*Sneak Peek* Baby on the Way!

Photography is a very personal vocation.  Especially for custom photographer's who shoot on location. Think about it: you literally are being invited into someone's home.  You don't get more personal than that!  It's always interesting for me in the process to quickly adapt to whatever home I walk into and figure out a way to tell their story.  Upon walking into the B. Family home, I felt such a comfort level and their laid back style and sheer faith in my vision made our shoot seamless.  Add a lovable pooch into the mix and away we went.  I cannot wait to meet their little one in a few weeks...

*Sneak Peek* A True NY State of Mind.

I couldn't be happier than to film the C. Family the day before their move out of NYC.  Talk about a poignant session.  NY was good to them. The time they spent there gave them a marriage, two beautiful boys and a squishy pooch.  Who could ask for more? I really wanted to document their literal last day living there as a tribute to their everyday NYC life.  It started with breakfast. Dad shared a story with me about the deli they would frequent 'pre-kids' just downstairs, and how that deli stayed a staple in their lives (as witnessed by the bagels below). We went to their local park and along the way, I snagged a few shots of them passing the train station just steps away from their building.  And once in the park, some perfect shots of them as a family having fun.

I'd be amiss to say this session didn't come with a few bumps along the way. Our first session was not only rained out once, but twice, and the second time it not only rained out, but the Occupy Wall Street protests were scheduled to happen downtown where they lived.  That would have made for a true NY moment, eh? Our rescheduled date? Well that morning as I was chugging along (literally) on the Metro North, the signals went out in Grand Central so I was stuck in the tunnel for 45 minutes.  When I finally arrived downtown I got to work.  Once finished with the apartment shots, off we went to the park. We encountered a man who was still having a 'jolly' old time from the night before, literally went to pet their dog, and fell head first onto concrete.  I kid you not.  Dad and I just looked at each other in pure astonishment. Luckily the injured party had a friend who shuffled him off (hopefully to get a much needed coffee and a band-aid).  Then just as I sat Dad down with the boys for a bench shot, a bird decided to christen Dad.  OK, so what are we up to now..four strikes? Well, there was one more- when big brother tripped and fell and hit his head mid-shoot.  At that point, once we knew he was fine (and a few jellybeans certainly can help snap a child out of tears!) we all just laughed.  Our session felt like it never should have happened. But I am so glad it did and safe to say from Moms reaction to the photos, she feels the same way.  Good luck C. family!

*Sneak Peek* A Brother's Love.

Often times after downloading a session I find a moment I cannot wait to share.  After downloading my NYC session from this weekend, there were a few of these moments.  With a baby and older sibling, you need to give a little direction.  'Give your baby brother/sister a gentle kiss' is what I often use to engage the children. Half the time, quite honestly, the baby will pull away, or cry, or the older sibling may be a bit too rough.  But in the case of this brother and sister team, the result was perfection.  More to come from this beautiful family soon...

*Sneak Peek* Party of Five.

The M. Family is a lifestyle photographers dream.  I was welcomed into their home by the cutest PJ'd little girl going, Miss E.  Once inside, everyone was hanging out in their comfy clothes.  No surprise...having just brought home a new baby a few days prior!  Big Brother H. was literally wired for sound (witness Dad giving him a lift as he clutched a favorite CD and the flashing of money at the camera from his tree house).  Miss E. took a break in the shoot for a quick tea party (served by Dad).  And Mom and Baby C. just went about their day with a feeding.  I literally was able to document their life as it happened.  When I noticed Dad's socks hanging out of his back pocket, Mom said 'That's so him.' And we left Dad as is... THAT is what I mean by a lifestyle photographer's dream.  After a while Dad had to scoot off to work and into their everyday clothes they went- but with their stylish Mom, everyday clothes are so no everyday :) Enjoy M. Family!

*Sneak Peek* Baby Z.

I first met Baby Z. at a babybites Westchester  luncheon where I spoke to new Moms about how to take better pictures of their child.  Z. man was super sleepy that day so I barely saw his eyes! Fast forward to 6 months later, when Mom invited me back into their lives for a session.  Z. certainly had grown and what a happy baby boy he is!  I always say I love the 6-7 month range to film.  Babies simply glow with joy when they first learn to sit up, and you can see their little independence already start to peek through... here's just a few from our day.

Hey Girl! {an I Heart Faces monthly photo challenge}

This month's photo challenge at I Heart Faces is themed 'Hey Girl.'

There is only one important girl in my life- so my subject was a no brainer.  My daughter.  She is the epitome of 'girl' in this shot with her dress flowing as she leaps and dances. 

*Sneak Peek* Miss A. Turns 1!

What a thrill to film Miss A. as she hit her mega milestone of turning 1.  I filmed her shortly after her birth and cannot express how awesome it is to watch the growth of a child, especially that first year.  And what a beautiful little girl she is- she had many looks from her pensive, serious side to her infectious smile.  Happy Birthday A.!