Taylor + the moose-way home

I've known Taylor since his family moved to New Hampshire several years ago.  His older brother, Brandon,  was a good friend of my youngest son, Max.  It was a delight watching Brandon and Max grow from boys to men--a transition that happened in almost a blink.   I've always thought of Taylor as the kid brother, but now he too has crossed that threshold into manhood.   I had so much fun photographing his senior pictures that I had a hard time packing up my gear and calling it a day.  When my sons were young, we had an expression, "Let's take the moose-way home."  It had to do with a children's book where a moose from Maine took forever getting home as he wandered and explored new adventures along the way.  So after our early morning shoot at the beach, I told Taylor we were going to take the "moose-way" home.  He just grinned with much patience as I kept stopping to photograph him at yet another location.

Here are a few of my favorites from the morning.  As you can see, Taylor is an amazingly handsome and photogenic model.  Taylor, I had a great morning.  Thanks for your adventuresome spirit!

Happy Families - Part 2

In continuation of my Happy Family theme below, I want to share another amazing family I have had the privilege of photographing recently.   The occasion was their oldest daughter getting married and wanting to gather everyone together to celebrate the new addition to their family.

Rich and Anne have created a wonderful family culture where laughter and love abound.

One of my favorite shots was capturing Rich and Anne looking on as their children were laughing and goofing off.

And then joining in the frivolity.

Being able to record a piece of a family's history is a sacred honor that I cherish as a photographer.  Being able to take a slice of their life, their love, their laughter and preserving it in time is an amazing experience. Wow!  It doesn't get any better than that!!

Happy Families

I have always been intrigued by the first line in Leo Tolstoy's book, Anna Karenina, 

"Happy families are all alike; 

every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

What exactly is it that makes all happy families the same?  As a photographer, you have the privilege of witnessing a family in action.  It is pretty hard to fool the lens of a camera when it comes to happiness.  A lens will capture more than we sometimes want to share, but nonetheless it does.  It was my delight to photograph John and Malinda and their beautiful family.  I will admit that it is often challenging to get everyone focused and looking in relatively the same direction, but when you have the blessing of capturing a happy family, it is a DELIGHT!  To watch them interact in a joyful manner as they share with you the inner workings of their love and connectedness.  It is moments like this that I cherish.

And my favorite of the day...

I am convinced that the "alike" that Tolstoy was writing of was LOVE.  Happy families love each other.    And that is something that is pretty hard to fake if it isn't there.  Over and over again, it is the families that truly love each other that I as a photographer stand in awe of when I witness this sacred, delightful and inspiring virtue.

The Italian Tie

It all started with an Italian tie.  My 20 year old son, Max, who is serving a mission for our Church in Milan, Italy went to Florence on his weekly preparation day.  He took a train ride with three other missionaries for an adventure to soak in the culture, architecture, food, museums and "deals."   In Max's own words,

"One of the best parts of Florence was.....drum roll.....the ties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Beautiful silk Italian ties for 2.50!  I repeat 2.50 Euro!!!  Amazing!!!!  Haha, I bought 14!"  

Well, you have to know Max's heart.  He is one of the most generous kids I know.  He can't have the good fortune of getting an amazing deal and not sharing his loot with his family.   So this is the yellow tie that my husband Ken received in the mail a week later.  He wanted me to take a picture of him wearing it to send a thank you to Max.  So, I did a mini photo shoot in our adjoining office.  He looks quite handsome in his token of love from Italy.



Ken has been nothing but loving and supportive as I have pursued my photography dream.  He is always encouraging when I want to buy a new lens or one of my many camera bags (I have 7! --I collect them like most women do purses),  or attend a workshop in Philadelphia, Boston, New York, or Newport Beach.  It has been wonderful to share my learning and growth with someone who so enthusiastically cheers me on.  Huge cudos Ken!  I love you!

And what did my mighty son Max in Italy send me??  Well.....drum roll (as Max would say).....an Italian romance novel that he fished out of the dumpster!  "Sua Maesta Don Chisciotte" -- 293 pages of blissful love.  I'm sure when I figure this one out, I'll let you know-- but for now,  that has to be a story for a another day!