Where Am I?

Do you ever feel this way?  Driving down the street I’ll suddenly think, where am I going?  Or I walk into a store and ask myself why did I come in here ?  The past few months, however, the question  has been literal.

Since the arrival of our fifth grandchild in October, I’ve been spending almost half my time away from home.  I’ve been helping with the baby, playing with the older grandchildren,  visiting my mother and sisters in Chicago and in-laws in Lima.  It feels rather like my office is on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  Good thing I like to drive.

It’s an interesting question, where do I belong?  Were do I feel most at home?                         What location says this is me, right now, as I am?

I ask my clients that question as we begin planning their portrait session.                                     Are they DC people, or Alexandria people?  Waterfront or home sweet home?                                  If they had an afternoon to enjoy all to themselves, where would they go?                                       (If they say Paris, I remind the I travel for expenses.)

Where would you like to be photographed, and why?

The time has come for new portraits. Where should I have them taken?  Please feel free to make a suggestion. maybe the best, most accurate representation would be in my car!

I am going to have to think about this….

October Skies

Can you believe it’s October?  This summer has flown by and now back to school is over and Halloween approaches.  Wow.

Aside from all the crazy rain, I LOVE October.  The weather is generally beautiful,the leaves are glorious and the outdoor portrait opportunities are amazing.

Just the other day, I photographed one year old twin girls in Old Town Alexandria, headed into The District to see the engineers hanging off the Washington Monument, was interviewed by Channel 7 News at Noon, and then photographed a great couple for their engagement portraits.

We started at the Capitol Columns at the  Arboritum,  then headed to the Capitol, the WWII Monument,  the Jefferson and ended up back at the Washington Monument, where the off and on rain gave us fabulous evening skies.  I love DC.  Enjoy the weather, and if I’m not there with you, pick up your camera and  head outside.

Time for a Change

How do you know when it’s time for a change?  A new look?  I believe it’s this month.  New logo, new website, new collections on the way!

new logo

Watch for all the new stuff to come!

Cherry Blossom Portraits in Washington DC

So here we are again…almost Cherry Blossom season.  We have lived here seven years now  and each spring the blossoms transform the city…for about 10 days.  This short  window of delicate pastel  flowers and blue skies is such a favorite that guests flock to Washington DC from around the world.  And we live here.    So often, when we are creating portraits in the District, clients  tell me they seldom make the time to go  and enjoy all that  DC has to offer.

To all my wonderful Washington  DC , Alexandria and Maryland clients, be sure to stop and enjoy the blossoms this spring (peak bloom rumored to be between March 28 and April 2.)   If you have already scheduled your appointment for cherry blossom portraits, I will monitor the blossoms personally and  let you know my secret locations, far from the crowds of visitors who come to admire one of our natural treasures.

I look forward to welcoming spring with all of you!

Stop, Look, Listen

Last weekend, I accepted my friend’s challenge to do the Rock and Roll  Half Marathon in Chicago.  It was also a great excuse to visit family in my hometown. Our son Joseph and his wife, Crystal with their new dog, Penny live there, as do my Mom and sisters.

So there I was Friday morning at the United Terminal at ORD,   headed briskly for the rental car shuttle.

Above the moving walkway were these really great neon lights.   I slowed down and  looked up, watching the colors roll by on the jagged tubes.  Then I realized the walls were also part of the scene, softly lit glass cubes, matching hue to the overhead display.      Next came the music, Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue.  Suddenly the long walk  (pulling the suitcase along behind me) became a feast for the senses.

I got off half way, pulled my camera from the backpack, and like a little kid, got on the ‘ride’ again.  Back I went to the beginning, enjoying the show and creating photographs,  as people rushed past me on the walkway. (Being a good Washingtonian, I stayed to the right.)  I wondered how many of them even noticed the show before their eyes and ears. Then I wondered how often I miss other ‘shows’ as I hurry through the day.

When we walk with children, they are always stopping to look  and listen and touch, and we often tell then to come on and hurry up, because there is somewhere we need to be.   Here’s to enjoying the world through their little eyes, even when we are by ourselves.

Oh, and the half marathon… we had a great time, running along Lake Michigan with the Chicago skyline in sight.  Mile 10 and the fabulous volunteers with sponges soaked in ice water was amazing, and we beat Al Roker by at least four minutes!

100 Years of Memories

I realize  I am prone to repeat my suggestion that you all get those images out of the computer and create hard copies.                          Please allow  me present another reason…

My father in law lost his battle with a long and difficult illness last month.  We received the call at 6:00AM and within 12 hours, family had gathered in Ohio  from several states to say goodbye and celebrate his well-lived life.  As soon as we got to the house, there they were on the dining room table…boxes and albums, containing one hundred years of memories.  Photographs from the turn of the last century, of grandparents and great grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins…the family history for all to recall and enjoy.

