Steve & Elizabeth

“If you want to learn what someone fears losing, watch what they photograph.”  ~Anonymous 

I walk into a session with my heart on the table.  Every. Single. Time.  I like to think that I celebrate love, by capturing its (sometimes elusive) essence.  But maybe in my heart of hearts, it’s something I fear losing.  Something I fear the human race will lose.

My clients’ images are never about me, they are about the secret connections between the people in them.  The glances, winks, nuzzles, kisses.  I strive to create little rectangular windows into their love, for others to glimpse at.  For those same 'others' to feel something in someone else's moments, and maybe even desire for themselves.

Elizabeth admitted to being nervous leading up to this session.  It’s not everyday that people choose to have their photograph taken, which holds true even for myself!  It is quite intimidating to have a lens peering at you.  Your mind races “where to look, how to stand, how to act, which emotions to reveal, etc.”  

I am damn good at many things when I’m behind my camera, and one of them is my ability to break down these walls of nerves.  To allow my clients to feel comfortable enough to become vulnerable.  This is an innate skill that I possess, one that cannot be taught in a class, at a convention or an expo.  I texted Elizabeth letting her know that “my method to the madness” would be lots of movement, with the occasional canoodling and kissing (in public)!  On the day of, she set her nerves aside, trusted, and arrived!  They both did!  They felt all the feels... and I was there to preserve it!  

We also chased the light (which is my jam)… and I stopped whenever the light and colors spoke to me!  Agh,  Autumn… you bring a full artist’s palette!

Steve, I look forward to the day you "put a ring on it."  I'll be here waiting with my camera!  Enjoy!  xoxox

Elizabeth requested some images with their fur-babies, Gracie & Maddie.  This is one area in which I do not shine (sadly).  I am not a "dog whisperer," and I make this fact known to my clients before their session.  No matter how much I called out to these two pups, even with a bag of treats in hand, I was just no match to the sights and sounds of the park (squirrels, other pups, etc).  At best, I could only get one to look my way at any given time.  I tried lol!!  

                                Gracie                                                                                                   Maddie

Genuine smiles and laughs do not happen on command.  That's why it's important to have inside jokes!  I bring jokes to the table as well, especially if my couples are stumped.  Clearly, Steve won this humor battle!  Who knows what he said, or even what I say half the time, but if it evokes an eye-crinkle or nose-crinkle laugh/smile, that's all that matters.    

Super cute!  Steve has this boyish charm that happened to come through in this moment.  Offered in color and in B&W, because I like it both ways!

"Remember that time when we skipped?"  Yeah, you're never too old to skip hand-in-hand!  Just sayin'!!

These glances are a reminder of their intense connection to one another.  Fifty years from now, they will remember how good it feels to always be this 'in love!'

The image to the right; I don't quite know what I said.  But I love the expression on Elizabeth's face!  

This is where their love story began!  Kudos to Caroline Street Pub!  A (heady) glance across the room... a drink for the lady... the rest is history!   

Dancing on the sidewalk is a must... for this is something to celebrate!

These next several "green wall" images might be my favorite in the collection!  On a whim, we ducked into the alleyway between Clancy's and Trotters.  These colors, though!!!   

In the end, I got to share a round with these two at Henry Street Tap Room!  A great way to close out an amazing session, especially since I'm a bit of a beer snob!  Cheers to all things romantical!  

The End