Love and Marriage - The 'A' Family

The most fabulous compliment in the world to me is when a bride comes back to visit me

and have their family pictures taken as well.

I love getting to spend time with them, and seeing how their families are growing.  

Another reason why it's a huge compliment? Because, let's face it.

Portrait photography is a little pricier then your typical Sears or Target.

I get it, and I realize that they are investing not only in their memories, but in me to preserve them.

It's something I don't take lightly and something that just tugs at my heart.

I can't even begin to tell you how much it means to me. 

Some of you may remember Veronica and Steven from their wedding this past September?

Well, we got together again last weekend and had a fun family session.

It was extra fun because they came supplied with Munchkins!!

I mean now that is thinking! : )  

***

So here's the thing about a family pic.

 You want everyone to look good, be well behaved and sit still.

It's totally not easy. I'll be the first to tell you.

You see the little man on the left hand side?

He wanted to play and I don't blame him, and while ideally you would have thought a traditional pose of having him sitting up straight would have worked better - his lounge position totally makes this picture for me. It shows so much personality and character.

I love when things fall into place like that.

Brothers...

A toothless grin and a piggy back ride for his little sister.

*melt*

I love the eye contact in this one...

Talk about eyes...

So sweet...

Handsome devil... ; )

I took an extra five minutes for their newest member - because let's be honest -

the third (no matter how hard we may try) always has the least amount of pictures usually.

I wanted to make it up to him now.

4 months of pure happiness... 

 What a face!

I'll end on this out take...it's a random moment - but I still love it.

See if you can spot the hand holding with his sister!

Steve and Veronica, thank you so very much for letting me into your lives once again to document not just your wedding day, but your marriage itself.

To me, marriage is about family and maintaining the crazy and happy dynamics of it all.
Love and marriage is much more then just the wedding day.

I loved seeing you all in the moment and enjoying it for all that it's worth.

'Easy Peasy' - The 'M' Family

Ohhh dear time...you are flying too fast.

Make-up Moday is on a temporary hiatus until I catch up a bit.

I hope y'all don't mind that I will be leaving with you with some lyrics instead of my usual banter.

I have much to catch up on during this season, but couldn't leave you hanging without

a 'sneak peek' of the "M" family!

***

"How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink

Faster than a flower blooms they grow up all too soon.

So, let them be little 'cause they're only that way for awhile

Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day.

Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle.

Oh, but let them be little

So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around and

it's time to let them go

Sooo let them be little."

***

I lined them up and walked about ten feet to take the picture.

When I turned around they had this super cute pose happening.

The boys were leaning out - which I think looked fun.

I love when things just fall into place.

I NEED these outfits.

 

Navy is a huge color this year and looks great on everyone!

Brothers, twins, room mates...best friends...

I love when a little bit of personality shines through in an otherwise traditional picture. 

Okay, I know Mom is not going to be crazy about the middle pic, but you know - I have a picture of me when I was younger like that...and it's actually one of my favorites.

I love the emotion and realness of the moment. It makes me actually lol - for real.  

Ahhh you make it look soooo easy...

So, I'm a huge believer that the outfits are half the battle when making an image 'flow'.

Marietta has a gift of pulling the 'look' all together. I was in awe, I was envious,

I wanted her immediately to start shopping for my family.

Such impeccable style.

I'm thinking Marietta should be a guest blogger - to give us all some tips - what do you all think?! : )

Thank you soooo much for visiting me again this year. It was great to switch up the season.

I don't know how you do it Marietta. You really do make it look sooooo easy.

God only knows how hard it is to make it look that easy.

Thank you for all of your referrals this past year.

I'm humbled by all of your kind words and the wonderful people you have sent my way.

Many thanks!!

p.s.

Before you go, leave your thoughts below.

20 comments = complimentary gift

Content - The 'C' Family Kids

I'm not sure they even stopped to breath when I was there.

At 2, 3 and 4 there is no such thing as sitting really.

Well, maybe if you include sitting for a half a second and then jumping out of your seat for no apparent reason -
other then to run in a totally different direction just for the heck of it.

Ahhhh to be a kid. 

I felt at home there.

I felt that someone could relate to my world.  

We tried to sit in trees, we tried to sit in a leaf pile, we tried to sit on a hammock,
we tried everything we could to keep them still...but then
 really from a kids point of view, where is the fun in that?! ; )

And that's just it.

