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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.

WWB - January 2016 - Pink Tutu

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. 

City Kids (I Gotcha!)

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:

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! 

One {December 2015}

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. 

A Quick Peek at the Tree

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. 

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.

 

One {November 2015}

I'm having a hard time deciding what to share for my One post this month - we've been busy and there are a lot of fun pictures hanging out on my hard drive, just waiting to see the light of day. However, we did have a new experience last week, so I am going with more of a "one" moment.

We were very fortunate to attend a party with ring-side seats to the staging area for the Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons. They are very big, they are very fun and they inspired excitement and huge, wonder-filled eyes in my small people. Seeing the world from their perspective can truly be a joy. 

Please head out west to see what the lovely and talented Krista has in store for us this month!


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. 



One {October 2015}

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!

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. 


One {September 2015}

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! 

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!

75 Days of Summer - Days 57-66

My childhood memories of summertime spent with my grandparents have stayed with me as among the happiest and most vivid of my early years. My kids are so lucky to live closer to their grandparents than I did, and seeing their special relationships develop (on both sides of the family) is a highlight of being a parent. The joy of summer visits like the one we just had are almost impossible to reproduce in images. Yet, I still try. An abundance of snippets from the trove of pictures I took while up at Grandma and Pa's house: Days 57-66.

75 Days of Summer: Day 56 - The Erie County Fair

At this point, it's really a matter of pride. I shot 75 days of summer, and I will post 75 days of summer. Even if it kills me. And I know what you're thinking - one measly day? But how often does one get to go to a real County Fair? In fact, this may have been my first. We had a blast looking at animals, watching the pig races, eating the most unhealthy food imaginable and riding a truly incredible assortment of rides that go around and around in a circle, designed for people under 46 inches tall. Highly recommend.

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