kelli marsh photography : children's portraits; family portraits, & special events

I've Moved!

2011-09-08T16:52:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the talented guys at Idea180 I have an awesome new blog. Feel free to swing over there and check it out.

http://www.kellimarshblog.com/

See you on the other side...
k

Facebook Love

2011-03-14T18:08:00.003-04:00

At the urging of dedicated friends and loyal clients I have finally started a Facebook Fan Page. It's another great place for updates, promotions, new pictures and just to reach out and say hello. Spread some Facebook love today and 'like' the new page!

Kelli Marsh likes

Kelli Marsh Photography

Brian & Sarah : Seneca Lake Wedding Photography With Tomas Flint

2010-09-02T19:10:00.002-04:00

Sarah & Brian tied the knot on a gorgeous summer day. A day full of sunshine, laughter, and lots of love; it was simply beautiful all around. I feel privileged to have been a part of their day and to witness the special love they share. Of course working with Tom makes any wedding that much better. He continues to impress and inspire me beyond words. Here are some of my favorites from that beautiful day.

That's all for now folks. Thanks for stopping by!

-km (rochester, ny children & wedding photographer)

Photo Sessions, Albums, Announcements, Oh My!

2010-08-12T11:11:00.001-04:00

In case you haven't noticed, I've been absent from the blog world lately. This year has been busier and more successful than ever, but has kept me running! I've been busy taking pictures of the most wonderful families, designing albums and announcements and just overall crazy with a mile long to do list at all times. As a result I've neglected the blog. So I've come back to share a few recent pictures just to let you all know I'm alive, well and still snapping!

On another note, the busy fall season is approaching fast and sessions are booking up quickly. Oh, I can't wait for those brilliant fall orange and reds! If you're interested in a fall photo session contact studio@kellimarsh.com to make sure you get your preferred date.

Smiles until the next time...

-km (rochester, ny children's photographer)

The First and Fleeting Year : Rochester, NY Children's Photography

2010-05-30T09:47:00.198-04:00

New life brings with it amazement and wonder. When a child enters our world our lives are changed immediately and evermore. Everything is new and each step is more incredible than the last. The first time they lock eyes with you and you know you've connected in some unspoken but important way. The first time you know they’re responding to you with those adorable coos that echo your own. The miraculous first smiles and first steps. All too soon those precious months have come and gone and we're left with distant memories of that first and fleeting year. We hold those images in our mind of what they were like when we first met them; and all the little things they did along the way as they grew into unique little people. We don't get that time back, but we do get to preserve those important memories in pictures.

Here is Jenna's first year in a few pictures I selected from the 4 photo sessions we had together in that time. I'm honored Jenna's parents trusted such an important task to me. She's grown so much and I just can't believe how quickly the year has gone by.

Smiles & sunshine!
-km (rochester, ny children's photographer)

Lula Marie : Rochester, NY Children's Photography

2010-02-19T10:50:00.012-05:00

I just realized it's been a long time since I've shared any recent pictures of my favorite niece Lula (I can say she's my favorite since she's also my only niece). I'm not quite sure where the time has gone. It wasn't that long ago that I was holding her in the hospital for the first time marveling at this new life. Now she's a year and a half, running around the house, yelling my name "lelli", "delli" or whatever other version she can get out that doesn't require the 'k' sound, sharing her toys with me and reciting her numbers and colors. I of course am enamored by her. Especially when I hear she's making requests to "watch Elmo with Aunt Kelli pleeeeeeeease!" It doesn't get much more adorable than that, does it? She's as sweet as she looks. I'm hoping she stays that way forever.

