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.

So catching up…

Beach session availability: (and I assume “beach” is up until September 18th, unless you want “fall beach” which I actually love)

• Tuesday 8/31 evening (5PM)
• Tuesday 9/7 evening (5PM)
• Monday 9/13 – 9/17 late day (starting at 4:30ish)
• Saturday 9/18 all day

I am taking a Sunday – Thursday trip out of town starting either the 19th or the 26th, so I am not scheduling for either of those weeks until I know for sure.

Fall Sessions:

After Labor Day, I will post information about Mini-Sessions.  These are the perfect session if you are looking for quick holiday gift prints and/or a holiday card photograph.  I have a fun theme planned for this year that will require YOU to do some thinking!  You know that I love my cards, so I am working on fun concepts for 2010!  More to come!

I will NOT be scheduling ANY holiday card sessions after November 14th.* Please don’t ask.  I say that because you know I always say yes.  But saying yes that late in the season means that at BEST, you will get your images December 1 or later.  Then you will be panicked to get your card out and we’ll both be super stressed getting it designed, ordered, back to you and then you mailing it out in time for the holidays. * If you do not require a holiday card and need no guarantee of when you will get your images (i.e. might be the 2nd-3rd week in December), then you CAN ask and I will say yes!

The ONLY sessions that I will be shooting in the month of December are newborn sessions.

And how can I close without an image?  From an adorable session I had last week!  Love.

Everything about that image sums up what I love about life, summer, family, beach, water and the North Shore.  I love the light.  I love the rocks and lumps of seaweed — this ocean and that landscape is what I know.  I love the reflection of their feet in the sand.  I love that her feet do not touch the ground.  I love that they are holding hands.  I love that he is looking at her and she is screaming with joy.  I love that the youngest is trying to keep up.  I love that the parents are so happy and engaged behind them.  This will be an image that I look at when I am sad, just to make me happy.  This will be the first image on my new web site.  I love it.

OK, back to reality, land the plane.  I first shot these kiddos way back when, two years ago.  I was thrilled when I got a call for another session.  Nothing makes me happier than seeing clients I love, and seeing how their children have grown.  When they said they were at the beach, one of my favorite beaches that I grew up at, I was really excited.  And of course you know what happens when I arrive at a session… I play the name game and sure enough, I know the neighbors… and the other neighbors… and the others…. so no, there really are no strangers in my life.

The weather called for 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms.  Seriously.  What a great job.  You can be wrong ALL THE TIME and not get fired.  Sign me up.  There was not one cloud in the sky.  The temperature was perfect August.  The was a record low tide which made for a glorious sand bar.  Kids amazing.  Parents were awesome.  Never mind the weatherman, I have a great job.

Thanks Shannon & Geoff and kids.  It was awesome.

Caroline’s family was equally awesome (gorgeous sister Brooke, really nice parents, husbands, children and on and on).  You know how I love big families, seeing the resemblances (clearly all beautiful), watching the interactions.  Cousins together are so cute and make me really happy because my sister and I live far apart as well and so it’s just such a treat to have our kiddos playing together.

We made our way down the beach and I have to tell you, the lighting was phenomenal.  It just gets better and better on that beach… from about 6PM to 15 minutes or so after the sun sets.  Someone told me it’s equivalent to the light in Provence and I believe it.

I had a wonderful time and I am so glad our worlds collided!

[On a totally unrelated note, I was considering posting smaller sneak peaks... apparently word on the street is that it's more exciting to see your slideshow if the sneak peaks are smaller.  For me, I love a big sneak peak because it buys me some time if I am running late on a gallery.  I also feel like it's "me" -- I talk a lot, I obsess a lot (in a good way) and so I blog a lot!  I'd love to hear from past, present and future clients about whether you like to see a lot of images up front, or just like a select few to hold you over until you see them all in your slideshow!  So leave me some comments!]

On another note, if you are looking for me, I am not around.  I have limited connectivity and am slow to answer emails and phone calls.  I will be back for a full office day on Monday, then slammed the entire week from the 11-15 as I have 3-4 sessions and a friend in from out of town.  I appreciate your patience as I recover from vacation and a busy week!  When I get back I have two awesome beach sessions to blog and some fun family vacation images!

I had a very funny morning with this family.  Funny because Luca ran like crazy, Paco laughed a lot, Sophie chased and Seb just sat and took it all in.  And what made it so awesome, is that all I had to do was shoot!

So here are a few, especially family ones with all four of them looking at the camera!  Believe in the impossible and it will happen!

Safe travels home to Spain.  It was wonderful to see you and I look forward to your next visit!

And you should all know that I stood in the middle of the street on the double yellow line and stopped traffic while I took this.  Complete with jumping up and down to get everyone to look at me.  Whatever it takes, baby.

And this is Sophie & Paco when they are all spiffed up!  Not bad, right??

[proofed on my laptop, apologize if the colors are wonky!]

Jessica & Sean are getting married in August at an amazing venue.  I am thrilled because I actually shot a wedding there for dear (and longlost) friends a few years ago.  The light and backdrop are insane.  And as you will see, we have stumbled upon yet another gorgeous couple.  We are lucky.

We are really stoked for this wedding, especially coming off such a great event last weekend.  We have some great ideas to divide and conquer and come up with a composite of work that tells their beautiful story.

Jessica & Sean!  You guys are awesome!  We are so thankful you have selected  us to document your day!  We can’t wait!!!  I gave you an extra big sneak peak since you won’t see the rest until you view your wedding proofs!  Enjoy!

Amy Ro and I were beyond fortunate to be able to photograph this marriage of not only two people, but also their families.  Two families who have been linked together through time, fate, sorrow and joy.  Two families that are full of love, spirit and joy.  Two families that are now one.

There were a million moments during this day when people paused to honor those not with them, and those that were with them in spirit.  And a million looks, touches, hugs, whispers, shouts and laughs were exchanged to rejoice in the union.  It was extraordinary.

Monica and Todd, you are so loved.  But you know that.  Because you just knew.

A millions smiles, hugs and amazing thoughts from me to you as you continue building your lives together.  I am hopeful that I will be able to document more events in your life and happy to know that we will share wine and stories, and perhaps some golf lessons in our future.

XOXO

I am off to photograph Monica & Todd’s wedding today, so I am out of the loop… stay tuned for images tomorrow or Monday!

I am simply beyond thrilled with what I captured.  Kelly, thank you so much.  I cannot wait for your big family session!

North Shore Peeps… stay tuned… next week I’ll be announcing some local mini sessions that you can take advantage of in preparation for holiday card season… yes, it’s approaching that fast!