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75 Days of Summer - Days 18-25

We packed a few adventures into a short week at home, then I was off for a quick trip to L.A. to meet my new niece! 

75 Days of Summer - Days 13-17

Days 13-17. Back home and up to our regular routine. Sun, fun, books, friends and a date with mom where someone had a double dose of chocolate. 

8 Days a Week - April 2016

Last month, I kicked off a new collaborative project with a group of amazing photographers. Entitled 8 Days a Week, it's all about whatever we see, whenever we can see it. I don't have a particular theme in mind, but expect to share a little more of our everyday as the year progresses. Please continue on to the amazing Crystal Hardin to see her images this month. 

Below, a few snaps from a recent beautiful day we had, before our April Winter arrived. In the first, our scooter-obsessed Evel Knievel is distracted from her speedy ways by a dripping wall faucet. In the second, I promised them ice cream if only we could leave the scooters at home and enjoy a peaceful walk. Several blocks with big brother's hand was a close second to her 3-wheeled fun. 

In like a lion...

Spring is (almost) here and with it, a motivation on my part to commit to the camera. In furtherance of that objective, I'm joining a tremendous group of photographers in a new  project entitled Eight Days a Week. Please join us!

These were taken at the beginning of the month, and seeing as it is March, lions large and small seemed appropriate. Here's hoping next week brings the lamb. Please continue on to our next contributor, the exceptional Jill Cassara. 

Two Heads are Better Than One

The dynamic duo at work and at play.

One {January 2016}

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.

 

Photo Noir Exhibit at the PhotoPlace Gallery

A big thank you to juror Aline Smithson for selecting two of my images for inclusion in the Photo Noir exhibit at the PhotoPlace Gallery. I love to create images using dramatic, cinematic lighting, so it is a true honor to have a those efforts recognized among a pool of very talented artists. Such a wonderful way to kick off the year!  

Winter Storm Jonas

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.

Big Apple Circus

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! 

WWB - December - 2015

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.

 

WWB - November - In Memory, in solidarity

Our crew over at Who We Become chose November 15 to reinvigorate our collaboration. We plan to share our work with one another and with whomever else might be interested. To see our images this month, please click over to Who We Become for the mosaic, or for a closer look at each individual, please travel the blog circle, starting in Minnesota with the lovely Julie Kiernan. 

I wish I were kicking off on a happier note. In New York this weekend, people gathered to show support for Paris, as well as for Beirut and all victims, in the wake of recent terrorist attacks. A small gesture, perhaps, but the majority of the sombre and reflective crowd came to show love and solidarity for those enduring tremendous loss. Others had a more pointed agenda.

I doubt that there are ever "right words" for times like these, but I hope that by choosing a path of love and tolerance, any contribution I am able to make to this global conversation will  represent my belief in humanity, rather than my fears for it. 



NYC Halloween 2015

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. 


Supermoon Lunar Eclipse - 2015

A certain spouse gave me a little nudge out the door this evening, and I'm so glad he did. While, ideally, I would have shot the supermoon eclipse using a tripod under a cloudless sky, those conditions did not present themselves. Instead, I got to people watch while waiting for the occasional split second break in the clouds. Grainy, imperfect and more my style anyway, here are a few scenes from the lunar eclipse this evening:

75 Days of Summer - Days 67-75

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!

In Memoriam - 2015

Give me your tired, your poor, 
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, 
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, 
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

 - Emma Lazarus

Empty Skies

L.A. Photo Curator - Cityscapes, 2nd Place

Also! A few weeks ago, I came across a call for entry for an online exhibit called Cityscapes - the gallery group was new to me, but I quickly learned that they contribute a portion of artist proceeds to charities of the first place winner and juror's choice. That alone made a submission feel worthwhile, so I was very excited to learn that my image was awarded 2nd place. As a longtime admirer of Henri Cartier-Bresson, it made my day to hear that my work evokes thoughts of his "Decisive Moment." I am truly honored. 

Stacey Leece Vukelj | In Tandem

75 Days of Summer - Days 51-53

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.