Stroller Strides Babes

I was recently invited to photograph a Stroller Strides class at Kensico Dam - which I highly recommend to any mom with a baby.... a great way to make mommy friends and work out with your babe! These little ones stayed after for a mini session. 

This boy was SO mature for his humble age of three. I immediately knew he could handle this angle well.

His captivating chocolate brown eyes were so inquisitive.

 Little sis was pretty as a picture just sitting.

 A little closer in to show those catchlights in her eyes.

Grass makes a great textured backdrop for this cutie. I opted for this to make his blue eyes and matching outfit pop.

 He was happiest when mommy was lifting him into the air....what kid isn't?! I made sure I got the light coming through the trees as part of the background, which I blurred to form soft circles.

This time I had to get in close to those amazing blue gems. More blurred circles in the background really make him pop.

I think I should call this blog post "the eyes session" because each child had amazing eyes!

Another little guy that liked being in the photo with mom. I love his eyes (!) and the way mom is looking at him.

 The simple beauty of two brothers leaning on each other in the grass.

 This is my favorite shot of the day. This little girl was initially not too happy about posing for a photo. Often times the best photos are not what you plan.

I'm sure you can guess what I love about this shot so I'm not even going to say it. ;-)

 This image is so powerful to me. Perhaps because it reminds me of how attached she was to her mommy. Mom is blurred to enhance the main subject looking back for her comfort. And mom's smile is soft but present. I just love it.
 

Thank you, Kristen, Danielle and Stroller Strides Moms for having me at Kensico! I hope you all enjoy the photos!

Zoe's Communion Portraits

Zoe's mom saw her friend's daughter's communion pictures and ended up setting up a session for her daughter after the communion. Sometimes that just works out better for families as the preparation for the day is behind you. It was a nice time to sit back and enjoy.

Zoe is a very sweet girl and was just a dream to photograph. I think these images reflect her peaceful nature.

 For communion portraits, it's all about angles for me. I really like this shot from above.

 Slightly off center (on purpose), I like how she is looking directly into the camera.

 After I shoot from above, I do the opposite and shoot from below.

I love capturing the details....something I will always carry with me from being a wedding photographer (and female!)

 There are so many ways to shoot communion shoes. For Zoe's session, the cherry blossoms have fallen to the ground so I wanted to include that as your eye is drawn to the main subject.

Off center. And I typically like the subject looking in the direction of the blank space, as shown here.

 My favorite row of trees in town make a gorgeous backdrop.

 Since the cherry blossoms fell, there were pockets of light coming through the branches, which I blurred to create those soft circles behind her.

 Yes, she was directed to "pray," but how sweet is this?!

 Veils are made to be lit and form a halo around communion girls. Love this traditional shot.

 This is pretty wide and can make a lovely impression as a wall print.

When I shoot from above, I usually go straight down, but this is nice, too. Have to remember this one.

One of my favorite aspects of portraits is incorporating an item that has deep meaning. In this case, this was Zoe's great-grandmother's rosary. There is nothing more touching than including those who are gone.

 Eyes closed, love the angle AND the rosary....my favorite of the day.

 I tucked a blanket underneath Zoe to avoid staining her pretty dress. I got really low into the grass to get this angle.

 The sun was bright - too bright to put Zoe in directly -- but at the right angle, we got nice skin exposure and that lovely lit veil.

 OK, I changed my mind. I think this one is my favorite of the day. So soft and pretty.

 She smiled nice and big so *click.*

 Apparently Zoe loves to climb trees, so we ended the session with this grand finale! It will be a nice memento as she grows and all remember how she used to like to climb trees.

Thank you SO much for a great photo session....enjoy these special times!

Communion Boy

I had the pleasure of photographing Christopher's First Holy Communion portraits. The weather forecast and I were doing a tango this week (to put it mildly!) but we ended up having a great session with a lot of cloud cover (a dream for photographers) and just a few rain drops. I'll take it any day.

The first thing I do is look for the best light and here it is.

 Christopher looks so mature here. I really like his connection with the camera.

 We moved over just a few inches but captured a different look.

 Blurring the background really made Christopher "pop" in this image.

 When shooting on location, I have to search for backdrops. Shooting down with my subject standing in the grass is an instant backdrop. No big fancy cloth or stands needed!

 A traditional Communion shot.

 Use of blank space adds interest.

 Back to traditional and slightly more torso.

 I really like this angle, especially for boys (not sure why!)

 A true gentleman.

 In search of another backdrop, I found some nice light against the side of the house. You would think we were in a photo studio.

 I always love the details.

I switched to my macro lens that I typically only use for still life details or sleeping newborns....but Christopher obliged when I asked him to stay still so I can really capture the detail of his beautiful eyes.

 I like this composition and the way his eyes are looking out of frame.

 Again, he has a great connection with the camera!

 This angle of Christopher reading is sweet.

 I also wanted to do something with slightly more drama.

 Yep, that's his Baptism photo! Juxtaposing then and now is always fun.

 I like to have parents stand behind their children and blur them slightly. It keeps the focus (literally) on the child and adds the "aura" of the parent.

 Cheek to cheek with mom!

 My favorite shot of the day, especially with Mother's Day coming up.

God Bless Christopher and his mom!