I photographed this beautiful sister and brother over 12 years ago! The dad had saved my contact information from when I was still shooting film! There was a beautiful new baby to photograph, some graduation portraits and family portraits. A simple commute to Brooklyn to this lovely townhouse, replete with an incredible outdoor space! Why go to the park?
The traffic was ridiculous and I arrived late. The mom was anxiously texting me to hurry as all three were losing patience. The lighting was soft and beautiful but all were upset and not into the shoot. Slowly but surely as we scouted for locations in Central Park, we came across an amazing tree, then rocks that lined up and more. So with the perfect backdrop and lighting, I needed to work on the adolescents. I resorted to politics and sure enough, it worked!
The traffic was ridiculous and I arrived late. The mom was anxiously texting me to hurry as all three were losing patience. The lighting was soft and beautiful but all were upset and not into the shoot. Slowly but surely as we scouted for locations in Central Park, we came across an amazing tree, then rocks that lined up and more. So with the perfect backdrop and lighting, I needed to work on the adolescents. I resorted to politics and sure enough, it worked!
Her mom reached out for a photography session expressing she waited until now because she was born premature. She arrived with mom a few days ago on a beautiful early evening in her comfortable snuggly. She hadn't been outdoors for more than a few hours at a time so this was new for her. She was the sweetest baby, her mom gave me the honor of holding her, I rocked her to sleep in my arms! When she woke up she was ready to continue! Those cheeks!
Enough park photography, this family wanted more of a city vibe. Moving to LA in just a week, I brought them to my favorite Tribecca spot, saturated with history and grit! Lucky for me there was a lot of rain the night before, leaving these pools of water on this tiny street. The kids, who mastered the perfect jumps, loved the chance to leap across trying not to get wet...it worked most of the time.
They met when she was a student and he the professor many years ago. There was an instant intellectual connection. Keeping in touch over the years she would visit his family and, on occasion, babysit for his children. With the passing of his wife he reached out and she was there. Life events brought them full circle. Without wasting time, he proposed. Some of the images were captured at Convent of The Sacred Heart where she went to elementary school many years before they met. It was meant to be.
Baby number two, two years old and very serious. The only trick that worked for a fleeting smile was the Dad toss. I photographed this little one in his mom's belly, as a newborn and now a toddler with his handsome older brother. The shoot came after they both consumed Grom strawberry gelato, thank goodness for photoshop! Evidence erased!
Many years ago I photographed Bridgette and her classmates at her nursery school. A year later her mom contacted me to do communion portraits of her eldest daughter. The bright red tulips on Park Ave were in full bloom, creating the perfect backdrop. A few years later I was contacted to photograph Bridget for her communion. The tulips were wilted but the Loeb Boathouse Lakeside was another ideal setting! Water, some boats even a turtle appeared in the water! Yes, found some red flowers to match her sister's portraits as well! The last image is Bridgette on her sister's communion day.
It felt like an August day this past Saturday! Lucky as its cold again and this gorgeous little toddler had to wear this fab dress sans sweater! A late walker, the mom contacted me as soon as she started to set up a shoot with her brother, whom you may recognize in many of my galleries...
Her brother chose a beautiful dandelion for his mom, and one for his sister. He enjoyed her reaction.
The drive upstate was tame but as the guests arrived, so did the snow. The amazing birthday party for adorable twin girls continued for three hours as the storm grew more intense. The predictions were 15 inches and the house was way up on top of a slippery mountain. After a 3 hour knuckle drive home, I uploaded these amazing images and sent to the parents and girls to enjoy on their day off of school the next day!
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She was just days old, we all expected this beautiful little baby to sleep the entire shoot.....there was no way! She was alert and thoroughly enjoyed being photographed! Her older fur sister had a good time licking peanut butter off her head as we pretended it was intentional loving licks.
These one year old adorable identical twins were a true and rare treat! Age one marks the transition to toddler from baby. Toddler stems from "to toddle" and these little ones were on the go as soon as they were released from the stroller. It took me about 15 minutes to distinguish one from the other, while they share the same faces their personalties were different.
Its been seasonally warm this winter, so far. This family reunion was after Christmas and the weather was perfect for this Harlem outdoor photoshoot! The family was so much fun, some visiting from Australia. Laden with multi outfit changes for the cousins and tons of interchangeable bright hats, we were set for the fun!
Women glow during pregnancy! Many women are so self conscious about their changing bodies but this an important time for professional photographs to celebrate the belly! Of course future siblings play an important role and assume the shoot is for them, but with a little coaxing....everyone gets camera time!
Pets are an integral part of the family, many times, the "first child". While the session can be more challenging with pets, it is by far worth the challenge! The animals sometimes become the stars of the photo shoots.....This small series were taken over two years in Tuxedo, New York.
Some solace by weeks end. With all the shock of the week, it was comforting to experience nature in NYC as its finest.
Still need to finish blogging about my summer shoots- tons of fall images soon! These images show the warm glow of the late afternoon / early evening summer sun. The girls had a blast! Next summer I need to convince the parents to join in!
I recommend squeezing the last drops of golden light available when it comes to beach shoots. This family started inside and when we got to the beach, just steps away, we had about 10 minutes. This being said, once the sun set, there was a lovely soft dusk that set in, shadowless and wonderful!
These images show how much fun these sibs were having!
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She showed up with a small suitcase, a fresh blow out and no make up. She didn't need any! Just a dab of lip gloss and some of my bronzer on her eyes and we were set to go with at least a dozen outfits, great music and her doting dad.
