THE COMFORTS OF HOME

I had the chance to spend the morning with a really lovely family this past week.  They were warm, relaxed, comfortable, and made me feel right at home too.  I love when sessions just play out this way.  It means that they seem to forget a little bit that I'm there, and we capture their true connections to each other.  All those little moments in between that makes their family so unique and amazing.

Gorgeous mama, and gorgeous girls.

Her bed was fabulous, and so was the gorgeous handmade piece hanging above it.  "DREAM" really does suit her space, that's for sure.  Although I'm not so sure she gets a lot of actual sleep ~ judging from all the books and flashlights hidden down inside her covers!  ;)

She had such subtle differences in expression that I loved.

I have so many favorite images from this session. . .  but of course I have to save some surprises for their gallery!   ~Thanks so much for welcoming me into your home this week.  I hope you love your sneak peek, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

a bit of vintage | tampa photographer

I don't know about you, but there is something about Polaroid images that just takes me back to my childhood.  They always remind me of my Popaw Deb and his ever-ready Polaroid cameras.  I think half my life has been documented one 3.5 x 4.25" square at a time.  I can remember pouring over boxes and baskets full of Polaroid squares every time we'd visit Momaw and Popaw's house.

I think this photo was taken in 1982 or so... I was about 5 years old here.  This was at the edge of my grandparents' driveway, because that's their camper behind us.  I'm on the blue bike (far right), my sister Amy is riding the CHiPs motorcycle (anyone remember that show?!) and our friend and neighbor is riding my Dukes of Hazzard big-wheel with the hand-brake by the rear wheel (I loved that thing!).  Ahh, good times!  :)  (PS, hey Brandy Johnson, if you ever read this, email me and I'll send you a copy of this photo!)  :)

I got an email several mornings ago announcing that The Impossible Project was releasing their first production of instant film packs. And it's black and white film!  I am beyond excited and ordered a couple of boxes of PX100 to try it out.  I snapped a few of them recently at the Tampa Museum of Art with friends, as you can see below.  The freshly exposed prints are extremely sensitive to light (and are bright blue as soon as they come out of the camera!), so you can see that the one on the right has exposed a little bit brighter on the bottom half, where it exited the camera first.  I love how the edges are all watery-looking and that there are spots and streaks all over.  So much fun!

As some of you know, I've taken quite a love for Polaroid lately, and have a couple vintage Polaroids here at home that I shoot with as often as I can (and when I can keep film in stock!).  It's quite a difference from shooting digitally, but I truly love my little vintage SX-70 and the charming square photographs she gives me.  (These were shot with plain old 600 film + a ND filter taped over the film cartridge.)

"Coming and Going."  Story of a toddler's life I'd say, wouldn't you?  :)

I brought my Polaroid camera to a recent birthday that I photographed for a repeat client, since I knew in advance that they'd have lots of antique toys as the theme of the party, and they might appreciate my newest vintage obsession.  ;)   As I'd hoped, they had a lovely display of memorabilia and toys (most of them I recognized from my own childhood ~ boy does that ever make you feel your age!).  Combine that with some beautiful window light, and I couldn't resist photographing them with my Polaroid as well as my digital (you can see my other images from their session here).

My sweet Chris got me a pack or two of Time Zero film for Christmas, and I've had a blast playing with it too.  Love the cyan tones that are characteristic of this film.

I also just bought a Holga (yes, the $30 plastic toy camera) and some medium-format film, and I can't wait to play with it and discover all its light leaks and vignettes and blurriness. I hope to share those with you soon too, just for fun!

Anyhow, I've been meaning to share these with y'all for the longest time.  My stack of Polaroid prints is getting quite tall, and I've got lots more to scan in, still.  I've stocked up on lots more film and it really helps me to shoot something a little bit different, just for me, every now and then.  Obviously, with its manual focus, it's a lot easier to photograph things that cannot run away from you (ahem) than it is to chase toddlers with a Polaroid in tow.  So although I might not make it to every session with my SX-70, I certainly might bring it to a few sessions and give my clients a little vintage keepsake every once in a while.  :)

Hope you've enjoyed, and Happy Monday everyone!

sweet baby | tampa newborn photography

I dearly love photographing newborns.  It's a thrill to meet such a fresh, tiny little person in their first few days of life.  And watching the overjoyed parents with their newly created bundle of sweetness is just as much of a heart-melter for me.  Today I'm introducing you to baby Jake, who charmed me on the spot and was one of the sleepiest babies I've met, to date.

