We did start the shoot in a fairly traditional setting, the family by the fireplace.  I tried to get everyone in a more comfortable and relaxed state and this was the best way to start.

After a full series inside we moved outside.  The shoot had actually been postponed by 3 days as the end of May and beginning of June were very tricky for outdoor shooting.  Outside my vision was of a much more relaxed and natural group.  I let the kids run around, throw balls, use the slide and swings… I let them be kids in their natural state.  A much more lifestyle approach to the family portrait.

We will ALWAYS remember how old these kids were when we did this session.  Its a trick I learned from another photographer.  Just ask the kids how many they are and you get a certain number of fingers.  My hat is off to mom for figuring out a way to get a 1 year old to hold up 1 finger.  It was BRILLIANT and I will use it again and again… shhhhhhhh its my secret!

I had such a good time with this family, I do hope we get to play together again at another milestone!

The Nonatum Resort is an amazing little spot right on the water right outside of Kennebunkport ME. Yes that Kennebunkport that is famous for Bush 41’s summer home…

Well this bride and groom spent quite a while looking for places to have their reception and after an exhaustive search of the area this was the spot. The kitchen even accommodated them making several family recipes for the dinner, now that is really cool.

After we finished getting ready, this couple alloted about an hour with me to go for a little adventure. We scurried up the coast a bit to find some spots out of the wind to do some bridal portraits.

After portraits and a light snack, we ventured off to the church. It was the beautiful historic church in the center of Wells ME. After a beautiful ceremony the bride and groom took off in a “special” limo.

I easily could have put 20 images up on this wedding alone, but I had to edit to tell a story… Part of that story involves the “shot ski.” If you say it fast enough shotski you think I am talking about a older Polish gentleman, not the case. This is a tradition amongst skiiers, and this is a family of powder hounds…

Yes that is the bride with the grooms brothers doing a shot. As the story goes at the engagement party she drank them under the table on that thing. Made her an instant hit in the family!

Well this could go on and on and on, I had so much fun with this couple! But I will leave you with a perfect end to a perfect day…

They live on a beautiful tree lined street in Park Slope Brooklyn. The kind of house you saw in the opening credits of “The Cosby Show.”

After we dodged the rain drops we came inside for the real magic… Ok we put a very cute snowflake onesie on Norah and a hat. She didn’t really care for the hat.

Norah is as smiley and happy as they come! While she will probably harbor a deep hidden resentment towards me for the hat thing, I’m ok with it… She was too cute!

You would think Booker and I are old friends at this point, but maybe he is confused by the camera in front of my face?

Being very close to Halloween we decided to incorporate the them into his session. And well, his momma likes neekeid baby!

Just before we finished up, we did some clowning around…

And as a special treat, Grandma and Grandpa were visiting all the way from Germany!

Now we start planning the 9 month shoot, I am hoping for snow

So now on to the images…  The bat mitzvah girl is gorgeous! goes without saying right?  Well let me say it again in case I didn’t make my point clearly the first time, this bat mitzvah girl is gorgeous, and to boot, sweet as sugar.

Not to leave out the family unit as a whole, they were a pretty sharp dressed bunch…

When it came down to brass tax, this girl was focused and flawless during rehearsal…

Now for the reward, and these kids know… its all about the party!  This party, cool as ice…

This little guy is so inquisitive, with that hint of mischief in his eye…
His Nana bought him this outfit, his dad remarked he’s ready for his first day of school!

His mom got this little tux on freecycle.org for a wedding this past summer, they ended up not needing it. So we decided that heck this was the perfect opportunity to use it, its not going to fit much longer…

This is one of my favorites, I feel like this expression sums up the entire shoot. This kid has a bright, bright future…

If your not famillar with it a quick search will tell you all you need to know about a bris and is signficance to the Jewish people.