J.Alviti Photography

What I've Been Up To....

2012-01-24T18:51:00.000-05:00

So I'm sure you have noticed the lack of work-related posts lately.... well don't worry, I'm actually busier than ever! This winter has brought more work than I could have hoped for, and I'm loving every minute of it. I am busy editing and designing albums, but besides that I haven't been able to post much because I've been shooting a TON of gorgeous ladies for some Beauty Behind Closed Doors sessions! These sessions are so much fun for me - I get to hang out and be girly, and get creative with lighting, posing, props, and styling all while making someone see how gorgeous they are. What's better than that? Though most women do these types of shoots as a gift for their husband or boyfriend, I honestly feel that these pictures are more for themselves. So many women today don't see how beautiful they are because they think "I'm not skinny enough" or "I need to get my hair done" or "I don't look like the models on magazines"....and this is just NOT TRUE. Not even close! REAL women are the most beautiful to me. We should love ourselves for the strength we posess, our fabulous smiles, our contagious laugh, our curvy figures, and the stories that shaped our lives to what they are today. Sometimes women need to be given permission to just feel beautiful - it's sad but so true! We need to be told sometimes that it's ok to feel confident and sexy and make no apologies for it. That is always my goal when I photograph women, whether they are a bride, a mother, or posing in their skivvies ;) I may be posting a few shots from my recent sessions but obviously only with my client's permission, so we shall see :) (Though if anyone is interested in seeing some of my work, I do have a password protected gallery so just send me an e-mail if you're interested! Jena@JAlviti.com) But besides my beautiful lady shoots, I do have the adorable baby Daniel and the vivacious Catala family to share with you :) Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Rambo Update!

2012-01-23T09:35:00.000-05:00

For those of you who don't follow me on Facebook, I wanted to give you a quick Rambo update - His doctor called with the great news that the tumor was benign, and we couldn't be happier! We will bring him back in a few months to make sure it's not growing back, and then just keep an eye on it from there on out. Rambo is definitely feeling better and acting like his old crazy self - he was quite excited to get a visit from ALL FIVE of his cousins! :)

Snow Day!

2012-01-23T09:17:00.000-05:00

Can't believe we're having our first REAL snow day in Connecticut on January 21st, but hey we'll take it! Jeff and I were so excited to take Max out to play in the snow and see what he would make of it all. After some smiles, some tears, and wearing ziploc baggies on his feet to keep them dry...I'd say it was a pretty great day! Here's a quick peek at our fun - hope everyone's safe and warm out there!

...and then the tears!

but it's OK - Daddy to the rescue

attempted self-portrait :)

and no one loves the snow as much as this guy!

Love me some hat hair!

*Photo nerd note - these photos were processed with actions from TRA if you're interested!

High Five to Being Yourself

2012-01-12T08:49:00.000-05:00

So anyone who has met me in person knows I have a sweet Madonna style gap in my front teeth. This used to bother me tremendously in high school to the point where I wouldn't smile.... and that's just no way to live life. By the time college came around I really learned to love myself just the way that I was borm. I understood that I shouldn't be embarassed by the things that make me different - I should celebrate them! Today I smile all of the time and don't even think about my gap. If it is the thing that makes people remember me, then so be it! I came across this picture of Michael Strahan from his recent 40th Birthday Party and I just had to share it (even though I'm a JETS fan through and through). He deserves a high five for celebrating what makes him unique and having friends and family who clearly do the same :)

Ringing in 2012 - The Roberge Family

2012-01-01T12:01:00.001-05:00

I was so excited for my first 2012 family shoot this morning! Josh and Dannielle are old college friends of mine from WCSU and they've just added a new addition to their family - They adopted a beautiful baby boy! Colton is beyond cute and you can already tell how happy he is to be with his Mom and Dad. I think adoption is such an amazing thing and I think it's even more wonderful when two great people decide to selflessly become parents to a child in need. Josh leaves tomorrow for Virginia where he is currently stationed, and I'm so grateful they chose to spend some time with me before he left. Colton and Max had a great time playing after their photos were done, so hopefully there are many more play dates ahead! Congratulations, Josh and Dannielle - you are an inspiration.

Love this one....

Right after Colton smacked Josh in the face with a toy - boys will be boys!

New Year's Eve

2011-12-31T21:15:00.000-05:00

This year I am spending New Year's Eve at home, in my PJ's, drinking champagne and watching movies with Jeff while Max sleeps soundly in the other room. Back in college, I always put so much pressure on this holiday every time it came around. I thought "This is the night my life changes"..."This is the night I meet my prince charming"... and then I'd get all dressed up and go out with my friends. Somehow, it always ended up being nothing like I'd planned. I'd be the designated driver and end up chasing down drunk friends all night. Or be the only one without someone to kiss at midnight. Or end up going home early because I wasn't having any fun. Oh, and don't forget the year I went to a party and had my camera stolen. Needless to say, I always ended up being disappointed by this holiday for not holding up the expectations I had put onto it.

Well, I am happy to say that this year, my expectations have far been exceeded - not exactly how I had pictured it all those years (though my sweatpants are super fashionable!) but I am happy, healthy, and with the men of my dreams :) 2011 was immeasurable - It is the year I gave birth. The year I found out what life is all about. The year my business took off full time. I'm a little sad to say "goodbye" to such an incredible year, but I have a feeling that 2012 is going to knock our socks off.

Happy New Year to everyone out there and be safe and happy!!!

It was so warm out today that we hung out on our deck and enjoyed the fresh air - and of course I had to bring my camera. Max seems to think that he is also a puppy just like Rambo and Blue who we always call his "brother and sister". So now he's taken to 'barking' whenever they bark. Lucky for us all, I caught it on video for your enjoyment :)

(I'm very new at taking video so I apologize for the fact that it's sideways (?) and the fact that it goes in and out of focus!)

Untitled from Jennifer Alviti on Vimeo.

OH and side note - Max was quite excited to see all of his cousins yesterday before they headed out to their big sleep over/UConn game weekend!

.....What, did you not know that Alviti's don't produce girls?!? Haha - they are crazy and full of energy and life, but they are GREAT kids and they each got in line and gave Max a kiss goodbye before they left. I honestly don't remember being that sweet when I was their age - we are lucky to have such wonderful people to call family.

Not to mention that it perked Rambo right up getting to run around and play with 5 more kids!

Office Make Over

2011-12-30T12:38:00.000-05:00

So I'm kicking myself for not taking "before" photos, but Jeff and I recently decided enough was enough with the clutter and we got to work fixing up our office. This means that it is now a place for me to have meetings with clients and to get work done in an organized fashion instead of a chaotic room of storage :) The closet is actually painted a beautiful deep purple and soon the walls will be a nice light grey and the trim will be updated too. But for now it is clean and open and feels like a whole new place. 2012 is going to be HUGE! I can feel it!

Snuggles and Thank You's

2011-12-29T23:02:00.000-05:00

Thank you everyone for your kind words and thoughts - the doctor said Rambo did great and he's home safe and sound. Now we just wait to find out the test results, so until then this house will consist of lots of snuggles and gratitude for our wonderful pup. As you can see, he's in good hands :)

Scary Things

2011-12-28T20:30:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to write a quick note because our first born baby (Rambo, of course!) is having surgery in the morning. If you have a minute, we'd appreciate it if you could send some love and kind thoughts his way. The vet discovered he has a tumor in his mouth and wanted to get it out of there ASAP - hopefully it turns out to be nothing but until it's over and he's home and recovering, I will officially be a nervous wreck. I love you my boo-boo!

Hello, Technology!

2011-12-27T22:02:00.001-05:00

So this is officially my first post from my new iPad! I was beyond spoiled this year for Christmas, and I'm still in awe at how amazing this holiday is now that I'm a parent. I have always been a "Christmas person" and I can close my eyes and feel instantly the magic that I felt when I was a kid. I remember how I tossed and turned on Christmas eve swearing I heard jingle bells on the roof....I remember watching the same holiday movies over and over again...I remember making my poor parents listen to nothing but Christmas songs on the radio from Thanksgiving on. Now I get to be the one to start new traditions...to make Christmas as special for Max as it always was for me. I know that he is too young to probably even remember his first Christmas, but Jeff and I will never forget the look on his face every time he sees the Christmas tree. How he lights up and giggles when playing with a new toy or looking through a new book. How he snuggled into us when he was tired from too much partying. I didn't take as many photos as I would have liked to but these memories need no reminder. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and got to spend time with the people you love! I can't believe that we are mere days from 2012 and I'm so incredibly excited for the year to come. The new year is time to re-focus and make changes not only in myself but in my business as well, and I can't thank you all enough for your support and trust as I strive to make beautiful memories for every person I meet.

(P.S. - try not to pay attention to the Halloween decorations that are still hanging around our house on Christmas!)

What Meal Time is Like

2011-12-14T22:11:00.000-05:00

Max is almost 10 months old now, and meal times are starting to take about 45 minutes to an hour. Why, you may ask? Well because Max has a lot to say...and between laughs, yogurt spitting, and baby food smushing, I don't mind one bit :)

Are You A Momma? Then You Need to Read This!

2011-12-13T09:11:00.000-05:00

Now this may seem counter-intuitive, but I'm actually sending you over to another blog! It's called "Fudge Banana Swirl" (LOVE that name) and it's written by an amazing California based photographer & momma, Chenin Boutwell. She gives great recipes, clothing, shopping, and general kid tips on how to keep it all together and do so with style. I particularly love this post here about being honest with ourselves and making another mother's day. So go ahead and give it a read, you'll be hooked just like I am!

Happy Tuesday!

The Best Early Christmas Present

2011-12-13T08:23:00.000-05:00

With permission from it's sender, I had to share this e-mail with you all. I was just at my desk yesterday working away, and a new message popped up so I clicked to go read it. I never imagined it would be the best early present I've ever received. I know I'm a sap, but it brought me to tears when I read it, and is making me cry again right now. It also re-affirmed all of the hard work that has gone into this last year of running a business and a family. Thank you, Maura & Matt, from the bottom of my heart - amazing people like you make it all worth it!

"Hi Jena,

Matt and I recently celebrated our first year of marriage, and in doing so we looked through all the beautiful photos you took of our special day. I just wanted to say thank you again for capturing our day so perfectly.

I also wanted to let you know that on our wedding day you were not only snapping photos of our outrageously large wedding party, you were inspiring my little cousin to open her mind and follow her heart. It is because of your creativity, passion, imagination and talent that you are able to show the world the beauty that you see while looking through the lens of your camera. My cousin Maggie would like to do the same and has decided to pursue her new found passion in photography.
She is now looking at universities and is hoping to one day become as talented as you.

Thank you for showing us how beautiful the world can be."

Little do they know that I am the thankful one. I've always thought that a kind word or two could really turn someone's day around, but this e-mail has turned my whole spirit around. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

All Over the Place

2011-12-10T22:07:00.000-05:00

Well it's late and I'm exhausted from spending the day at Help Portrait, but it was a day well spent! When I got home I changed into a T-shirt and jeans and got down on the floor to play with my little man, Max. But he just looked so cute that I couldn't not take some new photographs of him, especially since I have to now seize the moments when he's actually sitting still! That's right - we officially have a crawler / cruiser on our hands! Needless to say it was a total shocker and we made an emergency trip to Babies R Us to gear up on babyproofing - we're in a whole new ballgame now! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend - I call this one "The meaning of life lies in this little red car".

Couldn't Have Said it Better Myself.

2011-12-06T10:49:00.000-05:00

It is probably not a shocker that I'm a huge fan of country music, and this song just grabs my heart and wrenches it. My nose gets all sniffly and my eyes start to tear because at this moment in the time-line of my life, this song just speaks to me. I would not be where I am right now if God had not given me amazing parents, beyond-supportive friends, Jeff (Of course) and now our insanely perfect little boy. Did you guys ever see SATC 2? Well this is like when Charlotte is pregnant, and terrified because she thinks that life is not supposed to be this perfect and something awful is just waiting to happen...but in reality we have all had our downs, so we each deserve our moments of perfection. Just make sure you drink it in. So cheers, Blake Shelton! I couldn't have said it better myself. :)

Blake Shelton - God Gave Me You from Ricardo Hurtado on Vimeo.

Holiday Mini-Sessions - The Leng Family

2011-12-04T20:04:00.000-05:00

I have known these guys since high school (well technically I've known Cassie since we were....maybe 3 years old?!), and yes - they've been together ever since! I was so excited to photograph them because one, they're super cute and fun people, two, I hadn't seen them since last winter, and three, they were bringing their dog Scout! We ventured to Candlewood Lake to wander around the beach in the beautiful light and have fun watching Scout go crazy for all of the new smells :) Thanks for coming out so early in the morning and trusting me to make some new memories for your 2011 holiday together!

