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

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.

Let’s back it up about 5.5 years. I am not yet a Mom [well, like 8 weeks pregnant with Christofer], but I have a “really nice camera” and a brand spankin’ new copy of Photoshop Elements. I tell people that I am a photographer and that I love taking pictures. It’s almost painful for me to go on with the story, but I am not shy about my beginnings. I volunteer to take maternity pictures for my friend Jen and her friend Ravi [I should really use my laptop camera to photograph the pained expression that is on my face as I type these words]. Let me be totally clear when I say my subjects were beautiful and so it’s not about that. It was about me setting up some sort of rigged getup with curtains, a lamp (for backlighting) and an on-camera pop up flash and shooting on auto mode. Then it was about me jacking it up in Elements. Not because I had to “fix” my work, because I knew so little that I thought wonking the daylights out of everything actually made it look cool. It’s a memory I suppressed. Completely.

Flash forward to about 12-18 months ago. Beautiful Ravi and her lovely family move right down the street from me. Still, the memory was too deep to recall. One evening I am teaching a workshop and looking around at my past clients (including Ravi) and a wave of embarrassment hits as I realize that the EXACT people I am poking fun of (people that go into business too soon or shoot sessions before they know what the fork they are doing)… well that “people” was me and like a movie, a movie of all my early sessions (oh, there were a few, you know who you are) start flashing before my eyes. I am sure I was inexplicably bright red. I also know that I am not alone, and that every photographer has a session or two hidden in their closet or under their bed that they thought was THE bomb and now realize it was A bomb.

Flash forward again to about 2 weeks ago. Ravi brought her gorgeous kiddos (and lovely mom) to the studio for a quick little newborn mini session [newborn sessions typically aren't mini sessions, but I'll shoot them that way if you are looking for sibling shots and a few quickies for a birth announcement rather than a full newborn setup]. I really feel like it was my time to redeem myself and make good on all those earlier images.

I really love Ravi. She might be one of the nicest people I know. I am not kidding. She is just genuinely REALLY REALLY nice. Her children are gorgeous and I am so happy she’s a member of our community and it’s so nice to see her face around town. I haven’t seen her husband since they moved here, but he’s good with me because he is of my people [this is where I start to channel my mom and talk about the villages even though I have never been to the villages and cannot speak a word of Greek. Unless I've had a lot of Ouzo. And I am in Santorini trying to communicate with a waiter.].

And so here they are! Ravi, we can set up a time for you to come by and see them all!

Last weekend I had the chance to photograph a really remarkable family.  The parents were a referral from another client who I just love and so I knew I’d really like them.  They contacted me for a newborn session for their TRIPLETS!  Seriously, how exciting.  I think to anyone that has become a parent, understanding the miracle of adding to your family is humbling at the least, daunting on some days, and an unbelievable blessing blessed no matter what.  Adding three, on top of two, is mind-boggling in the absolute best sense of the word.  To say that they were ready for these babies (even 10 weeks early), is an understatement.  To say that they are loved is one as well.  This family is so together and complete that it was truly a pleasure to have them at the studio.

On top of that, big brother and big sister are scrumptious, Mom is a hottie and dad likes to cook the way Owen does — on the smoker!

I also have to give props to Trisha’s website because I sort of got sucked into it and it gave me a lot of really great ideas for summer eating, buying organic, and I loved the weekly menus!  So head on over and check it out!

Thank you so much for selecting me to photograph this amazing time in your life.  I am thrilled.

I love eight days new. Every session I’ve ever shot with a baby eight days new is as smooth as butter. This was no exception. Even though it was rainy and gloomy, there was a patch of window side light that was just fantastic. And this little girl was well fed and warm and slept for almost the entire session. Her parents, and grandmothers, were absolutely lovely and were so low key that at one point while in a zone, I sort of forgot they were even there, but they were peacefully enjoying downtime sitting right next to me. I hope I get to see more of this little baby girl. My sense (which you know is always completely accurate) is that she will be stunningly beautiful, brilliant, and have a wonderfully artistic sense about her. Yes, it’s me, waxing on again, I am in awe of my clients (and their children).

So a lovely, gray rainy day… my favorite kind of day… and a wonderful eight days new.

I was referred to Baby Jamie’s grandmother (she really looks way to young to be called grandmother) by one of my favorite new clients (and yes, you are all my favorites).  His mom and I emailed back and forth and I just knew I’d like her, she shares my affinity for Starbucks (although I have mostly quit coffee… can you believe it?) and she lives in one of my most favorite neighborhoods near one of my most favorite Mexican joints.  And when we met, we just clicked.  They live in a beautiful old home with lots of light and gorgeous plank floors and so much character.

But back to Baby Jamie.  He was just a love.  A good feeding and he sacked right out for his photos.  We tried to mix in a few with Oz, but it’s always a little precarious mixing a dog and a newborn, so we played it safe.

Anyway, I can’t wait to meet up with them again, maybe in the summer, so I can meet Jamie’s dad as well and do a little family session with everyone!  But for now, check out this newborn goodness!