What a sweet, fun, tight-knit family this morning’s clients were! I love my family sessions to be more like family playtime than a portrait session, and this definitely was just that, full of giggles, hugs, and Eskimo kisses.

Anyone who knows my work knows that I shun ultra-photo-manipulative images with a great deal of post-processing. Nonetheless, the great-aunt of this tiny client request this specific image, and I obliged. I felt a bit silly as I created it, but now that it’s finished, I must admit I’m somewhat charmed by the idea of visually remembering a not-so-long-ago time when the little one in one’s arms was still yet to be.

Here is another one this beautiful first-time mommy and her new little sweetheart. There is just something about a new mommy gazing at her baby… I call it the glow. Their faces light up and the most sublime happiness shines through. Can’t you see that in her here?

My “baby” brother Jeff is visiting us this week from Louisiana. Of course, now that he’s in his 20’s, there’s nothing “baby” about him!

I’m so proud of Jeff. He’s finished film school and is pursuing a career as a cinematographer. (Funny how all three of us kids seem to have photography in our blood.) Jeff claims he first decided to go into the film industry because of the goofy homemade movies Jeremy and I used to produce. (Oh, such winners among those… “Esmeralda the Killer Fish” being one of the most memorable. About a fish who was a serial killer. Now there’s a Lifetime Movie of the Week for you!)

One of these days I’m going to do a bona fide photo shoot with Jeff (probably after he shaves off that facial hair!), but here he is from today… the wonderful kid who I will always think of as my baby brother… even when he is 50.

I finally got to meet the amazing Waynette Traub, with whom I’ve been online friends for ages now. She was passing through my neck of the woods and we had the chance to hang out for a day. We had a blast, dining on sushi, hanging out in Marietta Square with her super-smart son, and just generally being the couple of eccentric photographers we are. Thanks for such a fun visit, Waynette! (And btw, I hear Waterson is an outstanding product photographer!
The artist at work! Notice the smirk on the subject’s face… I do believe that is what they call PCS (Photographer’s Child Syndrome).

A Southern beauty in a cowboy hat — that’s our girl Waynette!

Blue tongue boy. This is the only remaining evidence that we scarfed some yummalicious Italian ices after a hard day of shopping, sushi-ing, and shooting. We won’t post the one of yours truly sporting a glow-in-the-dark bright red tongue.

Nathaniel is the cousin of today’s newborn client… he’s visiting from California. This little man was so sweet and so much fun, and the master of 1,000 expressions. His grandma told me he does modeling in CA. Well no wonder! He is a total cutie!

Such sweet girls… for more mature and FAR cuter than I was at 12 and 14! The younger girl made such an impression on me. Her sister was having a rough time at first… was not really into having portraits made. This 12-year-old was so calm, so poised, and we sailed through the first part of the session as though she were a seasoned professional model. In the end all three of us ended up having a blast… I’ll post some of the trampoline outtakes tomorrow.

The cool thing about my job is that I get to meet some incredible people. This family is one of the most fun I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. (Of course, it didn’t hurt that they are all drop-dead gorgeous!) Normally I have to sweet-talk mom and dad out of their shoes (”I promise, bare feet will be so much more appealing than those 12-year-old muddy sneakers!”). Not this family! Mom and Dad both insisted they WANT to be captured the way they really are — and that means barefoot, goofing around on the playset, hugging and cuddling each other, and just being the way I love families to be.

I know many photographers, but I can’t think of a single one of them who enjoys large extended family groups… except me. Call me a glutton for punishment, but I enjoy the challenge. Nonetheless, my favorites often end up being smaller groups and captures of the kids individually. My favorite from today’s large group session is an unlikely one… a BOY posing with a flower? But, he absolutely loved this flower (fake, of course, from my basket of tricks) and insisted on being photographed numerous times with flower in hand (and on top of head, in front of face, etc.). When I saw this one when reviewing the proofs, something about it grabbed me. Maybe it reminds me of a boy about to present a single beautiful flower to his first love? Whatever it is… it remains my session favorite!

Too cute for words, these girls. Big sister gave me a big hug when I first met her at the consultation a few weeks ago. Hugs from my littlest clients always melt my heart!!

Ohhh, do I love those three-to-four-month-old babies! So much personality in those expressive little faces. M’s mommy told me that she gets stopped all the time by people who tell her she looks just like the Gerber baby. Personally, I think she’s just a little cuter… whether surrounded by her favorite animals…

or grinning happily in Mommy’s arms…

Well folks… it’s time for Julia Greer Photography to join the blogosphere. I’m a long-time fan of blogging and journaling before that, and since I don’t seem to find the time to keep the Julia Greer Photography website up-to-date, a blog seems to be the perfect solution. What a wonderful way to keep in touch with clients, give you sneak peeks, let you know about studio news and other enticing tidbits.

So many exciting changes are in the works for Julia Greer Photography… not the least of which is that we will moving within the next month and a half, and will soon thereafter begin construction on our 1,000-square-foot studio on the ground floor of our new home! Stayed tuned for details and photos over the next few months.