It's the most wonderful time of the year, summer vacation is finally upon us!! For many, this will be the final summer of true simplicity with carefree adventures.
Our children really do grow up so fast and before you know it, that baby that needed you so much is spreading their wings and going into the world on their own. This is a year of firsts and lasts. As a mother, the thought of my baby leaving the nest is an emotional roller coaster but as a photographer, I am delighted that I can capture this special time of transformation for so many families.
My goal is to create something beautiful that showcases who they are now with a glimpse of who they are about to become.
If you are reading this, you most likely are part of our Ridgefield Open Facebook group where a special giveaway is taking place. The amazing admins on this site are going to post 2 senior session giveaways. In order to qualify, the winner must be or have a child that is entering their senior year of high school at Ridgefield High for class of 2016. All you have to do is comment below in the comment section with your name and a number between 1 and 1000 - the persons being the closest without going over will win the sessions which need to be taken this summer.
The session will be held locally and each winner will get 5 high resolution digital images with a personal print release via download. Additional images can be purchased if desired but this promotion doesn't require any additional purchases. If you don't win, but are interested in a session, please take a peek under information and sessions to learn more about the sessions I offer.
Good luck and I look forward to photographing the lucky winners!
Shan.
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I am luckier than most people as I have the tools and skills to take a great photograph, but as a professional, I am here to tell you it's not just the quality of the photograph that makes a wonderful image, but also the quality of the moment that is captured. That spark of life. It's what I try to do for others through my photography. I love hearing my work being complimented but I strive for more than just pleasing your eyes, I want to please your heart. The perfect photograph is felt, it is not photo shopped. The perfect photograph is a memory of a time and place created by our hearts, not conjured by our thoughts. While I could liquefy, smooth, and blend myself into a better vision of me, it's not who I am. I am real, I am loved and I accept it. So here I am, perfectly me...out in front.
I give shutter credit to my husband and mother for the family portraits you see.
Our Disney memories are all courtesy of Disney Photo Pass.
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While I would love to say these are perfect for everyone, I do need to be honest. Small children, who are shy or have young siblings do tend to do better with a private custom session. Little ones can be a little apprehensive meeting new people and usually need a little more time to develop a bond. Also early November in New England means it could be frosty which our little ones don't always do well in. That said, I have had several successful mini sessions with small children and love photographing them but I'd hate for anyone to be disappointed with the experience so it's important I share these potential challenges. If you are interested, please email me for more information: [email protected]
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"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As
you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler."
--Henry David Thoreau
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This week, I am not sharing my typical images of a session, but of an amazing local charity. King's Bridge Farm hosts Pony Ride for a Purpose. This fundraiser raises money to give children who might otherwise not have the opportunity to attend summer camp programs and year long riding scholarships.
Please take a moment to visit their site and learn more about this charity and it's upcoming event on May, 4 in Newtown, CT. If you might be in a position to donate, please consider contributing as I know it would be greatly appreciated.
Hearts
I was really looking forward to this month!Heart themes are easy and you can find so many heart shaped cutters pretty much anywhere. One of my other favorite places to buy stuff is at Michael's craft stores...and the next best thing is signing up for their weekly coupons - usually 40% off one item :)
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January 2014 - Second Post
Star of the Week
So this lunch again super easy using easy to find cutters. My daughter's class show cases each child with having them be a star for the week. They create a poster board of photos and share about themselves with their class mates. I wanted to give her a special star lunch so her day would be a little extra special. I love those Wilton comfort grip cutters...this might be a different brand out of a clearance bin...but it's the same as the Wilton one. Love my fondant plungers for small start details and the metal smaller star is from a Pampered Chef cutter set.
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January 2014
Snow Flakes
I love wilton comfort grip cookie cutters...they make the best cutters for sandwiches and if you wait till after a holiday you can usually find them in a clearance bin at the grocery store! Amazon also has great buys too...but the prices varies...here are the exact items shown below. Wilton Snow Flake cutter, ZNU fondant plunger and the snow flake pie crust cutter from a William Sonoma set.
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It was a beautiful late summer's day at the park with this lovely couple.
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I knew that while I was in Paris that I would want to return with images I could display in my home. In fact it was one of my goals, other than just enjoying time with my family. So after culling over thousands of images and having my husband and I narrow our choices, we made the following canvas gallery wraps to adorn my kitchen walls.
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Last year I was looking forward to starting Project 52, one photo per week for the year.
I had over ambitiously attempted Project 365 with a daily photo, but time and creativity got the best of me.
