Smile With Me

NEW BLOG SITE!!!

2009-12-29T18:57:00.001-08:00

Come visit me on my new blog:

www.thesmilecollector.com/blog

see you there!

2009-12-03T16:01:00.001-08:00

Senior to be

2009-11-25T17:28:00.000-08:00

It's been a struggle to set up a new blog, until then I promise to be more constant here. This lovey senior to be was shot in September, I know shame on me. Happy Holidays everyone!

Tri-Coast Photography Seminar

2009-10-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago I drove 5 hours down to Lake Jackson Texas to take a seminar on TTL off-camera flash presented by Tri-Coast Photography. Great information, Terrible weather! Poor Cindy the chief "go to girl" for the studio was our de-facto model. We had no great sunset, no bright shiny days to practice overiding the sun with flash, instead, we huddled under the hotel awning and learned the most we could. Can't wait to apply this to my shooting style.

Sengleman Hall in Schulenburg Texas!

2009-10-11T11:16:00.000-07:00

Traveling back from a seminar by Tri-Coast Photography I stopped to visit Sengleman Hall, the historic, newly renovated dance hall/restaurant/beer garden/bakery in Schulenburg Texas. I was nursing a killer Migraine, and in the middle of a 5 hour drive home but was it worth the stop! Glorious!!! I can't wait to return and wish I had hit Polka Sundays (yea, I am that corny). I grabbed some shots with a hand held camera "sans" flash and got a great reception from the staff. I am so sorry I was too burnt out to think to shoot the sweetest hostess and production manager Hillary and Jena. Maybe another time. I did catch Tyson at the bar! Definitely stop if you are on route 10 from San Antonio to Houston, but check the times, they are only open about 4 days a week!

Finally! SHE BLOGS!

2009-04-05T16:26:00.000-07:00

SO!
I am finally settling in to San Antonio and I apologize for not blogging sooner, things have been nuts, and my internet situation is not great...but until I am up and posting portraits, I will try to post some photos of my new home. These were taken along the famous River Walk with my point and shoot.... can't wait to start photographing people, in the mean time, a look at where I live....

The Last Photos in Maryland!

2009-02-20T16:21:00.000-08:00

Yikes! Here are the last photo portraits I will post for awhile. I will be leaving Maryland next week, and will be in Texas about the second week of March. In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful Carrie! Stop by my blog to see my travels as I move across the country.

Goodbye NYC

2009-02-09T17:43:00.000-08:00

I made a crazy one day trip into NYC to photograph my brother-in-law John and sister in-law Mary Anne in the Bronx. I spent the day revisiting John's old neighborhood's from Manhattan's Spanish Harlem, to what's left of the totally Italian enclave on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. Good food, good fun...just really cold weather.
P.S.For those in the know. John made it perfectly clear that he was posing on the "B" side of the handball courts because the light was better......he actually played on the "A" side.

Nikki and Matt are pregnant!

2009-02-05T16:54:00.001-08:00

This was a quick shoot I did, since I am getting ready to move soon. Nikki and Matt are expecting their first baby, and she was a little unsure of how she was going to look. I think they are adorable,we shot outside behind their house, and even in their great old garage. Can't wait to see if they have a boy or girl!

Oh Boy! Obama!

2009-01-21T14:41:00.000-08:00

Before you look at the photos of Tuesday I have to thank ...

1. Micheal Mitchell of N.Y.C. who, when we were caught in a really awful human gridlock simply smiled at me sweetly and nodded as I grabbed the back of his coat and informed him I wasn't letting go of him until we broke free. Thank you again Micheal....
2. Reverend Jessie Jackson. I know it is an awful photo.....but it was a bit surreal. Reverend Jackson was trapped along with us yesterday morning by the Capitol, and we were able to move forward (about 5 feet) in his wake as the crowd parted for a moment for him and his entourage.

