Fleeting Moments

Another New Photo Location

Between photo sessions for clients lately, I've been scouring the area around Hershey for new photo session locations. I keep a camera and a notebook in the car with me when I'm making errand runs around town, and I've discovered some promising new places in the past week!

One of them is the Hershey Public Library. There are so many nooks and crannies around the red brick exterior that there's always a place to get great shots, regardless of the weather or the time of year. Plus, it's walking distance from there to Cocoa Castle, the Skate Park or any number of school sports fields -- all great places to shoot.

New Glasses

My little guy is wearing glasses!

We picked them up last Thursday and he's been getting used to them a few hours at a time.

John took this picture on Saturday -- Kai still didn't want to walk with his glasses on, so we scooped him up and carried him outside to grab a quick pic. Doesn't he look like a great thinker now?

A Sneak Peek for Stacey

I had the *best* time walking around Hershey Gardens with this fun-loving couple!

The tulips were in full bloom for our session, too -- gorgeous! I can't wait to see what Stacey and Gary's wedding at the Gardens will look like. With a backdrop of roses in bloom, they'll have a different look, and I bet they'll complement this beautiful bride perfectly...

Happy Earth Day

In honor of Earth Day, we've already done a litter-picking-up project and one creative project using recycleable materials. Since it's primary day in Pennsylvania, we also get to vote to celebrate Earth Day.

But to really celebrate the day, I offer my favorite Earth Day List from the creative minds at the Shoebox Blog:

Non-Traditional Ways of Saving the Earth:

        *  carpool, or just stop going to work;

        *  store sunlight in reusable plastic bags;    

        *  recycle old friends;

        *  have an intervention and force earth to admit it has a problem;

        *  stop crying for Argentina;

        *  pogo stick to work.

Now go buy a Shoebox card (printed on recycled paper, including a minimum of 10% post-consumer and 40% pre-consumer fiber) and send it to someone you love.

The Hershey Gardens

I was back at the Hershey Gardens today -- I have some photo sessions coming up there and I wanted to see what was new there, and maybe scout some new locations.

Of course, I took my trusty assistant with me; he's just two, but he's learning the ropes fast. And he makes a good model (any of you who are worried about me being able to capture your active toddlers -- no worries, I have plenty of practice!) as I explore all the nooks and crannies of the Gardens in search of perfect lighting.

That's one of the things I love about sessions at Hershey Gardens: there are so many tucked-away places that I can always find wonderful, flattering light! This picture of Kai was taken in the Children's Garden. There's a little semi-circle of stone where the bird feeders are located, and that stone makes a great backdrop in the morning.

Mmmmm, Forbidden Donuts...

When I went out to get my celebratory donut yesterday (it was National Donut Day, did you know?), I thought I'd make it a Really Big Day and go to Starbucks first. After all, what's a donut without a spot of coffee? And when I got to my local Starbucks, quelle surprise!, I found that we finally can buy those famous Top Pot donuts here in Central PA.

I can vouch for the vanilla glazed. It's not Krumpe's, but it's also not an hour's drive from my home. And I apologize for the link to a news article up there. If you want to see the real Top Pot site, click here instead. And if you want to make today your own personal Donut Day, I give you permission. Enjoy!

Urban Sessions

I've heard from a lot of clients lately that they want to book sessions "when the flowers are at their peak" or "when the fall foliage is in."

But I have to say it -- anytime is a good time for a photo session! And as I found out over the weekend, a successful images can happen in the most unlikely places.

These photos were taken on a Sunday in the heart of Lancaster, and my favorite images were taken with closed shops, abandoned buildings and a parking garage as backdrops.

An urban setting can offer wonderful little corners and quiet alleyways as backgrounds; and sometimes, an old or gritty background can create a perfect contrast to the innocence of a little girl or the hopeful look of an engaged couple.

So don't forget about those city locations. You'll be surprised -- and thrilled -- with the images you'll get from a photo session there. I sure was!

Finally, Outdoor Sessions!

The weather is finally warm enough to head outside, and I've been busy taking pictures of half the neighborhood, it seems. Plus a few of my own two kids.

A few days ago, I was walking around Hershey with little Kai, hoping to get some images of the Little League fields here right before the season started. And then I realized it had been a while since I'd really captured Carly and Kai -- and they've been growing like weeds, I tell ya. So I got right on that, and included them in my photo spree last week!

Happy Chocolate Mousse Day!

It really is National Chocolate Mousse Day, and I am posting in the morning so you have some time to plan to honor the day in the only appropriate way.

So go out to lunch and order dessert first. Or pick up some quality ingredients and make the Julia Child version.

And have a decadent day!

And Not Only That...

John and I are proud to share our wedding anniversary with National Chocolate Mousse Day, and I am seriously considering making Julia Child's famous chocolate mousse for dessert today.

But back to us: here we are, all young and dewy and hopeful just after the wedding ceremony. It was eight years ago, and we had collected a few friends and family members and dragged them to Caneel Bay Resort on the quiet island of St. John. They didn't mind so much; the weather was great, the beaches were empty and the rum flowed freely.

Happy anniversary, JR!