Hump Day Happy: Home

So many things are going on in this image, yet it all boils down to one thing--love. The love that began for two people, that resulted in two children, that are now a family, that have welcomed a beautiful dog into their home and that all share a bond of love. This image is sweet and warms my heart.

Further, when we shot this session, it was not known of the father's 6-9 month opportunity in Japan. While difficult, he is doing work for his employer there and will see very little of his family. Thankfully we have been blessed with the magic of technology allowing us to contact loved ones easily, when they are several time zones away. We can view them in real time while having a conversation, but nothing replaces that comfort of a hug.

It is my hope that this image carries him through to the warmer months back on the East Coast, back to his loving bond with his family.

This Family was just too Funny

Okay, so I will admit it, Christmas can make one a little cranky. You have a long to do list and you are just trying to check it all off. I was doing my best, when I got the sweetest e-mail from a woman about a gift they wanted to give her mother for Christmas--a Family photo shoot. Her sister would be in from LA and would I mind doing it on Christmas Eve? I got a deep laugh out of it. Then I thought, I know how my mother in law feels about my sister in law living in Utah, so, I will give this girl a call.

I did. She was awesome, we planned on the 28th. I loved them. We started out with a large Family photo.

However, since we had just finished a nice snow, and it was melting, I had the pleasure of getting snow from the roof falling on my head. It made for a good laugh. I told them it was part of my shooting style.

Snow aside, we did a little "funny" too.

And why not take pictures of the daughter that put it all together? Kristin and her husband were so cute!

Of course I loved their dog too!

In all, I think Mom was pleased with her Christmas gift this year.

An Inspirational Day that Forever Lives on

You may not think much of this shot to the right. To me, it is a beautiful man about to embark on an incredible journey. While the Day the Japanese Attacked Pearl Harbor is a Day that forever will live in infamy, it was a day that inspired my grandfather to line up and immediately enlist.

You may think that in that day, this was a noble thing to do as many young men did. I will agree with you. However, this also inspired him to marry my grandmother, his five brothers-in-law went to war as well and everyone at home was waiting.

What he is holding here, was probably one of the last times he did so. This was probably from when they were practicing for a great effort to be made in France. I am still thankful that I did not know this when I saw "Saving Private Ryan", as for some reason Gram-pop, told me he was a cook. When I was telling my Grandmother about the film and the horrific opening scene, she paused, made a face, waved her hand and said, "ah, your grandfather was in that." I nearly fell over. My next words were, "He survived?" Dumbfounded she answered, "Well, you are here." You see, he made a switch to be a Medic. So, his job was to not only be part of that perilous swim to the shore, but to give care and collect dog tags to those fallen soldiers.

This really sent my mind reeling. Just remember today, those that came before you and how they could truly make you who you are today.

Oh, and P.S,, I mentioned my five great uncles. They all returned.

Shoot us while we Shoot

The Tornoe Family is awesome. Love them and their dog. For their family portrait shoot, the weather was quite frigid.

I took a step back and told them that my goal is to capture you enjoying one another, not braving the Artic winds. With that, they thought and thought some more. Do you guys use the pool room? I had two excited boys, well, three if you include the grin on their dad's face...

We got some fun shots and details inside! They loved it and so did I.

Oh the bribing of Children

It's true, getting your picture taken is hard work. The Utz boy's parents thought if they took them to an outdoor train set up at Morris Arboretum, they would have it made! But alas, not with these guys.

They were so on to their parents. Who thought that a little lollipop negotiation by, yours truly, would work to produce smiles? Not just from the boys, the parents too!

So in the end, I guess the sugar high was what the doctor ordered for these kids. The dentist, not so much.

The Happiest Place, no really

I know, but what they say is true. The Magic Kingdom is the Happiest Place on Earth. However, getting there can be hell. I was so stressed in the planning and preparation, it was maddening. Luckily, we are staying at my parents house. The day before I left I just resigned myself to the fact to taking care of my deliverables to my clients and making sure I packed what I needed for my family's survival.

The one person I was worried about was our dog. I know, I know, he is an animal. But he is only a puppy and under a year old. I was afraid to board him, but had no other choice. However, the choice I made seemed brilliant. He is staying at a spa retreat for dogs, I swear. As I dropped him off, in my haggard state, with a "to-do" list a block long, I found myself jealous. Of a dog. He was going to have his own room, a good size for his size. A yard to run in, and someone to come in to check on him. The yard area was beautiful and spacious. Before we pick him up he is going to get fully groomed--a true spa treatment. With all that relaxation, I thought of all the books I could read and sleeping I could do. Darn you spoiled dog. I did feel bad for my 3yo, who originally was crying in Target when he found out we were buying items for our dog's vacation. After we got home, I caught him telling the dog about the "doggie" vacation. Not sure who the discussion was really for, but my son was smiling.

So here we are, my family, my parents and brother. Rotating in the teacups, cruising the Small World, hitting the countries in Epcot and shaking hands with Woody, Minney and Mickey. Ahhh, the happiest place on earth.

The Fall Wedding of Jessie and Zak

It was an absolutely gorgeous day. You could not have ordered something this absolutely perfect. Golden sun, touch of wind and just the right fall temperatures--lovely all around. I loved this Bride and Groom, their families and friends. They were married at St. Bridget's Church in East Fall's, with a Reception at the Germantown Cricket Club. Best of all, there was a surprise appearance from Philadelphia's Mummers. A Picture Perfect Day, with a very memorable ending. Check out the Slideshow below.

October Wedding from Heather O'Mara on Vimeo.

Perfect Fall Foliage

For the past few days I cannot get over the vibrant colors of the trees. Either my memory is failing me or I don't recall fall being this gorgeous. What I can tell you is that the Gilmartin family picked the ultimate Saturday morning for their shoot.

Fall Foliage aside, I do make jokes on how I get people to relax for photo shoots. Let's face it, who gets their picture taken everyday? But, I actually know Colleen from my book club. Which was a good thing and what I love about this book club is the fact that we actually read interesting books and have valuable discussions. So we have that in common.

As for Steve, men can be slightly more difficult to "break in". Now, Colleen and I have both hosted book club at our homes. I think the discussion segment is something that our respective husbands may want to differ with us on, in terms of it's possible "discussion". In fact, I think Steve was a bit nervous about me. As soon as I made a crack about me having a "gaggle of book club geese" over the other night which drove my husband to the liquor cabinet, this caused Steve and I to be fast friends. In fact, I think he wanted to get together with my husband to check out his cabinet.

Crazy Faces, a must with little boys...

Little boys just love their mommies.

Such a sweetie.

It was a fun day! I actually did get shots of the kids in their Halloween costumes. Charlie wants it to be a surprise, so out of respect, I will not post those. Maybe on 10/31 he will approve it...