A Teacher and Her Family

My son Ethan was a busy boy when he was young. Full of energy and a will of his own. He liked to talk in class and he LOVED to answer questions without raising his hand. I think his K and 1st grade teachers didn't know what to do with him. He was bright but I think they'd say he wasn't all that well-behaved. Miss Shainline changed our lives. She understood immediately that Ethan was bored and she gave him assignments to keep him engaged. He also allowed him to help other classmates with their work. This was a win win for Ethan and the other kids. He stopped talking out loud. He settled down. My life, during second grade, became easier...all because of one teacher who really took the time to figure out my son. Today he is a straight A student and I credit it all to Miss Shainline. I've said thank you, but I really wanted to say thank you somehow.

On a beautiful Sunday I went to her house to spend some time with her and her family. Her son reminds me of Ethan at that age..very busy and curious. Running here and there. Exploring. All the typical things boys do. Here are some of the shots, and from the bottom of my heart I'll say it again to Miss Shainline: Thank you for what you did for Ethan. You are a shining example of how one teacher can change a life.

Here's Flash the dog:









The happy family



Fun with mom



I truly couldn't think of a better name for this dog. Flash is perfect!



Love this.













...and finally a shot of Miss Shainline!

Swedesboro Family Portraits

I have to thank Denise for calling me over the years to come and photograph her beautiful family. I have a shot of their daughter, from our first shoot together, hanging in my studio and it remains maybe my favorite shot, ever, of a child! These are a few shots from last weekend's session. The rain, on Friday, held out for us (which based on my luck lately was a miracle :)

As I've said before, with kids, you gotta get a good group picture early in the session... This would make a nice holiday card.



Or this would...



Now for the kids.





Two year olds are difficult to shoot, but this turned out great! He LOVED the football~







What is this? A crabapple or a black walnut? Anyone know? If you do, leave a comment please!



Denise and I think the same. She asked me to take shots in the now-past-their-prime flowers, and if you know me you know I loved the idea!





And for the final shot, one cutie with a hint of chocolate around the mouth...

Swedesboro Family Photographer, Part 2

There were seven kids, so here we go, starting with twins....













When I saw these baby shots, I couldn't pick between this....



...and this

Swedesboro Family Photographer, Part 1

Thanks to Denise for bringing me into to her home to photograph her children and her nieces and nephews! I had fun and thanks for the fig!

The fun thing about kids is that you have their attention early in the shoot (vs. adults who tend to warm up as you go along...) With a large group of kids like this one you gotta get that shot early!











More tomorrow!

Family

A few more of last week's family shoot. Since my computer died in the middle of editing, I felt I didn't do the shoot justice. So here are a few more:

I picked this shot because I LOVE how Jackie looks!

Bert, Babe, Jackie, Steve, Angelo, Dale, Bobby and Austin

I might post more shots from my family session in the park last weekend, but I can't do it until I get my new computer (hopefully tomorrow)!

Here's the family!

The three brothers...

Faith, Black and White

Here's Faith entering the room....surprise!

The silhouette on the left is the father-to-be.

Too cute, a baby-clothes-line.

Opening gifts...

...and more gifts...

Not the father-to-be, but Faith's brother.

Here's a shot of Faith holding a picture of her first hair cut!  The woman, to the left who is cut off, gave her her first hair cut years ago, had the shot restored, and gave it as one of Faith's gifts.  It prompted me to think, once again, about how fast time goes by.