So I thought I would regroup as I had made it past the half year mark...52 images...that is feasible.
Then last December a tragedy hit our area and although I was not personally acquainted, I knew people who were and it deeply affected me.
In one solitary moment I realized just how vulnerable we are.
I put no thought to this project for the following weeks.
The new year arrived and I saw other photographers embarking on their P52 and P365 initiatives.
I honestly just could not get motivated....and I think because in part it felt so trivial to find something to photograph every day.
I had been there and I knew by the end I was taking a picture...not a photograph.
So it dawned on me...why not make my project about the most important thing in my world, so that is would matter.
This is the year I finish one book and a new one begins.
My daughter will transition from my preschool baby into the new and exciting world of elementary school.
I know she is beyond excited to start her journey, but I am a tad weepy over this...pretty sure I will be the one crying on her first day.
Even though I am sharing these with you, I am doing this project for no one but me.
They are not about the perfect moment, or pose, or best composed, or even technically correct.
They are for my memory book.
What do I hope to do by sharing these with you?
I hope to encourage you take these little moments you have and soak them in.
Everyone tells you how fast time flies and each day passes with little regard sometimes.
In those very little mundane days are some of the most precious moments you will ever have.
Get your camera, phone, skype...whatever you have....capture it so you can relive it.
I don't know of anyone who doesn't wish they could venture back in time to capture a lost moment!
Document your life; create your own time capsule!
{Week 53} December 30-31
Well not really a full week...but the first week wasn't either....this is the last image for the project.
I love completing this and as I look back at the wonderful memories of 2013 I can't help be sad at how quickly it went.
Each of these images mean so much to me and I thank you for following along.
I wish you all a very Happy New Year!
{Week 52} December 23-29
Christmas Eve traditions.
{Week 51} December 16-22
Looking at the Rockefeller Tree in NYC. Such a precious moment.
{Week 50} December 9-15
A snow day! The magic of catching snowflakes with your tongue!
{Week 49} December 2-8
So proud of her first very own Christmas tree!
{Week 48} November 25 - December 1
Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with some friends.
{Week 47} November 18-24
Our annual trip on The North Pole Express at the Essex Train station..
{Week 46} November 11-17
First snow of the season.
{Week 45} November 4-10
Okay, so this was taken a couple of weeks ago at my nieces wedding.
I find that I am terrible with "developing" my own personal images at times.
So even though it wasn't taken this week, it was developed this week for the blog.
{Week 44} October 28 - November 3
A little iPad fun as darkness falls early this time of year.
{Week 43} October 21-27
We got this cool toy from our schools trunk or treat event - Parachute Man.
{Week 42} October 14-20
We went to the park for some fall shots...well that was my plan anyway.
Now, I did get a few...but she wanted to twirl...I wanted a pose...she won...and this also made for a better photo.
What do I know, right!
{Week 41} October 5-13
Fall in New England! My kid loves to gather and throw leaves.
I on the other prefer to stay clean but look at the joy on her face!
{Week 40} September 30 - October 5
I love how she flickers hers toes.
{Week 39} September 23-29
Horsing around upside down. Love her long locks.
{Week 38} September 15-22
Time for your check up!
Every year I try to get my McCutie to pose for a picture in her Halloween costume.
Of course she had to take care of her patient first.
{Week 37} September 9-14
Sleeping Beauty.
{Week 36} September 2-8
We had some fun with one of her loot bag gifts from a birthday party this weekend.
It might be an age thing but she could hula a lot longer than I could!
{Week 35} August 26 -September 1
First day of Kindergarten...she's totally ready for it!
{Week 34} August 19-25
Scooter girl! Love her birthday gift from Mimi and Papa.
{Week 33} August 12-18
I'd love to know what she is wishing for...she sure takes her wishes seriously!
{Week 32} August 5-11
Ready or not here I come! A little Hide-and-Seek at the park with Daddy!
{Week 31} July 28 - August 4
I think she my little one thinks band aids are body stickers.
Even well after a boo-boo has healed we must decorate ourselves.
{Week 30} July 21-27
My sweet girl. I can't believe she will be five in just a few weeks.
This is how she tilts her head when she is asking for something she either really wants or isn't suppose to have.
{Week 29} July 14-20
Early for these weeks picture but I had to share.
Today Katie starts her swimming lessons and she was very excited to finally get to wear her goggles!
I bet when Daddy reports back, I am sure they will get unused....but at least I got to take one picture of her in them.
{Week 28} July 7-13
I took Katie to get some pictures for her birthday invitations.
