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

This year we did two family photo shoots of our own.  One was a paid session with a photographer’s who work I very much admire.  The other was a reciprocal swap with a local photographer who has truly become a friend.  I love them both and I am so thrilled to have these images for my walls.

I wrote up a little perspective on both sessions and what I was thinking and hopefully give you insight on some things you can plan prior to your session.

For the session with Amanda Burse, I paid for it. Full price.  Why?  Especially when I knew I would have a swap session with Jennifer Shore?  Many reasons.  Primarily, I wanted to be a client.  I wanted to hire someone who had a style different from my own, whose work I admired, and I just wanted to think nothing of shooting, and just be there.   Very unintended, my session with Amanda allowed me to put myself in my client’s shoes.   I now really understand the anxious emails, the wait, the urge to right-click and most important, just how it feels to part with your money.

My swap with Jennifer was a wonderful gift and I hope she and I can continue this bartering deal we have!

Still, why would I need a session – or even two?  Don’t I have enough images of my own?  Why would I showcase someone else’s work, on my blog, on Facebook and in my house?  There was a time when I thought paying someone was crazy.  I was quite sure I was “photographer enough” to never have to do that.  But I’ve been doing this for long enough to know that sometimes it’s just really nice to see your family from the outside.  I really wanted to be “in” some of the photographs — not just where I have set up the shot and handed my camera to someone else.  I wanted to be in them as in “present” — with my family, enjoying it, not worrying that the settings would change or the image would be out of focus.  It’s not to say people around me can’t photograph us, it’s just been a long time since I’ve seen a multiple images that were wall sized worthy.  So that is why, even as a professional photographer, I still need to hire someone for my own family session.

Next came the questions “What to Wear?” and “Where to Shoot?”  Before I could answer those questions, I really thought about what I wanted to do with these images. This is a critical step in planning your session.  To shoot blindly, without advance planning, means that you might end up with a lot of “what the heck do I do with these?” images.

I knew that I wanted large images for our family room, specifically to hang over our fireplace and possibly on one of the other walls.  Our family room, like most of our downstairs, is really warm, browns, exposed brick, army greens and dark yellows… outside the windows are trees, greens and a lot of pine needles!  Our downstairs has a lot of texture to it, so in my head I thought canvas.  We are a beach family, but that’s not what our house looks like, so for each session I wanted to bring the outside in and really sync with the same overall feel.

I also wanted some images of our family for over our bed.  Although I love our wedding images, all four of us start every single morning together in bed talking, and so it feels right that all four of us be on our walls [we still have some wedding images that will stay framed on other walls].  Our bedroom is lighter and airier than downstairs and we are in the process of updating all our pieces to honey wood, or antiqued distressed white so I had a clean framed look in my mind.

I also knew that I’d give some gift prints or mini-mounts to our parents, and that it would be nice to have some framed 5X7s and 8X10s in other parts of the house.  I definitely didn’t want to over do it, but if you see how little I have on my walls now, you’d understand.

Knowing my goals prior to the session really helped me think through “What to Wear?” and “Where to Shoot?”

I wanted to make the most of both sessions and do an outfit change.  There’s always a chance that when you see yourself, you might think “What on EARTH made me wear that?”   Two outfits provide insurance against that, it also gives you variety.  For both sessions, I started with me.  I knew if I didn’t like what I was wearing, I’d hate the entire session.  From there I planned for the rest of the kids.  For our session with Amanda, I went with two sets of clothing, all generally coordinating colors to our environment and to each other.  For our session with Jennifer, I knew we were in a more stark setting (on purpose) and so I chose very basic colors, all different solids.

For locations, I wanted one session to be on River Road, because that is where I shoot all time and I love the old abandoned mansion.  For the other, I found a location that I’d never shot at, but it was exactly what I was looking for and I drive by it almost daily — barren, flat light, a ton of texture.  I really wanted it to look seasonally opposite to our summer session because fall and winter is {to me} as lovely as summer, and that’s sort of what my downstairs feels like.  As a side note, my “Jennifer session” was also my 40th birthday, so I will always be happy with that as a gift.

