The Gladiator & The Shark

It's Halloween. One of my favorite but craziest times of the year. It feels like I'm about to get plowed over by a snowball of holiday preparations, end-of-the-year photo shoots and projects. It's like I know it's here, coming down the hill toward me and there's NO getting out of the way. I think acceptance is the key here. Let it bowl me over and enjoy the ride.

To kick off the start of the holiday season.....The Gladiator and The Shark... I couldn't resist putting my kids in the middle of the street on the way to school. The light was amazing. So beautiful.

Happy Halloween to All. I hope you have a safe and spooky time!

Michelle

September-Days is off and running!

I know that being in front of the camera can be challenging. I've run the course from always wanting my picture taken because I didn't seem to take a bad photo to needing plenty of "prep" time because I want to look my best. Age is challenging at times. The dark circles and bags and wrinkles that are creeping in make me camera shy to say the least. I do know that embracing these new additions to myself is the only way to go. Looking at the beauty that is me, lines and wrinkles and all can be tough but totally necessary.

This is how I coach the people I'm photographing. To relax and just be themselves. When your true nature shines through and you're enjoying yourself beauty shows up. It's funny, one common comment I hear from people is "why are we so hard on ourselves?". I don't have the answer but I get it. Moving through that uncomfortable feeling is what I hope to do when photographing someone. I want to show them how beautiful they are. Their smile, their vulnerability, their true self.

I photographed Michelle this past weekend. We spent some time talking, breathing and taking pictures. She, like a lot of the people I photograph was a bit camera shy. But, she was willing. Willing to go there, to expose herself to me. I had asked her to bring along some props or things that were inspiring to her. She brought her guitar which she's been playing for about a year now. It was inspiring to hear her play.

At the end of the shoot her son came for some family portraits. She brought along his bongos and together they played and laughed and I took pictures. I definitely had too much fun to call it work.

Thank you Michelle for being open and willing. For asking me to photograph you. You're absolutely beautiful!

SO excited to announce the launch of September-Days.

I hope that when you have the time you'll check out the site. I just love taking pictures and can't believe that all these years later, my talk of having a photography business is true.

In celebration of this new beginning, I'm running a promo through the end of the year. Call to book your session soon so that you have time to make your end-of-the-year holiday cards!

I can't wait to hear from you....and enjoy!!


September-Days.com

WEBSITE

Friday Inspiration - Brian Dettmer

Matt receives a magazine from Columbia where he studied photography. We flip through it when it arrives to see what's being talked about and which artists are being highlighted. This last issue brought Brian Dettmer to our attention. His work is nothing short of incredible.

He takes books, encyclopedias seem to be a favorite, and carves into them to find figures and words that emerge from the depths. He uses clamps, rope and weights to hold a book in place and applies a clear sealing varnish to the outside. Then he carves through the cover and pages one at a time. Amazing!

Here is his statement. I think it's worth reading and if you like the few favorites of mine that I'm posting, you should definitely check out his site to see more.

The age of information in physical form is waning. As intangible routes thrive with quicker fluidity, material and history are being lost, slipping and eroding into the ether. Newer media swiftly flips forms, unrestricted by the weight of material and the responsibility of history. In the tangible world we are left with a frozen material but in the intangible world we may be left with nothing. History is lost as formats change from physical stability to digital distress.
The richness and depth of the book is universally respected yet often undiscovered as the monopoly of the form and relevance of the information fades over time. The book’s intended function has decreased and the form remains linear in a non-linear world. By altering physical forms of information and shifting preconceived functions, new and unexpected roles emerge. This is the area I currently operate in. Through meticulous excavation or concise alteration I edit or dissect communicative objects or systems such as books, maps, tapes and other media. The medium’s role transforms. Its content is recontextualized and new meanings or interpretations emerge. Brian Dettmer


Happy Friday!

The Caputo Family...Continued

A few posts ago I talked about how there are a lot of changes happening. Mostly changes in my focus. The focus of my business and the things I place my attention on. I'm not moving away from anything, just adding. I kind of shake my head at that because I've felt like my life is so full at times that adding anything new might make me feel like I would explode. but, I'm not exploding. Good news for Matt and the boys! I am expanding though and that feels right and good at the moment. Expanding to bring into focus more of myself and to figure out ways to incorporate things that interest me into my existing life.

Photography has been a huge part of my life for the last 20 years. I can remember having conversations with my best friend in college about how one day we would have a photography studio and take family portraits. She would ride up on her motorcycle and I would, well, probably drive because riding a motorcycle wasn't my cup of tea.

Now, 20 years later, I'm officially starting a photography business. It's almost ready to launch and I'm really excited about it. I'll be sharing the new site soon but until then, I'll post more of the images from my first "client" the Caputo family.

I also just want to say thank you again to Julie, Adriano, Amy and Anthony for such a wonderful afternoon. You made my job easy!




 I have to share this one of Anthony too. I know I had one very similar to it yesterday but I can't decide which one I like best! 

The Caputo's

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of photographing the Caputo family. Julie, who's daughter is in second grade with Mason, is pregnant with their third child. We talked about taking maternity photos which I was super excited about because I love documenting that special stage in a families life. I have to say I think this is one of the nicest families I know. I mean, we were shooting right through dinner time and both children were amazing. There wasn't any whining or crying or fussing at all. I know it's not a perfect world all the time but for me, they were terrific!

I'm sharing a few of my absolute favorites from the session. We started at Cavallo Point and spent the last part of the afternoon at Rodeo Beach which was a perfect spot. The weather couldn't have been nicer for early October. Julie and her husband have been married 9 years and they're so cute together. I just loved watching them interact and Julie giggle. It was a sweet afternoon for sure.


Enjoy!