abphotography

you never know

 

This year, we spent Thanksgiving in DC with Ben's family.  On Thursday morning, we headed to the annual flag football game at a friend's house and had the best time.  I knew it would be a great opportunity for pictures, but you still just never know when an all-time favorite is going to make its appearance.  

I love this shot for so many reasons.  I love that my father-in-law is wearing a referee's shirt and that Wynn has his Nebraska jersey on.  I love that Wynn is not letting go of that football.  I love that Edwin is sharing his whistle and how Wynn's hand looks so little next to his grandfather's.  But most of all, I love how I can see my husband in both his father and his son.  It's a keeper.

surely, two of the most satisfying experiences in life must be those of being a grandchild or a grandparent   ~ donald a. norberg

Little Brother

And now for Miss O's little brother.  Such a doll and such a good sport!  I know that portrait sessions don't rank very high on the list of a boy's favorite things, but he couldn't have been better.  And those eyes!  He's sure to be a heartbreaker someday ~

 

 

  

   
 
 the most wasted of all days is one without laughter    ~ e.e. cummings

natural beauty

Such a natural in front of the camera, and such a natural beauty, too.  I absolutely love photographing girls at this age ~ partly because they enjoy it so much, but mostly because I can sometimes give parents a little glimpse into who their daughters are becoming.  When you capture the stillness, you can almost see into the future.  But it's just a peek ~ and a reminder to enjoy those little girl years while they're here.

 

 

  

 

remember when all we had to do was keep our ponytail straight and catch fireflies?   ~ unknown
  

the gift of a memory

There are so many beautiful things about black and white photography.  It is classic, timeless, art.  But what I love most about a black and white photograph is that it feels like a memory.  And it doesn't even have to be our memory ~ just one that was properly preserved and kept for another time, place, generation. Stripped of color and unnecessary context, it  pulls us in with the feeling that this particular moment actually happened, that it meant something, and that it still lives on somewhere.  

So this has always been my goal as a photographer ~ to create an image that will be enjoyed today and valued tomorrow.  And maybe even found and loved by a granddaughter many years from now ...

      grandpa and grandma   (circa 1940s)

that it will never come again, is what makes life so sweet    ~emily dickenson

sweet! valentine's day mini sessions

 

I'm happy to announce that Valentine's Day mini-sessions are here!  It's the perfect opportunity for a portrait update ~ and not to mention gifts for the grandparents.  Plus, each collection includes a complimentary set of custom Valentine's cards or quantity prints.  

Session availability is very limited, so please call (803.361.9489) or email ([email protected]) as soon as possible with any questions or to reserve your date. 

 Here's the scoop:

 

Valentine's Mini-Sessions

January 18-22 or January 25-29  (weekdays only)

Session time: 4:30

Session location: your choice of Irmo Town Park or the USC Horseshoe

Cost: $50 

• 20 minutes of shooting    

• Online gallery of 10-15 proofs  

• Three print collections from which to choose  

• EACH COLLECTION INCLUDES EITHER:  

One complimentary set of (25) custom Valentine's cards

or

One complimentary set of (25) 4x6 quantity prints (same image)

• 10% off additional items  

Again, only a very limited number of session slots are available.  Treat yourself!  Call or email to secure your preferred date.  

 

   

we do not remember days, we remember moments   ~cesare pavese

even on saturn

                                                   ian and sam
 
Sam, my oldest, has always been an old soul with a tender heart and creative spirit.  Such a marvelous combination.  And even at thirteen, he's still the same old Sam ~ the only child I know that would complain about not having more time to chat with the nursing home residents when he played the piano there last fall.  So my  heart melted when I found this drawing on an old hard drive.  He had made in kindergarten for his best friend, Caroline.  I no longer have the original, but I am happy to report that Caroline's mother recently told me she still has it framed on her wall.  How awesome is that?!  So I'm thinking that the next thing I may need to print up is not a photograph, but this sweet note ...

 
 
i paint objects as i think them, not as i see them    ~ pablo picasso

 

family time

i'd like to nominate these people for the Most Chill Family Award.   totally relaxed and up for anything. we've worked together since 2004 and spending time with their sweet family is always fun and refreshing. mom and dad just let the kids be kids and genuinely seem to appreciate how very quickly this time passes. and they always choose the cool shots!  lucky kids and lucky me ~

 

i have the happiness of the present moment, and what more can mortal ask?      george r. gissing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

the beauty of one

photographing the one year old is almost like being on a photo safari.  i quietly follow and capture him in his world as he explores ~ usually thrilled with the freedom to wander and investigate.  i try to hang back and hope to catch his attention, if only for a moment, between new discoveries.  it's always worth the wait  and this little fellow was no exception.  one of the sweetest and most curious ever!  and how darling is he in that hat?

  

   

 
there are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child ~  

there are seven million.      

walt streightiff
 

 
 
 

catching up

as i thought about the title of this post, i intended the catching up to mean getting back to blogging after a busy holiday season.  but then i realized that it is precisely what i love about having clients come back through the years ~ catching up on their life stories and seeing how much their little ones have grown and changed and blossomed.  this session, especially, comes to mind.  after photographing these children all around the nine month mark, it was wonderful to spend an afternoon getting reacquainted ~ they are a sweet ensemble, and each one so beautiful.  

 
 the best things in life come in threes, like friends, dreams and memories    ~unknown
 
 
 
 
 

Happy 2010

... and so it begins!  kids are back to school and our little daily routine returns.  naptime may be more predictable now, but i miss the company of all three of my children.  thought i'd post our Christmas card picture and one of my favorite outtakes.  i came this close to actually using it ~ wynn's expression is so great and sums up the whole glorious process of photographing my own kids.  cheers!

and thank you for a house full of people i love.  amen.   ~ ward elliot hour