Cat Portrait Session

I recently shared with a friend that unlike dogs, studio portraits of cats are next to impossible.  It’s much better to sensitively shoot photographs in the comfort of their own home.  Then yesterday, as I was shooting product shots in my studio, my kitty had the last say. Mindy jumped up on my posing table and let me capture some classic  “poses” during 15 lucky seconds!  LOL!!!  (Please don’t let her know that the embarassing picture at top right is on the Internet…)

Read Full Post »

Large Family Reunion Portraits

After creating a family portrait at an extended family reunion this weekend, it dawned on me why I especially love doing these.

First, families that hold reunions are the nicest people. Here are a few images of Linda and Art’s lovely 3-generation family of 17 that celebrated grandmother’s birthday at their Marstons Mills, Cape Cod waterfront home this Saturday.

Besides the entire family, I capture images of smaller family groupings, whatever is most important to each client. During our portrait planning session, Art let me know that a portrait of their ten grandchildren was a top priority.

But more than nice people… creating portraits that clients will be thrilled with demands skills that I really like to do. Abilities I’ve developed in a variety of professional roles over the years. Camera and equipment skills.  Digital darkroom and retouching.  Artistry. Management and planning (my MBA came in handy after all).  People and communication.  And a sense of humor.

When it all comes together, artistic portraits with natural smiles and everyone looking their best is the result.

Here’s the beautiful 4-generation family of 29 that came together from all parts of the country to celebrate great-grandmother’s 90th birthday a few weeks ago at the Yarmouth Port Inn on Cape Cod – the first of many images I captured that day for their family.

Of course, the ultimate goal is happy clients who can’t wait to decorate their walls with their commissioned portrait art… to cherish forever!

Read Full Post »

Newborn Baby Portraits at Home

A few days ago I thoroughly enjoyed capturing photographs of Amy and David’s newborn baby boy in the comfort of their Falmouth, Cape Cod home.  I applied a warm black-and-white tone in my digital darkroom, giving a soft, impressionistic look to these precious pictures.  Here are a few personal favorites…

Read Full Post »

Family portrait in Sippewissett

One of my portrait sessions last week was capturing images of Gisela, Pierre, and their grandchildren at their favorite Falmouth beach. Wood Neck Beach – one of Cape Cod’s scenic treasures – is an enjoyable place for children of all ages. On one side of the dunes its beach stretches out into Buzzard Bay. And on the other side, the shallow tidal pools of Little Sippewissett marsh entice children with squirming fiddler crabs and a natural “water park.”

Here we found a cozy spot overlooking the marsh.

Wading across the warm tidal waters to this tiny sand dune island was refreshing for all of us on this humid evening.

Gisela was interested in a photograph of her grandchildren jumping at the water’s edge. So when they didn’t jump high enough, she showed them how!

And after the sun disappeared over the horizon,  with an ethereal blue glow enveloping the marsh,  it was time to capture a few quiet images of Gisela and Pierre alone.

Well beyond sunset, I continued shooting as the sky came alive with color and drama – another glorious day on Cape Cod coming to a close.

Read Full Post »

Natural poses to candids

Some clients are surprised to discover that my family portrait sessions include a variety of naturally posed and candid or lifestyle images to choose from – at no additional charge. And they’re relieved to hear that my style of “posing” is simply to offer guidance so that each individual looks their very best, within an artistically pleasing composition. (Stiff, artificial looking portraits are definitely not my thing!)

I typically begin by posing the entire family – standing or sitting. For example, we began last Saturday’s portrait session at the Sea Crest Resort’s beach in North Falmouth with Gary and Pam’s 3-generation family tucked into a grassy sand dune – all so photogenic!

Then I capture images of smaller groupings based on what each client has told me is important during our portrait consultation call. Besides each family unit, popular choices are siblings, cousins, grandparents with grandchildren and with adult children, and couples.

I move on to capture candids, with everyone participating in the fun. I chose this spot for Todd and Linda’s twins for its ideal backdrop and lighting, and the girls happily played as I captured real life memories. This image will be featured in the 6-image collage for their parents’ wall.

As her siblings and cousins became sleepy, one of the girls was still full of steam as the waves crashed ashore. Here’s one of four photographs from this series that her mom chose to display as a wall collection.

As the sun was about to set, Gary and Pam asked me to capture an image of themselves. Such a lovely couple, it’s hard to believe they’re the grandparents of this 12-member clan!

Read Full Post »

West Falmouth photography show

As the Featured Artist of the Month, my “Sand and Solitude” photography show is now open at the West Falmouth Library through July 8th. I’m especially pleased to be exhibiting in West Falmouth since the village was my introduction to Cape Cod 40 years ago. As a teenager visiting from Michigan, I became captivated with the Cape during a stay on the beach with my sister’s in-laws, the late Dr. Paul and Dorothy Magnuson of Chapoquoit. Vacations on Cape Cod with friends continued during college days, and later while sailing on Buzzards Bay from Marion with my husband.

“My Secret Place” – captured in Pocasset, Bourne at Four Ponds – won First Place in Photography at the Cape Cod Art Association’s juried May show and is one of the works on display. The exhibit is open through July 8 during regular library hours:  Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10-5;   Thursday 2-8;  and Saturday 10-1. Please stop by!

West Falmouth on Dwellable

Read Full Post »

Basic Photography class

Winter is a great time to catch up on projects and goals. After several people asked me last year if I offered training for beginners, I’m thrilled to be able to finally say “yes!” I’ll be teaching a Basic Photography class on Thursdays, April 22 to May 27, from 6 to 8:30 PM in Woods Hole. The class is for beginners who want to learn how to use their digital SLR camera to capture well-exposed, artistic images more consistently.

Besides essential camera functions (aperture, shutter, etc.), we’ll cover creative photography concepts, including lighting, perspective, depth of field, and composition. Through weekly lectures, demonstrations, handouts, assignments, and photo critiques in a friendly and supportive setting, I’m sure students will have lots of fun learning how to confidently move beyond automatic mode. The current class schedule and training info is here.

 

Read Full Post »

Black Cat Challenge

One of the many challenges in photography is capturing an image of an all black subject. For example, black cats often appear as a Rorschach ink blot, with no detail and eyeballs flashed beyond recognition. So when Mindy walked into my life one week ago – a sweet 9 month old kitty that I found on petfinder.com and adopted from Cause for Paws – I welcomed the opportunity to create her first portraits. Mindy was ever so patient, and here’s the result from our “carpet series.” What’s your favorite?

Read Full Post »

Indian Summer Portrait in Woods Hole

Decades ago, when I was living in Michigan, autumn was our favorite time to escape to the east coast and enjoy a week on Old Cape Cod. It’s really the very best time to be here. The warm breezes of Indian Summer beckon nature lovers and four-legged friends to the shore to enjoy the warm tones of the season before the cold sets in.

Read Full Post »

WCAI NPR radio staff portrait – Woods Hole

One of the benefits of residing in Falmouth is having our very own NPR radio station right here in Woods Hole. WCAI staffers took a 15 minute break today from their fundraiser to participate in a portrait shoot under the beech tree.

WCAI, a service of WGBH Boston, is at http://capeandislands.org where anyone from around the globe can listen online. Or tune in locally to 90.1 FM.

Read Full Post »