When kids are in their element you may not get the perfect pose,

but hopefully what you do get is that relaxed, expression of your children looking content.

And isn't that really what we all strive for?

Contentment.

As crazy and as lively as the afternoon was - it was nice because we were just in the moment.  

A moment that will actually pass quicker then it will ever sometimes seem.

***

When looking at Mom's memories on the wall I saw that she was fond of b/w images -
so I decided to go that route this time around  for the blog!

  Look at that mischievous grin...

She took a little while to warm up, but we got there.

I love the sweetness of her smile.

Believe it or not this shot was taken mid way through her sprinting in the backyard -

I called her name and she turned quickly toward me and this is what we caught.

 annnd right before they pushed each other off - they really looked liked they liked each other ; )

 I think being content is not something that we should strive for, it's something we should create.

In our everyday hours there are fleeting moments of this, if we just have a second to take it all in.

And as hard as it may be to see sometimes...

when you do catch it, hold onto it with both hands...cause these are the

moments in between the craziness of life that we want to remember.

Nay, never forget.

And if you want a little play on words...

Being content is the content of a full life. ; )

***

Thank you Elizabeth for having me back this year to document how much your
babes have grown in one year.

I adored spending time with you all!

If you would like to see their lives at the same time last year, click here:
http://showandtellphotography.blogspot.com/2010/11/c-family-lifestyle-session-paradox.html

p.s.

Before you go, leave your thoughts below.
20 comments = Complimentary gift

My Mom's Best Advice About Marriage

Say, 'maybe'.

Never say 'no'.

God, it sounds so ridiculously simple doesn't it?

Yet, I thought it was the stupidest advice ever.

When Dan and I got married a lot was happening in our lives. 

We had met in June and by December we were engaged. 

I know. I see some eyes rolling. 

Sometimes when you know, you know. 

6 months later we were married. 

The 'in between' during those six months was crazy though. 

We were under an enormous amount of pressure from crazy life situations. 

I was in a new management position at work.
I was read my last rights in a hospital because of something that happened to my gallbladder.
 Someone blew a red light and I was in a horrible car accident 

and my car was totaled. 

Our extra car on hand was broken into. 

We were in the process of buying a house. 

My grandmother died and his grandmother died within a month of each other...(before the wedding). 

Oh. And yeahh...we had a little thing called a 'wedding' to plan then too.

Some of you know how much stress that is alone. 

Everything seemed overwhelming. 

When we had moved into our new home a month before our wedding 

we were bickering about everything. We couldn't agree on freakin' tooth paste. 

It was nuts. 

We each had our own ideas on what should be done first on the house
and neither of us wanted to compromise.
Every time either of us opened our mouths the 

other would just say 'no' to whatever the question was. 

'I want to re-do the floors.' 

'No, not right now.' 

'I want to get a new tool. 

'No, not right now.'

The more we said no to each other, the more the other dug their heels in. 

We all want to be heard. 

We all want our ideas to be taken into consideration. 

By saying 'maybe', no one is on the defense. 

There is still time to talk it over, and discuss the pros and cons. 

One day I tried it. 

Dan walked in the room and said 

'I think we should take the tax money and put it towards the loan on the car.' 

That was the money we spoke about going to our 1970's nasty kitchen. 

I was devastated.

My first reaction was 'no' - actually it was more like 'noooo waaaaay'.

On the inside. 

Well, if you really want to get technical there may or may not have had an explicit thrown in the middle.

But instead I bit my tongue (it may have bled) and said 'maybe'.

All of a sudden his demeanor softened and he wasn't ready for combat. 

It was much different talking to someone that wasn't expecting a fight. 

I was able to listen to him and even - sighhhh- agree with him a little. 

He was right in a way. Key word 'in a way'. 

By listening and not getting defensive I was able to see it meant more to him then it did to me. 

So instead of giving in I was able to agree. 

***

A few weeks had passed and I had asked him something equally important that was
going to cause WW3 - although I can't even remember what it was. 

I remember bracing myself.  

He didn't say 'no' though, he said 'maybe'. 

I was sitting on our couch with my feet up, 

thinking we were finally on the right track to compromise, and honestly it was so much less exhausting.

The crucial point though was when he turned to walk away, 

I saw a slight smile come to his face...kinda like he got away with something.

And all of a sudden it hit me...

'YOU, TALKED TO MY MOTHER!

It wasn't a question it was a statement. 

