Back in the Saddle Again

We officially wrapped up our first week of being back to school.  Senior year of college at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania for Chelsea, third grade for Alanna and kindergarten for Emilia.  It was a good week and I have nothing but positive thoughts for the school year ahead.  

It's been a big adjustment for the wee little one - complete with a meltdown in her classroom the very first day, but, thankfully, that was the worst of it and her big 3rd grade sister was there to calm her.   I was impressed that the teachers worked together along with the guidance teacher to accommodate Emmy's insecure feelings and help her to work through those "stranger danger" sensitivities.  Kudos!  Of course, anytime the phone rang, I jumped - immediately thinking it was the school with some urgent message regarding Em.  But, each day got better for her (and for me).   So incredibly grateful. 

Alanna acts as if she never even left.  The school groove is second nature to her by now and she loves (loves!) it.  She couldn't wait for school to begin again!  She missed her friends and the routine of school work.  

It's been strangely quiet at home for me, although I was more productive this week than in the past 10!!  I have a busy fall schedule ahead of me with plenty to look forward to!  There's a wedding coming up (actually two); family mini-portrait sessions; fall festival portrait sessions with dear friends; covering a large human resource symposium in Philadelphia, and the first weekend of December is Help-Portrait!!!  AND this winter I'll be attending Imaging USA in my old hometown of Nashville, TN!  Gah!!  Super stoked for it all!!  

Plus, I have been asked to join the wonderful teachers and staff at Robeson Lutheran Preschool for another year of "Building Substitute" work.  I get to fill in - those are some big shoes to fill - for teachers and aides when they need time off.  I enjoyed last year with the kiddos and the teachers; getting to know everyone, getting to learn the ins and outs - their curriculum, schedules, the inner workings of the school.  So, I am thrilled for another year and another opportunity for more ways to help my community, even if it is just a small part to play.      

If you've spent any amount of time here with me at my blog, than you know I am a regular blogger about the first day of school.  I can't help myself.  It's a big event in our lives and one that is rich with photo ops!!!  I'm all over that!  Here are my young girls on their first day back to school.  We didn't get a first day back to school pic from Chelsea.  Maybe she'll do that for us next semester!   Yes, please, Chels? 

Alanna and I read another horse story by Marguerite Henry:  Black Gold.  She's also the author of Misty of Chincoteague!  I am enthralled with the way she writes; her writer's voice is strong, clear, full of vivid imagery; she transports us to another time in history.  She was an extremely talented woman with a huge gift.  If you haven't read her yet, you really should!  You'll thank yourself.  

With that said, I leave you with some good ol' fashioned country music from the masterful Gene Autry in the spirit of everyone that finds themselves back in the saddle again, like us!!  Cheers to a fabulous "new" year, my friends!!    

truth and light … and other reflections

Good Monday to you.  I hope your week is off to a productive, happy start.  

My thoughts are a whirlwind of splendor after this past weekend.  Where do I begin to tell you all about it?  That's the question!  

As I listen to the girls happily playing in the bathtub, whittling away these gorgeous summertime hours, I am filled with such gratitude for my family, my friends, the ones who have remained true to me.  You know who you are.  Truth and light - these were my weekend lessons. 

As for truth and light - the first important lesson I learned is to have more photography workshops.  I held my very first this past Saturday with two of the most patient, ready to learn, and I must mention, lovely ladies to ever cross my path.  They were delightful, plain and simply put.  I know I've heard it said somewhere that the best way to learn something is to teach it.  I can attest that statement to be true after this workshop.  It's completely new to me to explain proper exposure while maintaining continuous control over your camera.  It was enlightening and, in hindsight, I can see where I need to improve upon for the next workshop.  

Can I tell you, honestly, that I was SO nervous to do this!  I was literally sweating myself into a tizzy!   I hope that my friends didn't notice - or if they did, they didn't show it.  Thank you ladies for your grace.  :)  And thank you for your wonderful company, great questions, lunch offerings, time and patience.  My goal was to keep it simple, fun, yet knowledgeable and confidence invoking.  The time seemed to pass by much too quickly - did you notice that, too?  We should have a weekend long workshop in the future - maybe some place at the beach.  Ooo, now I'm really pushing those dreams!!  ;-) 

Please consider sharing an image with me from our workshop together.  I'd love to see!!  Please?!   Thank you, thank you, thank you!   And thank you for your contributions, too.  We raised $50 for our friends at Tiny Sparrow Foundation.  They will be very pleased!  yay!!

My family and I spent time celebrating, reconnecting, visiting with extended family and long-time friends yesterday afternoon at my parents' home in Elverson.  We were a bit weary, tired after sleeping under the stars the night before in our backyard - Did you happen to see the Super Moon?!  If not, check it out tonight!  Anyhow, it all worked out well and we had such a nice time - both backyard camping with our dear friends and hanging out with family. 

My sister and her family from the Miami, Florida area are visiting this week, which is a total treat for us!!  Our kids play great with each other since they are about the same ages - my girls get very excited and bubbly knowing they are going to spend time with their cousins!   When the sun began setting in the sky, I wrangled the troops together for a walk to the neighboring field of sunflowers.  The good folks at the Please Wash Me Carwash planted a sunny field of sunflowers for everyone to enjoy!  Wow, how thoughtful of them!  The bees are especially thankful, it seems.  ;-) 

Another lesson for me this past weekend was to look for the August light; after all, photography is painting with light.  The light is changing quickly and every day it becomes more precious, fleeting.  Plus, I was on a hunt for some sun flare!  I found it!  OH, these August days, I want to wrap my arms around you and hold onto you as long as I can…    

Do share, my friends, how your weekend was.  What most surprised you?  What did you learn?  More importantly, what did you learn about yourself?  