So again, even though we are a big beach family and so much of our life is about surf, sun and fun, that’s not the vibe that works with my display goals [although I have BIG plans for our imaginary beach house in Quogue].  I really kept that in mind when I chose our location, our outfits and the seasonal timing of our session.

Luckily, Owen understood the importance of this to me.  He might not have two years ago.  He might have rolled his eyes, knowing that he’d rather be at home or fishing or just somewhere else.  But he’s seen me deliver enough canvases to other families and wonder “Where are ours?”  He also knew that this would make me really happy, having us all there.  Too many times I come home from a session and think “those were awesome, but bummer Dad wasn’t there.”  Honestly, if you are making the investment, try to include the entire family.  One – two hours (give or take) might seem like a hassle, but they really are images that will last you a lifetime.  I will be totally frank when I tell you that I have had family members show up and NOT want to participate, for whatever the reason.  When they get their gallery either (1) they are so happy that they did because they realize what it means to have those captures or (2) they feel really bad that they didn’t (or they pouted or smirked) because they can’t get that time back to do it over.  Having a willing spouse, if even for only an hour, really ties it all together.

So again, why all this planning?  Primarily because Custom Photography is an investment, even for me.  Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.  Unless you can go shake a money tree that grows in your yard, you owe it to yourself and your wallet to put some thought into the execution.  You don’t want to come away thinking “Why did I wear that shirt?” or “I didn’t plan this well around my kid’s schedule” or “I have no idea what I want to do with these images.”

I realize that in a tight market, spending money on photography might be a luxury that doesn’t seem affordable.  Trust me.  I get it.  We were pressed to our limits last year, both of us starting at zero with new businesses in a bad economy.  But I knew there would never be a perfect time — there are always more pressing expenses — childcare, a new heating boiler, or a new car.  I tucked money away in my sock drawer for a while for my session with Amanda and was so grateful that Jennifer and I were able to swap.   I think it’s important that you know this because even for me in my own occupation, it’s a big investment.  And so any time you spend your hard earned dollars on this investment, not only am I extremely grateful, but I feel what it means to you.  Again, I encourage any professional photographer to go through the process of being a PAYING client so they can truly understand what it means to spend.

So the takeaways…

• I love my images from both sessions.

• I am glad I planned what to wear well in advance because I realized that to achieve the look I wanted was not happening in our closets nor could I have figured it out at the last minute.

• I wish I had lost that last 10-15 pounds but that will come someday and I can’t put myself on hold until I do.  I wanted to look better in some of the images, but I took some time, walked away from them, and came back and looked at that with the perspective of an outsider.  Were they beautiful photography? (yes) Did she capture what I asked for? (yes)  Would I look back in a few years and be eternally grateful I have the images? (yes) Did they depict my life as it is today? (yes) Did they tell the story of us? (yes)  Will I ever be happy with me? (probably not)  And so I decided that they were marvelously perfect imperfections and then I really fell in love with them.

• Neither session netted out with one “everyone smile and look at the camera” family portrait… and I am totally fine with that… my life is made up of all the wonderful loud, crazy, happy, trying and loving “in between” moments… and my kids are 2 & 4… and Owen and I are human.  So displaying a few images together helps us tell our story and shows way more love and emotion than “one perfect image” ever would.

• Both sessions really helped me understand the overall client experience and gave me some great takeaways for things I will implement in my own business.

I am eternally grateful to both Jennifer and Amanda for capturing what they did.  Here are some favs.  I’ll post pictures when all my images are finally displayed in my home!

Images from Amanda Burse – La Bella Vita Photography

Images from Jennifer Shore Photography.

