aisha- senior lifestyle session

another beautiful teenager making her way towards me for her portrait session. i was thrilled!!  this is such a speccial time in the life of a teen and i'm always happy when they allow themselves to be transformed through my lens if but for a day..

i met her mom at the beginning of the school year at starbucks and we quickly became morning coffee buddies. discussing the perils of teenagers, the school, grades, finals, christmas break, spring break, school, school, school.. oh.. and.... have a great day. i told her i was a photographer when we first met but she came to me much later to see if i would take pictures of her daughter.. "sure" i said.. secretly thinking "i thought you'd never ask.."
We decided on a time late in the day.. before sunset, at the park.
i must say, i shoot at this park often but i'm always amazed at the spectacular portraits that spring from my camera, as the river in the background always makes for a stunning backdrop.. add to that a stunning young lady in a..... oh you just have to wait and see!!

Aisha.. thanks for accommodating all of my crazy requests...You are a stunning young lady and i wish you all the best as you go off to college.  Mom.. thanks for allowing me to capture her before she goes off and grows up on you.. she's got a good head on her shoulders and will be just fine.. You have taught her well..

Click here for her slideshow..

the sunset made for beautifully warm toned pictures!!





just spectacular!!

sarah - senior session

she seemed a bit shy at first but when we got a moment to talk she voiced her opinion freely about what was to come for her in the days, months and years to come. she was positive, sensitive and yet strong with definite opinions concerning life, friendships and love.  she has a smile that lights up a room and an electric personality to equal that of any superstar.
we had so much fun shooting this session and i can't wait to here all about her ultimate college choice and her rocking prom date.. because there are a plethora of choices to make, in all things related to life, at her age and i am so refreshed to hear that she is examining hers....

here are a few of my favorites.. click here to see her slideshow

all in the family

"You are kidding me you are having another boy!" i exclaimed.. like it was any of my business at all.
"yes, yes.. i knoooowwww" she concedes in her raspy slow moving voice.. it's like molasses (her voice), so smooth and thick, the southern accent, you can almost reach out and touch the words as they come out of her mouth.
"we don't care.. as long as we have a healthy baby.. it will just be us and all those boys. i really don't know anything different".

but all i could think about was how precious they were. all of them. long ponytails, big eyes, nice smiles and polite ta' boot. each one of them has their own personality.. but don't they all, kids i mean. there was something about these boys that shouted "photo shoot" so when she called i was thrilled.

here are a few of my favorites from the day!

Look a little bit trying to hang with the big brothers!!



Throwing leaves= irresistible!

Inseparable- family session

sonya contacted me after a co-worker (Sandy) showed her a slideshow. i could not get her in before the holidays but she was clear she wanted it sooner vs. later. spring was too far.. she wanted to show/assure her family and friends back home that her son (the oldest) was doing well and that he had recuperated nicely from heart surgery earlier this year (2009). the urgency was noted and i was so honored to be able to make it happen for her as mom, for them as a family and for him as a pretty awesome person.

being 20 years old means that there are no smiles.. none...nada... even the youngest son tried not to smile during the entire shoot but i joked like a silly person until both of them shot me a fast one. i had to catch it quick or it would have been gone forever but catching those looks unexpectedly is what i do.. seeing or revealing the true personality of a person comes when they feel comfortable.. it takes a while but i try to always get what i want..

the family as a whole is awesome.. that is always nice to see and feel.. but as per my usual getting mom and dad to give me a little umph is always nice..

thanks for letting me into your world for a little while and to tell your story through my lens if not but for a brief moment in time..

take a look at their slideshow and you will see it all..