A tiny golden goose has arrived!
Custom wall art by Kultjah
Proud Papa
To document this sweet new life in such a beautiful home is truly a fabulous task. My longtime friend Jenn Falik is a gal who needs no introduction. Her style and taste are legendary, and her newest addition is already carrying on the tradition.
Welcome, Goldie girl! Your big sister can't take her eyes off you. What a lucky duck.
Can you die for this fabulous crib sheet from Little Woolf?
Goldie Nora
I shot some fun work recently for the fluffy-towel experts Cannon Home, and I've attached a few of the images here! Special thanks to make-up artist Tara Pagliara.
The highlight of the shoot day was the resident kitty giving her endorsement to Cannon's beautiful bath rug! Can you believe it? I was lucky enough to see it and have my camera in-hand in time to catch it.
<3
This family has a special place in my heart. Photo producer, child wrangler and former magazine editor Sarah gave me one of my first career "big breaks" when she hired me for an American Baby magazine shoot many years ago, and has been a cheerful sounding board, super-supporter and beautiful friend ever since.
When she married her hilarious and hunky husband Ethan, ("...yes, you can mention me on your blog, but only about the obvious stuff... like how I am built like a tree, yet move like a gazelle...") I was thrilled, and when little Bennett came along, I floored it out to Connecticut to meet him!
Little Bennett was so happy and smiley... I feel like he is already creating his first one-liners in that sweet little developing brain of his.
Norwalk, CT
I'll be here all week! Tip your waitress.
What would you do with a drunken (sleeping!) sailor? (one eye isn't sleeping!)
stifling a laugh... why's the lady flying over my crib? I think she's gonna fall.
Look! Bennett has a tiny toupee!
Bennett, I can't wait until you learn to talk. Oh, the things you will say!
<3
It's love week!
I shot this arrangement this week in the gorgeous Belle Fleur NY studio, and I couldn't be more impressed with their work!
“Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.”
One of my New Year's resolutions is to re-do my website! (The never-ending un-finish-able task, am I right, artists and entrepreneurs?) Nevertheless, I began that process last month in January, and I took my wedding gallery down off the website while I tinker.
As I go, I'm uncovering all kinds of beautiful memories of my glowing brides and grooms, and they deserve to see the light of day, er--lights of the internet! So while tinkering continues, I'm posting some images here that I am particularly fond of.
Location: Tappan Hill Mansion
dress by Marchesa Bridal, dress shot on location at El Encanto in Santa Barbara, CA
Shot on location at Atwood Ranch in Sonoma, CA
El Encanto, Santa Barbara, planned by Tara Bassi
Sea Cliff Manor, Long Island, New York
Manhattan
NYC taxi
Bryant Park, New York City
Central Park, New York City
Central Park, New York City
Central Park, New York City
It's winter now, and I'm craving things in my life to be neutral and calm and minimal.
I'm liking my house clean and folded and stacked. The counter is mirror-clean and the dishes are always washed before bed these days.
I make things and I work for myself, so my days march out ahead to the beat of the freelance metronome, without kids to yet interrupt my pace.
Busy, yes. But. If there is no time, I can make time.
These winter days feel decadent yet earned. It feels like there is probably some really rad stuff right around the corner. It feels GOOD.
I shot these birds outside the NYC courthouse in January, while shooting a beautiful couple's wedding.
Here's a recent newborn session I love! Having known this little gal's mama for many years and having shot her older brother only made my excitement for this session more concentrated. There's something really fun about shooting the new sibling of a child I know and love, especially if I also shot them at the same age. I love spotting familiar mannerisms and expressions, and the similarities in this case were visible at just nine days old. Older brother Derek was away in school but trust me - these two are peas in a pod!
Photoshoots are nap-friendly.
Introducing baby Zoe, the happiest baby on the block. She was one of the most eager subjects I've encountered in forever! At nine days old she seemed to follow me around the room with her eyes. She was very interested in all of us moving and chattering around her as we fluffed pillows and planned our angles. Perhaps a future assistant?
between-shot snuggles
Finally, a snack and some sleep. A job well done!
I'm a big fan of round-up blogposts, in general. I like to post them because it's fun for me to go back through my shoots in a fun reminiscing way, and snuggle back up to those little faces a bit more before the year flips over to a new beginning. I love all these little dudes and dudettes (and ALL the ones not pictured from this year!) and I'm so grateful they crossed my shutterbugging path.
Best wishes for 2015!
