She was zipping around the park and about all we could do to keep her in one place was to try to get her to walk up the hill instead of down, but I don’t think that will be a problem for long.  Her mom was busy trying to corral all of that glorious toddler energy (where does that go in adulthood anyway?), while dad was gentle and always attentive to E’s safety as she navigated the world on her own two feet.

We tried to fool E into some family photos by entertaining her on slides, swings, and shoulders.  And as a prize we were often rewarded with her winning smile, which gives new definition to smiling all the way to your eyes.  She really beams.

And, for those of you who have asked, this mom did a super job of dressing little E–deep color, beautiful texture, interesting buttons, but nothing to take your gaze away from her gorgeous little face, as though that were even possible.

Enjoy!

But every so often you get a gift.  Like, for example, a walk out deck overlooking the South End…  I mean I look up at those apartments and wonder what it looks like from up there and then there I was!  And these very smart people have a extended couch (in red!) out there for lounging–or for providing the perfect picture taking place.

Baby E is a fair, blue-eyed little guy who has a gaggle of grown ups’ hearts in his hand.  His mom and dad told me that he has 7 great-grandparents–that is a whole lotta years of lovin’ shining on one little guy.  He seems to be taking it in stride and even giving a bunch of it back.

We had a fun shoot on top of the world with this lovely young family.

This latest pair might be my first boy-boy set. They are just precious and it seems to me as I look through the photos that I can almost see their bigger person personalities shining through. ‘I’ is a little bigger than his brother and a little tougher. He was in a sleepy mood the day that I was there and we even had to wake the baby, breaking the cardinal rule of parenting new-born twins. His individual shots have *attitude* and he is just shy of two months! Littler guy, L, he was full of fun faces and winning expressions. He looked at the camera and his Moma and seemed to already be observing what was going on around him.

These guys really have a beautiful and kind mom. She looked radiant despite what I am sure has been a roller coaster few months. They also have and a fun, gruff dad who is really a teddy bear, I could see it. They both love them so much but would not mind slightly more sleep. Grandma and Auntie have been lending a hand to get these sweet boys off to a great start–and these two little guys are keeping 4 adults running!

Family’s first baby

I often wonder if the curly hair follows the personality or the personality follows the curls. E was fully of spirit–just has happy and full of life as she appears here. She was an great sport. As we started the shoot Mom lamented that she had forgotten to bring a hair clip or rubber band. Many frames later–with brilliant blue eyes peering from behind the curls that would not be tamed–Dad decided that there must be SOMETHING in the car to pull them back. He returned with an improvisational hair accessory and E’s face was uncovered. I cannot say which I prefer.

Eventually we gave in to E’s quiet pleas to play on the playground and did some more shooting over there. She loved the swing and slide. It was fun to shoot on the playground and reminded me what a little universe the playground is for small people. Everything just their size, it must be so reassuring in a world where you are always miniature.

And then these smart parents did a couple of photos together. Well, it is completely clear where E got her grin and good looks.

I had a ton of fun with you guys! Hope that you love your preview!

We had so much fun taking pictures. She showed me where she inherited her infectious smile by eliciting them from her mom constantly. She is so smart, she knew exactly when she needed a break and made sure she got it (kids know how to make pictures stop working very young, it amazes me always), but she perked up again when her dad came home for the final shots.

In the meantime she showed off her physical prowess and the exuberance she has for life–it extends all the way down to ends of her curls.

Miss S, it is my distinct pleasure to watch you grow and I know that you are going to be one great big sister. I can tell you from personal experience, a sister is a really special gift. I cannot wait to meet her too! The love in this family will grow exponentially with their new addition.

J answered the door with his dad. He was immediately full of questions, several about Star Wars, and he is an avid fan. With a memory for character names that I have long forgotten. His questions were entertaining. For the first time I was asked what planet I was from (because in Star Wars this is a valid question). He also pointed out a small scratch on his cheek and was explaining how he got it. I told him that it was no problem, I could take that right out of the photos. He looked concerned, “will it hurt?” Lesson learned on explaining things more thoroughly to 3 year olds.

