Changing seasons

This last week has had a little bit of a fall feel to it but the forecast is for hot and toasty weather so we still have plenty of summer left. The late summer light of September, the faded grasses, and still warm evenings make September one of my favorite months for sessions and produces some of the best images of the year. There is still some availability for September which I would recommend as one of the optimal times of the year for a session. Of course October has some fall color which adds a unique element to portraits and is always popular but one of my other favorite months is November when this session was done last year, at the start of the month there is still some fall color but later in the month there are lovely soft muted browns and yellows which set off portraits in a subtle way.

 

Clouds and Smiles

 

 

So here in MA it seems like we’ve not had a good stretch of regular summer days. It’s been hot and humid, wet and humid or just plain  wet since June. It was great to be able to get this session done prior to some rainy weather. The evening was cloudy but clouds ( provided they are not the dark and stormy variety) can really make the color pop in photos. It was a really relaxing session and this little girl really made me smile. This family have just relocated back to their home country of Finland and I hope everything is going well for them. These portraits ( due to be delivered to me from the lab today )  should make a nice memory of their time here in the Boston area!

 

 

Newborn/family session

Well here I am in my office today preparing a proof gallery from a recent outside session. I feel like I’ve been looking at a lot of grass in portraits recently so for a change of scene, here’s a few from one of my newborn family sessions held at the studio. This was a return visit for this family as I had photographed the little girl when she was just a couple of weeks old. My how time moves on! It was a fun session!

At Home At Play

It was great to see this brother and sister again. I love going to see them. I think this is the third or fourth year I have taken their photos. For the past couple of years it has worked very nicely photographing them individually at their house playing their own games. I usually like to plan sessions but an unstructured approach has served me well here. A few favorite activities on hand and just see where things go including some funny moments with Mom, well more specifically tweaking Moms nose!

Sound Asleep

When this lovely newborn girl came to visit for her newborn portraits she slept quite peacefully for almost the entire session. There was one brief moment when she opened one eye! I always love working on a few mother baby moments as part of the shoot. Some Moms do not feel they are completely got together so soon after giving birth but its never about having to look straight into the camera lens and pose it’s about spending some quite minutes up close with your precious bundle. I think some of my favorite portraits of from these set ups.

 

 

 

Dressing Up or Dressing Down?

Just playing catch up with the blog once more! Here’s one from a little while ago. The girls came perfectly dressed for the chilly afternoon with great colors and textures in their outfits.

Dressing for the session is something many clients like to give some thought to. We always send out general advice once a session is booked. Our guidleines focus on classic simplicity but really many styles can work. Whether it be modern or classic, solid colors or some patterns, what you wear should be what you feel good in and what you want to see yourself or your children in when the portraits are on display. Not that interested in dressing up? That’s fine too. Some of my clients just want their children to be photographed in their everyday playclothes in order to capture a slice of their life.

Setting Records

 

When HS seniors come along for a portrait session I always suggest they bring something along or plan one outfit that refelects a hobby or sport that’s important to them. I’m sure you can guess where this young man’s interest lies. From our conversation during the session it was very clear that he’s very dedicated to both his studies and his Varsity sport.  I want to congratulate him and his high school Varsity basketball team for yesterday winning the Clark University 2013 Tournament. This is the first time in the 74 year history of the tournament that Littleton High School has won it. Way to go!

My favorite Fall guy

Here’s my favorite Fall guy.  Actually all the kids I meet are favorites for many different reasons. This young man gets the award for high energy and high style combined. I thought the handkerchief in the jacket pocket was a very classy addition to his outfit. This is the third time I have photographed this delightful boy. He always keeps me very busy.  At first it’s- No Jane I’m not hanging out with you. That’s followed by- OK I’m on for this but whatever you give me to explore I’m going to move it..EVERYWHERE…oh hey, is that a swing….LET”S DO IT! I laughed a lot but my smile was not as wide as his as you can see in the swing portrait!

 

Newborn session to share

I am playing catch up with a few of my sessions held later in 2012. Now were are well into the new year I just want to send belated new years greetings to my good clients and all following the blog. I wish you a wonderful 2013.

Here’s two of my favorite images from a newborn session in studio. The sister also came to visit for a few portraits along with Mom and Dad.  We had a few fleeting moments in front of the camera which is very normal with toddlers. I mean, why be in front of the camera when there’s better things to do!  I think the sibling portrait has a really lovely feel to it.