10.21.11
For the next two weekends, the yellow brick road leads to Smolak Farms in North Andover! I was blown away by the talent and energy of this amazing group as they performed a hayride production of “The Wizard Of Oz” tonight. My boys loved the show, and the donuts were a much appreciated perk!
10.20.11
When faced with the choice between an urban setting or a natural setting…this couple chose both! We had so much fun in each location, and I couldn’t get over how happy, calm and in love everyone was – even the 3-year-old soon-to-be big bro! This is what my hope for every session is – a reflection of love within a family. I’m incredibly excited to meet the littlest family member in a few more weeks. No matter whose genes she inherits, she’s sure to be a beauty in and out 🙂
Dad Johnson says: Sarah has demonstrated shear magic. Making Mike, Casey and Finn look like an adorable, handsome, loving family took total genus. Way to go Sarah!!! Seriously. this is the kind of %$@# that makes grown grandpas cry out of control. I hope you are all happy!! Love, Pop-Pop on 10.20.11 @ 9:53 pm
Nana Chris says: Sarah, you have done an incredibly wonderful job in catching the love and happiness that this family shares! I know that I'm just slightly prejudice - ha ha - but they are such a beautiful family inside and out. As I look through the photos, I cannot decide on a favorite because each one is great (although I am a little partial to the headshot of Finn)! :) The backgrounds, the lighting, the colors, the settings - each picture brings something special. Thank you for your outstanding work and thank you to my girl, her hubby, and my grandson for being who they are - 3 of the loves of my life. on 10.21.11 @ 9:41 am
Toni says: just beautiful photos. i wish all the best. on 10.21.11 @ 3:27 pm
10.18.11
Ok, I’ll admit it: I’m a perfectionist.
(Friends and family, you can stop chuckling now…)
Sometimes, this is advantageous to those around me. Handmade gifts are not deemed “done” until they look like they were made by Martha Stewart. Photos aren’t sent to clients until they are edited as rigorously as though they were to be hung on my own walls. Speaking of walls, ask me to paint a room and I become determined to get that ceiling line *just* right – or I’ll stay up all night getting it that way.
Other times, I am pretty sure that those around me just want to yell, “It’s good enough!” I’ve been working on embracing a “good enough” sort of attitude in many areas of my life since having kids. I can tolerate a surprising number of toys on the family room floor at one time, and my boys’ clothes don’t always match because they prefer to pick out their own shirts each morning. When Hudson paints a picture of a dog with only 3 legs, I proudly display it on the fridge door. And yet, I’m pretty sure that when I brought up the prospect of a family photo shoot – my OWN family, that is – most of my closest friends and relatives were tempted to run the other way.
But they didn’t.
Instead, they patiently listened to my “vision”, sat through a brief instruction of how to focus and snap an image, and then proceeded to take more photos than they ever thought possible in a single evening. Words cannot express how grateful I am to my friends Erica and Casey and my amazing parents for their willingness to help us capture images of our family that truly show what our lives are like right now. I will treasure these images forever, and will always remember the love they reflect.
Erica says: These photos bring tears to my eyes. Love you and your perfectionist ways, Sarah :) You have a truly amazing family. Thank you for your incredible friendship. on 10.18.11 @ 8:52 pm
UncleHouli says: Simon, your wife and children are beautiful, that goes without saying. But your winning smile makes me want to vote for you! Very nice photos, y'all! on 10.18.11 @ 10:10 pm
Elaine says: omg Sarah, these pictures are AMAZING!!!! my little baby cousins are SO CUTE!!! on 10.18.11 @ 10:14 pm
10.17.11
I still can’t get over how alert and happy this 10 week old beauty was for her session! She was full of smiles, and content to be propped up/laid down/held in every setting we tried. Her nursery was absolutely adorable, and we were all excited to be able to get some great shots both inside and out.
When Dad initially contacted me about the session, he said they were attracted to my “artistic and funky eye.” I took that as a compliment, and weaved a lot of that artistic and “funky” look into their session. I love the way it turned out!
Shona says: So so awesome and the dog one!?! Priceless!!! on 10.17.11 @ 7:21 pm
Donna says: I started to comment on one that I really loved, but then realized that there were many, many more! Baby laughing, Mommy and Daddy looking, wide-eyed baby, hanging put in the crib, puppy slobber, beautiful Mom on Dad's chest.... Absolutely gorgeous! on 10.17.11 @ 7:33 pm
esther mathieu says: I am also a photographer and 10 weeks old are hard!!! You did fabulous. You should submit this session to http://www.ontobaby.com/! on 10.18.11 @ 12:35 pm
10.15.11
Ingenious. You know how babies love looking at colorful things? Especially colorful things that are moving in circles? Well this mom decided to tie bright ribbons to the ceiling fan in her bedroom for a pretty spectacular baby mobile! And yes, her son loves it! The little guy also loves his mom, dad, and is especially fond of his toes 🙂 I loved how he kept grabbing for them and trying to eat them throughout his session. Just another one of those “babyhood” things that is so fleeting.
In fact, our goal for this session was to capture all of the babyish things that mom knew would be over and gone in the blink of an eye – baby chub, sleepy snuggles and lots of gummy smiles.
Donna says: 7th photo down on the left photo of the little guy on his parents left, but really just of him....LOVE IT!!!! on 10.15.11 @ 7:56 pm
dana says: Awww...baby boy Claine : ) Great job Sarah....and Rodney and Kylie on making such a beautiful baby!! on 10.24.11 @ 7:21 pm
10.14.11
…and a little of that. We covered it all in this session! For the first part of our time together, we captured some “lifestyle” images of the family at home together. We played airplane, dress up, danced around the house, and even enjoyed a (messy) snack. I LOVE lifestyle shoots because they are so natural and relaxed since the kids are in their own environment. Little things, like the kids sitting on kitchen stools enjoying a snack, are the moments that are such a part of every day life that they aren’t really missed or even appreciated until those little babes are long grown. I’m so happy to know that this family will have beautiful reminders of just what life is like right now. Mess and all.
Next, we headed to the park for some shots that featured a beautiful backdrop. Of course, we still managed to work in a fun game of hide and seek and lots and lots of tickles!
10.09.11
I’ve only been posting sneak peeks to my Facebook site lately, but I loved these images so much that I thought they deserved their own post…
If you follow my blog, you may already know that I’m a sucker for sun flare. Since the last few weekends have been exceptionally cloudy, I was super excited to wake up to a bright sunrise this morning!
10.03.11
I can only imagine how magical the summers are for these lucky kids. Having the beach just footsteps from their beautiful home must be heaven! Days are filled with building sandcastles, splashing in the waves, and enjoying the sun and sand long after tourists have packed up and headed home.
During the session, I loved being able to just sit back and observe everyone enjoying being together. Every time we changed location, someone found a way to make it exciting – from chasing seagulls to jumping off logs, spinning and running, laughing and loving. Their images tell the story of their family, and I hope the kids will look back on them one day and remember the fun they had together. Goofy, pure, simple fun.
*Sigh*
Is it summer again, yet?
Kim Chase says: Absolutly beautiful pictures! on 10.4.11 @ 10:05 am
Jenn L. says: These photos look absolutely beautiful! I can't wait to have Sarah do my family photos... I'll work on the getting pregnant part after my wedding haha :) on 10.4.11 @ 10:19 am
Lauren says: Gorgeous pictures!! What a beautiful family xoxo on 10.4.11 @ 10:24 am
Simone says: Wow! These are fantastic! What nice memories to have, everyone looks so pretty and so handsome. Thanks for sharing. on 10.4.11 @ 10:47 am
LIBBY says: Very professional pictures which perfectly capture the moment! on 10.4.11 @ 7:04 pm
Renee says: Awesome pics! on 10.4.11 @ 8:33 pm
Kris says: These make me want to get my family pictures taken by Sarah! They shown so much of the personality of your family. I love them! on 10.5.11 @ 11:45 am
Erica says: Beautiful pictures! on 10.5.11 @ 3:03 pm
Sue Parsons says: I have never seen more natural looking photographs! The photographer did a fantastic job of capturing your beauty and true happiness!! You will be so grateful for the memories- very lucky!!! on 10.5.11 @ 5:05 pm
Thora says: Great pictures!!!! love them all on 10.6.11 @ 6:05 pm
Donna says: Such a wonderful and fun event, such amazing pictures! on 10.22.11 @ 9:16 am