Capitol Blizzard 2009

It was a rare event to have a foot and a half of snow on the ground before Christmas in DC (not to mention the Senate being in session) and I took the opportunity to capture solid holiday and winter imagery at the Capitol. Surely they'll be seen in holiday cards for years to come!

Merry Christmas all and thanks for a fabulous 2009!















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A Capitol Engagement

She didn't have a clue.

It began with a private tour of the innards of the U.S. Capitol Dome, then an amazing and romantic sunset over an exclusive view from the roof of the U.S. Capitol down the National Mall (all by themselves). And then he popped the question. Well done Marc because she really didn't know it was coming!

I was privileged to shoot the engagement (well it was really a reenactment only seconds later) of Marc and Amanda on top of the U.S. Capitol on a very brisk Fall afternoon recently. The journey to the top of the U.S. Capitol is a historic and hard-to-get guided walk that begins at the base of the old dome, climbs steep stairways and catwalks between the outer shell and the inner exterior of the Dome (called the Interstitial) with a stop 150 feet above the floor of the Rotunda before ending up at the Cupola below the State of Freedom on the exterior.

There Marc's picture-perfect planned expedition came to fruition when he asked Amanda to marry him. I was privileged to be invited along and wish them both a life of happiness and love.

And by the way, she said yes.





















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Not Drinking the Cool Aid

Having been recently married, there is no doubt in my mind that my mom would have been very happy that I surrounded myself with newborns the other night, taking time out from a fantastic visit with friends to capture a brief moment in their new little lives. Sorry to disappoint mom, but nothing rubbed off just yet. One thing is for sure the experience with both families made it seem really easy and I'm grateful that we were able to share the time together. For now though we'll just enjoy these gorgeous little ones from the other side of the lens.














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Let It Snow!

For years now I have been photographing a local family for their holiday card and to document the life of their young daughter. So this year during our planning e-mails I shot back the idea that perhaps we venture out of the living room and den to more diverse environs. It was great when she was an infant, I just got to hang out with her, stay pretty much in one place. Now she is quite the cute little chatterbox, interested in everything and flashing moments of great photographic possibilities at every turn. I felt like the living room was too played out for me, too confining.

Alas, when I woke that morning to wet, rainy skies I thought, oh well, the living room it is.

Far from truth. I arrived at midday to a wonderful autumn snow storm fresh with big huge, wet flakes and a coating of billowy white snow. At every turn the backdrop seemed to beckon and once we got the indoor shot in the can we ventured outdoors to play. I'm not sure if I cherished the time outdoors making snow angels and mini snowmen or the photos I was able to capture.

One thing is for sure: Kids photograph best when they are being kids. So for all you parents who feel pressure to pose them and instruct them, really just let them go be themselves in all their inquisitiveness and follow with a camera, being quick on the draw. They'll produce more beautiful faces and tender moments than you could ever contrive in a dozen sittings.

Let it snow!!











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Cupcakes and Mermaids

Local stylist Beth Chrisner and I collaborated this fall for a daylong shoot with three local models to create some dynamic work in and around the Annapolis, MD area. It is always a pleasure to work with motivated creatives!

Maternity Photo Session

What a wonderful experience it was to capture one of Deb's last days of pregnancy and I am so grateful to her Ethan and the outstanding Liam for coming over to the studio to spend some time with us. Perhaps even more rewarding was letting that little man take the camera and shoot his own photos. Forget showing a kid what he looks like on the camera's LCD to get him back to sane behavior, just give him the camera!









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Family Portraiture at its Best

This shoot last week in DC was so much fun, capturing not only great images but for me the innocence of youth and the fresh joy of his parents. Thanks all for a great time!












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Saving the Earth one ecoBowl at a Time

Shooting the fall lineup last week of nature- and spirit-friendly ecoBowls in Kennebunkport at Presence of Nature was good old fashioned fun and hard work. Sagel and Kelly treated me right and I was so happy to contribute to the marketing for a new business that is certainly destined for great success.

This peaceful shop above the hustle of this lovely port-slash-tourist town plays gentle music as guests browse half a dozen styles of beeswax bowls in a variety of color and then make plans to decorate it according to the soul's delight. Floating candles, pinecones with cool rounded pebbles or potpourri and other dried flowers. Even a cool selection of small green rootless plants called tilandsias are available to choose from. Kids love to create and adults find great interest as well.

These bowls are fantastic reminders of nature in any setting and judging by the interest in the few hours I was there, Presence of Nature is a big hit. See presenceofnature.com and look for photos from iwphoto.com soon enough!

Thanks Sagel and Kelly.

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