a true spirit of giving

One of my past bridal couples has expanded their families. They decided to adopt and it has been wonderful to watch such an open loving couple add to their family. How fortunate these girls are to have landed in such a wonderful home.

Valerie

Jail chick....help!

I know...I have not been able to post, life is always extremely crazy at this time of year but I agreed to "give back" at the same time. Please if anyone wants to help "bail me out of jail" I would greatly appreciate it....but more so the MDA will! Send any help to my studio address by December 1st.

Thank you in advance.

Valerie

..always lots of fun! LOL!!

All the parents who come in think their kids are the only ones who cry and that they will never get a photo...so not true. This why I can never answer how long it will take to get a photo session completed. They have good days and ...not so good days. It is all good.

This is just so everyone can have a good chuckle, I am sorry that it is taking longer to jump on line and post but it is my busy season. Almost at the holiday deadlines and then i can blog a little more often.

Valerie

siblings

This portrait just makes me smile and laugh... the brother with his head in hands says it all.

Valerie

Passage of time

Amazing how time just slips by... we can not stop it. I know parents would love to but I guess as a parent you have to look into the next phase. I have know this high school senior for many years and she is very intelligent, confident and well rounded adult. Her parents have done a great job, she is ready and able to head to her next phase of life. You go girl!

Valerie

I am 1!

LOL!!! OK, poor Travis, his Mom & I had a great time laughing...oh, I mean choosing his portraits. We gave him a cake for his 1st birthday to tear into. So adorable. So the question is... what is there to really cry about when you have all that sugar at your finger tips! I think I want to have someone push me around in a carriage, cuddle me, feed me, worship me...... 'yawn'-I think I need to go take a nap.

Valerie

Creative high school seniors

So we all graduate from high school...but truly what will you look back on. Your memory becomes very fuzzy even though you think it will not. I truly enjoy my career the most when a young adult reaches (insists?) for something that truly reflects themselves to look back on. My creative juices flow, I love the challenge, to listen to what they are craving and reaching for. The potential of these young adults is only limited by themselves. I believe in encouragement, a failed venture is only a bump, a lesson learned. Keep reaching and growing. I can still recall the few little positive moments that happened in my teens years....you may not think your few words make an impression but they may be remembered for a lifetime. I personaly know they can.
Valerie

...priceless!

I take the time to try to chat with my clients before hand to figure out what type of portrait would be good for that year's visit. This Mom brought brown tops and pumpkins. We talked and I suggested maybe a couple or few pumpkins to add a little "pop". When she arrived at her location and opened the back of the truck I was shocked to see the size of the pumpkins! WOW!! It made me laugh. She is always pulled together and organized, looks great and I am thinking how are we getting those huge pumpkins over to where I want them. She got right on that and she was moving those around and as you can SEE the result is wonderful.

This image is also great for my clients to be able to realize how great brown looks in the fall. You would think it would be too bland but not with some fall colors making it pop all around. I also fully realize how much work allot of my clients put into prepping for these appointments. Finding the right clothes, ironing them, hanging them in the vehicle, toting around pumpkins, mums, wagons, bathing the kids (I am sure some arguments about clothes), getting everyone there, fixing hair and being on time!

Yes......priceless!! Great work to you all!

Valerie

fashion fun

I have had the opportunity to attend 2 fashion shows lately. Of course camera in tow. I really like this shot, since it is so magical feeling.

Valerie

Another familiar family.

I had to place this portrait up here... I know, I maybe bias but just look at these 3!!! Good luck to their parents, they are all smart, have strong personalities and beautiful to boot! Yikes-can you say "hands very full!" LOL!!! so funny. Thanks for letting me be part your lives and watching them grow. What a joy.

Valerie

Clients around the globe

This little cutie is one of those adults you will meet at a cocktail party who will say...."yes, I was born here but I lived in Switzerland for 5 years as a child then came back to Boston and that is where i learned to speak German". ha,ha!!! She is very fortunate to have such a great experience and yes, she seems to be speaking German. Amazing what (and how quickly) children can learn things.

I am thrilled that each year when her parents arrive back in the States they have an appointment set for her to have images added to her album. Poor Mom tries to rush around and find a few outfits to complete this task...I am sure while still jet lagged. Always worth the results though.

Valerie

...sigh, more of ITALY!

Yes, a few more...after all who can get enough of ITALY!!!! Yaaaa, not me as we all know! These were most taken by my husband... obviously, as he patiently watched and waited for me to capture some beautiful images.

PS-the B&W one is self portrait taken at a lunch.

Valerie

blogger followers

Ok...so let me just give complete "kudos" (is that how you spell that?) to all the adoring fans (ha.ha) who are keeping up with my blog. I love to hear when people tell me that they "read" or "saw" on my blog.... !!!!

That really truly warms my heart and lets me know that so many special people keep up with and peek at what is going on. Don't think this excuses you from NOT calling me or going out for drinks!!! LOL!!! I do think I am pretty darn funny.

OK...so here are some portraits from last weekends complete, ridiculously rainy day...sigh. i think i still managed to capture some great photos of this couple.

Valerie

Valerie @work

So here are a few images of me hard at work, notice the one with the Disney poncho, rain falling in buckets! LOL!! who cares it was warm and fun. My husband took most of these. I do believe one of myself and my husband...ooops, I think he asked not to be posted but I can "brag" if I want to. "It's my party and I'LL cry if I want to..." LOL!!!

Valerie

Cut-A-Thon @ All About You!

Well, despite the rain...we all had fun and all of people showed up for the cut-a-thon, goodie bags, nail treatments & the FASHION show! That was great fun, some really fun styles for all the enjoy and drool over. I snapped some photos and many more styles can be found at PJ's store-Just a Little Something.

I am all done with this rain....!! :)

Valerie

Wedding in Florence, IT

I had to put these 2 photos up since I so enjoyed shooting them over my tour guides shoulder. i do enjoy watching life as it unfolds-this was simple and magical to me to be able to just stand there. Life is made of simple beautiful moments like these....if we stop to really see them.

Valerie

CVS 5k

Alright..i did it! I was dreading the 5k, thinking I had way too much "fun" in Italy but I made it across the finish line. Must have been the spectacular team shirts we got!! GO TEAM! It turned out to be a very hot day...well for running but a beautiful Sunday. The race kicked off at 11:15 which was hard for me to run at that time but somehow I beat my old time-I crossed at 29:06. OK so checkout the 2nd photo...I am thinking I am not having so much fun in that one (taken at the 3 mile mark)...man that makes me laugh! I had run up the hill in front of Providence Place Mall to cross the finish-whew. I was pretty dizzy and dehydrated but got the high from the accomplishment.

Valerie

look alike guess....

Oh, so I had Keira Knightley guessed several times...but does anyone think she looks like Kate Hudson?? I sure do! Beautiful - non the less. Valerie

1st images are coming along....

I could not wait to post this image of the Duomo, in Florence! I was fortunate enough to be able to go to a roof top after dinner. I did not have a tripod but leaned the camera and took a few night photos. It was so beautiful...notice the little stars I caught too! I can't wait to keep working on them. Valerie

Look alike....

OK, I am going to take guesses on who this beautiful girl looks just (exactly?) like. Let me know your guesses...will be interesting...can't wait to hear your guesses!

Valerie