Lots of silliness happens when you attempt your own kids portraits.
It's funny how the image that many would have tossed out becomes the one you loved the most.
{Week 27} June 30-July 6
My little American cutie. This was her first sparkler.
I only got one shot as she then touched the tip and that was the last of that.
As technically imperfect it is, it's still a great Mommy image!
{Week 26} June 23-29
When it's hot out...you have to have something to cool off with!
{Week 25} June 16-22
My little preschool graduate!!
{Week 24} June 9-15
Hanging out in our vacation rental waiting for Daddy to get breakfast from the bakery.
{Week 23} June 2-8
We went a walk at a nearby park and took a little rest after seeing a deer in the meadow.
{Week 22} May 27- June 1
Practising her ballet...I love how she needed her leg warmers in 90+ weather.
{Week 21} May 20-26
Cathing her watching out over the pond....what I would give to know her exact thoughts in this moment.
{Week 20} May 13-19
Making wishes :) I could photograph her blowing wishing over and over again...and I do.
{Week 19} May 6-12
Mother's day is special not because I am celebrated for the day, but because I know the pleasure of being a Mom.
Nothing beat a fresh bouquet of dandylions. I love how my girl closes her eyes to smell the flowers.
And our yard is plentiful :)
{Week 18} Apr 29-May 5
A little play doh fun on a dreary afternoon. My little one loves to make pretend food...future chef perhaps?
{Week 17} Apr 22-28
We officially opened our deck this past weekend....sure...we're in New England...but after dinner ice cream and candles is how we roll!
{Week 16} Apr 15-21
So, yes this shot is more posed....but just like many of you I have a very common issue especially among photographer children.
My child is not usually willing to pose for me willingly or under my terms.
The past few weeks I have seen a shift in this....much to my delight.
So this week....I am sharing this moment because for anyone who knows me...I have been waiting a long time for it!
This is my sassy girl, this is her personality captured!
I have this image with her looking right at the camera...but this one captures the moment.
{Week 15} Apr 8-14
Saturday mornings :)
{Week 14} Apr 1-7
Bubbles! So simple and so much joy. It's finally starting to feel like spring!
{Week 13} Mar 25-31
Just one this week...Egg Hunt!
{Week 12} Mar 18-24
Frosting....really, need I say more?
Mmmm...sugary bunny peeps...we really need to sample to ensure it's good enough for the cake!
Show me your peep!
{Week 11} Mar 11-17
Something about watching her do puzzles is so much fun...as you will see below, just prior she wasn't having much fun at all!
Nothing like taking out the boxes and curing our boredom!
Such a sad face...I'm bored Mommy, come play with me!
What piece do you have there?
{Week 10} Mar 4-10
Having the perfect snow day here in lovely New England, I though great, we'll get a few snow shots.
Which I did, but they were more posed which is not what my project is about and well that lasted all of 5minutes.
After getting warmed up, I passed my girls room and caught chilling out with Strawberry Shortcake!
I love that she sits in a chair exactly like I do :)
I love that she barely notices me, certainly not enough to distract her from the movie!
{Week 9} Feb 25-Mar 3
This week, I thought I would take the opportunity to catch our girl help her Daddy with some car maintenance.
We caught this snowflake while Daddy prepped.
These others were meant to be for P52....but how often does one actually catch a shot of the snowflake as it lands?
{Week 8} Feb 18-24
Only one image this week...only because this was such a spur of the moment capture.
I was working in my office and I notice my sweet girl watching...glad I had my camera on my desk as this one happened so fast!
{Week 7} Feb 11-17
The was taken right after the image below but chosen because it perfectly represents my daughter.
I know she loves the idea of the lollipop, however I have yet to see her actually enjoy one!
Oooh the exitement of an unwrapped lollipop...show me what you got!
{Week 6} Feb 4-10
SNOW DAY - Blizard Nemo is currently pounding the Northeast as I update this. Simple moments like this make it all worth while.
I can tell how much joy there is in this moment of Tickle Torture.
This one is her anticipating the the tickle fest that is about to happen.
{Week 5} Jan 28-Feb 3
It would appear we are food focused, but this is more about how creative I need to be at times.
One day I will miss cutting out sandwiches with fun shapes...and watching her eat so carefully as to not get peanut butter all over her fingers.
I love that she sticks out her tongue to taste the milk...of course we get great use of our Disney princess cups.
My house never saw so much plastic everything before I had a child.
BUSTED! I sense she doesn't like me photographing her while she eats!