How we were trapped on the same street is beyond me. I clearly asked the well meaning but totally ill-informed volunteer for directions "to the part of the Mall where Non-Ticket holders could stand".
He was probably asking for "the most excellent V.I.P. entrance". Go figure.

p.s if you would rather, there is a video at the bottom of the page...sorry it's so small...it's my first video upload.

Inauguration Trip: Weather Permitting

2009-01-16T16:53:00.000-08:00

So I am heading to D.C. on Tuesday for the "Inauguration Celebration" as long as it is not wet. I just want to photograph the crowd and take part in a moment in history. Don't get too excited, my tickets are just for the train into D.C. I will be milling around outside in the weather with 4 million others at the mall, trying not to drink anything, in case I can't find a port-a-potty. Check back on the site, to see if I made it, and check out some photographs.

Painting with Light

2009-01-10T21:51:00.001-08:00

Can you believe it! I have been photographing without a tripod until recently. Actually I bought a B-E-A-UTIFUL carbon fiber tripod while in NYC. I have finally starting playing with it, and used it to grab this unsuspecting napper over the holidays. I shot a one long exposure, with just a photoshop color change, from the green LED light I keep in my camera bag, to blue. Turns out if you squeeze this mini LED light three times in a row, it will blink. DUH! That's how I got the little star trail. And there I was in the dark, shooting over and over trying to turn it on and off rapidly to get the same effect.....(dumma as**)!

Photographer Mash!

2009-01-05T17:19:00.000-08:00

Lora of LoraJPhotography.com is a blast! She is one of the photographers I second shot weddings for this summer. So when she suggested photographing each other's families for Christmas, I loved the idea.....the down side was the weather. My family's shoot day was so yucky we could not go out on location, and Lora's was the day before Christmas and simply freezing!!!!!! Her husband spent most of his time warming up their youngest at the Sideshow gift shop over at the Visionary Arts Museum. You can see photos she took of their family a week later on the beach, on her blog....they look so much warmer!

I had a great time shooting anyway...but I am not sure her kids would agree.

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Warmest Wishes for the New Year!

2008-12-31T15:06:00.001-08:00

Scooting

2008-12-14T16:26:00.000-08:00

Just a few photos I caught of a great local landscape architect, Eric Blamphin of Barks Road Architecture. I was over shooting a web portrait for him, and coaxed him and the boys onto an old scooter they had. I challenged them to run me over, as I lay on the ground photographing them (I knew they wouldn't pick up too much speed with three of them aboard). I LOVE my clients!

Unconventional!

2008-11-30T17:48:00.000-08:00

Lori and Jeff had an unconventional wedding. Small ceremony, street clothes, big house reception. Very Fun. So.... on their anniversary, we set out to do some unconventional photos.

Fashionista

2008-11-25T16:58:00.000-08:00

I photographed my last high school senior for the year, two weeks ago and am just getting around to posting it because I was out of town. Parson is hoping to go to a fashion design school after she graduates and has this great fluid style that I love. Her clothes, hair and fair completion always add up to a striking statement. She was great fun to photograph. She brought along a little of everything, and her grandmother's suitcase for the shoot. We even incorporated one of her favorite second hand shops into the day.

Sicis in NYC

2008-11-16T16:38:00.000-08:00

I had to pay Homage to Sicis in NYC. If you are there, stop in the showroom for a heart stopping experience. This was the better than amazing....it was mad crazy and everyone should see it! You don't have to have a mosaic fetish to be moved. If the four floors of gallery style design, floating frosted glass stairs, inlaid floors don't mesmerize, the art will. Sicis has been in Milan for years, their coffee table books EVERYWHERE in the showroom, chronicle custom tile work in homes, hotels and metro stops the world over. If the current show on the first floor not your taste, repose to the second floor and browse the tile samples that beg to be tasted!
More eye candy and designers on the third floor. Still not your style, repose to the basement, where you will be regaled with mostly tumbled and natural tile, and classic motifs that are never ending. The flying carpets are just for fun, don't miss the classic back wall samples. To top it off, They were so nice, despite my "just crossed the Brooklyn Bridge" windblown hair, sneakers, jeans and overstuffed backpack. Thanks Sicis for the highlight of year!

