18 more days • meatpacking and highline engagement photography

I have known my sister-in-law since she was 16. Back when she wasn't my sister-in-law, but a girl who wanted to paint my toe nails and gossip about boys. I've been with her through drunken nights (hers, not mine), family dinners, and tragic deaths. She helped me through my own wedding planning, a kazillion years ago, acting as a bonafide therapist. And when I had my first daughter five years ago, she supported me through blocked milk ducts and thrush. I have seen her grow from a giggly teen into a thoughtful woman whom I treasure. So when she got engaged, I knew I'd want to offer her and her fiance an engagement session in New York City, where they lived. Something hip, cool, urban. And then they up and went to Salt Lake City for the year. Luckily, they've come home a few times, and I was able to wrangle them away for a night and have the best time capturing their love with the meatpacking district and highline as a backdrop. Although I primarily photograph children, I will say that this may have made me a convert! They took direction and stayed up late enough to take advantage of the amazing New York sunset. Now I just need to find some sleek silver shoes for the wedding...

strawberry shortcake cream on top

So what would you do the day after your five-year-old is diagnosed with a broken collarbone? Throw a birthday party for your three-year-old, right? Makes total sense. Okay, I admit it. I'm a second child and I definitely have second-childitis (my mother called me two weeks ago to tell me she discovered my first word written down in my sister's baby book...but I'm not bitter). I might be overcompensating, but there was no way I was going to deny my kid a party. So I woke up--on 3 hours of sleep--and baked scones and cupcakes, dropped heart-shaped strawberries into lemonade and thanked my lucky stars that I have such a good friend in Andrea that she would bring over some pretty red and white striped straws, cupcake toppers, and her face painting skills.








(the winner!)

the green goddess • hudson valley family photographer

The Holimama has been hard at work spreading her gospel on good eating and healthy balance, so I thought it an apt time to post her family session (it's not surprising, is it, that she chose to style her family in green for this shoot?). I had such a great time with Stanzi's family, watching her easy going parenting and her obvious love for all three of her boys. If you haven't already, you should definitely check out her cleanse, which I attempted earlier this summer...and man did I learn how to make a mean green smoothie!

larchmont baby • westchester family photography

I shot this session a year ago. Yeah, that's how lazy I am about blogging. But I had to share, because I had the best time with this family...and they brought me to the most amazing location in Westchester, overlooking the Long Island Sound. The day was grey and misty and the rocks the color of seals. I felt like I was on the coast of Maine. Thanks again, guys, for an amazing shoot!

sunset on the hudson

At the end of my shoot with Kelly, we just stopped and watched....

my babysitter • hudson valley senior photography

Well, technically, my kids' babysitter. This adorable Haldane-grad has been watching my kiddos since I first moved to Cold Spring four years ago. Back then, she wore braces, I only had one kid, and that kid didn't speak. Kelly now is famous around town among the under-seven set (as well as their grateful parents). And this fall, she's going off to college. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to forgive her. But I couldn't let her leave without a photoshoot. I wanted to do something a little more urban, and thanks to Route 9, I think we got it! Kelly was fearless and totally up for anything. I had the best time!

the farmer's wife {part 2}

It has become an annual tradition, it seems, to photograph Carolyn and her kids along with Glynwood's many baby animals in the spring. It's a tradition I'm quite fond of. The things I get to see: The awe in EJ's eyes when she gets to hold a baby chick (despite living on a farm full-time!). The old cabin in the woods with its creepy lighting (and, at least in these photos, a laughing baby James). A pregnant sow creating a nest in which to birth her babies, and then, a few days later, those same babies nursing. If you're lucky enough to live here, you should definitely sign up for Carolyn's farm classes for pre-schoolers.