happy new year!

a love letter | stanzi, holimama

This post has been on my mind for a while now, and I've written it about a million times in my head, but when it comes down to it, I'm just not just sure what to say. This, my readers, my clients, my community, is my dear friend Stanzi. You've likely seen her on my blog before, cause I've loved photographing her and her growing family over the years. She's the first mama I met when I moved to Cold Spring. I still remember her strolling down Main Street with her husband Paul, all tattooed and cool, and their son Lucian riding his shoulders. They were friendly, welcoming, introduced me to their crowd, and gave me comfort that there was some Brooklyn cool in my new hometown. (I was new, and still a little snobby.) Stanzi has taught me much in the past six years: How to blend a mean green smoothie, how to stop judging myself, the correct consistency of poop, among other things. She's loved me, called me out on my bull, and given me--and hundreds of others--the tools to a healthier life. When she was diagnosed with cancer last October, I believe we all assumed she'd win the fight. I mean, we were scared and all, but how could this amazing, vital, raw-food chef not win that battle? But this summer--after leading our entire broader community in a cleanse and feeding us all with her magic juices and elixirs--she was told that the cancer had returned and there wasn't a cure for her. It's been a rough couple of months. But as Stanzi finds herself under the care of hospice, she also finds a community that has come together in force to love her, love her family, and do whatever the heck we can to help. I say this because if you, or someone you know, has the ability to contribute, I welcome you to. There is an all-day fundraiser at SkyBaby Yoga on September 14th, with an auction that night at 7. There will be loads of donations, including a photo session from me. If you're not local, you can give online here. I love this woman. I love her family. I am not really able to communicate it any better than that, except maybe through the photos below. Take a long look.

masquerade | hudson valley portrait photographer

So you all know I love taking pictures of the little ones. But wanna know a secret? I adore shoots like these. Unabashedly fun and outrageous. Luz celebrated the big 4-0 with this awesome photo session, which she displayed at her awesomely fun masquerade ball (she roped me into going and, man, does this lady know how to have fun!). So a BIG happy birthday to Luz, who doesn't look a year over 32.

in honor of the donut

baby girl | orange county, ny newborn photographer

Here's an admission: I always feel a little trepidation when I walk into a new client's home. I have no idea if we'll get along (though I end up good friends with so many of my clients), I have no idea if there will be enough light (even though I know that if you have windows or a door, there will be enough light) and I have no idea what the newborn, toddler, or quads (no, I've never photographed quads) will think of my camera. Or me. But when I walked into this Orange County family's home, I knew immediately that we were going to get along. Why? Because there were beautiful framed photos of their family everywhere. Everywhere! The entryway, the stairwell, the master bedroom, all hallways. And I'm slightly jealous of the gorgeous maternity shots that I, sadly, did not get to take. I am so pleased with the photographs from this session and can't wait to see them up on the walls!

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?)