FAV NYC SPOTS

2008-11-02T12:04:00.001-08:00

Self portrait with canon sure shot.....

So here are some of the places I was able to hit in my marathon morning free. I was beat trying to cram in all my favorite spots before I had to be back in the expo. I thought I would share them here...The first is the subway, love it or hate it...it can get you there....

I finally was able to revisit the Brooklyn Bridge...the last three trips to the city the weather would not be kind. If you have never done it, it is the best freebie around. Just start on the Manhattan side....much quicker to access the entry point....

Canal Street and Pearl River, the best Asian import store on 477 Broadway. Had to buy these children's rice bowls....couldn't resist!

So, this was my new OMG place....Sicis Showroom on 410 Broome Street....I thought it was a gallery, they have only been there two year (in Milan for who knows) and it was the most amazing and inspiring 4 floors of custom mosaic work ever!!!! It will get it's own post later this week...

Oilly, Anthropology, (some secret Santa shopping)........and then Lunch. If you are SOHO I love Le Gamin 132 West Houston Street....don't blink or you will miss it. Cash only. The food is great!!!! and they are sooo sweet. I LOVED my pine nut and sweet potato salad, $8...not bad for a sit down in the city......

ABC Carpet and Home on W. Broadway down by 17th. Not as resplendent as usual, but who else can meld eastern icons and western holiday motifs with such aplomb! They have 4 great floors, and don't forget the fabric in the basement.

Tinsel Trading Co. on 37th between 5th and 6th. I like M and J trimmings also, but tinsel traders has vintage finds, in the way of trimmings, ribbons, etc... that make it a fun stop

NYC Photo Expo

2008-10-25T15:58:00.000-07:00

I'm just back from the expo, where I got some great new equipment. I had a great time. One of my senior books was made into a floor sample, which was fun to see. I will blog more this week, sharing my favorite places in the city!

Fun News

2008-10-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

So I am headed to NYC this week for the Photo Expo, and I received a call this week from Millers/Mpix asking if they could use a book I built of a High School Senior as a sample on their expo table. Neat! Anyway, if you see the book above, it's my work.
We'll see if it makes it out to the trade show floor. I'll post pics of my trip next Sunday!
Have a great week!

More one-light portraits

2008-10-12T19:57:00.001-07:00

Beautifull day, beautifull girl, but not a beautifull sunset. The last three nights the sky has been streaked red. But not tonight! Sigh!

Off Camera Lighting

2008-10-05T16:44:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd post some off camera lighting I am doing on location. Love this girl!

Mini session

2008-09-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

Just a few photos from a quick mini session I did, in these last few warm days of fall.

UM Photo Club

2008-09-25T11:07:00.001-07:00

Last Night I spoke at the University Of Marland Photo Club, about what it is like to be a "second wedding shooter"(thanks to Amy Raab and David Spence of Amy Raab Photography www.amyraab.com and Mary Gardella, Jennifer Domenick and Stephen Bobb of www.lovelifeimages for letting me show picture I shot for them for the slideshow).
I had a blast, it was a honor to be asked. Since I had arrived a bit early, I took my point and shoot camera, and photographed around campus. Please forgive the soft hand held photo in the beginning. I forced Tiffany the photo club vice president, to climb out of the window and into this covered nook to pose for me! I suppose it would help if I finally read the directions on this camera and learned how to up the iso........

Just a taste

2008-09-15T18:49:00.000-07:00

I'm working on some Alternative Bride portraits, for the wedding section I plan to launch soon. Here is a sample from Saturday's shoot!

Not my usual stuff

2008-08-31T20:12:00.000-07:00

Just back from shooting at the Naval Academy in Annapolis Md. I am taking a color correcting class, and we needed to shoot a "just after dusk, water shot with reflective lights and a main street light"........Not my usual stuff....but here is is anyway.

