I am in LOVE!!!!

Ok... so I know I have taken a two and a half month hiatus from my blog.  It's not that I did not want to blog, it's just that I have not had a chance to blog.  Busy, Hectic, and Satisifying, this is how I can describe my last few months.  Like I said in the title of this blog, I am in LOVE!!!  For many of you that know me, yes, I'm still in love with the man I married five years ago, but I have a new love.  I'm in love with my life.  It is not by all means perfect, but it is my life and my dream.

It is 4:00 in the afternoon.  Yes, for once, I am writing one of these during the day.  It actually feels a bit weird!  I like to write these when I am sitting in a quiet place and I can really concentrate on my task at hand.  For the past year, that has been after midnight, almost every single time.  So, how is it that I am able to do this at 4:00 in the afternoon?  Well......I'm sitting at my desk, listening to my music....at my new STUDIO!!!  Right now, after a few very hectic weeks, full of sessions, weddings, moving, car accidents :( and in law visits, I am sitting by myself...peaceful.

I have been searching for a while for the right studio.  My house isn't that big and my props and equipment were starting to fill rooms.  Plus, having a husband that works from home and an almost 4 year old, it does make working quite difficult at times.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being home with my family.  But, for me, I am a workaholic, and trying to differentiate family time and work time became harder to do.  Plus, I really dreamed of having my own place that I could meet with clients and I can set up more detailed setups for newborn and baby sessions.  Once I found my studio, I knew this was my second home!  I just felt comfortable!  Grant it, the night I got the keys (and a few days after), I was pretty in shock.  I couldn't believe that I had just made one of the top 5 biggest decisions in my life.  Wow, excited and OMG scary!!!  Since then, I have calmed down and my life just feels right!  I'm on Main St. in Old Wethersfield - in a Barn!  How cool is that?   I've always loved this street, and now I am part of it.  Once again, I AM IN LOVE!!!

Ramon and Danielle {MARRIED}

Recently, on what I call the best day of the year (yes, my birthday), I had the privilege to photograph Ramon and Danielle's wedding.  I met them a few months ago and was so excited when they chose me.  As previously mentioned in an earlier post, they met while in college and Westfield State, so that is where they had there engagement session.  I always like going back to the beginning and capturing how far they've traveled.  

They had such a fantastic wedding!  Not only are Danielle and Ramon an adorably sweet couple, but their family and friends were a true testament to how awesome the couple is.  Everybody was so enthusiastic and lively.  I had such a great time at their wedding.  Congratulations Ramon and Danielle!  I hope you are having a great time on your honeymoon!

Nicole and MayLee

Back in May, I was honored that Nicole asked me to photograph her maternity session.  Out of all of the photographers in her area, she asked me to travel to Long Island, NY.  Nicole and her husband, Matthew, are such a great couple.  When you see two people that are so happy and so in love, you know their baby is going to be such a sweet and precious little thing.

The morning after MayLee was born, Nicole emailed me right away telling me.  Literally, I think it was less than 10 hours after her birth!  We made plans right away for MayLee's photo session.  When I arrived in Long Island and saw this gorgeous little princess, I knew I was in for a treat.  MayLee was such a great baby.  She barely cried and never fused.

Here are some photos of Nicole's maternity photos and then some of MayLee.  I decided to show some sort of "Before" and Afters".

Credit...where Credit is due.

Starting a business can be so scary at times.  There are great periods, and not so great periods.  Most of the time, doing what I love, keeps me going.  However, there are times when a little (or A LOT of) encouragement from some of my biggest supporters goes a long way.  My husband is an amazing supporter, and he is an AWESOME person to have around for technical support.  I will say, there have been many; let me repeat, many nights that I have whisked him out of bed at 3am to help me with something on the computer.  He may huff and puff a little, but he knows me, the sooner I figure something out, the sooner I will get sleep.  For me, more sleep means that I will be a lot happier the next day :).  For example, I’ve been craving music lately while I work.  So he set me up on Pandora tonight with some of my favorite chill music.  Yes, I do love him.  It is 2:35am and I am listening to Sarah MacLachlan and Enya.  For some people, it would put them to sleep; for me, it keeps me going! 

