Castle Point Photography

Coming Soon... Baby O

Happy Monday! 

Jenn, John and Baby H : Family Portraits in Hudson Valley, NY

I'd have to say that one my favorite things about being a photographer is watching my littlest clients grow up in front of my camera.  I was so happy to meet with Baby H and his parents last weekend for their third family session.  The first time I photographed them was exactly a year ago, Baby H was a smiley six month old with electric blue eyes and a downy tuft of hair. 

It's always amazing to me how quickly time passes and the babies grow up into these little bundles of energy, ever exploring and interested, keeping their parents in constant motion and wonder.  I suppose Baby H really isn't a baby anymore, but a little boy with a headful of curls and two fast feet that keep Mom and Dad on their toes!

We met at beautiful Fishkill Farms in upstate New York, definitely take a trip up and explore their orchards!  Thank you Jenn and John and H for a lovely visit and for allowing me the honor to freeze time for your family one more time.

I love this image, it looks like he's tap dancing, he's so joyful!

And he's off! 

Jenn and John, I LOVE this shot of you!!! 

And I LOVE this one of Baby H... I get all the heartbreakers!

This moment is so special, so quiet and thoughtful... One of my favorites.

I hope you enjoy them!

The N Family

Being a big brother is a tough job.  Having to share your toys, learning to share Mom and Dad, and dealing with little creatures crawling on you and tugging at you all day long.  When I first met J, he was shy and bashful, unsure of me and my camera.  His little siblings, one year old Baby J and Baby K, on the other hand were crawling around, happy and oblivious to me, searching for blocks and testing out new wobbly legs and first steps.  I asked J if he could help me during the session, because certainly he knew the babies much better than I did.  With that, the shy, bashful boy left and the Big Brother emerged, confident and willing to help.  I knew immediately how lucky these two little twins were to have such a great big brother. 

Here are the favorites...

  

  

     

Baby C and The Ladies

I have an old photograph from my childhood taken outside of my parent's house that remains a favorite of my Mother's 30 years later.  My brother is squinting, my sister is biting her lower lip and I'm gazing into la-la land as babies often do.  It's not a stellar photograph by any means.  It is, however, an amazing photograph.  Rare and precious and beautiful.  It has nothing to do with the print and everything to do with the subjects.  Four generations.  The Kids, the Parents, the Grandparents, and the Great Grandmother.  If you ever have the chance to capture such an image, seize it.

Rachel did just that after deciding on a beautiful Mother's Day gift of a photo session with the Ladies in her life.  When she emailed me a day or two after our first session back in March, I was thrilled to be a part of it.  My first thought was of that old photograph of my family.  The opportunity to give her not one, but an entire session of images made my heart jump.  Four generations.  The Child, the Mother, The Grandmothers, the Great Grandmother.  Rare and precious and beautiful.

Here are the favorites...

Elmo had a walk on roll for a bit :)

These images below happened moments apart... the first where Baby C was fluttering her dress and the second where she started to fuss a bit... the image needs a recorded clip to hear the collective "Awwww..." from all the Ladies doting on her.  She is so loved :)

The Miracle Twins

Babies are miracles.  I've said it more than once and probably at least one thousand times.  Often, the miracle of a new baby is doubled with twins.  And sometimes, the miracle is amplified by a triumph over life threatening situations.  This is certainly the case with Baby S and his twin brother Baby G.

When I met Rebecca yesterday, her little miracles were sleeping soundly and she quietly began telling me the story of their lives.  I sat before her, literally on the edge of my seat, as she spoke so calmly of all they had been through. 

An ultrasound at 18 weeks.  Complications.  A Diagnosis.  Your babies will not survive unless we go ahead with the surgery. 18 weeks.  The decision.  In-Utero surgery.  18 weeks.  Chance of survival at 25%.  Bedrest.  Waiting.  Hoping.  Praying.  31 weeks.  They made it.  Just over 1 pound and 3 pounds.  Weeks and weeks  in NICU.  Waiting.  Hoping.  Praying.

Now, as I sit before her, it is 6 months later, and they made it.  Not only have they made it, but they are thriving, and silly, and completely cute!  They are miracles indeed.

Here are the favorites...

The S Family

As soon as I saw Kristen and Mark's front porch, I knew I would like them.  My face broke into a huge grin... old rocking chairs.  There's something that makes me feel at home about rocking chairs on a front porch.  When the door opened, I was welcomed by a rush of fur called the family dog.  Kristen and Mark introduced me to their twin girls, Babies R & R... and by no means does that stand for rest and relaxation!  I'm always amazed at families with multiples, but throw in a two year old boy, and I bow down to thee!  Two Year old J reminded me so much of my own son, it felt even more at home as we raced and explored the woods with Mark and played ball.

I was so honored that Kristen chose me as her photographer since she herself is a photographer.  Having another creative person say she likes your work enough to trust you with their families' memories validates it in a special way.  It was great to be able to bounce ideas off one another and indulge in some wacky ideas... I mentioned I love rocking chairs, right?

Here are the favorites...

Baby D & Baby A

Graceful, magical, peaceful, serine, loving, beautiful...

These are words that come to mind when I think of Natasha and John.  When I first met them at their home yesterday, they were each dressed casually and happily introduced me to their 3 month old twin boys Baby D and Baby A.  Moments later, they both emerged dressed in flowing white and I was struck with how simply beautiful they were.  The boys have certainly inherited this beauty and seem to be filled with love and light and a peace all their own. 

Three months brings lots of changes to babies, and the boys spent  the day testing Natasha and John with a new feeding schedule, but they handled it with grace and love and laughter.  And lots of burp cloths. ;)

Here are some of my favorites from the session...

Couldn't Resist!

I usually wait until the day after a session to post the sneak peek, but this picture is just too cute to wait another day!  I'll fill you all in tomorrow about the session, and of course post more pictures!

Baby M

When a new baby is born into this world, it has a beautiful magnetism that pulls love to it, draws families together, and far away friends nearer.  We are mesmerized by tiny fingers and toes, soft downy hair, and quiet gurgles and squeaks.  Being in the same room as a newborn for me, is like stepping into a new world. 

Betty's friend Lin wanted something extra special for Betty's baby shower and emailed me from Chicago to set up a gift for her soon-to-be-born baby.  I always feel so special when a client's friend or relative from across the country chooses me to be a part of such a beautiful gift. 

When I walked into their apartment, Baby M was snuggled sweetly in Betty's arms, a full head of hair peeking out, soundly sleeping.  Betty and Darin's families each started to arrive and I began to truly understand the strength of baby M's magnetism.  Four generations of women and men, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers and grandparents all gathered around her.  I captured each of them holding her, nuzzling noses, and gently cradling her against their hearts.  It was an amazing session, and I am truly honored to have been a part of their lives in that moment.

Thank you Lin.

Baby N

The sweet, soft smell, the wide, bright eyes ever exploring new surroundings, the pure innocence...ahhh newborns.  Baby N helped to usher in this beautiful warm weather with her session.  One of the warmer days we had recently, but just a hint of snow left on the ground.  She lay perfectly still and content bundled up in blankets enjoying a sweet moment of fresh air.  Baby N's Mommy wanted something a little more unusual with her session, an image to stand out amongst the more traditional images we captured later on in the session.  To which I said, I have lists and lists of unusal ideas!  I can't help that I'm an artsy type :)  A few of you have asked about the stunning baby on my new blog header.  Well, I couldn't wait for the sneak peek, I had to put her up there right away!  Here are a few other images that stood out from the session...

I brought this rocking chair along with me to the session.  It's my own rocking child from when I was a child.