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People often comment to me that my blog is so chipper, so happy. My friends --and my poor husband --- know when I get frustrated and am at my wits end...I hear the Virgin Islands calling ---or Calgon because it is all too much. When I write for you, I try to remember that if you want to hear complaining or crap --you can just turn on the TV. Maybe you come here to smile or just take a break.
Yesterday, one of my husband's work colleagues died suddenly --a mom, leaving behind three small children. I didn't know her well, but saw her in passing at Lou's work, at my kid's soccer games, etc. She was a mom, just like me, doing her best.
Unless sudden tragedy has hit you directly, you can receive this kind of news, adjust quickly and move back into your day. But if you have experienced a changing moment ...a moment you cannot control but has forever changed the path of your life drastically, then you are sent reeling back to your own moment, the phone call, the news, and all the minutes, hours and days where you just were breathing --moving in and out of when it happened to you. I have had such a moment, that changed the way I view tragedy because I understand, I can empathize, I have been there.
Immediately after I hung up the phone with Louis yesterday morning, I went to check email (I swear, it is like a drug for me --like some people watch trash TV) and my best friend had unknowingly sent me this quick clip. I open all her emails because she doesn't ever forward stupid stuff.
Fate, crazy coincidence, or "so what" ---whatever you want to call it. To me, it was simple reminder to change the things I have had on my "to do" list for the past year (okay - three years). To take a moment and reflect on my path, myself...
So today, I get to pour my kids cereal, kiss Lou, check my camera bag and go photograph the wedding of April and Chris. It is overcast and a little crappy outside, but it is going to be a beautiful wedding and I'll get some great stuff, to be sure. I'll come home late, download and edit and crawl in bed with Louis. Because my job is to look for emotion --I know I will have time to think about my dash as I watch dozens of people's dash through my lens this afternoon. That is one thing I would never change --the privilege of seeing your life through my lens.
First off, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I took a few days off to relish in relaxing with my boys (all three of them). I sure hope your Christmas was as wonderful as ours. It was Grayson's idea on Christmas Eve to take a family photo. I was so impressed for a 5 year old to think of this. So here it is, our first official Christmas Eve photo. It is a little tough running back and forth setting the timer, sitting down, getting up...I have to remember to teach Grayson how to set the self-timer for next year so I can keep my butt planted on the ground:)
Today, I had the pleasure of spending an hour with one of my favorite clients, the Goldsteins. If you recall, I photographed Sara Fay's Bat Mitzvah last february. Well, it is time for 8th grade graduation pictures. Time flies. Sara Fay had some definite ideas about which photographs were her favorite so be sure to leave a comment which one is your fav. So here is the beautiful Sara Fay.
Well, I am there so of course I am going to take some brother-sister images - right!
I gotta tell ya. I love these clients. They make me laugh and love my work. Toby and I laugh the whole time we are together with her kids. I cut a little deal with Sweet Josh to take one nice picture and then let him clown around.
He did his part...
and I did mine, and told him of course they wouldn't be on the blog. Sorry Josh, it was just too good not to blog about you. You are fabulous kid and show me all I have to look forward to in 5 years (whew). Here is your little lesson, watch what you do...you never know if you'll end up online and besides Josh, once you get on myspace and facebook, these images won't even matter to you. Thanks for sharing your fun side and your athletic prowess!
It is late. Hours tick by until Christmas morning and I think this might be one of the happiest yet (though I am fortunate to have had many). My boys are asleep and I have just returned from a very unsuccessful last minute gift buying search.
With a glass of wine and the windows open to the cool Savannah breeze, I am contemplating how to reorganize the gifts for the boys. You see, I thought I bought 2 nintendo DSlite's when I went shopping in November, but alas, I only bought one because the store didn't have two different colors...thinking I'll get the other one later. Somehow, I will figure out how to balance Santa's inability to make the gifts fair between two boys nearly the same age. Yes, I have been to every store in Savannah tonight (when I discovered my mistake) and no one, not one store, has the darn game. To think, I thought I was done weeks ago.
And though this Santa Snafu is a bit stressful, I can't help but think how lucky Louis and I are because we are smack in the middle of the Santa Years. My kids believe and there is nothing, no nothing more cool. There is certainly power in the words "Santa knows what you are doing." but the pure innocence and trust those boys have in the mystery...it is such a cool experience. That mystery and belief is precious and it makes me a bit sad that we lose it as adults.
I thought you might enjoy a few shots of the boy's Christmas Programs from school. Grayson was an angel (that is hilarious!) and Nolan, a shepard boy.
I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and hope you find a little innocence and mystery in your celebration.
So Monday I get a call for a beach wedding on Saturday. I usually take off between Thanksgiving and the New Year because, well, my kids are only little once. They put up with me working crazy hours during wedding season so I want to give them incredible Christmas memories.
When John called, I could not resist. My trigger finger was a little anxious to get to a wedding again so I said, of course. John explained he and Mindi were eloping so they only need an hour of my time. I was delighted. It was beautiful and 80 degrees all week. A beach wedding would be fabulous in December, right?
Not so much!
That was the windshield as I drove to the Tybee Pier. Did I mention it was 60 degrees and my loving husband gave Kelli (who came along for the ride --cuz she misses weddings, too) his rain gear for fishing? Never fear, dear readers...all is well when love is involved.
John and Mindi were so committed to getting fabulous images that they ran around in the rain, got wet, had fun with it and well, hey, it was their wedding. When life gives you a lemon --make lemonade. These two will be married forever, because that is exactly what they did. Mindi had a smile plastered on her face the whole time.
The first image --indoors, of course.
Seeking cover
John looking GQ (do they publish that magazine anymore?)
The wedding...on the pier, in the gusting wind.
Okay...I just gotta show you this one. Mindi and John had 7 family members at their wedding. Keep in mind that in my contract, I have a clause stating that I am the main photographer. I just had to laugh, because....
I couldn't get a clean shot to save my life. Can you blame them? Everyone wants to document love. It is so fun.
Since it was raining, Kelli got creative with the details.
A quick break in the rain.
Thanks for being good sports, Mindi and John. I am glad it cleared up for the honeymoon!
Best - DVB
