This camera is a bit smaller in features, resolution, and all around a different shooting game than my Canon 50D.  I will miss my 50D but it was time to step up my game. I am very excited to get busy with this camera and have waited some time to acquire my new full frame sensor.

The first part of my weekend, I was able to practice on this little darling, currently identified as “Teddy”.  He does look like one doesn’t he? As sweet as can be, that’s for sure.  At only 9 weeks, this delightful Golden Doodle will probably buck up to about 65 lbs.  But we can just enjoy him for now and his little doodle licks and wags…

This Sunday was a sad day for Baltimore Fans as the Ravens who played their hearts out against the New England Patriots, but unfortunately they did not take home the championship and move on to the Superbowl.  I prepped my canine BFF Milou before the game.  He doesn’t look very pleased with the dress rehearsal before the game, but he is quite the canine trooper….

I also spent a bit of time playing with my Canon 100 F/2 while the flutter variety of finches and other like minded flying creatures graced my deck to feed during this cold winter day.  I really enjoy nature, capturing creatures in any environment and shooting from my living room to my deck makes for some great images!

If you don’t have client sessions scheduled, get out and shoot something but keep on honing your skills because there is beauty all around you….

While I still work full time supporting our military, I just adore my passion for photography.    Folks often ask me why I don’t just do Photography full time.  I understand that in today’s economy and in a saturated market like mine {Child/Family/Newborn/Pet Photographers}, you have to really be on top of the game and create a niche and style for yourself.  I continue to work my own style and I know how much I already love to capture family memories, including pets! I just can’t imagine not having either of these roles in my life because I am very blessed to enjoy what I do so much in both!

The benefit of working full time and having a part time photography business provides me the ability to work with so many different people and share my passion while continuing to build my client base.  I was able to do that with Upesh and was so thrilled when he called me at the office and accepted my offer to come to their home to create their first professional newborn photographic memories of lil’ Simon, born just 11 days ago today!

When Upesh told me about their big great room with lots of light and windows, I was whoohooin before I even arrived.  Kimber and Upesh are amazing new parents and their relaxed demeanor during the session made for a perfect combination.

Simon was awake once or twice during the session but I could have stayed all day to capture this little bundle (and I almost did!)  He was perfect in skin, in personality and in my overall ability to manipulate his little body into posing as well as prop changing.

I so enjoyed my time with him and with Kimber and Upesh and I can say that this was by far the most enjoyable way to jump start my year with photographic passion.

I just love little hands and feet and make sure to capture them as part of my newborn sessions because they are just the sweetest little limbs to capture.  It’s so funny to listen to parents comment about their child’s hands or feet.

I am hopeful that they will have me back for his 6-month session since I recommended that’s the next best stage to capture all their little delight!

For now, their family and friends can enjoy the moment of his gracing their world and forever changing their lives, bringing the new challenges of parenthood.  No one said it’s an easy road, but it really is the most precious gift!

Mazel Tov to all of you!

When Ashley called me about participating in her Grand Opening at Canine Couture , I was beyond thrilled. Anyone who knows me,  knows my endless passion for the pets. I am so excited to be able to provide a service to local retailers during the holiday, help build my business and adore what I do most….spending time with the pooches.

Many thanks to my 2011 canine clients who fill my life with licks and love!

So Bruce mentioned a few weeks back to me that his son Jack was making his Bar Mitzvah he and Mary still hadn’t secured their photographer yet.  What? I know, I know, I said the same thing to Bruce.  But he assured me it was a very small informal lunch to celebrate Jack’s accomplishment and it would be for just a few hours.  With that I said, I would be honored to capture the moments for you.

To give you a little insight, I typically do not photograph formal affairs. While I think they are wonderful and beautiful as well as memorable, I simply adore my genres with children, pets and families in a natural light setting.  Following major back surgery in 2005, I can’t provide clients the extended hours they require to photograph formal affairs, hence I let the Wedding and Mitvah pros do what they do best and let me do what I do best…

Saturday at the Lindwoods was a picture perfect day! Their catering coordinator Rachel could not have been more approachable and welcoming to both myself and all the guests in attendance.  The food was amazing, everything looked incredible, presentation was on key and everyone was having a great time!  Linwoods Caterers was excellent!!!

A few of my favorite moments captured was Jack being raised in the chair (yes, its of of those famous Jewish traditions we love), and when he did the candle lighting, specifically for one of the sets of his grandparents who unfortunately were not alive to see such a fine young man achieve his mitzvah.

Of course I never fail to find one little person with a yummy little set of eyes to capture, make them smile and of course make me smile with a face that lights up any room! This one image from the mitzvah celebration continues to remind me why I love to capture those little adorable, oh my goodness I could eat you up, faces.

Watching Jack throughout the event, hearing him speak about his sisters and cousins and and friends, I really took a few moments and thought about my son Daniel so much that day, and I could sense the pride in both Bruce and Mary and their daughters, Olivia and Lauren as they looked on at Jack with such pride and priviledge.

Jack is a truly a fine young well mannered man and I am certain he will continue to make them all very proud just as he did on this day, his Bar Mitzvah. Cheers!

Thank you to the entire Goldstein Family for welcoming me into your celebration and your very personal and proud moment of Jack’s Bar Mitzvah!  Mazel Tov to all!