Legomania

2008-08-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

I met my soul sister in this tiny beauty and another Lego freak in her brother. Oh my word, had the weather been better we would have really tore up the town. It was a cold and drizzly day, so I photographed Snap and Sugar in their home, and favorite restaurant "King Chef". Snap had every Lego kit I have ever drooled over except the new VW Bug. I love his Eiffel Tower!!!! Sugar was coming up with so many shooting ideas that we would not ever had time for them all. I would love to go back and have a session with them again since our skate park idea was totally blown. View on.

Posh Spice

2008-08-17T18:12:00.000-07:00

So, here is the last of the spicy four some from the Springs. Posh, despite her elegance is a killer soccer player. She needs boost of adreline, and so is off running, or rock climbing or conquering some feat of athletics daily. who would have guessed?

Scary Spice

2008-08-06T12:53:00.001-07:00

Poor Scary,
I am late in posting my third "spice girl". I have one More Senior Portrait Session from Colorado to post and then all the girls will be up. Scary is a pocketfull of talent. Rock-climber, artist, musician and all around beauty. Must be the air up there.

Baby Spice

2008-07-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

Spice wars continue, with more lovelies from Colorado Springs. Baby was the ultimate girly-girl of the foursome. Don't let this shoe devotee fool you. She is a killer tennis player, has a daily yoga regime and loves the outdoors. More of baby.......

"Sporty Spice"

2008-07-15T20:27:00.001-07:00

Sporty is the first of the "fab four" High School Seniors that I shot in Colorado Springs. These four friends had a major combined shoot. Different personalities, different sports, different styles, but all of them beautiful! Look and see!!!!

The Springs

2008-07-01T19:59:00.000-07:00

While in Colorado I didn't just shoot High School Seniors, I also had some family shoots. I met some really great people on my trip and this family was one of them. Linda thought she only wanted a few pictures of the kids together, but ended up wanting to do more fun shots on playground equipments than her children did! I love her sense of humor, and lightness of spirit.

Spicy Colorado

2008-06-19T19:13:00.000-07:00

Just back from shooting in Colorado Springs, and I had a great time. I photographed some family sessions and this behemoth of all "Senior Portrait Shoots", a combined shoot for four friends. We began at noon in a sweet cafe "Sugas" in the city and ended the day at a cabin up in the mountains. You will see more of these "spice girls" when I feature each girl, after editing her session. Here is a glimpse, since none of us could wait to see the photos.

Senior-cize

2008-06-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

I was home in Detroit last month, and my mother wanted me to come shoot her exercise class at the Livonia Senior Center in Livonia Michigan. The instructor Marsha was great. She teaches the seated, one hour exercise class three times a week, with more than one session a day and does she work them. Who know what the average age is but both my parents are well over 29 (can you guess which are my rents...no they don't have dyed hair)! It was great, and so is the center. Feel free to drop in, if you happen to be in Michigan.

I am off for a vaca in Colorado this week. I will be doing some shooting while I am there, so it will be fun to have a different twist on some of my work for the blog. See you in about two weeks....

Harley

2008-06-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

Harley was a reluctant senior. He really didn't see why he needed his photos taken at all, but he agreed to a few shots for his Mom. What a guy! In the end, he was willing to stay longer, not only was it not painfull, we had a really good time. Good thing he likes a goofy sense of humor, or I could have been in for it!

Piper

2008-05-24T09:09:00.000-07:00

Piper finished her senior shoot last week. When she first contacted me, she warned me she might be an "un-photogenic challenge". THE GIRL WAS CRAZY! Look at those eyes. She could not have been farther from the truth. She emotes "serene goddess". Her boyfriend Leo was there for the second half of her sitting, lending a hand in his low-key style. What a help. Take a peek.

