You’ve been missed.
Archive for May, 2011
Welcome back, Summer.
05.29.11
The dynamic duo
05.29.11
I love living so close to Boston. The city has so much to do – even for young kids – yet, I don’t seem to get into town as much as I would like to. That’s one reason that I get so excited to do sessions there! The energy, the excitement, the awesome old-school charm, the beautiful waterfront…it makes a perfect backdrop for an amazing photo shoot.
I first photographed these handsome little guys 6 months ago. They may be twins, but they are opposite as can be in a lot of ways! Introvert/extrovert, loud/quiet…you get the idea!
We didn’t actually make it to many “city” locations because, well, you can imagine what it would be like to take one-year-olds into a city and then expect them to tolerate a photo session…but I loved capturing the boys in their *beautiful* natural environment.
Happy Birthday, boys!
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Kelly says: I love the blocks folding over, and the middle photo of the little one looking right at the camera. What beautiful eyes! Gorgeous photos Sarah! on 05.29.11 @ 9:33 pm
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Grandma K says: I was privileged to have been there for the whole shoot -- hectic for sure, but the results are spectacular. Much love to this "One Little Family". on 05.29.11 @ 3:07 pm
My own soundtrack
05.24.11
Some of my most vivid childhood memories include a unique soundtrack. No, not the radio…but rather, my mom’s piano students playing in our family room for hours every afternoon when we got home from school. My sister and I got to know the lesson books so well that we could predict exactly how our mother would critique a particular song after a student finished playing it. I guess that’s why it seemed so natural for me to start teaching lessons of my own when I was ready to get my first job.
Since then, I’ve taken on more and more students, and my mother and I have become coworkers in a sense. We brainstorm together, substitute teach for each other, and once a year, we join forces to organize a huge piano recital. For the past 5 years, we have been incredibly lucky to hold it at the Nevin’s Memorial Library in Methuen – a beautiful big hall with plenty of seating and wonderful acoustics.
As much as I look forward to the recital all year, it’s always a bit of a relief when it’s over. My students may get butterflies before playing their songs, but I am one big nervous mess the entire time! I want so badly for each and every student to have a good time and come away from the experience feeling proud. I think I can say with confidence that all of my students met – and exceeded – my hopes and expectations for them this year. Now it’s time to start getting ready for next year!
Sneak Peek
05.21.11
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Anne - Tesla's Mom says: What a great shot! Makes me want to get up and move! on 05.22.11 @ 1:04 am
2 under 2
05.18.11
As if I needed another reminder of how fast time flies when you have little ones around…
When I first found out that these brothers were exactly the same age apart as my own boys, it immediately brought me back to those first few days home as a family of 4. The chaos, the exhaustion…the excitement…I saw it all reflected in the eyes of this family. I was so impressed by how well they handled it, though! Big brother was a little unsure of what to make of the new little human in his house, but he was so gentle, patient, and good-natured that I’m sure he will fill the role of “big-brother” like a champ.
Treasure every second, guys – before you know it, they’ll be rough-housing in the family room amid a flurry of trucks, trains, and Cheerios! Or maybe that’s just my house…
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Donna says: The one with the little guy in the foreground with the family adoring him.......so beautiful! on 05.18.11 @ 6:47 pm
The *real* Us
05.17.11
It all started about a week ago, when I saw this quote on the Pinkle Toes Facebook page:
“If you have not had family pictures taken within the past 3 years, promise me right now that tomorrow morning, you will find someone to do it. I don’t care if it’s a neighbor, I don’t care if it’s a portrait studio, I don’t care if it’s a tripod and a remote. Just do it. We have no guarantees in life, but at least we can have the photos to prove that we were here, we were together, and we were happy.”
I started thinking – for all of the gazillions of photos I take in a given week, we have NEVER done a real, true, family photo session. I have lots of pics of my boys; some of them with their dad; a few of myself with the kids….but only about 2-3 photos of all of us together. And those are your typical “all sit together and look at the camera” images. What I *really* wanted was a few photos that captured what our family was all about – loving, goofy, active…and very, very happy. But where to start?
That brings me to the field of flowers I blogged about the other day. I loved that field. Which is funny, because it’s actually on top of a landfill next to a jail…but it’s just so pretty! Pretty enough that when I drove by the other day and saw that they were mowing it down, I actually got out of the car and pleaded with them to leave it until the flowers died! AND THEY DID! They must have thought I was nuts, but hey – it worked, right?
So I planned it all out…got us dressed up, loaded the car, packed up my tripod, and headed to the field with my camera. Except when we got there, I realized that I had left a critical part of said tripod at home. So typical. That’s when my friend Erica came to the rescue! She listened to my lofty plans, patiently sat through my brief technical instructions, then proceeded to snap 605 photos. Yes, that’s the actual number she took. I just checked. And what she captured was EXACTLY what I was hoping for. Even better, if that’s possible. I will treasure these photos forever, Erica. Thank you.
I am getting ready to place an order to plaster my living room with a huge collage of these images. I can’t wait to come downstairs and see them every day!