L was slightly more reserved. She was coaxed into wearing a dress, and I am so glad that she did–little girls in skirts at twilight, you can hardly do better. She showed herself to be part model and part prankster during the shoot. She and her brother got one another rolling.

We visited the Charles River park in Brighton as the sun was getting low. The light was wonderful and we even worked around a road race. The family has lots of memories in this park, and I hope that we added another great one. Thanks for a great shoot, McN family!

This is not just a regular-old super fun family shoot for me. This is baby N. He is not “my friends’ kid”–he is the kid I love because he was born to people I adore. The day N was born Dad called me and whispered, “I am a Daddy.” He could barely believe it, that the little guy in the isolette was his to hold and take home and care for forever. Before that day he was an exceptional consultant on strategic business growth; but now it seems that his primary strategizing is around getting his baby to smile at him.

And his Mama. She is the picture of calm. She rolled with more than her share of punches, and has shown herself to be a quietly capable and remarkably relaxed first time mom. She was more than willing to have fun with the shoot–and you can see in the photos that Mom and Dad have that essential ability to have a great time together.

N is a beauty. And I don’t think I am biased. He really has grown up to be a gorgeous little guy. Serious by nature, he responds best to his mom and dad, who delight in his every grin. Much like these guys, it was hard to find a frame where these proud parents were not smiling. Dad said that he is not photogenic, can’t smile for pictures–the cure was obvious to me–I told him, “then look at the baby.” It worked every time.

OK, N, I hope that I did you proud. And that your mom and dad might like these too.

This one is my favorite, N knows that he has got these guys wrapped around his little finger…

Their wedding was a tear-soaked affair. The ceremony was among the most beautiful and heartfelt that I have ever seen. It included a long and deep list of traits and habits that each loved about the other. It was a verbal embrace that gave everyone a window into their love.

And that peek into their connection and feeling has been magnified 1000 times by the arrival of their son, baby S. These photos overflow with love. As with any newborn, S has given them a run for their money at times, but in these images you can only see the love and care that has been his birthright from the start.

These are great parents, ready to embrace S and the experience of growing him–and to embrace the ways in which the arrival of S has grown them too.

We took these photos at Walden Pond. A great Boston landmark and a meaningful spot for this family for many reasons–but above all because it is where their lifetime union symbolically started, on the beach here that S’s mom and dad agreed that they would spend their lives together.

I love these images of S getting ready for his big shoot. He responds to their affection all the way down to the tips of his toes.

Capturing that love is really why I love doing newborn sessions. I am not so much into the slings and hats and baby posing that some photographers do (although I do think that those photos are super cute), but given the opportunity, I want the family. I want parents so new and so tired that they cannot help but let their love spill out. I want a tiny miracle body with itty bitty chicken legs–the body that you can hardly remember existed even a few weeks later.

This mom bought a gift certificate that I had donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. She was planful. She called before she had the baby to see what would be best. Here is what is best: Call me when she did, before the baby comes, then add me to your email announcement list so that I know the baby arrived. You won’t believe me before the baby comes, but your days will melt away. Since I want to come by in the first week or so, I will call you. We can make a date–that will be the hardest part. After that it is all easy. I won’t rush you through the session–feed, soothe, sleep, spit up, change a dozen diapers, it will all be fine.

This little guy was amazingly chill and awake. He definitely loves where he has landed–between two adults who can only be described as besotted. They can barely keep their hands and their kisses off him–he has a magnetic pull. It is exactly why visiting early is so optimal. They were in the throws of first love. You will see that they are never looking at the camera (FINE with me), they cannot take their eyes off little J.

But those are only two of the four that make this family fabulous.

We had a bunch of fun–I mean how can you miss on a perfect summer morning on the beach with a spirited family? A was READY, she was the perfect model. She was so anxious to be cooperative that I had to encourage her to talk to me a little, helping her to release a vibrant “real” smile. It really was not hard–especially when she her parents were nearby or chatting with her. Little guy B, he wanted me to work for my money, but with shining eyes and a mischievous grin, it was completely worth the chase. He was a Daddy devotee during the shoot–as you can see by his placement in most of the photos.

This is a family who loves music–so we even shot ourselves an album cover. See if you can identify the inspiration.

Thanks H family, I hope that you love your portraits!