I knew that my friend Amber was going to be in town on the 8-9th and I knew that Stephanie and Luis were expecting Javier at the end of January.  If you know newborn photography, you know, the younger the better.  So while we set the date in stone for Javy’s newborn session, I was really hoping that he’d be a few days late so he’d be the perfect age for his session.  Perfect age is anywhere between 4 days and 14 days… after that, it just gets a little tricky.  So I am sure Stephanie wasn’t as excited as I was that her baby wasn’t early, but I checked her Facebook page daily for updates.  When she did finally message she was in labor, I was THRILLED because I knew the timing would be perfect. And it was.

So Amber is not only an amazing newborn photographer, but she’s also a good friend.  I called her up and asked her to come for a visit because I just felt like I needed someone to give me a bird’s eye view of what I could improve on, and then get down in the trenches and help me tweak.  It’s not unlike playing golf with a pro and having them say “If you just move your foot here, or change your grip just slightly, your drives will be out of this world.”  I find on-going mentoring and education to be invaluable… no matter where you are in your game, there is ALWAYS room for improvement.  The minute you think there is not, you have stagnated and stopped growing.  So that was the purpose of Amber’s visit, although I think the second purpose was a little vacation for her and a lot of wine for both of us.  I do have to say, I have an AMAZING group of photographer friends of whom I am so grateful are in my life.

The other thing about Javier’s session is that it was two-part.  This is my FAVORITE way to photograph newborns.  For part one, the beanbag session, Stephanie came to me.  Because I could set up with my own light, and have all my blankets ready, house up to 80, heat fans blowing, coffee and muffins and fruit ready. All Steph had to do was show up, sit on the couch, put up her feet and relax.  For part two, I barely had to bring anything with me (think two blankets and a set of clamps) and I was able to stop by for a mini-session follow up, at their home, and capture both mom and dad with the baby — didn’t matter if he was asleep or awake — easy peasy.  If you are interested in this type of dual session, please contact me.

So here are our shots.  I can’t thank Stephanie, Luis, and Amber enough.. and Baby Javier… well, he was OUTSTANDING.

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.

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!]

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

Kit-kat came home from school, literally RAN past me to the shower so she could look all awesome for our session… and she was a ROCK STAR… no, maybe more like a Gap model.  Sort of like Christofer, she’s a little excited because someone else is around, but WHAM she can turn it on for the camera in a split second.  She is ever gorgeous, ever a teenager at age 5.  Love her.

And Erica is beautiful.  Really.  What else is there to say?  I stinkin’ love her too.  She and I have these off the wall conversations that I think about after I leave her house and I kill myself laughing.

I want to post more, but I have to go pay a few moving violation fines so I don’t end up in the clink… and as much as there are about 30 more I’d love to show you, we really want to keep them a surprise!  We’ll share another time!

I was so excited to meet Stacie and her family because she came to me via Erica (and apparently via quite of few of you Topsfield peeps).  I love it when friends connect friends.  The weather was great, the timing was great, and everything just sort of fell into place for this one!  Yay!

And with that, I am off to make up two hours of cleaning in about 15 minutes!

I am seriously loving these babes though. They have totally distinct personalities, but are so cute in that they still grab for each other, knowing they are connected. And I think they weigh more than Janey… and Will for sure has more hair than she does! Hopefully she’ll like younger men…

I am

Now scroll on down past that family image and VOTE for your favorite nursery.  Don’t collect $200, don’t pass go.  Just go VOTE.  Two days left!