LOVE this series - Cassie and Priestley, you guys are super photogenic!

Jim & Sarah... A Happy Landings / Downtown Bethel Engagement

2011-11-28T17:46:00.001-05:00

I'm so excited to share this engagement session with you all! I have known Jim since we worked our summers away for the Bethel Parks and Recreation office (as did everyone in our town!) and I couldn't be happier for him! Years later I can see that he is a happy, confident man with a beautiful and sweet wife-to-be. Sarah is one of those girls who just has no idea how gorgeous she really is - I mean wait until you see her eyes! They should name a new crayon after them... "To Die For Blue" or something along those lines. We lucked out and got a gorgeous November day for our session, so we had to head back to where Jim asked her to be his wife. We spent some time wandering the grounds at Happy Landings park in Brookfield, then hopped in the car and headed to downtown Bethel for some more dressy/holiday style shots. Plus I made them stop along the way at an old railroad track because of the graffiti heart and some beautiful light :) Jim and Sarah I had so much fun with you, and you didn't cheese it at all like you said you would! You guys are two of the nicest people I've had the pleasure of working with and I wish you nothing short of a lifetime of happiness together!

The very spot where she said "yes"...

The epitomy of cuteness.

We found the last bit of colorful foliage...

I'm Not Sure...

2011-11-25T20:07:00.000-05:00

if I have mentioned how much I LOVE the holidays - but I really really do! Watching the Macy's parade with Max this year has got to be one of the highlights of my life - we started decorating for Christmas today and he saw the stockings on the fireplace and squeeled with delight - he's my boy, alright! This is going to be the best winter EVER. :)

Another reason I love the holidays is that I hold mini-sessions for families to come get some updated shots of themselves and their kids, and I am always amazed when I see how much the kids and babies have grown! I got to see our friends Jackson and Avery today and I can hardly believe they're 8 months old already - look at those beautiful faces!

*If anyone is interested in having holiday photos done, I'm holding the special price until December 10th - so just e-mail me to snag a date!*

My Favorite Little Light Tester

2011-11-22T20:05:00.000-05:00

Fall Mini Sessions - The Profeta Family

2011-11-21T20:13:00.000-05:00

The Profeta's are another family that came to me when Rebecca was pregnant with their second child. I have been taking their pictures for over a year now and they are just awesome people. I can't believe that Asher, the little peanut newborn boy with the big gorgeous eyes, is over a year old already! Where did this year go? Profeta family, thank you for once again trusting me to capture your beautiful family - your kindness and warmth does not go unnoticed, and I love getting to spend time with you all! I hope you love your photos and I have to thank you again for coming out to support the Charity photo sessions this year as well!

Nothing like watching your boys be boys! I think Asher might be winning...

Fall Mini Sessions - The Leadke Family

2011-11-21T18:09:00.001-05:00

I first met the Leadke's when Christine was pregnant with their second baby, Jack. I made this poor family get up super early and meet me out in New Milford at about 8am to capture that beautiful morning light! They were so sweet and acted like the frost in the air was no problem at all :) I was pregnant at the time as well, and Christine and I joked that we'd "see each other in the hospital" since we were due just a few weeks apart...well as luck would have it, we actually did! Max and Jack share the same wonderful birthday - what are the odds of that? I was so happy to get to photograph Max's birthday twin and the rest of the Leadke family, because they are all so fun, sweet, and beautiful! Thank you for coming out guys, it was so great to see you and I can't wait to get our little Pisces boys together!

Love.

Seriously...how cute are they?!?

Fall Mini Sessions - The McGowan Family

2011-11-21T14:03:00.000-05:00

I don't think any of us could have predicted this years Halloween Snow Storm, though it would have been nice to know it was coming! I had scheduled my fall mini-sessions for that very weekend, and needless to say there had to be a lot of rescheduling! Between the weather, and people not having power, we ended up moving them to the first weekend in November instead. Thankfully there was still some gorgeous foliage left on the trees and my clients were troopers through the chilly weather and downed power lines!

The McGowans have been coming to me since their daughter, Madison, was born and I seriously doubt that there is a cuter family out there! Lindsay, Shaun, and Madison have been in front of my lens about 5 times already and we always have a blast. They are incredibly fun and sweet, and even sent Max a baby gift when he was born - how great are they? I can't believe the little princess is already a year old, but it warms my heart to watch her grow up and grow into her own personality! A girl after my own heart, Madison even brought her lacrosse stick to play with - she is the most talented one year old lax player I've ever seen! Enjoy my favorites of this wonderful family - thank you, McGowans, for making the trip to come see me once again!

I know that Madison will look back at this one day and know how much her Mommy loved her :)

Oh hi, beautiful!

Following A Dream

2011-11-18T21:38:00.001-05:00

I just wanted to write a quick post about an awesome person! I went to college with this sweet, talented, hilarious guy named Gary. We were in the same art classes and even both played lacrosse. One of my best memories of him is one day walking into our 8:00am painting class, half awake, to see Gary standing there with a big smile on his face tossing an apple up and down. When we finally asked him what the apple was for, he simply informed us that he wanted to feel like Aladdin today. That's just Gary. Fast forward a few years later and how happy am I that Gary happens to be dating one of my best friends! He and Krystin are so perfect for eachother, it's a little mind boggling as to why we never thought of matching them up years ago! Krystin is here in CT being an amazing ICU nurse, and Gary is down in Florida, yes, following a dream. He has only had one dream since I've known him - to be a professional animator and work for a company like Pixar. So down to Florida he went and he's kicking ass and taking names in an accelorated Graduate program - we couldn't be more proud of him! While we can't wait for him to get home, we get to enjoy the fruits of his labor from afar as he posts new drawings and videos of work he's doing. I wanted to share his latest one because it's just awesome to see someone else out there following a dream and not letting anything stop him. Gary and Krystin also happened to model for me last time he was home, so those pictures are coming soon! Until then, here's his latest work of art - enjoy!

Click here: Cowboy Duel.
____________________________________________________________________

Amanda & Mark... Expecting!

2011-11-18T10:44:00.000-05:00

So remember that whole Halloween snow storm craziness we all went through? I sure do - we lost power in New Fairfield for 5 days! I know a lot of people went much longer without so I'm not complaining - but needless to say it made working a little bit tricky :)

I went to WCSU with Amanda and always remember how kind and laid back she was - my kind of person all the way. She and her fiance Mark were expecting their first child and she e-mailed me over Facebook to get some information on a maternity session.... but as Facebook messages go lately I never got it! Fast forward a few months later and I saw on Amanda's Facebook page that she was due in just a few days so I decided to send her a quick message to see if she had any maternity photos taken yet. That's when I found out about the missed message and I felt awful! I never want someone to feel like I ignored them - no way, no how. Since it was so close to her due date, I offered to do a mini session for her and Mark as I truly believe that maternity photos are not only beautiful and fun, but a necessity! It's such an incredible time in a woman's life and even though it may feel like it lasts forever, once you have the baby you quickly forget what being pregnant was like. Having those photos to look back on - before you knew what your baby even looked like - reminds you of the amazing journey it took to get to being a parent. All of the anticipation, love, and hard work that went into your little one before they were even born! These two felt the same way, so we finally talked and decided to do a session at my home a few days later since Amanda was due in ...oh about 5 days! We had our plan all set for that Wednesday, and lo and behold here comes the blizzard! Jeff and I still had no power but obviously rescheduling was not an option in this case so we buckled down, lit some candles, plugged my gear into a battery pack and made due with what we had. While it was too dark outside to do my normal style of session I think that we came away with some really sweet shots of the soon-to-be family. Amanda and Mark, thank you for making the drive and having your session done in the dark - Nothing says hospitality like using the bathroom while holding a flashlight! I hope you love your photos and I can't wait to meet your little Miss now that she's finally here!

PS: Ladies - she is full term in these photos - try not to hate her for looking so gorgeous!

Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2011-11-18T07:56:00.000-05:00

So I don't know about you guys, but I am a Christmas FANATIC. I get slightly obsessed and way too cheery while I blast Star 99.9 from Thanksgiving Day on. This year I'm even more excited for the festivities since it will be Max's first Christmas and I know he's going to be a holiday cheer junkie just like his mommma - I mean after all, his favorite color is red so he'll pretty much be in heaven every where we go! This brings us to my All Time Top 5 Favorite Holiday Songs! (High Fidelity anyone?)

1. Silver Bells

2. Silent Night

3. Dominique the Donkey (of course)

4. Baby, It's Cold Outside

5. The entire N*Sync Christmas Album from the 90's.

What's yours?

You Know How I Know I'm Old?

2011-11-17T07:31:00.000-05:00

....I still say "Oh we should tape that!" when referring to a show or movie we want to DVR.

....I rather have a good cup of coffee than a good martini.

....When I'm snuggled up with Jeff in our sweats, it doesn't even cross our minds to do anything else on a Friday night.

....Being old is AWESOME.

Harrington Farm Wedding - Jennifer & Hayden

2011-11-16T11:17:00.000-05:00

I am SO excited to be writing this blog post! I have literally known Jenn since preschool and it is an incredible honor to have been a part of her wedding day. So much loving thought went into every last detail of their Massachusetts wedding that I was in photographic heaven! Not only was the weather gorgeous, the details to-die-for, and the bride and groom insanely beautiful... but their love was something else. Something straight out of a fairytale, and their friends and family couldn't help but bask in the glow of this perfect love. If you ever get the chance to be around these two for more than two minutes you can just see that they were meant to be together. It's that simple. Jenn is also a fellow photography lover, so she gave me full reign on the wedding day to do whatever I needed to make beautiful photographs - how amazing is that? She and Hayden opted for a First Look which is when the bride and groom get taken to a private location and get to see each other before the actual wedding ceremony. It is what Jeff and I did for our wedding day as well, and it has to be the most romantic and intimate part of the whole day. It also allows time for some bride and groom portraits to be taken early on which ensures a great variety in their wedding day portfolio - a win-win! Jenn and Hayden, thank you from the bottom of my heart for having me document your beautiful love - I can't wait to someday photograph your gorgeous brunette babies! :)

Ceremony and Reception held at the Harrington Farm in Princeton, MA

Beautiful Bouquets by Holmes Shusas

Cakes and cupcakes by June Banks of Snaffle Sweets

Dresses from David's Bridal

Music and Lighting by David Parks of Spin Doctor DJ

The girls' gorgeous hair and makeup by the ladies at Rituals Salon & Spa

Rings from Jewelry Designs

Jenn and Hayden each have a tiny tattoo on their backs of the other's initial...most romantic thing ever!

Jenn and Hayden got ready a few doors away from eachother - wish I could take credit for it, but it was snapped by my lovely second shooter for the day, Miss Aurora!

Then it was time for the First Look...

I just love these two....

We snuck Jenn back inside and soon it was time for the ceremony.

We had a little surprise guest join us - a dog ran out of the lake behind the ceremony site! Good thing the bride and groom love animals :)

MARRIED!!!

Cutest ring bearer. Ever.

Then we were lucky enough to steal J & H away for some sunset portraits - ahhh yes, amazing clients!

While you all know I love me some beautiful natural light when ever possible, I'm glad I have the equipment and know how to use lighting on the go as well. That's the only way we can get such a diverse wedding day portfolio with shots like this:

Now it's time for the dining, dancing, and fun...

Jenn and her father had quite the trick up their sleeve - in the middle of their slow dance, the music skipped, and they broke out into a killer dance routine! They were beaming from ear to ear and had such a blast - that's how everyone should celebrate if you ask me!

Helpful Tips for Clients

2011-11-14T18:33:00.000-05:00

So a lot of the time I hear photographers complain (myself included) that clients are not using their images correctly, or their frustrated by things that happen on social media, etc. and I totally understand and feel the frustration, too - trust me! However it got me to thinking - I love my clients, and they are all stellar people so why would they purposely misuse professional photos? The answer is they wouldn't! They are just good people who have no idea that they're doing anything wrong. So here it is, just a quick little post on a few topics that can sometimes cause confusion between photographers, clients, and everyone else :)

1. It is technically illegal to crop the watermark off of a professional photograph, even if it's just for your facebook profile picture. This being said, please do not crop and/or edit the photos that you receive from a session or are tagged in on facebook. The photos are digital, and that makes them easy to manipulate, but it doesn't make it OK to do so. The photographs that are presented to clients are not just photos; they are works of art that were worked on tirelessly to get them "just right". From the lighting to the posing to the cropping and retouching - they represent your photographer and their brand so please, leave them as they are! That being said, if anyone out there is a client and would like a photo cropped or fixed in a certain way, there's no harm in asking - just shoot your photographer an e-mail and see if they would mind making a change and watermarking a brand new image for you to use.