The Reception

2008-05-19T18:19:00.001-07:00

Enter the Reception,
This is the last event I shot for Shazeen and Imran, I was busy the last night of their festivities, Imran's Reception. Can't wait to see what Shazeen wore for that!

The Nikkah

2008-05-11T20:22:00.000-07:00

Here are some images from the Wedding itself:

More Mehndi Photos

2008-05-04T18:16:00.000-07:00

As promised, pictures of the Mehndi celebration taken last week. More of the lovely events to come.

Mehndi, Nikkah and a Reception

2008-04-19T11:11:00.001-07:00

If you have never had a chance to go to any kind of Eastern Wedding, you are missing the loveliest evenings around. I was honored to be ask to shoot a series of Pakistani Wedding events this week. Just when I thought it could not get any prettier, the bride would emerge more amazing then the day before. Take a look at the my sweet, sweet bride! I will post more in the next few weeks, but here is a highlight of each night!

April 10: Blossoms and Beach

2008-04-13T16:52:00.000-07:00

I LOVE my clients! I had a senior portrait shoot with the ever SO SWEET Reese, and her AMAZINGLY patient and helpful cousin Rachel (as the all around assistant). We got so many great looks it was hard to choose what to post here!

April 4th: .....and the Winner Is!!!!!!!!

2008-04-05T11:07:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, I snapped the winners of my "short shoot" package give-a-way. They were so much fun. Even up for the dubious trampoline. As a portrait photographer I love mixing things up. Their one desire was to have their favorite pets along for some of the pics. Here goes......

March 29th: PANDA!

2008-03-29T17:30:00.000-07:00

Panda returned for spring break, it seemed liked ages since I had seen her! We updated her photos, but it was a windy day, and the reflector was determined to sidle up to her for a kiss and a hug, the big brute! Oh for an assistant when you need one! Enjoy!

March 20th: The Trickster

2008-03-22T21:18:00.000-07:00

Some of you might remember Tim from last summer. He farms over at Boyer Farms, the family run peach orchard I chronicled last year, here in Maryland. Tim is definitely the Puck of that enchanted land. His sense of humor and pranks are legendary. He is stupefying mix of a classic literature reading, philosophy studying, metal rocking, farm man. He was also a sweet model (but don't tell anyone I said that, it would totally ruin his rep). Enjoy!

Navigate with style and aplomb!

2008-03-15T15:20:00.000-07:00

Kyle is a Fashion Beast! He graciously agreed to sit for me this weekend, as I had a project and needed a model. I love him because he works thrift store chic as easily as boutique and is always styling something new/retro/and twisted. He is a budding MC/DJ, fashion student, mechanic and about twenty other things extraordinaire! Here is some of what we did.

Yikes! A Wilding!

2008-03-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

So, had to Post some pics from a birthday party I went to last week. I second shoot weddings,with Amy Raab,this great wedding photographer in Annapolis (first photo) and she invited me to join her in shooting her daughter's dress up party. Well, the kids went nuts! They had a blast, and ran non-stop through the studio for two hours. I swear there were no pixie sticks or red #5 involved!!! Just one tiny peice of cake at the end. I think they were just bitten by the first buds of spring! Here are a few photos.

Feb. 23, 2008: Old Friends

2008-02-24T17:10:00.000-08:00

My old neighbors and dear friends were in town, visiting from Germany this weekend. As always, I update their family photos when ever we are together. This was a really stinky day to shoot, don't let the lack of coats fool you. It was Cold!!!! Check out the ice on the ground. Tracy really wanted photos, so between shouts of "brrrrrrr" and warm-up trips to the car, we got some fun stuff! They even shot me!

My Goals for 2008

2008-02-19T15:25:00.000-08:00

Sooo.......Besides my effort to be more "green", I have decided that his year I will donate 5% of my business earnings to "The Smile Train". It is an organization that provides free cleft lip and palate surgeries for those in need. I felt drawn to it because everyone desrves to feel smile ready. You can visit thier website at http://www.smiletrain.org/site/PageServer.

