Wishing you all a happy, safe and FUN Halloween!
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Cover Girl! October 30, 2008
Do you ever just have a photo that makes you just say WOW and let out a huge sigh?
I don’t know what it is about this one below…
I’m not sure if it’s the hair perfectly situated while blowing in the wind, the magical blue eyes, or the intense look into my camera lens but this one made me say WOW.
Is this a future Cover Girl or what?
I’ve said it many times before…this is why I do what I do. If I no longer got the WOW or the huge sigh of contentment with my work when I edit a photo I love then I know it’s time to pack up the gear & call it quits.
So far I love every minute of it. I don’t mind the late nights, the lack of sleep, nor the pain in my arm because I love what I’m doing every night and weekend. The lack of sleep is worth it when you capture moments like these “on film” (well…digitally 
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Carrie, your 3 girls (and entire family) are beautiful! I’m working on your set from now until it’s done and I’m looking forward to sharing them with you as soon as I can!
Sneak Peek: The H Family At My Hometown Park October 29, 2008
Sunday I met with my old grammar school friend “S,” his wife “N” and their adorable son “S Jr.” for my first session of 2 that day.
We lucked out with a beautiful day despite the wet grass from the rain the day before (that caused me to have my Saturday session indoors).
Little “S Jr.” wasn’t himself that day and we think he may have been a little under the weather. We tried to make him comfortable during the 2 hour session in the park and I tried my best to capture some “keepers” of this cute little man!
I can’t believe I’ve known “S Jr’s” dad since kindergarten and now he has a son of his own! It’s amazing to be friends with people so long that you see their whole lives evolve from 5 years old to having their own family. I may have a unique experience compared to most but my grammar school friends and I have reunions every 5 years. In between we try to keep in touch as much as we can through sites like Facebook, My Space, etc. and when we get together it’s like we’re back in our K-8 days at good old Immaculate Conception School (ICS). I think we’ll be telling the same stories about our days there until we’re 75 and I hope keep having reunions for that many years to come!
*Maybe when I’m done editing the session and I post my top favorites from the day – I will embarrass Dad and post a picture of him when he was little.
S & N – Here’s your sneak peek! Enjoy!
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I love the tops of little kids heads…so cute!
He looks so deep in thought.
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This one just makes me smile.
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Look at this cute little expression!
Yes, Believe It or Not…It’s Snowing in October in New Jersey! October 28, 2008
It snowed today in New Jersey! Yes! Actual snow fell in October.
I don’t think I can remember that ever happening here in New Jersey before in October. All I can say is that I’m not liking it! It better go away and not come back until January!
So far I have a branch down, I’ve heard sirens going by on the main road countless times, and my power blinked on and off. FUN!
Front yard:
Back Yard:
Branch down in the yard:
And Lucas is having a ball (literally) with the snow!
Of course all of the photos taken above were taken from the comfort of the open doorway.
I will not be stepping foot outside this evening if I can help it!!
The Top 20 of the I Family’s Day At The Park October 27, 2008
You saw the sneak peek of the “I Family” and now here is my top 20 from the session:
Love the parents in the depth of field!
I had a little fun with this one!
I love that open mouth laugh/smile!
Three generations!
I love this one!
This one is up there as a top favorite!
Precious!
Yay, a little bit of sun flare!
I shared this on in the sneak peek but I had to share it again…It’s my favorite of the shoot!
Isn’t she adorable with this pose and those eyes??
Sneak Peek: The M Family’s Rainy Day Turned All Smiles October 25, 2008
Early this morning Jo Ann and I made our way to Northern New Jersey to photograph the “M Family” with the intention of beating the rain that was heading that way. We made it just in time for the drizzling rain to start!
Our intention was to head to a local lake with a man-made beach and take outdoor fall portraits. We gave it the ‘ol college try but as soon as we arrived at the lake we realized the rain wasn’t going to let up on us. We took it in stride and headed back to the house and decided on indoor portraits. I think the M. Family Jo Ann, and I did a great job improvising and “making it work” indoors as we all did the “shake shake skake, shake shake skake, shake your booty” dance to make “S” giggle.
As I looked through the photos from the session when I got home I became more and more pleased with the results. The disappointment of not shooting at the lake faded. I’m thrilled with the results of the session and really enjoyed my time with this beautiful family.
