Orson Street Pictures

Archive for November 2015

The Plourde Family Session

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Hey you guys. This one will be quick because Sunday nights are like the Hunger Games around here, plus we leave for Disney in three days. Disney World is just another example of how I tend to believe I'm capable of big things, and then the reality of what I've endeavored upon settles over me extracting all of the air and covering my head with Saran wrap. Or something. I don't even know.what I'm saying right now. Somebody get me a paper bag.

Last week I had the pleasure of taking pictures of the Plourde family. They are a truly beautiful people. I joked on my facebook page that I felt like I was on a shoot for Eddie Bauer and after editing all the shots, I was correct. These people should probably move to LA where they belong and leave the average looking folks like myself to mill about these parts. Without further rambling from yours truly...

I'm booked solidly until Christmas, so check back for more fun with the Nikon!

The Mullins Family

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

I've said it before, but its worth repeating that I was absolutely never prepared for the vulnerability that motherhood would gift to me. I was utterly blindsided by how much I could feel for this little person, and how much I couldn't control the outside world and its effect on her teeny-tiny soul - and what that would do to me, hour by hour. And there is no end to this. I have this child in my life and I will never ever stop feeling this vulnerable. I can never stop feeling for her. And let me tell you something. I was feeling enough for an army BEFORE she came into the world. Those first few years were hard for me. I still have PTSD I swear to you. And I'm still packing her lunch like it's Armageddon. What if she drops it? What if it goes bad? What if Sean eats it? What if a giant lunch monster comes in and takes all the food? She might feel like chicken nuggets AND mac and cheese, AND possibly mini oreos. I have issues.

It just works out that on the eve of the great day of giving thanks, I'm posting shots from the Mullins Family session two weeks ago. It's appropriate because Kristin is one I will forever be grateful for. She was one of the first caregivers and teachers of my only daughter who is today a thriving, assertive, comical 3.75 year old. When Olivia was just an infant, they were Kristin's arms that I passed my heart to in the mornings, sweating, late for work, that tug in my throat. It was her hip Liv sat on as I walked out of the classroom door, looking back over my shoulder through the glass, my heart torn to a million pieces, my mind steeling itself against the waves of emotions.

We were lucky Kristin remained Olivia's teacher as she moved up. All the milestones were shared. The first of many, many words (and then strings of words) that never ended. Rolling, crawling and walking too. Liv called Kristin her 'odder mommy.' And it wasn't long before Olivia was walking into the classroom with me, her arms stretched out for Kristin. What a gift. An incredible, amazing blessing. Kristin's bond with Liv made it possible for me to walk out happy. A little less messy. A little more relieved. A little more focused. She made a very big difference, not just for me, but for Olivia too. And all the kids in her class. There is no price tag you can put in that.

After I decided to stay home, we kept Olivia in school two days a week because she loved it so much, because she loved Kristin so much. I did too. It wasn't easy the day (or many days after) Liv graduated out of Kristin's class, and we had new teachers. But it was nice she was just a few doors down. We would say hi or goodbye as we paddled down the hall to the front door. We'd stop and get a hug and a kiss. And then, something extraordinary happened. Kristin met and married the love of her life. A year later she had a baby boy!

It's probably been 6 or 7 months that Kristin has not been at the school. But Olivia still talks about her all the time. We visit when we can, too. But it doesn't matter how much time passes. This person is forever and inextricably ingrained in our story. She will always be here. And for that, I'm eternally grateful.

The Ferretti's

Friday, November 20, 2015

I got a text 4 hours before the session. She wanted a white barn. I think I was in Target. I blinked a little and my pulse elevated. I don't think I have a clue where one would be. Brown barn, red barn, dilapidated barn, all yes. A white barn? I started wondering if I'm really cut out for this. Her backyard was too boring, she proclaimed. I've actually been in her backyard and it's the nicest in 20152. Amazing, actually. But I didn't question. She knows what she wants, and I totally dig that about her. We agreed to meet at Chantilly National. I know it well.

The Ferretti's are immediately likable. They take conversational risks within seconds of meeting, they laugh easy, and that combined creates an instant familiarity. The boys are incredibly sweet. They were so gracious as I invited them to pose a million ways they didn't really want to. I asked them if they liked being so close in age. Peter, the youngest, said he wished they were twins. They offered me some of the snack we ordered during intermission, while Georgia quickly changed wardrobe for a few head shots we planned to take. They probably could have been better but you know, wine. Note: feed your photographer wine AFTER the picture taking part is over. :)

While we waited a little for Pat to finish his game, the boys read (books!) and Georgia and I went out on to the newly renovated deck area overlooking the last hole. The sun was getting low, and I knew we didn't have too much light left, but I was having such a good time it didn't bother me. Because like I said, wine and Georgia!