We both broke out in a fit of laughter.

Almost ten years later we still use it...even though we both know that we may be 

using it to pacify the other person. It's not lost on us. We get it. 

It taught us actually to see what the other person was saying. 

Listen, think about it, and discuss it rationally.

Marriage is work - no matter how you look at it. 

There is an ebb and a flow to it. 

There is no right or wrong way to go about it. 

Everyone is different and that's just the point. 

We all have different ways to look at something. 

And perhaps Antoine de Saint Exupery said it best, 

'love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.'

Sometimes it's good to ask for directions.

Thanks Mom!

'In Between' - Long Island Family Session

Do you remember being one?

It's a shame we don't right?

It's a time in our lives when our wonder and our innocence's was so pure, so magical.

A leaf, a raindrop or a blade of grass was enough to purse our lips in a permanent 'o', or illicit happy giggles.

Although we can remember it, we get the privilege to see it through our children's eyes.

At one, personalities start to emerge and they are learning so many new things.

The world is big from where they stand, and our job is to instill in them that they can conquer it.

Before the pressure and the stress that society places on them begins,

before they are out of feetie pajamas, you're gonna wish you caught the magic.

The magic may not be the perfect smile, nor the perfect outfit -

but maybe perhaps the perfect expression.

The curiosity.

The amusement.

The moments in between (haha - get it ; )  'in between'. 

Eyes as big as saucers...

How cute are those leg warmers?!!

I don't know. I just like it.

Hello pretty...

A mother's love...

Blowing kisses.

I love how her little arms are out for balance!

Pure happiness...

I love this little family...and love the fact that it's getting bigger!

Rich and Kathleen, thank you for not only giving me the huge privilege to be their for your wedding day,

but also the honor to continue the journey watching and documenting your growing family.

You're the best!!

p.s.

Before you go, leave your thoughts below.

20 comments = a complimentary gift

A Little Help From My Friends...

So this week I learned about something kinda cool.

See, there is this thing on my blog that let's you see how many people have visited.

And this past week I hit 20,000.

So whether you are new to visiting this blog, or you come here often...thank you.
Thank you 20,000 times.

Or come to think of it...maybe I should be thanking only my mother?! ; )

I started this blog to not only show clients 'teasers', but to share a little bit about me,
and maybe some underlining messages...
 to live life the way you picture it.

Recently the wedding publication 'The Knot' sent an e-mail letting us (photographer's)
know that they are scouting the reviews from our clients
on their boards to find their 'pick' for 2012.

The 'pick' is an honor they give to vendor's by acknowledging that clients matter.

That the experience, as well as the product go hand in hand.

If you have experienced working with me,
I would love it if you could drop a quick review there for me.

If you have already, thank you so very much for taking the time to do that.

It helps me to continue to do what I love.

To review Show and Tell - click this link!

You know that feeling you would get the night before Christmas?
Or when you are so happy your feet feel like they aren't touching the ground?
Exhilarated, excited...filled with anticipation...
That's kinda how it feels when you give me the incredible honor to document a part of your history.
No joke.

My sincere gratitude and appreciation for each of you who have helped my
business to become what it is today...
I'm forever grateful.

 

Powder Puff - 'Make-Up Monday'

Sooo...I think I'm kinda like every other week as far as the 'Make-Up Monday's'.

How's that all working out for you?

Do you need it every week or every other is working out?

Let me know in the comment section if you can!

Well, I tried something new last week that I'm kinda diggin'.

I have been looking for a translucent powder for a while to take care of the shine and stumbled across

A-D Mally Poreless Face Defender.

It's revolutionary powder if you ask me.

It's powder but it's not. Almost like a gel really, but goes on matte.

It's sooo strange - you really need to try it out for yourself!

It really held up well for me and did it's job.

It didn't feel stiff, mask like or cakey - just really lightweight.

The coolest thing is, is that it's clear. I know. I don't get it either.

So, while they call it 'poreless' that's not really what sold me.

(I think they may have meant 'poor'less when you see how much it will set you back.)

A little goes a long way with this product though, so keep that in mind.

What sold me is that it combats my shine and also locks my make up in place. 

Since it's not a powder it also didn't have the ability to settle into fine lines - another plus. 

I'm a recent fan and it's gotten about 4.8 stars out of 5 on QVC.

Go have a peek for yourselves and if you order one - let me know what you think!

Happy Monday!