S called *right away* when I emailed her. She was itching to put the original photos behind her and create something great. We planned a time and she chose to go to the beautiful campus of Wellesley College. On the appointed day we drove over there with no particular spot in mind. We scoped out a few buildings and randomly drove by the infirmary. At the same moment we both fell for the look of the fire escape. Together we climbed on up and took some shots. It was fun, if a touch scary, sort of how escaping high school is after several years.

Then we set out across campus, caught some scenery and a little rain, and the results were spirited and beautiful photos of a young woman about to escape from one chapter of her life and move into the next. I hope that you love them, S!

L’s mom asked me to take some photos of her son who has just graduated from college and is moving to San Francisco this summer for a great job opportunity. She gave me a little background, not much, but she did tell me not to force him to smile. I don’t generally force smiles, and often preferring photos without wide grins, but she wanted me to know that nice photos of his young adult face were all that she was after. Something to mark this point in time (which unfortunately often goes undocumented) and, I suspect, to give her a remembrance at as he moves across the country.

I began my planning with L. He mentioned a girlfriend, E. I said, “bring her if she wants to join.” That seemed like a good idea to all involved. She was into it. And, selfishly, I was psyched to have a client old enough to shoot in the EVENING light and in an urban location.

We met in Beacon Hill. This area is quintessential Boston. I scoped a few things out ahead of time. Perfect for a shoot involving two New Englanders about to put down new roots 3,000 miles away. We played in the alley ways, gawking at the window boxes and helping ourselves to perfectly manicured front stoops. We hung out on swank streets dreaming of the lives behind the doors and incorporated a bunch of the emblematic features of Beacon Hill into the photos.

Afterward for a change of pace I suggested a coffee, ice cream, or cocktail. By this time I was aware that I was dealing with two foodies, and that was confirmed when the idea of “just any” ice cream was frowned upon. Convenience was no good excuse for bad ice cream. So we pulled up stakes and headed closer to home to what is arguably the best ice cream in the world: Cambridge’s own Toscanini’s. Samples of salty fig, pineapple basil, and 3 drunk muskateers ensued. Followed by orders for scoops of blueberry pancake and fluffernutter. Followed by more photos.

Turns out, L’s smile was on the loose for this shoot (I think it might have had something to do with E), but the result was magic.

L and E-good luck in San Fran! I know that you will love it, and I look forward to hearing about your adventures, culinary and otherwise!

These little guys were attended to by multiple adults–G-G, Pop-pop, Uncle D, and Mom and Dad. Their wish was the command of a gaggle of adoring adults. Well, good for them, that is what a month at grandma’s is supposed to be like.

This is the whole kit and caboodle:

This photo makes me smile–laughing through a lifetime together:

Anyway, I have gushed over them in the past, and you can see that they are irresistible. But also a handful. Twins. Imagine! Really you need man-on-man defense and then another person to get anything else done! But this mom, she was born to take on challenges like these and she knows how to handle her babies, even though she is constantly outnumbered. Their dad is tender with them–a cool cat in the best sense with grown-ups–but his heart is on his sleeve when the kids are around.

And the kids, little S and A–now more than before, are so engaged with one another. That is fun to watch, something their mom has been waiting to see for a long time. They go to school now and protect one another, they have formed their own little alliance. One that will continue to grow. And they are busy exploring, they never stop moving, because if one is up and going then there must be something fun to see, so the other won’t sit still. We used lollipops and snuggles with Mommy and Daddy to encourage a few moments of down time (and some fun family portraits).

As a special bonus, on the very day that these photos were taken the other twins (see the 365 Project on Facebook) were born. Also boy-girl twins, and so the cycle begins again. I can’t wait!

If 25 of you tell us your favorite photo in comments, this family gets a bonus print!!

I love the protective hands of Mom and Dad in this one:

While boys are doing boy things

Girls will do girl things…

This leads me to I, who is having just such an experience (although the age differences are not quite so extreme). She is an exuberant seven yearold, older sister to S, who is her smiley six month old brother. It was fun to watch them interact and to see how all three of them were invested in getting S to smile and look at the camera. I has a smile that lights up her face and she can cause the same reaction in S who clearly loves to have her around.

Mom and Dad are pulled between the busy social life of seven year old birthday parties and soccer games and the needs of their newest little family member. And they pull it all off with aplomb–not to mention looking great while they juggle it all. It was fun to see them all work together–as usual, my favorite pictures were the photos between the photos where they were laughing and engaging one another. Here are some of each:

That is just what happened with J’s family. J’s mom started dropping hints about her preferred Mother’s Day present to J’s Dad, who did well to pick up on them and hire me for some long-desired family photos. J is about the sweetest, most precocious 5-year-old that you would ever want to meet. She played shy at the beginning, but it took me about 2 minutes to engage her in a picture-taking marathon. And I can safely say that the shyness is all a front, because it was non-stop action for the rest of the time we were together.

J’s parents are super-cool (as are most parents of awesome kids). It was clear in the few hours that I spent with them that they adore J and are thrilled that she is on this journey with them. I was so impressed by their patience and genuine enthusiasm for J’s ideas and accomplishments. They are obviously astonished by her and really respect her–and I don’t blame them.

J’s mom and dad work hard to create venues for J to use her imagination. To that end, they decked out TWO playrooms in perfect little-girl splendor. I am super-grateful for their unwavering (and creative!) help during the session; they redirected J with all kinds of thoughtful games to help extend her already tested patience.

I had so much fun visiting J’s world, this little peek inside will help you see why:

In this case they are the daughters of a mom who is also one of two girls. And they have already burrowed themselves in the hearts of their parents.

E is 3, and learning quickly to be a big sister. She loves to play, has perfected a “camera-ready” smile, but can easily be talked into a smile that no one can resist. During this early part of her big sister time, she has been well-loved not only by her parents, but also by her grandparents and aunt.

M is her laid back new baby. Her tiny little body was just too cute for words–not to mention the hair and her great wide-awake shoot.

Together they are going to be a fun-loving force of nature. Mom and Dad are primed for the adventure that is coming their way. In fact, they were able to get themselves prepped for photos before M was two weeks old!

Here is the whole, newly expanded family:

Two sets of sisters

This just cracks me up–

25 comments and this family gets a bonus print!

Case in point: Meet baby A who clearly has at least one hopelessly devoted fan. Truthfully, it is easy to see how Mom fell so hard for this little bundle. I mean, really, look at those eyes, and that wry smile. She was totally ready to play along with the photographs and shine her light right at my lens. Love it when that happens.

This very smart Mom is avoiding being accused of playing favorites. When daughter #1 was several months old she was taken to have her portrait made and now a collage of her tiny parts and new smiles adorns her room. When A reached the same age, Mom made sure she got the same treatment. As every parent knows, each kids as she needs, but equity when possible is a good policy. Sometimes you even learn from your first experiences and get it better the second time around.

25 comments and Mom will get a bonus 5×7!

Mom kept the snacks coming and their uncle (in one case Dad) worked hard to make them look and smile. Auntie/Mom watched with amusement as I tried to get all six eyes on me, occasionally corralling attention with a well-placed Little People.

We had a great time getting the photos for their grandfather’s big birthday. I think that he will be happy when he unwraps the photos of his favorite girls!

Whose birthday could you make with the gift of portraits?

And wow has she grown. Even since her last shoot she has lots more curls and has found mobility to be her friend. Luckily her good nature has only grown as well.

A few for Mom on S’s big day (it was memorable for Mom and Dad too):

Your cousins’ photos are coming! Promise!