no sooner had i made my decision about blogging over here than i read this. (thank you sarah.) i had a complete forehead smacking moment. why move four years of blogging over here when all i’m really looking to do is consolidate? duh. just take this (much newer, much smaller) blog over there. i’m really truly sorry for the inconvenience friends but i over thought it (imagine that). if you’re looking for me, look no farther than where you always have.

Used to be that a headshot meant only one thing: a glossy 8×10 black and white print with your c.v. stapled to the back and your name printed across the front. It was always shot in the studio and it was always retouched (often to the point of not even really resembling the subject). But social media has changed all that. Sure, actors and musicians do require more ‘traditional’ headshots, but today, more often than not, even corporate types are stepping outside the studio to make a statement with their headshot. This is where a lifestyle photographer comes in. It’s my job to showcase you – not just a pose and a backdrop. I love the puzzle of figuring out how to say something with just one small image. We’ll consider the background, the lighting, your clothing, hair and makeup, and we’ll discuss what you’re hoping to convey. Together we’ll create a photo you’ll be proud to use on your Facebook page, a job application, your company website, or maybe even a gift for your significant other.

And i promise, it won’t hurt a bit.

i can’t remember the first time i heard it. i can tell you though, that when i did, and every time since, chills went right down my spine. i love that. the power of something beyond your control that moves you to emotion. it’s like that for me with photography. what it does for me. i hold my camera up to my face and the toys on the floor of my living room are no longer a mess. instead they become a big pile of happy that helped my little boy learn letters. the dishes in my kitchen sink aren’t about the chores that need doing, but the story of a meal happily prepared and shared with family. truth is i don’t really even need a camera to see these things any more. it’s as if looking for the sweet details has become ingrained, and where it used to be difficult to find them, my life abounds with lovely. and really, nothing has changed except the way i view it. for that, frankly, i thank the camera. and just so you know, this process of becoming aware? it doesn’t require a fancy piece of equipment. any point and shoot will do. i’m certain it’s all in the looking.

when it became obvious to me (twenty plus years after declaring photography my major in college) that photography was my calling—that making images (for myself and for others) was supposed to be my job, there was really no other choice about what to call it. it’s about showing women the beauty i see in them, and capturing a little of the glow that emanates off our children. it’s about happy details that help us see past the mess. and colors that make us remember.

to the many amazing friends i’ve made along the way, thank you for supporting me with your thoughtful comments and insights over at a commonplace life. and thank you too, for visiting here and taking this next step with me. don’t look for my writing to change or the concept to be so different at all. it’s my plan to continue what i started. it just felt like it was time to call it something else. it’s just me and my camera.

Tired of school photos that are posed and stale? Why remember your child’s back to school days against a phony backdrop with a forced smile on their cute little faces? I’m offering you an alternative. I’m shooting mini-sessions at local schools. You get a 15 minute session against the backdrop of their (actual) school and lots of options for beautiful high-quality prints you’ll be thrilled to share with family. I’m a professional child photographer specializing in authentic images of kids being kids. I won’t ask them to say cheese or slick their hair back with a plastic comb. Pinky swear.
See below for details.

Limited sessions available. Click here to purchase yours. You will receive a time slot after payment is received. All shoots will take place between 4pm and 6:30pm (to make the most of the natural light in September). Please specify if you can’t make it during part of that time and I will do my best to accommodate your time needs.

Here’s what you get:
15 minute session
3-6 images to choose from in a private online gallery
1 8×10 print
2 5×7 prints
8 wallet sized prints (may substitute for 8×10)
15% off any other items ordered (see full price list here)
$100

I’m offering a digital option as well where you get:
15 minute session
3-6 images to choose from in a private online gallery
2 digital negative files sized for printing up to 8×10 (you may use this for your holiday card!)
15% off any other items ordered (see full price list here)
$100

Book with a sibling or friend and get the second session for $75.

KES Dates are September 12th and 14th with rain dates September 20th and 22nd.

If your student doesn’t attend KES please feel free to contact me and request that I come to your school. Or sign up for a KES session and we’ll shoot it without the school as a backdrop!

Wear your back to school clothes and bring your backpack or lunchbox. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

You know what makes a great gift? A photo session. This one was in honor of Mom’s birthday from a very thoughtful friend.

When one of your boys is off to college and it’s hard to get everyone all together I think a family session is even more poignient. An evening session shot along the banks of the Hudson River – making memories. I loved meeting you guys and making these images, I hope you’ll enjoy them for a long time.

When six month old Baby D and his parents flew across the country to meet his cousins for the first time, Yaya knew it would be a perfect photo op. Thank you to this special family for inviting me to document the day. Three generations frolicking on the beach? So much fun. Here are some of my favorite moments.

In May I had the honor of photographing a conference of truly amazing women. They were gathered in the United States from ten different countries and had been brought together for a NGO Mentoring program sponsored by Vital Voices and the Avon Foundation for Women titled The Global Partnership to End Violence Against Women. I was truly humbled to be in the presence such accomplished and thoroughly beautiful human beings. Being charged with recording the day, frankly, made me a little nervous—these women were superstars. In the end, though, I did what I do, and everyone was pleased with the results, myself included. What an amazing experience all around!

Thank you for sharing yourselves with me ladies, it was a pleasure meeting, and photographing, each of you.