Sneak Peek for the S family!!!

I had the immense pleasure of photographing the S family's newest addition, Baby H. She's perfect in SO many ways, all pink and plump. She was such a happy little girl, and very awake.


I promised myself I wouldn't do this- that I would pick just ONE version to put up here, but since I'm the queen of indecisiveness, here's both.





Hope you guys enjoied your sneak peek- I'll be in touch with the rest soon!

Who Needs Blue Bonnets?

In that lovely, large state of Texas (and perhaps elsewhere, I'm not sure) there is a wonderful phenomenon every spring. All over the state fields of beautiful "blue bonnet" wildflowers errupt. People will stop along the roadside, plop their children (dressed in their easter finery or sunday best, I'm sure) into the middle of these fields and snap a few dozen picutres. Photographers have sessions with their clients in fields of these delicate, colorful blooms. It's beautiful- or at least I imagine. You see, I've heard of these fields, buy I have never actually seen them for myself. I have seen pictures from these sessions of fellow photographers, and they are fantastic images. The problem is that I do not live in a state like Texas, where wildflowers spread over fields- at least not THIS early in the year. I live in New York. Specifically "Cloud-i-cott" as we locals deem it every year. I thought that any chance of an early spring session in a field of wildflowers was just not meant to be for this photographer.

Then along came the Dandilions! Sure, they're technically a weed- people don't want them invading their lawns and we all fight the good fight for dandilion free lawns each year, but they CAN be pretty! Seriously!

I happen to drive by a few fields just about every day- well there's this one that I never take much notice of- untill today. It was filled with dandilions- little yellow blooms all over the place. And, I just so happened to have my camera with me. Now I hadn't planned this impromptu session, so the outfit isn't exactly what I would have chosen, but hey, it really works. SO- here's a teaser for you- just one image from today- I have to get to editing the rest. Tomorrow.

Who Needs Blue Bonnets? Not Me!

something different... Binghamton area Photographer

This is a little something different from me, but man I had fun doing them.





As far as what's going on around here... well I'm still working on building the portfolio, doing the model call, getting the house cleaned out for spring, dealing with a stupid cold (at least it's not swine flu!) and a semi-sick Isabelle. Swimming lessons for both kids, Karate, story time for Isabelle, school, end of year activities for both schools, deciding on summer camps & activities... well, let's just say I'm busy. Happy, but busy.

We fully enjoied the summer like weather last week and I look forward to it returning. I do love the sun. Plus that means it's better for out door sessions! Whoot!

Happy Easter...

Today was a busy, productive, happy day at the Plate household. We started bright and early around 10am with a trip to Friendlys for brunch... ok, so it DID get better after that. (oh, and yah, my breakfast stunk... but that's besides the point). We came home to get started dying our easter eggs- it was a much less messy experience than in years' past. The one thing I don't like about dying easter eggs is you end up with dirty looking hands on Easter Sunday from dunking your fingers in the dye cups because your siblings are hogging the dipper thing and the dye gets all up under your nails and around the dead skin next to your nails, and no matter how hard you scrub them, it won't come off, so you're all dressed up in a frilly, pretty dress and your hands look like you work in the tannery... whoa, flash back. Sorry again.



Once we got that all cleaned up, we spent the day outside digging out the area for the pool- it wasn't very even, and the 4 ft. pop up pool we put up every summer had a deep end and a shallow end. Yah, I don't think the structure of the thing could have taken another year of that. So we dug, and dumped, and dug, and dumped. I guess I should say Earl dug and dumped while I mostly watched. I helped spread the dirt at the dump site- the big holes in the front of the house where we yanked out the dead bushes when we moved in. 4 years ago. MAYBE this year I'll get something in there. It looks like a new construction that ran out of funds for landscaping. Isabelle helped as much as she could with her broken shovel- and nope- the Easter bunny had no idea, so he's not delivering one to this house- maybe Grandmas??? The girl LOVES to chase the worms, scoop them into her bucket and call them her pets... just don't ask her to TOUCH one. That's a bad idea. At least she doesn't run screaming from them.

We also found a tree that MIGHT make a decent tree house tree. I have always wanted the kids to have a tree house. It'll probably have to be rather small though... it's not that big of a tree. Now Isabelle wants to go buy the materials and start working on it- "today please!"

While we didn't get a LONG list of things done, it was still a productive day. I'll take it. Oh- and we still have to have the Easter Bunny come tonight.




and this is what life with an "almost" teenager gets you:

I'm crafty!!!

So occasionally I truely believe that I can be crafty- well, I can, but not everything turns out the way I'd like. I had success with the knitting loom to make some props, but crochet- well, that didn't go so well. Lets just say that 9+ mos and all I ended up with was a mis-shapen, square-ish blanket looking thing that was only big enough to be used for a doll. Not the beautiful, soft, snuggly blanket for my darling newborn daughter. I tried again with the pillow-case dress- having much more success with that one, and only one not so hot attempt. Anyway- I got bit by the crafty bug again, so I plugged in the sewing machine. I really want to make this cute purse I found online, but settled for a much simpler skirt for Isabelle for now. Not terrible, if I do say so myself. Now I'm not about to try and sell this stuff- so the un-even hem and un-finnished seams are fine by me. But I LOVE that I can pick my own materials and make the colors and patterns I want. I might have to crank out a few more skirts for her for the summer- I think summer clothes are a good idea, that way if they fall appart, at least she won't be cold!

Thought I'd share...

I got this from a friends' blog and fell in love. It's really great- Love the words, have found myself asking these questions of myself and my own art for a LONG time, off and on. Enjoy.

Child in a dressed up world.

That big session with Isabelle is swamping me... It's what I get for taking advantage of her cooperative mood that day. LOL. I was also able to do some of Alex outside on Saturday, but havn't gotten to them yet. He's SUCH a teenager... I'm loosing my cooperative model in him- and gaining it in Isabelle. I guess I'll take it.

Oh- and dress up is HUGE for her right now, she Loves all things jewels and tiarras, dresses and high heels. Grandma got her earings and shoes last week and they've been well loved ever since!
















Rockin the cowgirl boots!


Ask the girl to pose, this is what you get!