S’s blue eyes are captivating and you can’t help but love her to pieces!!
Special Thanks to Jo Ann for waking up extra early on a Saturday for me! Love you my friend!
ANGELICA! Make-up Shoot for Wisper Salon – Manalapan NJ October 24, 2008
Tonight I did a make-up shoot for my great friend Tiffany who manages Wisper Salon in Manalapan, NJ.
Tiffany is going to enlarge one of the shots to poster size and display it in the window of the salon to attract customers for professional make-up services.
Our Model was Angelica. She was the perfect model for the shoot! Her eyes are GORGEOUS!! I’ve never done a photo session like this and I’m soooo pleased with the results!!
Here are a few preliminary shots. I loooooooove #1. Are you kidding me with those eyes???!!!
PS….she’s only 15 years old! Can you believe it?
A quick shot of Angelica and her sister at the end of the shoot:
EJ Turns ONE! Time flies! October 23, 2008
Saturday we celebrated a milestone!
EJ Turned ONE!
You may remember this blue-eyed cutie from THIS POST for his 8 month portraits or his CHRISTMAS PORTRAITS and time has flown by because now he turned ONE!
He’s such a ham. As soon as the camera pointed at him he was posing.
All his good friends attended the party:
The twins:
And all of mommy’s friends (and the twins!)
And of course I had to get one of me and mommy!
Then it was time for cake!
EJ was excited! Check out that birthday hat!
I love mommy & daddy’s expressions here:
Time to blow out the candle!
Cupcake time!
YUMMO!
At the end of the party he debuted his Halloween costume…equipped with a built in padded tummy!
Happy birthday little fella!
Many more years of happiness is wished for you!
My Furry Child Turns 6! October 22, 2008
My “baby” Lucas turns 6 today!
~My little dog – a heartbeat at my feet. ~Edith Wharton~
I never thought I could love anything as much as I love Lucas.
He is the truest friend I have. He is there for me in sickness and in health and loves me unconditionally NO MATTER WHAT.
No wonder he is (wo)man’s best friend….I know he is mine without a doubt!
How could anyone resist those big brown eyes and those out-of-this-world-adorable ears…and that cute nose!?!?
I love this 82 pound baby like a child.
We’re friends til the end.
Click the arrow to play the photo montage.
My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am. ~Author Unknown
The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too. ~Samuel Butler, Notebooks, 1912
Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really. ~Agnes Sligh Turnbull
I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive. ~Gilda Radner
One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you’re feeling blue is that he doesn’t try to find out why. ~Author Unknown
Properly trained, a man can be dog’s best friend. ~Corey Ford
Dogs laugh, but they laugh with their tails. ~Max Eastman, Enjoyment of Laughter
The more I see of man, the more I like dogs. ~Mme. de Staël
They never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation. ~Jerome K. Jerome
A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself. ~Josh Billings
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras
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True love stories never have endings October 21, 2008
Happy 6 year Anniversary Ed & Amy!
True love stories never have endings ~Richard Bach
Here’s to many, many, many more years of happiness together!
Love you guys!
Sneak Peak: My Morning With the “S Family” at the D&R Canal in Griggstown October 20, 2008
The morning started off SUPER chilly but eventually turned out to be a beautiful fall afternoon. Jo Ann and I met up with the “S Family” at the Griggstown, NJ portion of the D&R Canal. I spend a lot of time photographing the canal in this area and it’s a favorite spot of mine. I though it would be perfect for the shoot so I stopped by Wednesday to check out the area before and get some ideas.
The colors we GORGEOUS! After I stopped by on Wednesday, I was so excited the rest of the week, and couldn’t wait for Sunday to come. I knew the fall atmosphere the canal would provide would be an EXCELLENT backdrop for portraits and I was so pleased that my thoughts were correct! It was absolutely perfect!!
Mom “C” was referred by Mom “C” of the “I Family” (from last Sunday’s shoot at Colonial Park) and what a beautiful family they were! I loved spending time with C & M and their 3 wonderful children!
This is “B” – she was my beautiful model-slash-2nd assistant for the shoot. She helped me to get her little brothers laugh and when it was there turn to pose. Thanks B! You did a great job!
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This is “A” and he was so adorable! You just wanted to hug the little guy!
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This is “N” and he was a little sweetie!