2. Stealing photos from a blog or social media site and saving them to your computer/printing them on your own is NOT ok to do. It is also a form of stealing! Copyright laws are very strict and are in place to prevent things like this from happening - breaking said laws can even be punishable by up to $15,000! Most photographers will make their websites protected so that you can't save them to your computer, but in all honesty no one can stop you from taking a "screen shot" of an image and doing what you will with it. But the internet is a viral place and someone who knows someone who knows the photographer will see that you've done this and word will get around - so please refrain from doing so and keep that conscience clear and everyone will stay happy.

3. I truly believe the BEST thing you can do before any session is to sit down and talk to you photographer! Just be open and honest about what you expect and what you are hoping to get out of your time together. If you're hoping for a family portrait where everyone is centered, looking at the camera and smiling so that you can replace an old photograph above the mantel...tell them that! They won't think it's being pushy; they will be glad that they know ahead of time so that you don't get disappointed when all of your shots are more candid. Keep the lines of communication open and your time together will be everything you wanted and make you both happy. You can discuss different ideas, locations, clothing options, or even what you're looking for in terms of a final product (a canvas, a square print, a collage for the kid’s room, etc.). The more you know going in, the more you will get out of it!

4. Last but not least for today, this one's for the parents! You'd be surprised at how many lovely family shots are ruined because both Mom and Dad are making weird faces and looking down at their kids to make sure they're behaving/smiling/not poking their siblings. Of course it is your parental instinct to do this, but then we end up with half of the photos having the parents looking up and smiling, and the other half with the kids looking up and smiling. As a parent your only job at the photo shoot is to RELAX and have fun with your family! We will suggest poses or games to play to get the kids warmed up and happy. We will put you in the good light and tell you to just be who you are...whether it's goofy and loud or sweet and quiet. It is OUR JOB as the photographer to make your kids look in the right direction and smile. The more you don't worry about them, the less tense everyone will be, and the more genuine smiles you'll end up with in your photographs! It's all about trusting the person that's shooting you to do their job to the best of their abilities and let THEM do all the worrying!

Again, I'm no expert on any of this, but I rather put the information out there. If it helps even one person better understand some things, then it's done its job!

Keri & Bryan... Expecting!

2011-11-14T16:42:00.000-05:00

Well this maternity session I'm about to show you is very special to me. If you've been following my blog then you may remember my cousin, Keri from this post here. Her and Bryan are just such fun, down to earth people, and our whole family is ellated that they'll be welcoming a new member into their family! Baby girl Grayson is due just one day before Max's first birthday - how fun is that?! I was so honored that they asked me to shoot their maternities, and I knew Keri would bring some serious style, elegance, and bling to our session! Our original idea was to shoot them all at Candlewood Inn where they were married - we got permission from the venue and set out to do our photos. However, when we got there the wind coming off of the water was INSANE and made it super cold for everyone, not to mention the awesome things it was doing to our hair. So we shot a couple of frames (including my favorite from the whole day) and then hopped in the car and decided to check out Tarrywile Park in Danbury. Luckily for us, the park was still stunning with bright yellow foliage and gorgeous views...and a lot less wind. Keri and Bryan I hope you love your photos and thank you for spending this time with me! We all cannot wait to meet your little girl and watch you two grow as a family and become amazing parents.

*My absolute Favorite!

I always love making my maternity sessions a little romantic...afterall, a new baby is a wonderful celebration of the love that started it all...

Is she not stunning?

And if you know Keri and Bryan at all, you can probably guess what's going on here :)

Rose Colored Glasses and Reality TV

2011-11-13T20:29:00.000-05:00

So I'm just realizing something... I feel like up until now, most of my blog posts paint this really nice rose-colored picture of my life as a photographer/mom/wife/coffee addict. Let me start out by saying while I am more in love with life than ever since Max was born, life is anything but ordinary and rosey! Those of you who already know me (not sure who's out there reading this anyways...hello? anyone?) know that I am kind of annoyingly optimistic. I'm pretty sure that I'm forever 12 years old. But those same people also know that when something does push my buttons I can only take so much before I have some sort of meltdown. It usually involves me yelling at the people on TV (especially those reality shows....hello, my college roommates and The Hills!) or going for a run until I can't be frustrated anymore because I can't breathe...or crying my eyes out to Jeff and then crying from laughter once I say everything out loud and realize how rediculous I sound. So do not be fooled - I, too, am a hot mess. Take today for instance:

Even though I'm with him 24/7, somehow I swear Max got ahold of some chocolate...or a latte...or some sort of caffeine. He was insanely happy and energetic which is great, but the kid literally screamed at the top of his lungs ALL DAY. Let me repeat that for you so it really sinks in.... ALLLLLLLLL DAYYYYYY. By the time we put him to bed, the dogs and I sat in the living room in complete silence just soaking it in, because we had forgotten what it sounded like :) On top of that, I tried to roast a turkey which ended with me filling our kitchen with smoke (not the first time for that either). I also wanted to sit down and try to get work done but then had to stop myself because Sundays are for family in this house, and I have to make myself honor that or I will definitely regret it. I then walked into our bedroom and saw the three giant piles of laundry on the floor, the closet that is still all taken apart from the bathroom project, and about 4 empty water glasses on my dusty nightstand. I turned around to Max's room and see a box of clothes that no longer fit him sitting in the corner, as well as a closet that needed organizing and a diaper genie that needed emptying. The panic started to sink in as I looked in the mirror and saw my grungy self wearing yoga pants with holes in them and desperately needing a shower. I have found that motherhood brings a million wonderful new things to life, but it also brings about 1% of time alloted for taking care of yourself in a day. Just then Jeff came in from running some errands, looked at my face, and knew I was reaching my tipping point. I get so overwhelmed sometimes. I start gushing about being frustrated and not having enough time to do ANYTHING correctly and not keeping the house clean enough or keeping my hair pretty enough (yes I said that...) or being a good enough Mom. He hugged me, told me I was crazy, and sent me to the bathroom to take a nice hot bubble bath. About 5 minutes in, as the hot water lowered my stress level...I missed the chaos. I missed my baby screaming in my ears and my unclean house and my messy hair. I realized that life isn't about finding the perfect balance - that may very well be impossible. It's about sacrifice. Choosing what's important to you and focusing on that first. Being a great Mom may mean having a messy house. Having a successful business might mean having messy hair. Bottom line is if you stress about being perfect and finding balance you will drive yourself crazy because it's JUST NOT ATTAINABLE. You have to love the life you lead and learn to let some things go. I see that now through my rose colored frames and it feels GREAT.

Staying True

2011-10-28T22:28:00.000-04:00

I think when you turn a passion into a career, lines get blurred all of the time and you're constantly battling to keep things balanced. Balanced between shooting for yourself and shooting for your client...between taking chances and playing it safe...between the artistic desires and the business woman tendencies... between making yourself happy and making others happy. Clearly I'm still new at all of this, but this last year has been such an eye-opener. Sometimes I find myself shooting "safe" shots so as to please my clients so to speak, instead of shooting the way that I love to. I LOVE my prime lenses and shooting wide open makes my heart sing...but it's risky business sometimes. Sometimes, your shots aren't in focus. Sometimes, you don't get everything in frame. But then again...when everything works and flows together... you strike gold. I am finally realizing that playing it safe isn't actually pleasing anyone. I thought it was pleasing to my clients, but now I see that my clients hire me to shoot for them the way I 'd shoot for myself. They're hiring me to take those shots and risks that will produce beautiful, buttery images. If they wanted someone to play it safe they would have gone to the mall (no offense to the Picture People!). I let this cloud my judgement for too long and it feels great to be free of it. I think it will always be in the back of mind, but for now it is at rest. It feels wonderful and freeing to go to a shoot and do what I love the way I love doing it, and have my clients TRUST me. Trust me to make beautiful images, to capture real emotion, and to make them look damn goooooooooood ;) It feels great to say to the world "This is my style and what I think is beautiful, and if you don't like it then THAT'S OK, just don't hire me!" There are some big changes coming this way and I can't wait for it all to come together. This has been an amazing, life altering year and thank you (who ever is out there) for supporting me and pushing me to learn and grow. So here's to staying true, finding balance, and having a wonderful Friday night!

Halloween Prep!

2011-10-28T15:03:00.001-04:00

So normally Halloween is one of my FAVORITE holidays, and I love to go all out and decorate the house and have a rediculous costume, etc. but I must say, I kinda dropped the ball this year! Jeff and I have just been so busy with work and every day craziness that Halloween has pretty much snuck up on us. Luckily we realized this last week so we at least went with Max to Harris Hill Farm in New Milford to get a pumpkin and enjoy the surroundings. Needless to say I have never seen him so excited as he was at this place - a boy after my own heart :) So despite my lack of decorations or a costume, we have a pumpkin, lots of candy ( we literally have a lobster pot full...I wish I was kidding, but we get HUNDREDS of kids in our neighborhood!) and an adorable outfit for Max. The essentials you might say. Then I realized this morning that I was slacking on Mom duty as I had not gotten Max any cute "first Halloween" gifts or things to give him that morning...

Lucky for me I have amazing friends and family! My grandma sent him a cute card, my parents brought over a little stuffed pumpkin for him full of little toys and stuffed animals and he LOVES it. They also got him a smushy "First Halloween" photo album with pictures of all of his family members inside (he loves photographs...who would have guessed!). Then just as I was getting sad this morning, a FedEx delivery came - addressed to Maximus Alviti! Inside the box was a little pumpkin ball that lights up, an adorable "First Halloween" bib, and a card telling him to have a wonderful Halloween and to take care of his mommy and daddy, all from his Godmother Ashley. I instantly felt better and remembered that the people I love always have my back, even when I don't expect it. So THANK YOU!!! We love you guys! Thank you for stepping up when I forget things, and always making Max feel super loved. Now I'm hoping to find some old decorations to break out because, hey, it's never too late...and if someone could just hide the giant couldron of candy until Monday gets here, that would be fantastic! My craving for Swedish fish and Almond Joys never ceases...

I can't wait to take a million pictures on Halloween and see the cute ness of the neighborhood kids and every one elses costumes via Facebook - Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday!

The Poliquin Family at Sunrise

2011-10-28T09:51:00.000-04:00

When Donna contacted me about doing family photos she asked what I thought about doing a sunrise session - ummmmmmm YES PLEASE!!! I always tell my clients that the best light will give them the best photos, and that light occurs in the early morning or late evening. I'd say about 90% usually end up going with the late evening shoots, so when I had someone ask ME if I'd be willing to get up at the butt crack of dawn I was so excited! Donna told me that she lives with her husband and daughter on a family farm, and they get a gorgeous view of the sunrise. I was sold! When the morning of our session came, I was driving up to one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen. I could not have been more excited to meet the Poliquins, and they did not disappoint - Donna, Marc, and Brianna are three of the sweetest people I have yet to meet. Their beauty and kindness made for one amazing morning, that included a little hike, some killer views, and lots of cows!

I hope you guys love your photos as much as I loved taking them!

Central Park Destination Wedding ... Sarah & JoJo, Married!

2011-10-23T19:54:00.000-04:00

When I hear the phrase "destination wedding" I think of tropical islands, or rolling green hills, or a cathedral in Italy...not necessarily the United States - that is, until now. Sarah and JoJo live in Scotland, and they had saved up money and spent a few months traveling the world together. One leg of their adventure was to see the US, and they fell in love with New York City. When it came time to plan their wedding, they wanted something small, intimate, and perfect. Sarah loved the buzz of the city, and JoJo loved the look and feel of a more country wedding - so Central Park was the perfect fit! I cannot imagine how hard it is planning a wedding in another country, but they pulled it off beautifully! Their close friends and family flew in with them, and though it was a little dark and stormy that day, nothing would get in the way of these two joining lives and becoming one family. Their traditional attire was GORGEOUS, and the ladies adorned hats that made me feel like we were at the Royal Wedding! The rain held off just enough for them to get married outside under the beautiful awning of Cop Cot and for us to travel around for portraits. I swear, as soon as they got into their cab to head to their dinner reception, the skies opened up and it poured! Perfect timing or what?

Sarah and JoJo, your love is so vivid and real, it fills everyone around you with happiness. I am so honored to have been your wedding photographer. I know you will have nothing short of a lifetime of happiness!

Also a huge thank you to my girl Aurora for making the trip and shooting with me....oh, and for switching seats with me at a red light because driving in the city is intimidating...and running with me through the pouring rain and broken umbrellas!