On another note, I am knitting again. It began as an effort to keep my hands out of the cookie jar at the end of the night, and now I am on a mission to knit 100 hats this year to donate to orphanages. Twelve down, Seventy-Eight to go. I will keep you posted. Hope to finish the blue one tonight.

February 10, 2008

2008-02-10T19:58:00.001-08:00

After being stationed in Germany for almost 6 years, these two lovelies hadn't had a chance to be photographed for years. I was great fun to help them with their plan to suprise their parents with new photos. They braved the cold like troppers and we came away with such sweet shots!

Back at Last!

2007-12-16T17:27:00.000-08:00

Sorry, as a family, senior and portrait photographer, sometimes I get a little behind in the blog department. I also shoot weddings, small ones alone and as a second shooter for some greats in the area. Anyway, as this is the slow season, and my equipment is soon to go in for its annual tune up and cleaning, I decided to post some of the wedding work I have been doing. Every wedding is so unique it always shows in the photos. Follow along for the next few weeks and enjoy the party.

Dec 3:Engagement Shoot

2007-12-04T20:29:00.000-08:00

O.K., I have really been off my game, missed two weeks of blogging, but I am back with an engagement session a few weeks ago of a friend that I have know since she was a Junior in High School. Now she is all grown up, in graduate school and engaged! It helps when you know the couple because they feel totally comfortable to kiss, and kiss they did! Take a peek.

November 13th: Family Shoot

2007-11-13T19:12:00.001-08:00

G really loves photos of her family, and was totally open to an impromptu stop, while passing one of her favorite buildings in Howard County. It gave us the most glorious photos. Then we were off to the park for family fun and some well needed story time. I love how these shoots unfold, they are always serendipitous.

November 3. Engaged!!!

2007-11-05T17:27:00.001-08:00

Vicki and Ben are getting married this spring, but I shot their engagement session a few weekends ago. They are taking dancing lessons, and I made them show off their stuff! I wish them all the happiness in the world. They are such a sweet couple.

Sharpay: The early years

2007-10-28T09:28:00.000-07:00

O.K. Who was I to doubt the power of Disney? But, I did! Idiot! Who knew High School Musical would be so big that even a 3 year old knows the words to all the songs. Our little Sharpay sang and danced for this photo shoot the other week. A true rock star in the making.

October 21: High School Senor! Mercer's shoot

2007-10-21T17:43:00.001-07:00

O.K., so I know a lot of guys only get their High School Senior portrait photographed, because their mothers' make them. Who could blame them, having to wear that goofy fake tux, but there is an alternative. Mercer, really looked forward to shooting in downtown Baltimore, this is soooo much better than the tux or the girl's rose! (Props to InvisibleSnow on Deviant Art for the use of the scrawl brushes, Thanks!)

Total Demolition! October 15, 2007

2007-10-16T16:03:00.000-07:00

What is it about a Demolition Derby, that unearths the "Circus Maximus Spectator" in all of us. We were promised "total destruction" in the compact car division, by the over-the-top, auctioneer/announcer. What we got we got was tons of crazy collisions for a meager $5 fee. This derby was at the county fair in Lancaster, Ohio. The participants informed me, (as they wired together the pieces of their car most likely to jettison) that this part of Ohio has a circuit of about 9 derbies in the fall. Some of these guys and girls hit them all. My back was out of whack just cheering them on. Man, you gotta love it!

Lancaster County Fair:October 14th

2007-10-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

This weekend I had a rare trip away, to Lancaster, Ohio (my husbands childhood home) for the annual County Fair. Lancaster has a quintessential American fairground set almost in the center of town, with a rare round barn. You are almost expecting strolling barbershop quartets to come round the corner, like in the Music Man. I was there at 7 a.m with the rest of the 4-H'ers. Check it out, and come back tomorrow for the pictures of the DEMOLITION DERBY!!!

