In True Color...

Minji | Harrisonburg Senior Portrait Photographer

2011-11-16T17:00:00.009-05:00

Wow! Who knew Harrisonburg had so many fun places to take senior portraits? I had only photographed in that area a few times before Minji and I decided it would be a good place to take her senior portraits. In my mind, I had already thought of a few locations, but decided to scout a few more once I knew what type of images she wanted. I particularly love these railroad images. There are a quite a few others, but my blog server would have crashed if I had posted all the fantastic images of this fun girl :-)

Daniel | Harrisonburg Senior Portrait Photographer

2011-11-14T17:40:00.006-05:00

I had never taken senior portraits with a violin as a prop. Let me assure you, this violin was no prop! Daniel treated his mom & me to some beautiful music as we moved around Staunton taking his portraits. I love using Staunton's downtown area for portrait sessions. There are so many interesting walls, natural backdrops and cubby holes to choose from and each time the results look different. Daniel, I hope you like your sneak peek. I love the textured image at the bottom. It was my favorite of the week :-)

Trevor | Waynesboro Virginia Senior Photographer

2011-11-11T18:45:00.000-05:00

I am so happy to finally have gotten the opportunity to finish Trevor's senior portraits! Nasty weather interrupted our first meeting, but the make-up day was perfect. Beautiful weather for November and the sunset was incredible. He had some fun ideas and even the dog cooperated for some great images...

Allison | Harrisonburg Senior Portrait Photographer

2011-11-10T16:12:00.002-05:00

After several weather delays, I am so happy I finally got to meet Allison! It was especially fun for me as her mom is an old high school friend of mine. We took some beautiful images. Allison braved a chilly and very windy afternoon to create some seriously fun portraits in her favorite homecoming dress. My Canon truly loved this girl :-)

Nan, are we done yet? | Harrisonburg Newborn Photographer

2011-10-14T17:01:00.007-04:00

My first grandchild was born last Friday and I have been having so much fun helping out this first week. She is a beautiful little girl and I have to say that Kelly and Taylor are rocking this new parent stuff! To celebrate the one week mark, I am sharing a few newborn portraits of Miss Riley. She was really quite tolerant of her Nan messing around taking these images. As my daughters say, this will be one of the most photographed babies in the world. Though I am positive her four young uncles will teach the fine art of running from my camera as soon as it appears ;-)

And now for Clark Kent...

2011-09-28T17:52:00.005-04:00

Super Man | High School Senior Photography Waynesboro, Virginia

2011-09-27T21:05:00.009-04:00

Just for you, Nick! I think you make a great Superman :-) Click on the image for better view.

I will publish a few of your more "Clark Kent" moments in the next few days for you & your mom to see....enjoy!

Credits: Great Superman Template from Matty DeCesare on the Deviant Art website

Vintage Senior| Waynesboro Senior Photographer

2011-09-21T18:03:00.011-04:00

This week was vintage week and Emily got to be the first senior to have portraits finished with these filters. I was excited to play with some photoshop filters I hadn't previously used and create a vintage look to the finished portraits. Emily had a great location and some fantastic clothes for her session that I thought would really flow with the look I was trying to create. To be honest, there is a great deal of time and creativity that goes into creating portraits that are non-traditional. It isn't too difficult to simply adjust lighting, contrast and simple color. Most photo editing programs will allow those changes. Its getting beyond that is great fun. Professional cameras differ from your point & shoot cameras in quite a few ways, but one important way is that they allow us to create images in a RAW format. That is mumbo-jumbo for humongous digital files with lots of pieces of individual data ;-) The reason I use this format is so that I have lots of room to play with the images in the editing phase. This week, I tweaked the data to give Emily's portraits a fun, retro or vintage look. I happen to like this look, but have no fear....I can always use that same data to transform these same images to a totally different look! We'll have to wait and see what Emily and her mom like best :-D

5 weeks and counting...

2011-09-08T09:33:00.011-04:00

till our little princess makes her appearance :-) I am not sure I can adequately describe the level of excitement in our house as we approach this awesome event. From the youngest boy "Unka Ched" to my husband, Jay "aka MoDaddy" (You really need to find a better grandpa name, Babe), we are all 0n pins & needles and ready to meet her! I had the priviledge of taking maternity images for Kelly and her husband Taylor this weekend. I know she is my daughter and that makes me incredibly biased, but she is just beautiful with that baby belly and Taylor is so sweet as he helps her through this last few weeks. Watching these two together makes me happy :-) Here's just a few of my favorite images...

Kacy | Senior Portrait Photographer Waynesboro, Virginia

2011-09-02T18:55:00.006-04:00

After being rained out once and then a hurricane creeping up the coast, I was wondering when we would get to finish Kacey's senior session! Of course, the sun always seems to shine brightest after a storm and we definitely enjoyed the beautiful afternoon. I am really happy with the images we created and thought I would post a few for Kacy to enjoy. Now, we just have to get her brother Trevor in front of the camera....

Prop Crazy

2011-08-26T14:26:00.005-04:00

I have a closet in my studio that is full of different props. I don't use props for all my pictures. I think they should enhance an image and not all images call for a little bit of something extra. Some of the props are for little guys and some for big guys. The newborn props are soft, sweet and fluffy. The girl props are...well girly. But that doesn't matter to Pierre. He loves rifling through all the props. Although there aren't new things in there all that often, it is like he finds something else fun to play with each and every time he opens the door. The overflowing shelves are like a treasure trove. He is very creative and finds something new & different to do with them most times, but returns to his favorites like old friends. I love watching his imagination and often wonder how I didn't think of some of those ideas???

Best of all for me, Pierre loves to have his photo taken. His billion dollar smile could be packaged to sell just about anything and his handsome face and beautiful eyes light up in front of the camera. This willingness to pose for me doesn't extend to most of his siblings, so I am happy that this guy is a camera happy, prop crazy person just like me :-)

Ben | Harrisonburg Family & HS Senior Photographer

2011-08-16T22:43:00.000-04:00

Great weather this week for a senior photo session. Ben said he definitely used up several months worth of smiles during this session, but I have to say that I think his mom will be happy with the results! There are lots of great images, but these were a few of my favorites...

Simply Sweet| Harrisonburg Newborn and Child Photographer

2011-08-10T12:32:00.007-04:00

I have been inconsistent about posting sneak peeks this summer. Four boys at home have a way of getting my workflow seriously off-track! However, this little one was so sweet, I couldn't wait to edit a few of my favorites and post them on the blog for her parents and grandma :-)

Summer Vacay {Harrisonburg Children's Photographer}

2011-06-25T10:48:00.015-04:00

What a great vacation week! I lived in Vermont for half my childhood and always treasure an opportunity to go back. This year I was able to travel with my family to one of my favorite places and spend 10 fun days with some of my favorite people! As always, I had my camera in tow and, as always, found myself snapping photos of all the kids. Here's is a glimpse of the fun we had all week...fishing, frog catching, swimming, performing, marching, reading, and eating smores :-)

Jessica {High School Senior Photographer}

2011-06-04T16:20:00.012-04:00

If I hadn't been there sweating like a crazy person myself, I would never guess that this session took place on an almost 100 degree humid Virginia evening! Wow, Jessica did such a beautiful job and managed to continue to look fresh and energetic the entire time :-) These are just a few of many great images from her senior session.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...

2011-05-26T10:53:00.023-04:00

This photo session was so much fun. While I was editing the images, I couldn't decide which few I wanted to share, so I chose to show most of my favorites! These sisters are two of the sweetest little girls I have had the pleasure of photographing. I am so happy their mom called me! We spent our sunny morning together at their house and a nearby park. After a few hours of books, bubbles, giggles & grins, I left with a smile on my face. A big thanks to their mom, Kathryn. You made this session so easy and I loved spending time with you & your girls. Can't wait to show you all your images, but here is a sneak peek for now...