Because of the rain, we were even able to sneak around the beautiful Plaza Hotel for a few quick shots

(( They only needed me there to capture the ceremony and portraits, in case you're wondering where the usual getting ready and reception shots went. ))

Post-Baby Health and Wellness

2011-10-14T11:04:00.001-04:00

As any new mom, or parent for that matter, knows, once you have a baby it becomes your number one priority in life. Sometimes we fail to remember to take care of ourselves, especially in those first few crazy, sleepless months! Well I am no different, and even though I was able to breast feed for 6 months, I still managed to hold onto some of that sweet baby weight :) I felt stuck at this weight and decided to do something about it. After a lot of research and reccomendations, I started Weight Watchers online. It's SO EASY! I never imaged dieting could be so simple to incorporate into your every day craziness. I'm only one month in but already a few pounds lighter and going strong. I would definitely reccomend it to anyone looking to get past a plateau! Anyways, I'm not sure if I've mentioned that I love to cook. Making baby food and dinners for me and the hubby are the usual, but lately I've been trying to up my health quota even more. Simple things, like drinking more water and green tea, stretching every day, and taking a multi-vitamin. So today, Max and I are making some tasty, crunchy, Kale chips! It's such an easy recipe that I thought I'd share it on here with you guys. All you do is buy a bunch of kale at the grocery store ( Stop and shop sells it pre-washed and bagged which is even easier!) and make sure to wash it and dry it completely. Then, just tear the leaves up into small-ish pieces. Place the kale in a nice big bowl, then add about 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil, juice of half a lemon (or some orange juice!), and then some lovely seasonings - I just used salt and garlic. Mix it and toss it around with your hands, making sure to massage the oils into the leaves. Once you're done, spread the kale out on a baking sheet (I lined mine with tin foil) and put it in a 200 degree oven for about 30 minutes. Pull out your tray after 30 minutes are up and toss around the kale to un-stick it from the pan. Put it back into the oven for another 10 minutes or so and you're done! Enjoy them that day, or keep them in the fridge for another few days as a healthy snack. Just a simple trick to incorporate more leafy greens into your daily life since we hear about their endless benefits all of the time....and yes even the best of us get sick of salad :) Hope you enjoy!

Here's a picture of my little boo, since these posts are always better with photos attached.

PS - Definitely go light on the seasonings...the kale shrinks so much as it bakes and you can really taste them.

PPS - If this blog post makes me sound like some sort of super-mom, it is definitely mistaken. I spend 90% of my days in my PJ's and sometimes forget to wash up and brush my hair until 4pm.

Happy Friday!!!

Baby Chace ... 9 Days New

2011-10-13T16:25:00.000-04:00

Lindsay and Mike...what can I say? They are two of the most beautiful people I have had the pleasure of meeting, and just as sweet. I first met them in the rain for their maternity shoot, and I liked them right away! You could feel their excitement about baby Chace from the way the talked, moved, and lit up whenever the conversation went to his name. I am so glad that he has finally arrived and they get to hold him and squeeze him as much as they want! These two have been dating since high school, and it warms my heart to see how fresh their love is even after all of these years. What better way to celebrate a love then bringing a new life into the world? Congratulations again, you two - I can't wait to see Chace grow up and I already know he will be a lady killer! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me in document this time in your life :)

Grafton, VT Wedding.... Erin & Ethan, Married!

2011-10-10T11:36:00.000-04:00

Where do I even begin with this wonderful wedding? Erin is the older sister of my oldest friend, Shawna. Shawna and I were born about a week apart, and grew up side by side in our home town of Bethel. The fact that I got to be the one to create memories on her sister's wedding day just blows my mind. When did we grow up again?! :) I was so incredibly honored to shoot Erin and Ethan's wedding at The Old Tavern in Grafton, Vermont. Erin and Ethan currently live and work in Switzerland, so planning a wedding back in the States was not an easy task! When I asked them why they chose Vermont, they said that where ever they decided to get married in the United States would be cheaper for their families to travel to than Switzerland, so they simply chose one of their favorite spots! Erin's Mom was also my kindergarten teacher if you can believe that, and she did such a wonderful job on this wedding. She put so much thought, hard work, and beautiful detail into making their day the best that it could be.

I was so happy to have my good friend Aurora of Aurora Photography come make the trip with me, and we were just in photography heaven! The weather was gorgeous, the venue was intimate and perfect, and the bride and groom were nothing but insanely happy the whole day. The entire time we were in Vermont, there was this obvious buzz of utter happiness in the air. Erin and Ethan, it could not be more obvious that you two were made for each other. Watching you and your families celebrate in your love was the highlight of my summer, and I will forever be so honored to have been a part of it. Congratulations to the both of you, and I can't wait to see you when you visit next year with your new addition! :)

Married!!!

Say "Hi" to my 2010 couple, Jamie and Tim!

I wish you two a wonderful happy life together!

Wedding at the Aqua Turf ...Becky & Luke, Married!

2011-09-27T16:42:00.000-04:00

This blog post is long over-due! Becky and Luke are two of the sweetest people I have had the fortune of meeting through this business of mine. Since the day of our first encounter at Starbucks, they have kept in touch with me and sent kind words my way anytime I post about Max, my dogs, or a new business venture. I was so excited to be a part of their wedding day, and had no idea that their whole wedding party would be just as awesome!

From the minute Jaime and I walked into Joe's Salon in New Milford to meet up with the girls, we were treated like one of the group. The lovely ladies at Joe's were so fun to work with as well, and did a fantastic job making sure every one looked perfect! We joked around and laughed all morning (chubby ear lobes anyone?) and then headed to the picturesque Aqua Turf Clubin Plantsville to meet up with the boys and let the day unfold. The weather was gorgeous all day and night, and we were even able to sneak out for some moon light portraits admist all of the dancing! It was also so great to see my good friend Melissa of Stylish Blooms there hooking up Becky and Luke with amazing florals.

Becky and Luke, thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing me to share the day with you all. Yours is a simple but strong love that is going to last a lifetime, and I truly appreciate your kindness. You are a pair of truly genuine people, and I hope you love your photos as much as I do!

Baby Milestones

2011-09-21T09:56:00.000-04:00

It seems like lately Max is growing inches over night, and learning and developing faster than we can keep up with! It brings on such mixed emotions - excitement that our baby is learning and growing, anxiety that soon he'll be crawling and life will change dramatically (babyproofing - ahhhh!), sadness that our little monkey is growing up, and extreme pride and love for our amazing little boy. He turned seven months old yesterday, and got his first tooth! Quite the big day around here. He can also now sit up on his own, use a sippy cup, use a few signs to tell us what he wants ("more" and "dog", of course!) and he's this close to getting his crawl on. He wears 12 month clothing and rolls all around the room to get where he wants to go. Time is a crazy thing and he makes it just fly by. Having a baby makes you have soooooooooooo much more compassion for what your parents went through raising you, and it also makes you fully aware of just how quickly kids grow up. Jeff and I are taking it all in every second that we can...his smell, his laugh, his hugs. We can't wait for his first Halloween next month and all of the holidays and milestones that are headed our way. So happy seven months to the most wonderful baby boy any parent could have asked for! We love you, Maximus!!!

Speaking of Cute...

2011-09-17T22:05:00.000-04:00

I am currently OBSESSED with this image. Maybe because I love babies. Or maybe because I love elephants. Or maybe it's the lovely lightness of it all. Or maybe just because it's a dang beautiful photo. Either way, I am now a big huge drooling fan of Kerianne Brown.

Sometimes All You Need...

2011-09-17T20:52:00.000-04:00

is a little Max time to brighten the day :) Happy Weekend!

My First FAQ Post

2011-09-15T16:46:00.000-04:00

So let me start out by saying that I am by no means an expert, but I am simply just trying to pass along knowledge that I have had passed along to me over the years. I have found that especially in the field of photography, a lot of us learn the most by talking to our peers and asking questions, so if I can help someone along the way then I'll be a happy gal!

I recently was asked this question on my Facebook Page discussion forum, and I thought it might be more helpful to post the answer here!

John asked, "Was just shooting a baptism the other day and it was overcast and cloudy and I'm just wondering if you have any tips or advice on how to shoot on those days to get the best results.. I feel like if I bump up the ISO or raise my aperture at all then the back ground (the lake in this instance) gets completely or mostly washed out.. but without an external flash, if I bring things down I dont feel like there is enough fill. Would I have to get an external flash or maybe some lights with softboxes?? Your thoughts???"

So John, there are a few ways of looking at this questions. For me, personally, I always set my exposure off of the skin of my subject. I have found that you can fix backgrounds and foregrounds pretty well in photoshop, but skin is tricky so I like to get that part right in camera. So for me, I would expose correctly for the skin, and yes my background might get blown out, but that's ok, because that is the style that I choose to shoot in, at least with natural light.

However, even if you are shooting with just natural light on a cloudy day (which provides beautiful soft, diffused light) you still need to keep an eye on your shadows and the direction that your light is coming from. If you face your subject(s) so that their back is to the sun, they will have shadows on their faces, especially in the eye area which isn't very appealing. To remedy this, you could use a reflector to bounce some light back into their face/eyes, or even an off camera flash (with or without a softbox) to provide some fill light. The other option is to turn them so that they are facing the sun (which shouldn't be too harsh since it's cloudy out) and this way they won't have any shadows on their faces.

(Sorry this is so long winded!!!) Now the other option you have is to use off camera lighting. This would be the option to use if you'd like to able to see your subjects and the background both lit well and not over or under exposed. You would use the flash to light your subjects so that they are metered at the same aperture as your background, and this would give you nice even light throughout your photo. It all goes back to what kind of look you are ultimately going for, but hopefully this helps a little!

My other question came after I posted this photo from Jenn & Hayden's wedding last week:

People simply asked "How..?"
So here goes!

After I take some standard, well lit dancing photos, I like to play around with light and see what I can come up with. To achieve this look I went back to camera basics and remembered what I had learned about painting with light. This is when you set your camera's shutter speed to the "bulb" setting (this keeps your shutter open for as long as you hold down the button) while in a dark setting, and then use light and movement of the camera to create some lines and patterns. For this particular shot, I faced my on camera flash directly at the couple (which I really only do for things such as this) and turned it up to 1/2 power so it would be nice and bright and freeze their motion. I then set my shutter speed to Bulb and my aperture high (I believe it was at F11 or so...?). When I click the shutter, my flash sends out a burst of bright light to illuminate my subjects (which is why they are in focus in the middle of my frame) and then I continue holding down the shutter release while moving the camera around in all different patters - this one being a heart. The ambient light in the room is what creates the patterns since you're dragging you shutter and letting a ton of different light in. I'm sorry if that makes no sense haha but hopefully it helped, and if not I will try again soon! Make sure to e-mail me any questions you might have at jena@jalviti.com or feel free to post them on my Facebook Discussion page as well!

The Whaley Family

2011-09-13T21:24:00.000-04:00

I had the pleasure of photographing the Whaley family a few weeks ago, and it gave me a whole new respect for anyone who has twins! Mom was a rockstar balancing two babies and keeping everyone happy while Max flirted with her sweet Avery ;) Dad wasn't able to make our session because of traffic, and knowing how hard it is to get time and schedules to coordinate for family photos I gladly had them back a few days later to get some shots of the whole family. While this is a business and I take it very seriously, I also am a new mom myself and completely understand the craziness that it brings, so I was happy to bend the rules a little for these guys. They are not only beautiful, but considerate and up beat (my kind of people!). Jackson and Avery are just dolls and I'm so excited that they were my first set of twins! Their super Mommy, Jenn, runs a wonderful boutique business called Wittle Whaleys, selling beautiful headbands, hats, and tutus for little kids (max loves her stuff!) while dad Brian works for Melissa and Doug....which is a wonderful toy company so please check them out! They were even sweet enough to bring Max a present after hearing that he LOVES Melissa and Doug toys - do clients get any better than that? I think not. So without further adeu, here are the wonderful Whaleys!

My Wish for Max

2011-09-08T16:16:00.000-04:00

May you continue to grow bigger, but never grow up.

Love Always,
Mommy

Details, Details...

2011-09-07T09:45:00.000-04:00

..oh, how I l o v e details! Brides put SO much thought and heart into every little aspect of their wedding day, and I love being able to photograph all of their hard work and show them that nothing has gone unnoticed.

Today I am off to shoot an intimate Central Park wedding for an awesome couple from Scotland, and then Friday I'm off to Massachusetts for the day to shoot Jenn and Hayden's gorgeous rustic wedding. What a week for this Momma! Thank God for our wonderful parents who are watching Max for us while Jeff and I work. Get those sugar-free Redbulls ready! :)

Little Jackson

2011-09-06T09:08:00.000-04:00

Eight week old Jackson came to see me the other day all decked out in his adorable Baptism outfit! Mom had received a gift certificate for my photography services (which are always available, and make a great gift!) when she had the little man, and I'm so glad I finally got to meet them! As you know, modeling is not easy, and Jackson passed out half way through our shoot - but who doesn't love pictures of their sleeping baby? Keri, I hope you guys love these as much as I do! Jackson is such a doll, give him a big squeeze for me - thanks again for hanging out! :)

Caught a little sleepy smile....