October 3: Isabelle

2007-10-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

This High School Beauty is a talented photographer herself and a kindred spirt. When I recommend this farm and garden stand for her senior photo shoot, she went with faith and an open mind. THIS IS WHY I LOVE SHOOTING ON LOCATION!
Thanks so much to George who owns and runs this stand on Route 450&424 in Crofton MD. He generously let us shoot till the lights went out. Check out his stand in all seasons for a visual and edible mish mash. His stand is the last picture in this post.

Sept.29: Karen and Marcus get Married!

2007-09-30T09:22:00.001-07:00

I shot a wedding on this glorious fall weekend for Karen and Marcus. Everyone there felt the love from the earnest vow exchange and enjoyed the tension breakers of the groomsmen. Here is a sneak peak.

Sept 24: Candide is a Second Hand Rose

2007-09-25T18:16:00.000-07:00

I had a great time shooting Candide this weekend. She is a swing dancing, thrift store loving, writer and High School Senior. Gary the owner of this fantastic consignment shop, www.TakeItOrLeaveIt.com, 389 Main Street, Laurel MD, gave us free reign to shoot in his garden of earthly delights! We had a blast, if you are in the neighborhood, check it out. He has TONS of great stuff that these few pics don't do
justice to.

justice to.

Sept. 20th: Boyerisms: Homage to the Farm

2007-09-19T17:42:00.000-07:00

The Boyer Farm is still producing: onions, tomatoes, soon-to-be sweet potatoes and pumpkins. This is a chance for me to get some pictures of the crew on-line that are back to school, including our own rapping farmer, and shots of last weeks tomato picking. Remember to visit the stand at 1500 Severn Road, off RT. 100 in Anne Arundel County.

September 9th: Alice in Wonderland

2007-09-09T17:54:00.000-07:00

Alice and I made our own Wonderland today, while shooting her senior photos (with the help of her mom and some natural scenery) What fun! I am so glad she chose me to enter her kingdom. We had a great time. Thanks, Alice!

September 5th:1+1+1

2007-09-07T19:51:00.000-07:00

I'm posting the demure pictures, but I can assure you that Asia is the hottest mom-to-be that I have ever seen. She is cooking up a set of twins, but flaunts her girly-girl persona even when pushing a stroller. I love it! I am also totally envious, I was never as sexy as she is, even in an evening gown!

Boyerisms: August 30, Scandalous Pictures! Boyers at rest!

2007-08-31T22:23:00.000-07:00

Pictures like you've never seen before!!! If you've been by the farm stand, I know you have seen Ridge and Kathy looking like the first two photos posted here, but to see them slow down is rare. After pestering them all summer, I was able to convince them to stay in one place long enough for some portrait shots...by the way, the hammock was a total set-up. They hardly make time to sit down, yet alone lay down!

August 19: Two Gems

2007-08-19T14:15:00.001-07:00

Diamond has a horse, Emerald has a dirt bike, but best of all they have each other. I was able to shoot these two gems, sisters, over the weekend. Girls, horses, sisterly love, better than going to a jewelry store!

August 7, Garden Fairy

2007-08-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

I had a really nice family shoot this week. The daughter was as cute as a tea cup and sweet as a fairy sprite. The garden was hot and so were the peppers!! I am glad the heat wave has finally ended!

Federal Hill Wedding

2007-08-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

I was able to shoot along side photographer Stephen Bobb for this Federal Hill Wedding. They repeated their vows as the sun set and then enjoyed dancing and drinks by the water on the Chesapeake. Here are some photos form that evening:

August 4th: Digital Remixing

2007-08-04T12:18:00.000-07:00

I love creating one-of-a-kind digital remixes from my portraits. Here is something I worked on today, a great senior portrait sitting for Cecilia.

Boyerisms: Picking a peck of whatever......