See Ya 2010

2011-01-02T20:05:00.000-05:00

Fort Defiance Senior {Shenandoah Valley Photographer}

2010-11-26T20:24:00.007-05:00

A great senior session just before the holiday with Leah from Fort Defiance High School. It was a perfect afternoon for a session and there was just enough color left on some of the trees for some beautiful backdrops. Enjoy your sneak peek...

A Thanksgiving Blessing |Newborn Photography Waynesboro, Virginia

2010-11-25T16:15:00.000-05:00

This adorable baby girl joined her family just in time for Thanksgiving. Her mom and dad brought her to see my when she was only 6 days old. You will see from this sneak peek how beautiful she is and how very alert she was! We only convinced her to sleep for a short time before she was awake again watching everything. I have to say she is truly one of the calmest, most mellow babies I have every photographed :-)

Fall Family Portraits | Waynesboro Virginia Photographer

2010-11-16T20:47:00.007-05:00

Beautiful Fall colors + adorable boys + my camera =

priceless family portraits

Friends for life....

2010-11-12T17:16:00.005-05:00

"A cousin is a ready-made friend for life."

This friendly "touch" football game got quite animated when my boys got together with their cousins on Halloween weekend. These guys have a wonderful way of just picking up where ever they left off during their last visit. They laugh, tease and play until they are exhausted. It is fun to watch :-) Cousins are truly a wonderful gift!

When we got to the park, the little guys started off playing alone... the big guys were too cool to join at this point.

Then the big boys decided to get involved. The tempo picked up quickly and the competition started to heat up. Jay tried to keep any one from getting damaged, but you will see from the pictures that the "no tackling" safe guards were quickly dismissed by all players...

This was suppose to be blocking??

It's always a good game when you can walk away with a smile :-)

The Boys of Fall| Children's photographer

2010-10-19T08:32:00.029-04:00

Well, it is almost the end of this year's football season and it has been an exciting one! I can't say that football is my favorite sport...actually I am truly a basketball fanatic at heart, but it is fun to watch these little guys run around the field. I understand some parents being concerned about little boys playing tackle football and the possible dangers involved. We have taken all the safety precautions we can and have attended every practice & game to be sure they are being coached well. I admit to cringing sometimes when I hear those pads crunching during a tackle, but boy do these guys love it. For all our family & friends who don't live close enough to sit beside us in the stands and bake under the sun while enjoying a Saturday morning game, I am posting some pictures of both boys from this season.

Pierre, our 8 yr old Haitian Sensation, played his first season for the Fort Defiance Midget team. He has anxiously waited his turn as he watched Ethan play the last two years. Those of us who know Pierre well had a small inkling that this boy was made for this sport...we were right. Those enormous hands and feet are proving to be very handy. This isn't just a game to Pierre. When he puts on his pads, it is business time. I've never seen him listen so intently as he does at practice. You will see from the pictures that his helmet is almost as big as he is and I think he probably carries almost half his body weight in pads when he suits up yet still he manages to swagger out onto the field. It took him a few weeks of practice and about two games to get the idea of how this game works. Never one to shy away from a tussle, he loves to tackle and doesn't mind in the least being tackled. He is happy to play any position and is always anxious to get into the fray. With his enthusiasm, intensity and speed, it didn't take long for him to get noticed by his coaches. At this point, they can often be seen at practices just shaking their heads and grinning as Pierre outruns and jukes his way to the end zone. Picture trying to catch a hummingbird....that is how Pierre runs through traffic and zips around. Last night, even two coaches jumped on the defensive side and tried to catch him by surprise...no such luck :-) Altogether, this first experience has been good for Pierre. It has given him an acceptable outlet for his normally high level of energy and he has lots of little friends who he enjoys spending time with off the field. He has always been a hard worker and incredibly persistent when he is determined to succeed at something, but football has shown him that when you do work hard at something you want, you can sometimes get the reward you were hoping for...during the game last weekend, he played with the first string offense (mostly older boys)....and scored three touchdowns...granted two were called back, but not because he didn't manage to speed past all the defenders and into the end zone. Pierre didn't mind and was happy to take the ball on the next snap and try to do it all over again!

**************************************************

This is Ethan's third year playing for the Indians and he has had a good season. I definitely think Ethan's skills have improved each year. His Junior team hasn't had a great record, but I think there are a number of reasons for that. I think they have lots of talent, but maybe just haven't figured out how to get it all working together as a unit. Ethan plays running back, free safety and is his team's punter and kicker. As he played quarterback in the past, they also sometimes use him when they want to throw a long pass as he has a pretty good arm. Ethan has scored the majority of his team's touchdowns and has had numerous interceptions this season but he is always very quiet and humble about that fact. He doesn't like attention or limelight and gets uncomfortable when others try to compliment him on his play. He encourages his teammates and even if they lose, he will be smiling soon after the game. Football isn't his favorite game (I am thrilled to say basketball is!), but I think he will stick with it for a while yet. In fact, after practice last night, he was asking a varsity running back when he would be able to start working out in the high school weight room. You should have seen the smile on his face when Ernesto told him this time next year :-)

and now....on to basketball season....YAY!

What's Up with the Big Mark?

2010-10-18T11:20:00.005-04:00

I often get asked this question and thought that others who are reading my blog might be wondering about this as well. I found this article on a professional photography website and thought I would share :-)

Why Are Professional Photographs Watermarked?
by Cristy Nielsen & Yolanda Rowe

As parents, we do everything we can to protect our children. We teach them to look both ways before crossing the street and many other ways to be safe. Photographers have the same responsibility to their work. Each photograph is important–not just because they are our livelihood but because they are portraits of special people: our clients. To protect our work and our clients, we watermark every image that appears online. We hope to discourage unethical people who steal from photographers by copying and using images for their purposes without authorization or compensating the copyright owner and subjects.

For example, let’s say your photographer posts preview images on a social networking site such as Facebook or Myspace. These photos are intended to show the client a preview of what their session images will look like. If they are not watermarked they cannot be identified back to the photographer who created the image and they could be stolen by a third party and used without permission. This has happened on numerous occasions by companies who will use photographs for their marketing campaigns and then photographers or their clients have found their images and photos on the sides of buses, on billboards, etc. Imagine finding a photo of you or your child on a flyer or website for some random company when you didn’t give permission for it to be used in that way and you will begin to understand why photographers watermark to protect their work.

Federal law is very clear on the copyright of images. The creator of the image (the photographer) is the owner of those rights. A client pays the photographer to take those images, but it does not give them ownership (rights) to what is created. Even if the client purchases a file or print it does not give the client copyright to the image. They are given a license to do certain things. This is called a Usage License and it is illegal to scan or copy it and use it in any way other than which it was intended: displaying the print itself. Even purchasing prints does not give the client copyright to the image and it is illegal to alter, scan, or copy it and use it in a way other than its intent. Copyright is held by the image creator for 70 years by law and infringement is punishable by up to $150,000 in fines PER image.

While it may seem like no big deal to make additional copies of an image, or crop out watermarks in web versions of photos, truly it is a big deal. A photographer works very hard on their images, and this is their livelihood, source of income and how they feed their family. When you copy and scan images you are taking part of the income that they depend on to stay in business and serve their clients in the first place. Watermarking is a necessary evil to protect photographers, to protect their work and their job security. As Yolanda says “Copyright is like your vehicle. You can give someone the keys to drive it (granting permission to a client) but it doesn’t make them the owner of the vehicle.”

For more information on copyright, please visit Federal Copyright.