Last Friday into this Monday, I decided to get my head back into the game.  I have this extended work hangover that stretches well into January.  I want to work.  I still owe things to people.  I want to get my act in gear.  But I can’t.  I am too fried.  I do things like attempt to paint an entire beadboard ceiling another color.  I cut out early for wine.  Hell, I even work out.  So Friday and Monday I sat down, I made myself a good solid working list of projects, and then I got ready to go!  And then I checked the weather.  And I panicked.  I said to Owen “Oh my GOD, I will not be able to work again until Friday and then not again until next Wednesday.”  My kids are in school all day M-W-F, and when a snowstorm hits on Wednesday, it means three days in a row at home.  Add to that MLK day next Monday and after Friday they are home until Wednesday, four days in a row!  If you know me, even if you don’t, you know this stretches my limit of parenting.  I was not born a stay at home mom.  There are a few genes like that I am missing.   I love working.  It makes me SO happy to do what I love [and we have bills to pay, mouths to feed and all that BS].  Don’t get me wrong.  I love my kids too.  Tuesdays and Thursdays are usually pretty fun.  This time of year, when I am not stressed, we generally have a really good time.  We make tents.  We make cookies.  We paint.  We make a mess.  We visit the train museum.

BUT NOT WHEN WE ARE SNOWED IN WITH NO ESCAPE.

AND NOT WHEN WE LOSE POWER OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

AND NOT WHEN I TRY TIRE THEM OUT BY RUNNING THEM OUTSIDE AND REALIZE THAT I HAVE TO CARRY JANEY AND CHRISTOFER IS FROZEN AFTER 5 MINUTES.

When that happens, it’s not so fun.  So as long as I ignore what is probably jumping on the bed and potty talk in the next room, I can safely say we have ALMOST made it through the storm and we are very excited for school tomorrow.  In the mean time, I did manage to sit them down and force some smiles out of them.

I do love them to pieces.  They are pure happiness [most of the time].

Because it’s been SO long since I’ve blogged them, I figured I’d reintroduce them to you.  I feel like I haven’t shot my kids in so long and the light was so nice when I went to pick them up from school and I just happened to have my gear in the car, so they were patient with me for a few [I am WELL aware that 3 different people heard me not only scolding them, but also bribing them, but I am going to pretend they just willingly participated].

This time of year just feels like a disaster.  I have so many sessions, all of which I love.  Really love [I don't blog a lot of them because I don't want to ruin holiday card and gift surprises].  And I say “I am all booked,” but then I feel bad that I am not shooting more and fitting in last minute clients, so I go ahead and book.  Then I realize that I’ll never get it all done in time.  Then I tell myself that I always get it all done in time.  So as soon as I promised myself “no more sessions,” I went and booked two more.  So the net of it is, I am DONE with sessions [meaning I am not booking any more, I am still shooting the ones I have scheduled].  For now.  If I can have every current client taken care of (meaning galleries out and cards designed and orders in process), I will open up sessions for the first week of December for anyone who can stand to be last minute.  So that’s that. [For the few people that are on my wait list, I'll get with you to see what we can do].

In the mean time, I think things are good here.  Kids are happy.  Owen is happy.  I am happy.  My ears are still a mess, but that’s just the way my ears work.  Mom is better, and yes, I’ve already roped her into coming up to sit for a few hours tomorrow, because I am just like that [actually, it's really just because we miss her!].  I am on the count down to my big birthday, lots of reflections, but I think of how good things are and I realize that the big-four-oh is going to be awesome because mentally I’ve been getting younger ever years since about 32!  Enough of that.  Here are the kids.

I love how she looks at him.  She loves him so much.

Except when she is trying to push him off her.  And actually, she’s a little more mean to him than he is to her.  But she’s a chick, and a beautiful one at that, so there you have it, she can be.

And this.  This is pure unbridled four year old love.  There are just not enough words.

Happiness is firing off one shot and getting this.  And then almost fallen backwards into a swampy cold pond.  But I got it. And that’s all that matters.  I might love this one into a canvas.  Everything that is imperfect about it is so perfect to me.

Seriously.  Because this is the second time I started to title a post “Mine on Monday” only to realize that it’s now after midnight and Thursday.  I have been a bad blogger lately, and it’s not for a lack of subject matter.  I have had some seriously amazing sessions lately, including a fabulous wedding.  I just got caught up a bit in the weeds, sort of like dragging a boat engine through beach grass… but I powered through and can happily say that I am only officially late on two session galleries and then I’ll be cruising!  If those go out tomorrow, I am so good!  I’ve posted a bunch to Facebook, so check it out over there and make sure you “like” my business.