{Week 4} Jan 21-27
Like almost every 4 year old kid I know....Katie is a fussy eater! We struggle to get her to eat the right foods...but some foods she will happily go to town on.
We won't tell her that the sauce is loaded with super finely diced vegetables. I love how a kid will tell you they hate something they eat all the time!
I LOVE this....seriously LOVE this!!!
{Week 3} Jan14-20
Lights out and ready for her story in bed. We read every night...and I am sure the day will come when she does it all on her own.
For now I relish in this evening ritual. In fact, this is my favorite time of day!
This photo precedes the top, I actually had more light on in her room (she has a bunkbed)....I love that she loves books.
{Week 2} Jan 7-13
It's does appear like a somber moment, but really she is just engrossed in watching the iPad while sitting on her Daddy's lap.
Prior to her iPad adventure...this is her trying to decide her next activity.
{Week 1} Jan 1-6
This moment of my daughter simply drawing her feet for fun is what led to the start of my 2013-p52.
I love the concentration she is showing with her hand holding down her foot..
After drawing her feet, she drew me a picture....
I love that you can't tell that her pj's are totally mismatched...thanks to my b/w conversion which is helping hide her fashion fail.
I love second shooting, especially for the wonderfully talented Megan Will Photography!
Fall weddings are my favorite time of year.
This was one very chilly October day but look at how captivating they are!
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A beautiful day with this lovely couple!
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Day 29 - December 24
Lady's last night with us...all set to return to the North Pole!
Day 28 - December 23
Hmmm...what elf girl doesn't like a little blue bag under the tree...
Day 27 - December 22
Lady was waiting for us upon our return home...I wonder what she was printig...perhaps a list for Santa?
Day 26 - December 21
Lady came to NYC with us!!!
Day 25 - December 20
Edible you say....
Day 24 - December 19
Sitting on the towel rack!
Day 23 - December 18
Just hanging on a hook!
Day 22 - December 17
Wanna make some cookies!
Day 21 - December 16
Went blade flying!
Day 20 - December 15
Made is upstairs for a change in scenery!
Day 19 - December 14
Hint, Hint, you should have one of me here!
Day 18 - December 13
PEACEfully Sleeping!
Day 17 - December 12
Peek-A-Boo through our wreath!
Day 16 - December 11
Just hanging upside down on the door!
Day 15 - December 10
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!
Day 14 - December 9
The Nut Cracker!
Day 13 - December 8
Joy Riding!!
Day 12 - December 7
Oh No!!! Santa sends a message!!
Day 11 - December 6
Lady redecorating the table top tree with chocolate balls!
Day 10 - December 5
Uh oh! This doesn't look good for Katie!!
A message from Santa or a warning from Lady???
Day 9 - December 4
It appears Lady invited some friends over to roast some marshmallows.
Day 8 - December 3
Lady on the big screen!
Day 7 - December 2
Lady was TRAPPED!!!
Thankfully Christmas magic allowed her to breath under there!
Day 6 - December 1
Either Lady was trying to get a better view of our tree or she might have been zip lining on our drapery pole.
Day 5 - November 30
I think Lady was just reminding us that with December on the way...it's the start of Christmas countdown!
Day 4 - November 29
Lady was found just hanging upside down from the ceiling fan.
We think she was on her was to a new spot...but just didn't make it in time and had to freeze in place!
Day 3 - November 28
Lady got into a little mischief with her marshmallow bath!
Day 2 - November 27
Katie found Lady wrapped around one of our candle sconces. This location provided a great view of our home.
We think she chose this spot so she could soak us all in.
Day 1 - November 26
Lady must have been waiting for us to decorate the tree...as usual in years past...she perched herself into the tree waiting to be discovered. I suppose my daughter's enthusiasm of her arrival could not have waited till the alarm went off.
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Gorgeous couple and beautiful wedding!
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It's been so much fun to watch Little Miss "C" grow into this beautiful little girl this past year. Here are just a few hightlights from our past milestone sessions. I hope you have a wonderful 1st birthday Miss "C", you will always have a special place in my heart!
At 3months old!
At 6 months old!
At 9 months old!
And now at 12 months old!
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A gorgeous day and couple!
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I had a the pleasure of capturing a beautiful wedding for the talented Megan Will Photography last month!
It was a wonderful day for this gorgeous couple and their families!
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This is one of my dear friends and a fellow photographer. I am so happy to have been given the priviledge to photograph her beautiful growing family. I can't wait to meet their newest baby girl when she is due to arrive in the next couple of weeks.
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This beautiful couple could not have asked for a more gorgeous day!