So, as you can see that is why we photographers copyright our images. It isn’t because we are mean or don’t like you. It’s because we run a business and a part of our business is making sure that our clients are protected and that we are still in business in the coming years to photograph your family as they grow.

Caleb | Fort Defiance Senior Portraits

2010-10-11T16:13:00.006-04:00

Seriously Ladies, who can resist a good looking guy in a suit?? Caleb, you did a great job with your portrait session. I hope you enjoy your sneak peek!

I love this image! Hope those numbers have washed off at some point in the last few weeks...

Alex | Fort Defiance High School Senior

2010-09-25T18:21:00.008-04:00

Alex, I just have one thing to say...You ROCK!

Just Say No... | Harrisonburg Virginia Child Photographer

2010-09-16T14:44:00.006-04:00

...to naps! This sweet baby girl and a very patient big brother visited my studio. This little one wasn't altogether on board with the plans I had for her photo session, but we did get a few nice images for her mom. Her big brother was so very patient and played so nicely while their mom & I tried to convince the baby to fall asleep. As the youngest of five siblings, this little one knows if you close your eyes, you might miss something interesting! Honestly, the photos where it looks like she is snoozing, I think I just managed to catch her resting her eyes. I have to say I really love the image above. It looks like she was kind of chuckling at me when I suggested she might be getting sleepy ;-) I would love to do another session with her and all her siblings sometime soon. They are a beautiful bunch! Enjoy the peek....

Sisterhood | Staunton Virginia Photographer

2010-09-13T08:24:00.009-04:00

As I currently live in a houseful of men (both big & small), this portrait session brought back many fun memories for me. Don't get me wrong, I love the rough & tumble world of boyhood! But, spending time with these three delightful little girls reminded me of the days when I had my three girls were little :-) I really enjoyed listening to them and watching them interact with each other. The images definitely show that sweet bond that sisters always have! Hope you enjoy the peek...

Beautiful | Child Photographer Harrisonburg Virginia

2010-09-11T20:43:00.007-04:00

I happen to be someone who truly thinks all children are beautiful. There is a unique light that shines in each of them and it is so fun to catch little glimpses of the individuals they will grow to be. That being said, there are some children that are breaktakingly beautiful. Yes, I made up that word. It simply fit this little guy. My friend, Lisa, brought her son to see me this week and my first thought was how beautiful this child is...his face and especially his eyes are so expressive! While everyone likes images where little ones are smiling, I love that we captured so many different expressions from such a little fella! We definitely have a few smiling photos, but some of the others just crack me up! Lisa, thanks for visiting me and letting me take these portraits. It was so fun and I hope we can get together and let our boys play sometime soon. Enjoy your sneak peek!

Annie |Fort Defiance Senior

2010-09-03T19:35:00.011-04:00

You wouldn't know it from the images and the smiles, but it was a bit rainy at the JMU Arboretum the evening we photographed Annie's senior session. Despite the occasional drizzle, I really enjoyed this session. Her whole family came along, including their three dogs :-) This crew is so relaxed and fun! Annie, you did an awesome job - especially considering Matt was messing with you at times ;-) You look beautiful and I can't wait to show you the rest of your portraits. Hope you all enjoy your sneak peek!

Some Studio Fun

2010-08-20T15:43:00.012-04:00

I know this is August and I know we live in Virginia, but does anyone else think it has been ridiculously hot this summer?? When it came time for Emily's senior session, we had to change plans. It was just too humid to be outside. Of course, it didn't matter what I look like...sweaty behind the camera is perfectly acceptable...but it is always my goal to make the young person in front of my camera look their best. So, we tried some studio images and figured out a new plan for this coming week. Thanks for being so flexible, Emily! You were seriously patient with my technology glitch and I know I have said this before, but your smile is just beautiful. See you on Monday :-)

Friends pt.3

2010-08-17T22:20:00.006-04:00

These last few are just a quick peek at some of the image I took of the two girls together. It was a fun afternoon and you ladies (and your critters) did great! Talk to you soon :-)

Friends pt.2

2010-08-17T15:18:00.006-04:00

Here is Marissa's sneak peek :-) I really enjoyed incorporating the animals into their images.

Friends

2010-08-17T15:03:00.009-04:00

On one of those hot, hot evenings last week, I met two high school seniors for a unique session. These friends have a number of things in common, including spending time with their wonderful horses and adorable little dogs. It was great fun getting to know the girls a bit and photographing some beautiful images. Here is Sydney's sneak peek...stay tuned for parts 2 & 3!

Senior Class 2011

2010-08-13T14:17:00.001-04:00

The Synergy Photography studio is small and the photography services we provide are unique. Each session is tailored to meet the needs of that family or young person. It is not our intention to compete with the bigger studios in quantity of clients, but we do believe we beat the competition when it comes to quality of service. This year, we want the seniors to meet this challenge...Be Bold, Be Unique and Be Yourself! This is your year, so set the terms and make it all you want it to be. Senior portraits at our studio focus on the person you are right now...so take this opportunity to make a statement. Give us a call, let's share some ideas and together we'll create fun images that are all about you.

So we decided to celebrate Back-to-School for the Class of 2011 with a special offer! Synergy is celebrating Back-to-School with a special offer! All senior sessions in September will include a free artistic portrait poster! Seriously fun way to show off all your senior portraits. September's openings are filling up quickly so don't wait to call us! 540-820-3759 or email us at fran@synergyphotographyonline.com

Kate - Fort Defiance Senior {Shenandoah Valley Photographer}

2010-07-27T23:27:00.009-04:00

What a smile! Despite the incredible heat & humidity last week, Kate did an awesome job during our photo session. Can't wait to finish up later in August. Enjoy the sneak peek!

Fort Defiance Senior {Shenandoah Valley Photographer}

2010-07-22T09:21:00.006-04:00

I love this ring image...and I have to say all the football jersey images from this session were some of my favorites so far this summer. Enjoy!

Double the Sweetness + One {Shenandoah Valley Photographer}

2010-07-20T17:20:00.019-04:00

This family photo session was one of the most fun mornings I have had in ages :-) Beautiful 10 month old twin girls and their four year old big brother are keeping these parents hopping! It was definitely a bit of work for us grown-ups, but I really love the images we captured. The girls are just adorable with their blue eyes, blond curls & chubby rolls. While they aren't quite walking yet, they are most assuredly on the move! Their mom, Amy & my assistant Caitlin were doing some serious aerobic activity helping me move the girls back into position for some of the photos. Their dad, Tony, did an awesome job getting smiles and giggles with lots of silly faces & antics. Their equally cute brother {A} was excited to share his new hermit crab with me and show us all his cool toys. I especially enjoyed photographing him down by the river near his house. Here's a quick sneak peek of a few of the images from the session. Amy, I was so excited to find someone who loves black & white photography as much as I do. I converted a number of images, and even textured the one below. It gives it an "vintage" look...but decided to hand paint Crabby back in just for fun :-) Cait & I had a great time with your family - you all seriously ROCK!

Hot, Hot, Hot...|Staunton, Virginia Photographer

2010-07-19T15:24:00.006-04:00

...despite record heat here in Virginia, some brave high school seniors have been enthusiastic about having their sessions outside. I have to say these sessions are some of my favorites. It was great fun to meet Kylie and her sister in downtown Staunton for a morning photo session. There are so many interesting little walls, buildings and out of the way places there. Kylie did a wonderful job in front of the camera and I love the way her eyes sparkle! I can't wait to show her the rest of the portraits when she comes by the studio. A special thanks to Abby for helping with the reflector - way to find the light, girl :-)

Pretty in Pink | Newborn Photography

2010-07-06T22:50:00.014-04:00

So tiny, cuddly and picture perfect....an irresistible package. This little one stole our hearts at a newborn session in Charlottesville a few days ago. We enjoyed our time with this sweet girl and her mom. It is always fun to try something new and I brought along a few props that I hadn't used yet in a newborn session. I love the pink paisley background :-)

Rachel, I hope you were able to get a nap in after we left. Enjoy your little sneak peek and we'll see you in just a few weeks!

