The blessing of living on Long Island.

Just a preview of one recent session with a handsome young man who was a natural in front of the camera. More to come in days ahead.  

I have two boys. My oldest is in college. I am reluctant to admit that he is taller than I. If the moment is right, I can still see vestiges of his boyhood in those amazing blue eyes. My second son is rapidly becoming a young man and while touches of a boy are still in his face and stature, I know how quickly that is changing.

As parents, especially as mothers, our sons and our daughters have no idea when we are listening to them speak, that we can also multi-task and think about who they are in general.
I listen intently to what they say and yet from time to time, my mind drifts as I stare at them.
I wonder where the baby who I held for hours has gone to, where the adorable little toddler who I couldn't stop kissing has run off to. They seems like 2 different people, the baby and the teenager, the toddler and the man and so I look for traces to join the two.

I am so glad I kept detailed baby books, writing down all of their achievements and idiosyncrasies. I was sure I would never forget those days while they were happening. When I read those details today, I see that I have forgotten some, now replaced by new expressions and different ways of growing. While there is something in every parent that doesn't want to see our children grow up, we wouldn't trade the joy of who they become for the world.
 
This photo shoot gave me a chance to relive the joy of chasing a 2 year old boy.  The delight, the laughter, the wonder is so beautiful. I realized that one of my goals can be achieved and that is to capture childhood the only way we can, through photography. His mom, who is an amazing woman and a devoted, loving mother, was amazed at how her son put his little hands behind his back and pensively looked down at the waves and the sailboat. She said she had never seen him do that before.  I was so honored to be there to capture that moment.  It reminded me of Ansel Adams, a brilliant photographer and one of his best quotes:

 "Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter."

While nature and wildlife are extraordinary to photograph, there is nothing as important as observing our children, both protectively and aesthetically. As a photographer, I have the privilege of capturing the wonder of childhood and children. Truly one of God's greatest gifts.

 

When I was younger I lived in Montauk for a summer. it was a difficult summer, having just lost a close friend to cancer and living on my own. My apartment had an ocean view which made the experience easier to endure. Living across the street from the Atlantic Ocean at one of the furthest points east on the North American continent, waking up and going to sleep to the sound of the roaring waves, is certainly conducive to introspection.
This past week, I had a day which needed similar peace, a cathartic ocean walk and a break from civilization. I didn't bring my large professional camera but a smaller one so as to not worry about equipment. I wasn't there to work but to feel and to think. I still wanted to get a few photos that captured the power of the ocean, the glistening water at 7:00am and the way early light hits the sand. Two deer friends (no pun intended!) stopped for a visit and while I could only take their photos from a distance, I was so happy they were there. They didn't interrupt my morning, they only added to the peace. 

When I first created this blog, I decided to have a collage of pictures at the top rather then just single changing photos. Then I thought maybe I would even make it seasonally themed. I have always loved the changing seasons and I can't imagine living in one climate all year long.