I have been photographing Carter since he was just a puddle in his mom’s arms at 6 months old.  Watching him grow, getting to know his parents and documenting his childhood has been such a honor.  (If you’ve been to the studio, you’ll recognize him from the Fine Art Canvas Cluster of him hanging on the wall.)  At 4 1/2, he loves trains.  When his parents suggested going to the Southeastern Railway Museum for his session, I was so excited.  It’s so inspiring to go to a location that is special to my clients and totally new to me.  All the old train cars, engines and train tracks were not only fun to explore but were also so textured (and you know how I love contrasting textures!)  Rusted out trains, overgrown grass, even tacky upholstery on the train seats provided such interesting backdrops to this fun and adventurous kids portrait session.

Once again, I couldn’t choose just one image for the Picture of the Day, so I chose three that are expressive of Carter’s personality and his relationship with his parents.

I’ve recently been photographing a lot of adventure portraits – at the Atlanta Zoo, fire stations in Virginia-Highland and Marietta, at an ice cream shop in Atlanta, an ice skating rink – but they’ve all been portraits for boys.  I need some girl time!  I need some dress-up time, ballet class, arts & crafts, tea party or anything else your little girl loves.  Contact us today for information about our adventure sessions.

If you like this post, you may also like:

A few weeks ago, I told you about my shoot for Outreach NC of author Mary Kay Andrews.  The issue was published and my image took the front cover.  Such an honor!

Mary Kay Andrews’s Avondale Estates home is so beautiful!  And it was a pleasure to photograph her and her home for the magazine and her fans.  MKA even mentioned our shoot on her Facebook page and on Pinterest.  …I’m blushing.

If you like this post, you may also like:

Since I can’t share all of the session pictures in a “Picture of the Day,” sometimes I miss the opportunity to share some great images on the blog.  This image was one of them.  I’m editing through pictures for this client’s order and can’t resist sharing this one.  Dylan is a chocoholic, just like me, and as a treat at the end of her family’s session, her big brother, Spencer, gave her a giant Hershey bar.  She was so happy after eating some of it she ran barefoot in the grass laughing with unrestrained joy.  Then she rolled onto the ground and I grabbed this shot.  Pure JOY.

Gorgeous hair!

If you like this post, you may also like:

Spencer, Dylan their parents and grandmother were so much fun on Sunday.  We explored the lake and woods of the MJCCA (the Jewish Community Center in Dunwoody) and found some really picturesque spots.  In all the years I have been going to the MJCCA, I had no idea the lake and woods were even back there!  What a great surprise and a wonderful oasis.  I had a really hard time choosing just one picture for the blog so I didn’t.  I chose 4!  Enjoy!

This image is so expressive of Spencer and Dylan’s personalities.  Spencer is a calm, reserved and introspective older brother who watches out for his little sister, while Dylan is an energetic, smiley and funny little girl.  Love that I was able to capture this about them at such a picturesque spot.

Grandma and the kids, so sweet.

A beautiful family portrait – love this!

D family: Thanks so much for trusting me to document your family and for braving the heat!  Can’t wait to show you the rest of the pictures.

If you like this post, you may also like:

UPDATE: Early-bird booking – book your session by June 1 and SAVE 10% on your session package.

Contact us to schedule your appointment.

I am thrilled to announce that we are heading to Martha’s Vineyard this summer to photograph family portraits!  I have been going to the Vineyard for years and it is truly one of my favorite places in the world, so I am really excited to be able to capture some amazing memories of your family on the beautiful island.

Vacation portrait sessions are documentary-style with a focus on relationships, fun and the beautiful backdrop of the island.  We offer sessions on the beach, as well as adventure sessions (ie. exploring one of the towns, on a boating excursion, a cycling trip throughout the island or another activity that is special to your family.)  The goal is to capture the essence of your family vacation so you can remember those feelings of relaxation, joy and LOVE.

If you plan to be in the Cape Cod area this summer or if you just need an excuse to get away, join us on the Vineyard!

Now booking sessions July 2-13, 2012.  Packages include your choice of a fine art Memory Album or a 20×30 Fine Art Canvas.  Contact us for more information (click the “Contact” link above).  Investment starts at $500.

Check out the Vacation Portfolio below or visit the Portfolio Page to see more of our work.