Oh So Sweet|Newborn Photography

2010-06-29T22:16:00.015-04:00

Seriously, can any baby be more adorable than this little guy?? And although he looks like he is ready to be done with all this picture taking nonsense, this little man was such a trooper. He is 11 days old in these images which is a great time to do newborn portraits. If we schedule these sessions within the first two weeks, most newborns are quite content to sleep and just go with the flow. It does take a bit of work to get these artistic images, but I have to say this baby made it easy. His mom & dad are so fun and are doing such a great job as brand-new parents! You can tell they are going to have such a great time together. Thank you, Kim & Mike, for letting me play with your little guy. Mike, I hope you like this little peek ;-) There were so many beautiful images, but as always I saved my favorites for when you all come to the studio for your design session!

The Wisdom of Pooh | Shenandoah Valley Photographer

2010-06-22T19:16:00.006-04:00

"Baby's dreams must be the sweetest," thought Pooh.

This sweet little girl was the most cooperative newborn I have ever photographed :-) She slept through most of our session, only opening her eyes a few times to drink a bit of her bottle. I love newborn sessions! There is something so precious about those tiny features & their sweet little sighs. I am always so excited and honored when parents ask me to create their newborn portraits as this stage is so fleeting. It is wonderful to capture these memories as these little ones grow & change more quickly than we realize.

Thanks to Tony & Shelly for sharing your baby girl with me...she is just beautiful! I hope you enjoy your little peek at our session together.

The Amazing Mr. E...the Sequel

2010-06-20T14:50:00.000-04:00

It is always amazing to me how quickly these little ones grow! You can see some images from the post of this little guy's first photo session back when he was only a few weeks old. He is now a busy guy with lots of smiles who is curious about everything he sees. The bubbles were a big hit and I love the expression on his face as he watched them float by! Wildwood Park in Bridgewater is a wonderful place to take family photos, and the summer evening provided some beautiful light. Here is a sneak peek for his wonderful mom & dad. And a big thanks to his grandma who was a huge help during the session making this little man giggle!

June Wedding | Shenandoah Valley Photographer

2010-06-18T21:30:00.000-04:00

What a fun month this has been! June has been hopping and I am trying to catch up on my workflow. My first priority was to post a few wedding images for some newlyweds! Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. Jack Kerr who were married at the beginning of the month. I hope you all enjoy a sneak peek at your wedding photos. I'm looking forward to showing you all the rest when you come to the studio.

Courage & Sunshine

2010-06-02T17:25:00.016-04:00

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement

that something else is more important than fear.

~Ambrose Redmoon

I was blessed once again have the opportunity to photograph an incredible family for the second time. You may remember our trip to the park last summer and that awesome picture of their little man flying up into the air! For this session, Amanda chose the JMU Arboretum in Harrisonburg. Always a great choice :-) The kids have grown since I saw them last year and were just as cute as ever. We had fun tromping around and following Payten as she found the best photo spots. She even took a turn behind the camera (scroll down to the last photo of her mom & dad together to see her work)! The ever energetic Bryce had fun flirting with my beautiful assistant and little Addy loved the bubbles I brought along.

I chose courage and sunshine as the heading of this post because I am reminded what real courage is each and every time I am with this family. Little Addison struggles to live with Gaucher Disease. It is a very rare condition which in her case cause a number life-threatening issues. Addy and her family face this daunting challenge with a grace and optimism that inspires me. It is obvious that her parents enjoy each in every minute they spend with Addison and her siblings. I am sure that some days must seem overwhelming, but they continue to fight to make each day happy and full of sunshine for her. There are so many unknowns with Gaucher Disease and the search for a cure continues. I saw this quote today and thought of this family. Thanks Amanda & Brett for reminding me of what true courage is...and for allowing me to share a few hours with your wonderful kids. I hope you enjoy your sneak peek...

This is the picture that Payten took!

Vacation was fun...

2010-05-19T20:53:00.010-04:00

...but, I was happy to get back to work, especially if it meant taking some fun maternity pictures of a beautiful mom-to-be and her sweet husband! We started in the studio and then drove over to a nearby park to take advantage the nice afternoon. Things sure got green around here while I was gone. The session was fun and Kim had amazing stamina considering she is only 6 weeks away from delivering her little boy. Can't wait to meet him :-) I hope you all like the sneak peek...

"I think I can get smarter just standing here!"

2010-05-01T14:16:00.008-04:00

The Long Room at Trinity College in Dublin. I loved this room. The look. The smell. The energy. I wanted to go through each row and touch each book. I wanted to spend hours just looking through the pages of these old texts. I wanted to just soak in the immeasurable secrets in this room. I think I could get smarter just standing in that room! Do you think they would notice if I moved into a corner and just hung out for a while? Oh yeah, they would :-( I am not sure who this woman is in the picture below or how she got up on that level, but there was no way any of us tourist types was going up there without a fairy Godmother helping with some pumpkin, mouse and glass slipper trick. Oh, and these are not my pictures as there was a small, highly armed and twitchy man watching us all through his dark glasses prepared to jump if anyone so much as unzipped their bag, never mind tried to take a photo!

Regardless of that small inconvenient truth, this room is now on my short and highly select "most favorite places in the whole world" list. Yes, I am a true book-geek and proud of it...

Travels around Ireland

2010-04-29T16:18:00.023-04:00

We have finally gotten to an area where we have good internet. I am really enjoying my trip to Ireland. It is so fun to be back with Michelle and to spend a bit of time exploring together. Our travels have taken us through countryside, seaside villages & some lively cities. My favorite thus far is definitely the Burren and Connemara. The Burren is quiet and welcoming. These first few pictures are from that area. It is definitely remote and I am sure Michelle & her friends had some moments of feeling quite isolated while at the Burren College of Art in Ballyvaughan. But the area is just beautiful. The picture above was taken while we were walking back from the college to Michelle's house. Most days she would take a portion of The Burren Way to and from class. Now that spring is here the path takes you through beautiful fields, over many stone fences, through the rocky passes of the Burren. You would think an area that is so full of limestone and surrounded by large hills of stone would seem barren, but it doesn't. In fact, the picture above makes me think of a forest full of magic and fairies...

A picture for Jay!

We took a day trip to the Connemara area. This part of Ireland is like nothing I have ever seen before. The land is so unique and the views were incredible. It is not very populated and I imagine life is hard for those who do chose to live there. Many farm peat for a living or raise sheep. The mountains were a remarkable brownish-red color and there were pockets of green, usually centered around some water source. It was typical Irish rainy weather the day were were there and the pockets of sunshine that broke through the clouds made the views even more dramatic.

We also visit Kylemore Abby while were were on our short jaunt. This was built by an Englishman, Mitchell Henry for his Irish bride, Margaret, in the late 1800's. It was meant to be a vacation home, but they loved the area so much they began to spend more time there. Henry was a great innovator and shared his ideas with his neighbors. At this estate, he created the first walled Victorian garden in Ireland. An order of nuns who took over in 1920 (after the estate came up for sale). They repaired the estate and have been working to restore the garden in the last few years.

Visiting Galway was lots of fun. It is a beautiful city with many fun things to see and a shopping area with musicians playing all types of Irish tunes. The people were very friendly and we really enjoyed the long seaside promenade. The lighthouse out in Galway Bay is said to be the last light of home the millions of Irish saw as they left their homeland for America during the Great Hunger.

The Luck of the Irish!