Two of my other amazing supporters are my father and his fiancé, Barbara.  They are always telling me that I can do this.  Barbara is always checking my facebook page to see what I am working on and my Dad “likes” almost every album I post (thanks Dad – always makes me feel good), and then when I talk to him, he is always telling me how great the photos are.  It is these kinds of encouragement that keeps me going, and makes me want to grow, succeed, and dream. 

Recently, Barbara asked me to fit a couple of her friend’s grandchildren in for sessions while they were back in CT. I had so much fun.  I met two of Barbara’s good friends, and got to photograph two adorable little one’s and their families.  Two really good days!

The first family I met was Jack’s family.  They were visiting from FL.  The whole family was so into the photos and 4^th of July!  I love how their family was so united.  They are such a nice family and Jack is such a happy little boy!  I hope to see them again after they move back from FL this fall. 

I love this photo.  The fact that the dog is the ONLY one looking at the camera is great!

The second family is Abigail’s family.  Let me just say, they were such troopers.  They were visiting from Alaska.  Yes...Alaska.  And, guess what…remember that heat wave we had a couple of weeks ago.  This is when we were scheduled to meet.  So, in the 100+ degree weather, we were outside.  It was a quick session, since their version of a heat wave consists of maybe 75 degree weather. So we wanted to make it fun, but fast for little Abigail.  Here are a few of my favorites.

I think this one really shows this family's personality!  Good times!

The Girls, three generations of them!

Again,  I just want to say thank you to everyone who encourages me everyday to follow my dream.  It really does mean the world to me.

Kristen and Patrick

Recently, I met Sidney Chang of Sidney Chang Photography.  She asked me to be her second shooter for a wedding she had scheduled.  In this business, it is always a great opportunity to work with other photographers.  Each and every photographer has their own style, but when you work with another one, it's a great way to learn from each other and continue to grow your own style.

I met Kristen and Patrick on their wedding day.  They seem like such a lovely couple and had such a great group of family and friends.  Here are a few photos from their day.

Audriana

Recently, I had the chance to meet the Carl family. They are such a nice family. The youngest, Audriana was turning 1, so I met them for a birthday session. I had just purchased this adorable little chair, and I think this was a perfect time to debut it. I can't get over how precious Audriana is, she is such a beautiful little girl.

Danielle and Ramon~ E-Session!

Today, I shot an engagement session with Danielle and Ramon. They decided that they wanted to go to the place where they met, COLLEGE! We met in Westfield, MA and took some gorgeous photos at Westfield State and Stanley Park. Danielle and Ramon were up for anything and I can not wait for their wedding on August 7th (which is the best day of the year...my birthday)!

Danielle and Ramon - you are an absolutely beautiful couple, and I can not wait to see you in a couple of months!

Alison and Kevin

I met Alison and Kevin a little under a year ago when they started planning their wedding. They are such a great couple and so in love! After doing an engagement session for them last fall, I knew I was in for a treat when the wedding day arrived. Ali and Kevin picked such beautiful locations for their wedding. If you are looking for a Catholic Church in Enfield, CT - St. Adalberts is breathtaking! After the ceremony, we went to a friend of the family's private residence. Honestly, we never got past the covered bridge in the beginning of their driveway. I want to go back and see the rest of the place someday!! Last, but not least, they had their reception at the Riverview in Simsbury. This fairly new place is definitely gorgeous! Check out the photos and you will see how majestic their day was (and of course how gorgeous the couple is)!

Baby Catherine

Last Monday was a very hectic day. My cat, Mia, became a mommy for the first time. While this was not planned, we now have two cute little kitties. The same day, I met baby Catherine. She is such a sweet little girl. Grant it, she pretty much stayed awake for the 3 hours I was at her house. I did manage to get a few photos of her when she took her little "cat naps". Here are some photos!