First Art Project

2011-09-05T10:39:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was pretty humid and foggy and....just not so nice out. So I decided to let Max do his very first art project!!! This is quite a huge milestone in my world - I may or may not have shed a tear.

So what kind of art can a 6 month old do, you may ask? Well, Max loves to smush around food on his tray when sitting in his high chair, so I thought I'd use that to my advantage. I didn't have any non-toxic, kid friendly paints on hand (woops) so in order to keep him from ingesting paint, this is what we did:

1. Took a piece of white paper (bristol paper is what I happened to have on hand) and trimmed it down to fit onto his tray.

2. Cut out a piece of wax paper roughly the same size as my white paper.

3. Used painters tape to tape the wax paper to the white paper at the top, then folded it back.

4. Took red, yellow, and blue paint and put a bunch of little dots all over the white paper.

5. Lightly folded the wax paper back over the white paper and taped the bottoms together.

6. Held the paper/paint construction on his tray, and let him have at it!

7. After he was done mushing, I just removed the wax paper, threw it away, and let the beautiful art work dry.

8. Put his name and date on it, and proudly displayed it in my office! I'm one proud mama! I think I have a little Money on my hands :)

*Side note - yes, I know that we did this yesterday and yet I wrote today's date on it. That is just my baby brain shining through!*

Light Tester

2011-09-03T20:39:00.000-04:00

Don't have a newborn baby on hand to test out props and lighting? Not a problem....this suave model is readily available and charges by the hour.

Colton & Family

2011-09-02T21:18:00.000-04:00

I was so excited to spend my morning with sweet Colton and his parents in the beautiful windmill fields of Brookfield, CT. I have known his mommy Nicole since high school, and it is amazing to see her step so easily into life as a loving mother and soon-to-be bride. Not only is this family gorgeous and fun, but they had the thoughtful-ness to bring me a venti coffee from my beloved Starbucks! I'm pretty sure it doesn't get better than that - I am one lucky photographer. The love these two have for their little son was so vivid the entire time I was with them. The way they held his hand, gazed at his sweet face, and lovingly stroked his fluffy hair every chance they got. He was the happiest ten week old I have ever seen, and gave me lots of smiles and wide-eyed stares to capture for his parents. I can't wait for Colton and Max to have their future play dates! Nicole and Dave, I hope you love these as much as I do!

Waiting For the Storm

2011-09-02T20:16:00.000-04:00

As you all know, Hurricane Irene reared her ugly head this past weekend here on the East Coast. It was definitely the first storm of its kind that we've ever experienced, but I think the scariest part wasn't the storm itself, it was the WAITING for the storm. The wind didn't blow, the birds didn't chirp....it was creepy and still and made me nervous enough to bite my nails. We were like sitting ducks and it was such a strange feeling. We put the lawn furniture away, stocked up on water and essentials, got the generator and umbrellas ready and continued to wait. We didn't want Max to feel the strange-ness in the air so we made sure to play with him all day, and do fun things that we don't normally get to do. We hung out with him in our PJ's and made him giggle til he screamed :) When we went to bed that night, we never really slept much out of worry, and around 4am I jumped up at the sound of strong, whirling winds at my window and the flash of some crazy lightening. In the morning it was still raining hard and the wind was going strong, but the brunt of the storm had already passed....just like that. We are so lucky to have no damage to ourselves or our property, and the only thing we had to deal with was loss of electricty (along with the rest of New England). The next four days of no power and no internet or cable were actually quite nice! I got to play around with some night photography (that is usually impossible with the amount of light pollution in the sky), we read a lot of books, and spent a lot of time just sitting around talking or working on our bathroom that we're re-doing. We had our generator to thank for that, and it ended up being some great quality family time for Jeff, Max, Myself, and Rambo and Blue too. We were dying to know what was going on out in the world, though. With no news and no newspaper it was all up in the air - how did people in New York do? How was the rest of Connecticut? Were there a lot of lives lost? We were safe at home and it was sunny and peaceful outside after that one day, but we knew that it wasn't the case for every body.

I am very happy that the waiting game is over and hope not to experience another eerie feeling like that for a long while. My heart goes out to those places and people who were not as lucky as we were, and I thank the government and especially Connecticut Light & Power for all that they did to prepare and are still doing now to fix what was broken. Those workers deserve medals! Here are some of my shots from our four day hiatus - because lucky for me my camera was charged!

Lindsay & Mike Expecting

2011-08-27T11:08:00.000-04:00

Lindsay and Mike are expecting their first baby, Chase, this coming September! Our first attempt at a maternity session didn't work out due to crazy rain and humidity, so we rescheduled for a few weeks later. Of course as luck would have it, we got even more rain on the new date! But Lindsay is 35 weeks pregnant so we didn't want to chance it and wait any longer, just in case Chase had other plans for us :) However, I really am in love with the photos from their time with me. It is more studio work than I normally do, but I have become really comfortable with my lighting and I think this style compliments their beauty and easy going personalities just perfectly! They drove here all of the way from Stafford Springs (LOVE my Stafford Springs ladies!) so we decided to make the most of the situation and venture into the rain for a few more romantic shots. As you can clearly see, they are both stunning, and Chase is going to be one crazy beautiful baby! Lindsay and Mike, you two are so fun and I'm so glad I got to hang out with you (even though you are Patriots fans!). Your excitement for this baby just oozes out of you, and I can tell you are going to be amazing parents. Thank you for being awesome and good sports and listening to my crazy ideas! I can't wait to meet Mister Chase in a few short weeks!

Beautiful Light, and One Smart Move.

2011-08-27T10:32:00.001-04:00

When Jeff and I were engaged and living in our old condo, I had the opportunity to shoot one of my first jobs photographing a high school reunion. This was a HUGE learning moment for me, but more on that another time. I realized that I couldn't shoot this big of an even alone (they wanted a portrait booth set up all night in one area, as well as someone taking candids inside.) so I enlisted the help of my soon to be husband. He was so great and put up with me nagging him while teaching him how to use my camera and gear. It was a crash course, and yes I would control his settings most of the time, but still he stepped up when I needed him and did a great job! (Though watching a 6'4", 250 lbs. man try to blend in and take candids was probably my favorite part.) Now I never could have predicted how great of a move it was teaching Jeff the basics of my DSLR. I know that the photographers I know, or even just the other moms that I know, have the same complaint - they are NEVER in pictures with their kids because they are always the one taking them! It is so true, and as much as you try to set it on Timer mode and jump in with your kiddos, it's never quite the same as someone capturing pure moments of your relationship with them. I had just finished taking some family portraits for a client (can't wait to show them off, what a beautiful family!) and I was laying down out in the grass with Max, just laughing and being silly in the beautiful, buttery, golden-hour light that we get in our backyard. Jeff came out to spend time with us, picked up my camera and snapped some photos for me. I love them so much that it makes my little heart ache - because those are the times that I cherish with Max, and to have them frozen in time is priceless to me. So thank you to my wonderful husband, my wonderful camera, and wonderful light!

Ryder...15 Days Old

2011-08-25T14:50:00.000-04:00

I was so happy to be able to photograph sweet Ryder. He is going to be Max's future friend and lacrosse buddy! He is the son of our good friends Jen and Jay, who I used to coach lacrosse with at WCSU. Their story is a great one, and their "Happily Ever After" could not be more fairy tale if they tried...Ryder is one lucky little guy and we can't wait to see him grow up!

One Salad, Two Bowls Please

2011-08-25T13:27:00.000-04:00

Almost every night we make a salad to have with our dinner - especially now since our barage of fresh veggies in our garden. I chop the veggies, wash the lettuce (from a bag of course!), sprinkle in some sunflower seeds and cranberries and toss it up. Nothing too fancy. But then every night without fail, I take out a second smaller bowl and fill it with some salad for myself. You see, Jeff is an Italian dressing kind of guy, and I'm a Light Ranch kind of girl. We just can't seem to negotiate that factor. It may sound trite and silly, but I think it's a tiny statement of how we approach every day, and how we approach life. Together, we divide and conquer. I really do believe that it is the small things that matter, especially in marriage. If you put care and consideration into the small things, then the big things don't seem so....well, BIG. Anyways, then we curl up on the couch and share a cup of decaf coffee - because we both like it light and a little sweet.

Little Miss Olivia - 7 Months Already!

2011-08-22T22:05:00.000-04:00

I love when parents ask me to do a series of photo shoots during the first year of their baby's life - it's so fun to watch them and their personalities grow!!! I got the pleasure of photographing little miss Olivia and her parents on a beautiful August morning. You can already tell this one's going to be a heartbreaker - just look at that beautiful face!

I am also VERY excited and honored that Danielle and Tony have asked me to photograph their wedding next summer!!! Won't they make the most stunning bride and groom? (OH and have the CUTEST flower girl ever!)

Zombies.

2011-08-21T12:47:00.001-04:00

What an awesome way to get your fiance excited about taking engagement pictures :)(CLICK BELOW)Zombie Wedding

A huge high five for thinking outside the box!

6 Months Already!

2011-08-20T09:22:00.000-04:00

I know parents say this all of the time, but where does the time go?!? I cannot believe our baby boy Max is 6 months old today - it blows my mind! Don't worry, I haven't forgotten the first few weeks home where it feels like 6 months is an eternity away haha but now that it's here it feels like the blink of an eye.

Max, you are the most amazing baby in the entire world. I hope you continue to live every day of your live with the same wonderment, excitement, curiosity, and joy that you do now. You are the blessing of a life time, and your dad and I will never forget it. We are not religious folk, per se, but every day we thank God for you. I remember very well this day 6 months ago when I woke up in the throws of labor, and was more scared than I had anticipated - but also more excited than I ever could have imagined. I was finally going to meet you! To see what you looked like! To hold you in my arms and kiss your little head. I think we always knew it was YOU in that huge tummy, and you are worth every crazy sleepless night of this new life we call parenthood. We love you, baby boy!

Now, I'm a little sad because I won't be home today to celebrate with you, but I know that you will have a wonderful day with your Daddy doing man things. I am heading out to go help my girl Aurora shoot a beautiful wedding in Lakeville, CT - have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Being Tech Savvy and One Thing That Will Change Your Photography

2011-08-18T20:52:00.000-04:00

On that first note - I just wanted to tell you all that I JUST NOW figured out what an RSS feed is and how to use it! I like to think that I'm pretty tech savvy but apparently not so much. This thing is a God send! Now all of my favorite blogs are in one pretty, organized place for me to keep up with - heaven!

Now to the photography part :)

I shot the cutest new family this morning and had such a good time capturing that beautiful morning light. We ended our session as the first rain drops fell, so the timing was just perfect! But what I wanted to talk about here was one thing that has changed my photography in a major way, and it's super simple: never put down your camera! I used to always be chatting up my clients at sessions and watching them interact, and thinking "Oh damn, I wish I got a picture of that!" - Well, now I do! From the moment I arrive on scene I get my camera out, reset my white balance, ISO, etc. and test my light on my hand to get some general settings. When my clients arrive, I keep my camera in hand or even better, in front of my face the whole time. It may look weird and you may feel weird talking to people behind a lens, but it's worth it! You can watch those little moments unfold before you and this time, you can capture it! Smiles, gestures, loving glances - nothing gets past you now! I love showing these images back to the client because a) they didn't know I was even shooting and b) it reminds them of how they love. To me, nothing is better than that! If I had put my camera down or in my bag today, I would have missed these 2 shots. While Mom was getting ready and prepping her outfit, I was just hanging out and talking to Dad when baby Colton gave me this awesome smile! Then later he got a little tiny bit fussy (more cute than anything) and Mom and Dad were just playing with him to calm him down and I caught the second image. It's just a smile and sweet supportive touch that usually goes unnoticed. But not today, my friends, not today. I hope they look back on these images and smile at the palpable love for their baby boy and for eachother. Happy Thursday!

