Lifestyle: (n) the habits, attitudes, tastes, moral standards, etc., that together constitute the mode of living of an individual or group.

Okay, I know I say this a lot, but I love photography. I love the feeling I get when I just know that the moment was captured. The feeling of seeing someone put forth their true personality before my lens. I love meeting new people, and learning to newly appreciate those I've known for years. Sometimes what I see makes me so happy, I jump up and down. Really. And that's just what I did today when I was in my sister's garden. Why? Because she gets me. She sees life like I do. We love the same things. The feel of dirt between our toes, the warm soil enveloping the soles of our feet. The cascade of water from a watering can. The way the light warms the faces of our children. The fleeting moments of their childhood that we know we'll treasure for always. The feeling of a warm cup of coffee in hand as we sit on our front steps with our husbands, talking about the Cape. She understands what I'm looking for when I ask her to pick some lettuce and hold it up like a fisherman would a prized fish. And, most of all, she totally gets why I jump up and down when I see something that I love. That's why I left my sister and brother-in-law's home with a happy heart. Because she gets me.

"Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply."

~Jane Austen, English authoress (1775-1817)

Promise: (n) something that has the effect of an express assurance; indication of what may be expected.

These young women are cousins, and friends since childhood. One of the girls' relatives wanted to document the relationship before the future opens up different paths for each of them. They were so willing to comply with whatever ideas I had for them (and some I didn't have :) ! We visited a beautiful farm in Somers, CT for this shoot. What an amazing place! It was like stepping onto a Montana ranch. So nice of the homeowners to let us invade for a couple hours. Their horses were HUGE- but easy-tempered and quite photogenic.

I had to think that it must be kind of bittersweet- the 'girls' are all grown, some off to college and careers, toward a future bright with promise. And it is so obvious they're related- wait until you see their blue eyes! I love to get individual shots, so I made sure to grab a few of each of them.

Thanks again to all 4 of you (and JH) for making my job an easy one. I love what we came up with!

I made a slide show, but I love this one too much to not let it stand alone:



And now, enjoy:

"A good friend is a connection to life- a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world."

-Lois Wise , author & columnist (1926-2007)

Sneak Peek

It's late, and I feel a cold coming on, so I know I should be sleeping. But-- I just had to share this before I retire for the night:


Seriously? Look at how the horses are perfectly positioned in the background- one for each girl. I saw it through my lens and was really, really hoping I caught that little moment. (Little do those horses know I'm not a huge animal-lover-- But they made me happy today!)

As far as the main subjects of the photo, they were wonderful to be with. I remembered again just how much I truly enjoy photographing people in their element. Thanks Meagan, Jessica, Lauren & Christie! You were great to be with!

Slide-show to follow soon. (Per special request, of course... You know who you are :)


And in the words of the enigmatic Winston Churchill, with whom I sense these 4 young women would agree:

"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man."

Bright: (adj) radiating or reflecting light; also- radiant with happiness

It's easy to take things for granted- to see the same person every day and forget what a beautiful, caring personality they have. To know someone for many years and sometimes forget how deeply they are treasured. To see the struggle and work that relationships can take, but forget the deep communication of two people who have shared years of memories.

It's so easy to take things for granted, to see the same place each season and not realize the full beauty of a location. 'So easy to live in Connecticut all my life and think it's kind of a hum-drum, normal place to reside. Somehow, though, when I have a camera before my eyes, I see things in a whole new way. That was definitely the case on Saturday. I realized again that Connecticut is absolutely breathtaking, and I'm so fortunate to live in this state.

It's so easy to take things for granted, to just assume that the loping motion of life will continue on undisturbed. But sometimes coming through difficult experiences makes us hold someone closer, and appreciate them more. We instead remember to not take them for granted. That is the case with Tracey and Jannik. Working hard over many, many months, trying to commute back and forth from Mexico to the States, sharing a long-distance journey of many miles. Trying to work through paper trails and visas to have Jannik come to Chicago to be with the woman he loves. Having a wedding ceremony in Mexico City with only one of Tracey's family members present, hoping for someday when the union could be shared with all those who love this couple. That hope came to fruition this weekend as Tracey and Jannik came 'home' to CT for a celebration of their future as husband and wife. And there was more than one family member this time, so many willing to share in the happiness that recognized their union. So many who were not taking anything for granted.

We wish you all the best, Tracey and Jannik, and hope that your future together is blessed, whatever may come your way!






Tracey's mom, admiring her daughter and reminiscing:





The groom:






Tracey and Jannik chose to see each other before the ceremony. The groom waited on the beach as Tracey's dad escorted her down.








This was such a touching part of the celebration ceremony- Jannik's family was unable to travel to CT from Mexico for the day. So Tracey's brother Tyson, unbeknownst to Jannik and Tracey, had Jannik's family record video messages to play during the wedding celebration. They were both so surprised; it was such an emotional, bittersweet and joyful expression of love from Jannik's family at home (and his brother in Germany!)








Even more surprises: Tracey wanted to make sure that Jannik felt a little piece of Mexico on their special day, so she hired a little mariachi band. We were on the beach taking portraits of Jannik and Tracey when the two players started to strike up a tune. Jannik was shocked!




We were only a few minutes from Harkness Memorial Park, so we had to head over there for some very quick portraits. I am so glad we made the effort. 'Definitely some of my favorites from the day!






















I know, tons of images-- there are so many, many more. Thus, a slideshow:

"Without, the sun shines bright and the birds are singing amid the ivy on the drooping beeches. Their choice is made, and they turn away hand-in-hand, with their backs to the darkness and their faces to the light."

-Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, British author (with spiffy Irish name :)
1859-1930