Remembering Summer

Playing with a new app, so what better test images than some from this Summer's Tutu Extravaganza?

Joy{family photography}

One of my favorite images of our kids, taken last night on top of my car (gotta love the late afternoon light, and the silver car was the perfect reflector):

Wonder(ful) ladies{headshots and beyond}

My headshot photoshoots have evolved in the past year into Image Sessions. Perfect for "putting your best look forward", online or in printed materials, they include multiple wardrobe changes and a variety of looks at cool locations. They are more like fashion shoots that the old business headshot experience, and I think this is so much fun.

Here are a couple of images from two sessions done during this past week:

Fabulous Angel, the savvy mastermind behind CRAVEAtlanta (more about that book in a future post):



Inspiring Megha, of Megha Success:



I love learning about the wonderful people I photograph, then trying to capture the essence of what they stand for (together with their beauty) in the images we create together.

Last days of Summer{outdoors family portraits atlanta}

A couple of weeks ago I had a wonderful time photographing this extended family. I had met Andreea several years ago, before either of us had children. Since then, she got herself quite a wonderful family, as the previews below show!

Loved meeting everyone, thanks for playing along!

The boy, our joy, Roy{birthday photography}

He turned 5 on Sunday, our boy Roy. His birth was an unforgettable time in our lives, to meet our first child, to become parents, to see ourselves in the eyes of someone who is so small, yet so strong, so himself, yet a part of each of us.

Roy's birthdays are always emotional for me. The age that will never be again, meeting the age filled with the promise of further growth, and ever greater love.

Happy Birthday wonderful Roy! We are forever grateful you picked us to witness your journey.



A few quick images from our celebration:

The world, renewed{atlanta birth photographer}

A strong little girl entered the world today and was welcomed with so much love!

Baby Lena (weighing 6lbs 4oz and measuring 18.5 inches) was born at 7:37am, making her daddy's prediction right almost to the minute. She arrived on her due date -- we were laughing commeting on her punctuality and how that could be an indicator of her half-German genes.

Lena was born on this memorable and emotionally charged day, reminding us that hope endures, and love is eternal.

Her parents Anke and Stephen invited me there as their doula, and I am very grateful to have had the chance to see them laboring as such a close, loving couple.
Anke's primal strenght and undeniable grace had everyone in awe, all through this long, intense all natural labor.

Thanks to the staff of North Fulton Regional Hospital, where birth is treated with the reverence it deserves. We all are grateful for having been guided by midwife extraordinaire Kay Johnson, whose wisdom, affirming presence and calming manner are all too rare and so essential to a birth experience that allows the magic to unfold, and the family dynamics to flow freely.

And loved meeting Grandma, who stayed awake, present and patiently loving through all these hours...


Baby Lena is entering one of the most special families I know, and the world was made a better place by her arrival.

Working hard:
About to meet baby:
Right on schedule! unforgettable encounter!

Smiling at Daddy with Daddy's smile:

Sweet respite:

Life is good!

Proud grandma:

Together:

Get carded! (pre-holiday special){holiday cards photography}

As Fall nears and the holiday season is on our mind, plan to schedule your family photoshoot before the last minute rush.
To help with your plans and budget, here are some specials you will enjoy!

Fall Special 1:
Throughout the month of October, I am offering shorter sessions which include a pack of premium designer folded 5x7 cards (using 1-4 images from your session)

For $200, you get an hour of photography, a one week gallery with 15 or more images to choose from, and 24 custom-designed holiday cards with envelopes.
Call to claim your spot now, especially if you are looking for a weekend session, as we are already booking into mid and late October.

Fall Special 2:
If you had a session recently and would like to use that imagery for your holiday pieces, contact me before October 15th and I will reload your gallery with all ordered images, and design a card for you at no cost.

Fall Special 3:
For those families who have lots of friends on their mailing list, and would love to share the gorgeous images we created this year with everyone, I have a special volume discount:
For every two packs of cards at the regular price, get up to three additional packs at 60% off!
This offer is valid through the end of October.


You can mix and match any of the above offers, as needed. If you'd like to mix Special 1 and Special 3, the complimentary pack you get with your session can count towards one of the full cost sets of cards, making this an even better value!


Let's get the family together and make some amazing art pieces to share with your loved ones!

Business owners? Consider creating some unique cards showcasing your accomplishments and personality, to send to your most valued clients!

Contact me now, and see you very soon.


(sample 5x7 folded actual card from last year -- cover, back and inside spread)

One more special for two mornings only, Outdoor Family Portraits as a fundraiser, details here:

http://shutterviewphoto.blogspot.com/2009/10/family-photoshoot-fundraiser-oct-17-and.html

Love without borders{outdoor children portraits}

Ok, so, settle in for a nice story: it's been quite a journey that resulted in bringing these beautiful subjects in front of my lens this past month!

It began in Atlanta, where stunning and sweet Theresa was au pair extraordinaire in charge of looking after babies Mia and Jake for many months. Time passed, the twins grew older, and Theresa had to go back to school in her native Germany.

The kids and their mommies relocated to Michigan. THEN, Theresa came across my website and loved my work. Luckily, she was able to plan a trip back to the States, went to Michigan to see the kids and their parents, got the kids on a plane and came back to Atlanta, to see old friends and - lucky for me - get some great mementos of her reunion with Jake and Mia, as well as some portraits of them at this stage in their lives.

The location is this one-of-a-kind plant farm in Lithonia: New Moon Gardens (looking for a garden designer or some quality plants? Look no further!).

Here are the pictures:

Playful Jake:
Graceful Mia:
So nice to have a compasionate sibling!

Look at the color of their eyes!

happy together:

A bright future! {atlanta wedding portraits}

Before this auspicious 09-09-09 day is over, I want to congratulate the wonderful Zhaozhe and Changsheng on their marriage!

I know your future is bright, and I can tell you were made for each other!

I will post a few more previews from our recent couples portrait session in the next few days -- enjoy your honey moon!

Family togetherness {atlanta holiday pictures}

You may remember this special family from this post earlier this year, when I witnessed the joyful arrival of baby Elsa.

I had fun photographing the extended family in a beautiful outside area near their childhood home. Enjoy!

Pamela's Image Photoshoot {headshots, business image photography Atlanta}

From a recent Image Photoshoot with Pamela Starr -- how beautiful is this sweet lady?