Adventures in Gardening & Making Your Own Baby Food

2011-08-15T21:07:00.000-04:00

So, a few months back (begining of spring-ish), Jeff and I decided that it would be a wonderful idea to plant a garden! Well then we're like...ok, now what?!? So my husband being the smart man he is, researches the best way to start a garden and the best soil, etc. because that is how he works. Type A personality all the way :) Then, we take Max to the local plant shop to pick out some veggies and things for the garden. We decide to go with plants that are already started, instead of starting out with just seeds. We are amazed at how affordable they are, and buy a ton of different veggies and plants and can't wait to get home and get started. Well - once we started planting things, we realized that each tiny plant requires a "personal space" of atleast one foot on all sides - what?!? Also, we failed to notice that each container of plants we bought actually held 6 or 7 plants, not just one. Woops! So we end up digging more yard out to make the garden bigger to accomodate the 20 tomato plants, 18 pepper plants, etc. that we had now purchased. Yes, you heard those numbers correctly. Once everything was planted, we patiently watered it every day and waited to see what would happen. We figured it wasn't too bad that we planted so many things because not all of the plants would survive, right? Not so much! I'm not sure if it's because we use rain water to keep them hydrated (we have two huge rain barrels on the side of our house - yay for going green!) or what, but we maybe lost 3 plants out of the million, and are now currently up to our necks in vegetables! Seriously, we have like 40 tomatoes in a box in our kitchen, and 5 zuchinis, and tons of cucumber and peppers too. We make weekly runs to our parents houses to drop off vegetables because we can't just sit there and watch them go bad. Thankfully, Max is now in the fruit and veggie stage of eating so I have embarked on a journey of making my own baby food as well. I know this is going to sound super corny - but I love it! I dedicate one day a week to chopping, steaming, and pureeing. He is our child, so basically he hasn't met a food he doesn't like! Our garden is awesome and a lot of hard work, but next year, I figure we should take it easy on cramming a zillion plants into one space and be a little more picky with what we plant and in what quantities! Anyone else out there a self proclaimed (definitely NOT professional) veggie-farmer? Wanna do a veggie swap? Pretty please?!

And when it's all said and done, you get one happy little baby - and fun pictures like this!

Happy Monday, everyone!

North Carolina, Home, and Beautiful Lindsay

2011-08-14T22:25:00.000-04:00

Well, we are officially back from our family vacation (Max's first!) and it was INCREDIBLE! We relaxed on the beach, took him swimming in the pool, hung out with all of our nephews, and bonded with the family every night over dinner (Thank you for the wonderful cooking, Mrs. Alviti and Mrs. Mensch!). We laughed at ourselves and walked down to the pier. We played mini golf and biked the coast line. We drank coffee and watched the sun rise and set again. We kayaked the bay, and snuggled in a California King bed with our baby. I'm pretty sure life doesn't get better! I turned to Jeff on the way home, and said "I am just realizing that I have never been happier with life than I am right now." and I truly meant it.

I'm also not sure if anyone knows how truly addicted to my work I am. I shot over 1200 photos on this trip, and even met up with Kristi and her family of Kristi Kruse Photography while we were down there for a quick family session swap! Other than that I basically behaved myself and didn't spend too much time on the computer. Lucky for me, because as my sister in law said, "If you spent this whole vacation on your lap top I would have killed you." - and that is why I love her.

With all of that said, there is also no place like home. We left North Carolina at 1 in the morning and we got home by 9:30am. We hugged and kissed our puppies, and Max squealed his little head off with delight. He slept for 13 hours straight that night, and showed us that even a baby knows the feeling of his own bed. We still have bags to unpack and lots of cleaning and laundry to do, but it's good to be back. I got to jump right back into work as well (I know I'm weird for liking that!) with a sweet maternity session today in this rainy weather. Lindsay and her husband Mike drove here all the way from Stafford Springs, and I'm so honored to be able to share in this amazing time with them. I think something is in the water there, because I have a great group of clients from that same town and they are all as beautiful as they are sweet! Anyways, just wanted to share a few quick shots from the session - who says maternity shoots can't be romantic?

The beautiful Lindsay and baby Chase!

The Sweetness

2011-08-04T23:02:00.000-04:00

Jeff and I are running around washing clothes and packing the car because we leave for our first family vacation in the morning! We are so excited to have a whole week of sun, swimming, and precious time with our little baby. I'm not sure if I'll have internet down there, so I wanted to leave you all with some cute-ness! Here's a peek at little Ryder who I got to meet this morning, a whole 15 days new :) Have a wonderful week!

A Day at the Office

2011-08-03T22:14:00.000-04:00

Now I find much more time for little breaks while working... ♥

The Roller Coaster

2011-08-03T14:04:00.000-04:00

As much as I have tried to fight it, I just can't seem to get away. I wish I could run away quickly and quietly from the roller coaster without it even noticing, but alas - it always finds me. I'm talking about the roller coaster of emotion that I experience after every single photo shoot that I do. That's right - every single time. It goes something like this: nerves nerves NERVES leading up to the shoot - a million thoughts and ideas and techniques running through my brain as I drive to my destination. Then anxiety because I'm early but not THAT early...should have given myself more time to walk around and prepare and set up. Then I see my location and the ideas start pumping, making me more confident and full of anticipation for my subject(s) to arrive. Then my family/newborn/couple arrives and I get happy - to see them, to catch up, to get started making memories for them. I start shooting and posing, then comes the ADRENALINE! Best part of the whole process - I am loving what I see unfold before me and just hoping that I'm capturing it the way I am seeing it. Then I check the back of the camera and confirm that - yes - this is awesome! That adrenaline carries on for the next 2 hours or so, but oh wait - it's then mixed with a ton of other little ingredients: "Am I rushing? How's my focus? Are they having fun? Is it too hot/cold?" ...but these are just little back seat bumps next to the sweet adrenaline. After I've done a bunch of different light and locations and wardrobe changes, I reluctantly tell them we've got enough (I get a little sad because I could do this all day!). Then I quickly gather my things to rush to my car to camp out for ten minutes or so and look through the images - I'm filled with love for what I do, and I cannot wait to get home and show them some sneak peeks of their beautiful selves. But wait - now comes the drive home. This gives me good quiet time to start to let the negatives flow through the positives I've just built up. Oh man, I forgot to do this, why didn't I do this pose - I should have moved him/her/them around more - I should have used a higher/lower aperture - I should have taken them to this spot....etc. Then by the time I get home I am usually in a horrible mood because I've just beaten myself up over a million little things. Oh no, we're not done yet! Then it's off to dump the memory cards and look at what we've got up close and personal. This is the most up and down part of the day, because I see some images and fall in LOVE with them - then I see some with great potential but may be out of focus, or I think "If I had only put her hand here, or shot this at F2.0...". Thankfully for me my husband is usually home at this point and he always comes in to see what I'm working on and re-assures me that I did a great job and my clients will love them - he is a saint. I think at this point I relax a little bit, but I'm always on edge until that blog post goes up and the gallery gets sent out. THAT, my friends, is the roller coaster. Gives you a stomach ache too, doesn't it? I feel like my work is an extension of me, and I'm putting myself out there to be judged through my photos. I would have thought that after this many years of shooting I would be past this, but it seems to always be in the back of my mind even on the best of days. I realize it's a little crazy and OCD of me, but then again I think if I didn't have this kind of emotional attachment to my work then I'd be doing something wrong. I remember that my work is about the moments - not the technicalities. So I will continue to put up with this roller coaster of fun for as long as it wants to stick around - it's clearly a love/hate relationship there. :)

Two Years Ago

2011-08-02T21:23:00.000-04:00

We walked into Starbucks this morning in our comfy sweats with Max in tow and hurried up to snatch the comfy chairs. It was only 8am but you could tell it was going to be a beautiful day. We sat and chatted while sipping our coffees (Jeff's tall and decaf, mine venti and obviously caffeinated) and making our baby laugh with silly faces. We caught each other's eyes and just smiled, because we were both thinking the same thing: life is amazing. In just two short years we have bought a house and made it our home. We have taken the leaps to further our careers and started a full fledged photography business. We have grown closer and more in love. We have made our lives un-imaginably better by creating life. Two. Short. Years...and we wouldn't want to celebrate it any other way.

***photos courtesy of EE Photography***

Two years ago today we laughed, smiled, and cried as we danced to our song, "Faithfully", having no idea what the future might hold. Two years ago today our lives changed forever.

Happy Anniversary, Jeff. I love you.

Jump In!

2011-08-01T15:29:00.000-04:00

Max has been waking up at about 6:30am these last few days, which makes for one tired mommy but one happy little boy! He cuddles like a koala bear, I love every minute of it. When Jeff took this picture I remember thinking "Oh man my hair is a mess, I don't have makeup on, blah blah blah"...but then I remembered to shut up and just BE IN THE PHOTO! Your kids don't care how primped you look and in ten years when they look back at photos of you and them they will only be looking at how much they were loved. So stop worrying, stop being insecure, and just jump into the frame, ladies and gents. We have to appreciate every moment we are given with the ones we love - don't waste that time, embrace it and record it!

Open Air

2011-07-31T23:29:00.000-04:00

I love my husband. I have been in a weird mood lately, and could not figure out why. He told me he'd watch the baby so I could have a few hours to myself to do whatever I wanted, to just get some air and breeeeeeathe and remind myself of who I am. I put up a little fight because I hate leaving him and Max and it seemed totally strange to go out by myself for no reason. Little did I know, but it was just what I needed. I went on an hour and a half hike by myself with nothing but my water bottle and my camera - it was calm, quiet, and perfect.

Madison Turns One!

2011-07-28T10:49:00.000-04:00

This was my fourth photo shoot with Madison since she was born...

...and I just love her and her entire family - they are so sweet and have always treated me like part of the group. I love being able to see her grow up and see them grow as a family, and I can't wait to continue capturing her and any future little ones as well! :)

We ventured to Tarrywile Park in Danbury for this shoot and decided to explore the cute children's garden they have there. We were battling some seriously changing light (cloudy - then bright and sunny - then dark, etc.) but we still had a blast rocking out to some gLee tunes and playing with her awesome outfit and balloons that mom and grandma brought! I'm really happy with the results because they show just how adorable Miss Madison is - happy first birthday little lady!!!

My Office Assistant

2011-07-27T11:13:00.000-04:00

Clearly every successful business owner needs one to keep them on their toes and organized...

...mine just happens to be extremely cute and distracting :)

Downtown Bethel Engagement....Kristen & Charlie

2011-07-25T21:06:00.001-04:00

Kristen and Charlie met and fell in love back in our days at Bethel High School. He was the book keeper for the softball team and Kristen was one of their all star pitchers. I hadn't seen them in a long time, and then I ran into Kristen while playing in a summer softball league (yes the one for us old ladies, haha). A year or so later, I ran into her and Charlie while shooting Kristen and Jason's beautiful wedding at Capellaro's Grove. Fast forward almost another whole year, and I had the pleasure of hanging out with them once again at her brother's wedding this past May. I am so excited to be capturing the wedding day of another Faust, and I know we will have as much fun at this one as we did at the last!

Kristen and Charlie have that soft, gentle, yet unyeilding kind of love that every girl dreams about. It is ever apparent in the way they look at each other, the way they talk, the way they light up when the other is speaking. If their love is still so visible seven years after high school, then I just know that it will do nothing but grow deeper with their wedding day and all of the days to come.

Of course, we had to head back to where it all started for their engagement session. They were such troopers and agreed to meet me at the daunting hour of 7:00am to make sure we got the pretty light, and it worked out perfectly as we just beat the rain that fell later that morning. Hope you enjoy their photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!

PS - For my fellow photog nerds, this whole session was shot at F2.8 or lower! Wide open, baby :)

Our Boy is Growing Up!

2011-07-15T20:41:00.000-04:00

Maximus is now 20 weeks old (how did that happen?!?) and is going to be baptised tomorrow by my brother in a sweet and simple back yard ceremony :) I am so proud of him and the little man he's turning into. He is happy HAPPY happy all of the time (as long as he's not hungry!) and loves to talk all day (especially to Rambo) and is now eating fruits and veggies, too! I am so amazed at how quickly babies grow. Every day I am amazed at the fact that I am blessed enough to be his Mom and to be the one teaching him basic life skills (how to eat, how to laugh, how to sit up...). The other day my husband Jeff was home and asked me, "Is there anything that you want to go out and do? I mean you're stuck here with the baby all of the time and I'm sure you have hobbies and things that you miss"....and as he said this, I felt so odd, because I honestly couldn't think of one single thing I "missed" doing since becoming a mother. Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?! I mean, I hate to think that I have no hobbies, but the truth is that my number one "hobby" was always photography and now it is my job and that makes me the luckiest person in the world. Because it means I don't have to split my time any more than I do now to feel whole. It means that it's OK to not have any other hobbies I feel I need to take part in, because my job is my hobby and my son is my hobby, and that is all that I need to make me happy! Of course let's not forget my family and friends, but that is of course a given! Motherhood seems like such an introspective part of life so far - it makes me look inward constantly at myself, my actions, how I approach life, how I speak, how I sleep, how I interact, etc. I never would have guessed that. On the outside, motherhood means devoting yourself 100% to the little life you've just created, and yet it forces you to re-invent yourself at the same time - crazy. In other news, I shot the most beautiful wedding up in Grafton, Vermont this past weekend with my girl Aurora (can't wait to share!) and our garden that we planted here on mother's day is in full bloom so we've got zucchini, peppers, and cucumbers galore! At his last check up Max was a whopping 17lbs. and 28 inches tall - my big man, just like his daddy :) I am off to get some rest and relaxation before Max's big day tomorrow - will be sure to share pictures! Happy Friday!