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He was so excited after he got to throw rocks into that canal! This was “I won!!”
It was a great morning with a great family! We had a lot of fun and “A” even got to enjoy a pancake during the shoot!
I can’t wait to share more!
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Coming Soon! The “M” Family at Princeton University October 19, 2008
Today I photographed the “M Family” on Princeton University Campus.
Mom “C” and I were college roommates in our sorority and it was so wonderful seeing her after all these years, meeting her husband “E,” and her absolutely beautiful girls “H,” “M,” and “S.”
When Jo Ann and I arrived and met up with “C’ and her girls “H” presented me with this drawing that she had done for me. I was honored. I decided I must scan it and share it on the blog.
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This is “M” – isn’t she the cutest?? Look at those eyes!
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This is “H” and she is a little ham for the camera and I just adore her! More beautiful eyes!
And last but not least – this is “S.” Look at at that little angelic face!
I can’t wait to get caught up and be able to share more from the most recent shoots I’ve done. I have another tomorrow morning so I will be playing “catch up” for quite a while! Now I’m off to bed because I really need some sleep!
Avon-by-the Sea with the D’s! October 17, 2008
Last night I finished the “D Family” photo session and then today I got to share the gallery in person because Dad “S” and I work together at my day job. I think he really liked them and that made me very happy!! 
Nothing is better than a beach session taken for a great friend, with a beautiful family, on a gorgeous day in October! We got rained out on our first scheduled date and I couldn’t have asked for a better rain date!
Even though we had to end a little bit early because little “N” was getting cold I think we got some great stuff!
S & D – I hope you a great time on the beach and that you enjoy the photos!
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Love the back-to-back pose! So coooool!
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*sigh*
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I was up there on my stool for this one! Love that looking down pose!
What a beautiful family!
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I posted this one in the “sneak peek” but I love it so much I had to post it again.
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My poor friend “S.” There was nothing we could do to make his hair stay flat…that darn ocean wind will get you every time!
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Three beautiful ladies!
Daddy’s little girls!
Thanks to my good friend Heather for this pose idea!!
I *heart* SUNFLARE!
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In the Mood For Fall October 16, 2008
Everyone’s lovely fall photos really got me in the mood to capture some color so I want to the park today at lunch to find some!
I found some really great color and I’ll be editing a few shots here and there in between my portrait jobs to include on the blog.
Here are 2 from today that I particularly loved.
This shot was taken with the 18-200VR:
This shot was taken with the Tokina 12-24 Wide Angle
15 Favorites of the “G Family” October 15, 2008
Last night I was able to finish the “G Family” session at the Wrigthstown Farm in Morristown, NJ.
Mom “J” and I went to college together and were in the same pledge class for our sorority. I had some great times with “J” back in my college days including a scary drive to a not-so-nice part of Pennsylvania to see Tori Amos in concert. Despite the scariness I always remember the trip as a good time…along with a million other parties, late nights, and many great memories we had.
I’m so happy she has such a wonderful family — lil “T” is adorable! You just melt when you see his big blue eyes.
Even though our session started off with lots of rain, a farm that wasn’t the best locale for the shoot, and baby “T’ not feeling well – we managed to be blessed with the sky opening up to a beautiful blue, finding a 2nd farm with an amazing pumpkin patch perfect for the shoot and lil “T” was a real tropper through it all! We got some really great fun shots.
J & J – I hope you had a great time and love the photos!
I’m looking forward to photographing lil “T’s” 1st birthday party in January!
1. This has to make you smile! 
2. Tired some texture to change it up a bit
3. This one makes me smile from ear to ear…
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9. Precious *sigh*
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Now…
Then..
Sneak Peek: Platypus & Peanut Butter Macaroni! October 14, 2008
Sunday was such a great day! Jo Ann and I met up with the entire “I” family at Colonial Park in Somerset, NJ for a perfect family portrait session.
“H” (my co-worker) from the “R family” (my first customer!!) referred me to her sister “C” for family photos and I couldn’t have asked for a nicer family to photograph.
The weather was absolutely perfect for outdoor sessions for the 2nd day in a row and “A” was such a sweetheart to work with.
How could you not love working this lil doll? Just say platypus or peanut butter macaroni and you got the biggest smile ever!
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Special thanks to Jo Ann for making it out to the session even with a hurt foot! Love you friend!
