Melissa, Brandon, and Solomon, because he’s ONE!

This mama has been one of my cousin’s besties for as long as I can remember, so I was naturally excited when she contacted me to schedule a family photo session for Solomon’s first birthday.  After some indecision on the location, we finally agreed on Tree Tops park because it has a nice mix of green with some water, a mix of lovely light and shade, and the wind isn’t too bad on hair.  Solomon was teething pretty badly, and somewhat cranky during our session, but you would never know it from the photos.  This couple handled parenting like a champ, not getting upset when their little one was upset, going with the flow, and comforting and loving on their son when he needed it most.  Of course they did their very best to excite some giggles too!  And when you relax and just enjoy each other at your session, you end up with great photos like these, because that relaxation lets me in a little, allowing me to capture yourselves as you truly are.  So You!

Pinkletoes Workshop: Austin, TX March 2016

Last year around this time, I attended the Sense of Wonder workshop, and as I enjoyed learning from other photographers, I looked into other workshops I could attend a year later.  I’ve been wanting to bring more of a ‘lifestyle photography’ look to my work, and when researching this style of photojournalism, Pinkletoes tops the list for photographers to admire.  As it turned out, she was hosting a workshop at the time of year I was looking to attend, so I signed up! 

She hosted myself and 7 other photographers at her lovely home / studio in Manor, TX, and it was like a big weekend-long slumber party / photo-fest!  I met up with another photographer at the airport who was arriving at around the same time as me, and we headed into Austin for the big red bus tour with the time we had before the workshop was scheduled to begin.  The first night we discussed the business side of things.  Saturday, we watched as Michele photographed a newborn in his home with his family in the morning, had some amazing TexMex for lunch (I love TexMex, and yes, it was more delicious in Texas).  Then, she had a second photoshoot with a gorgeous family in the evening.  Sunday morning, we got to try some new things on a group of moms-to-be, and finally it was time to head home!

Here are some of the images I captured throughout the weekend.  The first few are from the double-decker red bus tour.  Look at those blue skies – I mean, come on!!! And how about that sun flare!?  1/250 f 22 ISO 160 for all you photography lovers out there.  You know it’s bright if you’re at ISO 160 at f22!

Love this one of everyone hanging out during our headshot session.
Our adorable and sweet newborn model and his mama.
I loved the SUVs with everyone huddled around on the top of the parking garage where the evening’s photo session began.  It reminded me of a scene from a movie.  And more blue skies. 
Michele doing her thing with this lovely family.  And look at that LIGHT!!!! Drooling!  I know I live in the sunshine state, but man, that’s gorgeous!  And I love the wind in mama’s hair and Michele’s skirt.
And check out this gorgeous sunset out by the lake!
A little behind the scenes of Michele photographing the family through those lovely purple flowers.  Disclaimer:  No trees were harmed during the creation of this photograph.
And last, but certainly not least, our maternity session from Sunday morning.  I started off with this lovely couple by the front lawn and gate.
Next, I snuck in a few shots by the greenhouse.  Nothing grows in there b/c it gets too hot, but with those twinkly lights in the background and a beautiful couple in the foreground, how lovely! 
Next I got a few moments with this mama in the field.
I use selective color very sparingly in my work, but this shot just screamed for it.  I felt like the green grass behind her was competing with her face and dress for attention, so I removed the distraction.  I love the result.  Her dress stands out, but you’re still drawn to the sparkle in her eyes.  I snuck in a shot with her and the airstream next, b/c I just loved the reflections it offered.
Snuck a moment with this couple too.
A fellow photographer was capturing this pose from above as I was walking by, and I thought they looked so peaceful, I captured the angle from the front. 
Then, as we were wrapping up, I walked with them to the front field, took some standard holding hands shots, then asked them to dance.  As it turns out, they were totally into it, and these moments are absolutely adorable and some of my favorites from the morning!

Sew You by Erica Sue: Crocodile Project

I’ve been so busy with photography, that it’s been a while since I’ve done a Sew You by Erica Sue post!  This one is extra special, because it wasn’t my project.  My eldest son had to create an endangered 3D animal for a school assignment, and he chose the American Crocodile.  We could have done clay, but he had done that for his last project.  Paper mache would have been really messy, and using recycled materials would have worked, as well, but we decided it would be fun to work together to sew the croc.

The first decision was whether we should create our own pattern or buy one.  I figured buying one would be easier, so we went with Steve the Croc from Funky Friends Factory.  It turned out to be a very advanced pattern, with just a list of directions and no photographs, so making our own might have been easier, but in the end, we got it all assembled and our croc looks great, so it’s all good!

