“I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.”
― Isaac Newton
When I lived back in Minnesota, Fall was my favorite seasons. It makes me happy just to think about the crisp air that is not to hot but not yet too cold, honey crisp apples, pumpkins and all the colors Mother Nature adorns on her trees.
So here in Florida, it can be equally beautiful. It’s still Autumn and and ALWAYS a good time to update portraits, take a headshot, capture a cute Halloween costume or get your holiday card done.
Please consider booking a session. I promise the backdrops will be beautiful and but not nearly as the souls I hope to capture of my subjects:) Below are the details as well as photographs taken at other mini-sessions.
A preview for one of the most amazing women I have met since coming to Florida. She is witty, beautiful (inside and out), an amazing writer, encourager and lover of life. These are the people I dig so I was more than honored to do her engagement portraits. Here's a small preview. We captured much more. FYI-Nick is equally cool as Ali. And since I cannot write nearly as well as her, I put a favorite poem of mine that I thought fit the session. Love you both! Congratulations!
“When it's over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
When it is over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.
I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.”
― Mary Oliver
This guy reminded me so much of my son when he was younger. His siblings and him were staying with their grandparents and aunt (my roommates) and we spent a lot of time together. Like my boy, he had that wild energy of a pre-schooler, curiosity of an investigator and the humor of, shall I say, a mini-car stuffed with clowns. The whole crew was a blast to hang with but this one was particularly cuddly and just like Henry loved to have the palm of his hand gently rubbed when he was tired. I enjoyed taking lots of pictures of them during this visit and oh those eyes and curls. Just fabulous.
How precious is this tiny peanut. All cozied up in mom's arms, sleeping off the summer heat. Her rosy lips and tiny fingers are so delicate. As a mom to older children, I forget how little they once were...sigh:)
I will never stop being in awe of the "people I never expected to meet encounters". When I ended up in Florida everyone and everything was so foreign. Slowly, meeting friends from across the country or should I say mostly upper East Coast. Then came Michelle, a roommate for awhile, along with her husband Bruce. They traveled from the West Coast and are my Arizona people. I adore my Arizona People. They have big hearts and care for each other very much. Life has thrown mud but these two have a resilience that is certainly admirable in a time of in and out relationships.
I was more than happy to take pictures for these two. We had an enjoyable time roughing it at the Beach. Oh beautiful life, beautiful life in the Tropics. Enjoy!
I suppose I'll keep posting pictures of my cute niece until my next session. Which happens to be soon:) Much like my son, Camille has an old soul. Even when she was non-communicative, her power of observation and reactions to the environment were deliberate. Beyond what one would expect of her age. There was a time, about a year ago, I was sitting with her with a pile of books and stones I had bought from a metaphysical bookstore. She was drawn to the stones (particularly the Rose Quartz) and my book on Energy Medicine. Could be a coincidence but for all those believers out there who just know....I beg to differ. Whatever the cause, her sensitive soul is just what the future needs right now. And I am happy that I have a sister and brother in law who nurture this sensitivity and see it as a blessing. She'll move mountains this little woman. I hope I'm around to see it!
Do you see it? How the sky and light reflected from the ocean come together to give the appearance of the human heart. Like a psychoanalysis ink blot test, this is what drew me in. And what is more wonderful that a balanced, healthy and serene heart. To me? Nothing. Especially have been cut off from it as a consequence of experiencing profound trauma. It was so foreign to live detached and separate from my soul. Feeling blank.
It is impossible to describe. I worried that it would never come back. That worry led to utter hopelessness and defeat. Life was dark for a long time.
The universe is ultimately good. And with healing and time the union between heart and mind has steadied into harmony. A steady pulse, like the waves that gentle curl to the shore in this photograph. There are gifts from the the times in the desert, when one can choose to rise up and stay there (which ok...just get back up) or move forward with gusto.
Even at snails pace, I always moved forward.
My heart is drawn to helping those effected by profound trauma. It is everywhere and it rests in the windows to our souls-those all telling human eyes.
Our children who are too young to experience any of what I hear almost daily in my counseling office have growing brains that are structurally changed by trauma. Think of the consequences to all of this the next time we turn on the news and judge.
This post is not meant to be dark, as I read back it seems emotionally overwhelming. After all it is Friday. But as once read and like to believe-
"Some day I will find the right words and they will be simple"....til then :)
It's shots like this one that are my favorite. Lately I've been trying to be brave in shooting what is authentic to my vision and style. I feel the best art comes from the heart and cannot be scripted. Little Camille has the widest, most curious eyes. They are cupped by soft lashes that make me melt. Along with that button nose and the many babies she carries with her during the day, this moment embodies the curious life of one sweet toddler.
Has made all the difference...
I had the honor of photographing my niece's 2 year old photos while home for the holidays. It was a year ago that I had seen her last and she has blossomed into a inquisitive, curious and loving toddler. We spent the mornings drinking lots of "tea" and having conversations about the three babies of her own. I miss her sweet face and joy she brought while I was home. Toddlers see life with wonder and adventure. When I was with her it amplified the joy I was already experiencing.
Like most of the country, Pittsburgh was caught in a Minnesota like freeze which forced us indoors for photographs. We spent our time playing and exploring the Mars library which has a children's section that rivals any I had seen when I was a library explorer with my own small children.
I love you to the moon and back my lovely Camille. You are a absolute cuddle bunnie and make me laugh like no other. Hugs, kisses and watch out for those Bergens:)
Mother nature paints the sky shades of cotton candy. Fishermen line the shore, casting, running and catching. They are mid-way through their day. It's cloudy and the sun is hidden behind the clouds. I'm disappointed that I can't see it until I look to my right as it's rays cast a net over the ocean and just like that, I'm speechless.
“to leap into it and hold on, connecting everything,”
― Mary Oliver,
Autumn is close to giving way to winter and with it I leave below a few personal favorites of fall sessions captured over the last few months. The weather, the families, the flowers and much more have been a continual blessing unfolding.
This year I feel particularly grateful for the people and experiences that have shown up in my life making it a rich and wild ride. The diverged road has indeed made all the difference and I highly suggest that route, although it often comes with an unplanned itinerary.
With that, may the upcoming holiday season and colder days leave you feeling equally blessed with how these string of simple moments mysteriously connect into intricately beautiful, adventurous and bountiful lives. It is these trails, these trials and these triumphs that unite our hearts and connect our lives.
Riveter
“Women may be the one group that grows more radical with age.”
― Gloria Steinem
Happy long labor day weekend! It's the closing of summer. Love the ones you are with.
“Don't wish me happiness
I don't expect to be happy all the time...
It's gotton beyond that somehow.
Wish me courage and strength and a sense of humor.
I will need them all.”
― Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift from the Sea
It's an election year. Empaths it's time! Unite:)
Schedule a portrait session to capture the special moment's with the Dad or Dad's in your life.
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