Recently, I had a newborn photography session that turned into a family portrait session.  Three-month-old Emerson brought his parents and his older brother, Henry.  I photographed Henry when he was born.  We had lots of fun and got some great images.  We couldn’t resist putting Henry in my new bear outfit and I can’t resist sharing the image with you!  What an angelic face!  Sean and Lindsay are both teachers and have lots of patience and love children.  It’s obvious. 

I look forward to watching these little men grow.  I continue to create portraits of little boy after little boy in the studio!  Are there any little girls out there, folks?  I have great tutus. But the boys just won’t look good in them, you know?!  LOL.

I end up spending so much time with families like this when they come in to the J. Love Photography studio.  I don’t wear a watch, I don’t have a clock here.  Time stands still.  We laugh, play, pose, try different things, and interact in a way that is enjoyable for everyone.  There is something about the tenderness we witness as photographers when parents come with their new babies. When they forget about us and just enjoy the moment, we make photographs like my favorite one below.  I can feel Lindsay’s gentle touch as she cradles Emerson and coos to him.  Can’t you?  Ahhhhhh. Love my job!

I love working with people like I do.  When I get together with clients to create portraits for them, they are ‘up’, happy, and excited.  Even when they’re nervous, it’s something we work through very quickly.  New clients often comment on how painless their portrait session is in comparison to what they thought it would be.  So many of my regular clients have become friends. 

As a photographer, I get to be ‘inside’ the most wonderful moments of people’s lives; whether it’s a wedding, an engagement photo session, or parents with their newborn baby.  I LOVE it! 

People talk about retiring.  I can’t imagine.  I am blessed to love what I do enough that if I couldn’t do it for a living, I’d do it for free.  I hope to keep photographing like Ruth Bernhard, until my hands can no longer hold a camera because I’m 92!

We photographed a beautiful wedding recently and my clients sent these flowers with a lovely note that made me cry as well as leaving me a message on my cell phone that I will keep always. 

Thank you to all of you who believe enough in me to let me do what I love and share it with you. 

Photographers are always on the lookout for unique props for our studios.  I was excited to come across Mandy Pomo and her mom, Sandy Crews who share Sweet Pea & Co.  These two talented women create the most amazing soft dolls and whimsical clothing for children.  I have many, many outfits in my studio for children’s portraits such as a bear costume, a pea pod for a newborn baby, and lots and lots of tutus like the one pictured here.

Blue Faerie

I have grown up women ask me all the time why they can’t wear them!   I agree! When I create childrens’ portraits, especially when they are between the ages of 2 and 5, I let them go.  No posing.  Forget that! Children need to just ‘be’.  So we turn the music on, dress up, dance, play, and have a great time! Kids love playing dress-up with this clothing!  Quite honestly, adults like me are jealous!  What does Cyndi Lauper say… ‘girls just wanna have fun…’

These are the kinds of moments we capture.  Priceless!  So stop down and see Sandy and Mandy at Booth 43 during Dexter Daze Friday, August 13 and Saturday, August 14 by the gazebo. Check out all of their whimsical creations… and then come see me so we can create beautiful portraits of your children! Please pick up one of my business cards at their booth… there’s a special offer on the back side for Dexter Daze.

Dexter Daze is one of those small, hometown festivals that reminds you of how good it feels to live in a small community. Check it out and mark your calendar!

I am going to write a monthly newsletter going forward and send it electronically. If you haven’t already signed up to receive it, please consider doing so! It won’t be long and I promise it will have useful information. Click on  this link to read the first official permission-based newsletter (okay, I’ve done it before, but it hasn’t looked  as ‘pretty’ as this one: July 2010.

Newsletters are a way for a business to keep clients abreast of specials, important news, and relevant information. I like electronic newsletters because I can read them when I have time. I’m a ‘tree hugger’ so I like to save paper where and when I can. Truly. Ask my family how I am about recycling. I make everyone crazy. LOL.  At least paper is better than plastic. I’m so off plastic right now!! STAMP OUT plastic please! Okay. my brief rant is over. Whew.

Anyway, back to the newsletter… congratulations to Marni Schmid who answered my teaser question that came with a $10 gift certificate to Corner Cup Cafe. The question, as well as the prize, were not easy to find in the newsletter. Did my heart good at the number of people who read it and answered it correctly so quickly! Thank you! The question was who said “No try. Do or do not. Try not.” The answer was Yoda.

To ‘try’ to do something is to set yourself up for immediate failure. Put your eye on the prize. Try not. Just do. When my girlfriend, Elaine Barber, recently published her first book after having it be a dream for 20 years, and we all finally got to purchase a signed copy, I told her that someone said “The world needs dreamers. And the world needs doers. But what the world really needs are dreamers who do.” She is a doer! Amen.

So wherever you are, you have a choice. I love to ‘be’. And I love to ‘do.’ But try? As Yoda would say…. no try.

Thursday, August 5 – Call now!

It’s time to update your portrait to the outside world! Let’s make the phone ring for you! People love to see who they are doing business with or about to date or ‘talking to’ online. It’s important to all of us to look our best out there, let’s face it! So whether you need a social media portrait or a business portrait, call today and make your appointment for your professional portrait. You’ll be glad you did.

You can select from an outside or inside portrait. All sessions include full retouching and enhancing. All sessions are paid in advance at the time appointment is made. We offer a full, 100% money-back guarantee if you are not happy with the results of your portrait.

I will provide you with a tips sheet to make sure you look fabulous! I plan to speak with each of you ahead of time to assure we’re on track with the look you are going for, since the appointment times will not allow for consultations the day of your session. 

Call today for more information or to schedule your appointment while there are times available. 734-426-0900.