WCSU Engagement - Rachel & Wes

2011-07-07T15:08:00.000-04:00

Not only did these guys show up at 7:30am for me ready to rock the camera, but they brought their good looks and sense of humor with them as well :)

I have known Rachel since our days at Western Connecticut State University and that is also where she met her Wes. I was thrilled to go back there for their engagement shoot and we had a blast wandering around the campus remembering our days there. I am so happy and honored to be shooting their wedding next April, and I hope they always approach life together with the same love and laughter as they do now.

Beautiful couple, and beautiful morning light...

I love all the lines!

Wes - how could you go to Westconn for 4 years and not know about the clap circle?!

Then we ventured over to West Side for some more photo ops...

Where it all began

Rachel has THE most gorgeous eyes

The bling!

We ended our day at the Ives Center with some beautiful light and beautiful scenery

Mr. Expression

2011-07-03T20:02:00.000-04:00

How are you expected to get any work done with this cute face around? :)

...I rest my case.

Sneak Peek - Kristen & Charlie

2011-07-03T11:57:00.000-04:00

I am so thankful that my clients trust me, my judgement, and my crazy ideas - this photo is from this morning's sunrise engagement shoot (yes, I said SUNRISE...we're talking 7am people!) and I am in love with it. Not only because the light is lovely and the bokeh is dreamy, but because I feel it defines these two and how they love - softly, sweetly, and deeply.

Wedding at the Lounsbury House - Julia & Kyle

2011-07-02T09:41:00.000-04:00

As my assistant Jaime and I pulled up to the Lounsbury House in Ridgefield, CT on a beautiful Saturday in May, we were blown away by this majestic Victorian Mansion in the heart of the hustle and bustle of downtown Ridgefield. Julia and her maid of honor were already there and greeted us with big hugs and even bigger smiles. As we walked up to the house we found that the doors were locked, but Julia just laughed and said that it wasn't a big deal, we could just hang outside until someone lets us in. She was just radiating a calm contentment that made everyone around her at ease. It wasn't the usual nerves and stress of the morning of a wedding day, but rather the gratitude and love of someone who was thrilled to be marrying her best friend.

The whole wedding day carried on in the same manner - Kyle hung out with his brother and soon to be brother in law in the groom's suite with not a worry in the world while Julia got ready with her girls a few doors down. It was clear how well these two complimented each other - Julia lives life out loud and knows what she wants and how to get it, while Kyle is a sweet, more reserved man who always supports her and isn't afraid to step back and let her shine. They had a beautiful ceremony performed by Julia's Uncle, and the love in the room was sweet, subtle, and oh so palpable. Julia and Kyle, I wish you two nothing short of a lifetime of happiness, and may you continue to compliment each other and go through life with that calm, content ease as you did on your wedding day.

We started out upstairs with the bridal party as they got ready for the day in their respective rooms...

I loved the attention to detail as their wedding colors popped up throughout the mansion, and the smell of lilacs surrounded you every where you turned.

A girl can never have too much bling on her wedding day :)

I love this shot that Jaime captured of Julia stealing away for a minute to write in her wedding journal - what a wonderful idea to write about your day as it's happening so that no detail goes un-remembered.

Julia just glowed as she got her final touches and stepped into her beautiful gown...

The rest of the wedding party was looking rather stunning themselves! Here's the adorable ring bearer and Julia's bridesmaid Kristen who happens to be Kyle's gorgeous sister who also happens to be one of my 2012 brides! :)

Mother of the groom descending the beautiful stair case...

All of the girls wore Victorian pendants to compliment the era of the house - such a great idea!

Time to get married!

It was a little humid this day, and we got to see it first hand during the ring exchange as they struggled to get their wedding bands on! Love their expressions -

Then it was time for a prayer of well wishes, a first kiss as husband and wife, and a happy walk back down the aisle!

We ran upstairs quickly to sign the marriage certificate - now it's official!

Kyle and Julia shared a touching first dance to Dave Matthews Band's "You and Me"

Then we headed outside for some pictures, and the cloudy day provided some beautiful diffused light.

Julia....you are stunning.

And Kyle, you're not so bad yourself!

Happy and at ease as husband and wife!

Then it was back inside for parent dances, cake cutting, and music to get the party started...

Hi Faust Family!

These two were definitely the youngest (and cutest) "single" wedding guests I've ever seen! :) They were very excited to catch the garter and bouquet!

Now at the end of the reception, they had what is called the Apron Dance - this is where the maid of honor removes the bride's veil and ties on her new apron, symbolizing her transition from "bride" to "wife" ! I love it!

Then they share one more dance as their guests circle around them, and off they go into the night to start their lives together!

Today.

2011-06-28T15:07:00.000-04:00

Today, I am filled with nothing but gratitude. I sit here with a hot cup of my favorite french vanilla coffee and in the midst of all of my to-do lists and papers piling up, I just stop. I stop to take a breath, relax my shoulders, listen to the quiet sounds of my baby napping...and I can't help but smile. It has been a long, crazy, twisting road to get to this place I am today - but without every single one of those events in my life happening just the way they did, I would not have all of this now. I am grateful, so grateful. For the people in my life are here for a reason. They are a part of me, and stick up for me and stand by my side no matter what. Life is an amazing thing if you just step back and let it unfold. As the years have gone by and I've grown and changed, I realize the power of letting the small things go. Of realizing that 99% of the time, it's not even worth a fight. Bad things and crazy people can only put a damper on your day if you let them. Just smile, pass them by, and be grateful. As I sit here sipping my coffee from my giant Starbucks mug with the chip on the side, I do just that.

Love and Excitement in the Air

2011-06-28T05:42:00.000-04:00

pal·pa·ble
[pal-puh-buhl]
–adjective
1. readily or plainly seen, heard, perceived, etc.; obvious; evident

....Julia and Kyle - full blog post coming soon!

That's What I Love About Sundays....

2011-06-27T13:40:00.000-04:00

I hear it all of the time, yet it never gets old. That these are the times, the moments, that we need to remember. The in-betweens...the pauses...the laughs...the love. Before we know it, Max will be running around and growing up and being busy living his life - so for now we will keep on slowing down and savoring every last minute that we share together as a family. In all of my years and adventures of taking photographs, I have never loved my camera more.

Jenn & Hayden...Engaged

2011-06-20T14:49:00.003-04:00

When they met years ago working at a hockey rink, Jenn and Hayden knew that there was a connection between them - they were fast friends, but decided it was better put on hold. Jenn was younger than he was and ready to go off to college, so that was that. They would try to keep in touch and remain friends, and if they were really meant to be, fate would have to intervene. Flash forward a few years and Jenn is graduating college - low and behold, she found her way back to him. Whether it was fate or just the realization that they had something worth waiting for, they are now living our their happily ever after.

I've known Jenn since kindergarden, and it is such an honor to be the one to document the love that she and Hayden share. We had a blast on their engagement shoot wandering around a beautiful state park, and I cannot wait to be there for their wedding day!

We started out in a beautiful field with buttery golden light and pretty wild flowers...

And Jenn - you are STUNNING - just so you know :)

Then it was a quick wardrobe change, and off for some more formal shots.

Jump in the water? Why not! (Love these guys!)

Of course we had to pay homage to the way they met - plus Hayden is a HUGE Bruins fan!

Chasing the light as it started to go down through the beautiful woods...

As we drove off after our session, I saw this gorgeous scene playing out in front of me and made everyone pull over for a few more shots...how could I not?

...Jenn's way of helping him up :)

Then it was off to toast the night away....with beer you might think? Naaaa - ice cream of course!

Congratulations again, you two - Can't wait to see you in September!

I also have to thank my lovely and talented bestie Krystin for coming with me and being a great light adjuster/reflector holder/tunes provider/awesome person!

Ahh, the Life of a Baby

2011-06-08T13:50:00.002-04:00

These two photos were taken about 20 minutes apart:

My handsome, happy, teething bubba playing away in his bouncer

And passed out cold from all of the excitement :)

A Small Wednesday Rant

2011-06-08T11:49:00.003-04:00

So while reading this month's Parenting Magazine, which I must say that I love by the way, I came across an article about how to manage a baby's fever. Great article full of very useful information and tips, however this was the illustration:

Now, to each their own, but let's have a little reality check here! As a new mom myself I know how precious "me" time is these days, and I highly doubt that the women reading this magazine are using that precious time to carefull curl their hair, apply prom worthy makeup and especially to pencil in their brows and attach their falsh eye lashes. Especially when their baby has a fever as implied by the thermometer! Furthermore, I certainly don't sit on a white bean bag while wearing a white skimpy tank top holding my screaming child while taking his temperature - the real picture would be more like mom tring to hold a naked screaming baby down with one hand while trying to take his or her temperature in a very not - fun area if you knOW what I'm saying...and her dirty hair would be pulled up into a mess, and she'd probably be wearing her husband's old softball tee shirt because all of her clothes are yet to be washed. And makeup? Pshhh - we're lucky if our eye brows are plucked and our faces are clean, let alone made up. I'm just saying! :)

Haha - happy hump day!

"A Wee Bit of Heaven Drifted Down from Above...

2011-06-02T12:25:00.003-04:00

...a Handful of Happiness, a Heart Full of Love."
-Helen Steiner Rice

I happily present you with two gorgeous baby boys that I have had the pleasure of photographing this past month. Maybe it's because I just had a boy myself, but there is just something about a newborn boy that fills the room with hope and love - not to mention that every poop and fart they pass during their session just gives us a peek into the joys of parenting boys!

First up is baby CJ - he is the son of good friends of ours, and is only about a month younger than Max. I can't wait for these two to grow up to be bruisers like their daddies, and photography lovers like their mommies :) He was 9 pounds of sweetness, with a gorgeous head of hair, and the best chubby cheeks I've seen. Congratulations again, Heather and Chris! Boys sure do run in the Fox Lane family!

Next up is adorable little Matthew - he is bound to be full of spunk and zest for life since he decided to get a head start and suprise mommmy by coming 3 weeks early! Max and I packed up the car and headed out to Long Island to meet this little bundle with the help of our good friend Jamie. His parents, Nicole and John, and his aunties were awesome and so kind to us, and even helped entertain Max so I could get to work! Matthew slept like a champ and allowed me to move from pose to pose with ease - thank you again for having us in your home, and we can't wait to see this little Mets fan grow!

Sweet Olivia

2011-05-25T20:12:00.003-04:00

Olivia is the CUTEST little 4 month old girl I have ever met - can you even stand that head of hair?! She was the perfect model and we had a lot of fun at the park with her Mom and Grandma - I can't wait to continue to capture that smile as she gets older!

...and here is the lovely lady!

And I'll sum this post up with my favorite shot of the day!

I hope her Mom and Dad love these as much as I do! :)

Baby Joshua

2011-05-11T16:45:00.000-04:00

Now that my maternity leave is officially coming to an end, I have a ton of work to show off from before our little man came along! Let's start off with a sweet baby - Joshua and his parents came to me a few weeks before Max was born, and I have to thank them again for their amazing patience as they waited for their online gallery to be complete. Jenn and Shane, thank you for choosing me to capture your journey through pregnancy, and now parenthood. Joshua is quite the lucky man, and as every one who knows you can contest, he is one seriously loved and cherished little miracle :) I hope you love your photos as much as I loved taking them!