I hope to see these guys again soon. I promise to bring my camera and take head shots again, BEFORE I do anything else.

Cousins

Saturday, November 14, 2015

The day kicked off with a super action-packed session of six. What a fantastic bunch of kids! These cousins are each so unique and full of personality. I heard some seriously high quality banter happening today at the park. The bonds here are palpable. I felt them instantly as I waded through the commentary and rough play while I struggled to set up my camera for the morning sun. Together they are very much their own holiday movie. I found myself nearly distracted, anticipating what would happen next.

It wasn't warm, and when the wind blew I could hear teeth chattering. But I got the sense that no one really minded, and that this was just one of many adventures they had been on together in this life so far.

Thank you Sharmas, Jacksons and Hickmans. You are truly blessed to have each other, and I feel lucky to have had a few moments shared with me today. And if you get any video of the upcoming holidays, I'd LOVE to watch it, send it my way!!

Test shoot with the diva

Friday, November 13, 2015

This afternoon I took my diva child to ellanor c lawrence park for a test run. Tomorrow morning I have a shoot with a family of six (kids). As any new quasi photographer would, I went ahead and scoped the grounds. I brought the only test subject I had handy. First mistake.

Let me tell you something about 3.75 year olds. No, I better not. If you've had one, you know. If you haven't, I won't wreck it for you. Plus, who knows? Your's could be normal.

Mine appears to be the kind that *may* set your driveway on fire. Not long after this fun little photography experiment she smacked me so hard in the head, I saw white out of my eye for at least five seconds. And then laughed about it. When I cried out, she realized she had inflicted pain and with dead-pan face, said to me, "I'm so sorry Momma. Will you forgive me? I wish there was something I could do to make it up to you."

So. That.

Happy parenting ya'll. And stop back by later this weekend for the Hickman/Jackson/Sharma shoot preview & the Mullin's preview. And possibly some out-takes from the Ferretti's. Yes. I'm that busy.

The Valbruns

Monday, November 9, 2015

I've known the Valbrun's for a few years. Niko goes to school with Liv and he is, and always has been, sort of her polar opposite. Who knows what these little experiments we call children will one day become, but for today he is gentle and sweet. He is kind and not super loud for an almost four year old, a total plus in my book. He doesn't appear to talk back, at least I've never even heard him utter the word "no" in any kind of bossy manner to his mom or any inanimate object. Liv has been photographically documented yelling at her spaghetti and meat balls. Niko is a good soul. When Olivia and Niko play, she is abrasive and demanding. Because. Her mother. But Niko takes it all in stride. He is amazing with her and all the rest of those little dictators in her class, of which let's face it, my daughter is the ring leader. He is the very definition of chill. I'm jelly. Beyond.

I digress. This family agreed to be my first family photo shoot as a quasi-photographer, or basically some mom with a very expensive camera and apparently a significant amount of free time to use it. There is an internal process that smothers my outright elation on almost any new endeavor (having to do with my own pathology, as my husband so astutely and delightfully points out about once a quarter). This process, or ok Dan, my pathology, doesn't let me see things the way others do, perhaps. I can get happy, but perhaps never satisfied.

I think much of what I struggle with as a pseudo photographer, and let's face it, a human being, is that I very much have a picture in my mind of what I believe will be. Reality, or what you walk away with... well, that may look different. Radically different in many cases.

If you have ever had family photos done, you might know that as the client, there is much for you to do. You must pick your date and time, your outfits, and then you have to orchestrate your entire family to be in one place, clean, and at that location at the specified time. It's no small feat, even when your children are over 5 years old and not regurgitating all over themselves and your $100 crewcuts investment. I usually end up a sweaty mess who has bitten the head off of anyone in a 20 mile radius. I'm today experiencing the flip side. The stress of getting the right shot, in the right conditions. The right expressions. Did I capture it? Will they love it?

What I am getting at here is that I love these people, I love their kindness, their utter lack of pretension and their willingness to share themselves with me for this crazy idea I have. I adore their little boy. I hope they enjoy these pictures because what I do see here is infinite love and a whole lot of playfulness. I hope I've captured a little bit of it for them.

I just pray these guys will hire me again to take their family photo - perhaps in a few more months or years when I can really wow them! Ha!

I now present: The Valbruns.

Rain & Cotton Candy

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Today was supposed to be my very first family shoot. It rained. Hard. And it was cold. We've rescheduled for tomorrow, but I was able to snap a few shots of my littlest subject of tomorrow's family pics at a birthday party we all attended. In the rain. In their garage. There were animals that pooped everywhere but there was ALSO cotton candy. And that friends, is all you need. In poop and cotton candy...

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