The days are getting longer and I am appreciating every little bit of sun that I can get. I’m looking foward to having the blue skies last a little longer after I get home from work– but I also can’t complain about getting home in time to walk around in the golden hour.  I love how even the most mundane of things- even dried seed pods on faded stalks that barely held on through the winter- become enchanting during those last few moments of sunset.

I am ready for spring, so ready for spring, I can’t even tell you. I am ready to take my shoes off in the grass and mud, I am ready for the birds to come back, and for the dandelions to terrorize all of the nice staid landscapers, and being able to roll down the car windows.

But! We are supposed to have sunlight this weekend! And in celebration of that, I am sharing some things that make me happy. May we have more of them soon.

Happy weekend, ducks!

              A few days late? Maybe. I’ve never been very good at celebrating holidays when you’re actually supposed to. And besides, who says Valentine’s Day has to only be one day a year?

             Kitty has been watching out the window, watching the snow fall and collect heavy in the trees. It’s a lovely cozy evening, perfect for snuggling indoors, staying up late with good books, and not getting up any earlier the next morning than you absolutely have to.  As long as you’re not in any hurry to get anywhere, it is absolutely beautiful outside, nearly as bright as day as the light reflects off of the snow, and so soft and quiet. It seems like ages since we’ve had a snowfall like this. 

             I tried to stay indoors, warm and dry with the kitty, but the lovely night was calling and I had to take at least a short walk. For all of the times where it’s easiest just to sit and wait for something to happen, and be bored by what never changes, it can be the most refreshing thing to just go out and look for yourself- you never know what you’ll find. Tonight is beautiful.

                       Be safe and warm this weekend, and enjoy the beauty around you. :)

I know, I know. No one likes going into retail stores around Halloween to find the Christmas carols already playing, and I don’t like it any more than you do.   Still, it needs said- we are rapidly running out of time to book portrait sessions for November-December. 

November is always my busiest month, and there are a lot of personal commitments this year- workshops to go to, babies being born, novels to write, weddings, Thanksgiving… All that to say that my schedule will be a little less flexible than it usually is, and most people are just starting to think about their Christmas cards! If Christmas portraits are something that you have been considering,  please, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me as soon as possible. You want to leave time for the Christmas cards to be printed, and there is a limited amount of portrait sessions left available in November. Please get in touch with me soon if you’d like to reserve one of those for your family.  :)

My personal photography comes and goes in waves. I honestly did more client work than personal photography this summer- sometimes, between schedule, or lack of inspiration, it just happens, and the next thing you know, it’s been weeks since you took photos of anything for yourself.   It’s easy to get stuck in a rut trying taking pictures around home,  especially whenever you’re working with fun people and getting new material all the time. And just as suddenly as it went away, I have no explanations why inspiration has returned.  But it’s here, come in with the fall, and with new ambitions and plans for the seasons ahead.

                    It’s still too early to talk about anything in particular, but ideally, I’m looking for one or two nonprofit organizations to begin working with. It really means a lot to me to be active in the community.  Not just part of it by being a business; but as a direct contributer, in whatever little way I can, to an organization that makes a difference in people’s lives.  (If you know of, or are part of, an organization in the Pittsburgh area  that could use a dedicated photographer, let me know; I would love to consider it.) More on that as things develop, but it’s something that has been on my mind a lot recently. Hopefully in the upcoming year, you will be seeing a larger focus on nonprofit work and complete photo essays besides my regular work.

                In the meantime, I’m taking lots of pictures of autumn leaves and mushrooms and all of the green things turning gold.

                                                           See more here.