June 10 on 10

This is my first month with this lovely “10 on 10” group.  Be sure to follow the link at the bottom and continue the circle.  I actually had a completely different day documented.  One with professional makeup, beautiful friends and lots more pictures of where I live.  I live in Naples, Italy and as such I feel pressure to include more of it in my work.  After documenting that day, however, I felt that it lacked inspiration, so for this first post, I focused on what always inspires me.  My family.  It was a very normal day (Aside from the ridiculous amount of sweets we ate that day) My husband coming home after the mid shift to my daughter already on her 3rd dress up outfit of the day, I walk to the beach which wasn’t all laughs…you know, the usual when you have a 2.5 year old.  The day was simple, usual and completely “US”.

Morning Homecoming
Warm Graffa (Italian Donut)
Saltwaters, Sand and Shadow
Adding more salt water to the Mediterranean
Lunch and a show
Naptime…Finally
AWAKE!!!!
“You’re IT, dad!”
Cookies and deep thoughts
Post dinner gelato outing

Now Head over to the talented Katie of Kate Suzanne of Kate Suzanne Photography  in Arkansas to see what she has in store for us this month.

 

30 Minutes in the life of My Daugther

My little one is almost two and a half. She’s growing up, doing more, finding her own voice. When I look back at photos of her I want to be able to see who she is and remember the moments as they happened. A couple of days ago I decided to take 30 minutes and follow Scarlett around with my camera. For the most part I tried to be invisible and just let her carryout her activities. These photos are some of what resulted from this exercise.

  

May Fine Art Challenge: A Study in Shadows

“In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present”-Francis Bacon

I’m so excited to be participating for the first time in this Fine Art Photography group.  It’s a very talented group and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.  Make sure you follow the link at the end of this post to continue the circle and see what the other photographers have in store.

This month I’ve really been focusing on shadows in my images and finding interesting balances between dark and light as inspired by my workshop that just ended *tear*.  I hope you enjoy.

Now go check out Carrie Hyche at Heart of the Westland Photography to see what wonders she has in store this month.

A Walk Through the Garden and Some Thoughts on my Daughter’s Blossoming Independence

I’m currently participating int the most amazing photography workshop with Val Spring of The Red Balloon Photography. It’s been amazingly inspiring and I feel like I’m learning so much.  I had an assignment due for this workshop, so I decided that Scarlett and I would take a photography field trip.  We walked up the street to the Monastery turned Museum and I let her explore the gardens while I photographed.  The whole time I was observing her I was struck by how independent she’s getting. This week, after months of crying before going to preschool and holding me as tight as possible, she walked right in the door without so much as a goodbye. Then, instead of wanting to snuggle with me when we read books at night she pulled up her own chair next to mine. I’m so happy that she’s finding her inner strength, especially after the struggle of not only moving houses, but also continents, but it also breaks my heart a little bit to not be needed quite so much. While photographing her for this assignment I followed her around trying not to inhibit where she wanted to go. I felt like she was letting me in on her adventure, but only as an observer, not as an active participant like herself. She was so focused and so on her own, but then it happened. Something she thought would be fun, ended up scaring her. She ran for me and then for her favorite dolls, Jessie and Sleeping Beauty, that I always have on hand. And that’s when I saw it. Yes, she’s growing up quickly and is facing the world more and more on her own, but at least for now, she still needs me close at hand…along with Jessie and Sleeping Beauty.

The Year Thus Far

I’m starting THIS photography workshop tomorrow and I’m so excited I can hardly stand it.  In preparation and in an effort to better understand my point of view and style,  I thought I’d look through some of the photos I’ve taken over the past few months and choose my favorites.  Most of them are of Scarlett, as she provides me with inspiration everyday and I kind of feel that’s to be expected.  They aren’t all masterpieces and some won’t appeal to most, but there is something in these photos I chose that I love and that truly feel like me.  Here they are, in no particular order.

A Nautical Family Shoot in Pozzuoli

I had such a fun time photographing this darling family. They were so fun and the kids were amazing.  A photo session is a lot for anyone, especially the under 3’s,and they did great.  Here are some of the photos (in no particular order).

  I hope you enjoy!

Amanda

                 

 

A Capri Proposal

A friend asked if I would be willing to take a trip to Capri to photograph his proposal to his amazing girlfriend fiancé.  My answer to his question was “Yes”, which fortunately, was also the answer to the much more important question he asked that day.  After the proposal I was able to take a few minutes of their time and get some more photos of this beautiful couple.  It was such a treat to be part of their special moment.

As an aside, while I was taking photos of Warren and Tara, this was happening.

Barlow Family

I had a great time with this wonderful family!  We had a shoot scheduled and then the three days prior it POURED down rain.  Fortunately for us, the day of the shoot was beautiful, but the ground was super muddy!  Still, it turned out great and we had a blast!  I hope you enjoy these pictures!

Camera Liberated!!!

As some of you know, we finally moved into our Italian apartment in Vomero.  Vomero is an absolutely stunning area of Naples that sits up on a hill and overlooks the rest of the city.  Not only is the area beautiful, but it’s full of amazing shops, restaurants, art galleries, museums, 7 gelato shops within a 2 block radius…you name it, it’s here.  The only little teeny sacrifice one has to make to live in such an area is living space. Not really a big deal as you have the whole city as your backyard, but it’s kind of a big deal when you move in and the movers don’t come again for two weeks to pick up your boxes that are blocking any free space in your apartment.   Anyway, for the past two weeks, my camera has been stuck in a cabinet behind said boxes.  It’s been driving me crazy!  Inspiration will strike and then I’ll remember, oh right, my camera is stuck in a closet.  We kept calling the movers and they kept saying, “Be patient”.  Resigning myself to the fact that the movers were never going to come and rid our house of the boxes stuffed with paper piled to the top of our 15 foot ceilings, I plead my camera case to Nathan and he gallantly tackled the box wall and rescued my camera from its prison.  I was so excited!  I almost immediately took it out and took these photos of my favorite little model.  

The two photos above don’t have any post process editing.  They’re just taken with a ziploc bag over my lens.  Thanks to my new friend and amazing photographer, Liisa Roberts. for the awesome photography hack.  

Family Photo Shoot at Castel St. Elmo

This weekend I had a photo shoot with a darling family at Castel St. Elmo in Vomero.  It was so fun and such an exciting location. It was such a treat to photograph such a beautiful family!