For the last couple of years, Kyle has had me take photos of him with his brilliant daughter, Avalon. I think he does these with his Mother in mind, as the shoot is usually around mother’s day, but I seriously can’t think of a sweeter way to celebrate Kyle and Avalon’s relationship. These two are buds, through and through and I love that Kyle is having these moments captured for Avalon to look back on one day as well. There’s nothing like a girl and her Daddy… so precious.
Man, do I love this age! I don’t want to rush a minute with my Ramona, but I have to say, I’m looking forward to this stage in her little life. Emma Rose is a RIOT! Miss personality. She’s a performer through and through. She knows what she wants and gets it. She’s also a tough little cookie. With her older 2-year-old brother, Porter she has to put up with a bit of physical rough and touch, if you will. I had a great time with the Sowa’s documenting this stage in their families life. Can’t wait to see Emma Rose again when she is Porter’s age. Watch out world!
I’ve dusted off the trusty cameras and am back to grind. While I’ve been savoring every second with Ramona and of being a new mother, it feels pretty good to get back to doing something that is 100% me. I get to express myself artistically and tell stories again. I get to people watch, and study and capture the human condition… Of course I’ve been photographing my little Ramona like a crazy woman (that will be Monday’s post), but there is just something different and exciting about going to a stranger’s house for a family session, or meeting at a seedy hotel for a edgy boudoir. It’s almost an adventure, and I’ve missed those. The Dillman’s were my first official shoot back to work. They are regular clients and I’ve been photographing them since Shami was pregnant with her first, Landon. This shoot was the last in a series of 4 that I’ve done over the last 16 months for them–a “watch me grow” package for baby Levi—so not exactly an adventure, but I will say it was a great way to get my feet wet again. I’m loving family documentary photography even more now that I have my own little bean, and I think I am approaching shoots with even more empathy and more honesty… So without further ado, meet Shami, Dan, Landon and little levi.
It’s good to be back!
I have learned a very important first lesson in parenting… We have very little control.
I became a mama about 2 months into my pregnancy. I was in denial the first month and had no real connection to the little sprout in my womb, but something happened after I heard Ramona’s heartbeat. She became real and I started to believe that this pregnancy, although somewhat of a shock, was probably meant to be. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, and honestly if Jesse and I were to ever have children it probably needed to happen sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, we women do have a shelf life when it comes to fertility. I hate that.
I immediately started reading voraciously about what would now be the new direction of my life and quickly became a little obsessed with natural childbirth. It has always seemed so beautiful to me–so natural and perfect and empowering. I’ve photographed it, heard about it, and was now reading hundreds of positive birth stories from Ina May’s “Guide to Childbirth”. After weighing all the pros, cons, benefits and risks of a natural childbirth vs. a medically monitored birth in a hospital, Jesse and I decided to use the Mountain Midwifery. We would stay out of the hospital completely, go drug free and I would be empowered and experience that amazing rite of passage for women. I was excited–and maybe even a bit self-righteous about our choice.
I woke up Monday morning, January 23rd at 7:30 and rolled over in bed to tell Jesse, “Today was the day”. I was having contractions–real contractions. I called my mom, who would be my doula and Caitlin, who would photograph the birth and gave them a heads up that it was “on”.
I loved early labor. It hurt a little, but I felt euphoric. We took walks into the early hours of Tuesday morning, watched a little Louis C.K. and waited for my contractions to get to 3 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute long. I should have slept for a few of those hours and would have, had I know I had another 24 hours of grueling labor ahead of me. By Tuesday afternoon, my contractions came on strong. They were 4 minutes apart and very painful. I was in active labor–and guess what, it was rush hour, and to get to the mountain midwifery we had to drive I-25 to Santa Fe–pretty much the worst two roads at rush hour. This is when all of our “birth plans” went terribly awry.