P.s.  There's still time to schedule your fall sessions with me!  And to receive the additional print credit, please contact me prior to Aug 16!  Also, the FREE Longwood Gardens tickets are still available.  Going.. Going.. 

For more info, please visit - Welcoming in August - Blog Post

Welcoming in August

Happy August to you, friends!

Turning the calendar early this morning to welcome August's arrival, I'm reminded of many things.  First, the fact that none of us (that includes me!) want to admit, but … summertime is waning.  

So far, it's been a beautiful one, absolutely gorgeous.  And I hope the remaining days will be much the same.  Our weather in the northeast has been rather cool, with lower humidity than in past years.  For that I am grateful.  We've barely run our air conditioning this year, and have had our windows opened more often than not - thanking the electricity gods for a break!!  I love having the windows open to listen to the sounds the locusts, birds, grasshoppers, hummingbirds, neighboring bullfrogs, all make.  It is significant of summertime to me.  Well, that and watermelon! ;) 

And it's not over yet!  There's still lots of fun to be had!!  My August calendar is full of great things coming up!   

On that note I want to share some news with you.  

Workshop Announcement: 

I am planning to have a dSLR workshop for beginners wanting to learn how to shoot in manual mode.  This workshop will be held in my backyard on Saturday, August 9, set to begin at 11am.  I have space for 5 dSLR owners to attend.  I'm really excited about this workshop.  This is my first go at this so, for the 5 that are able to join in, you are my precedent for possible future workshops.  We will talk about aperture, ISO, shutter speed in a relaxed environment - (wear comfy, "play" clothes as we'll probably be on our knees in my flower beds!) and have a potluck lunch, too.  Participants are asked to bring along a dish, dessert, or salad to share with the group.  It is my hope that this workshop will encourage you to overcome any feelings of apprehension you may experience when using that big, beautiful camera you spent a small fortune on!  ;)  We will cover the basics for you to gain more confidence in your photography skills.  I am asking for a minimum donation of $25 to attend this backyard workshop.  A part of your donation will go towards Tiny Sparrow Foundation - a non-profit organization that pairs up families with children who are facing life threatening illnesses with professional photographers in order to offer them a "Picture of Hope" family session.  Your generosity is appreciated and will inspire hope for such families.  I am a proud member of Tiny Sparrow Foundation, as well.  

To secure your spot in this fun, relaxed, informative, hands-on workshop, please email me for further details and information:  my3girlsphotography@gmail.com

Deadline to enroll is Wednesday, August 6.  Thank you!!  

2 Free Tickets for a Longwood Gardens session:

Fall is around the corner - and that means family photography sessions!  If you have a gift certificate to redeem, a credit from a winning drawing, or have any interest whatsoever in scheduling a session with me this September, October, or November, please contact me ASAP!  The fall schedule will be full before we know it, and I want to be certain that everyone has enough time to schedule their family's fall portraits.  As of now, I only have 2 dates left in September!  The first family to contact me to secure a session at Longwood Gardens (preferably before the end of September), will receive 2 free entry tickets to the gardens (a $36 savings).  I want to give them away!!  Longwood Gardens is an amazing location for a session of any kind!  It's one of my very favorite places on earth, chock full of wonder and terrific photo opportunities.  

Family Mini-Session Dates Announced:

Fall dates for family mini-sessions are as follows:

Saturday & Sunday, October 18 and 19 at Springton Manor Farm in Glenmoore.  A beautiful, sprawling, picturesque 300 acre demonstration farm, where you will see farm animals, Penn Oaks, a demonstration barn & agricultural museum, a small pond, trails, heritage murals, scenic views and more.  Plus, some of the most fantastic trees I've ever seen!!  I will be taking 2 families per day.  The price is $175 (for a family of up to 6 members), includes 30 to 40 minutes of personal session time, an online gallery of 15 images, your choice of 5 high-res digital files to keep and print on disc, and a $35 print credit to be used with your gallery.  

Saturday & Sunday, October 25 and 26 at Conrad Weiser Homestead in Womelsdorf.  This park is rich in history, dating back to the 18th century; a rural countryside dotted with the surviving period stone houses and traditional farms. The Conrad Weiser Homestead includes period buildings, and a new orientation exhibit, on a 26-acre Olmsted-designed landscaped park.  Two large monuments, a gazebo, the Weiser Family Cemetery, and a pond are also located upon the site. Again, I will be taking 2 families per day.  The price is $175 (for a family of up to 6 members), which includes 30 to 40 minutes of personal session time, an online gallery of 15 images, your choice of 5 high-res digital files to keep and print on disc, and a $35 print credit to be used with your gallery.

For the families that confirm their date of photography with me on or before August 15, will also receive an additional $25 gallery credit towards your favorite purchases.  That goes for any type of session you choose.  I love my client friends and I look forward to our time together - coming up!!  

For now though, let's continue to enjoy these beautiful summer days while we have them.  I know I am!!  Cheers, friends!!!