Best of 2010!

As I prepare to leave for my first trip to the PPA's Imaging USA, the largest photography conference in the world, I reflect on my growth thus far.  It's been wild and wonderful.  I started learning about two years ago and immersed myself in classes, online webinars, correspondence classes with the New York Institute of Photography, reading, living and doing.

I am presenting my personal favorites of 2010.  There are so many, it was hard to chose.  I was able to work with beautiful people and families this year.  I look forward to more in the future.

What I want to do to give back some love is a contest.  For everyone who "likes" a photo in my best of 2010 album a vote will be given to that photograph.  The photo with the most votes will win a session at no cost and an 8x10 photograph ($150 value).

Please, share this contest far and wide, and let all you know come and "like" my business page!  I will keep this going for almost a week; it will be wrapped up when I return from San Antonio later next week.
Here is the page:
 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=44194&id=138486362850518
Go and like, and like often! :)


Thank you and make it a great week!

Welcome 2011!

There are times in your life you know things are going to be great!  We all go through rough patches, but life in general is a good thing.  I have learned to be grateful and appreciate what I have been given and try to give to others to share joy or lighten a load.  

As I look at the year ahead, I have great expectations of myself and my photography business...I hope you do as well.  First and foremost, I want to thank so many for making 2010 a great year! 

I will be sharing my “best of” photographs of the year and hope you will share them as well.  

I am preparing to go to the PPA (professional photographers of America)’s annual Imaging USA to get some intense learning next week.  It’s going to be great and I cannot wait to share new ideas and techniques.  

Thank you for joining me on this ride!  Lets make it a great year! :) Debbie

Some thoughts for living a good life

beachy days!

I love New England.  Beach photos are so awesome!  And, we probably will get a couple more warm days to put our toes in the sand.  I would love to run out to the seacoast with you and get those final moments of you and your family together.  Beach photography is classic and will create a piece of art to display in your home for many decades to come!

babies

I love babies!  I miss the moments when my girls were babies.  It was so fun to sit and work with miss baby A.  She was so calm, just like her mom.  She was so well behaved, we got lots of fun pics and she got her morning nap during the session.  I am working on a baby plan, so if you have a baby, or are pregnant...or have a friend/family member who is expecting...send them my way!

More dancing!

This summer, Ballet Misha in Manchester, NH, practiced for seven weeks for the ballet Midsummer Night's Dream.  It was an fun show to be a part of and capture to share with all.  So many amazing dancers telling a great story!  Amy Fortier always does a fabulous job with her productions.  These photos are from the dress rehearsal on August 20, 2010.

Just an amazing summer!

My first job is a full time mom to two girls, 8 and 6.  This summer, we decided to forego summer camps in exchange to be together and join the local swim and tennis club.  We had a blast!  Days started with sleeping late and off to swim lessons for 10:50, lunch and then tennis lessons and more swimming.  While there was a certain amount of whining and complaining; the girls and I had fun, learned new skills (with coaxing from the lifeguards) learned to jump off the diving board and how to properly hit forehand and backhands.
Yesterday was the last day to swim at our club.  We swam and ate dinner with friends.  The summer is winding down.
The girls started school last week.  Both of my cherubs are in school full time now.  Long days for all of us.  So far, so good.  I have been reflecting on the past 8+ years in my mom career...thinking about how long the days used to seem, stressing from 4-6 when my oldest had colic and cried endlessly and into toddlerhood when she didn't walk on time.  One worry spilled onto the next but soon was resolved. Spending time with my new mom friends, the days seemed endless.  Enjoyed all the fun of gymboree classes, my first moms' group in Seattle (when my oldest was ten days old!), days walking our dog to Lake Washington in the jogging stroller and just swinging in the little bucket swing at the park.
Playdates grew and evolved.  Now they pick their own.  They have opinions and perceptions of their own. As I try to celebrate each phase, and each one is amazing, truly, I like to remember those long days at the beginning.  Driving home with just one cherub in the back seat thinking "I have the best job in the world".  I do.
I know here I am a Photographer.  But, I want people to know I am much more than that!
Enjoy your babies, the rollercoaster of parenting....soon enough your cherubs will walk on the big yellow bus.  Thank God they still come home at the end of the day!  And, I am so lucky to be able to be home with them and hear all about their day, host playdates, drive them to cheer practice, etc.  I am lucky, too, to have found and developed my passion of photography!  I have the best of both worlds.  Funny, can't write that without hearing Hannah Montana singing in my head.