It was hard to choose what to use for this month's One circle - we had a 2nd birthday and Easter Eggs and a lot of scooting...but this lovely Good Friday in Central Park resulted in my favorite photos. We brought the "cape and eyes" and wandered around enjoying the warm weather, eating ice cream, running at the speed of light and looking out for bad guys.
Please head around to Texas to see what Adele has been up to this month - something amazing from her ski trip, perhaps?
Dear New York, we hear you're having a touch of cold weather. Please forgive us if we aren't one bit sad to be missing it.
Please visit this month's Who We Become collection here, or make your way around the blog chain to get to know everyone a little better, starting in Texas with the lovely and talented senior portrait photographer Kim DuPree.
There is something unusual about marking the passage of time with a monthly project. Other monthly events - paying bills, attending certain work meetings - are habitual and pass without much notice beyond the flurry of "oops, need to send in the rent check." Which, come to think of it, I DO need to send in the rent check.
But our One Circle is the opposite of routine for me. Not only is it something I have in the back of my mind throughout the month as I go through my photographs, but as we kick off our fourth year of this adventure together, I can look back on 36 images that encapsulate this time in my life and consider the journey - how quickly and how slowly the time has passed, all at once. And at the heart of it, this project serves as a testimonial to the beautiful friendships that have grown with me and helped sustained me along the way. Here's to 2016, ladies. I love you all.
Please head out to Colorado to see what the amazing Sarah Zalan has found to share this month. She is always able to find beauty, even in the hardest of times.
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As you may have heard, the east coast got some snow this weekend. During the big blizzard of 2015, we had far more hype than actual snow. This year, the news cycle was focused on DC but we definitely got in on the action. The small, cold person demanding to be held put a damper on my photo fun, but here's a look at us vs. Snowmageddon 2016.
Some goldfish crackers, a giant pink tutu and a sunbeam - what more does a baby need when stuck at home on a chilly morning?
Welcome to this month's installment of Who We Become! You can find a collection of our work HERE or grab a coffee and take a leisurely spin around the blog circle for a closer look at everyone's work, starting with my incredibly cool and ultra talented friend, Sarah Roemer Davis.
Post-circus adventures: when we went in it was raining, but in yet another afternoon of unseasonable weather, we were welcomed by clear skies and a warm breeze when we exited. The current favorite game in our house is called "I gotcha" - it entails our small one running at full speed towards someone, throwing herself into their arms, and yelling "I gotcha!" Her favorite catcher is her older brother, and they played this all over the always-picturesque grounds at Lincoln Center yesterday. Kid overshare ahead:
Hello, 2016! While I greet you with the best of intentions, I won't insult you by making a bunch of promises I can't keep.
For example, I am sitting on a pile of holiday photos and should be putting them in albums for some VIGs (very important grandparents) but I couldn't resist looking at a batch of images I took this afternoon. Conveniently, I am attached to someone who likes to scout out fun adventures for our weekends, and this morning he woke up and suggested the circus. Not his most obscure effort, but the kids were enthralled. Although I hadn't set out to create a fully black and white set, the colors ended up distracting from beauty of the lights.
Thank you, Big Apple Circus, for a lovely January afternoon!
Another year in the books! I am thankful to be sending December on its way in the presence of family and dear friends. A life filled with love and health has been our great fortune and it is with a grateful heart that I excitedly anticipate all that the new year brings.
I wish you and yours a very happy New Year - may your 2016 be filled with unexpected delights and sweet surprises!
And speaking of dear friends, as we wrap up our third (!) year of our One circle, please ring in January by taking a spin around our little circle. I'm so lucky to have these people in my life. Start in Chicago, with my hilarious and talented friend, Jessica.
The other day I forgot my keys at the office and had the choice of staying at home all afternoon or heading to midtown and battling the holiday crowds with toddler in tow. We went with option 2 because we are the adventurous types. And if we had to be in the midst of the chaos anyway, why not go to the heart of it and show her the big tree? Crowds/safety/one parent meant limited photo opportunities, but let me assure you, she was a fan.
Full disclosure: I have taken precisely zero non-family related images so far this month. Which is a shame, because the weather has been unseasonably warm and perfect for night shooting. And also because it means that anyone hoping for a glimpse of street photography will have to settle for city kids yet again. Our giant tree will eventually get its own post, so here are a few personal favorites that do not feature the 9 foot decoration in our living room.
Please head over to Who We Become to see our monthly mosaic, or take a more personal spin through everyone's work via blog circle, starting with Jill Cassara, who should really be working for Martha Stewart with her gorgeous images and impeccable styling, but we're lucky to get her instead.
