Family photos with a self time - can it be done?!

Okay. So have you ever tried to do your own family photos? If you're a photographer, I'm guessing you have. I don't know how many times we've tried to do our own family photos with a tripod and a self timer. I guess I have a hard time hiring a photographer when I am a photographer.

It's my parents 50th wedding anniversary, so I was asked for a family photo to include in a memory book. Hence the family photo dilemma. My family agreed (once again!) to try for a family photo. Nothing fancy, just get together in the backyard and take a few photos. (We're all dressed up because we had just gotten home from church). My husband told me I had five minutes - did I mention he hates having his photo taken? So I got about 5 clicks in, and this is what I got. Not bad for 5 clicks (and little head swapping), but not great either!

I guess it's time for me to hire a photographer to do our family photos (or at the very least, do a trade - hint, hint Boston photographers!). People, it's worth it!

Summer fun...

I was on a roll with blogging, and then I got busy with summer! Playing at the park, swimming at the beach, camps for kids, and doing who knows what else. It's fun to have no real plans and to just "wing it". And that's what this summer has been all about!

It's been pretty hot here in Boston, so I haven't been lugging around my camera as much as I should be. Of course I'm pretty quick with my handy dandy iphone! So that's all you get today - a day's worth of iphone photos.

First we hit the park, played hide-and-seek. Then we did a little running on the track - I of course lost because I was wearing inappropriate shoes. Next we went to the DeCordova Art Museum and Sculpture Park (you must go, it rocks!). Isn't summer grand?!

Strawberry Fields.

One of my favorite summer activities is visiting farms and picking strawberries and blueberries. Maybe because I was raised on a farm, maybe because I love the taste of fresh berries, or maybe I just like to torture my children in 90 degree weather by making them pick berries. 

I thought maybe if we got to the fields by 10 am we'd be okay. But it was already a sweltering 90 degrees. After 10 minutes in the fields, my kids were hot, sweaty and tired. Luckily, Parlee Farms sells ice cream and strawberry donuts - which I, being a smart mother, used as bribery. Oh, and they also have farm animals for your viewing pleasure.

So now we get to enjoy homemade strawberry jam all year round... and of course I got some great strawberry field photos! 

BEFORE / AFTER
Can you tell I wore them out?

Sweet and feminine... a little bit Rock 'n roll.

Not only does Hannah have eyes to die for, but she moves as graceful as a dancer. (And yes, I asked her, she does have some ballet in her background). I loved how one minute, she looked sweet and feminine and then with a change of clothes she was more rock 'n roll. Which do you prefer?

 

In a field with Kylie!

Have I told you how much I love photographing teens in general? I get to pretend for a little bit that I'm a fashion photographer, photographing an amazing model. Miss Kylie was no exception. Even though it was a cloudy, rainy day and the sun was getting ready to set, we managed to find an open field and get some really great shots. Here are some of my favorites!

   

Please tell me summer is just around the corner!

It's been raining and raining for the past week. I'm really ready for summer now and can't wait until school is out and we can hit the beach! I guess one benefit of lot's of rain is the flowers and grass look extra lush. I especially love flowers just after a few sprinkles.

Nahant Beach and a beautiful Senior.

One of my favorite places to go is the beach. And there are so many amazing beaches on the east coast! Last weekend I was lucky enough to have a photo session with a gorgeous soon-to-be senior. Sonia was so sweet and easy to work with! We found a great beach near Nahant with sand and rocks - the best of both beach worlds.

I got so many great photos, so it was hard to choose which ones to feature on the blog. After much deliberation, here are a few of my favorites.