I won’t get into the hairy details, but I basically labored at the Mountain midwifery for 10 hours—in the water, out of the water, on all 4’s, in a birth sling, on a birth ball, sitting over the toilet backwards, and every other imaginable position. But my body never went into full labor. My contractions were so horrifically painful, and I was so tired that I actually lost time. I asked my mom later if I passed out because I don’t remember a thing about the last 4 hours of the delivery. My body went into a state of shock and I left it. Our midwife decided that we need to go to the hospital to deliver this baby, and at that point I was relieved. I actually thought I might die. The hospital was everything I didn’t want. Every single thing that I hoped to bypass medically, was used. Pitocin, epidural, internal fetal monitor, and then ultimately a C-section (which I will now call a cesarean birth). My little Ramona was showing signs of distress, so thank God the Dr.s called for a cesarean birth. She came out surgically with the cord wrapped around her neck three times and laboring to breath. I knew she was a little acrobat in my tummy!
Ramona came into this world Wednesday morning, January 25th at 7:30am (48 hours after my contractions started) weighing 6.10 and measuring 19 inches long. She’s a peanut.
Today, I am grateful for my journey to get her into the world. I am grateful for the choices I made, the things I learned, the people I met, the Mountain midwifery, and I’m even thankful for surgery. I’m thankful for the epidural. Very thankful! I’m thankful for my precious baby girl, my darling husband and my amazing mother who both coached me and cheered me through the entire 36 hours of intense natural labor, and then held my hand through surgery. But I did learn that when push comes to shove (literally), we really don’t have control. My Ramona was trying to tell me that she wouldn’t come out that way–that if she had, it could have strangled her. I learned that as much as I prayed that my milk would come in, the trauma to my body and the need to heal from surgery would make this difficult… and these are all just the beginnings of the great journey of parenthood. I need to let go, buckle up and enjoy the wild ride. Welcome to Motherhood, Julie… the adventure of my lifetime thus far. And the most beautiful one at that. For I am truly in love with my Ramona Moon….
My heartfelt thanks to my dear friends who provided some of the following photos… Caitlin Rose and Paige Elizabeth.
I wouldn’t hesitate to say that my very favorite thing to photograph is documentary style family photos, if all of my clients were like the Sperry’s. This family has been one of my regulars since Malia was pregnant with her first, and they continue to welcome me into their home every year to document a day in their life. It’s relaxed, fun, the kids are spontaneous and love showing me their rooms and toys and in this case, Halloween costumes… What a treat.
I honestly can’t think of a more beautiful day in the life of portrait session. Danielle asked if I could do some portraits of her and her baby girl, skin to skin. She wanted to capture this fleeting time between her and her 5 month old daughter, breastfeeding, bathing, snuggling… It was so precious. So natural. So perfect. I absolutely love these images and was honored to be able to snap a few shots of these intimate rituals between Danielle and baby Ava.
I have to say I loved everything about this shoot—the harsh morning light, the chaotic shadows, the amazing “dream home” in boulder on a little brook, the laid back nature of mama who watched on as her boys played, and the yummy authentic personality of these boys. To me, this shoot was the perfect “day in the life of ” portrait of the Schnitzer boys and their modern, Huckleberry Finn morning in Boulder, CO.
Man, oh man, do I love the Holt’s–they are one of my favorite “regulars”. I love their mid-century, ranch style home, their laid back way of life, their incredible sense of style, and of course I love these kiddos! And there is a new addition to the Holt’s since I worked with them last. Meet Amalia–or “Molly” as they call her. Oh my goodness, I could just eat her up. She’s just as bubbly and full of life as her big brother, Merrick, and she’s only 4.5 months old–I can’t wait to see her little spirit in a year… What a treat it is to have such amazing clients.
I got to spend some time with the Daley’s and their sweet little baby, Levi last Saturday morning. It was rainy and cold and the perfect day for two new parents to settle in with their newborn, cup of coffee and good music. Because I’m pregnant with my first, I’m starting to really enjoy these shoots and empathize with families in a new way. I dream about how I want Jesse and I photographed with the little one when she arrives and I think a documentary approach is so sweet at this stage–especially since there is no real control over the babies emotions or reactions to me being there. I loved how quite and intimate this shoot felt. Amy and Matt are adjusting incredibly and are so in love with little Levi that they hardly noticed I was there, which is exactly the way I like to shoot.
