Finally, DC was covered with the white stuff. Not much but enough for slick riding on the sled at a local hill where I usually do my portrait shoots! We also took our boogie board and wow — what a great piece for a fast ride down the hill. I don’t have snow pants so I did only one run b/c I was too cold but the boys had a great time. Snowboarders were taking over this area which bugged the hell out of me…..but we had a little section to ride without the loud teenagers.
It cracks me up to see kids Harry’s age with so much coverage (hats, jackets) that they can barely see.
What an amazing day here in the DC area, isn’t it? I am still feeling the buzz of energy and excitement and emotion. As a native Alexandria-girl, I am so proud to be a part of all this in my wee, yet powerful, city. While I did not go downtown to brave the elements for the ceremony and parade, I was content to watch the action on TV. I am so proud of our new President and optimistic in knowing what he aspires to do for our country. Let’s all pray for him b/c he has a hard and long road ahead — one which will require him to surround himself with strong and astute individuals. It seems impossible what needs to be accomplished but at least he is creating HOPE and a sense of renewed Patriotism again. From here we can garner more direction and clarity with our own roles as we aid him along the way.
I wanted to post the youtube video of “America’s Song” which was co-written by David Foster (song writer/music producer) and Will.i.am (Black Eyed Peas) for the Inaugeration Festivites. This came about 10 days before the recording took place at XM this past weekend a la Oprah (I think). It premiered on her show this past Monday and you can watch the live performance which is on her website.
I am pretty sure everyone who reads this blog (tho, I do not know all my subscribers!) knows that Jack (my husband) is the Director of the Performance Studio at Sirius/XM so this studio is his day to day ‘office’. He was involved with the recording all weekend and this you tube version shows some behind-the-scenes in the studio.
And I gave Jack my D200 to snap a few shots….(note that I did not give him my D300!)
Here he is at his console.
David Foster (center – he has some GOOD hair!) and Jack (right)
Again, another December shoot that I’m just now blogging. Heather is a good friend whom I have done MANY shoot for — families, her babies and now her 3rd pregnancy! She was a sport in that we did all sort of clothing changes and messed with accessories and fabrics. Had a great time! Doesn’t she look amazing?
I’m still blogging from December shoots! The horror! I had to do this one b/c these friends did something so wonderful and giving.
Meredith and Cathy are my neighbors and asked me pretty late in the season if I could do their portraits for holiday cards and gifts. I literally was so up to my ears in work and edits and framing that it was going to be impossible to schedule them in and turnaround the shoot in time for orders, etc. As a result, I offered them a mini-session. This is something I don’t normally do but I wanted to accomodate them b/c they are friends. A mini-session in a photographers world is really an abbreviated session so I offered them 15 minutes (not to mention it was 35 degrees!!) down the street so they could get their mug with their babies, Buddy and Rusty, at a discounted rate. This allowed them to get their photos done and wouldn’t be too overwhelming for me to edit b/c normally I shoot upwards of 300 images in a single portrait session. Plus, it was COLD and there was no way we would last an hour+ like a regular session. At the end of the session they were effuisive in their gratefulness and gave me a check for the agreed upon reduced rate, but then told me they were going to make a donation to Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep for the remainder of the regular session rate! I was nearly in tears. How amazingly thoughtful this was. I am always blown away by the generousity of people sometimes. The little things that make such a huge impact. They also brought me a plate full of cookies for all of us to enjoy b/c they knew I was unable to really bake this year for the kids. LOVE THAT — and let me tell you they are so “Martha Stewart” with the treats. So thank you Meredith and Cathy! I adore you guys!
First of all, I have updated the look and feel of my blog a bit and I hope you like it! So do let me know. I am tweaking it a lot so if you see something off, please alert the forces as this will be a work in progress as I have time.
Secondly, Happy New Year to all my loyal blog subscribers and blogline readers! I adore all of you and am grateful to know I am not blogging in vain! I had a terrific 2008 personally and professionally. Professionally, my work skyrocketed, somehow, and I’m blessed and overjoyed with the direction it has taken. I have also met so so so many wonderful photographer-friends along the way and love that aspect of my work as well (you know who you are!). I feel that between clients and colleagues, my heart and soul are filled and I’m doing the right thing! To that point, I will be co-hosting a photographer get-together/learning session/social afternoon in a few weeks (my good buddy Armin deFiesta is the organizer) and from the looks of the invite, there will be over 25 attending — only a handful of which I know personally. So here’s to more networking and friends – and if you have not been added to his growing DC networking list, let me know and I’ll be sure he adds you to all communication.
Now on to business! Little Miss Ainsley was born 3 weeks early and here’s her photographic debut! Her mom purchased my Bebe package and came in for her maternity session in the nick of time! Look at how gorgeous mom is too!! We did the session around the 2nd week in December. Then, just days before Christmas mom emails to inform me of Ainsley’s early arrival — the week after our maternity session. With the holiday madness, I had to figure out a way to get them in asap and we were able to do the shoot earlier this week. And we did manage to get her little buns in at the 2 week mark. Whew! She cooperated FULLY for this session as you will see. And because I am still behind on December sessions for my blogfestworld, I am finally posting mom’s maternity pix as well as the newborn session photos here.
