There is really nothing quite like handing a client their album of images and having them just squeal with delight as they turn the pages and see themselves looking…beautiful.  Its not like they weren’t beautiful before, but to see themselves in print, in vivid color, or stunning black and white…they just get speechless.  Best feeling ever.  Ten years from now they will look back at their album and remember how gorgeous they WERE.   You are beautiful NOW. Don’t wait.

Summer is a great time for an outdoor session!  The lush greens, the warm temps and that gorgeous golden evening light.  Summer is one of my favorite seasons for outdoor sessions.  Browse my galleries for inspiration on Mommy & Me session, Maternity, Family or a Child’s portrait session – the options are as endless as the beautiful locations in our area.

Woke up this morning to a VERY exciting message in my inbox: “Congratulations!  You’ve been published in Inspire Magazine.”  Yes!!  This is a site that I submit to occasionally when I feel like I have something really special.  I’ve been nominated for publication twice, but never published-until now!!  The moment is even more special because the image chosen was one I caught of my own little boy with his new puppy.  To get these two sitting still is pretty much impossible so I felt incredibly lucky to have captured this very special moment between them, with our puppy looking so adoringly at his new master.  I titled it, “Adventures Ahead” and I decide to share it here on my website.  Wooohoooo!!!

I have always wanted to do a Sunset Maternity Session and finally all of the pieces fell into place – a gorgeous Spring evening with that wonderful golden light, and a beautiful couple expecting their first baby in just a few weeks.  The results were truly magical:

Maternity sessions – one of my most favorite type of sessions to photograph.  There is just something about making a women feel good about herself at a time when most of us are self conscious, exhausted, excited, and not feeling ourselves.  The sessions themselves are fun and laid back- my clients are often excited, jus a few weeks from meeting their new little ones.  I have a whole wardrobe of flowing gowns and soft fabrics to chose from.  Its like playing dress up, only with a tummy!  During a typical session, we will do several set changes and several outfit changes. Sessions often vary on the client themselves as  like things to flow naturally and my client’s comfort level is my main concern.  A typical maternity session will result in 25-30 beautiful images… a keepsake to look back on and remember this moment, with this child, forever. Below are some images from a recent maternity session. And no, wearing the gowns is not a requirement but wow –   Isn’t she stunning?

To me, its an image that tells a story.  Every morning on the way to pre-school, my soon-to-be 3  year old searches out the car window for the moon.  With sheer excitement he points it out to me – a new discovery every day!  I shot the below image with that fascination in mind.  Not to mention the fun we had on that warm Spring evening with him running through the fields, climbing the ladder, and laughing without a care in the world.  The image might not be perfect, or original, or even technologically correct.  But for me, it tells a story.  Our special little “moon” moments.  As a photographer, I always hope that within a session I am able to capture that same kind of moment with my clients.  A special look, a favorite toy held tight, a sweet moment in time that tells a story forever.

So many times when I am going through images after a portrait session, several of them jump out at me and beg for creative attention.  In the past, I just ignored that urge and presented a standard portrait.  Lately as I get more comfortable in this wonderful journey, I find myself stepping out of the box and adding a few surprise elements to my sessions.  The response has been overwhelming.  For a recent “family” session, after the standard portraits were taken, I asked my client if she would mind wearing a vintage ball gown for an idea that I had in my head.  It wasn’t until I saw the images afterwards that I really knew what direction I wanted to take them in.  For one image, I wanted my client, a young mother, to look like a  modern day princess, simple and stunning.  Less is more.  For another scene, I wanted the image to tell a story.  I gave it a whimsical fairytale edge; the mother being the protector of her young son from the unknowns of the world.

I hope you all enjoy these as much as I enjoyed envisioning and creating them!

Uptown Photography celebrated its one year anniversary in September!  What a great year its been – so many memories of new babies, family sessions, adventurous toddlers, sweet moments and new beginnings.  I am just so honored to have been a tiny part of my clients lives by capturing these moments. I hope next year brings just as many fond memories.  I can’t wait to announce the opening of my new studio this winter!  Stay tuned!!!!