If it comes to me starting my blog all over, with a fresh start and fresh content, then I can’t think of better faces to launch with. Meet the Goodberry’s. Cynthia is a colleague in the wedding industry here in Denver and is the best makeup artist EVER. Check her out at www.denvermakeupguru.com. Not only would I pay her everyday to do my makeup if I could, she has become one of my very best friends, and I am absolutely in love with her family! She and her amazingly chill husband, Jim are bringing up three beautiful children and doing a damn fine job–I only hope Jess and I can come close to their incredible parenting skills and love for one another.
Nadine is a precocious 7 year old with perfect trendles and a smile to die for. We went camping together and she brought a birdwatching book. Not a kids birdwatching book, mind you–but a real encyclopedia of birds and their habitats. She is a determined sweetie pie who will go far.
Natalie is my little firecracker friend. Just three, she talks about viruses and collects baby reptiles. When she holds them in her hands, her voice changes into a high pitched baby voice saying “Awww—look at this cute little baby garter snake”, as if she even needs to use a baby voice! She’s going to be trouble! But in the best way possible.
Baby Jimmy is hilarious! He doesn’t talk much, but he is a huge flirt and his natural athletic ability astounds me. He climbs up on the slide and os down it in 2 seconds flat. And he struts. Cynthia thinks he’s going to be a little Matthew McConaughey when he grows up—and I agree. He’s going to knock em’ down–maybe literally.
I love this family so much. And I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my morning than to sift through these photos and post about 5 of my favorite people.
It’s been officially over a month since my last entry. That’s the longest stint I have ever gone without blogging. I really wish I could say I had a good excuse for not writing to you, but unfortunately my excuse is lame–I have been enjoying some down time. Simply put, I have been swimming, basking in the sun, taking hikes, going to concerts, spending evenings with friends, walking down to Spuntino’s for ice cream, and riding my bike. I even made a blueberry pie last night! Basically I’m doing all the fun summer things that most get to do in June that I rarely get the pleasure of enjoying because I am so slammed with summer shoots and weddings. And when I do have a second, I’m writing to you, dear blog. But this summer’s wedding season is a late bloomer. My first official wedding was last week and now I’ll be in work mode through Mid-October, diligently shooting and blogging. And I do have one other small excuse. I’m waiting for a brand new fancy blog. This new blog has been under construction since March and every week I think it will be done and I can go live with some amazing shoot or story to tell. But alas, it’s taking FOREVER and I simply can’t wait any longer. Please forgive me blog. I will visit you more frequently, I promise. And for those of you who actually read this blog, do stay tuned for some exciting posts and a new look!
xoxo
So without further ado, I give you Leah and Adam–two of the coolest cats I’ve had the pleasure working with. These two are super laid back foodies who enjoy good art, good times, and being good parents to their cute doggies, Max and Madison. It was Leah and Adam’s idea to cook dinner for their engagement session which I though was brilliant. I met them at Marczyk’s where they picked out some fancy ingredients for dinner. Then they drove me to their amazing city park apartment in their sweet ride—a vintage land cruiser. Basically I felt cool just being around them… We landed at city park. It was a great engagement session–very “day in the life of” Leah and Adam. I am looking forward to their wedding this Sunday at Botanic Gardens.
It’s refreshing to get to photograph something out of the ordinary. Lotte and Rick haven’t had their portrait made in decades and thought it was about time to do so… And they wanted to do these at their beautiful old home in the highlands to boot! It was a great “day in the life” of Lotte and Rick and I thoroughly enjoyed going from room to room, looking through all their treasures and making photographs that are truly unique to this couple. I seriously had a moment of reflection and said a prayer of gratitude while Lotte and Rick were changing clothes. I am truly blessed to get to make photographs for a living and interface with hundreds of different people each year. And Lotte and Rick certainly shine.
