The Smiths

Today is a super crazy day... somehow I always manage to schedule multiple sessions on days I need to go to the grocery store, post office and a variety of other places. I think all working Moms probably feel like this?!? However---I definitely wanted to get this on the blog. I had the Smiths a couple of weeks ago. The eldest son, Isaac, headed off for duty the day after I shot these. I wanted to give him thanks as well as all the family. I know how emotionally draining this is on a family (especially spouses!) and I want to send prayers and love to all the Smiths. I hope the pictures bring you lots of smiles and reminders of how awesome you guys are while Isaac is away. While you're reading this and looking at the pictures... think of them!

To studio or not to studio...

You could call this morning my average Saturday morning... sitting at the computer with my cup of coffee... legs crossed up in my cozy office chair... contemplating pictures, creativity, inspiration... mind racing... except--we (my husband, Josh) and I are mulling over the possibility of "city" living.

I've been bugging Josh for a studio going on a year and a half now. We've looked at buildings in the downtown Quincy area (very cool... if you've not visited Maine street, go!), but didn't find anything suitable for our situation. Some cool buildings, but the ones we liked required us to become slumlords and manage anywhere from 6 to 20 apartments... not my cup of tea. In fact, that thought makes me cringe! However, we received some great direction from a fellow Quincyian to check out 622 Maine. We did... four times now!

I'm in love. The upstairs apartment is empty and laden with beautiful character... I'm in love with the exposed brick possibilities, deep dark woodwork, walls of horizontal exposed wood, old wanes-coating and my favorite... the upstairs bedroom with the arched ceiling. I've now convinced Josh (whom is adamant that we build our dream house in the country in the next 2 or 3 years) that perhaps we should make it our home until we decide to build. In fact, he's in the kitchen drawing out the kitchen (which would more than double our current one!) and bathroom to scale.

The downstairs houses 60's Spirit currently--an eclectic mis-mosh of hippie apparel, jewelry, posters and other unmentionables. It wasn't as exciting... right now just an uninspirational room of painted paneling and drop ceiling. However, I know there's brick hiding underneath there and my mind racing with the wealth of possibilities for a studio for C. YELLOW. Or perhaps after we move out of the apartment, the whole thing will be C. YELLOW... who knows? Will we actually buy the place? We'll see. For now though, just mulling. What do you think...do you see it?

Colton

This is Colton. He gave me a total of 30 seconds (that's being generous) to snap his mug. Mommy actually came for baby sister Morgan's pictures, but wanted a couple of him too. I couldn't resist his ornery smile and funny antics. He was all "boy". Check out the last picture. That's his trademark pose ;)

Adalyn

Adalyn was just 9 days old here. Surprisingly, she stayed awake for the entire session (quite the feat for someone so small!) and hardly complained. Mommy and Daddy are sooo in love. Look--can you blame them???

Kindel + Adam

Love. Love. Love.

Kindel and Adam are friends of mine. Adam is my age and ran around with the group I did; Kindel was a year younger, but played basketball (very well I might add) with me. Kindel is one of those friends who you always have a good time with no matter what you're doing. Adam is laid back... rolls with the punches, a little silly too. They were a match made for each other.

I was thrilled to shoot their big day. All my old friends were there... it was great to see the whole gang back together--I only wish the reunion could have been longer!

The Dodds

These guys were great! They were so cooperative, doing any little crazy thing I asked. We were running through the gardens and getting crazy--sooo much fun!

The Keller Family

Meet the Kellers! Grandma and Grandpa stole my heart with all their love and sweet dispositions. With only one little guy in the group, he got a lot of love too! As could be expected... look at that cutie!