Of course his big sister Ally wasn’t without her own curiosities and we tried to incorporate her into the end of the session but by then she was ready for her own nap.  She let me capture a few of her while we chatted about her sparkly red shoes (yes just like Cinderella)

However, I think Ally is like the little China doll that no one else has been lucky to photograph but me. I could stare into her big brown inquisitive eyes all day!

Jaxson started out awake so I thought I would grab a few before we really got busy into our session.

We took our time with him so he could get into a good slumber before I began the prop swap on him! Poor little guy. Moms just need to realize it’s ok if they tinkle, we photographers expect those newborn messes and we can wash this stuff!

Once he got really comfortable there was no stopping this little guy from letting me adjust his body and change out his little hats and ideas for Mom’s first photographic treasures of the newest addition.

I enjoyed my time with Jaxson immensely and I always look so forward to the absolute joy that fills me when I am lucky enough to spend time with the new mommies and new babies.

Thanks Nicky and John for allowing me such a wonderful opportunity! Again, Mazel Tov!

Susie was very indecisive at the window, this was the best behind glass!

I surely would! and sometimes I do… but I just love the animals!!! Big or small, fearless or timid, I could spend all day talking to them, laughing with them, smiling with them or simply watch them in awe of their habitat.

I could have spent the whole day watching Jimmie! Gentle giant!

I always try to find something to photograph when I am not photographing little faces or canine loved ones.  I had an early morning session and I wanted to plan my day since I knew it would be absolutely gorgeous fall weather!

I invited my friend Isabelle to join me (since she is a fellow shutter bug) and we met up at Plumpton Park Zoo around noon.  A lot of folks might not know too much about Plumpton Park Zoo but it’s been around for quite some time.  Not too large, not too small, just enough to enjoy a few hours indulging in the wonder of the animals you might not get to see, either out in the wild or on a daily basis.

Who doesn't love a fun photo?

Ok so here is the best part.  Naturally I can’t help myself but talk to like minded folks who love the animals like I do.  Nick Lacovara, savior to this fine and wonderful place, stopped to speak with us since he saw us with our pro cams in hand knowing we were serious about capturing some photographic treasures for our own portfolio.

He was so kind and offered to take us behind some of the fences of the various inhabitants and I cannot thank him ever enough for such kindess so that we could share with him the beauty through our eyes!

"Sis" was amazing! Nick was petting her like your average cat

What a wonderful and kind person! Not to mention his lovely wife, Cheryl Lacovara who spoke with us a bit while we couldn’t take our eyes off of Oasis (“Sis”) a magnificent Siberian Tiger, 17 years of age and as docile as I have ever witnessed from such a strong creature.

Speaking of gentle, there was not one creature in this environment that did not inhibit such a warm disposition.  It was almost hard to believe that any of these animals has the incredible strength and veracity to actually do harm.  I am sure given their environment, it was easy to see why they were so happy.

These little guys were total posers!

Thank you again to Nick and Cheryl for providing a local sanctuary and inspiring warm charm into Cecil County while sharing the joys of beautiful creatures of the earth!

The zoo is open every day from 10am-4pm. It’s also open year round!  Visitors to the zoo can also purchase petting zoo food and hand feed some of the zoo’s friendly animals. Be sure to visit them on Facebook too so you can share your photos with them, they love that!

Their lives are about to be forever changed…again…as they anticipate the arrival of their new little boy in about 6 weeks.

I was referred to Nicole and John a few weeks back and I was so excited to learn I would be capturing some intimate moments with them while they await their newest arrival.  Both working parents, they will surely have their hands full once their little bundle arrives.

Allie is almost two so I expect they will be busier than ever managing every day life, their full time jobs and their newest addition soon make his grand entrance. Zeke, their canine baby is a sweetheart and just another of their babies that adds simple joys to the blend of their beautiful family.

I am looking forward to creating more wonderful memories for them as they embark on a new chapter in their beautiful life together.

I already had some ideas in mind for Cole’s session, but I knew Mom and Dad would be ready to go with their own.  You see, Chris and Denise are die hard Phillies Fans and I mean die hard.  Chris has a man cave in his basement that is solely dedicated to the Phils. When I first met them, Chris asked me about using one of my Phillies images I had taken many years ago and I was flattered and immediately said yes. That started our relationship as client and photographer.

Cole was gifted into this world on Monday August 23, 2011.  Denise had a bit of a challenge with delivery of Cole but as you can see, the results are by far, worth every ounce of the obstacles she faced during delivery.

Best wishes to Chris and Denise and their beautiful addition!

With Josh recently graduating Air Force Boot Camp and Gabrielle graduating High School, the next step in their lives seemed fluid.  They have been in love for some time and Gabrielle was more than ready for this day to be the start of their romantic beginning…

Following the nuptials  performed by the local Chaplain , we spent a short time capturing some family treasures before heading over to the Tryon Palace  in New Bern, NC for some  intimate “Just us Two” photographs so that Gabrielle and Josh could remember this day with all it’s romantic splendor.

Watching these two engage their love for one another as we walked through the gardens provided me with a fluttering heart and sincere warmth that when love is present, all things are possible.

Wishing you both the very best as you begin the next chapter in your journey of love…