Meet another favorite family, the Sperrys’. I’ve been photographing Malia and Bill since Malia was pregnant with Elora! Now look at their gorgeous family of four! Spicy and sweet, Elora and Sorren never fail to keep me entertained. They lavished me with chocolate, their toys and even gave me hugs and kisses when I left—which always melts my heart!
Today was the first day I actually met little Tucker… and boy is he a riot! He’s cute as a button and pretty much brilliant. I loved working with this little tyke—equally as much as I have loved working with Tiana and Alex whose wedding I shot back in 2007. And Tiana is pregnant! So I’m looking forward to many more sessions with this adorable family in the future….
I call them “My Bregman’s” because they are like my poster family. I’ve been photographing them since Mia was two and Alexia was pregnant with Max. It’s been so fun to get to photograph them every year and see the changes. And major changes there have been, including baby Max, then baby, Milan! To top it off, The Bregman’s created Vuka–a natural energy drink which is taking the nation by storm! It’s delicious, natural, colorful and well branded. Lexi and Darian sent me home with a case and I’m hooked!
Lexi emailed me on the day of the shoot because it was too cold to do photos outdoors, and well–the Bregman’s aren’t really the outdoor park type. We decided to do the shoot at the Vuka warehouse. The florescent lights, the colorful walls, the stacks of energy drinks, an old helicopter, the unconventionality of the Bregman’s and the edgy space made for a very fun shoot where I was able to really capture the season of this busy family’s lives.
If I could photograph one thing for the rest of my life, over and over again, it would be this. Married for 66 years, with 5 children, 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, Anne and James lead a legacy….
My friend Anne, (one of the granddaughters of Anne and James) flew me out to Cleveland, then drove me to a small town called Niles, Ohio to document the lives of this beautiful couple. Where do I even begin? I was so honored to be in the presence of a man who served our country for 11 years (he was in the first division of the Airforce during WWII), and a women who has an attic completely devoted to her sewing and a basement, to her canning. Anne and James lived in Japan to help rebuild the country after the war, where Anne delivered her own baby and removed her own tooth with sewing scissors (now, that’s the kind of woman I want to become). Today, Anne and James are still completely in love and share the most magnificent tomato garden that I have ever seen. When they took me outdoors to see this little piece of heaven, I saw them magically become 30 years younger. Spending time with Anne and James was medicinal. It was a glimpse of a future that I hope to one day have…
This shoot reminded me of of a mama dog with her pups… Natasha, even at 9 months pregnant was crawled on, wrestled with, and then slept on. It was beautiful to see these two little boys, totally comfortable with their mother, and excited about the new baby brother that is on the way. Wow–Natasha will certainly have her hands full. Sasha and Sebastian are little warrior wild children. I loved photographing their free spirits and can’t wait to come back after the baby is a little older for another family session.
Corrie Ann hired me to do “edgy family portraits”… And as much as I love doing edgy photo shoots, I’m not sure how one makes “edgy” family portraits of three people that are completely in love. Some barbed wire, a vacant parking lot, and a rock star with his beautiful wife and “mini-me” son, certainly took the shoot to an edgy urban feel. Add a bar piano in the back alley and voila–we are embracing the dark side of portraiture. But there is no graffiti crass enough—no dumpster dirty enough, and no rock star bad ass enough, that can erase the conspicuous, unconditional love that that these three share. And that is beautiful. Somehow, I don’t think Corrie Ann will be disappointed.
Sleep deprived, maybe. Smitten, absolutely! Erica and Tim have been some of my favorite clients–super chill, and creative themselves, they let me photograph their lives however I choose. I get to be a photojournalist—no posing involved. And Marek—well, there’s not much to say here that’s not conveyed through these images. He is beyond adorable. And he already has a strong little personality. He’s a perfect addition to the Holt family….
I was back East a couple weeks ago to shoot a wedding in Boston and ended up taking on a couple shoots while I was visiting NYC. Sarah Thornton is one of my best friend’s sisters and I actually stayed with her, her husband Wes and their beautiful baby boy, Brayden for a few days while I was out there. Sarah and Wes were over the top hospitable, so I thought I’d try to pay them back with a fun little family shoot at the South Street Sea Port in NYC. It was great to be able to photograph a family and work in a totally new place–South street seaport is screaming with backgrounds and fun ideas for unconventional family portraits!
