Tilt, Turn, Twist, Pose. OR... Find the natural beauty in every moment. Westchester, NY Photographer

Stand here; turn this way; twist to the left; now to the right... and pose!

Okay... as I was growing as a young artist, I adored sketching still lives. I am pretty sure that I am just about the only person in history that loved still lives. In the middle of the room, a collection of objects that were instantly transformed in my minds eye into simple shapes, textures, layers of colors and all playing with the chosen light source. Some people jockeyed for the "perfect" location, but I never really hurried to find my spot. The most enjoyable part of the challenge for me was the composition! Wherever I sat down, I challenged myself to FIND the perfect composition. It didn't matter what the subject matter was- there was a solution to make engaging, moving your eye from one place to another. 

...fast forward sixteen years later.

Photography allows me to capture all of those compositional challenges that my mind is still solving in a much quicker way. My favorite time to get behind the camera is when I am photographing someone when they are at complete ease and natural. Whether it is when they are huddled together with their family, or gazing into another's eyes, or mid-giggle, or a baby's uninhibited curious gaze. 

So, when you are snapping photos at home, or planning on working with a photographer- the best way (in my opinion) to capture a moment, is to just be yourself and let your guard down! Take the moments as they come, and find the natural beauty in every second!

Confession: I like Television on Gloomy Days.

Today is a gloomy day, so I thought that I would share with you my confession:

I like television.

{gasp.}

Not only is it a tool that you can use to learn about the world around us, combining visually striking images with engaging dialogue, but it can create a bridge; a bridge between the known and unknown, a bridge to share experiences between generations, a bridge to undiscovered lands and galaxies, a bridge between the reality of your world and an escape to something completely different. Personally, I enjoy crossing the the last bridge described. I love a good story, and I appreciate a beautifully laid out scene. Life is never quite as picture perfect or black and white as it is often portrayed on television, but I'm there for an escape- not reality.

So, what are my guilty pleasures of recent?

Parenthood on NBC

Once Upon a Time on ABC

and most recently

Downton Abbey on PBS

What did I find when I opened the door? A beautiful Creative Mess. Westchester New York Photographer

Two and half hours a day. That's how long our pre-school lasts. When I came back home after dropping my daughter off at school, I had every intention of tidying up her room. Now, I can not completely blame her for what I saw when I opened the door- I did happen to catch our beloved Tina "red-pawed" & dragging around a pair of toys from her playmate's room. And I'm fairly certain that someone must have snuck in and destroyed her room. There really is no other explanation- my angel could not have done such damage!

BUT...when I stepped into the middle of her polka-dotted rug, my focus shifted from "mess" to "creative imaginary world of a four and a half year old." So, instead of coming home to clean up her room, I decided to photograph it. (Yes- I fully admit that this was an attempt to put off the task for as long as possible.) Her little world slowly came to life so much that I could practically smell the marvelous meal that she had prepared so carefully.

The adorable Astronaut, ours personalized with a photo of Daddy, is available for purchase on Etsy, at the fabulous shop of TsuraLi 

...in some ways, I felt like I was photographing a crime scene.

I'm happy to report that after school, and after ballet,  last night my daughter & I, together, tackled the mess. For the moment, everything is in it's place, resting until they are called back into the imaginary world of my little girl. In fact... I think I just heard the roar of Velociraptor now. Oh well, at least she waited until 8:00am.
: )

A painting to go from childhood into adulthood.

In my previous post, I had told you about the painting of our darling Tina that I had created for my little one just before she was born. So today, I thought that I would share that painting with you. It's a large piece, as if Tina sits there watching over her four and a half year old playmate. 

That's it. Short and sweet for today.

Happy Wednesday!

The Newborn & the Furry Sibling. Westchester Hudson Valley Photographer

When I was closing in on my ninth month of pregnancy, I decided that my daughter would need a special painting- one of her first playmate, our cat Tina. I suppose I knew before she was born that she would have a soft spot in her heart for animals- especially for our Tina. So I took out the paints, and created a large, bright & bold colored painting of our beloved calico. I wanted her to have something to take her from childhood into adulthood that reminded her of her very first companion- her partner in crime!

If you had a pet growing up, you know the special bond. Make sure to take lots of photos of both of your little ones- furry and non-furry! Years down the road, your child will thank you!

New Baby Haze- Diapers, Blankets, Rotating Outfits, Repeat! Westchester Newborn Photography

Oh those first few days are a haze of diapers, feedings, and enough outfit changes to rival any 14 year old girl getting ready for school. But hang on to those moments, because they don't last for long! I remember the days being long, but here we are four and a half years later, and it seems like those days passed in a blink of an eye. I was so very blessed to have spent some time last weekend with Baby G. and her new parents, reminding me of those very days. Such a precious little one, and such loving parents! 

If you are a new parent, or a parent-to-be, make sure to pause long enough to capture those moments of newborn demands. Grab a camera, and make sure to document those seemingly mundane moments because in those moments you'll see great love and discovery. If you are trying to photograph those first few days and weeks, don't worry about poses or props- just relax long enough to see the beauty in the moments on hand.

If you are interested in contacting me to help you document those first few days, please visit me at my website. 

10 things I've learned in the first 10 days of the New Year.

Ten days into the new year, and I'm already taking notes from lessons learned!

Jan. 1st- I love my family. Okay, well I already knew that... but it's reaffirmed everyday. I would also like to publicly apologize to my cousin Brian, for not deeming him "timeless." I've regretted it everyday this year.

Jan. 2nd- The Metropolitan Museum of Art makes my heart smile, and apparently, it makes my daughter's heart sing. We have been playing on their newly updated website activities for children for weeks now, and two days into the new year, my husband and I hopped in the car and surprised our daughter with her first trip to see her beloved William and all of Cezanne's Apples! She sang her way through the galleries, looking for Van Gogh's shoes, straw hat too; Degas ballerina's, Monet's fog, and finally Renoir's dog. She was disappointed that she still has to wait a little while longer before she can see "Washington Crossing the Delaware." (She's probably the only four year old that has asked the Membership desk WHEN?!?!?)

Jan. 3rd- Pre-schoolers now receive homework.

Jan. 4th- Skype is a wonderful tool to show off new Ballet moves to family near & far.

Jan. 5th- When crappy things happen to amazing people in life, they take on a whole new level of amazing. (I'm talking about YOU Stacey!)

Jan. 6th- Sometimes spur of the moment, throw caution to the wind plans and being impulsive works out and brings great results... and other times they do not even come CLOSE to working out! (It's still worth a shot to be impulsive though!)

Jan. 7th- There is nothing like warm sun on a winter day, and a stroll with a newly engaged couple to make this hopeless romantic love love! (Thanks Kristin & Scott for spending time with me!)

Jan. 8th- Some things don't get easier with the passing of time. We are designed to miss people, I believe, as proof that there is more to life than just what is seen with the eyes. Like a bird migrating to a location that it has never been to before, the longing in us is what will guide us to be with the ones we love.

Jan. 9th- The BART in San Francisco is in desperate need of WD-40.

Jan. 10th- I LOVE my new camera & lens. Period. End of story. If you can't tell- the photo above is my beaming face merely five minutes after tearing open the box of the new lens! (Camera was still charging.) It was love at first shutter release!

This year, as any other, has already shown it's mood swings- but I'm ready for it. If anything- I'm going to photograph the craziness of life like never before!