Baby Ethan

I couldn't resist posting this image -- look at those adorable little lips! All of the photos will all be available on Pictage next week.

... the ultimate baby shampoo??

Broden Pictures Now Available

Broden's pictures are available on Pictage. I hope you will take advantage of the 2 for 1 sale on reprints.

Happy Birthday Broden!

I have been lucky to watch this little boy grow from a newborn to a toddler. While photographing him at one year was not nearly as easy as it was when he was virtually immobile, it was a lot of fun to see how much he's changed. I hope his birthday party wasn't rained out by the big storm! The photographs from this session will be available shortly on Pictage.



Broden greeted me at the door. Last time I saw him he was barely standing up on his own.



















Broden shared with us all of his talents, especially his vocal skills.

Home at Last

News from Virginia Tech makes a blog update seem ridiculous and utterly frivolous. It is with a heavy heart that I watch the story unfold on CNN and the front page of the Washington Post. I will leave the debate and discussion to the experts...



So I had a wonderful time in Washington, DC. The weather could have been better, but getting to see old friends and clients made up for grey skies. The majesty of the city does not diminish in stormy weather, and I can't help but feel a bit nostalgic for the place I spent so many years. I am excited to start working on all of the photographs I took of baby Ethan, 1 year old Broden, and Josh's bar mitzvah. I'll definitely be posting some images here so check back later this week.

I'm trying to get through all of the emails so please be patient. Feel free to call me if it can't wait.

Hope you all have tried the cookie recipe I demonstrated below. They are so yummy and are sure to make you the most popular person on the block!

Creative Use of Photos

I took some engagement photos of my friends last year (the Atlanta wedding, see below) and another friend used them to create a one of a kind piece of art. She was kind enough to send me a photo of the finished piece before giving it to the couple. If anyone is interested in commissioning their own custom piece, I would be delighted to connect you with the artist.

Travel Schedule

I'm off to DC April 11th so if you need to reach me use my cell number. I am not sure how much email access I'll have so it's probably best to try me on the phone if it's something that cannot wait until next week.

This week in DC is going to be fairly busy with little or no time to spare. I still have Thursday from around 3 - 5:30 PM available...

Weekend in Atlanta, GA

I spent a chilly weekend in Atlanta to attend a friend's wedding. I had every intention of making it inside the Coca-Cola World or whatever it's called, but I think every school in Georgia was on spring break last weekend because the line to get in was about four blocks long. But at least have this photo to remind me of what could have been...




It was so odd to be a guest at the wedding and not the photographer. I left my big cameras at home and enjoyed hanging out with friends and dancing like a fool to old favorites. Even though I only had my tiny point and shoot, I couldn't resist taking a couple of detail shots.













A friend just emailed this photo to me of the whole FHS gang. It seems unbelievable that we graduated over ten years ago! Why must I always look so awful in pictures?!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

One thing I love to do is to bake sweets for my sweety. There's always so many cookies that we end up giving them away to friends who all rave about them. I thought I'd share my recipe with you.

Ingredients

2 sticks unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 teaspoons good vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375o

1. Melt butter in medium saucepan over low heat. Meanwhile, sift together flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside.

2. Pour slightly cooled melted butter in mixer's work bowl. Add sugar and brown sugar. Cream butter and sugars on medium speed. Add egg, yolk, milk, and vanilla and mix well until combined.

3. Slowly incorporate flour mixture until thoroughly combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

4. Chill dough, then scoop onto parchment lined baking sheets, six per sheet.

5. Bake for 10 minutes until golden brown, checking cookies after 5 minutes. Rotate baking sheet for even browning. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

Random Quiz

OK. So this is totally off topic. But I must share this with you. It's a quiz: Name that Hair Band. It's frightening how easy it is to recognize the bands based solely on hair. And I didn't even like that kind of music back in the day...

Hair Salon

Ladies! I was talking with my hair stylist this afternoon about the importance of good wedding day hair. If you are looking for a fab salon in Portland might I suggest Headgames. Maureen is my stylist, and she's great. She said they also do makeup there.

Sign of Spring

I looked out my window today and saw these blooming and couldn't believe my eyes. Does this really mean winter is over??

Washington, DC

I'll be in DC April 12 - 15. It's going to be a busy four days as I'll be photographing something different every day. This means that I am pretty much booked my entire time there. I do still have time on Thursday (the 12th) in the afternoon from around 3 PM - 5:30 PM. This will be my last trip to DC for a while.

2008 Weddings, Lower Album Costs, and Double Offer Extended

On April 15th I will be releasing my 2008 prices. All 2008 events booked after that date will receive the new price list. 2008 weddings have until that date to secure me at my current rates. If your wedding is this year, my 2007 rates will still apply.

Good news! I have lowered the cost of my coffee table style albums. They now start at $775.

I am extending the double offer from this winter until May 31st. If you tell me that you read this reminder about the specials on my blog, I will double the print credit. Check out the "specials" page on my website. Make sure you mention the special offer when you send in your contract for an event.

Digital Cameras

People are always asking me about digital cameras, and I often start off by telling them that it's not just about megapixels. So when I came across this article in the NY Times I thought it would be a good thing to share with everyone. The title is "Breaking the Myth of Megapixels."

Event Planner

I wanted to share with you the name of an event planner I met last week. Her name is Nicole Garvey. Her website is currently under construction, but you can find her contact info there.

Fun Find

I was looking for something on one of my hard drives and came across this wedding sample. I recently heard from the mother of the groom that the couple are now expecting their first baby. Congrats to Erin and Aaron!

New Number

I got rid of my long time DC mobile phone number (sniff...). New number in on the contact page of my website.

Double Special Now Through February

Just wanted to remind you to check out the "specials" page on my website. Make sure you mention the special offer when booking your portrait session or when you send in your contract for an event. Throughout January and February, if you tell me that you read this reminder about the specials on my blog, I will double the offer.

Online Sample Album

Check out this new coffee table book sample. You will need to use your Pictage login to access it.

Broden Gallery on Pictage

The photographs from Broden's photo shoot are up on Pictage. Contact me or his mother to access the gallery.