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.

Our Best Buddies

I just love this photo. It reminds me of all the reasons why I love animals, dogs specifically. Second, I seem to notice a dog before I do the owner. You see the joy this dog brings her, you see the happiness of the dog because it is being cared for so well. Believe me, that love is a two way street.

So many times I remember coming home to my dog and him just being able to give me the right love I needed. All he asked for in return was to fill his dog bowl, a walk, a clean bed and a few pats on the head. Well, if you knew Homer, he was pig for petting, so there were lots of pets demanded. But we have Sawyer these days. He is a 10 month old puppy, sweet and a little dopey. He is good at chasing the deer off our property and his kisses are great. As time has gone by, I see the bond he has developed with our son, so sweet. As much as I miss our old dog, I think I may just have a new place in my heart for this new one.

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.

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...

Little Second Shooter

It is true, when you are three it is time to get a job. So when his girlfriend had a scheduled shoot, it just made sense that he wanted to take the lead. However, I told him he just was not ready. I do admire his drive and determination, however I just did not think that composition was there yet. But, he did shoot a few good shots, of course.

So, we had a fun shoot. Shane we able to get some shots--they were great. He loves his little friend, of course he hopped into a few shots with her. They had fun, I think he's getting to know how to work that camera and, of course, he really knows how to work the ladies.

How you make work?

Ah, ma boy. He is a nut. He sure is my boy. Imitation is definitely a form a flattery and he loves to imitate me constantly. One of my favorites lately was when he threw his arms in the air in disgust and said, "Ugh, I can't take it any more!" My husband knows where he got that one fer sher.

My newest favorite came recently. A few weeks back he came in with this on his face......

He said "Mommy, I shoot you!!" Sadly for him, it did not work. Not due to the fact that there were no memory cards. It was a headlamp that my husband and I used for camping. The camping we used to do before little man came along.

But my favorite was today. He sat in one of my client chairs and said, "Mommy how do you do work?" "You mean what do I do for work", I said. "Yea", the 3 year old replied like, how much more obvious could he be? I tried to think of the easiest way to explain this to a 3 year old. Did I start with, "I left my job at Comcast with people that I loved and doing things I enjoyed, to stay home with you my cherub", no sounds like a guilt trip he would see right through it. Should I pointed to the walls and say, "Well, my son, look a this vast elaborate empire of beautiful images your mother has crafted using her Nikon products". Puke, no not getting paid for a promotional message. So I went with.

"I take pictures of people. It makes me happy." I said. "Them happy too?" he said. "I think so" I said. He took a look around at the walls, slowly and carefully. As much as a three year old can. He smiled and said, "Wow Mommy, you have Style!" With that, he jumped off the chair and was out of the room. Yep, my heart swelled with obnoxious joy. Getting that from my 3 year old was so much more than any compliment I could ever receive.

Late Summer Fun

You know those fun, lazy days of summer. So hard to believe that it is all coming to an end so soon. A summer, this year in the Philadelphia area, that was hot, hot, hot. No one is really looking forward to going back to school or even starting school. These last few months the pool and shade were the only respite for any kind of heat relief. At times, it felt too hard to even relax and eat outside. Ugh.

But don't you just wish these long days would just last forever? I love the long days of sun, when I can get up at 6:00a and the sun greets me at my window. Doing things in the early morning and I get the dog outside all before the rest of the house wakes up. There is also no worrying about coats, socks, etc. Walking in the grass barefoot, getting ice cream with my family and going on hikes. I just love it. Everything is easier, happier, more fun.

Couldn't you just put the head band on with the sparkly, fun hearts and blow some more bubbles--just one more day? I definitely could. There is a nothing like walking around in the grass barefoot...(sigh)

But hold on. You still have time, Labor Day is not here yet. So make the most of it. This weekend looks to have fantastic weather in store. Enjoy the sunshine, the cooler mid 80 degree temperatures and while your at it, blow some bubbles.

That's My Boy!

It still amazes me everyday that he is now three. How did that happen? Where did the time go. One day he's a sweet, teeny baby, bald as a cue ball, I am scared that he is going to roll over and get smothered in his crib. Now I can't catch up with him when he is running all over the playground. Uh, and I also can't get him to take a nap.

You have to admit, being chased around by your mother with a camera can't be much fun. I guess I would run. I would fear that she would "shoot me" in my sleep.

He's cute, He's Tortured, but even with his eyes closed, he's adorable.