Evoke: (to produce or suggest through artistry and imagination a vivid impression of reality)

You know how sometimes images can be so powerful? They can bring back happy recollections and warm thoughts, and have the ability to even create a longing for a future memory. Well, that's the case with our friend Eric's photos. Every so often I bug him to send me a picture to showcase on my blog. Well, I bugged him months ago, and he reciprocated rapidly. But then the summer craziness crowded in, and people were graduating and wanting pictures, and people were having weddings and wanting pictures, and people were having babies and wanting pictures. Which is good. Great, actually. But our friend Eric? His picture still sat in my folder, and it kept taunting me, bugging me to get it out. Because something this haunting, this beautiful, something that evokes such longing needs to be shown. (And because, for pity's sake, I want the picture to stop calling my name.)

It makes me want to dust off old dreams of travel and hiking, creating a desire to find a quiet place in the middle of a huge wilderness and sit and dream. (And take pictures, of course.)

Unfortunately, I hold not the talent for landscape and nature photography that Eric does. So instead, I live vicariously through his travel and experiences, and share some of them with all of you. Because it's just the nice thing to do.

There's a nice story behind this image, and though I keep asking him for all the details, this is all I know, quoted directly from Eric's email:

"It's a longer story for another day, but basically I had to wait for the elk to stop frolicking in the water so that I could get the reflection of the mountains back again." 1/40s, F/14, 18mm, ISO 200

Are you kidding me?! (Oh, that's me talking again.) Can anyone imagine me sitting and waiting for anything to happen-- least of all waiting for elk to get out of the frame, so I can get what I want of the still reflection?! I'd probably want to be up in the elks' faces, trying to showcase their personality with the gleam in the big guy's eye or something. To have a fraction of Eric's patience would be a blessing. (Paul thinks that would be nice if I did, too, I'm sure...)


Okay, I want to hop on a plane and visit Wyoming now. Can you imagine it in autumn?! So, if you want to live vicariously through his images, you can purchase Eric's fabulous artwork on his site here: www.ericjvirkler.com. Methinks you'll be glad you did.

"My profession is to always find God in nature."

-Henry David Thoreau, New England-born author, poet, naturalist
(1817-1862)

Reminisce: to recall past experiences or events.

This post is long overdue, but that's how it is with family sometimes, right? Get put to the back of the burner? (You know I love ya, Dee!)

It was great to have my dear friend and cousin come 'home' this summer to spend some time with us, gallivanting down to the shore and enjoying seafood and salt air. Of course, we had to grab some photos for them to remember Dee's New England hometown.

Some of the images have to be left out just in case they'll be turned into Christmas cards, but here is a little sampling:



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If these piggies weren't covered in sand, I think they'd be good enough to nibble on:


So typical of this happy little girl who knows what she wants:

Love you, Kenzie Lane!


Can I just say again how I love the gardens at Harkness?


Know what I learned that weekend they came to visit? Kayleigh loves the beach. In a very big way! It was tough to get her in her 'natural' state of smiling for some of the earlier pictures. When we hit the sand, not an issue at all. Love you, Kayleigh Sue!


Watch out. Kenzie's coming through--


And I'm thinking this might be the Christmas card (Is it, Dee? I can't remember) but Brad and Deanna said it didn't matter. Good thing, 'cuz I love it too much to hide it:






Then it was back to Ellington for a delicious dinner with extended family. And when the light got soft and warm and beautiful, we just had to grab a few more, with the girls' adorable outfits. We almost said, "Nah, we don't have to, we got plenty." But then, we just figured we'd try. And we're glad we did. It only took about 5 minutes, but it'll last a lifetime...



Just one more, because this little girl's beautiful brown eyes can't be ignored:

"I'm not a bit changed--not really. I'm only just pruned down and branched out. The real ME--back here--is just the same."

-Anne Shirley, of Anne of Green Gables - by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Quietness

Such a sweet, placid little girl-- so quiet and soft, new and beautiful. I love newborn sessions. It seems a bit silly to think that I can enjoy a job so thoroughly...

Meet sweet little Morgan- a tiny dark-haired girl with a bit of Irish in her. Yes, I am partial to Irish surnames. And though I won't share it here, suffice it to say she has a Gaelic last name that sounds lovely with her first. (A girl after my own heart.)


