Adrea: Sugar... ah, Honey Honey...

I cannot take credit for the cuteness of this idea. This girl's parents call her "Sugar" and worked tirelessly for two hours to get this little sweetie comfortable and sleepy.

Adrea: One of Each for Lost time

Adrea: Flower Studies #3

Adrea: Andja's Graduation Day Location #2

Adrea: Andja's Graduation Day Location #1

Adrea: Trucker Jen

Adrea: Another Favorite

so it goes ALL by itself.

You know, my favorite of all favorites seem to be couples moments. You wouldn't peg me as a romantic, would you? Unless you know of my fervent Harry/Ginny ship...

Another note. I appointed a critic (aka my mom) to take a pass at my galleries before I send them to clients - so she can tell me that actually some things I thought were great look ridiculous or she catches any number of things. She has a passion for centeredness however that I do not share.

So of course the above picture went on her radar. The problem is, usually about a month after a shoot I look back and more often than not, end up agreeing with her. This time I really really like the off center. I checked with the client (since we are friends, it didn't sound like I was digging for reassurance... I hope) and client likes it off center (is she just saying that? we'll never know).

The question becomes... what will IIII think in the long run? So far, I am snobbily retorting that though the couple is off center, the hall is dead center... so it works. But... time will tell.

Adrea: Shoe Fettish

I have come to realize that I have some sort of photography foot fettish. It all started because Sarah was taking torso shots, and for some reason when I tried that sort of style, I came up with the feet. And the first time I tried was with Claire's family where only Claire was short enough to be in the shot completely and it was very cute and successful. Now I usually try for a similar thing because I'm often surprised what gets caught in the body language of our legs and feet... and the cool shoes people wear (highly ironic since I buy shoes once every five years and complain anout it the whole time).

Anyway, after editing the Q's shoot I realize I've obviously gone off my rocker. Here are all the ones I chose to edit... which means there are countless more I did not!







In my defense, some of it does have to do with shooting families with small children.

Adrea: Q Fam

Adrea: Q is TWO

Adrea: Cinderella wore Docs

How would the story have ended if Cinderella had worn Jen's wedding shoes?

Adrea: Bridal Portraits 13 years late

This is Jen. She was my roommate in college. She also got married IN college (yes she was crazy, but to be fair, Adam is cool and they are happily married to this day... 13 YEARS later).

She also happens to have a closet talent as a model as we accidentally discovered documenting her perfect hair before cancer robbed her of it.

See, my biggest stumbling block with my photography is my own self-consciousness. And, that is often the biggest stumbling block for my subjects as well. Well, cancer was bigger than that. If I had inhibitions ordering her around, getting her to keep craning her neck until the light was right, I had to get over it. This was no time to be timid and get timid shots.

And as a result it's the photography I am most proud of - both professionally and personally because she has a legacy now of that horrible time (that yes, does go on from time to time) that is actually quite beautiful, as is, I might add, the strength and honesty she showed while going through it.

Anyway, now it seems I see her as a friend first (of course) and someone to document second. (Dangit, Jen, we forgot your scar again).

SO, because I have a hard time scheduling just plain old good friend time, I usually use the need for a photoshoot as a cover and we're off and running.

And, despite the fact that my ideas aren't quite as meaningful as they once were at inception - we usually find out we were much cooler and deeper than we thought we were. Like the petticoat shoot that Steve so poignantly pointed out was a harsh juxtaposition of Cancer-bald with little girl's innocent petticoat.

And this one? New life maybe? A bride to the next phase? Committing again to keep going, keep fighting, keep laughing, keep sharing, keep dancing? Yeah, maybe that too.

Adrea: Flower Studies #2

Adrea: Flower Studies

After discovering awesome action star "Florabella" is a mom of one of Abby's classmates I've been inspired to try some florals.