going, going, gone
June 26th, 2008
These 3 children lost interest in our photo shoot pretty quickly. They didn’t want to sit for a minute so we aimed for candids. All they wanted to do was run around and who could blame them, it was a gorgeous afternoon in the park. I loved their energy. Considering their lack of interest in sitting still I think we got some great shots.
drama
June 26th, 2008
The last several days have been full of drama. It all started on Sunday when we woke up to find my cat (who lives with my in-laws, where we have too been living for the last month) in pretty bad shape. We took him to the vet and were told he has a blood clot and after much debate, were advised to put him to sleep. Conner had become pretty attached to the cat so it was an emotional good-bye, primarily for me. His, “byyyye-byyyye kitty, meeeooowwwww” only added to my tears. Even though my husband did a pretty good job of pretending he would miss the cat, I could feel his sense of relief. He’s allergic and was never a huge fan. Regardless, it was a nice way to start off our Sunday.
Come Monday Conner had come down with a cold and we were headed to the doctor, so I thought. I put my purse in the front seat, straped him in the car seat, shut the door and realized I didn’t have my keys. I think to myself they must be inside. Run in, look all over. A flash of Conner playing with the keys zips through my head and as soon I fly out the door to retrieve them I hear the doors lock. He has pressed the lock button on the key and has succeeded at locking himself in the car. Where are all the spares you ask? Where else, in my purse THAT IS SITTING ON THE FRONT SEAT OF THE CAR. I call the cops and after an hour of pure panic, a cop and a locksmith prying at the car and many more tears Conner is free. Years were shaved off my life. We never made it to the doctor. That was Monday.
Tuesday we closed on our house. The buyers remorse sunk in as we signed our life away and then that evening my husband lost his wallet. Luckily after turning the house upside down, retracing our steps to the grocery store where we thought we left it and asking the store manager repeatedly if anyone turned it in, it was found a day later IN THE BASEMENT. So needless to say, there has been a bit of drama in our household. I think I’m losing it and apparently so is my husband.
blogs i like
June 25th, 2008
So because there are so many blogs I like, I’ve decided to share. Once a week (or so) I will post one of my favorite blogs here. Topics will range from photography to cooking to home stuff to music which brings me to my first blog I will recommend, www.untitledrecords.com. This blog is all about music, by Rachel. She is the girlfriend to Shane who designed my new blog. It’s set up beautifully. I love that with the click of one button you can hear the song, in full and her commentary is right on.
Enjoy!
upper west side
June 23rd, 2008
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Counting down the days until we me move. Six more to go. We move on Saturday.
This shoot took place on a gorgeous evening on the Upper West Side. For some reason I rarely get calls to shoot up there so I was looking forward to some new scenery. We walked all along the west side gardens where one of my favorite moves was filmed, You’ve Got Mail. You know the last scene. And what a great family. The youngest really kept us on our toes. Mom bribed quite a bit with M&Ms and then luckily I had a couple hersheys kisses to tie us over until the end of the shoot. Thanks Rob and Carmen for a wonderful shoot. I had a great time with you and hope to see you again soon.
shhhhh…
June 20th, 2008
These 4 ladies couldn’t have been easier or more pleasant to photograph. Mom arranged this shoot as a present for Dad’s birthday, which is tomorrow. Hopefully the secret was kept safe until now. At the end of the shoot they were discussing where they were going to say they had been, why they were all together and dressed up at 9am on a Saturday morning. They were all on their way to meet Dad so listening to their plans of keeping the shoot a secret was pretty funny. Thanks for a wonderful morning in the park and Happy Birthday Dad.
perfecto
June 18th, 2008
A couple of weeks ago two of our dear friends, Dave and Christina Gallo (ahhhh, I can’t believe she is a Gallo) were married in Sicily. Dave and my husband (who was the best man) have been friends for almost 20 years. They went to middle school, high school and college together. Christina joined us at Syracuse as well and we have known her for over 10 years. It’s safe to say we have a lot of history together and are all very close friends.
The wedding took place in the tiny village of Tracoccia where many of Christina’s family members are from. The service was given in Italian and took place in a little church at the top of a hill overlooking the village. Afterwards there was a procession led by and Italian singing quartet. The wedding party and all the guests walked from the church to where the reception was held, a villa owned by Christina’s aunt. During this march, it’s tradition for the residents to wait outside of their homes for the bride. As she walks by and greets them they throw flower petals and rice and in return she hands out candy. It was an amazing, beautiful and authentic experience. Something I’m sure we will never get to see or experience again.
I wish you two nothing but the best. It was an honor to be there with you both on such a magical day. As Dave would say, “Perfecto!”
The morning of the wedding I took off for an hour or so to grab a few photos…
and a few from the wedding…
and then the procession…
and then the party began…
rob was serenaded by the italian quartet – a great moment.
miscellaneous
June 18th, 2008
I feel like I’ve had several things to write about but I haven’t had the time so I’m going to try to catch up…
Ever since I left the city I feel a little more clear headed. Maybe it’s because of all the fresh air or maybe it’s because of the quiet but I feel more present, if that makes sense. A lot has been going through my head lately because, well for one, a lot is happening in my life and two, I’ve made myself try to slow down this month. Moving from the city to the burbs is a pretty big change and we’re not even in our own house yet. It’s weird to think that only 30 or so miles can make such a big difference.
So, it was Father’s Day this past weekend. I meant to post on Sunday but I didn’t get around to it. We spent the day with my brother and sister-in-law, grilling and just hanging out. Unfortunately my dad lives in LA so we weren’t together but Chris (my brother) was with him, and that makes me happy to know they were together. Anyways, I didn’t even take any photos (shame on me) but I did think a lot about “fatherhood” and what it means to be a father. When I say that word I think of the father Brendan is to Conner and the father my dad has been to me. They are both the bend-over-backwards to put your children first kind of dads. I cant think of a time when my dad wasn’t there supporting, motivating, encouraging, rooting, caring, guiding, teaching, showing, loving, listening to and patiently waiting for me. I know in 32 years Conner will be able to look back and feel the same exact way about Brendan. My dad and him are alike in many wonderful ways. It’s funny how women often marry men who are similar to their fathers. My husband and my dad are two of the most important people in my life. So to you both, Happy Father’s Day (3 days late!). I love you.
On another note, I have to share my latest music obsession.
And my latest blog obsession: Confessions of a Pioneer Woman. I mean this beautiful blog has it all. Good recipes, writing and of course photography.
larchmont
June 16th, 2008
Mom and I debated if the weather was going to cooperate. We decided to go for it and luckily the rain held off. It was a gorgeous morning in Larchmont and what a great shoot we had. We met at Jill’s parent’s house who were such nice and welcoming people. Their home was just as lovely as they were. Jill and Eric, it was such a pleasure to spend the morning with you 3. I enjoyed our conversation about the ins-and-outs of Westchester County. I hope to see you again, in NYC or the suburbs. Thank You.
moving to india
June 13th, 2008
his beautiful family is moving to India in a few months so they wanted to schedule a shoot before they left New York City. I photographed them for the first time when their daughter Urvashi was only a few months old, now Mom is pregnant with their second. I was honored to photograph you 3 one last time before you head to India. I wish you all the best and hope to hear from if/when you return to New York. Good luck and safe travels.
I love the series of the first 3…
the new blog is here!
June 13th, 2008
Welcome to the new blog. From now on, only visit this blog. The old one will no longer be in use. All the same stuff, just a prettier and more flexible template. Visit often and let me know you stopped in by leaving a comment.