2010-04-20T21:01:00.003-04:00

Well, I am off to Ireland for a fun two week vacation with my daughter, Michelle. She has been studying at the Burren College of Art in Ballyvaughn this semester and just finished her classes today! Congratulations, Michelle :-)

I have been planning this trip for months so you might imagine my level of unhappiness when that volcano started messing up my plans. In fact, I was actually scheduled to leave yesterday, but my flight into Shannon was cancelled. However, I am truly and clearly Irish because the airspace over the Emerald Isle has opened again! And, I am guessing there must not be many folks deciding that it is a good idea to travel towards the ash covered skies of Europe, so I was able to jump into a seat for tomorrow....YAY! No risk, no reward...right?

Anyway, Synergy Photography is on hiatus for the next two weeks. Don't worry all you folks who have ordered prints and products. The labs have our orders and all of it should arrive shortly after I return home on May 4th. I will have email so please send me a note if you need me...I will be happy to answer while I am tipping back a pint or two at the pub ;-)

As I seldom travel anywhere without my camera, I will be sure to post some pictures of our wanderings through the Irish countryside. Check back often to see our adventures!

Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

2010-04-19T15:27:00.000-04:00

...for graduating seniors anyway! And it is for those of us who are so proud of them and their accomplishments. Our family has traveled through this experience three times already and this year we hit a new milestone...our oldest is graduating from the University of Virginia with both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Gotta love those five year programs!

As for my photography, I have to say that I really enjoy photographing high school seniors. It is fun to meet them, get to know them a little and then to work together to create some unique portraits that say something about who they are right now...at this point in their lives. At Synergy Photography, we limit the number of sessions we do each week, so that we can give each client the attention and focus they deserve. There are a few places in our area that will happily take many times the number of senior clients than we do, but I can guarantee you won't match our quality or commitment to making each session fun, relaxing and a memorable experience for everyone.

Here is a quick peek at some of the senior sessions we have had in the last few weeks. If you are interested in learning more about us, please email or give us a call - 540.820.3759! We are currently booking for the end of May and into June of this year.

Chapman Wedding | Shenandoah Valley Wedding Photographer

2010-04-18T11:25:00.000-04:00

April weather in Virginia is usually a roller coaster of temperature & precipitation, but not this year! We have had wonderfully warm days and I think most everyone is happy to enjoy the sun after our two blizzards earlier this year. This lovely couple was especially happy that the weather was so nice in early April! The Chapman wedding was a beautiful event held at the Cross Keys Vineyard. Great venue, great food and great friends made for a memorable wedding. Steve & Laura, I hope you all enjoy your sneak peek!

Bikes sure are tricky things...| Synergy Photography

2010-03-23T13:51:00.025-04:00

As every little boy knows, bikes are tricky. They never seem to do what you want them to and they can get away from you in the blink of an eye! My youngest son had fun this weekend trying to master his bike (many thanks to cousin Connor to passing it on to him). Now for most 4 yr olds, riding a bike is a rite of passage. Once they overcome their fear, it is not too difficult to begin pedaling and moving along on their own. After a short time, they don't even have to think about balancing & pedaling becomes second nature. If they are like my other boys), they quickly move on to figuring out how to do all manner of cool tricks.

But for Chedner, riding a bike is a whole different type of adventure. You see, Chedner's has Caudal Regression Syndrome and his spinal cord ends at his sacrum. Along with many other medical issues, this means that Ched does not have the same nerves that control sensation and movement to his legs as we do. It is difficult for him to feel where his feet are and he had to work hard to learn to walk, run & climb. Chedner often doesn't feel when he cuts his legs or feet...in fact, he took a chunk out of his leg while riding this day & we didn't know until I discovered the cut later. That diminished sensation makes it challenging to pedal a tricycle or a bike. He understands the movement, but his feet often slip off the pedals. He can't feel the resistance on the pedal and therefore doesn't understand to increase the pressure by pushing harder with his legs to make the pedal continue moving. Ched has never figured out how to ride a tricycle though his wonderful PT at school is working hard on this. We have a trike here, but with his big brothers riding bikes, Chedner has apparently decided to skip that stage and move on to the big boy ride!

So, with great enthusiasm he was off...
He lost the bike several times, but was determined to get it to the top of his hill by himself..."I do I self, MOM!"

But alas, bikes are tricky things...and gravity had a mind of its own...

Finally, he caught up with it and repeated this same sequence a number of times. I have to applaud him, he continued to try to get it up the hill with only a few kicks at and admonishments for the bike... "cmon, bike!", "You doe up dis hill!", "You be good lisner!"
Finally, Jay decided to try a new strategy and convinced Ched to take it on the road. Because of the cars nearby and his brothers zooming around him, Chedner was willing to accept assistance from his big, strong Daddy. Yes, my sons are nothing if not chauvinists at heart.

I have no doubt that while bikes can be tricky things, my "never say quit" son will soon be chasing his brothers down the road, over the jumps and wherever else they might lead him.

**This post is dedicated to Michelle in Ireland. We miss you and are excited to see you when this semester is over!**

World Down Syndrome Day

2010-03-21T12:53:00.011-04:00

My face maybe different

But my feelings the same

I laugh and I cry
And I take pride in my gains
I was sent here among you
To teach you love
As God in the heavens
Looks down from above
To Him I'm no different
His loves knows no bounds
It's cities and towns
That judge me by standards
That man has imparted
But this family I've chosen
Will help me get started
For I'm one of the special children
So special and few
That came here to learn
The same lessons as you
That love is acceptance
It must come from the heart
We all have the same purpose
Though not all the same start
The Lord gave me life
To live and embrace
And I'll do it as you
But at my own pace.

~author unknown

Parenting children is a tough job and some weeks are tougher than others. Our son, Gabe, entered high school this year and he is still trying to figure out this brave new world. It is never easy to make big changes and when you are someone who depends on routines to feel safe, big changes are just plain scary. New turf + new kids + new teachers + new rules = stress! Although we have worked to help Gabe with this transition and have high expectations of him & for him, this year has proven more difficult than we would have imagined. But what he has taught me this year is this: Gabe will always look for the fun, Gabe will always embrace his peers (sometimes quite literally if they happen to be female & cute), and Gabe will always, always challenge authority. What I learned most was that having Down Syndrome doesn't make you less of a teenager...it puts you right in the middle of the pack :-) So, today on World Down Syndrome Day I salute Gabriel...and all the others with that extra sprinkle of chromosomes! Thank you for making our world so bright & shiny! Now, let's go break out some ketchup sandwiches and root beer!

If you have ever considered adopting a child with Down Syndrome, please check out this website: Reece's Rainbow - they help find families for children with Down Syndrome from all over the world.

Being behind the Lens

2010-03-17T08:08:00.007-04:00

For the most part, I love being behind the camera. While I love taking photographs, I am not all that crazy about being in photographs! That preference usually works well for me. Every now and then someone will catch me in a photograph, taking photographs:

I recently found this great photog blog: The Savvy Photographer

Lots of information, ideas and some fun give-aways! This week's give-away is a marketing kit for "Mommy & Me" photo sessions. The idea is that most moms usually spend their time behind the lens. I know this is true as there are actually few photos of me with any of my seven kids! I was joking at the beach last year that from looking at our many vacation photos you might think that I didn't even go on the trips!

I really like this is a great idea for mini sessions and I am hoping to put something together soon.

Springing Forward | Shenandoah Valley Photographer

2010-03-08T21:37:00.008-05:00

Spring is here! Well, almost...it is at least very close by! After several months of incredibly cold & snowy days, it is so nice to be outside and enjoying sunshine. This bridal session was definitely a fun way to celebrate the nice weather. Laura did such a great job ignoring the chilly wind blowing on Saturday and looked absolutely beautiful in her wedding dress. Those bright flowers she carried added a wonderful pop of color as the backdrop is still a bit muted. By the time her wedding arrives in a month, the grounds at Cross Keys Vineyard will look as beautiful as she does!