My parents live to help single mothers out. In fact, our family actually did foster “cradle care” when I was growing up. It seemed we always had a baby in the house. Over the years, I think we had something like 33 babies come through—something that I didn’t always love when I was a teenager. However looking back, I am so proud that I have such amazing, caring parents who give, give, give and never take. Shante, a single teenage mother, and her daughter Bella are currently living with my parents in Boulder My mom called and asked if she could pay me to shoot Shante’s senior pictures. I of couse said yes and wouldn’t accept a dime from her, but these are Shante’s senior portraits with her beautiful baby, Bella!
On a completely different note, I wanted to touch and go on the technical aspects of my work. I was a die hard film shooter until the last three years, so I shoot and edit my digital photography to look like film. I am overwhelmed and amused by the “tack-sharp obsession” that a lot of new digital photographers are striving for. I do love that with digital technology we can get tack sharp images, and there certainly is a time for this, but sometimes I think it’s become an obsession that has taken away from the true art of photography. Film was different. I personally prefer creamy, softer, shallow depth of fields. I almost always open my aperature all the way up–even if I know the image will be soft and out of focus in places. I actually think there is something impacting about an image that isn’t “perfect”. Humanity isn’t perfect. Art is imperfect. But both humanity and art are perfect is their imperfection. This approach to wedding and portrait photography isn’t very conventional, but it has always worked for me. I shot this series of images below, completely open with a 50mm 1.4. Some of you might love this, some of you might be uncomfortable with the “softeness” of some of these images. But this is one of the “tricks” to my work and a snit bit about the way that I shoot…
I’m particularly fond of this series of images… mostly because photographing 2 teenagers (siblings at that) and getting them to act natural for the camera is not an easy task. I didn’t know if I’d be able to get anything authentic with Kaylee and Jake, but I was very happy with the images and felt that I was able to extract their personalities in some of these. …However I have to admit I was cheating a little bit because I have known Kailee and Jake their entire lives! Actually, my very first photo shoot back in 1996 was of little Jake as a baby. I worked with their mom, Jodi at a little toy store in Boulder called Grand Rabbits. Jodi is still one of my dearest friends and I may actually owe my entire career to her, as she was the one who encouraged me to “go for it”. She found me clients in her neighborhood and proudly displayed my work all over her home. Needless to say, it’s such a pleasure to get to continue to photograph these kiddos and to see them grow into adults.
Can you tell that Kailee is an athlete?? Wow!
Kailee and Jake really love each other. This made the shoot very easy for me, and the fact that they play like little pups!
I can’t believe what a stud Jake has become… he came into my studio a couple months ago with Jodi, and I didn’t even recognize him. I just looked right past him, then did a triple take.
Where can I sign up for one of these? By one of “these” I don’t simply mean a baby. I mean a sweet, perfect, beautiful little baby that at only 2 weeks old already smiles, coos, and gives unconditional love back. And I didn’t even mention the constant entertainment value, that one of “these” brings to a young family! Berkley and Mike are smitten as they should be… Sign me up for one like Finley…
Congratulations, Berkley and Mike on your sweet, sweet baby girl. And welcome, Finley!
I can’t gush enough about how much I love photographing families that allow children to be children. Ashley and Josh were so full of life and spirit, that I think I exhausted them with my energy—I couldn’t stop the shutter! Their mom finally said that it was time for them to go…I apparently had gotten so lost in Ashley and Josh’s playtime, that I lost track of time. It was way past their their bedtime, let alone dinner, which they still hadn’t had!
Ashley and Josh are spirited, strong willed children that I would photograph any day of the week. I love capturing this kind of life! Thank you Jerry and Julie, for allowing them to play, and for letting me take them late into the evening…. it was a pleasure!
Dirty feet are always a good sign of hard play!
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