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Elaine says: beautiful! I think we need a family reunion so I can meet these adorable little boys! on 05.17.11 @ 1:21 pm
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dana says: LOVE the pics Sarah...and the dress : ) on 05.17.11 @ 6:22 pm
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Joan Straw says: Unbelievably beautiful flower field and the family "shoot" is LOVELY. Enjoy seeing your posts/blog/website. (Hillary Stasonis' Mom ) on 05.18.11 @ 12:07 am
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Cathy says: What a beautiful family! There's so much love and joy in these photos. Thanks for sharing them. on 05.18.11 @ 9:43 am
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Lauren Reynolds says: Ok, only a photographer would stop and plead with the grass mowers, I love it! And I love the photos -- they are beautiful and such a great reminder of how important family photos are! Well done! :) on 05.21.11 @ 11:33 pm
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Liz Ferreira says: OMG those came out gorgeous! I absolutely love the first one.....Erica could have a career in photography :) on 05.26.11 @ 1:50 pm
The same but different
05.14.11
It was so much fun to see how much these little guys grew up since their 6 month session! They’re now about to turn one, and have such developed (and different) personalities.
I was a little concerned about the weather as I drove into a cloud of fog as I entered Southie, but luckily things cleared up enough for us to head outside for a bit.
Flower Power
05.13.11
After hunting all over New England to find a field of wildflowers, I finally stumbled upon this gorgeous location on my way home from my parents house the other day. I immediately *knew* I had to hold a session here (or two or three)! Unfortunately, the forecast is looking pretty uncooperative for the next few days….but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it is wrong, and that I can squeeze some more fabulous pics in before the flowers are gone!
These two beauties have a special place in my heart, since they are betrothed to my sons. No, really. Hudson already asks to play over at their house every chance he gets! Of course, unless they come around to liking trucks as much as my boys do, there may be a slight change in plans…
Sleepy Time
05.13.11
Newborns generally fall into one of three categories:
*sleepy
*awake but content
*awake and unhappy
This morning’s little guy was of the “awake but content” variety – so I was so happy (and relieved!) that he caved and gave in to a precious cat nap. Of course, I indulged in lots of newborn cuddles and rocking before getting to this point. Hey, it’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it, right?
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Donna says: What a beautiful "grown-up" face! on 05.13.11 @ 6:31 pm
I don’t shoot weddings.
05.13.11
But….I actually had an amazing time photographing my cousin getting married yesterday! The love, the beauty, the excitement…it might just be enough to make me change my mind – someday…
Enjoy your sneak peek, guys! You make one extremely gorgeous couple.
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Elaine says: beautiful! congratulations to you both! on 05.13.11 @ 8:17 am
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Carole says: I love it! Both the photo- beautiful Sarah - and the wedding couple. I'm so glad you posted a sneak peak for us on 05.13.11 @ 7:26 pm
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Cathy says: WOW! Beautiful pictures of two beautiful people! on 05.14.11 @ 9:36 am
Sweet Swedes
05.11.11
Dad warned me that his son didn’t like being in front of the camera.
I think he warmed up to me 😉
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Kelly Links says: So cute! So did they teach you and the boys any Swedish? I love family shots on a nice day :) on 05.11.11 @ 7:24 pm
Finally
05.09.11
I have been looking forward to photographing this fabulous family since last October! That’s right – 7 months ago. One delay after another finally ended, and we were able to hold our session just as the weather started getting warmer so that we could grab both indoor and outdoor shots. We let the kids run the show, moving quickly from reading books to playing with dolls and trucks to a fun trip to the local playground. I’m pretty sure that bubbles and snacks were thrown in at some point, too! I think my favorite part of the session, though, was getting a lesson on Toy Story characters from little A. Mom and Dad, I hope you are surprised and happy with the images I captured while we played!
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Sarah Pollard says: Great photos, they look so natural! on 05.12.11 @ 2:11 pm
Happy Mother’s Day!
05.08.11
My day started out with a stack of pancakes in bed…topped with a garbage truck. A bit unconventional, perhaps, but it made me one very happy Mommy. Hudson picked it out just for me, and he was so excited to give it to me.
The fact that I even have sons still amazes me. That Hudson is old enough actually help make pancakes is just unreal. And he loves me so much that he gets excited for morning cuddles in bed? Heaven. Oliver spoiled me with extra love today, too…an hour and a half nap and at least a temporary break from teething.
Today I feel very blessed. Loved and blessed.
*Photo credit for the black and whites goes to my amazing husband! Oh, and he gets credit for the shirts, too…
Mother’s Day Tea
05.07.11
When IMAJINE THAT asked me to come photograph their Mother’s Day Tea, I thought it sounded like a cute event. I had NO idea how much time, effort and love they had put into making it a truly special morning! There were just so many little details – roses for the moms, real teacups, plant-your-own flower pots, kids’ manicures, tons of delicious treats, and, of course, tea! In all honesty, I think the kids enjoyed the sugar cubes even more than the tea, but hey – everyone had a great time.
Not only did Imajine That do a fabulous job, but I was very impressed by the kids who attended. I mean, really…breakable, delicate tea cups around kids and toddlers without a single casualty? Pretty impressive!
Lauren Reynolds says: I love these! Yea for summertime! :) on 05.30.11 @ 10:20 am
Donna says: The feet under the car crack me up! on 06.2.11 @ 7:04 pm