Category: Real Documentary Photo Story Features
Real Life in Photography: The First Day of Kindergarten
Learning to let go is hard. Change has had a major impact on my life and my growth as a photographer. It drives my desire to document life. I’ve always been greatly affected by it. It’s difficult, yet refreshing, for me to come to terms with the fact that nothing stays the same. For the […]
7 Photographers’ Perspectives on the #MarchforOurLives
On the days that news breaks of yet another shooting with fallen students + teachers + loved ones, my mind quickly drifts to ‘Will this ever happen at MY kids’ school?’ I imagine what that looks like; what that feels like as a parent. I don’t want to think about it, but my mind goes there anyway. […]
Documenting What Follows After Receiving “The Call” We All Fear
It’s always easier to tell other people’s stories, isn’t it? The Sunday after Thanksgiving, we got “the call.” My oldest sister Cathy’s battle with Lymphoma was coming to a much quicker-than-expected end. After a three-hour drive to Albany, my husband, my three children and I arrived rather frantically to the hospital in anticipation of seeing […]
Documenting Real Stories: The Intimate Familiarity Between a Mom & Her Baby
I’ve always been fascinated by motherhood. I grew up without my mother, so since ever I was a girl I’ve studied mothers and their children, envious of the easy bond, the magnetic affinity. In awe of what it must be like to have that oneness, that other half, on demand. An unlimited supply of security […]
Preserving the Heart of Your Holidays Through Family Photography
Sometimes what’s warm and familiar to us is something we don’t SEE. I mean, really see. We’re easily caught up in the doing + prep for the cookies, festivities, gifts for everyone, dinners, and beyond that we can miss feeling the experience itself. I don’t know about you, but holidays aside, I crave more connection […]
Documenting Real Stories: Bringing Your Camera to Girls’ Day
NoFo Winery Part Deux was the name of the invitation for the Facebook event sent by a client of mine whom I’ve become really good friends with for a few years now. My initial thought was, “it’s like an invite to a birthday party, but for moms with wine & cheese. Plus, NO KIDS for […]
A Story of Devastation + Miracle in the 2017 California Wildfires
Yesterday at 11am I got a call from my brother in law, Pasquale Mastantuono inviting me to document some of the story at Safari West. Located in the hills of Santa Rosa the 400-acre private wildlife preserve was in the direct path of the destructive and deadly Tubbs Fire that swept through the area on […]
An Annual Family Photo Session to Spotlight Cerebral Palsy
I want to share a story with you. A special one. Special. Special needs. Special needs family. What does this mean? Why is it important to share the stories of special families? Well because they are among us. They’re our family, friends, neighbors, and classmates…. By sharing their stories it helps bring awareness to their […]
Go on an Adventure While Volunteering Your Documentary Services with a Non-Profit
Balancing being a mom of three girls and growing a business makes for a pretty busy life. But this summer I found myself with a unique opportunity – all three of my girls, 10, 12 and 14, were going to be away for 3.5 weeks at sleepaway camp. This was going to be the longest […]
The In-Home Documentary Maternity Session for Sarah + Jean
When I began to do research for my first maternity session, I felt like I kept finding pregnancy cliches – heart hands, chiffon over bellies, baby shoes – but I rarely found photos that told me something unique about the couple being photographed. And then on Pinterest, I came across a black and white photo […]
Engagement Photography That Speaks To Your Heart
Have you ever looked at a photograph of your newly engaged friends thought, “man, I’ve never seen them look like that?!” Maybe it’s a friend wearing a suit when he’s clearly a shorts and t-shirt kind of guy. Maybe it was a girlfriend sitting daintily in a park, when you know she’d rather be hiking. Maybe […]
Making a Connection With Your Client While Making Pictures of Her In Pregnancy
I won’t lie. Like many photographers, it took me awhile to find my feet. I began as a filmmaker and threw myself headfirst into the wedding industry, falling head over heels in love with photography along the way. I was happy with my work, but after awhile, I knew that the culture of high expectations in […]