Here’s to strong women. May we KNOW them. May we BE them. May we RAISE them.
I was so happy to be able to capture Faith once again on their whirlwind trip back to Vermont. From the moment I first met this girl I could see she was going to set this world on fire, and I’m happy to report that she is still full of confidence and strength! Continue to be amazing sweet girl, I can’t wait to see you again!
Last weekend something beautiful happened. As the mighty Black River roared through Comtu Falls the Avant Vermont Dance company presented their production of Seasons: Summer choreographed by Ashley Hensel-Browning with help from the dancers themselves. Comtu Falls Park was filled with people ready to take in a beautiful performance and they were not disappointed.
Avant Vermont Dance is committed to using movement to re-imagine community and engage the public in meaningful art-making. Their commitment is to both providing performance opportunities for local dancers as well as providing the community with exposure to ballet, modern and contemporary dance through public performances.
I was more that honored to have the opportunity to be stage side to capture this amazing performance.
Chase missed his hockey team photo day this season as we were on vacation when they were taken in November. I had taking them on my radar for quite some time and visions of using the rink at RMS but with hockey “free time” doesn’t necessarily exist and the little bit that did the weather was uncooperative with heavy wet snow or so warm the rink was closed. Today I finally found a bit of free time and changed directions with just taking the portraits at home. I wanted to be sure to capture him at this point in time - he has grown to love this sport so much and well, you can’t deny this boy can rock a mullet!
At first he was far less than impressed to have his video game time interrupted for such foolishness but once we go out there & working he proposed his own ideas of some action shots using his roller blades.
First, my set of images.
After I was satisfied with what I wanted (although I’m still trying to decide which one for the magnet for the fridge) we were off to the races exploring Chase’s love of hockey and photography. Here’s his ideas - including the panning image which he directs by saying “like my dirt bike picture mom!”
It seems crazy that the season is “already” winding down (we started in October). This team has worked so hard & grown so much it is really quite delightful watching them play - even when facing some of the toughest teams they keep digging in and showing just how far they have come since the beginning of the season.
In addition to everything else the two biggest bonuses hockey has given us is so much extra time with Chase - while he often has his nose in his phone we have been lucky to get a lot of extra car time to talk and get to know what he’s thinking and secondly, since we spend so much time in cold rinks we’ve been able to keep the heat at about 64 in the house & still be comoftable!
Cooper & Harper are a couple of the kids that I don’t recall a time when they weren’t in front of my camera! I first met them when they were preschoolers and they have grown up in front of my lens as I captured them during their athletic careers. They have grown into some of my favorite humans and I count myself lucky that I was able to capture earlier this month for some portraits. Harper has shown off her stellar sales skills while helping the Booster Club sell 50/50 raffle tickets and Cooper seemlessly jumped in to help draw & announce the winning number at a basketball game a couple of weeks ago!
As you can see they were joined by their pups …. I’m not sure they were totally into joining, but that is what makes including your 4 legged friends in photos just so much fun! They are unpredictable and they certainly can lend to some fun outtake photos from your session!
I first met Rachel about this time last year. We had a great time getting to know each other as I simply followed her around her yard and captured those moments. I was super excited to have the opportunity to return this year to capture her once again. This time I knew a little more of what I was in for and was ready for some fun. Our session once again reminded me of how amazing it is to be a child, to view the world as giant and absolutely amazing and filled with so much to experience and so much to learn. I was transported to the days where twisting up in a swing and letting it go as it unwinds was a delightful ride that would expend hours of my day, where trees were made to be climbed and the rush of running across the lawn left me spent yet exhilarated. Adulthood seems to strip these simple joys from existence and they’re replaced with work and other household chores ….. but spending this precious time with Rachel was such a gift and reminder that the world is full of wonder if you just take the time and focus on it.
Here’s my favorite image from her session though ….. so many photography “rules” are broken right here, but I can’t help but love this image. The crazy wild pony tail just doing its thing. One day this will be exchanged for a more mature hairstyle, but right here in this moment it reflects exactly where she is …. curls, deep auburn in color and an untamed zest for life.
Bella is my final senior of the season! We may have been pushing the yearbook deadline a little bit here but we made it work to capture Bella (with her only thinking she might freeze half to death)! The brilliant orange & yellow leaves and warmer days had faded in favor of a chilly day, the trees show us their winter resilience and bushes proudly showing off their winter berries that will keep the winter birds sustained throughout the season. I was also once again summed to the hills of Baltimore for a session …. the low traveled dirt roads provide a great location for portraits, as well as the giant fields giving way to the mountain backdrop.
In a utopian world we all dream of those perfect family portraits … where everyone if perfectly coifed, clothing is well coordination, the background is to die for and every is sitting beautifully together facing the camera with million dollar smiles. But that is very from reality …. I’m not sure in my career I have ever had that level of perfection and, frankly, I don’t want it! I want the unpredictability of toddlers …. the teenagers counting down their reunion with friends …. that dad that has a Yeti just off camera containing something that is most definitely NOT water.
