Family Connections

Gearing up for an exciting family session this weekend, had me “brain storming” for ways to reveal a family connection.


Besides preparing the equipment with clean lenses, fresh batteries, new memory cards and recharged cameras, ideas for poses are reviewed and any additional props added.



In this session, the location I chose was a beautiful setting along a tranquil lake. The vibrant backdrop was provided by none other than Ms Mother Nature herself as well as some spectacular backlighting!

Because of the very damp, wet conditions of the day before. Seating was in the form of several straw bales (very appropriate for this time of year) and a simple tweed blanket for an accent.

Now let’s begin the fun!

I’m always thrilled with a family’s attention to their coordinated wardrobe for a group shot.

The parents looked amazing in their natural brown tones.  

While the children looked fun and they really popped out in bright red shirts with one blue to add contrast.
Way to go!

When getting everyone together in a shot, I strive to see their bonds and connection

It always seem to happen quite naturally, but sometimes I might help with a hand placement here or ask for a lean in there. It really is a natural thing when you have a family that is genuinely as close as this family.

Not only did I get to spend some time with and have the honor to photograph a true family moment, but I can honestly say that I have gotten to know this family as incredibly beautiful inside and out!

Multi-generational Family Gathering

Multi-generational portraits are a very rare and special session to be a part of.
By gathering the family together for this event, we are recording a portion of our family tree.

Years ago it was not uncommon for family of multiple generations to get together and form close bonds.
Sundays for some meant a family drive in the country or a home cooked meal.

Quite often these families gathered once a week for Sunday dinners, with the grandparents, parents and grandchildren running about.

A roasted chicken, a traditional Italian feast, or a family breakfast after church services was expected and often looked forward to at the end of the week.

I was fortunate to be a part of a recent multigenerational gathering on a recent beautiful Fall morning.

Mother Nature not only provided an abundance of sunshine, brilliant blue skies, but we were part of her annual transformations of seasons – illuminating the changing bushes and trees into a vibrant display of yellows and oranges.

A gathering of this type is becoming rarer and rarer.
Family units move, not only across towns, but states and even countries! Life gets busy. Work gets stressful, and social activities become more of a priority.


Getting together with the family is soon forgotten.

Yes, it was an honor to be a part of this family’s afternoon.

To be surrounded by people that understand and appreciate the importance of family and the relationships that are formed.

Honor thy family. It is a forgotten gift!

Fall Family Portraits

Family portraits this time of year are quite exceptional.

The colorful Fall foliage as a natural backdrop is hard to beat.

It’s a fleeting desire I hear from so many people – “I’d love to have a family portrait but……..”.

Yes, we can all relate, it’s hard to schedule the family to be all in one place for an hour! Let alone, iron and pick out what to wear, fix your hair, and maybe bring the dog to the groomers! Yes, we end up talking ourselves out of this much desired fantasy.

But, so what if a hair is out of place or the shirt doesn’t have a perfect crease, and Fido rolled in something smelly.

The overall image is a family together in this moment of time. A moment we will never get back again, a moment that’s real yet beautifully exposed, carefully set up, and flattering to all.

A keepsake portrait was so valued generations ago, and even treasured, displayed, and passed down through the family over the years.

In this day and age of overexposure, staggering digital snapshots, and forgotten cell phone captures, (that are easily deleted and stored …. well….. somewhere?).

Why not take the time; make the time - to create a record of your family’s life now. A keepsake portrait, you can pass down and be proud of for years to come.

Nature Up Close

Often when I’m out walking during this time of year, I come upon something so beautiful that I have to take it with me.

By slipping it into my pocket or carrying it along, throughout the remainder of my walk, I get a chance to study this unique creation and appreciate its simple beauty.

I want to give this forgotten object its own platform; its own “15 minutes of fame”.

So here today I’d like to introduce the second string players that rarely get a chance to shine on their own.

They are small pieces, but work together to create a larger picture that makes this season a miracle to behold.

Our appreciation and awareness of nature affects how we can find the beauty in the simplest of things. What fascinates me about nature, is its constant metamorphous every day, every month, and every season.

The “center stage” for my models include: natural light (as they are all accustomed too) and a plain black backdrop to dramatize their solo effect.

Shapes, colors, minute features and imperfections become the focus of these images.

Instead to seeing nature working together to create an impressionistic color palette for all to enjoy, I’ve taken a small piece of that puzzle and studied its wonder on its own, but in a very bold way.

All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up.

(Quote from Sunset Boulevard)

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Trash the Dress

Trash the Dress.

I have to admit, I love these sessions. They are sooo much fun.

This past summer, we had a trash the dress session in a beautiful country setting complete with a built in swimming pool. Perfect for a little trashing – wouldn’t you agree?

What makes the experience fun is the novelty of taking a beautiful formal ‘wedding’ dress, and posing in quite un - conventional circumstances while the whole time, pretending everything is perfectly normal. Hmmm?

Taking a soothing dip on a hot summer’s day, in your wedding dress – oh sure…………

The recipe consist of one white wedding gown, a beautiful bride – to - be (or not) (bride – to - be that is – the beautiful part is easy to see!), and a playful open mind!

What was unveiled in this session was the fluid motion and shape the layers of billowing fabric created as it moved throughout the water. The lovely transparency of the veil as it became iridescent.

Maybe it’s the artist in me that wants to describe each portrait with symbolic imagery.

It’s hard not to with the amazing rippled reflections as well as the representation of time passing in slow motion along with the weighted material and weighted symbolism of the wedding dress.

I also see the water as being cleansing, clarifying –at times absolving.

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What I really see is a fun afternoon in the sun, shooting, getting messy and having a barrel of laughs!

Introducing Autumn

There is no denying it; summer is gone – may I introduce Autumn.

What better way to embrace the season than a walk in the woods with camera in hand.

Experiencing Mother Nature’s magic, by becoming a part of it.

Surrounding you with the beauty and all the subtle or not so subtle changes that take place this time of year.

Capturing the color palette being introduced to us slowly over the course of weeks and creating an impressionistic creation.

Blurred hues blend together, impressionistic images are formed.

Oranges, reds, browns, and yellows separated by speckles of light filtering in.

The aroma of dried leaves decaying under your feet.

A dangerous nearby sound of a chestnut falling and cracking open on an exposed rock.

The great fortune of the squirrels and chipmunks hurrying to gather their treasure troves.

It’s timeless. It’s temporary. It’s a period of transformations.

A cycle of change. Something we sometimes fear, or resist but can never alter.

So embrace the moments, the weeks, the months to follow.

Take in Mother Earth’s art exhibit, on display until November. Don’t miss!

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