mushy newborn | newborn photography

glynwood | hudson valley farms

Six years ago, when I first moved to Cold Spring, I was a writer and producer for magazines. My first glimpse of Glynwood--a 225-acre farm and non-profit dedicate to fostering sustainable farming--was for a story. Diane Hatz and Sustainable Table were touring the country and making a stop at Glynwood, where we'd photograph her. How very convenient, I thought. Instead of traveling hundreds of miles, like I did for most of my shoots, I hopped into my car, turned up Main Street, and voila, I was at work, five minutes later. And while I was there, the coolest thing happened.

I've told this story before, I know, but, well, this is my blog, so I can tell it again if I want to. While I was there, I met Carolyn and Dave Llwelleyn, who were there for an interview. Dave would go on to take the job, become the head farmer for Glynwood's CSA, which I would then join (see those tomatoes below? That was from just one pickup last August!). Carolyn and I would become friends and cohorts in our love of orange and chocolate. Our daughters are growing up together (hers has gone from EJ to Elaine June to just Elaine and I haven't quite adjusted). And, as an aside, that change in tense in the previous sentence may be one of the reasons I switched over from writer to photographer. Just sayin'.

Anyhow, my point is this: My most recent job felt like a circle completed. Glynwood has a new president, the completely sweet and energetic Kathleen Frith, and her office hired me to take her headshots as well as some other staff members, including a bunch of new, exciting hires. Valerie Burchby, whose cheery face I first experienced at the veggie shed last year, is now Glynwood's program assistant and organized the shoot where I got to meet Jason Wood, the new culinary director and Alena Kaufman, their event coordinator who has hair I lust after. Plus, there's Isabel Lopatin, whose photo I included in this post because a) I love it b) her eyes are beautifully connective and c) she has a name that belongs in a novel. And along those full circle lines, get this: Farmer Dave, who've I tortured for years during family portrait sessions, was (shockingly?) the one who actually recommended me for the gig.

I've spent years photographing families and kids (both human and goat variety) at Glynwood and while I am NO landscape photographer, I occasionally stumble upon some breathtaking scenes. And I figured I'd share some with you here. The boathouse in fog came from an early morning Llewellyn family session. The due drops and sunrise in the gardening shed were from a scouting mission. And is there anything more amazing than baby goats snuggling? (Maybe baby goats nursing?)

living yoga | hudson valley yoga

I have an admission to make: I don't practice yoga. I may be the only one in all of Cold Spring, nay, in the entire Hudson Valley that doesn't. I am not proud. But it did make this job slightly ironic. These three gorgeous beings, the forces behind Cold Spring's Living Yoga, were creating stunning poses on top of a roof overlooking that amazing view, and where was I? I was lying on the ground, contorting my body into unrealistic positions to capture all that abundant healthy beauty. And I will say, I was inspired. So much so that next time Courtney Tarpley or Liz Shulman offers once an all day intro to yoga session, I am so totally signing up. And I'm still planning on asking Richard Villella--who has spent two decades healing those with chronic pain--to help me too. Hear that Richard? *** Oh, and PS, I know that technically, there is an order to the sun salutation. I don't know it (see above) and nor did I include every photo. Enjoy these out of order positions.

not quite newborn

Who says birth announcements need to feature newborns? I adore this baby in basket photo of my nephew (who is now walking...that's how behind I am in blogging) in part because of the great eye contact. The original photo has lots of negative space for text and my sister's dark wood floors made for a great backdrop.

happy twins | garrison, ny family photographer

Just a little goofy for your Saturday night.

happy new year!

Wishing you all a healthy and giggly 2013.

snow queen

Merry Christmas | Hudson Valley Family Photographer

My final session of the year felt perfectly appropriate. When Father Shane, of Cold Spring's St. Mary's Church, emailed asking about a last minute session, I jumped at the chance. After all, this is the man who said yes to me holding a full day of mini sessions using the church's amazing grey stone walls as a backdrop. Yup, see that familiar backdrop above? That's actually right outside of Father Shane's front door. But the church grounds kind of feel like Cold Spring's own square: It's located at the corner of our two main streets and has the perfect sledding hill, a view of the mountains in the distance and a line of gnarly old trees. So glad I was able to capture this amazing family in pictures. Merry Christmas to all of you Christmases out there!!