This wedding was incredibly special. Almost EVERYTHING was handmade by one of the most unique and stylish brides I've ever encountered. Though her crafting cred was impeccable (former crafting editor at Martha Stewart) she was so super zen about the planning. The event was meticulously conceived of and executed but she SO low key in her attitude and stress level. I asked her if she practices meditation! She was so sure of herself, and so sure of their love. It was profound and extremely meaningful to me to be a part of this incredible made-with-love day!
FROM THE BRIDE: "When Jim and I got engaged, we had no idea how or where we wanted to get married. It was a totally daunting process for me because I was never the kind of girl who dreams of her wedding her entire life and I procrastinate like crazy in making big decisions. We knew in general that we wanted it to be a fun party, not fussy, and in a place that's special enough to us that we want to share it with the people we love. In the summer of 2013, Jim took me to Monhegan Island, where he's spent time every summer for ten years, and I fell in love with it as well. It's such a stunningly beautiful and remote place that a wedding there is completely shaped by the island itself, which is a concept we both loved."
"We wanted our guests to experience as much of what we love about the island as possible, so that guided our planning. To that end, we made sure the weekend included a lobster boil, island wildflowers for the tables, Sue Jenkins' (an island resident) incredible blueberry pies, beer from the on-island brewery, guided nature and historical walks, survivor bracelets hand made by the assistant harbor master Rusty Spear, and a ceremony with as unbelievably gorgeous a backdrop as possible: a view of the harbor and Manana, the smaller island which protects it. "
"Choosing a design direction that was basically limited to white on navy and some blue marble pattern made it easy to create extra elements like signs that matched the whole look, which was definitely inspired by the colors and aesthetics of Monhegan. Table numbers were smooth stones we gathered on the island and I painted with white chalk pen. The gift bags were a fun dyeing experiment: I bound 80 dyeable drawstring bags from Dharma Trading in various ways and used RIT navy blue dye in the washing machine to dye them all at once. The best results were the bags I folded and bound using shibori techniques. In addition to the practical items inside the bag (sunscreen, bug spray, snacks and whatnot), I made postcards with Moo using photos my Mom had taken on an earlier trip to Monhegan - she is a talented nature photographer and her postcards were quite a hit! "
"One of the best memories was watching our chartered ferry pull up on Friday night, full of people we couldn't wait to see! Another is how the weather held out through our ceremony but immediately afterwards there was a quick downpour which facilitated moving the guests down to the reception area and of course left a rainbow in the sky.
Probably my favorite part was dancing - Jim carefully made the playlist himself and so every song was one I wanted to dance to! And finally we really loved fulfilling the other Monhegan goodbye tradition of "jumping in" for loved ones departing: Jim and I jumped off the wharf, into the freezing cold waters of Maine, to bid farewell to the majority of our guests as the ferry pulled away, ensuring they will all return eventually!"
Venue: Monhegan House
Map: Designed by the bride and printed by Aper and Pink
Letterpress Invitation and Weekend Schedule: Macon York
Guestbook: Natalie Stopka
By, Monhegan! I'll be back.
I'm so smitten with these sweet chipmunk cheeks! Here's a crisp Fall afternoon in Cobble Hill with a family as loving as they come... such a stunning way to while away an afternoon away. And the backdrop of brownstone Brooklyn never disappoints, I must say!
Cobble Hill, Brooklyn
October 2014
it's a family thing
momma kisses
It's time to check the mail! Come on!
Are there monsters under the bed?
Don't worry, I'd be the first to try to save you if there were monsters under your bed, Luella.
SUBTITLE: My sweet nephew Lucian just turned one!
The birthday boy gets a papa snuggle!
With food from childhood friend and accomplished chef Ariel Fox and lots of handmade touches by Lucian's mom, Sashka, this family-style party was full of love and personal touches. And beautiful things to photograph! The party took place in a beautiful converted warehouse loft in Rockland county, where Lucian's parents made their home after leaving Brooklyn. All the city-dwellers were agape at the beauty that is everywhere once you leave the city. We were mesmerized by the fall leaves changing colors, and spent serious time at the farmer's market on the way to the party. (At least I did!)
Tiny photos from Lucian's first year were strung up on one wall, hot air balloons cut from maps were strung up in the entryway. Beautifully colored party hats were passed around with enthusiasm from everyone but the birthday boy, though we tricked him into wearing one for approximately 23 seconds!
Piermont, NY
All the cute tots in attendance played outside in the warm weather with the leaves, and football was played as well with care not to trip over all the little ones.
The couple's world travel is evident from the colorful artifacts all around the apartment! Lucian is learning about the world.
A mask from Cambodia
All of Lucian's friends are gathered around to coo. He is totally fine with this!
