One request....

I may go all out for the kid's birthdays, but when it comes to my own, I much prefer something quiet and understated.

And this year, I only had one request:

Last Friday, I announced that on my birthday, I wanted pictures of my family. Together. And the key to this request - - I wanted pictures without anyone complaining.

Obviously, I knew I had them cornered. It was my birthday wish, afterall. They couldn't say no.

So, they all agreed. "Promise, mom."

Of course, the pictures I take of my own family are the ones that make my heart sing most of all. And of course, they are BY FAR the hardest to get.

Hard....but SO worth the effort.....








(For some reason, pictures of Ray and Henry always turn into wrestling matches....)

So yes, I hate a damn self-timer picture. It's never even close to what I imagine. I guess it's just hard to be spontaneous knowing that once I press the shutter, we have a mere 10 seconds to perfect the pose AND look natural....

Tick, tick, tick, tick - - SNAP!

The all-family picture I did get - - well,

We are all in the frame.
Everyone is looking forward.
Everyone is happy (or at least faking it pretty well).
No one is crying or bugging anyone else.

And best of all (this is the important part....) everyone who I love more than life itself is sitting there, right next to me.

My family. On my day.

Perfect, really.



I did get everything I wanted for my birthday. I am a lucky girl!

A walk around town....

This is Connor and Madison. They are twins, just about to start middle school this fall. Their mom and I went to high school together all those years ago. It was fabulous to see Beth and to meet her amazing kids. Madison and Connor are great athletes and great students. And they were great sports for our photo session!

In the end, we got some of my favorite pictures of the summer.


















Connor getting a little direction from mom.  ha!



  















Beth, it was so wonderful to see you, and meet the rest of your family. Obviously, life has been good to both of us all these years!

Another lesson....

Let's just say that Ella was less than enthused to have her picture taken last Saturday morning. And really. Can I blame her? I probably wouldn't be too excited to have a stranger following me around with a camera either...

Ella was much more interested in the baby birds, and the geese, and the fish in the Japanese Garden. And hanging close to mom.

Regardless of my presence, she was adorable and charming and whip-smart!  She's the kind of kid that you'd want to take the time to get to know.....












Ella is an aspiring photographer herself, with quite the eye, I hear..

















Last Saturday morning, Ella taught me that I don't necessarily need faces in my frame in order for photos to have meaning.

Actually, my favorite shots from that day are of arms and backs and hands and shadows. These pictures have just as much closeness and significance to them.



And Ella taught me that waiting for someone to be comfortable enough to turn around and look - - well, that's simply part of my job.....

Clearly, it was oh-so worth the wait....




Patience, I'm learning, just might be one of the most important (and under-rated) photographic skills of all.