Memorial Day + honoring Robert MelRoy Ballard...

My Father was born in 1926 and would have been 87 years old this year.   In 1944 after his junior year, he quit high school because he was drafted into the army to serve in World War II.  He was 18 years old.  He was assigned to the 11th Airborne Division, joined the paratroopers and was shipped off to the Philippines.  During a training mission he injured his left bicep on the the starter line while jumping out of the plane.  He was evacuated to a hospital ship and was actually in Tokyo Bay in August when the armistices was being signed.  I pay tribute to this great man and many, many others like him who have fought bravely for our country.  May we honor them this Memorial Day with gratitude for the sacrifices they made so that we and others might live in freedom.   I echo Tom Brokaw's thoughts as he walked the beaches of Normandy in memory of the soldiers who fought there in World War II:

"I was deeply moved and profoundly grateful for all they had done...I returned to Normandy for the fiftieth anniversary of the invasion, and by then I had come to understand what this generation of Americans meant to history.  It is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has every produced."

My Father passed away two years ago and received an honorary military burial.  It was very moving as the veterans gathered and honored him with a 21 gun salute and decorated American Flag.  It was a tender moment when they folded the flag and presented it to my Mother with these  kind words:

"This flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service." 

Many thanks to Nathan Perkes, his grandson, who so beautifully captured these moments.  Like his Grandfather, he shares his love for photography.

May we never forget the many, many servicemen and women who have so faithfully served and protected freedom for our country.  May we feel immense gratitude as we honor them this day.  

...ah...jasmine...

What a treat to photograph Jasmine for her upcoming Quincenera (sweet 15) party.   She was definitely sassy with her cowboy boots mixed with her formal gown.  What a delight to capture her spirit as she stretched her wings, soared...and even danced!  I can't wait to photograph her big celebration in a couple of weeks.

the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

It  had been many years since my husband and I had been to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.  So last Saturday we ventured out for a visit.  The collection wasn't as lovely as I had remembered and the exhibits were overcrowded with pieces of art, textiles, furniture, and bric-a-brac.  I felt like I had been transported back to the late 1800s to watch an episode of "Hoarders."  Mrs. Gardner took a controlling role in not only building the museum, but also arranging and displaying her many pieces of art and artifacts that she had collected over her years of extensive travel.  When she passed away in 1924, she left a $1 million  endowment with stipulations for the support of the museum including that the permanent collection not be significantly altered.  This woman as a patron of the arts, was also somewhat of a control freak.  I think her photograph reveals some of that personality.  When my husband and I were reading the history wall, we both simultaneously started humming the song from the Wizard of Oz when Almira Gulch (as played by Margaret Hamilton) came on her bicycle to the Gale farm with an order from the sheriff to confiscate Dorothy's dog, Toto.

The museum does have a lovely enclosed courtyard that is quite remarkable.  I can imagine how wonderful it would have been to the people of Boston to come here in the middle of the cold winter and enjoy the greenery and peace of this space.  The flowers remind us that, yes, Spring will come!

the art of the wedding album...

I love wedding albums.  Maybe it's because as a kid, I loved looking at my parents' wedding album.  There were probably only 12 pictures -- all 8x10's on individual single pages in black and white and hand colored.  But I cherished each page.  I loved reliving my parents' story of their "happily ever after" and feeling all warm and fuzzy to know that I was now a part of that.

For my bride and grooms, the wedding album experience goes something like this:  After the wedding photographs are posted, I have them choose 50-60 of their favorite images.  Even though I have my "favorites" from an artistic/photographer point of view,  the wedding album is not my story to tell...it is their story and so it is important that they choose the images to illustrate their voice.   I then take those photographs and organize them in an artistic sequence.  I really love the graphic side of the wedding experience.  As a matter of fact, if I hadn't chosen to be a photographer, I probably would have been a graphic artist.

Here are a few pages from Scott and Katrina's album that I just delivered.  They are double page spreads bound in a beautiful leather album.  They tell the story of their day, their love, the beginning of their eternal family.  I wish you could hear Katrina's wonderful Australian accent!  You'd fall in love with her, just as I did.  Here is a text message string I received from her:

"Hey Jen!
     We wanted to thank you again so very much for all of your hard work and time.  You were one of our favorite parts of our wedding.  We're so grateful to you."
     "We just received the wedding album now, and we love it!!  Thank you so much!!! : D"

Honestly, nothing makes me happier then knowing I've given my clients an heirloom keepsake, and that one future day their daughter will turn these pages and relive their love story.

one of my favorites...

As a photographer, you acquire personal favorites of the images you have captured.  You are drawn back to these again and again and are reminded of why you are a photographer.  This is one of my favorites.  It is of our son, Max, just outside the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican in Rome.   Max sat on the bench to rest and reflect for a moment.  I turned and saw it -- it was perfect -- the layering of the fresco, the light, Max's pensive mood -- Wow!  I just had to capture it.  I cherish this image.  I had it printed on a very large canvas and it now hangs in our living room.  I never look at it that I don't still marvel.  It takes me back to both Italy and the son that I love.

an adventure river walk in boise...

Three of our sons, daughters and their amazing children live in Boise, Idaho.  So a trip to Boise is always welcomed and filled with lots of hugs, laughter, and amazing food.  A couple of weeks ago we were there for a wonderful weekend that I will cherish forever.  Children, particularly 2-4 year olds are such a treat to photograph.  One of the reasons is they are so intrigued by nature as it surrounds them. They love the rocks, the water, the sticks, the bugs, and even the sand. They touch it, feel it, throw it, and yes,...even eat it.  Here are a few shots I took of the munchkins while we were on our adventure walk along the Boise River....  

Mr. Jack, age 3 1/2 (Buck & Jeralyn's)

Mr. ever expressive Jace - 2 years (Nate & Luisa's)

Miss Piper Jane (Buck and Jeralyn's)

Charming Ben - age 8 (Jake & Kate's)

Beautiful Gracie - 9 1/2 (Jake & Kate's)

Nate and Luisa