Laura, I hope you enjoy your sneak peek...see you on Saturday!

Haitian Super Heros

2010-02-09T12:02:00.013-05:00

Having reached our 11th snow day here in the Shenandoah Valley, our four guys are working hard to entertain themselves :-) There is always a lot of grumbling when I mention it is time to read. I personally love to spend time in a good book, but my guys aren't big literary fans, so I decided to entice them by reading "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightening Thief" aloud. They want to see the movie that arrives in theaters on Friday, so I have promised that if they commit themselves to this reading time, we will see the movie once we have finished the book. I am hopeful it is working as the two youngest decided to be Super Heros/Greek Gods and stamp out injustice and dust bunnies wherever they could find them. It is such fun to watch them "fly" around the house and cure all the evils of the world. If it were only that easy...

Each day as I watch the news or see images on the computer, I am personally thankful that life brought these two little Haitians into our hearts. It is impossible not to see my boys in the faces of the hungry, injured and orphaned children in Port-au-Prince. We know that our family was blessed beyond measure when we brought them home. It is not for us to know why or how they were chosen for this life here in Virginia. We simply trust and believe that their lives have a special purpose and pray that we will help them discover that path. With all the arguing in the media, it is so easy to get caught up in the debate over what is the right way and wrong way to help the little ones in Haiti. Over the years of working in Haiti, it has become very clear that when it comes to caring for orphans there can be no one answer that covers the situation of each & every child separated from family in Haiti. I believe that every child deserves the love and security of a family. If it is not possible for that to happen within their country & culture than there should be other options. I am hopeful that politics will be set aside as the world tries to help the Haitian people (big & small) move forward and that we can find opportunities to for all Haitian children to grow & prosper regardless of where they live.

That being said, today we give thanks for our family here and in Haiti as we learned that Pierre's Haitian mom is alive and well! Many thanks to all our family & friends who have contacted us in the last few weeks expressing support and prayers for her well-being and for Pierre's heavy heart as we waited to hear. We have not heard about Ched's family but are praying the news will reach us that they are okay as well.

William and Family

2010-02-01T21:46:00.012-05:00

Since my last post, I have been getting myself organized for 2010. I can't say that I am there yet...but I'm getting closer! This fun family was my first photo session after the New Year and one of the first to be entered from my studio in the NILMDTS charity model search. It was such a rainy cold day, but the studio was warm and William (cool dude reclining below) kept us all busy and smiling!

Don't you love William and his Dad doing their best "James Bond" impression?

To see the families we've entered in the contest, go to Sandy Puc Models and click on the gallery. You can filter the images by tour city...ours is Richmond! Don't forget to vote for your favorite. The family that gets the most votes wins a new car and NILMDTS will receive all the proceeds to help fund their charity this year. It is a "win - win" for everyone!

Wishing a Rainbow for Haiti

2010-01-14T21:44:00.011-05:00

My heart is heavy...so heavy I am finding it difficult to get much work done this week. I have had the privilege to travel to Haiti many times over the years. I have met so many wonderful people in Haiti...both Haitian & American. This week's earthquake has caused devastation that is beyond comprehension, even for individuals who have traveled & spent time in Haiti. This country & her people live on the edge of existence...there is no room for error...the balancing act between life & death is precarious even on a good day. We are thinking about and praying for friends & family who are still unaccounted for tonite. Our family includes the Haitian families of our two sons adopted from Haiti. It is difficult to explain to such small boys what has happened. Thanks to the many friends here in the US who have sent messages to tell us they are thinking about our family and those we are connected with in Haiti. Many have asked how they might help. Our contacts are all saying the same thing: send money. It is too time-consuming and too difficult to send material goods. I have included some links that you can go to if you have the heart to contribute. My best advice is to give to those organizations who have had a presence in Haiti for years and those who will help with medical care & children. There are many good people working hard everyday and especially now to make a difference for children & their families.

I have posted a few photos from my trips there. These are all from the Port au Prince area. It is a beautiful country with incredibly strong & resilient people. I don't know how I would pick myself back up after a disaster like this, but I am confident that they will. Until they can, I will continue to pray for a rainbow of help & hope for them all.

My last visit with Pierre's birth mother in Port au Prince.

Heartline Ministries - they work with women & children. Some friends of mine are missionaries with this group. You can see their blog updates on the what is happening right now in Haiti at: www.livesayhaiti.blogspot.com

World Wide Village - an umbrella group that helps with many areas in Haiti. The Livesay Family also helps with this organization.

Partners in Health - A medical group run by Dr. Paul Farmer. Extremely well run and has a strong permanent team in Haiti.

Hope for Haiti - another medical missions group that has a strong permanent presence in Haiti. These folks help a lot of children.

Hearts with Haiti - This organization helps with a group home for children with disabilities and two homes for street boys. Their main home & guest house collapsed during the earthquake. The children are all accounted for and safe. The director was injured but is receiving care. They will need a lot of funding to get the resources they need to care for all of the children.

Lastly, the group I have worked with over the last few years is Angel Missions Haiti. We provide medical services to children through a medical visa program, through partnerships with numerous orphanages and with a new surgery center that was due to be opened in April 2009. The status of our center is unknown at this time. We will use any funds we receive to support our partner organizations we are already working in Haiti at this time.

Are You North America's Cutest Family???

2010-01-10T13:57:00.005-05:00

Synergy Photography are participating in the International Charity Model Search to select North America’s Cutest Family and to raise funds for the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation. (NILMDTS.org) This important non-profit group provides photography services to families whose newborn babies are stillborn or terminally ill. These precious children will never come home from the hospital, but through these photography services families will forever have images they can cherish. We have a local chapter that provides services to UVa., Martha Jefferson, AMC & RMH. This Model Search is their main fundraiser each year and we are thrilled to be participating. So, here is how you can help...

Are your loved ones North America’s Cutest Family? We’ll give you the opportunity to prove it! Many exciting prizes will be awarded, and the grand prize winner receives a new car!

Model Search Special:

$50 entrance fee includes a 45-minute model session and one image submitted to the national gallery.

Finalists will be determined by online votes. Each vote is $1 (no limit on the amount of votes you can cast), and all proceeds from votes benefit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS.org).

Grand prize international winner will be determined from the 52 city finalists. The winners will be selected from the finalist gallery by photography and modeling industry experts. The winning family also receives a session with the renowned portrait artist Sandy Puc’ and international recognition.

Call 540-820-3759 now to enter your family in this exciting contest.

*Contest open to residents of the US and Canada. For more information, visit http://sandypucmodels.com/.

Happy New Year

2010-01-06T20:13:00.020-05:00

The New Year brought some big news to our house! My eldest daughter, Kelly had the wonderful experience of being proposed to by her sweet boyfriend on New Year's Eve. This clever young guy planned it out carefully and brought her back to the place where they met & fell in love...the University of Virginia. After dinner at a trendy restaurant in Charlottesville, Taylor took Kelly to see The Lawn all lit up for the holidays and proposed to her on the steps of The Rotunda. Very Romantic! Needless to say, we are all giddy and so excited for the two of them.

Before heading back to Mississippi (where Taylor is stationed for training...he is a pilot in the US Air Force), they stopped back by the house for a quick visit. Kelly really wanted to take some engagement photos as Taylor will not be back in Virginia between now and the wedding this summer. This was our one chance to get some portraits that we can use in the Reception Book. So, we all braved the incredibly cold temperatures (19 degrees and windy) and went for a walk down by the river. It was really fun despite our toes freezing! We also took some studio shots to balance out the cool snow photos. They both did a great job...especially Taylor who did a superb job ignoring the fact that it was his future mother-in-law on the other side of the lens.

