Archive for August, 2009

“A life with love will have some thorns,

but a life without love will have no roses.”

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So it’s not a rose, but it still has flowers and thorns.

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Just love the crazy bokeh is this one, it gives the feeling of movement.

“Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of ‘you’ to the world.”

This is Susana, my friend’s daughter. Her mother and I have been friends since 7th grade (!). Susana will be 9 years old tomorrow- Parabéns! Desejamos-te um dia muito bom e feliz, e cheio de prendinhas também!

I had the privilege of photographing her just a few days before I left- it was a mini session at the end of the day, and we had so much fun! Susana was a natural and she’s such a beautiful girl.

First,  I loved her outfit, very put together. Loved that top with the capri jeans. And those sandals, how cute!
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She has beautiful brown eyes, so expressive and smiley.
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She was very at ease posing for me too.
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And this last one is my favorite image, it literally takes my breath way, she looks so perfect and beautiful.
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Obrigada, Comadre, por me emprestares a modelo. Tens uma filha tão bonita, adorei fotografa-la. Espero que gostem destas imagens.

“To everything there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”- Ecclesiastes 3:1

I am behind on proofing some sessions but I had to post this series that has been in the making for one year.

There is a lady in my church who has the best yard. Her house sits on a lot that is almost 3 times bigger than most. What I like about her yard is how random it is. She doesn’t use a landscape designer and she plants where she wants. She has been living there for over 30 years and it looks very natural.

Last year I approached her about bringing my kids over sometimes for a quick session. She was very gracious and gave me permission to do so. As a little thank you, I had the idea of photographing some snipets of her yard and make a collage for her. After the 1st one was made, I liked it so much that I decided to come back each season.

Yesterday was her birthday and I visited her and presented her with the last collage in the series.

I tried to be true to each season in photographing something that would represent its colors and spirit to the best: the garnet leaf in the crisp Autumn, the quiet serenity of a snow-covered bird bath in Winter, a group of red tulips swaying to the Spring breeze, an angel garden statue sitting in the languid Summer evening.

I can’t say I have a favorite, each one has its own magic and appeal.

Another year has come and gone, each season bringing something different.

“it’s the little details that are vital.

Little things make big things happen.”- John Wooden

“You learn something everyday

if you pay attention.”- Ray LeBlond

On Friday afternoon, I took my oldest three children for back to school pictures in front of their school.

- My oldest boy is starting 6th grade, he’s turning 12 at the end of September.

- My girl will be in 5th grade this year, she’s almost 10 1/2 years old.

- And my 3 year-old boy, who’s turning 4 in early October, is a preschooler this year!

At first, he was mildly interested in having his photos taken.

But he is a boy and he is 3 and keeping his attention is a tall order:

He does like to make faces, that is a lot more interesting than standing in front of the camera and looking at mom.

Of course, jumping always yelds the best result, who can resist a request to jump?

We are all very excited that school is starting again. That was always my favorite time of the year when I was a child, and I’m glad that my own children get so excited about it too.

Happy Back to School, everyone!

“Children are the anchors

that hold a mother to life.”- Sophocles

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Sophocles was an Ancient Greek playwright from the 5th century BC. He was very famous for his writings of tragedies and history says he had sons, but not exactly how many.

And why am I sharing this, you wonder? I looked up the quote for this post and found it interesting that a man, born and dead so many centuries ago, was able to sum up so eloquently the stronghold a child has on a mother’s heart. From before birth, a new mother’s heart is never the same and with the birth of her new baby, so a new life of joys (and oftentimes sorrows) is born. And I must confess that I have been feeling a little sentimental- my 3 year old son is starting preschool and my ‘baby’ is almost 2 years old! Where has time gone!

Sienna’s mom placed her trust in me and let me work with her precious new daughter when I arrived there last Friday. I am grateful that she didn’t question my ways and creative set ups, it was a joy working with both of them.

Hope you have enjoyed meeting little Sienna! I’d love to know which image is your favorite . :)

“A baby is God’s opinion

that the world should go on.”- Carl Sandburg

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I am sharing today a few more images from last week’s session with 4 day-old Sienna. She was such a lovely little model.

It never ceases to amaze me how different and full of personality little babies are, even one as young as she was. I can tell you that she loved the soft blanket on the doll bed and had a terrible fit when I tried to remove her. She was also very comfortable in the basket and green blanket, that is a genuine expression of pure abandonment.I love the way she sleeps with her cute little mouth slightly open, such an adorable characteristic.

There is nothing more peaceful than watching a baby sleep. Of course, if you’re the new baby’s mom then you should go and catch some sleep too!

Stay tuned for the rest of Sienna’s newborn session, coming in the next few days.

“When the sparrow sings its final refrain,

the hush is felt nowhere more deeply than in the heart of man.”- Don Williams, Jr.

Tranquility.

“A new baby is

like the beginning of all things- wonder, hope,

a dream of possibilities.”- Eda J. Leshan

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This is the sweetest baby I met this morning, only 4 days of age- isn’t she so cute! And I love her name too.

I love photographing young newborns, when they are still so new and fresh, still have the umbilical cord. I remember how the first few weeks go by in a daze when you bring a new baby home; it is hard to remember those feelings and details, all the new little things about her. This is why it is so important to capture a newborn in the first few days of life, because it will never be the same.

This is a sneak peek for her mom- thank you, K, for inviting me over, hope you enjoy these!

Do you remember the tutu mini sessions that I hosted in June and July? I have just received some prints today and this is the part that I totally love- to see and feel the prints in person! Since my work is digital, I don’t get to see it in print until the orders come in from the professional lab that I use. And while digital images are very convenient to share online, nothing compares to the pleasure that an archival print offers to anyone one who sees and feels it.

This is a 5×7 proof book that I ordered to show Fairy Wonderful’s designs and Reflections by Cindy‘s images- you can see how cute it turned out! Each image has a black stroke and a white border that makes the colors really stand out; it is coil bound and comes in a presentation box. Each print is textured and rich in detail. Proof books are an easy way to show off all the images from a session, and since the prints are archival, the quality is always outstanding.

All models will receive complimentary prints, and I wish I could be there to see their reaction! Thank you everyone for participating!

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