these moments, because when it goes, it goes, and you are on to the next thing before you even realize it’s gone.

So Amanda and Doug, thank you so much for allowing me into your life, and selecting me to capture these little things.  I am eternally grateful as it brings back those moments for me that are now so distant… and I can live vicariously just a bit… and you help me remember my own.