Hope you all like the sneak peek! Kelly, I'll show you the rest when you get back later this month :-) We love you both!

A Boy & a Dog

2009-12-30T14:07:00.017-05:00

Have you ever asked yourself what is so irresistible about a boy & a dog? Or maybe it is just irresistible to me? Either way, these two were just precious together. The bond is obvious & was fun to try and capture in pictures. I love the way this little guy tried to hug & kiss a dog that stood almost at his height and most certainly outweighed him by many pounds. The dog, Gus, was very patient and sat for us without even the enticement of a Milk bone biscuit. The fact that he actually sat on Daniel at one point made us all chuckle! For me, there is just something about this symbol of boyhood that made me happy to be on the other side of the lens.

Choose love...

2009-11-22T13:02:00.030-05:00

"Children are the hands by which we hold heaven."

~Henry Ward Beecher

As the holiday approaches this week, I have been thinking about all that I am thankful for & can easily say that my family & friends are at the top of the list. This year has been a year of change for our family and for many others. The uncertainty in our country & the world can cause us to question our choices, our futures & even our beliefs. No doubt those questions stem from the fear that surrounds us. However, there is always a force stronger than that fear...quite simply...it is love. This gentle force binds us in ways that cannot be broken. It fills us with a light that cannot be diminished. Love is as important to us as air, water & food. Without it, none of us can survive. I have learned in recent years that love is often a choice. Yes, I know "falling in love" is seen as involuntary & spontaneous. I believe that can be true. However, the kind of love that propels us to ignore the fear, nourishes our souls, forgives all hurts and strengthens us in times of doubt...I believe that kind of love is a choice.

Most parents would agree that nothing inspires us to love like a child. Their vulnerability affects us in untold ways & sparks a measure of selflessness previously unknown. Their joy is infectious & their ability to unconditionally love reminds us of how we should all care for one another. A family I photographed this week gave me an incredible gift by allowing me to take their portraits. Their beautiful children giggled, danced, ran and hugged their way through our session. Watching their sweet faces through my lens, reminded me of how I felt when each of our children came home to us. The love & joy in their parents' eyes reaffirmed for me that it is always right to choose love. Fear & doubt will always be a part of life, but when we choose to turn away from that darkness & towards the light, the rewards are priceless.

Nate & Sara, thank you for the fun afternoon. Your family is awesome! I hope you enjoy the sneak peek...honestly, there were so many great images, I had trouble choosing just a few!

Dream girl

2009-11-16T11:35:00.010-05:00

Last week was little boys, this week I photographed some sweet little girls. Don't you just love the pose in the photo above? Dream was just that...a dream model! She is a beautiful little girl with an awesome smile. We had fun playing with the flowers & the pink chair. I loved all the questions she asked and that she wasn't afraid to tell me what she thought about those bright lights...we worked together to figure out a way that we could use the lights without them bothering her eyes ;-) Dream brought her mom, dad and baby sister along so we were able to get portraits of everyone!

Baby Skyler was so alert that we actually only snapped a few with her asleep. For only being three weeks old, she made great eye contact & was curious about everything going on around her. Mom & dad were awesome and it was a fun session. I hope you all enjoy the sneak peek!

"...and I gots fwends!"

2009-11-05T13:47:00.017-05:00

Sometimes, I have to remind myself to take photos of my own children! Before I started Synergy Photography, they were always the focus of my photography as I tried to improve my skills. Now, I don't have as much time and, to be honest, I think they are somewhat relieved! I wanted to share a few images I did take a few weeks ago of two cute boys!

My youngest son, Ched (above), started preschool this fall. With that big step, he discovered the magical world of friendship. Whenever anyone asks him if he likes school, his eyes light up & he usually says, "YES...and I gots fwends!" Now that Ched has opened this special door, he tends to see potential "fwends" wherever we go. It is so fun to watch him get excited when he sees that there is another little boy to play with! He isn't quite enlightened enough yet to think little girls are good playmates...I'm sure that will come in time with coaching from his older sisters and over the objections of his older brothers ;-)

These photos are from an evening soccer practice where Ched was thrilled to play with his new friend, "Jwakey", otherwise known to his parents as Jacob. They were so funny together and had alot of fun running around while I trailed behind with my camera. I like using black & white processing when there is alot of contrast in my subjects or depth of field. I also like using it with children as it sometimes shows their features more clearly. With the obvious contrast in looks between these two "fwends", it seemed like a good fit.

Jacob's little sister wasn't too sure about those crazy boys and was content to just sit & observe. Is she cute with those little pony tails or what??!!

Living in the Moment...

2009-11-02T10:20:00.028-05:00

I love photographing boys. I guess it may be because I currently live with four (five if you count the 47 year old boy I am married to) and am beginning to understand their particular sense of humor. I have three adult daughters who taught me a great deal about being a mom and I already knew quite a bit about being a girl, but these boys are leading me into a whole new world. I am inspired by their creativity, energy and sensitivity. They are funny & silly & kind, but most of all they seem to understand that it is all about living in the moment. And for photographers...it is all about the "moment"! Today's sneak peek is courtesy of Calvin & Henry...two guys who certainly understand this philosophy!

I like this Cesare Pavese quote, “We do not remember days, we remember moments. The richness of life lies in memories we have forgotten.” For me, my photography is about not forgetting those memories. It is a way to remember more than just what a child looked like at a certain age. Taking a snapshot in time that merely shows size & shape is simply a form of documentation, and to be honest, most anyone with a digital camera can do that. The challenge I give myself is to do more than that. I want my images to preserve a child as they were in that moment. I want not just an image of their grin, but a glimpse of the spark of mischeviousness behind that smile. I want their parents to see more than their blue eyes...I want them to see their adventurous spirit shimmering in those bright eyes. I admit that at times I think I have set my bar a bit high and feel like I fall short. But then, I am able to spend a few hours with little guys like Calvin & Henry. Watching them, I am again inspired to enjoy the moment in which I stand and enjoy the energy around me. These two brothers are fun, energetic, and quite imaginative. I loved their "slow motion" running and dramatic NFL style tackles. With my camera, I captured the quiet moment when Henry froze in mid-tackle to softly pet a barn kitten that had wandered into the game zone. In several images, I also captured the encouragement, kindness & affection that Calvin shows his little brother. Along the way, I learned that bulls are actually color blind...this fun fact was mentioned as we discussed whether or not there were any of the farm's bulls in the field where we would be taking some of the photos. After their mom assured us there were no bulls, we enjoyed the beautiful morning and were able to capture some great images.

Many thanks to Calvin & Henry for a fun morning! Hope you enjoy your sneak peek...

Three Perfect Sisters...

2009-10-28T22:48:00.020-04:00

Many of you know that my two youngest sons are adopted from Haiti. Jay and I have had a heart for the children in that country for many years and I have been fortunate to travel there on a numerous trips. I have also served on the board of Angel Missions Haiti for the last 4 years. Angel Missions Haiti (www.angelmissionshaiti.blogspot.com) works to arrange donated medical care for the sickest children in Haiti who are unable to be treated in their home country. Many of these children come to the US to receive the care they need. We have also been fortunate to be a host family in the past. Once the children are healthy, they are reunited with their anxious Haitian families. In addition to the medical visa program, AMH is collaborating with other organizations to build a much needed pediatric surgical center in Port au Prince. This will allow us to provide the children with life-saving care without having to seperate them from their families. As with most non-profit groups, AMH is struggling to raise funds for all of these services.

