Joyce Smith Photography Blog

bellissimo!

I photographed the loveliest family today. They currently reside in Italy but were visiting relatives in the area, so we've been planning this shoot for quite some time. You can bet that I am pushing to have our next shoot in Europe.  ha ha!  Here's a sneak peek for the K. family.  It was fabulous meeting all of you at last!

First up is little V.  He has been having a rough time (darn teething!) but you cannot tell at all here.  What an adorable guy!

This next one made me gasp when I saw it.  I LOVE it!

And here's big sister Miss J. Can we all say bellissima?  And yes, this is all of the Italian that I know, with the exception of grazie and grazie mille, which I once said at many a gelateria in Rome. : )

I adore her serious look here too.

And, finally, the entire family.  You'll be hearing from me soon when your gallery is ready!

the elusive perfect subject

I always joke that my perfect client has one child who is old enough to sit up without falling, but young enough not to crawl or cruise away.  Now THAT would be a niche market, right?  ha ha!  But who should be waiting for me this morning but sweet Mr. M., who was sitting up so well, not running away, and very happy.  He made it so easy!  Here's a sneak peek for M.'s mom, dad, and grandparents.  It was lovely meeting all of you this morning!  As always, click the horizontal photos to see them larger.

With dad:

and mom.  Awww.

Braving the cold for just a few minutes:

Getting a little tired:

and, finally, the best last shot of a session ever.  : )

just one . . .

of my recent favorites.  My girl exploring.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday!

gobble gobble down the country lane

For the past two weeks, my daughter has been singing a song from school that includes the following equally improbable turns of phrase:

A) "see the poultry gobble gobble down the country lane"
B) "see the police gambol gambol down the country lane"

I'm guessing that the actual song contains neither A nor B. Since she had rarely been away from me before she started school, it's still quite novel and bizarre to realize that she knows things that I don't. I guess I should start getting used to that now. I will say, however, that it is quite entertaining attempting to decipher things like this song.  At least I have one topic for my first parent-teacher conference.

For today, we will go with version A, the Thanksgiving-themed ditty.  Have a wonderful day of gratitude and family togetherness, all!!

A few quick snaps of my girl playing outside today.  Ah, the sun is back at last!!!

Finally, a few of my favorite photos from a gallery going up this weekend.  This little girl was so sweet--not that I am partial to three year olds or anything! ; )

fun little extras

While the B. family waits for their gallery to go live, I thought I would put a couple more sneak peeks up for them and show off some of the fun extras I've been offering to clients.  First up is the 10x20 storyboard.  With the exception of the session album, this has been the most popular item with my clients this year.  I love them!  They are delivered to clients mounted and lustre-coated for protection, and clients then frame them (no mat needed as there is a digital mat) or put them as is on a Pottery Barn-esque photo ledge. They are also very popular for decorating children's rooms. Here's the sample storyboard I created for the B. family--they are available with or without text.  Usually I prefer them without, but sometimes I feel compelled to put a little something something on them. : ) Click to see it larger!

I also offer 20x20 story collages, but here's a brand new item: the 16x20 story collage.  This will be even easier for parents to frame than the 20x20, and is so fun!!  Here's what it looks like.  I can just see all the possibilities for matching the colors in the portrait to the room where it will be displayed, etc.

Okay, enough fun--back to proofing for me! : )

They're back!

Look, it's two of my favorite models, little N. and Miss E.  I can't believe how quickly they've grown!  It was chilly out this morning but we braved the elements for a few outdoors shots--and it was worth it!

Here's a quick sneak peek for the P. family. : )

These certified leaf inspectors take their work quite seriously:

A smile from Miss E . . .

. . . quickly followed by clear annoyance.  She did not approve of this hat at all!

And finally, another of N. Poor little guy had a cast, but it didn't slow him down one bit.  What a trooper!

For those clients waiting for galleries, I will have them up this week.  I had my wisdom teeth out on Wednesday (ouch!) and have fallen a wee bit behind.  Only silly me would schedule during the holiday rush, but it had to be done!

another sneak peek . . .

This one is for the M. family, who I had the pleasure of photographing this morning.  It was a chilly day, but we braved the elements to capture that last little bit of autumn color.  It won't be long before the leaves have fallen.  As a photographer, I love the color, but I have to say I love that more light comes into houses once the leaves are gone too.  ha ha!  There was beautiful light both indoors and out at the M. home, however.  Here are a few sneak peeks for mom--I know she is eager to see them!  It was wonderful to meet all of you today.

Here's little C. just hanging out in his room. 

And here with mom, he wonders, "Who's that adorable baby in the mirror?"

Here's sweet big sister E., who was a fantastic assistant for me today.  Thank you, E.!

and, finally, the whole clan.  More to come in your gallery next week, mom and dad! : )

one year

This little guy turned one just a couple of weeks ago--how adorable is he?  And, in the "what a small world" files this week, it turns out that the B. family--who found out about me through another client--used to live in the apartment right below mine a few years back.

Here's a tiny sneak peek for them . . . I had a great time meeting you this morning, little S.!

Check out this big grin:

and then a quiet moment : )

Sitting with mom and dad:

and then a bit of a stroll:

swoon

I know, I know!  The poor neglected blog.  I am drowning in proofing here. 'tis the season! : )  In that regard, just a quick note about scheduling.  We are officially booked for the remainder of the year and will be booking for January-March beginning January 1st.  Joyce Smith Photography will also be closed from January 5-15.  There may be some way to squeeze in a few more sessions in early December, so call now if you are thinking about a session before the new year.  Expectant moms who are not already on my calendar, I will do everything I can to fit you in.  Thanks!

Oh yes, why am I swooning?  Why, because I happened upon this lovely site this morning.  Tiny McSmall Aesthetically pleasing web design!  Gorgeous clothes!  A name that sent me into a reverie thinking about McDreamy and my date with him tonight!  This site has it all.  lol  Happy shopping! : )

I suppose I should add some photos, right?  I've been woefully neglecting my camera this week as I proof and prepare for upcoming shoots, but here are a couple of snaps from last week as I tried out my new lens.  This lens, believe me, is also something to swoon over!

sweetness

What a treat this morning's session was!  I enjoyed seeing twins H. and T. again--I did their portraits last year--and I got to meet their gorgeous new sister, Miss C., who is five days old.

Just look at this sweet, sleeping girl:

The tiniest fingers:

And, although this was near the beginning of the session, this is the perfect "session OVER" shot.  ; )

Finally, I love this sibling shot.  It expresses so well everything I see when I shoot toddlers and preschoolers with their new siblings--wonder, of course, with a healthy amount of indifference.  ha ha 

It was wonderful seeing you again today, G. and B.  And nice to meet Aunt E. and B. as well.  You'll be hearing from me next week when your gallery is ready and just remember . . . you will sleep again . . . someday. : )