Isn't he just precious?  I can't wait to watch him as he grows.  Congrats, Laura and Zack!

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While you're here, go ahead on over to The Creative Mama today.  My article on stylishly displaying family photographs in your home is featured today, and you won't want to miss it!  Lots of inspiration and resources, DIY instructions and how-to's, even a few links for downloadable gallery templates to get your wheels turning!  Don't forget to leave some blog love (a comment) and link up ~ show me your walls!

my blackberry has been stolen and my imac has been taken over...

...by a 17-month-old babygirl with blonde pigtails.  She was last seen wearing, um, no shirt... and a Huggies size 3.  My apologies to the random person she accidentally dialed today.  I have since put the keypad on LOCK.  ;)

She certainly was a feisty one today.  My little blond sweetheart ate 2 crayons, threw a brand new roll of toilet paper into the toilet (yes, while still on the little cardboard roll), dumped an entire container of Yoplait Light on the hardwoods in the living room and then proceeded to spread it around like it was finger paint.  (This is the last time I leave food on her highchair tray after she's down on the floor... she can reach the tray by herself now and is quite the sneaky little bandit!)  Little Miss here stood up twice in the Target shopping cart seat (while STILL BELTED IN, mind you).  She pulled the cat's tail and rubbed the leftovers of a biscuit into his fur.  She tried to flush four wooden counting beads (obsessed with the toilet, you see), scratched poor Parker's arm, and dumped numerous containers of EVERYTHING onto any surface she could find.  She did finally doze off for a whole five minutes, only to wake up as soon as I tried to put her down in her bed.  God forbid she actually miss creating another mini-disaster by napping the day away.

It's a good thing she's so darn cute.  And squeezable.  And funny.  And soft.  And smiley.  And chattery.  And incredibly affectionate.  And says "Mah-muh?" in the most darling little voice you've ever heard in your life.  Although Chris and I had quite the time out of her today, and neither one of us accomplished a whole heck of a lot workwise, aaaand besides the fact that we had many a mess to clean up this evening, you can certainly bet that I spent an extra few minutes snuggling her in the rocking chair before bedtime.  (Which she didn't fuss a peep over.  Imagine being so worn out from trouble-making discovering and exploring that you actually want to sleep?!)  I stopped and smiled and breathed in the smell of her wispy hair, and was so very grateful for my healthy, happy, rambunctious, sweet baby girl.  This tiny thing that I could never imagine life without.  Mess and all.

A delight.

Meet the fabulous Jill Somers, owner of the equally fabulous Somers Salon and Spa in Clearwater, and her sweet, adorable family.  (You MUST pay her spa a visit, by the way.  Her Stylists and Spa Staff are all incredibly amazing, and you will leave her spa rejuvenated, refreshed, and relaxed, I PROMISE!  I always do!  ;)  Her mantra at the Spa is to bring "Beauty, Style, and Relaxation to the World, One Person at a Time".  And wow, does she ever!  Check out Jill's blog as well, to get salon updates and promotion details, spa information, as well as "hot tips"!) Anyhow, Jill and her family (including their ever-charming terrier Rex!!) are always such a delight to photograph.  (Check out how much little Ella has grown since our session last year!)  A few weeks back, we headed to Phillippe Park again and played in the sand, hiked up the stairs of the Indian Mound (and back down... and back up... and back down), relaxed under the shady trees, and even made friends with a spider.....

Loved the way she was telling Rex to "stop!"  :)  That chubby little hand, oh my goodness.

I just love-love-love the image above.  :)  Totally makes me smile!  

What a gorgeous little girl she is.  Just absolutely precious in every way.  And wouldn't you know it, she has the best hair.  :)  (Thanks, Mom!)   

fresh and new

I had the pleasure of photographing this tiny little girl a couple of weeks ago, and oh my, she completely stole my heart.  She was sooo so good for her big photographic debut, and slept almost the entire shoot.  What a sweet little bean she was!  

And of course... I had to photograph those sweet piggies.  :)

Just totally sacked out here....  She was such a great sleeper, although Mom says she has her days and nights a little mixed up right now.  I'm sure that's not so much fun in the middle of the night, as it was for me those couple of hours during the day.  ;)

And I absolutely LOVED the dramatic light here..... 

I have so many amazing images from this session.... but I don't want to spoil the surprise for Mom and Dad!  So hang on guys, your gallery will be posted NEXT!  :)