I was blessed yesterday with the opportunity to travel to Roanoke to see my friend Vanessa who is the director of AMH. She is currently caring for triplet girls who were born in the mountains of Haiti to a very poor family who didn't have the resources to feed their tiny babies. The mother asked Vanessa to take the babies who were so close to dying and to help them as Angel Missions has helped other children from her village. These little sisters only weighed a few pounds each when they were found, but are growing quickly now. At four months, they range in weight between 7 - 9 lbs. Their names are Faith, Hope & Grace and they are just a few of the many children who will benefit from Angel Missions Haiti services this year.

All of the pictures on this post were taken yesterday. It was so fun to play with three tiny girls all at once. They look like newborns, but act older & have incredible smiles. They were all very patient with me & my camera. In fact, they would each watch me as I moved around taking photos of their sisters. I was amazed at how happy & content they were. I hope you enjoy seeing the portraits as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Faith:

Hope (the littlest):

Hope & Faith snuggling:

Grace (the biggest & strongest of the three):

We took a few Christmas pictures to use in our end-of-year program update & fundraising letter that will go out in the next month. Hoping that not many people can resist these sweet faces!

They were so funny when we put them all together. Hope is the happiest in the middle when she can be touching both of her other sisters. In fact, she likes to sleep while holding on to the other two girls! Grace was content to just hang out, but Faith had decided that she wanted to eat & take a nap. I freely admit that I was more than happy to put my camera down and spend some time feeding and cuddling her! I hope to take some more photos of them in the coming months as they get bigger & stronger so please check back to see their progress.

For comparison, here is the photo Vanessa took of the girls shortly before bringing them to the US in September. Notice that they are covered by wash clothes and their size compared to the baby bottle beside them!

A New Look

2009-09-29T11:30:00.009-04:00

Sometimes it is fun to try new things and go new places...that is one reason I love taking Senior portraits. All of the young people I have met are such unique individuals. They may all be going through this last year of high school at the same time, but their journeys are different as are their goals & interests. A big thanks to Ashley for taking me to some new places and helping me to take a new look at some familiar places! In the spirit of trying something different, I used a texture on the picture above. It definitely gives it a sort of a new "old" look...like an old photograph you found while digging through the attic.

Ashley, you did a great job...I hope you like your sneak peek!

Window Seat

2009-09-15T21:03:00.008-04:00

Hey Addison, here is your sneak peek. Thanks for hanging out with all us girls (4 to 1 ratio) for a few hours. You did a great job with the photo session and I love the way your images turned out. I wanted to say that I thought you had some very cool ideas...the window shot is definitely one of my all time favorites!

Ladies before Gentlemen...

2009-09-14T11:21:00.013-04:00

I know...strange title for this post. Let me explain...last week, I had a senior session with two cousins. They are both graduating from the same high school and wanted to have their pictures done at the same time. Both Jenna & Addison did a great job and were fun together. Between the two of them and Jenna's sister & Addison's mom, there was plenty of goofing around, laughs and beautiful smiles. Addison was ever the gentleman and often deferred to Jenna, patiently waiting until it was his turn. We managed to take photos of both of them in the time it takes normally to do one session, and although we used the same location, the images look very different from each other.

Following the flow of the shoot, I am putting Jenna's sneak peek on the blog first. As you will see, Jenna looked totally amazing and the session was lots fun! As I began editing, I had to laugh at the many proofs of her making funny faces, being silly and basically having a great time. Even when we struggled a bit with the wind blowing her hair around, she just took it all in stride. Scroll down to the bottom to see what I mean. Oh, and don't forget to tune in tomorrow for Addison's pics!

Livin' in the Sweet Virginia Breeze

2009-09-02T10:50:00.015-04:00

While this will definitely give you a clue to my age, I just have to say that I love that song! The Robbin Thompson Band has been on my mind as these last days of this summer in Virginia have been just wonderful! Our usual fare of hot & humid weather had given way to some gorgeous mild afternoons with cool breezes.

Last weekend, I was drove out to Sugarloaf Farms for an engagement session with Jack & Christy. These two are a fun couple and quite cute together! The farm where we photographed is truly one of the most beautiful pieces of land in the valley & Jack is fortunate to work there! You can see some of the landscape in this sneak peek. Christy & Jack, thanks for a fun afternoon...can't wait to go back and photograph the reception next summer!

(Okay, seriously...in the picture below, aren't you just dying to know what Jack said to her with that sly look in his eye??? Whatever it was, it sure made her blush & giggle! This one proves the point that you have to watch out for those quiet, cowboy types!)

We spent over an hour just walking and taking photos. It was fun and relaxing for me and even the happy couple seemed to relax & forget I was there at times.

A Universal Truth...

2009-07-30T13:17:00.016-04:00

...brothers will never miss an opportunity to mess with their sisters (and that makes for fun photo ops)! This was another creative senior session and, despite the heat & humidity, we climbed around the trains for a bit. Later, Matt took us on a hike to a favorite spot of his down at the river. It was a great location, and definitely cooler than at the tracks. Another one of those truths? Listening to the grumblings of his sisters as they tromped through the thorn bushes, just made him grin a bit more ;-) Thanks for taking the hike with us, girls! I enjoyed it and we got some great images that I hope your mom will really like!

Please can we go to the Park??

2009-07-26T12:44:00.013-04:00

Okay, if you want to get great traditional portraits of your kids here is some advice: Don't take them to a very cool playground park! BUT, if you want to get incredibly amazing portraits of your kids that show how awesomely fun they are & to remind you in years to come the joy you felt watching them be just be themselves...absolutely go to the park!! This was such a fun photo shoot and I am so glad that their mom called and asked me to photograph these three beautiful children. Here is a little sneak peek for their parents:

Chloe

2009-07-26T12:35:00.008-04:00

Hey Chloe! Here are your sneak peek photos from our session last week. You look amazing! It was great fun for me...hope you enjoyed it too :-) Also, I have to say I think it was a fun & unique idea to have your sibs come for a few shots.

Wedding Day Bliss!

2009-06-19T19:26:00.008-04:00

I'm back from my quick mini "vaca" and have finished editing the 450+ proofs from Eddie & Ashley Summers wedding! An incredibly beautiful day with a handsome groom & gorgeous bride always provides incredibly wonderful images. In fact, my job is turns out to be quite easy!

I have posted all of the proofs in their gallery on my website at: http://www.synergyphotographyonline.com/ - go to the clients section.

For a quick peek at the wedding, watch this slideshow. Don't worry, it is a low-resolution file which means it will load somewhat fast. For readers without high speed internet, this should mean you can view it as well. Unfortunately, the downside is that the movie will have a bit of fuzz as it plays. To see the very beautiful & very clear images in all their splendiferousness, you'll need to go to the website ;-)

Enjoy!

From This Moment...

2009-06-03T17:44:00.012-04:00

It was a perfect day for a wedding! With friends & family looking on, Ashley & Eddie took their vows and pledged undying love. Then the celebration began! Here is a sneak peek of some of the beautiful images from the day.

The Amazing Mr. E

2009-05-26T12:24:00.010-04:00

This beautiful boy came by yesterday to have his first portraits taken. Incredibly adorable, snuggly sweet and with an inquisitive mind at just 18 days old, Ezra watched me very carefully as I moved around with my camera. He let me know that things at the studio were far too interesting to be missed. Despite his mom's valient efforts, this little man did not want to sleep through any of the session ;-) We did finally get him to snooze briefly and took advantage of the moment to get a few images.

Thank you both for sharing your little boy with me. You are very cool new parents! I know you three are going to have lots of wonderful adventures together...

Thought for the Day...

2009-05-18T18:08:00.004-04:00

A Bridal Session

2009-05-14T20:22:00.009-04:00

Ashley, you are an incredibly beautiful bride-to-be! Thanks for letting me take your bridal portraits. Hope you like this sneak preview...there are more to see next week when you get back from graduation!