For me, family portraits are a journey, a time for togetherness to capture who you are right now in this very moment. 15 years from now you’re going to look longingly back at the time when Johnny wouldn’t keep his tongue in his mouth when he smile or Mary carried her stuffed dog around 24/7 and literally could never be without it. You will miss these moments and long for the days where Jimmy was completely uninterested in photos unless his cheeks were filled with M&M’s. Come to me with who you are right now …. we will have fun, hunt for rocks and sticks, maybe play a little music or a video on my phone and I will capture these precious moments. The kids will remember playing in the woods not sitting perfectly stiff & still …. and in two years when you are ready to do it again …. they’ll be happy & excited & ready for another hour of connection and adventure.
Besides, if everything was perfect would you get an amazing image like this?!
I’m often asked, by both seniors & families, whether or not they can bring their dog along to their session. In short - unless they’re going to make me a chew toy - yes yes and YES!!!!!!!! I love when families bring along their furry members too. I’ll help you pick a location that is appropriate for your furry friend and we will stick them right in with the rest of you!
I do warn, however, that bringing a pet along is a whole lot like bring along the kids! They lend a certain level of unpredictability to the situation, so if you have eyes at the perfectly posted family portrait is probably best to leave them at home but if you want to capture how much fun and love they have added to your lives let’s do it!
These two pups certainly brought the fun to this couples session! The big giant lab was all about giving me big smiles but her brother was a little less certain about the whole situation as well as the cars. I won’t lie that I’ve had many two legged siblings in this exact same situation!
So bring them along - just like kids bring a bag of treats so they are rewarded for sitting & giving me their best smile …. and if we’re lucky they’ll give me the cutest heat tilt ever and earn the whole bag!
I often hear …. what should I wear to family portraits? And it is one of my favorite questions to answer because well, there’s really no wrong answer here …. well absent crazy big, mismatched patterns - but if that is your family’s jam I can still make it work!
My top piece of advice is always - make sure all outfit choices are comfortable to each member of the family. If you are a hoodie & sweatpants family, I’m going to see your uncomfortableness all over your face when you’re posing in structured stiff outfits. You can change out that hoodie for a thermal long sleeve henley shirt or a waffle weave long sleeve tee … both these options are still comfy but elevate your everyday style just a little bit. Those grey sweatpants can be traded in for a dark pair of joggers without losing comfort or style.
My second piece of advice ….. dress mom first! As mother’s so often it is us holding the family together … we’ve long since traded in any sense of style for comfortable clothes that often are wrinkled because they’re grabbed last minute & often show signs of yesterday’s dinner or that cold your little one has been nursing (you know you are)! Tamed locks have given way to messy buns and that complex make up routine has been traded for maybe some moisturizer and mascara at best. We would never want it any other way but when it comes time for family portraits take this one opportunity to put yourself first. Buy that dress that you keep going back to …. go get your hair cut & splurge at little at Sephora. I’m here to tell you, it is OK!
Finally, when it comes to colors in the fall give me all the plumb, sage and mustard you have got! Dressing for family photos doesn’t need to be a matching game - you can get a cohesive look dressing in coordinating colors and that color palette works fabulously for all skin tones.
Family photos are about capturing your family where they are at right here in this moment. Before you know it the days of needing to only wear that Elsa costume or never leaving the house without THAT blanket will be nothing more than a faded memory. Embrace these memories in your family photos - coordinate outfits around the icy blue of that Elsa dress or the deep emerald green of that lovey blanket. Worry about capturing the here & now while you are so busy living it vs. that perfect Instagram worthy portrait ….. ten years from now you will be so grateful you did!
I gave this same advice to Heather when she asked me that question. When the family got out of the car I thought I had gone to photographers heaven with her ruinously gorgeous burgundy gown coupled with a sweeping mustard yellow baby sling. Dad & older brother were also dressed super adorably in coordinating colors. Then we went and had some fun … we tossed leaves, we captured silly faces, we played & we had so much fun creating images that would forever mark this moment in time.
It is hard for me to imagine a time when Dylan wasn’t in front of my lens - there’s a chance that maybe there hasn’t been. I’ve been watching him grow from a small boy into the young man he is today in seemingly just a matter of a few weeks! Much like my own children, he stands before me as a sign that time doesn’t stand still and even though it may not feel like (well, other than my neck and knees) we’re all getting older!
For most of the people who know Dylan they immediately think baseball. For sure he has dedicated himself to achieving high goals within the sport … spending summers in the south, countless hours on the road to games for different leagues and likely more time than sleep in the backyard growing faster, stronger and more accurate each and every day. The non-baseball side of this boy is kind, mature, loves his family and is so full of sarcastic silliness that I couldn’t help but laugh the entire time.
Much like Jillian’s session earlier this season (maybe its a Baltimore thing?!) we hopped in Dylan’s jeep filled with sporting equipment and country music flowing through the stereo to visit several locations throughout our time together. I really have appreciated these mobile locations this year and covering a good deal of space while capturing this precious time of life, the time while as a parent you watch as your baby birds sprout their wings to fly.
