A Look Back: 2011

As 2011 comes to a close, I think it's pretty common that we reflect on everything that happened throughout the year. There are television shows that have countdowns of the greatest celeb weddings, top hits in music and news stories that captured the world's attention. Well, for me, I thought I would do a recap on my most memorable photography moments. 

1. It's kind of hard for me to choose a favorite of my son, since I probably took pictures of him everyday. However, this picture has been chosen as a favorite of everyone else in my family.

2. This has been such a great year for meeting new friends and reaquainting with old friends. Turns out it really is a small world. I found out my best friend from elementary school lives just down the street from me and we now have playdates with our kids(when they cooperate!). This moment was just so sweet for me. This is Lucy picking strawberries in our garden. It reminds me of the book Blueberries for Sal.

3. This next picture, marks my first "injury" from taking pictures. I was visiting Green Meadows Farm(http://www.gmfarm.com/), and saw the opportunity to take this of the sheep that were just hanging out. Well, next thing I know, I'm being zapped by the electric fence because I leaned over too far. Didn't hurt, but sure made me laugh. Looks like the sheep is laughing too.

4. My husband is a very hard worker, both at his job and at home. He loves to be able to provide for the family, especially with our garden. He can grow just about anything. I don't eat radishes, but they sure are pretty!

5. Mass Audubon Society was having a contest for pictures taken locally. I decided it was worth a shot, even though I had never had formal training. To my surprise, they chose this photo to be in their Facebook favorite contest. I didn't win, but I was still so happy to get the votes that I did. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150277354347767.349436.21141357766&type=3

6. I really wanted to learn more about photography, so I decided to take some classes with Kelly Mintz of SEE Shore Photography(http://www.seeshorephoto.com/). This was the best investment I could have made. Kelly not only was my mentor, but became a friend. She surprised me by asking me to second shoot my first ever wedding with her. Nervous as I was, it was such an unbelievable experience. This is my favorite image of that day.

7. This was taken from the first Photo II class with Kelly. I loved "chasing the light" for this one.

8. I had the blessing of working with some great clients this year. There are so many images that I love, that it's really hard for me to narrow it down. I chose to share one from the last shoot of the year. It was for the holidays and I loved being able to take pictures of a Menorah. I just adore her expression here.

9. Another chance to meet new friends and get closer to old friends(I'm starting to sound like a Girl Scout song!). I was asked to do the headshots for the ladies of Diamond & Pearl Affairs (http://www.diamondandpearlaffairs.com/). Jennie and Tracy are a riot. I think we could talk and laugh for hours and we often do. I have a feeling that we are going to be seeing a lot of each other in 2012.

10. You didn't think I could close out my most memorable moments without another picture of my son, did you? This was a big year for him and our family. He turned one, had his first haircut and starting walking. I just didn't know it would happen all at once. Here is the image to capture it all. 

Thank you to all who have been so supportive of me. From the blog readers, to the Facebook followers and anyone else who believes in me. I shoot with my heart and I hope to create memories for anyone who is in front of my camera. To the next year and beyond!

What the holidays should be about...Part II

In the last post about Enid's family (see http://kristinesoares.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-holidays-should-be-about.html), I mentioned that this is a family of very strong, independent women. What I didn't mention, is that they are also raising them this way right from start. Meet our next sister, Liz and her 2 year old daughter Kaylin.

Liz was really laid back. You could tell that she was in control of what was going on with Kaylin, but she wasn't afraid of letting Kaylin explore and find things out for her own. That's a sign of a really good mother. You always want to protect your kids, but we shouldn't hover. Kids need to make mistakes in order to learn and being independent early on can be a very positive thing for their future. Kaylin, is absolutely adorable. She enjoyed throwing leaves and playing with her Barney doll. Barney songs, are luckily in my repertoire, so we could get some of these smiles!

Onto another young lady, Isabel.

Isabel is a little fashionista in the making, but she is also a rough and tumble kind of girl. Something tells me that Isabel will no doubt be determined in achieving anything she sets her mind to in the future. 

 

Last, but not least, London.

I've talked before, about how pets really are our family. They love us unconditionally, they get excited when we come home and they can be a shoulder to lean on when we need them. I was so happy to hear that Jennie wanted Isabel to bring her dog along for the shoot. London, was energetic, but not overly neurotic. I was able to get some very sweet shots of her even looking in the same direction.

 

I just wanted to thank all of you who were a part of this incredible shoot. I had so much fun getting to know your family and hope I can see you all again soon!

What the holidays should be about

I thought it would be fitting to blog about family, given the holidays coming up. I had the great opportunity to photograph my friend Jennie Dee's family (http://kristinesoares.blogspot.com/2011/10/diamonds-are-girls-best-friend.html). Jennie had said her mom, Enid, has been wanting to do a family shoot for awhile now, so it was time to gather the troops and meet up at Shedd Park in Lowell. Little did we know, that there was a bicycle race going on that day, so we were limited with locations to shoot. That didn't stop us from having a ton of fun.

With just about any family, there has to be a matriarch. In this family, it's clear that Enid, holds this family together. Within just a couple of hours of meeting her, I could tell that family is the most important thing in her life. She and I discussed that it's not even about being blood-related, family is made up of all our loved ones. That's something that rings true to my heart, since my own stepmother instilled that in me when I was growing up. And after hanging out with Enid, I felt like a part of her family too!

 

This is one family made up of strong, beautiful women. There are four sisters, four sisters who truly love each other.

First, there is Jennie. I've only known her for a short while now, but she and I clicked right away. She's incredibly vivacious, witty and easy to get along with. Oh, and did I forget to mention her great fashion sense?

Jennie, brought her husband Joe. He was such a good sport. I don't know many men that enjoy having their picture taken, but he survived! Jennie and Joe have been together for 10 years and they still have such a great connection. You can clearly see it in these pictures.

 

Next, we have Ciara. I couldn't believe what a natural she was in front of the camera. Some people can take a little while to warm up and get comfortable, not Ciara! She was ready as soon as I picked up my camera. Giving me great smile, after great smile. She is super funny and I can tell is a great sister to have.

I will continue with Enid's family in Part II. There's more to come, including why I love when people add their pets to their family photos! 

My Little Guy

 Hi there!

This post is going to be a little biased, since it's all about my favorite little boy, my son.

 

Matthew is my first and only child (well for now anyway). I knew from moment he was born (5 weeks early by the way), that he was going to have such a big personality.

Now 14 months later, as he enters into full toddler mode, he is proving that I was/am right.  Matthew starts his day off with a smile as soon as you walk into his room. He has such a sense of humor for a little kid. He's had it since he was about 8 weeks old. He laughs at all the punchlines, he does his own physical comedy, he already is a star in my eyes.

 
 

Watching him become this awesome little person, has been such a blessing. I am lucky enough to stay home with him every day, so it allows me to be a part of each new thing he learns/explores.  He's finding his favorite things to do, that have now become routine in our house. 

We have to go our favorite park at least 2x a week

We go to a farm just about every weekend. And of course he must choose a big pumpkin!

Filling and emptying baskets/buckets

Helping Daddy on the farm

                                                                                                            

Reading. And if we find a cat, it's a bonus

And overall, he just loves being home. Where he has lots of room outside to run, see cool animals and get dirty!

I love my little Leo, he is such a joy to have in my life.

One proud Mama signing off.  Until next time!