100 days (give or take a couple)

Korean families (I learned) celebrate a child's 100 days. We had this shoot well planned out for 100 days ... and then the snow fell. So, here is this beautiful baby at 101 days. I look forward to meeting her big brother and sister in a little while. I hear they are quite in love with their little sister and I can see why. She was such a little charmer! Wide awake and interactive. She fell asleep just as I was getting ready to leave (but still had my camera out). I love sleepy baby pics.

Camera Love

Going back for a second shoot is always so much fun. I was so thrilled to get to go back for a more formal shoot after a very sweet and intimate shoot about a month ago. This little one was giving the camera some serious love. Cute kids always make my job so easy (and fun) but she went above and beyond.

A few more

When I start editing a shoot, I pick a few favorites and put them up on my blog, but inevitably, I miss some that become favorites. As I finished up editing this shoot, I found a couple that I really love, especially the one on the swings. Part of the reason I love this shot so much is that it captures the Brit in Bel. It feels very Christopher Robin and I like that.

December

I love that in Boston we just tend to adapt to the cold and make the most of days that are not below zero? The first of December was a chilly but beautiful morning but the chilly weather was certainly not much of a hindrance for this shoot -- just an incentive for tea before and after.

What strikes me most about Dan and Hannah is their friendship with each other. I always notice this when I am around them. Their sweet boys definitely feed off of this and the result is a home filled with love and a lot of fun. I enjoyed listening to their songs, stories, and their play.

A New Beginning in a New Old Place

This Blogpost is worth reading the words as well as looking at the pictures. I asked Susanna to write the post because she is so gifted with words. (For more of her beautiful writing, she blogs at susanna-wishfulthinking.blogspot.com).

"The experts say you arenʼt supposed to make any major decisions for a year after experiencing traumatic loss. Well, I didnʼt listen. The year after my husband died was filled with ups and downs and some choices Iʼd prefer to forget... with one notable exception. I bought my dream house. And itʼs perfect. The past four months have been busy with extensive remodeling and we have a few more months to go before itʼs entirely livable. The house was built in 1925, and though perfect, needed a few upgrades in order to be efficient. When I lost Andy there was a profound rift in the place I had once invested so much love and so many dreams. Not only was there a rift, but, over time, there was a build up of displaced love. We were, all of us, created to invest in others. I had three beautiful children, but I understood, from day one, that they needed to grow up and leave home and be free of unhealthy anchors to a grieving mother. But, then, like a little miracle, I found my house and I reinvested. I know itʼs a house. I know it doesnʼt love me back, but itʼs a receptacle for all things me. I love this project. Itʼs a brand new beginning and yet, so many things about my house are culminations of dreams I had as a child. The old meets the new. Thereʼs even a secret passageway.

And, itʼs not only for me. My children need this too...a place to explore and make their own...a house in the city that now has a street named after their father. Itʼs only right. So, when my dear friend Janice came to visit, I asked her to take some photos (with her signature grace) of me and the kids at the new house. Just as I had hoped, she captured the excitement, discovery, and cohesiveness of our little family. And, at the center of it all is our beautiful house."

(Susanna Widman, susanna-wishfulthinking.blogspot.com)

an unsuspecting favorite place

(yes this is my 3rd post in as many hours, but i am trying to catch up after an amazing couple of days in FL -- pics to follow in a few days -- so bear with me!)

So I was actually thrilled when the suggestion was made that we do these family pictures at the Forest Hills Cemetary. It is truly one of the most beautiful places in Boston -- a real treasure. Not only are there really beautiful sculptures throughout, but the trees are amazing and it is just a really special, quiet place. I loved the dynamic of this family -- Joanne and the boys. The relationship between the oldest and the middle 'boys' was really tender and it was special to observe. Little guy was precious and just wanted to eat ginkgo leaves and there was just a sweet love between all of them.