So here we are.

I really wanted to share some images from this session for a few reasons.  Primarily because I really did stalk Chris and Marci last year for this session.  I reconnected with Chris, and then “met” Marci, when I was having coffee [read: cocktails] with Mrs. Fellows and inevitably we had Facebook up and somehow we made the connection that she knew Marci and I knew Chris, and what are the chances, and don’t we now have a bunch of mutual friends up here on the North Shore?  So you know I love to photograph people I know, and conversely, you know I end up knowing all my clients through 10 different avenues.  And so it just begged the question “Why aren’t I photographing the Gallups?”

Chris and I went to college together and I’d say we ran in the same circles, which is really just one giant circle, a giant confused circle, a giant confused very fun circle.  Such was Hobart College.  I think we ran into each other a few times out in Boston… and now ALL these years later we both live on the North Shore.  It’s so awesome to see the people I knew 20 years ago living such great lives.  He married Marci who is downright FABULOUS in every sense of the word and they have 4 awesome kiddos.  And it’s just a really cool thing to come full circle and catch up again.  Even though we didn’t actually catch up because he was trying to prevent his children from jumping off Castle Rock and I was trying to photograph them doing just that… but I did kind of get to know Marci more and she’s a winner and I know I’ll be seeing more of her.

So landing the plane, one reason I wanted to share is that I know them, love them, cute family, all is good.  The other reason is that one night last year I happened to log on to Facebook and saw that they adopted Riley.  To me, that is the most beautiful and selfless and amazing thing someone can do for their family.  We have a few adoption stories that are quite close to our hearts and so when I find out that someone has chosen this option to complete their family, I immediately think “I need to capture their family complete for them.”  So we planned to do a session last year, but things got crazy with my schedule and their home renovation, and it slipped to this fall.  But we finally shot it, and I love it.  Their family is so full of energy, their boys are gorgeous [and funny and polite] and Riley just completes the puzzle. [Well, a dog actually completes the puzzle... so we'll have to see what happens with that!]. And so here they are, on my blog.

Thanks for a great Sunday.  I am happy we got this done and we did so before the first touchdown of the Pats game.  I hope to see you soon!

[As a special little treat, I am sharing their entire slideshow at the bottom. It was a fun session and very representative of my work -- a blend of lifestyle portraiture.... and since I haven't updated my portfolio on this site yet, it gives you an idea of what to expect at a session!]

Love this.  I must have said “OK, now NO ONE look at the camera!”

Love love love how Chris and Marci are pretty far apart but still totally connected looking at each other!

A picture of the Lighthouse at the Lighthouse!  What could be better?

I am even more lucky because I have known Josh since before he was born.  Really.  No joke.  Our families are BFFs.  Really BFFs.  It doesn’t matter if we don’t see each other for months on end, we are still BFFs.  I can’t actually even put it into words the connection we have with this family.  When I was like 6 or 7 I was looking out the window at the neighbors getting ready to go to Prom and I apparently said “Josh Chaffin can take me to the prom.”  When I was reminded about that in later years (as I am actually reminded whenever I see Josh or my mother wants to embarrass me), it’s really really funny!!

I found a prom date other than Josh… and a few years later, Josh found Maisie who is a dream.  She is so kind, open, and brings an amazing spark to not only Josh’s life, but also to Peggy & Nate’s (after 39 years, I apparently have the green light to call Mrs Chaffin “Peggy”).  She is beautiful and has a lovely spirit.  Josh grew into a handsome, articulate and caring guy.  Together, they have Issac.  And he is beyond yummy.  I spent about 30 minutes with just Issac and I was IN.  LOVE.  Everything about this boy is the bomb.  It was so fun to see this family together, and to watch how careful and loving they are with their boy, and to see how much they love each other.

Thank you for an amazing morning.  You guys really are like my second family.  Can’t wait until you are living state-side again!

As for the rest of the session, it was lovely. I met Holly at a workshop and I think we totally clicked so I was super psyched to shoot her session! I was equally psyched to meet her husband because he works at Adobe and you know how I love my Brands. I figured two cool people would make an awesome kid, and I was right! Their son is a gorgeous little boy filled with a lot of expression, determination and a little bit of spunk!

I had a great time! I am so glad everyone hung in there through the sun and the heat and we got it DONE!

I have so much more to say about this, but I can’t because I have a 20 month cyclone destroying my office… too sick for school, too well for home and into Sharpies & Post-its.  And I have to pack us up for our trip tomorrow.  And do about 10,000 things.  Like post nursery contest updates, and all that jazz.

So these can pretty much speak for themselves.  Love.