one more of mister cutie

at the pond

We had a wonderful morning with Milan at the pond. The sweetpeas are in full bloom, and the rains have made it lush and green. I've been challenging myself to back up and take in more of the scene sometimes.

master milan

My nephew Milan came for a visit and we had a lovely day at the lake park and playground. He kept me moving, both to keep up with him and to find the light in his glorious dark, soulful eyes. What a great day!

drama

It's not all smiles and sweetness here. We get a fair amount of drama too.

shade and shades

A party at Seneca Lake State Park gave us occasion to take a few shots under the cover of the willows and play a bit with the mid-day sun.

Tech: 100 ISO, f/5.6, 1/100+

a visit from maya

Yesterday afternoon, in the midst of a lousy day at the office, I got a visit from my little friend Maya. I had the camera with me, and so we headed out to the Quad to play. You'd never know she had double ear infections. What a sweetie she is!

Tech: 200 ISO, f/2.0, ss 1/1000+

c'est moi

Yesterday morning, I set Nora up to snap a few of ME. Remarkable how well I typically avoid the camera, isn't it? I think she did a great job.

a well-documented life

The images continue to pile up and delight me. At some point, I need to figure out how to get them all organized.

What I would give to be able to go back in time and document Nora and Will's childhoods like this. I was always good about taking photos, and so we have images. But not like this, not as authentic and intimate.

a mother's love

Another from Saturday's session. Jen asked me for some pictures of her with her kids, as a celebration of a new beginning for them.

Tech: 200 ISO, f/7.0, 1/400, 50mm

meet miss monica

What fun I had with this little cutie on Saturday! I had a wonderful session with little Monica, her mom and brother at a local park. It was my first time working with kids I didn't know, and I so loved it and felt like I was really able to connect with them and get some sweet, authentic captures.

Tech: top 100 ISO, f/3.2, 1/400; bottom 200 ISO, f/5.0, 1/320

sprinkler fun

too cool

Will and friends on the way to the "formal" (also know as a "chicken BBQ" by the school.)

Tech: 200 ISO, f/8.0, 1/160

fourteen

Where did the time go?

moving on up...

A few fun snaps from the Montessori School graduation last Friday.
Tech above: 400 ISO, f/5.6, 50mm

Tech: 1600 ISO, f/3.5, 1/160, 50mm

for deborah...

Thinking of you...

Tech: 800 ISO, f/3.2, 1/80, 50mm

sometimes there is a gem hiding...

...behind an otherwise uninspired shot. I was experimenting yesterday with trying to learn how to use the Speedlite flash in combination with ambient light to give it a more natural effect. I was purely focused on the light, and yet Rachel looked straight at me with those lovely eyes.

Tech: ISO 200, f/2.8, 50mm, lighting part ambient and part flash with a side bounce

adrian's beautiful family

Here's sweet Adrian again, at almost three weeks, with mom Kristen and dad Mike. I was over delivering their hospital shots on Friday, and we captured a few more to include dad. I must confess that this is one of the first photos I've taken in "auto"/normal program in months, but the lighting was tough and I resorted to my Speedlite flash, boucing it sideways.

And here we are back with natural light...

Tech: ISO 1600, f/3.2, 1/200

peeking through

I've been looking for an interesting opportunity to shoot some images for a Photo Challenge at one of the photography sites I frequent. The theme is "framed." Rachel spotted these great corner monuments on Park Ave yesterday and had a blast posing for these shots. No bribes required...she was having fun! And so was I.

I'm also realizing that I am very lucky that she is so comfortable around the camera. We both hate "cheesy" grin shots, and now that she knows she can just have fun with me, she is a much more willing and effective shooting partner.

Tech on all: 200 ISO, f/2.0, 1/2000, 50mm lens

sweet kyrsten

Kyrsten is one of Rachel's friends from school, and I snapped this at last weekend's picnic. She is such a delight. I was so excited to give prints of this to her mom at graduation today. She LOVED it and was truly touched. And she gave me permission to use it in my portfolio, which is very exciting.

After remaining rather quiet this week, I now have a backlog of shots to share. In addition to graduation, I did another shoot today with my friend who has the three-week-old baby, and then Rachel was a willing model at this really cool monument. It'll will be a busy weekend here.

Tech: 200 ISO, f/2.8, 1/88, 50mm prime

launching Laura Brophy Photography

I am officially moving into a new phase with my photography as I start official portfolio building for Laura Brophy Photography. I am starting with a special for family and friends to diversify my portfolio and get practice shooting sessions under a variety of situations.

I am very excited to formally present my website for Laura Brophy Photography. As well as to show you a few of the business materials I've started to develop to support my effort.

nora

Nora agreed to a quick shoot as she was headed out the other night. It would appear that the Farrah Fawcett hair look is back in. Quite remarkable.

I've been experimenting a bit with composition and angles as I contemplate taking some senior pictures for a few of the boys on the swim team this summer.

I've been busy this week, both at work and in trying to launch into official portfolio-builing for Laura Brophy Photography. More on that later...

Tech: 200 ISO, f2.5, 1/60

adelaide

I had the pleasure of photographing Rachel's friend Adelaide last weekend, and just got permission to post this great capture.

Tech: 100 ISO, f/2.5, 1/320

welcome little adrian

Adrian is our dear friend Toni's new grandson. Toni passed away a number of years ago, but her beautiful daughter Kristen is exhibiting all of Toni's beauty, strength and natural mothering. I had the pleasure and privilege of visiting them in the hospital on Adrian's third day, and he is beautiful and sweet in every way.

The lighting conditions in the hospital were terrible. These were taken at an ISO of 800 and higher. The fourth one was actually taken at 3200 ISO. The Canon 20D performs amazingly well at those higher ISOs. I used the 50 mm f/1.8 lens at very wide open apetures.