A Monumental Day

2011-05-10T08:06:00.002-04:00

...Today, May 10th, 2011 - is the day I found my first GREY HAIR! Now I know I'm supposed to do the girl thing and freak out and be sad, but I'm strangely not any of those things. I'm actually quite... proud. I'm proud that at the time I found my first grey hair, I am happily married, mother to a beautiful child, and building my dream business that challenges me every day. We should celebrate our imperfections, ladies - because NO ONE is perfect, and that is what makes us beautiful. I'd say those things are worth every grey hair and wrinkle that I may find on this 26 year old body. :)

Brain Food

2011-05-02T19:26:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I feel like, once we finish school, we no longer are presented with many opportunites to really challange ourselves and our own ways of thinking. However, I love finding chances to do just that, especially when it involves photography. Now, obviously I am no expert at any of this, and anything I say on here is just my personal opinion of what has worked for me...so that being said, one of my favorite things to do when I'm itching to use my camera while on maternity leave is to break out my prime lens. My 50mm 1.4 lens is amazing, versatile, and tricky! I will just set it wide open (1.4 aperture) and see what I can find. Prime lenses force you to be the opposite of lazy - you must really think about how you're framing your shots, you have to physically move yourself closer or further away as there is no "zoom" on these babies...and then since you're shooting so open, you have to vision your world in planes. Planes meaning that whatever you want to be in focus, better be on the same plane as your lens - they have to be parallel, or your photo will not be sharp. Here's a small example, just a quick shot of my son, Max. Since I was shooting at a 1.4, and I wanted his eye lashes to be in focus, I had to be careful of my angle of shooting and the angle of my lens and make sure they matched the angle of his eye. Since my vantage point was to his side, his eye was also on the same plane as his ear and arm, and you can tell that because all 3 parts are in focus in this shot:

Now in comparison, for this second shot I also focused on his eye lashes - but since I changed my vantage point, and nothing else from this angle was on the same plane as his eye, his eyelashes are the only thing in focus and everything else just beautifully fades away.

I personally enjoy both photographs, and it's a total matter of opinion as to which one you prefer - but just having to think of your life in "planes" and parallel angles presents a new and fun challenge that can only better your knowledge as well as your photography. I believe that is the key to growing as a person and a photographer, to never be satisfied with your skill set you have now - we must always challenge ourselves and push ourselves to get better - happy Monday! :)

Off Camera Lighting

2011-04-28T07:18:00.004-04:00

I wanted to write a quick post about how using off camera lighting on location for your shoots does NOT have to dramatically change your style or approach in your photography. While there are many amazing ways you could use lighting to change up your photography, it can also just be a great tool in enhancing what you already do. I recently aquired a battery pack which enables me to take my stuido lights outdoors or to any location I need which is not only a ton of fun, but will allow me more shooting freedom when with my clients. I took it into my backyard quickly just to show you what I'm talking about when I say "enhancing what you already do". Here is a side by side comparison of the same shot, the first using only natural light and the second one using natural light as well as a fill light.

As you can see, the picture on the top is not bad, has nice color and depth of field, and most people would find it acceptable. However, you can see that there are some deep shadows in the eye area that prevent you from seeing any catch lights, and the skin looks dull as well...plus, while the colors are nice they definitely do not "pop" the way I like them to in my photography. While I always strive to find the perfect, soft, natural, glowing light when I'm out with a client - let's face it, it can't always happen. Mother nature does her own thing, and we just have to go with it sometimes. This is where using a little off camera lighting comes in. Now, if you look at the bottom photograph, you can see the difference that it makes to the right side of the picture. While the left half remains relatively the same as far as light/shadows, contrast, etc. - the right side is different. This is because I placed a light with an umbrella on camera right, and had it powered to 1/16th. I have not touched either photograph, both are straight out of the camera just so you can see the differences. You can see how it opens up the eye area, fills in the shadows nicely, creates more contrast and boosts the colors in the photo as well. It also helps to make the skin look more glowing and hides more of the flaws. What I love about this photo, though, is the fact that if I didn't shoot it, I wouldn't have guessed that there was any "lighting" used at all. It looks natural to the scene and in that way, keeps to my style of photography. What do you guys think? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Oh, the Places You'll Go.

2011-01-10T21:06:00.001-05:00

Sitting here tonight in my living room, balancing my lap top on my growing belly, staying warm by the flames from the pellet stove, and watching football with jeff – I can’t help but think about where we are today. Not physically….obviously I know we are in the living room….but where we are in life. Just a few days ago we celebrated our 3 years together. In this amazingly short span of time, we have been seriously busy. We have started so many things together. We started love when we met. We started a home when we moved in together. We started a journey when we decided to combine bank accounts. We started a photography business. We started a marriage, and now we are starting a family. Just a few hours ago we talked about how we could have our house paid off by the time we’re in our 50’s. It may sound boring to some, but it sounds amazing to us. Never had I thought that by the age of 25 that I would be on this path….this crazy and challenging but insanely rewarding path. Nights like these I just like to sit and be grateful, so that I never forget how far we have come. It makes the petty little irritations just fade away into the dark. In a few short weeks we will start a new journey together…as parents. I couldn’t be more excited for all of the good times and the bad ones, because I know I will never be facing them alone. So, in this new year, where do YOU want to go? What do you want to start for yourself? I heard a quote that went something like, “If your goals don’t scare you, then you need new goals.” (I’m paraphrasing since I can’t remember the exact wording – you know, pregnant brain is a doozy). I think that is awesome advice – what will you do in 2011 that scares the crap out of you?

Jenn and Shane....Expecting

2010-11-19T10:40:00.002-05:00

I just love doing maternity photos, especially now that I know first hand what an amazing time in your life it really is. Jenn and Shane are a great couple that I have known for years now, and I can't wait to meet their little baby boy in January! Enjoy some of my favorites from their session -

A Good Read

2010-11-08T15:24:00.002-05:00

....or a good look, rather. My grandma recently gave me the new Anne Geddes book, "Beginnings", and it is just breath-taking. The softly lit and peaceful images of newborns, babies, and mothers are paired with her inspiration for taking them from nature. I highly reccomend picking it up if you love a good coffee table book that will please every one!

Our Growing Bundle

2010-11-05T14:33:00.003-04:00

Just a few pictures from the pregnancy so far - it's so crazy to see how much I've grown!

7 Weeks.

14 Weeks.

19 Weeks.

25 Weeks.

Sweet Baby Sean

2010-11-04T15:44:00.005-04:00

Sean was just an absolute doll to photograph - he slept like a champion, and then gave us some great smiles and eye contact as well! His parents are great people and we know that he will grow up to be one as well....even though they are Yankee fans :) haha! Enjoy a few shots of this precious baby boy.

The Beautiful Balanda Family

2010-11-04T11:16:00.004-04:00

Hi there friends! It's been way too long, I know - but things have been very....busy?...here on the home front :) My husband and I are expecting our first baby! I'm due this coming February and we couldn't be more excited to meet the little guy or gal!

Now back to the photography! I am excited to also announce that I am now a full time photographer, and it's honestly my dream come true. I love the busy days and late nights, and meeting all of these amazing families and clients that come into my life and studio. I can't imagine doing anything else with my life and right now I am definitely exactly where I'm supposed to be! I'd like to introduce the Balanda family - they met with me on little Caeden's first birthday to take some family pictures and we had a blast! He is just the happiest boy in the world, and I can see why with his parents being as sweet as they are. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them!

Caeden's first encounter with a dog - he loved every minute!

Having a quiet moment with Daddy...

...and a not so quiet moment with Daddy :)

Such a beautiful family.

and I saved my favorite for last!

Baby Ella

2010-03-31T20:48:00.003-04:00

A couple of months back, I had the immense pleasure of photographing little baby Ella a few weeks after her birth – is she not the most gorgeous baby? Her Mom was in town for only a few days to visit family, and called me up to see if I could squeeze them in while they were here. Well we were able to fit it in the next day, and I am so incredibly glad! Ella, her Mom, and her Grandma were so gracious and sweet, they really just make my job easy. Also, this is the first baby shoot I got to do in our new home (which has the most fantastic light EVER) and I’m excited to promote some of their shots to encourage any future clients to be open to traveling to my home for their portraits, especially newborns. Here, I can control the quality of light, the temperature, and the overall atmosphere in order to ensure that both baby and parents have a wonderful experience. If you’re interested in this kind of shoot just send me over an e-mail and I’d be happy to discuss it with you! Not to mention that if you travel to me instead of vice-versa, I’m more than happy to adjust the price in your favor as well - what a win-win! So without further adieu, here is baby Ella and all of her glowing gorgeousness.

Now, I must warn you - when it comes to doing baby portraits, I will push and prod the parents to get in for AT LEAST one shot as much as I possibly can... I mean, you could live without a picture like this of you and your newborn, but why would you want to? They are only this tiny for a blink of an eye... :)

Hmmmm...

2010-03-30T14:53:00.004-04:00

What to talk about, what to talk about....

Truth is, there is just so much! I have working a TON both at my day job and at my photography. It has been a crazy few months, and time seems to just be flying by! Jeff and I have now been married for over 7 months, and to top that off, we have been in our new home now for about 5 months! Jeez. And we still don't have any curtains up... See, the way I see it, we will have truly made it a home once we get our pictures up on the walls and curtains on our windows. I don't know why I feel this way, but I do. So when that time eventually gets here I will be sure to announce it loud and proud and show lots of pictures. :)

I have also been working with the awesome Aurora of Aurora Photography a lot lately. We met about 6 months back to discuss the charity she works for, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. Since then, she has not only become a great friend, but a great mentor. She is a stellar photographer and understands lighting like no other. She is always looking for ways to give back - either to the community, or to other photographers like myself. She is always there when I have a question, or need help on a shoot. I will be sure to blog some photos from her most recent "Photo Fun Day" that she organized - a day full of beautiful models, dresses, and flowers for a few of us photogs to just play around with and build our portfolios and learn from eachother. Does it get any better than that? So look for more work from me for her studio, Aurora Photography. I just love nice people! Now, so I don't leave you with nothing nice to look at since I haven't blogged in a LONG time...here are a few snapshots of some recent work. More to come ASAP!

A shot of our baby, Blue, playing in our gorgeous back yard. I am so loving these longer days!

This is a shot from a recent 1 Year Shoot of gorgeous Ms. Natalie

And lastly, here is a portrait from Aurora's Photo Fun Day of the lovely Sarah from A Dance 2 Remember - an awesome local business that choreographs and teaches engaged couples a special dance for their First Dance as husband and wife - such a great idea! Make sure to check her out!

Finding Yourself in Another.

2010-02-10T17:03:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to take a little time and post about my beautiful cousin who is set to get married this very Friday to the man of her dreams. We are a few years apart, but I have always admired her since as long as I can remember. Her strength, her beauty, her will to always be herself no matter what or who may not like it. She is a hard worker and keeps to herself, never falling into the craze of going out all the time and partying, but always doing what makes her happy. She stands by her family and friends no matter what. She may have a hard exterior at times, but she's full of love and devotion. She knows what she wants in life, and does what she needs to to make it happen. Then came her soon to be husband. He is also very quiet, hard working, and an honest, good person. The kind of guy who silently supports her no matter what. The kind of guy who holds her hand so she doesn't slip. Who looks at her with love in his eyes even when she doesn't notice. Who makes her laugh. I'm not saying everything was probably easy for them over the last few years, because no relationship is ever easy...but they learned together, and grew together, and came to realize that they never wanted to live another moment without each other's support, love, passion, and friendship.

So here's to you, Keri and Bryan - I love you both and couldn't be happier that you have found eachother. I hope you always have that look of love, always keep eachother laughing, and always be each other's hand to hold so that you never slip.

A Lot of Catching Up To Do...

2010-02-10T16:57:00.004-05:00

I know, I know - I keep showing sneak peeks and then not posting the whole sets haha - I swear I'm going to fix that soon! It just gets hard with working another job full time and then doing my photography on nights and weekends - but this isn't a wine fest and no, I don't want any cheese. So to keep you until then I will give you a belated Thursday Twang - this song is so dear to me, because it reflects the kind of man my husband is. He is always telling me that I look the most beautiful when I just wake up, or when I'm dancing around the house in my sweats for no reason. Some guys just get it, and they truly love you for who you are when you are totally uninhibited...ladies, please go find yourself a man like that. You won't regret it, and you will be so happy in your own skin it will truly set you free. Any ways, back to the song, it is called "Give Me That Girl" by Joe Nichols. There is no video yet, but here's one from YouTube with the music and lyrics, so enjoy :)

Happy Snow Day to those of you who are lucky enough to be home!

Thursdays, Thursdays...

2010-01-28T21:55:00.003-05:00

Wow, this one came up quick! Anyone else like those snow squalls we had today? Right at the exact times in the day that I would be driving too, haha. Anyways, I attended the most amazing workshop this past Wednesday and I cannot wait to tell you all about it. If you are my friend on facebook (Jena Alviti - go find me!) than you've already seen a boatload of the images I came away with...But it was definitely more than that. I had so many "Aha!" moments, where things I'd been struggling with just clicked - such a great feeling! Not to mention all of the amazing vendors, models, and fellow photographers that I got to hang out with and get to know. Any way, more on that later :) For now, I leave you with a little preview of the workshop awesome-ness...

.. as well as your Thursday Twang! This song has been engraved into my brain the last week or so, so of course I'd have to pick it's country counterpart for this week's edition. Enjoy "Walking in Memphis" performed here live by Lonestar - stellar job!

Happy Almost - Friday!!!

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