2007-07-29T20:10:00.001-07:00

Ok, so maybe we aren’t picking pickled peppers, but corn, tomatoes, onions, okra, squash, zucchini, a couple of different lopes, three different watermelons, and of course peaches and nectarines. !!!! If you read the blog, you know I have been following the season at a small family farm on 1700 Severn Road in Anne Arundel County called Boyer Farms. I don’t know what is nicer, the people or the produce. Stop by and buy something fresh if you are in the mood for summer, they don’t grow it better anywhere else.

Boyerisms: Better Than Petticoat

2007-07-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

I think the Boyer ladies win hands down over those Bradley girls in Petticoat Junction. All of these women have, or still do, work at the farm stand on 1500 Severn Road. I had a great time taking their portraits. Thanks Rachael for coming up with the plan. Make sure to visit the farm and gets some home grown produce if you are out and about on Route 100, in Anne Arundel County.

Weddings!

2007-07-23T15:03:00.001-07:00

I’ve been shooting a lot of weddings lately along side my bosses. If you want to see more examples, visit my website at www.thesmilecollector .com. Here is a small sample from the last few……

Boyerisms: FYI -Toby is not DUMB!

2007-07-18T11:52:00.000-07:00

O.K, Despite what the gods of the watermelon patch decree, Toby may be one of the smartest pickers on the crew. Still not convinced? His second job is tutoring students in math! I was going to write about the sweet corn that is in, but the melons are out producing everything! The “lopes” all decided on multiple births, including the Siamese Twin. Greg can be seen here pitching luscious yellow watermelons (not sure what their real name is) while J. catches (and for the record J. did nab that one in his t-shirt). If you’re around route 100, visit the Boyer Peach Orchard and Farm Stand at 1500 Severn Road.

Model Mayhem: July 14th

2007-07-17T16:18:00.000-07:00

Saturday July 14th, I went to my first Model Mayhem meet and greet in downtown D.C. After the lunch hour, we had a lot of willing models and photographers that got to work together. Variety is the spice of life, and so it was.

Boyerisms: Fried Green Toe-mah-toes

2007-07-11T16:35:00.002-07:00

Ok, so the crew over at Boyer’s farm has decided that their blog entries should be called Boyerisms, which is fine by me. The peaches continue to ripen, with almost a new variety every week. Some of them are limited, like the white peaches on the back of the truck bed, and they go quickly. It’s not just peaches that are ripe either, the tomatoes are coming in like gangbusters. I fried up two beautiful ones for lunch the other day. Boyer farm is located at 1500 Severn Road, right around the corner from Anne Arundel Mall, go check out the farm stand if you are in the neighborhood.

Fried Green

2007-07-11T16:35:00.001-07:00

July 7th, 2007: Divas in Black

2007-07-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

These co-workers decided they wanted to celebrate their time working together with a photo shoot in downtown Baltimore. They all wore black and rocked the docks despite the terrible heat that day. Here are some samples.

July 4th, Happy Holiday !!

2007-07-05T11:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the 4th, I worked a historic wedding in downtown Annapolis, MD. The wedding finished up just as the fireworks were going off. Despite running towards the city docks, we only got as far as the Naval Academy before getting called back to the wedding site. This is the best I could grab with my hand held, and on the run. Hope everyone was able to enjoy some barbeque and good times.

July 2: The First Peaches are Ripe!

2007-07-03T15:21:00.000-07:00

Peaches are ripe! Believe it or not, there is a peach orchard in the middle of Anne Arundel County, right around the corner from Arundel Mills Mall!!!! The LOVELY Boyer Family has allowed me to chronicle their growing season this year. Although I have been shooting since the trees first bloomed, these are my first posts. Make sure you visit the family owned and run farm, on 1500 Severn Road. The crew is up before you have coffee picking these home grown peaches almost every morning. They’re like a taste of sunshine.!!!!

June 26th 2007

2007-06-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

I finally had the happy opportunity to photograph my good friend before she moved to the island of Hawaii, I will miss her smile more than she knows.

2007-06-16T19:20:00.001-07:00