Wednesday, April 6, 2011
We've Moved to a new home!
www.shylasblog.com
Monday, March 28, 2011
Spring Blog Cleaning.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Holy of Holies.
With this wedding (Amy + Al), I just picked out a few moments to illustrate what I mean. Instead of the traditional spread with the shoes, flowers, details, etc etc. I wanted to share what really matters. Why I am REALLY there...
To capture these moments.
like how after several attempts the frustrated bride was ready to have a meltdown, they FINALLY got the hair juuuuuust right and Miss Amy was Thrilled.
... or when the bride and groom see each other for the first time
How about when the bride shed tears during her vows and her new husband gently wipes them away... I guarantee all in the audience were doing the same to their own eyes.
Their intimate communion time hidden behind a tree, where the shared a laugh that was unseen by the guests. And the following prayer only each other could hear...
when the groom steals a glance at his bride
Or when you capture the bride's grandpa joyfully making his own memories. Moments during the ceremony that the bride never saw.
Yes, Al, you definitely scored with this one.
Amy attacking her new husband with gail force winds...
These are just a few sacred moments you encounter during a wedding celebration but it's moments like these that keep me coming back for more.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sarah + David | together again.
November 7, 2009 : David was shipped off to Afghanistan.
Their first year of marriage was spent thousands of miles apart with only Facebook and late night skype calls to keep in touch.
December 2010, David comes home and we spent a little time together documenting THEM. TOGETHER. AGAIN.
:)
(ps) Sarah just happens to be the little sister of the Texican ;)
Monday, March 14, 2011
Birds of a feather.
BUT when I was traveling a few weeks back, I saw a friend with a tiny feather extension that I adored. So, naturally, I went in search of a salon here in Boston and a happy dance ensued when I found out MY salon actually just started doing them. So, today... I went under the clamp and got two feather extensions. You know, just to spice things up a bit.
They last 3-4 months so should I decide the relationship just isnt working out, I will definitely drop the "it's not you, it's me" line.
Until then, I am in love.
...and feel a strange aversion to today's CHICKEN salad.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Storytime with Luka.
As we all know, young kids do not exactly sit still for photos. I think this is great! Because honestly, they're real personality shines through when they are being themselves. Moving, dancing, jumping, playing. This makes our jobs "harder" or more "challenging" but its all a part of the process of entering into their world and documenting who they are.
A fun trick I have used lately is to have the child dress up and tell me a story. Most of the time they get totally into it and not only are you entertained, but you get some fun shots of who they truly are versus "sit and smile and look happy" shots.
Here are some photos from StoryTime with Luka, I'll try to remember pieces of her story.
"This is the story of a fairy princess... and her kingdom"
"...She was SUCH a beautiful princess..."
"...And she would have balls at the castle and dance with her prince allllll night long..."
"...some of the people in her kingdom looked funny, like giants"
"...there was even an evil witch name Ellie..."
"...she was mean, but the unicorns were nice..."
THE END (total shoot time: approx. 8 minutes)
Bottom line... don't go into a kids' shoot with an agenda. Be flexible, enter into THEIR world, and allow them to unfold who they are. Those are the photos parents will truly want as a keepsake.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
and baby makes three.
Then I shot their one year,
Then I shot Ryan's brother's wedding in Mexico.
Then it was their two year,
...missed their three year because of distance. :[
But now they have added a little man to their lives and we were at it again!
Abi & Ryan adopted little man Finley from Uganda this past November. I FINALLY got to meet him while out in California a few weeks ago and I remembered back...
I remember getting the phone call they decided to adopt their first child.
I remember the loooong agonizing process of waiting and waiting to be matched with a toddler
I remember getting the call they got a BABY! not a Toddler, a baby!
I remember getting my first text from Abi with his photo that his foster parents sent from Uganda.
I remember following the whole process via her adoption blog flooded with letters to baby... then letters to Finn.
I remember how much he was loved long before he was even born.
And now, I can say this... Finn, you are quite possibly the most loved child in existence. And the life you have been given will far exceed your expectations. The mommy and daddy God gave you are truly quite special. Some day when you are grown, whether you are the next football star, soccer star, or R&B singer (we have all made our wagers by the way), you will probably argue with your parents over who has made the most impact in each others life. You are all a gift to one another and the three of you combined are a marked gift in my life as well.
So cheers to family Q and cheers to fun new photos.
I chose to shoot the entire session in B&W so for all you color-blind blog readers, this post is for you ;)
you must know that neither of the below photos were posed. Finn did that all on his own. [my $ is on the R&B singer by the way - and the shot on the right will be his first album cover]
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
I Leica you.
yes, I am.
But honestly... how could I resist. My recent Etsy purchase scored me the darling little card that I fully plan on framing for my little office.
I "leica" you.
a lot.
[insert smile here]
Monday, March 7, 2011
Saarloos & Sons Winery
Every once in a while though... one comes along that make me happy.
While in CA last week, some friends and I went wine tasting in Santa Ynez/Los Olivos. After visiting Sunstone Winery, and the one featured here, I can feel the winds of palate change a' blowin'. We may have a new Shyla on our hands pretty soon. I am sure, though, that a lot of my new found happiness with wine is related to the fact that Saarloos and Sons Winery share a tasting room with Enjoy Cupcakes. Oh MY Dear God Almighty.... talk about mouth watering goodness. Weekly cupcake flavors are paired with the wines for your tasting and sugar-loving pleasure.
And pleasure it was.
If you've known me for any amount of time, you know I have an affinity for sweets -- Something my waistline does not agree with, and an affinity for aesthetics and design -- something my wallet does not agree with, so you can imagine my double pleasure (yes, even double rainbow pleasure good) when I saw this tasting room. I couldn't help but take many photos and swoon over its uniqueness....
When the owner saw I was taking photos, he asked if I would blog them -- so here I am holding true to my word. Thanks, too, for the phone call of wonderful words, Keith. You truly brought a smile to my face that day.
So, take a gander, and if you are ever in Los Olivos, California , stop by to experience what one - quite drunken- lady at the tasting counter proclaimed as "panty-dropping good"!
yum.
Keith the owner :)
I want this in my home!
Enjoy Cupcakes is so popular, they sell out quite quickly. Lucky for us though, They saved us some flights of cupcakes since Danielle called ahead. She also mentioned it was her hubby's birthday and that Baklava Cupcakes were his favorite, so they put it on the menu for the week in honor of Erik. They even have a vintage airstream trailer you can bring to serve cupcakes from at your wedding in the area.
This added touch truly made me smile.... Honest fact : The true reason this photo was taken is for research and replication. ;)
Friday, March 4, 2011
Make a Wish | Tea Party
This time my darling friend and fabulous photographer Kelly joined me and together we attended the Cinderella Tea Party hosted at The Taj Boston sponsored by Disney on Ice. We got some super fun images! Most of these young ladies have had their wish granted but were invited by Cinderella to attend her tea party. About 20 young ladies all under the age of 6 and their families sipped tea and juice and dined on cookies and PB&J sandwiches while The young ladies were entertained and visited by Miss Massachusetts and Princess Cinderella
As the little girls entered they were given a Cinderella princess dress
The girls are crowned by Miss Massachusetts
There was even a prince in attendance
Awaiting the arrival of Princess Cinderella by horse drawn carriage. The original plan was to have the young girls meet her curbside, but the bitter cold proved to be too much for them to stand outside.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Natural Reflector
Bo + Blaik's wedding in Greensboro, NC
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