See? She's pretty happy about it. I was rather pleased to catch a teeny little grin:







While I rarely am able pick out a true favorite from each session, this is definitely mine from Morgan's. There is something about an infant yawn that does a mother's heart good:
















Daddy came home to get in on the session. 'So glad he did, because I got to sneak this next image in when Morgan's parents were trying to get her changed. There's something about a parent's hands holding their firstborn that makes a heart happy.





Kelly, Ken and Morgan- Thank you for welcoming me into your home and trusting me with these priceless memories. You have a lovely little girseach. (You'll have to find a Gaelic dictionary for that one, Ken. :)

"There is always music amongst the trees in the garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it."

-Minnie Aumonier

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A note for expectant mothers: I've had a number of inquiries in regards to scheduling newborn sessions. The best time to photograph babies is between 7-14 days old. They are still sleepy and flexible, and will cooperate through pretty much anything. I recommend scheduling a tentative session before the baby arrives, approximately one week after your proposed due date. If things change, as they often do, I will still have availability to sneak you in somewhere after the baby arrives. For further questions, you may email me at: betsyphoto1@gmail.com

Thank you!

Little Look: Miss Morgan

Could she be any cuter?!


More to come...

Family: (n) a group of related things or people.

Here is a sampling of some of the images we got from last week, on a beautiful evening filled with lots of children! Everyone was so helpful and easy to work with-- thanks for the smiles, 'K' Crew!

I had to refrain from posting some of my favorites, because I don't want to give away any Christmas card images...


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The Grandaughters-


Grandsons-


My friend Jen, aka 'Aunt Jen' :)




Sibling groups:








And the two who get credit for the family lineage:

"Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose."

Grand: (adj) magnificent or splendid

A quick little look into a large, loved family, who could honestly be the template for 'what to wear for portraits':



Many more to come, Eric & Sharon & crew! Thank you so much for being such a great group. I loved working with every last one of you! ;)

"A child needs a grandparent to grow a little more securely into an unfamiliar world."

-Charles Morse

Love: (n) a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection

Some favorites from Julie & Jesse's simple, happy wedding are to follow. It was a perfect day for portraits, and thoroughly enjoyable to work with you both, J & J! Special thanks also goes to my second shooter, Heidi, who did a fabulous job grabbing some great moments and stellar details!

All the best to you, Julie & Jesse, as you begin you married life. Thanks for trusting me with your memories.



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Heidi and I started out where Julie was getting ready, and pretty much jumped right into things taking her dress outside to get some dramatic detail shots. To set the scene: the grass is wet, kinda' cold, and I was wanting to get some bokeh in from the red/purple leaves in the tree above the dress. Yup. We started the day off partially soaked. But, I like the results!




Getting ready:


We get inside, and find that we need to go back out on the deck, because that's where Julie's getting ready. Hello, thank you very much for getting makeup done outside-- such pretty natural light!

Speaking of pretty-


Then we headed downstairs to her maid-of-honor's in-house salon for hair:







Love this shot that Heidi grabbed:



We left Julie to meet up with Jesse, waiting for the first look of his soon-to-be bride:



Look at the grin on her face as she makes her way down the stairs to see her groom:




I love the first look session:


This might be my favorite of the day. I love the hand, the feminine curve of her neck, and the bokeh from her necklace in the background. No faces shown, but there's so much information without them. It tells such a story.








Heidi got this shot of the bridesmaid shoes. LOVE it.


This is when it's helpful to have a second shooter-- so that when I want to do a ring shot in the garden, someone has her hand underneath the rings. Ya' know, just in case.


I smile like a ninny when I look at this.


One thing that stood out to me throughout the day was how much of a gentleman Jesse is towards Julie. I had never met Jesse until the morning of the wedding. First impression? He takes care of his bride.












It was great to have plenty of time for relaxed portraits. Snipsic Lake is such a versatile spot. (Thanks, Florine!)




Laughter. Directed at me, but-- hey, I'll take it anyway. :)



The car, from Classic Motor Cars of Ellington, provided a great prop for formal photos:






I love this detail that Heidi got-- the programs sticking out of Jesse's grandpa's herringbone suit. So spiffy!



Cool cake shot from Heidi Lynn:




This ring shot was tough to get, but it paid off:


I love the timeless feel of this last one:



Julie and Jesse, it was great working with you!

To family of the bride and groom: send me an email if you'd like to be notified when the online gallery is finished. I'll send you the link when it's complete!

"A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend, one human soul whom we can trust utterly, who knows the best and worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults."

-Charles Kingsley, English professor, historian, and novelist
(1819-1875)