And just for fun here’s a look back at just a few of the other images I’ve captured of Dylan over the years …
Planning an outdoor wedding during October in Vermont requires a lot of faith in Mother Nature to say the least! Will your guests be freezing and covered in snow or sweating over the hot late fall sun? And what will her blessings be when it comes to those infamous Vermont fall colors? I am happy to say that she showed up with a giant smile for Denise & Dylan’s big day at the Colonel Williams Inn in Marlboro. The temperatures were a little cool in the shade, but the sun kept everyone warm, and the trees were putting on a gorgeous fall show for everyone.
Adding to nature’s beauty was just how amazingly laid back of a couple they were. Wedding day preparations moved along swiftly and calming that ended up allowing for Denise to sit down & unwind watching the Texas/Oklahoma game before walking down the aisle to promise to love Dylan for the rest of her days (and he promise back if you’re keeping track!).
After their vows the guests traveled just up the hill to celebrate Denise & Dylan in a beautiful, restored barn with the very exciting addition of heat lamps that took the edge of the chilly autumn air as guests enjoyed a delicious dinner and the most scrumptious cupcakes before dancing the night away.
Vendors that made the day happen!
Hair by Misty Haskell
Makeup by Kelsey Keller
Flowers by Green Mountain Floral Arts (Carie Kowalski)
Food by Plain & Fancy Catering (George Kendall)
Cake & cupcakes by Jenelle Stromberg
Music & entertainment by MXR Freeze
Making a determination of location wasn’t a problem for Connor’s session - he has the most giant & beautiful backyard filled with trees, rocks and a spectacular wooded path! We had great fun exploring the property and all the beauty it had to give in its fall glory.
In mid-September I was beginning to wonder if the fall foliage this year would be a bust after such a hot & dry summer, but boy was I surprised! It has been so beautiful & long lasting providing stunning backgrounds for so many sessions this fall!
I met David for his senior session at the dam on an absolutely spectacular fall day. The temperatures were warm and the leaves were showing off their fall glory …. providing an amazing location for his portraits. David is a member of the SHS wrestling team & wanted to be sure to incorporate his passion for the sport in his portraits.
This senior season I have been blessed to have met so many amazing seniors and also been to some really amazing places to capture this special time. Maya was no exception, inviting me to the Williams River Inn at the height of foliage season. Everything about this session was spectacular - the weather, the foliage, the location and the super sweet Maya! She also brought along a few different outfits that perfectly complimented the diverse settings of the inn.
I met Zed as perhaps one of the most iconic fall locations in our area - the Center Road Church & Meeting House in Weathersfield. It seemed that fall this year was going to be quick and rather lack luster but as the traditional time frame of peak foliage got closer nature seemed to step up and show us her glorious side - all while continuing to be unseasonably warm. All of this combine for the perfect setting for senior photos for Zed!
Fall isn’t just about seniors ….. it is also a time to grab some nice family photos and get prepared for those holiday cards & gifts. Jennifer, Jason, Addelyn & Brynlee are no strangers to my camera. Over the years I have captured them as a family several times and have photographed both Addelyn & Brynlee during their preschool years and watched them grow as athletes over the years. As a photographer is really such a wonderful privilege to see children grow up right before my lens.
This year I had an assistant travel with me for the occasion ….. and then he even had to make an appearance during the photos ….. he & Brynlee first had class together in third grade and they have clicked so well together over the years ….. their favorite thing to do at school is to band together to torment the PE teacher over her choice in football teams - you see they have the same taste!
Instead of picking just one location for her senior photos, Jillian picked a whole town! When you live in a town just a smidge more than 4.5 square miles it’s not a hard ask! We traveled through town finding nooks & crannies that made for some gorgeous backgrounds.
Jill is a tri-sport athlete whom I have spent hours photographing between the soccer pitch, basketball court and softball field. It is always such a pleasure to capture these athletes for their senior portraits when I get capture them in a different light!
Aidan is one of those children that has grown up before my eyes. Much like my own children I’m unsure how he went from being that small boy to the mature, composed & funny young man that he is today. We had so much fun shooting his senior portraits moving around to a few different locations (he also listened well to my layer advice & stripped off a variety of layers for many different looks). We ended the fun with a tire smoke backdrop as you can see right here!
Katie chose to have her senior portrait session at one of Springfield’s classic locations …. the Eureka School House! It has a humble existence just a short distance off I-91 on busy Charlestown Road but it is loaded with beautiful and varied backgrounds for portraits with a white birch tree, plenty of greenery, the texture of the old wooden siding, the Black River and of course the classic Vermont covered bridge.
Katie’s future plans are still taking shape but she knows working with art is definitely in her heart.
Alivia might look familiar to you - she came along for some of Cole’s Senior Session! I met Alivia at a location that I had not yet shot at for her session. The light was beautiful and the location was dynamite giving us a whole crazy amount of different settings to play with! I am, however, quite grateful that with all the geese nearby we didn’t get pooped on or chased!
Alivia is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, and she has an absolutely stunning voice. She has sung the anthem at a few sporting events - including Gurney Field Day 2022 - and does a spectacular job!
