Two Rules in Life...

I have two basic rules in life that I follow without question. The first rule makes children that aren’t mine very happy. The second rule makes my children continuously annoyed…

1. Never pass a lemonade stand without buying a cup.
This can require a lot of u-turns…

2. Never pass a Photo Booth without going in.
My kids know the deal, happy, sad or mad, we’re going in. They know I am not the “say cheese” kinda mom — so frowning, shooting me dirty looks or crazy faces— are all, exactly right.

It’s kinda like Oz, you never know whats going to happen behind the curtain, but you’ll remember it forever.

Easter Bunny photos...kids, adults, dogs???

---

Splurge, Greenwich, Ct.

---

So here is my position on shooting Easter Bunny photos...

I photographed 92 people in two and a half hours last Saturday. 47 of them were kids, 45 of them adults, and I didn't include the three dogs. I believe I caught a killer cold from it all and it was free. Free to the people, and free from me.
It was a tremendous amount of work, and could really get one to ask... Was it all worth it?

Well, I couldn't give a bigger YES!

The people who came out to have their photos taken with the Easter Bunny just LOVE photographs. Which in turn means, I just love them. Dressing their kids up in their finest, traveling and then waiting in lines. All for a beautiful memory in print to add to a collection, of I am sure, many mystical characters. 

I am most proud of the 45 adults though.
Majority of them only became willing to be in the shot because of my prodding. Today those parent will have a beautiful memory— but 30 years from now, their kids will.

Please be sure to be in lots of pictures with your kids and don't worry about how you look. It is you they are  going to want to see 30 years from now.

Client Love, behind the Lens

Sometimes I hand my clients my camera, "Hold it with both hands" I say... then I send them a few feet away and tell them to start taking some pictures of me. I show them silly exaggerated movements in front of the camera, sometimes totally I ham it up... At first most are pretty uncomfortable but within seconds, the ice is broken and the FEAR of this big unknown camera, lessened. Both sides.

Check out how well my client did today! 

Unite to face Addiction Rally

The Rally "Unite to face Addiction" was and is a beautiful movement. However I have yet to comment on the incredible sad air that was also present as many came to make a change. Thousands came in honor of their loved one who lost their life to a drug overdose or drug/alcohol related death. Thousands of people held signs with a beautiful face of their child, parent, sibling or friend who had died. Tears were shed and as I walked by, I couldn't help but to stop and listen. They wanted to share and be heard, I wanted hear.

Chinese Dragon...

I love when an image tells me what it wants to be titled. Chinese Dragon, how could I not?

Melted Heart

This beautiful woman doesn't speak, but boy does she get through to you. She is so sweet, so pure and all love. I was lucky enough to have a photo shoot with her. I also want to add...her mother— just as pure a love. They both melted my heart! 

Their world...

During family photo sessions, I just follow the kids. They are in charge, not me, not mom, not dad. We all go there thinking we are, and then life takes over... play and curiosity being the main instigators. I step into their world where there is no right or wrong. It is all exactly how it's supposed to be... as they are, in the wonder of the moment. 

Googling your images...

I often google my images to see if they have been used else where. Actually, I think its important for all to do.

I was very pleased to see that a photo I had given usage of to a band, was used in a magazine. I generally like to know ahead of time, but often this is not the case. What I really appreciate is that they gave me the photo credit.

This should be standard, but often is not.
Thanks Elmore Magazine

BTW... the band Southern Soul Assembly is better than great!

Feeding my insatiable drive...

So here's a really great shot.
The story as with most, being the best part.

This is Keb' Mo, a favorite of mine for many years. I was photographing his show (FTC) and as always, hoping to shoot the whole show — instead of just the first three songs. When I arrived, I asked security about it and followed the guard to the red rope where a man stood behind it. He asked the man the photo restrictions, and the man told me to follow him. He lifted the red rope and as I walked with him down a long hallway, I asked if he was the band Manager. His response was, "No, I can barely manage myself". He then explained that he was in the band and asked if I would take pictures of them back stage...

It's moments like this, that feed my insatiable drive...

Pearly Gates...

Not so sure my names gonna be on the list when I reach that pearly gate...

"Hey you guys, can you help me with something? I have this little light that goes off right inside here (pointing to the inside of my camera lens), and I can't tell if it's pink or blue. Can you look really close and tell me?