Grand Old Lady...

I'm back from our two week break visiting home (in the north). The kids had fun the old fashioned way -- playing in puddles, running through the sprinkler, crafting with grandma -- and then there was me exclaiming at the new heights of my niece and nephew (when did they get so grown up!)

So, really, I should be posting pictures of kids chasing bubbles, the clan gathering and my mom's 106 year old house.

But as happens when you haven't been home in a year, change was evident all around. In particular, an area I have probably passed by over 1000 times, was very changed. A plan for development has gone askew and this is the sole survivor of the changes that have been put in motion.

An early morning shot captures land cleared and, with its willow trees stripped, an elegant home holding strong against the tides of progress.

Painting with light...moving with light...

I went to a lecture recently by a photographer who described his work as "painting with light." I like that idea and if my subjects weren't moving a million miles a minute, I'd be doing some painting of them myself. Of course, light is a big part of what I do, but very few people I photography are static, thus no still canvas...and I love this. Even my corporate headshot clients are moving, or talking, or laughing before the shot -- and I encourage this.

Here are some little movers. Now they were so cute, they each looked like little Botticelli cherubs, speaking of painting. But my canvas was the backyard and I was moving, running, with my "brush" -- the camera.

It's the best way to get that unexpected moment.

Birthday fun...

Fun, fun and more fun. Here's a birthday shot I just had to share. Can you pick out the birthday girl?

Letting them go...

My kids are little. They still count on me for almost everything. They would rather play with me than anyone else. (Yes, they ARE young.) "Mom!" is heard about 500 times a day. I can't imagine how I'll cope the day they head off for college.

This young man is soon off for his freshman year. He is poised for adventure. He is also, POISED, polite, kind and funny with a good sense of humor. And as you can see, he had a GREAT unforced smile. He's a leader in the making.

Sigh, he'll be missed by his parents, I am sure!

Woman's best friend...

Charming and spirited, this client has a wonderful connection with man's best...make that woman's best friend. She's got two of them.

To get the dogs to look "perky" I was told I just had to say, "squirrel!" Well, let me tell you, we said that and perky we got. UP they bounced, and tore around my home studio looking for, you got it, a squirrel! We refrained from using that word the rest of the shoot!

Chubby love...

Every once and a while you come across a baby that looks like an angel, a cherub, a painting. This happy little one was all those things...

Colombia...

Just got back from five days in Bogota. Thought I'd share some images. Grabbed these shots when I had a moment...