Babies. I have one. We have another on the way. Just like They always said it would, once you have a kid the whole world changes. It seems like everywhere I go now, all I see are the kids. To be honest, a few years ago, I mourned for my lack of “kid-sense” and lack of ability to relate to children, as I saw that quality in others.  But really, I just didn’t have exposure to them.

Of all the other joys that having a son has brought me, I’m so grateful for my new-found “kid-sense.”

There is one couple I know that seem like they’ve always had their “kid-sense” though: our neighbors, Amanda & Mike.

Amanda & Mike are the kinds of neighbors that everyone needs.  For one, we’re all just about the same age. Big plus there. They are the kind of people who won’t ever deny you a favor. Moving in and need a hand moving those large pieces of furniture in to your new condo? We’d never met them yet and Mike jumped right in the moving truck.  We’re about to go on a trip (again) and we need someone to care for our cats (again) for 10 day straight for the 4th time this year?  Amanda always seems more than happy to stop by daily to feed them and dish out a few pets and hugs to they know they haven’t been abandoned. Thirty-six inches of snow just fell from the heavens?  Mike is the first guy out there with a shovel.  In a t-shirt and shorts.  (That one really confuses me…) 

Together, we’ve shared many summer cook-outs on the grill and swapped Sunday dinner duty together over the past 5 years since we’ve live on Long Hill Road, and I can say, point blank: they are good people.

We were absolutely delighted when we found out that Amanda & Mike were going to be joining us as new-parents.  And, even more so, I was more than happy to take a few photos of our friends to celebrate their first pregnancy.

There was no fuss, no muss to this session. Amanda mentioned to Kristen she’d like a few photos done, so I sent her a text. Quickly we ironed out the plan: dress up a little, bring blanket and we’ll go out in the snow for a bit.  (I did have to lend Mike a collared shirt… he really does love his t-shirts.) We’re lucky to live near two remarkable wedding venues: the Barns at Wesleyan Hills is literally right down the street and the Wadsworth Mansion is less than a 5 minute drive towards Wesleyan University.  All I had to tell them was: snuggle.

“Baby R.” is due to pop in the next two weeks and we’re wishing them all the best!  We’ll be here to welcome them home when it’s all said and done.

Even though he insisted this photo session was just for Stephanie and their little Peanut, we did get Paul in a few shots! We think this one is making it into Peanut’s baby book for sure!

Congratulations Paul and Stephanie! We can not wait to meet your little bundle of joy and hope you enjoy the photos as much as we do!

As I walked closer, I could see that there were 10 people in the bunch. When I came about 7 feet of their camera, I asked if they wanted me to just press the button for them so they didn’t have to use the timer. And the man (now, closer, I could see it was the dad in the group) was thankful. So I snapped a few shots and then they asked, “Do you have any suggestions?” Meaning, did I have any suggestions for a different group setup. Well, I’m pretty sure they had no idea at the time that I do do what I do.

Doo-deee-dooody-doo… (had the throw that in there.)

And, I have to admit, I fumbled. Just for a moment. Here I was, full-on in vacation (i.e. no work) mode, and I had a family asking me what they should do for their picture. I’m pretty sure I said something like “Well, you can just do a funny one.” And so they did… kinda, but half-hearted. And, as I stood there, pressing the little button on their camera (which was a mini-Nikon SLR, by the way! Props!) I thought to myself, “Umm, hello? Kris? this is what you do, sir. Get to it.”

And so, I quickly came out and explained: This is what I do, and if they would like, I’d be happy to shoot some great shots of their family with my camera (I had no idea how their was set, you see) and send it to them later. And, then, no longer being just some average passer-by, they were very into the idea.

Brain and fingers and eyes kicking in to high gear now: 1) I don’t want to make this some big, long drawn out thing: I’m on vacation; they’re on vacation, so 10 minutes max 2)I didn’t want to just do another big-group shot, because they had just got that and the kids looked a little bored with it… 3) I wanted to focus on just a few quick shots of small groups. And so, 4) I gave the kids and parents a break and started with grandma and grandpap: who, I instantly learned were Evelyn and Mark. And, oh-my-word. Aren’t they just so adorable?

So, then, next(!), came the parents. Again, via quick questions while shooting: Denise and Todd are from Indianapolis, Indiana. Ev and Mark are Todd’s parents. Why do you have six kids? We wanted a big family. DUH, Kris! But, don’t you just love Denise’s freckles? They’re also adorable (the couple and the freckles!)

And then, cue the kids! I love this shot with Mom & Dad getting all lovey with the kids in the back. <3And my setup lead right into the kids’ groups. Again, keeping with the smaller groups, but also showing the whole bunch.

Right after this Kristen came strolling up the beach. Apparently she had been wondering where her husband had gone… Oh, you know honey… just off making pretty pictures again!

Alright, tomorrow I’m headed to NYC for a shoot, but when I get back, for Part 3 of our vacation, I’ll tell you about our visit to the cutest little town on the Gulf! Appropriately named: Seaside, Florida!

It is both difficult, and probably for the best, that I either find it hard to recall in exact detail some of the finer moments of our angst-ridden years, however, I can tell you that today, Gary and I, along with my older Dave, are and always will be Best Friends.

Until recently, I rarely wanted to shoot my friends and family. I had such big dreams that I never realized where my inspiration truly came from: the people who influence me daily.

Last year, Gary inherited, from his father, his late grandfather’s 1957 Pontiac Superchief. I had heard about it throughout the years of our friendship, but hadn’t seen it until Gary brought it out one night. Now, 15 years later, knowing how important the heirloom car is to Gary, his dad (also Gary), and now his sons, Luke and Cameron, I invited them out to a park for some good ol’ picture-takin’ fun while Mom, Kelly, was away for a girl’s weekend.

I started out with crafting this great portrait of their car. I present to you: the Superchief.

But the day was more about the dudes with their car, so I quickly moved Gary in, and it only took a few moments before 5-year-old Luke, joined in.

Much like I was at that age, Cameron quickly followed his older brother into the mix.

The boys jumped into the car happy to pretend that they were driving.

Check out that scrape on Cam’s cheek! The younger boy is always the crazy one! (I know now that I was… 7 concussions later…)

Luke was a total ham for the camera! Gary, I think you might want to start taking this boy to Go-Sees.

Grandma and Pap Pap (Denise and big Gary) were keen to hang out behind me for most of the shoot, but I got them in right at the end. Since I know them so well, it only took moderate arm-twisting.

It was absolutely a great time for everyone and the shots turned out to be a great Mother’s Day gift for Kelly.