I encouraged sewing the croc, because it was a really good excuse for me to expose him to sewing.  I think he now appreciates the work that goes into creating a sewn item, and got a taste of the geometry involved in turning something 2D into something 3D, and really creating something from nothing.  Following the pattern is like a more advanced version of assembling a lego set (minus the step by step pictures for this particular pattern)!  There are also some projects I was going to create for him but never got around to being made.  I told him he can start working on cutting the pattern pieces and fabric whenever he wants!

The first step was cutting the pattern.

Second, he traced the pattern pieces onto the fabric.  We found a printed cotton croc fabric (Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements Worn Croc Black) instead of an adorable snuggly green because it was supposed to be biologically representative and accurate. 

Then, he cut the fabric.

Next, we created our own reptilian eyes, rather than the cutsey eyes provided in the pattern, and appliqued them onto the fabric before assembling the animal.  Another modification we made was cutting the mouth from a light pink (the closest we could come to croc’s tongue), and using ric-rac for the teeth.
Click here to see a video of him completing this step.

He clipped the threads after every step…

and removed the pins as he sewed.  Mommy helped by reading the directions and pinning the pieces together.  And even with my expertise, we still had to bust out the seam ripper a few times.  It really was an advanced pattern.

Here’s the croc all assembled, inside out ready to be turned.

Here he is being turned right-side out.

Then he was filled with stuffing, and the turn hole was sewn shut.  Dad helped with this step, b/c he is more skilled with hand-sewing a ladder stitch, whereas mom loves to use the machine.  Here’s the proud project leader with his finished croc! 

Christina and Eammon welcome Lincoln

I always enjoy photographing newborns in their homes, but there’s definitely something to be said for getting outdoors as a new family, especially in the lovely Florida ‘winter’ weather!  And for a baby like Lincoln who was awake for our entire hour together, a new environment gave him plenty to look at!  At the end, I gave it one last shot to hopefully capture him having a sleepy moment on dad’s chest, and he instead gave me some intense tummy time action.  That is one strong baby, like his mama (who I know from the gym)!  He did the usual baby activities of eating and others requiring diaper changes, but these parents handled it all like pros, with a sense of calm and love for each other and their new baby.  Thank you for inviting me to freeze time in your first few weeks together, and I hope to see more of Lincoln as he grows!

Amanda’s Bat Mitzvah

I love all of my photography work, but Mitzvahs have a special place in my heart.  There’s something about the spirituality of the event, combined with the teen’s moment in the spotlight, the sibling’s admiration, and the parents’ pride that just speaks to me!  And this family in particular has such a big heart that just made me and my camera nearly explode with their contagious love and joy, trying to capture it all!  I bring my A-game every time my camera comes out, but when I connect with a family like I connected with these guys, magic happens. 


During the service, I always love to capture the guests.  They are unplugged, engaged in the moment, and unaware of my presence, so these photos are always real, and some of my favorites.
Some Mitzvah services have a little ceremony within the ceremony where the Torah is passed from the grandparents, to the parents, to the Bat Mitzvah.  I can feel the moment looking at this image.
Undressing the Torah for its reading.
Dad lifting the Torah.
Little sister dressing and tying the Torah.
This right here is what I love about Mitzvah photography.  Look at the pride on these parents’ faces!
Can you feel this teen’s sense of accomplishment and the rabbi’s joy?
Manischewitz:  me too kid, me too.
I love it when a teen gives me time for portraits on Mitzvah day!  I mean, Amanda and I had an incredible pre-shoot, so I was thrilled to have more time with her in front of my camera like this again!
We got some great twirling shots at our pre-session, so we captured some more on the big day!
The details.  Her theme was ‘Amanda in Lights’, which was executed with red white and black balloons and flowers with red LEDs in the water.
Socks are often provided to the girls so they can literally kick off their heels and dance!  This mock-converse sneaker style is my absolute favorite!
This image reminds me of the movie ‘13 going on 30’.  It’s like a fast-forward to the future, and in the future, it’ll be a fun blast from the past.
Party time!  Amanda is ready to celebrate!
I love the innocence of the younger ladies twirling in their dresses.
Enjoying the photo montage of Amanda growing up.
Sometimes during the hora, the participants will charge the center.  Guess who was waiting in the center, camera-ready!?
And then Amanda took a turn in the center for a big group hug from her friends!
This is Amanda’s 84 year old grandfather.  He’s got more moves than I do!
Guests enjoyed the green screen photo booth.
Amanda and many of her friends are dancers.  Here they are executing some choreography. 
At the end of the afternoon, the DJ had all of the guests stand in a circle for hugs from Amanda.  Capturing that love perfectly sums up this event!
Fun with the DJ lights and screen
I had to have a picture with the mitzvah girl, too!  Mazel Tov Amanda!  You’d better call me for your senior portraits, and your wedding, if not sooner!