If you like this post, you may also like:

Every once in a while, actually more and more often, I am asked to do something I haven’t done many times (or at all) before.  I must admit a bit of trepidation mixed with excitement over stretching my creativity.  (Then again, every new experience should be accompanied by a bit of fear – it keeps us on our toes, right?)  But this editorial shoot for Outreach NC magazine couldn’t have been more fun and relaxed.  They contacted me to photograph local celebrity author, Mary Kay Andrews, for a feature article about the multiple New York Times best selling author who penned novels such as Summer Rental, Savannah Blues and her newest book, Spring Fever.  Mary Kay and the magazine staff, Carrie and Melanie, were so lovely to work with.  Mary Kay was so warm and welcoming and down-to-earth. I especially enjoyed hearing her talk about the writers’ intensive group that meets twice a year at a remote resort to work on their writing and bounce ideas off one another.  When I think of an author, I picture someone sitting in a quiet room typing away on a computer (or typewriter!) with papers scattered around them, and no one in sight.  It’s eye-opening to realize that everyone, even authors, rely on the support and ideas of others to be successful.  It reminds me how important my small group of photographer friends are to me.  Now, if we could just organize a trip to a resort like that…

Mary Kay’s love for antiques, or “junk” as she calls it, had me excited at the notion of what her home would look like.  You know me and antiques.  I love the history of objects, known or invented, and I love re-purposing old things and giving them new life.  Take my new studio cabinet for example.  Her home is filled with layers of color, texture and character.  It was just what I had expected and really a dream to photograph.

In addition to the character-driven novels she writes, she also wrote a series of mysteries under her real name, Kathy Hogan Trocheck.  The book covers hang in her office.

Mary Kay, it was wonderful to meet you, neighbor!  Hope to see you again soon and congratulations on the release of your next novel!

If you like this post, you may also like:

Bennett turned one last week and I got to celebrate by watching him enjoy his smash-cake.  It never gets old watching little ones devour a delicious cake only to end up covered in beautiful colors by the end.  There are always a few moments when they have this look of uncertainty.  They just can’t figure out why mom is allowing them to get so messy.  That was this moment.  Let me say though that this uncertainty hasn’t ever kept any child from continuing.

Smash-cake sessions, for one year olds, are free with every Cub Club membership.  And as your child grows, every birthday will be documented with a free portrait session.  Check out all the other perks and details of a Cub Club membership. 

If you like this post, you may also like:

The next week has a lot in store.  Cleaning, cooking, fun with family, celebrating, enjoying the spring weather, cleaning dishes, and plopping on the couch in exhaustion at the end of it all.  This is the 3rd year in a row that Nick and I are hosting Passover Seder, the celebratory and ritual meal marking the beginning of the eight days of Passover.  It’s the only ritual meal that we eat the entire year and therefore takes a lot of preparation.  Plus, the holiday requires that our home be cleaned of any chametz, leavened food of any kind.  So you know what that means?  Spring cleaning!  My entire family will be visiting to celebrate the holiday – so excited! – so the studio will be closed in preparation of and during the first few days of holiday.

The studio will be closed Tuesday, April 3rd  thru Sunday, April 8th.

Passover Seder Plate (an heirloom from Sara's Grandmother)

Thanks for your patience during this holiday.  We will return all messages when we return on Monday, April 9th.  Have a wonderful week whether you celebrate Passover, Easter or just this awesome spring weather!

If you like this post, you may also like:

This cutie-pie is Langston and this is his awesome fire truck-themed room.  Doesn’t his smile melt your heart? This is what his parents see each morning when they go into his room.  What a way to begin the day!  At 8 months old, he is so proud of himself for standing.  Pretty soon, he’ll be off running.  I know, I know, there’s no rush for that, mom and dad!

It was such a pleasure to meet you, your parents and your grandma!  It’s clear that you, little buddy, are surrounded by love.

If you like this post, you may also like:

Last week, we managed to dodge the torrential thunderstorms (didn’t it storm everyday?!) for Ronan’s adventure portrait session at the Virginia-Highland Fire Station #19.  Ronan LOVES fire engines so we knew this would be a treat.  Adventure portraits are for kids 3 and older, and are focused on a location and/or activity that explores your child’s interests at this specific age (or season.)  Some previous clients have had trips to the Atlanta Zoo, a pumpkin patch, an ice hockey rink, a baseball field, an ice cream shop and more. These portraits are so much fun and really memorable.

Ronan brought along his favorite toy – a red wooden fire truck – and after sitting in the real thing behind him, he played so sweetly inside the station.  I love the juxtaposition of the tiny toy he’s playing with and the giant engine behind him.

Seeing the entire morning through Ronan’s eyes was so much fun.  Everything was so big.  There were a ton of switches and buttons in the truck to play with, and when he tried on the lieutenant’s helmet, it tipped right over his face.  His parents and I got a little laugh when he wanted to defy gravity and “fall up” the fire pole, and got a little frustrated when it wouldn’t work.  And when it was time to leave, he wanted to do it all again.  What a great way to document this age of exploration and excitement.  Thanks Ronan!

If you like this post, you may also like: