Oh my gosh, a couple after my own heart….as we were preparing for session locations, and getting to know each other, I learned that one of their favorite things to do is camp.  When they told me where they go most of the time, I gasped, ‘Me too!’  Turns out we both camp along the stream at Stony Brook State Park. I haven’t been since the birth of our daughter (over 2 years), but I’m hoping to make a trip out there this year.  Fingers crossed!

I knew exactly where I wanted to take them locally for that woodsy, campy feeling…Linear (Channing H. Philbrick) Park.) park in Penfield.  A little treasure of a place to explore!
All of my couples are pretty nervous when we first get started…but you would never know it as the session progresses.   I can’t even explain how excited I am when I know I just captured a moment for a couple so fleeting, they would never have seen their expressions together otherwise.

This picture was inspired with the thought of them sitting around a fire….so I put one in for fun

(campfire clip art from: http://www.webweaver.nu/clipart/travel-camping.shtml)

I’m very excited for their Wedding day because it means that I will be reunited with their family again.  This couple was in a bridal party, and family from a 2011 Wedding.  They chose me for their Wedding this year after seeing me working and creating the other couples photos and I am thrilled to do the same for them.

The closeness, and genuine understanding they share between them is remarkable…I could follow them around all day.  (oh, and I will!)  

I LOVE these snazzy shoes and boots!!

Ok guys, time to step it up…this wonderful fiance carries his bride to be down the stairs to their kitchen for snacks, piggy back style!
So, naturally, we had to incorporate a little ride in our session. ♥

Congratulations Mike and Laura!  SO excited for your big day!

Love with s’mores on top,

Sue

I mentioned this on my Facebook page a few days ago, but I think I am still trying to comprehend how fast time flies.  This adorable couple was one of my very first Wedding celebrations that I had the huge honor of photographing already 5 years ago.  They have just celebrated their Anniversary, (Congratulations!)  and when they invited me back to photograph their beautiful family, (for a 3rd time) I was beyond excited.

The joy and happiness that surrounds this family is almost beyond explanation.  It’s just something magical that you can’t help but feel when you’re around them.  The smiles, laughter, and silly giggles echoing through the house from their two little girls brought happiness to my very soul.   I hope these pictures give you a huge smile too. 

SO happy for your family!
Enjoy all your wonderful, happy days together! ♥

As a small business owner, I am so blessed with the wonderful people, and families that choose me to capture their memories.  This year has been especially humbling because I have had a number of couples wanting to see me repeatedly for new sessions….even after a few years have passed, they still think of me.

This super sweet couple is one of them, and I can’t thank them enough for inviting me back into their lives, and to let me share in the excitement of welcoming their sweet baby Lexi into the world. ♥

It would probably be a lot easier for me to have a studio location where I could manipulate the lighting exactly as I want it, wait for my couples to arrive instead of driving around, and being able to show them big beautiful walls of my work on large canvases with pretty flowers and trinkets showcased around the room.  Maybe even some tea or coffee brewing.

I don’t have that luxury right now, but I also really enjoy the spontaneity of the experience.  Capturing the light in an instant is up to me …having that instinct and intuition ahead of time to get it right is something I thrive on.  Probably why I enjoy Weddings so much too.  It’s always a challenge and I only have a second or two to make it happen properly.

I also love that my pictures reflect the environment of the subject.  This baby will get to see her beautiful nursery that her parents worked so hard on and put so much thought and love into.  It’s so nice for the parents not to have to make the trip either, and they feel so much more comfortable in their own home, surrounded by their own things.  I’m happy to provide this service to them because I will always remember the struggle of traveling with a baby…even just to the grocery store, such a production!  LOL

Thank you Vicky and Robby for this incredible honor ~ your baby girl is so beautiful and you are already amazing parents…remember that you’re doing the very best you can, and that all you need is love. ♥

Congratulations to this beautiful happy family!  ♥
“A child fills a place in your heart that you never knew was empty”

Tracy and Trushar are living in different states for a little while for work, so I didn’t get to meet with him right away.  I loved listening to her talk about him though, and I’m excited that their Wedding is going to include some Indian traditions too!

As we talked about the Engagement sessions I share with my couples, she was initially against having it done because he wouldn’t be in town much at all before the Wedding, and because she was certain he wouldn’t smile or loosen up in front of the camera for me, so there would be no point.

If there’s one thing I know I can do, it’s helping those I photograph feel comfortable, relax, and just have a good time…whether it’s a couple, or individual.  I’m there with you, and we’re going to have fun.

Hard to believe she thought maybe I couldn’t do it…they never would have had these happy images together.

Congratulations you two!
SO excited for the Big Day!
♥
Love,
Sue

So…it’s been a week since I was in New York City to share in the experience that IS Jasmine Star. She is an internationally known photographer based in California…and I would totally believe it if she was the reason for their blue skies and sunshine.  ♥

When I first heard she was traveling the country visiting selective cities for a one night only seminar, the FIX,  I immediately cleared my calendar and made my plans to go.   It wasn’t long before a Facebook page was created (for each city she was scheduled to visit) and I started connecting with other fans heading to NYC to see her too.  We shared in about 2 months of hype together online, making connections, posting pictures, ‘friending’ one another, liking business pages…and eventually making plans to meet in NYC before the big event.  Matching the faces to the comments, and getting to know each other personally was fantastic.  And being in NYC, naturally I had to partake in Cosmopolitans! 

After our visit, we all walked the streets together (and I have to mention how awesome the weather was for MARCH in NY…no snow, 45ish degrees, perfect), and made our happy way to the building and anxiously awaited Jasmine’s arrival.

There were elevators at the end of the filled hallway that let up a small group at a time.  I was SO glad to be at the end of the line, because just before I was about to get on, Jasmine and her Husband J.D. walked in and were standing right next to me!  I gave her a huge hug hello as she passed by (and gave a big smile to J.D.), and stared with perma grin the rest of the night.

(note to self: wear MORE eye make up and comb your hair after coming in from a windy walk when having your picture taken) 

I absolutely love listening to Jasmine speak.  She’s real.  And she’s speaking for US.  She built her business so quickly, and it’s all because she trusted in herself enough to go there.  She uses the struggles we experience as her strength.  This is how we relate to her, our struggles connect us and she reminds us that we’re not alone.  “Make the struggle, make sense.”  “What do you WANT to do?”  “Without a destination, you will always be lost.”  “Success is the preparation for the end.”

In between, she is giving sage advice on the business side of photography while helping us to get to know ourselves better so that we can go forth and fully express it to our clients.  And in pure Jasmine style, there will be a ‘Holla!’ mixed in, with one of the most genuine giggles I’ve ever heard.

During a break, I walked out onto to the terrace to look around…what a view!  As I looked down, I saw the tour bus with ‘Show It’ on the side.   Sometimes I forget how I first come to know about a photographer out there because there are so many ways to hear of them.  I remember perfectly for Jasmine.  I was at a photography conference 2 years ago called Photo North East – which is coming up this week…if you’re a photographer in the area, you should totally go!  The speaker I was most interested in hearing was David Jay.  He was exactly the person I needed to listen to that year, and I’m SO thankful I had that opportunity.  Besides everything he spoke about on the business end, he was the Wedding photographer for Jasmine Star, and that’s how we were first introduced…been following both of them online ever since.

As we gathered for the end of her seminar, we were presented with questions from the group, and many answers that I am already applying to my business model.  It’s really difficult for me sometimes because all of my skills and the drive that I have inside me is for photography…the art, the capture of a single moment that is preserved for a lifetime.  All I want to do is to share the memories of our lives, as beautifully as I can … and to continue improving the way that I present them, while trying to contribute financially to my family and our future.

I do not have a head for business…at all.  It’s really unfortunate for me because I let things slide, I put business last…and in the end…if I’m not careful and don’t use the business advice I’ve been given SO many times now, I could lose it.  I recently won 4 times in a row with the same person at Chess.  To me, it was just for fun and I guess it just comes naturally.  This person believes that I should be able to plan ahead, make the right moves to prepare for my future, and that I am smart.  I am surrounded by positive influence…so it’s up to me to make the most of it.  These seminars give me the boost I need, and help me to know that I’m not alone.

“The mind is like a parachute…it doesn’t work unless it’s open.” -David Edmonson

In closing, I am going to take the time right now to list 3 of my strengths and weaknesses…I can’t move forward until I know what’s holding me back:

Weakness:
I lack confidence
I don’t believe your compliments, or that you really like me
I support others success more than my own

Strengths:
I am genuine and appreciative of even the smallest of things that others may take for granted
I am compassionate and always want to help others
I am a mother.  This takes a lot of strength and I need to recognize that for myself.

No Jasmine, Thank YOU for traveling to all these cities, taking the time to share your vision and excitement for us, and for helping us to remember that we’re not alone in our struggles.  You are making it possible for us to unite in our success ~ together!

And ladies… Yes, J.D. is a sweetheart…but back off… “Every kitten has her claws!”  – Jasmine 

I also want to mention that Jasmine created a Magazine, ‘Exposed‘ … an incredible compilation of her work, her wisdom, her stories…for her, for us.  I brought it with me, and was so grateful to have a minute while she signed it to thank her in person for all she’s done for us.  I chose this page, ‘The Art of Confidence’ knowing that this is the thing I need to work on the most… and to see her signature, and remember our moment together, will help to get me there. ♥

When she asked me about taking some family portraits, I immediately couldn’t wait to show her just how incredible they all are…it’s not easy to be a family, and she keeps it together more than I ever could.

Today, is her birthday….a very special birthday…and I wanted to post some of these to show her how amazing her life is right now, in this moment, at this age.

Thank you so much for inviting me into your home to capture these memories, and for sharing all your hugs and smiles with me too.  I love you all. ♥
Happy Birthday!

With love and hugs,

Sue

I absolutely can not believe we have just celebrated my baby little girl’s 2nd Birthday!  But we did and I am going to have to realize that yes, very soon, she will be getting on the bus to go to school…all by herself.  Until then, I will cherish days like these and capture them as best I can through pictures…when I get a minute to pick up the camera now and then that is.

As busy as I am with her, and with everything going on….between my camera and my iPhone camera, I have an enormous collection of images and video, and she JUST turned two.  How many pictures do WE have of ourselves before 2 years old?  Not many.  It’s incredible.

When I started thinking about a theme for her party, it wasn’t long before it just came into place.

We started drawing with her one day and one of the first things I drew was a heart.  Ever since then, she ran around the house saying ‘heart, heart, heart, heart’…so we keep drawing her hearts.  Then Valentines Day came, and there were hearts all over the house.  So, I decided that was our theme, and had so much fun picking up different things with hearts for her party.

Another day while we were out and about shopping, we came across this little pink owl on a shelf and she couldn’t let it go.  She even has to bring it to bed with her.  So, after that, it was ‘owl, owl, owl, owl’.    I put the two together, and voilla, so cute!  I even found owl/heart treat bags for the favors!

Next step, CAKE!  I already knew it had to be created by the amazing Gourmet Goodies bakery because they also did her smash cake last year and I was just completely in awe.  Did you SEE the cake?!  SO cute right?  And the taste?  mmmmm!  I asked for Almond flavor, and oh my goodness, what a hit.

So, the party was wonderful…it turned out exactly how I wanted it to for her.  She had a handful of friends, and her cousins come to play and enjoy the afternoon together.  We pretty much just watched them interact and have fun!  Opening up the living room by pushing the furniture to the walls was perfect…we had a snow tube to bounce on, a toddler slide, a sit n spin, riding toys, and a play house…plus lots of little things to pass around.

I love parties, and I was so happy to throw this one for my daughter.  Happy Birthday sweetheart ~ We love you! ♥

Birthday Girl!

Heart shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and smiley pancakes!

I made ‘cake pops’ for the first time, so cute!

I am SO lucky and thankful to have a picture of me with my daughter blowing out the candles…my friend and fellow photog picked up my camera and took some pictures for me…I love this one, so sweet!

Note to moms: Trying to get a group shot of active kids?  Turn on some loud music in the direction you want them to look, and snap that shutter FAST!

I love these pictures…on the left, Kayla is touching her Minnie balloon….she LOVES Minnie, and I focused on a hand made card just below.  And the little boy with the balloons…just so sweet.  Oh yeah, and it SNOWED!

All the kids started carrying her gifts around and playing together ♥

Bubbles!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY KAYLA!! 

(a special message for my friends birthday celebration – today is the day!)

I have been meaning to take on this challenge for a few years now…and every year, January comes and goes, and I realize by the end of February that I forgot and didn’t make the time for it.  Well, enough was enough…it’s time 2012.  Sometimes, I know exactly what I want to remember as the events of the day unfold, but most times, it’s a little bit of a struggle trying to decide what to photograph..what I want to remember.  I also go back and forth with photographing something ordinary, just to have it, or trying something new.  There’s a little bit of both in here, but I’m only 28 days in…so hopefully throughout the year, I will make the time to push myself more.

This is just a handful of the images I’ve taken so far…I will do random blog posts throughout the year so you can see what I’ve been up to.
I’m excited to see this little window into my world at the end of the year, and reminisce all my 365 images ~ maybe I’ll make a canvas collage!

(The weather felt like October, so I thought I’d make it look like Halloween)

(My sweet Buddy boy…waiting patiently for his walk)

(Attended a beautiful bridal show for Well Wed magazine at the Memorial Art Gallery. )

(Playing with my baby girl in the snow!)

(This pottery was a gift from my dad brought back from Ireland.  I still can’t believe he found a smiling bowl
and knew how much I would love it ♥)

(Beautiful January Wedding, beautiful Bride)

(I see this every morning as I get my little girl out of her crib to start the day)

(I follow an internationally famous photographer, Jasmine Star, and found out this day that she would soon be in NYC.
I bought my tickets immediately and wrote it down in my planner.)

(Attended an all day seminar through my pro photography group, www.grpp.org, hosted by an awarded photographer
Walter Van Dusen.
One of the many topics discussed was using lighting to bring something new to your photos.  After coming home, I practiced with my s’mores.
They’ve never looked so cute)

(This was the last day our holiday decorations were on the house…I loved coming home to these on the porch and missed them immediately)

(My little girls butterfly mobile.  I hope it always hangs in her room…so when she comes home from college to visit,
she can look forward to seeing them)

(If you don’t know this about me already, I LOVE Winter and snow.  I have been having a really difficult time with getting used
to our warmer winters.  It’s teaching me to appreciate the things you love every day…because they might not be there the next.)

That’s it for now ~ I’ll post another handful at the end of February…if you’d like to see something, or have any ideas, I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks for being here with me

I met with Shannon’s parents only a few months ago.  They could tell from the style of my photography that I would be easy for her daughter, the Bride, to work with.  Shannon and Chris only wanted a few pictures of themselves, and didn’t want to spend very long in front of the camera.  The couple lives out of town so I didn’t get to meet them ahead of time either, but from the descriptions her parents gave me of their relationship, and the details for their celebration, I couldn’t wait to see everything in person.  They had me at ‘Winter’,  ‘birch chuppah’ and ‘door knob bouquet’.

The Church, Ogden Baptist, was country Wedding picture perfect, and the invitations were created by hand complete with pockets and a decorative band.
Incredible detail and beautiful.

Mother of the Bride gently placing her heirloom pearls around her daughters neck ♥

Smart phones to the rescue…time for a little music pick me up!

Shannon’s dress was absolutely beautiful, perfect for her, and I adored this detail around the middle.

Starting to smile and dance around a little bit

She even had a white winter cape to wear as they made their way outside to the front of the church.

And white gloves too!

Off to take a quick peak at the guys!  SO funny, I knew right away we were gonna have some FUN!

This was something I’d never seen done before.  A blind folded Groom!  They had to so that the Bride could wait in the same room before the ceremony too!  LOL

So beautiful…LOVE the sunlight pouring through the stained glass ♥

If I can share at least one thing with you, it’s not to be too nervous as your Wedding begins.  Stop, and really look at your Bride/Groom, and remember this moment.

Congratulations!!
As they were taking a quick break during the receiving line, I noticed they were both fidgeting with their new rings at the same time, so cute!

Incredible DIY vintage door knob bouquet

Watching these two interact together was so comforting.  It was like they were the same person, but with their own individuality.
Completely understanding and appreciative of each other.

I am in love with the stained glass picture…Shannon’s tulle dress reflects the light so beautifully ♥

Off to the Senators Mansion!  Beautifully decorated with twinkling branches, warm smiles, and a delectable brunch!

mmmmm!

This guys got the right idea, dig in!

SO sweet, Shannon’s mom knew she wouldn’t be able to talk during her video message, so she wrote it down in advance ♥

I loved this bridal party…what a fun group!

Chris, I will never forget you

After a few ‘formals’ (sort of), I asked the guys to get closer and interact with Chris…so one of the guys, literally just put his hand on him. 

Beautiful girls!

We took just a few photos inside the mansion, and I wanted to make sure we captured their shoes too, ballerina slippers!

I’m going to end on this funny group shot…as soon as we started, they instantly covered up and didn’t look at the camera, too funny.
Congratulations Shannon and Steve!!  Your Wedding was beautiful, and so creative!!

Wishing you a lifetime of wonderlands,
♥
~Sue

As I sit down at my desk to write this post, I am flooded with visions of smiles, beautiful details, tiny toes, amazing locations, and more hugs than I could ever imagine getting used to.  I am so incredibly thankful for the life I have been given, for the path I have chosen, and for the future full of hope that I foresee for myself and my family.

Celebrating the beginning of a new year brings all sorts of emotions…usually starting with excitement…and soon afterwards, a sense of failure…before even beginning.  New Years resolutions are evil.  They’re supposed to help us, but they usually just make us feel bad because it’s almost impossible to commit to something…just because of a new date on the calendar.

I’ve decided to focus on what I didn’t accomplish the prior year and to make a point to incorporate some of that into my every day behaviors.  Even if it’s as simple as eating one less cookie a week…it’s something

One thing I wanted to do all year and didn’t, was to purchase a new lens for my camera.  I bought a flash, but only because I had to…and it’s no fun when it’s because you have to.  I’m already looking forward to the images I can produce with it.  Still me, still my style…just more variety.

If I’m really lucky, I will purchase a camera body that allows me to take video too.  I really really really want to be able to do that.   I will figure something out.

Most importantly, I want to focus on what I didn’t do last year for YOU, the amazing people who choose me for their memories, and those that support me and my business with recommendations.  I would not be able to sustain my path without your love and praise and thanking you will be my top priority.

As the snow (finally) falls outside my window, I am filled with peace.  A quiet calm that I will harness and save to bring with me for everything I do.  May you find peace this year as you make your choices, and always, share a little love and laughter.  ♥

“One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this:  To rise above the little things.”  ~John Burroughs

Happy New Year!!