I'll Be There For You

I admit it! I have an absurd crush on Jon Bon Jovi. So I was very excited to go with my sister, my closest friend from high school, and my daughter, to The New Meadowlands Stadium for the inaugural concert at the stadium. I mean REALLY excited.

We have a little Bon Jovi ~ Springsteen rivalry in our family and I am desperately trying to win my daughter over to my side. My husband has already turned both kids into Yankee Fans and Giant Fans. Chants of J-E-T-S on Sunday afternoons fall flat in my house.

It was as hot and steamy as a July night, the stadium had no healthy food options, AND the sound went off in the middle of Bon Jovi's career launching 1983 mega hit "Runaway" but it was still AMAZING.

My favorite t-shirt on sale at the stadium: "My Mom went to Bon Jovi - and never came back!"

The awesome concert photos were taken by my friend, Jen Pottheiser. (I know you might be thinking, what kind of friend doesn't take you with her into the pit and backstage?) She is a fantastic photographer, check out her site. (Plus, I am sure she would have taken me, if she could have.)

Real Heroes

I had the pleasure of photographing The Soiree for JRA 2010. JRA Heroes is an organization whose mission is to support high quality research to prevent, treat and cure Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis in children and adolescents. A disease that is most commonly associated with aging adults, is the #1 cause of acquired disability in children and the 6th most common childhood disease. Facts that were definitely news to me.

The three couples who co-chaired the event shared very touching and personal details of : their struggles, their determination and their hope - living with children with this disease. They were incredibly brave and demonstrated, with their words and actions, what incredible parents they are. It was obvious to this outsider, that they were surrounded by loved ones, including: friends, family and medical professionals who support them, every day, in their journey.

"To make a difference is not a matter of accident, a matter of casual occurrence of the tides. People choose to make a difference." ~Maya Angelou

Celebrating with the Chinchillas

This is a video from a party I did a while ago. So the kids may be 3 and a half by now!!!

Snapshot

In an attempt to continue to bring new content to the blog, I am planning to dole out pearls of wisdom I have picked up in my ten plus years photographing your children and mine. Add in a few bits of knowledge learned while earning a BFA at Cornell University - Go Big RED! - and it should be good for at least two or three posts!

Here goes:

Tip #1

Always look at creatively using angles and perspectives.

Still looking for the perfect gift?

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.
She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never.
Being a mother is something absolutely new to her...
And, with each child, she is born anew.
~ Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

It's not too late!! Forward this subtle hint to your husband, significant other, or any one who wants to treat you to a Mother’s Day gift you will absolutely love!!

This Mother's Day is your chance to get out from behind the lens and be a part of a beautiful portrait with your baby. In honor of your first year celebrating this holiday as a mom yourself, I have created a VIP portrait packages for you at my Upper West Side studio. Come prepared to relax and enjoy the quality time with your baby. You will be so happy that you took the time to create a treasured keepsake that will endure forever. Your time with us will be spent creating images that truly capture the essence of your relationship with the new baby in your life. Of course there will be time to take images of the baby on his or her own too. After the session, we will schedule a design consultation to help you select truly personalized artwork for your home. Surrounding yourself with the ones you love will bring you joy for years to come.

Those who purchase gift certificates before Mother's Day will receive a complimentary slideshow of images from the session, for their Facebook page or their iPhone!

To those of you that have older children – bring all the kids – to celebrate your growing family!

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

What a fabulous day! Spring is finally here - or is it summer? Either way today was a great day to be outside taking photos.

Have fun with your photos. Take lots of images and make it fun for all involved. If you integrate it into your activity instead of making it a chore you will be amazed at the results. You will always get something fantastic if your kids are having fun!! It's those natural spontaneous moments rather than the posed ones that you will appreciate and want to hang on your walls anyway.