I Heart Faces - Photojournalism

I said, "A LITTLE" off the top!
Sometimes, the photo alone tells the story...

Check out other Photojournalistic photos at I Heart Faces this week here.

Lights, Camera, "Actions" and Baby Teagan

Once upon a time, I promised more photos of this beautiful, blue-eyed, bundle of boy. That was a little more than a month ago, and I bet he doesn't even look like this anymore. That makes me exceptionally sad, because this breath-taking little guy is my nephew, and he lives so very far away.
I never knew how "in love" a person could be with a child that was not her own. Now I do. I love this little guy.

Today I had the opportunity to play with a few new photoshop actions, and I decided that Baby Teagan would be my inspiration. The actions, by Paint the Moon Photography were....wait for it you fellow-photographers...FREE!! And, with breath-taking names like Sunny Days, Lemon-n-Honey, Sugar Cookies, Vanilla Pop, and Strawberries & Cream, how could they not make one swoon?

Here he is, in a few never-before-seen photos--Baby Teagan. Now, I miss him more than ever

Action "Vanilla Pop" by Paint the Moon Photography

Action "Vanilla Pop" by Paint the Moon Photography

Action "Vanilla Pop" by Paint the Moon Photography

Action "Lemon and Honey" by Paint the Moon Photography

Action "Strawberries & Cream" by Paint the Moon Photography

Action "Vanilla Pop" by Paint the Moon Photography

Action "Vanilla Pop" by Paint the Moon Photography

With Love

Want to know why I love this photo? The flowers were planted "with love" by Heller, and picked "with love" by Nicholas. What I lucky Mommy I am.

Silly Songs and Sunshine

Rain Rain...Go away...

It really is a silly song. What are the odds of it actually happening? And, then it did. The rain went away...along with the sunshine...and it left behind a soaked Mommy, Daddy, photographer, and photo assistant. Yep. The photo shoot was officially over.

All was not lost, however. We could just plan another day to shoot. Right? Wrong! Remember how the song ends?

Come again another day...

Yep, the rain listened. Go figure. And it came again...and again...and again. So, our maternity photo shoot never got its "to be continued."

Fortunately, these two brought their own sunshine right from the start!

I told you Dad was a cutie.

I Heart Faces - The Beach

"Take My Hand and We'll Make it I Swear" ~Bon Jovi

For those of you who visit my blog often, you may have already seen a version of this photo. It is one of my favorites, as it speaks volumes to me. That is why I am sharing it again for this week’s I Heart Faces theme—The Beach.

Friendship and trust are synonymous. They go hand-in-hand so to speak. During their first visit to the beach together, when Nicholas decided it was time to wade into the ocean water, Meredith was not so sure. Nicholas’s innocent face and extended hand gave her the confidence she needed to trust her friend. And, they made it together!

Check out other beach trips this week here.

Character Analysis--Meet Valerie

Senior sessions are among my favorite, and Valerie’s shoot was no exception. Valerie is lovely, intelligent, and defined by dialogue—characteristics she shares with her favorite protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet of Pride and Prejudice.

At our first meeting, Valerie informed me, “I don’t like to have my picture taken.” I am certain my shock was apparent. I could tell at a glance that the camera would love this girl. I was right. I am pleased to report that upon a first review of her photos, like the character she so loves, Valerie quickly realized the error of her initial prejudice.

No dialogue was necessary--the photos speak for themselves.

Wordless Wednesday - Silent Delight

Exiting

Every exit is an entrance somewhere. ~Tom Stoppad

In my mind, I can still hear the cries, “I don’t want to leave the pool!”

“But, Nicholas, we are going down to the beach.”

“I don’t want to leave the beach!”

“But Nicholas, we are going up to the hotel room.”

As parents, we learn early on to negotiate. Alternatives become crucial for moment-to-moment progression. Strategy is vital. Selecting stimulating options is monumentally significant. The next activity better be better than the last.

In my mind, I can hear the cries, “I don’t want to leave summer.”

“But Hayley, we are _______________________.”

Yes? I’m waiting for stimulating options.

I Heart Faces - Gotta Wear Shades

You, Me, and the Paparazzi

Honestly, darling. Just this once, could you shift your gaze toward the camera and away from the beach babes? This never looks good for us in the tabloids.

Find out who else is hiding behind their shades this week at I Heart Faces.

Board with Summer Vacation?

Yes please!

Are you ready for summer vacation to come to an end? Neither are we!

My First Maternity Shoot is a To Be Continued...

I am so happy to have the opportunity to capture such a beautiful and radiant mom for my first maternity shoot. For now, I offer only a small peek. There will be much more to come (you will see that Dad is pretty cute too).

Did you notice that I said I "have" the opportunity instead of "had?" You see, this endeavour is an on-going one.

Day One began with a boat ride. As we arrived on the island for the shoot, the skies opened and the rains came down. Day Two will probably not include a boat ride, but I expect the fabulousness from this darling family will continue. Stay tuned...

I Heart Faces - Surprise!

From out of the darkness...

When she made her decision to stroll the grounds of the picturesque, college campus that day, she did not consider the unbearable heat that would pour down from the late afternoon sun. So, when she came upon the corridor, she quickly stepped inside in search of cool shade--unaware of what lurked within the shadows…

Surprise!

In truth, it was hot. But, she did not escape the heat into the corridor alone. Her photographer (that would be me) was there with her. Oh yes, and her humorous hubby, who thought it would be fun to stir things up during our shoot. So many times I reprimanded, “Hey! Get out of my shot!” Did he listen? Noooo. But for the sake of this genuinely surprising photo (with the "grrrr-face" silhouette), I'll let it slide.

Check out other surprises this week at I Heart Faces here.

Wordless Wednesday - Shhhh

Wordless, because you know the rules--You Wake Him, You Take Him!

No Pictures Please

He was very clear with his request. “We don’t want to picture right now. We just want to play.” And yet, like a card-carrying member of the paparazzi, I stood by the sidelines snapping away. It wasn’t easy. As I said, his friend’s request was sincere. No “picturing” was the order of the day. But, if you know me at all, you know I couldn’t resist. The smile on Nicholas’s face was pure sunshine. So yes, I captured a few moments. But, for me, this “no picture” picture is truly the one that tells the story.

A Little off the Top!

I love this kid's hair! I really do. And, I can't imagine giving him that traditional "boy cut." Not yet. But, I do admit, it may be time to trim a little off the top!