And finally, it came time for cake. Lucian's first taste of proper refined sugar! He's skeptical at first, but catches on quickly. Then, just as fast, he ditches the cake to the floor for a chance at dumping out and splashing his water. Smart move, kid. Keep the sugar at bay for as long as possible!
The grown-ups are acting strange. SUSPICIOUS!
Putting a newborn to sleep is no easy feat. (Duh)
“I’ve got it! This is the formula. Listen closely. Rock, rock, twist-while-cooing, rock, walk, make SHHHH sound, repeat. ”
"It works every time!" --said no Mom ever.
While there's no hard fast rule for getting baby to sleep, I found beauty in the process of trying. And then I got to read books and chase baby Isabelle's big brother! I left the hard stuff to Mom.
Night-night, Isabelle...?
Looks like we're almost there! (sigh)
thinking about it...
Thanks for the swaddle! So, anyone up for a round of gin rummy?
It's day five, no coffee. Sweet-ish and caramel-tinged, frothy and dessert-like. Oh, java. (sigh) I miss you.
We were so good together.
I decided that my 4-cup per day habit was out of hand when I started having trouble sleeping. This has happened before. The last time it happened, I just went a few days without coffee at all, and my symptoms of lethargy-yet-sleeplessness disappeared! For a whole year, almost! But now they're back, and on Monday of this week, I embarked on 7 days without having any coffee at all.
Day Five. (whimper)
Ninth Street Espresso mugs, great diner shape.
I was trolling the archives for the 5 million shoots I'm behind on blogging, and the first one that came to mind was when I shot with Joe Speicher of Ground to Grounds at Ninth Street Espresso earlier this year.
Ground to Grounds is a must-click if you're a coffee nerd like me. It's an online publication about the world of coffee. From farm to cup, and everything in between. Their Instagram feed is a love note to my favorite bean, and their site always has profiles of cool coffee shops across the country. After our visit, Joe put together this cool post featuring our afternoon getting to know Ninth Street Espresso General Manager Trey Wrage. He used to live in my hometown, Santa Cruz, CA!
Ninth Street Espresso has been a favorite of mine for a sweet tiny cup of espresso ever since I discovered them when I worked near their outpost in Chelsea Market. This time, I got to tour two other locations!
Drool with me? Better yet, go have a cup of coffee for me. I have to last until Monday.
happy place.
p.s. On Day 1 and 2 of a coffee-free existence, the difficulty was pretty much all mental. I just WANTED it, because it looks and tastes like sweet, sweet heaven. But I didn't have a crazy headache, and I did have more energy, weirdly. On Day 5, I'm just getting downright nostalgic for the old days. Like, last-Sunday old. I think all this sleep I'm getting is getting to my head. Everything will feel normal come Monday, when I am back to my awesomely jittery self. COFFEE!
That time I met Anna Sui... and she was completely rad!
Head over to the indispensable Beauty Blitz to read their full coverage of our visit, where Anna gives us a sneak peek of her world. Beauty Blitz is one of the savviest destinations for everything beauty, and it's run by the sweet and supersmart Polly Blitzer, who is also a stone cold pro. Love her.
Also hit up the original bohemian queen herself at AnnaSui.com and fall down the girly rabbit hole!
Writer Wendy Rodewald-Sulz can be found being fabulous on Instagram.
Anna Sui showroom, Manhattan
It's finally the day I get to share a wedding closer to my heart than I can put into words. So much love and beauty in one stunning place. And no cell reception to boot! Head over to Style Me Pretty, one of the BEST wedding blogs out there, to view the whole wedding. Big grins all day for me!
It might be Monday, but the weekend lives on in your headspace...
Brooklyn Heights, 2014
This little dude really makes my day. Learning to walk is just days away!
Wheee!
hang on, buddy. I got ya.
How's this for an elegant, totally New York City wedding? Hope you're well heeled today. If so, read on... Congratulations Cristina and Mike!
Always a fun time at the beautiful Pratt House. Makeup by The House of Makeup!
St. Catherine of Siena
Central Park
Married!
I spent July 4th in Cape Cod! A house full of friends.
Woods Hole, MA
It was like summer camp for adults. Every day we flip-flopped down to the sandy shore to sunbathe (with 50 SPF, you see, we are 1% more responsible now that we're 30-something...) and to swim out to the floating dock. Our 7-year-old co-camper would call out crazy words, instructing us on exactly what to say in the air as we jumped off. "HAIRBRUSH!$^#*!!!"
And, there was lobster. My brain categorizes lobster under (!!!!!!!)
It was vacationus maximus. And it's on repeat, in my mind, during work this week.
they make a cool sound, too