Anyway, amidst some bad fall allergies, the need to get up from my desk, and my OCD to make sure my lenses are not acting up, I shot a quick sesh with the kids.  Let’s clear a few things up right away, this really was just to test my 24-70 2.8L lens to ensure it wasn’t back-focusing, so I put a few important measures to the side.  For instance, many of these are compositionally wrong.  There are chopped limbs galore and yes, I blew out the whites in Janey’s dress.  To state the more obvious, Janey has a teething rash and drip nose from her molars and her diaper is sort of dragging.   Christofer went inside the house after school and changed into something he preferred (“pants with no buttons and no zippers” and a strange summer obsession with long sleeve t-shirts that once belonged to the Fellows boys), my chair needs a final coat of paint (and you should see how cute the blue one looks!).  And the Joe-Joes.  I am sure there are many of you people who frown upon chocolate sandwich cookies at 5:30PM just before dinner (you know who you are, you use salad forks at dinner… mwah).  But my kids won’t give me the time of day if I have my camera in my hand and I REALLY needed to test my lens before my session tomorrow, and so you do what you can.

Anyway, no idea WHY I decided to choose these to blog, other than it’s sort of typical of how we roll here at Casa de 157, just trying to keep it real, yo.

I don’t know if it’s appropriate to say it out loud, but I have been known to lick the side of his face… and to play incessantly with his hair.

I love the progression here from “Fun… are you done… seriously lady, get over it.”

And how in a matter of seconds they go from uber cute and in love to stone-faced children that have no time for my antics.  Do you get what I mean when I say “they gang up on me!”?

Honestly, with the hair pretty, have you ever? [And for you 24-70 haters... look at how crisp that dust and grime and my chair is, back in love with this lens.]

You are probably thinking that these next two are totally unrelated.  They aren’t.  They are related (was that a double negative sentence?)  Image on left is what the demon child looks like when she’s about to take something… with great force.  Image on right is what unsuspecting wounded older brother looks like in the aftermath.

And finally, my girl.  With the slight shadow of a dent in her forehead, just above the left eye… Janey-left-eye-Young… sad evidence of what happens when Mommy chooses to make coffee rather than to help her little girl down the stairs.  Fortunately, she has forgotten and lives her life thinking “Ain’t no thing but a chicken wing…”

Good night my friends.  If you’ve stayed with me this long.  Off to move Christofer to his bed, and no doubt me to Janey’s bed.

The girl.  The girl.  The girl.  The girl is something else.  Everything about the girl is a contradiction, she is completely complex and totally simple.  Even at age two.  For the first 15 months of her life she was Zen Baby.  The baby that barely peeped at night, slept soundly in her crib, just wanted to be on someone’s [Jen's] hip during the day.  Happy to observe with her big moon eyes.  Fifteen to eighteen months she started to find her voice.  Eighteen months and she went from Zen to Chick in a minute.  And we love her.  Every single ounce of her little being.  She is a total mystery to me and I am never sure what to expect next.  She is obsessed with her father, and he with her… but she is also my barnacle girl… attached to my side, all day if she could.

She is beautiful beyond comprehension.

She is tiny, teeny tiny, but packs a punch.

She doesn’t call me mama or mummy… just Mom (“C’mon Mom”).

She is entranced with her brother and whatever he does, no matter how big, she must do it too.

She climbs and contorts herself into the smallest spaces you could ever imagine (toy cubbies 3 feet off the ground, into kitchen cabinets, the 6″ space in between the top of a stool and the underneath of the countertop).

She knows what she wants and how she wants it (“Janey do it by herself… it’s Janey’s turn now.”)

She has a Who voice from Whoville.

She is the mouse.

She is an angel at school.  They want 20 of her.

She loves red patent leather boots.

She burps very loud.  And very often.  Then says “scoos me” and laughs.

She only wears things that her Dad tells her are very pretty.

She can count to ten in Greek and English.

Her favorite song is Itsy Bitsy Spider.

She loves to have her teeth brushed.

She loves to say “Scooby Doo… where are yooooouuuuuu?”

She sleeps the best when I am sleeping with her and she is tucked as tight as she can be to my side… but she hates blankets.

Her best friends are Sosie and Nah-nah.

She is amazing.