As I was told this morning, October is GREAT because it has two fun things. Halloween and his birthday. My "One" shot this month features the birthday boy on his big day, plus a bonus shot of my little family because I love it so much.
Please head over to Georgia to see a beautiful image by my talented friend Kim Lane - we're so excited to have her back in action after a bit of a hiatus!
October flew by, as indicated by my lack of posting over here. However, we made it out for a little trick-o-treating tonight and I can't resist sharing a bit of the fun of Halloween in New York. Blue Dragon and One-Eyed-One-Horned-Flying-Purple People Eater (circa 2010) costumes courtesy of their talented aunt.
Ye ol' camera has been taking a bit of a rest this month but we still made it out for a shot or two. I may have taken more universally intriguing images, but the One Circle always forces me to go with my heart. I'm also fairly certain that if you ever wanted a big brother, you wanted one just like this.
In fact, I asked him this evening if he remembered what it was like before she was born. He told me: "yes, but it wasn't as fun because she wasn't here to play with me." Fairly solid 180 from "When the baby comes, can I flush her down the toilet?"
Head out to Washington to visit my incredible friend Krista, then continue around our little circle to see what else caught our eye this week!
Friends, I do not claim to be going out with a bang here, but today, on this very last day of the calendar summer, my 75 Days of Summer project has reached its end.
A few take-aways:
1. I would love to spend my life traveling.
2. Kid adventures are the best.
3. It's time to get back into the city with my trusty camera.
4. Don't expect a 365 project out of me any time soon.
Thanks so much to those of you who have stuck with me through this summer diversion. Your emails and messages kept pushing me forward when I was ready to call it a day. Encouragement with a hint of guilt - a powerful combination.
Happy fall!
Day 67 - Blankets
Day 68 - Construction
Day 69 - Beating the Heat
Day 70 - Sea Glass Carousel
Day 71 - Swing
Day 72 - Happy
Day 73 - Summer Homework
Day 74 - Bath then Dinner
Day 75 - Date with Mom
Day 76 - First Day of School
For the record, 75 Days of Summer is officially over. After today's back to school pictures, the camera is being given a much needed rest. Plus, I'd like to get caught up on the rest of our summer adventures before fall begins.
Resuming from where we left off: Days 54-55. After a few days of solo time with grandparents, we joined our little adventurer and crashed his party. Like him, we think Grandma and Grandpa's place is the bee's knees.
A sneak peek at the remainder of our summer fun upstate - my daily shooting project has left me a bit behind in my P52.3 Perspectives postings this summer. I am mostly current on the Who We Become site, but my updates here have been sporadic. As we all head into our fall routines, there's some catch-up going on so please check back in once in a while as we get our acts together and fill out the ranks again. Here, weeks 19, 20 and 21 - Imperfect, Playful and Uninhibited - links to the site under each image.
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Imperfect - What we were lacking in light, we made up for in deliciousness.
Uninhibited - I never thought I'd see the day he'd let a bird sit (and poop) on his head.
Playful -At the State Fair
The final countdown is on - only two days until summer officially comes to an end. I have to admit, the failure (entirely parental in nature) to fully assess the true scope of the kindergarten-to-first-grade summer homework situation until a few days ago has left us all feeling a tad disenchanted. Nevertheless, I'm certain we can eke out a bit more fun in the next 48 hours as we race towards the finish line.
Days 51-53 - the precursor to the invasion of the grandparents. Per his request, someone headed up a few days ahead All By Himself (...with an assist from Grandma) before mom and little sis crashed his party. A milestone for us both.
Day 51 - One Last Swim. First diving, now somersaults.
Day 52 - Headed to the Airport
Day 53 - Morning Walk
Perhaps my favorite part of this summer project is that I am sharing images that I would normally keep to myself. While I enjoy capturing the sense of isolation that New York can evoke, these personal photographs cause me to stop to consider, and be grateful for, the fact that my life is filled with laughter, love, family and friendship. How exquisitely fortunate we are to be navigating life with these incredible children, and from a moment in time where the circumstances of their birth afford them security and privilege unknown in other parts of the world. The onus therefore lies with us, I believe, to find ways to share this wealth. For what child is undeserving of safety and of joy?
Days of Summer: 45-50.
Day 45 - Outnumbered on a Train to NJ
Watch me dive!
Day 46: Clean Teeth
Day 47 - Friendship
Day 48 - Commuting
Day 49 - Superheroes
Day 50 - Another day, another playground, his favorite shirt