From snapshots to formal portraits, they all open a door to the past. We select an image, smile and say, “I had forgotten all about that”  and recall details of the moment.   Stories go back and forth, with laughter and tears.   At the funeral home, more photographs on the boards  open conversations with  friends and neighbors who come to pay respects.

So take your photographs.  Appreciate the moments of your life and save them for  future generations to celebrate.  But please, don’t limit those memories to ever changing technology.  Every time you upload,  select 10 or 20 images and send them off to be printed and returned to you.   Fill up those boxes  with your stories.  You never know when they will be a comfort to others.

Transient Beauty

After two amazing weeks, the cherry blossoms are gone.  Our street is lined with cherry trees, so every time I looked out the window, they greeted me, from  soft white to rich pink to the ‘snowfall’ of petals as they faded, to be replaced with green.   Our own personal cherry blossom festival.

They do transform the city ,and  millions come to DC  each year to celebrate this most visible sign of spring.  Photographers (myself included) were  everywhere covering nature’s  premiere event, as tourists and residents alike  participated in the annual parade around the Tidal Basin.

Why do we do it?

What is it about flowering trees that brings everyone out?  I believe it is the transient nature of it all.  The anticipation is high because we know the window is small.  This is not our schedule, this is Mother Nature.  We can’t wait until next month, or  it gets warmer,  or when our schedule eases up (like it ever will).  We  know we need to go now, if we are going to enjoy it.  So we do.

It’s a great lesson, don’t you think?   Let’s all remember to to take the time to actually DO that stuff we want to do.  Let’s enjoy a perfect spring afternoon with the family, or really schedule that trip. Toss the ball.  Have the tea party.

Our families are growing up faster than we can imagine.  Talk about transient.  Those toddlers  will be in kindergarden soon…then off to college…and I know this all too well.  Look around.  Drink it in.  Take a photograph.  Enjoy.    Oh look, the azaleas are blooming!

Little Gifts

If you read many of these posts, or know me at all, you know we love life in DC.  The city is so beautiful, it is a pleasure just to drive, walk or run through it. (Especially if you can arrange your schedule to avoid rush hour as much as possible.)  Sometimes we feel so busy, we forget to stop and pay attention.

I went to church at St. Joe’s on Capitol Hill last night.  I have been running more lately and my knees were pretty creaky as I got up for communion.  Then I noticed the young man on my left.  He was walking slowly, holding on to each pew as he headed up the aisle.  Looking down, I realized he was  just getting used to walking on his two new artificial legs.   Thank you, young sir, for your service.

Heading home, I looked at the Capitol, a symbol of our freedom,  in  perfect twilight.  I captured an image.  Then I saw the full moon, and doubled back for another look and an even better photograph.

The small gifts of awareness of our blessings and the beauty around us are everywhere, even when we rush past.  Maybe when we feel the most rushed, all we really need is to double back, and take another look.

What Day Is It?

Am I the only one who can’t remember what day it is?   Or what day of  which week we had a blizzard?  Or if school or the government is open?  What a crazy month February has been.   Although we did have fun with the neighbors during Snow  Shovel Fitness Week, I will be happy to get to spring.

I did get into DC on Sunday, to check out Capitol Hill in the snow.      The sky was so blue and the sledders were having a wonderful time, allowed to sled down Capitol Hill for the first time since 911.   As the snow melts, we will get back to normal, but hasn’t it been amazing?

Let It Snow? Still? Seriously?

Well, good thing I baked , because it was good to have something to share with my great neighbors after we plowed out the neighborhood last weekend.    The work goes so much faster with friends, whether it is shoveling snow, doing the dishes  or cleaning the garage.

I remember doing the dishes as a kid with five siblings.  We would wash, dry and put away while doing our multiplication tables.  Two things finished at once, with lots of laughter and only a few broken dishes.

If, like me, you are suffering from cabin fever, try getting together with neighbors.  Help each other clear out closets or garages, swap things you never wear or use, or  set up a neighborhood movie night.  Many  things in life are either good or bad, depending on your attitude, so get as happy as you can.

As we watch the forecast  promising an additional 6 to 10 inches tonight,  I’ll think of tomorrow’s shoveling as a full body workout, minus the personal trainer.  And of course, a chance to get a few more interesting images of this astonishing snowfall.

Remember to send in your favorite snow photos for our February photo contest.  Best snow landscape and best snow portrait receive an 11 x14 print of their image.  So have fun, and be careful out there!