Happy New Year!

To my family, my friends, and my customers - here's to a prosperous, safe 2008!

Battle of the Rock

Congratulations to Plymouth South High School for winning the Thanksgiving Day "Battle of the Rock" over Plymouth North, 17-7.
Thanks to the Defensive line, North was held to just one touchdown
Thanks to Sophomore Blaine Theisen, who ran for 2 touchdowns...and thanks to Senior Captain Luke Osberg's insurance field goal just before the half!

In YOUR Backyard - Holiday Family Portraits

This family decorated a little bridge that goes over a stream in their backyard. The goal of this session was a family portrait for their holiday cards. I also took some 'not-so-christmassy' ones, too. So think about your own home and what you could decorate: a front porch, front steps, patio...you may even have a tree that you could decorate.
Advantages to having a portrait taken at your own home: no stressful travel time; if it's cold, you can run inside to get warm for a few minutes; if you forget something, you can run inside and get it; everyone is more comfortable...all resulting in a more personal, tailored-to-you portrait!
Oh and I also got a few of the kids by themselves while waiting for mom & dad to come out - here's Samantha:

and Jarrod:

In My Backyard this Morning...

So far when I've looked out my window into my backyard, I've seen a turkey, some deer, various small woodland animals (squirrels, chipmunks and even a hedgehog and possum), lots of birds - but today was the first time I saw a coyote:
Well I think it was a coyote - it didn't have a collar so I don't think it was someone's dog. The pictures aren't that great - I grabbed my camera and didn't have my long lens on it, I was shooting through a screen and put the camera settings on automatic - so this is the best I got before it ran back into the woods. I'm going to keep my camera ready for the next few days to see if he/she comes back. And I'm also going to reconsider getting a cat....

Alyssa

Alyssa's sunrise session on Saturday started the BIG last-chance-before-yearbook-deadline weekend sessions. I managed to fit in 10 seniors on that weekend - the weather was bright and sunny, though cold at the beach. The sunlight makes her look warm though!
Alyssa put on her coat to get warm, and I turned the session into a little fashion shoot.

Before School Session

Cory is another member of the sunrise session club. It was cold, windy morning - but since he's a hockey player for Plymouth South, he's probably used to that - and getting up early.

Cory is another member of the sunrise session club. It was cold, windy morning - but since he's a hockey player, he's probably used to that - and getting up early.

Still More Seniors...

I still have plenty more seniors to post here. Even though most of the Yearbook deadlines have passed, I don't want to leave anybody out. Next up is Robin from Plymouth South. The day started out lousy, but by afternoon it had cleared up beautifully - although just a little cold. But that's to be expected in October...

It's all about Me!

I, like most other photographers it seems, really dislike having my picture taken. So it's pretty convenient that I'm usually the one holding the camera - because I'm behind it and the lens is in front. Well our local group, Professional Photographers of Cape Cod, during one of our recent meetings - took photographs of each other then we watched a slide show of all of the images. This was really kind of terrifying: first - having my picture taken, then having other photographers comment on it. Well it wasn't so bad after all. These images were taken by Carol Lundeen, a fabulous photographer from Roslindale who is a member of our Cape Cod group.

She had some fun ideas...
This next image was taken by Keith Howe of Nebraska outside of a restaurant while we were waiting for our table after the NH Photo Safari. It was dark outside - and the light source was a couple of recessed spotlights outside the restaurant. Keith is a Master Photographer, Master Craftsman, and Master Artist - degrees awarded to him by the Professional Photographers of America. It was an honor to meet him - and be photographed by him. I mean, look what he can do while waiting for a restaurant table!

Continuing Education - Photo Safari in NH!

I'm all about learning more about photography and new techniques, and through my memberships in local and national Photographer associations, as well as participating in online forums, learning opportunities are abundant. At the beginning of October I went up to New Hampshire to attend a couple of Photography programs. First one was a workshop on Glamour Lighting presented by Jackie Haggerty of Illinois. I hear she's featured in this month's Professional Photographer magazine (I don't have my issue yet). I've 'known' her online for about a year now - and she's come a long way since then - a rising star in the Photography world for sure! I can't wait to try out some of her techniques!

The Photo Safari was the next day and started at 6AM at Jeff Dachowski's studio in Manchester, NH. It was led by Keith & Holly Howe of Nebraska - attending were about 20 photographers from all over the country who met on an online forum. It was really neat meeting people that I've 'talked' with for a while online in person. We had 6 models and drove around Southern NH photographing them while learning how to find the light, manipulate the light, and posing. Oh and we managed to have a ton of fun too!
Here's Keith & Holly:
And here's a bunch of photographers listening to and absorbing every word they say!

A Family Portrait - Finally!

This family portrait was rescheduled from what seems like the only day in August that it rained. We finally settled on Columbus Day weekend - and wouldn't you know it - we had summer-like weather on Saturday! So I traveled down to Cold Storage Beach in Dennis to photograph this family in celebration of the parent's 25th Anniversary.

Plymouth South Hockey

Here's Brian, who plays hockey for South. He also happens to be a big Red Sox Fan. We had time to hit the beach, and to go over to the jetty on the canal to catch the sunset.

Bonnie from Holbrook

Bonnie is Samantha's best friend - she goes to Notre Dame Academy, where she's on the track team. She was SO excited to have her picture taken, and was having a great time - even the relentless wind didn't bother her. I tried to show off her gorgeous hair and beautiful blue eyes. Afterwards she gave me a hug and asked me to photograph her wedding - whenever that day comes. I'll never forget that!