Until the next time...
-km (rochester, ny children's photographer)

Quote of the Day : Rochester, NY Children's Photography

2010-02-01T21:04:00.006-05:00

"The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him." - Pablo Casals

I saw this quote today and had to share it. It makes me hope for every child to know of their own incredible uniqueness. I want for them to go out into the world with that knowledge and make their own path with confidence. At each and every session I am reminded of this. Children are amazing; brimming with curiosity, and full of possibility. They are spectacular to be near and observe, and to wonder what greatness lies ahead. These cuties from a recent session are no exception. I just know they're going to blaze trails in the years to come.

happy days!
- km (rochester, ny children's photographer)

Falling For Fall

2009-10-25T22:08:00.007-04:00

I LOVE fall. It's such a beautiful time in upstate NY. The crisp blue skies, reappearance of apple crisp and pumpkin pies and of course the vibrant colors. My schedule has been packed with fellow fall fans and I'm loaded with gorgeous pictures with perfect fall backdrops. There's plenty more to share but currently I'm loving this picture.

Things I Love

2009-10-01T15:33:00.000-04:00

Working with newborns and children so much, I am frequently asked for ideas on everything from what to wear for a photo session to a good place to get funky nursery furniture. I've made a list of "things I love" for my family, friends and clients that I love. All of these links are worth checking out for some adorable clothes, accessories, and furniture for your little ones.

The Little Seed - furniture, fashion and accessories with an environmental twist

Posh Tots - clothes, furniture, playhouses and more...everything from a-z for your "posh" baby

Serena & Lily - sweet bedroom collections and furniture

ShopGenes - cool gear for the urban family

Babylegs - dress up your little one's legs

Kukunest - fabulously modern kids bedding

As I find more things I love, I'll be sure to share here with you. Check back for additions and feel free to share any suggestions you have here too!

Heroes 4Hope Gala

2009-09-17T19:24:00.000-04:00

Last week Tom and I were invited to photograph The Heroes 4Hope Gala for The Jorge Posada Foundation. It was the 8th annual gala for the foundation which was created to raise funds and awareness for children with Craniosynostosis. The theme of this year's Heroes 4Hope Gala was a salute to Yankee catchers. Joining Posada were Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, Yankee manager Joe Girardi, Rick Cerone, Mike Stanley, Charlie Silvera and the widows of Elston Howard and Thurnan Munson. Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams we also on hand to show their support. It was a huge honor to work with the Jorge Posada Foundation for such a worthy cause and to have our work linked on their website. Click here to view the slideshow.

Many thanks to Tomas Flint for sharing this experience with me and to Mike Macchione at Catch 24 for believing we were the best photographers for the job.

What I Did This Summer

2009-09-03T22:48:00.003-04:00

In the spirit of back-to-school time I thought I'd write a "what I did this summer" essay. I'm trying to relive the good old days of 5th grade here...humor me :)

The recent months have been extremely busy, but extremely awesome. Tom and I moved into a new home. We weathered a seemingly endless remodel that had the fridge in the family room and the toilet on the balcony (no, we didn't use it out there), and boxes that still need to be unpacked. We've traveled across states for concerts, workshops and weddings.

The last few months have whirled by and mostly I'm just trying to keep up. But when I stop and take a moment to look back I am so grateful. My life has been enriched by each place I've taken in and by each unique person I've shared the moments with. Sometimes I can't believe how fortunate I have been.

Once the dust settles (literally) I will be back to blogging. In the meantime here's a few cel phone pics I've snapped along the way.

under construction

enjoying the new view

Andy, Mike and me reflecting with Tom at Phish, Darien Lake

Pittsburgh roadtrip to see the The Decemberists play "Hazards" in full

Kenny Kim's shot of us modeling at the Davis Love Story Workshop in MD

golden

Tom's view of the Tahoe wedding

I Have The Best Job

2009-06-10T10:10:00.004-04:00

I have the best job. It's true. Every photo session is a new experience. Peeking into people's lives and the bond they share as a family. It's an opportunity for me to connect with new people and capture their spirit to be looked back upon for years to come. Each family is beautifully unique and I always take so much away from every experience. I had so much fun taking pictures with Annemarie, Jeff and their two adorable daughters. Emily is at the stage where she sticks her tongue out at everything...it's so funny and adorable at the same time. Makayla has boundless energy. She's spunky and carefree; just like a 4 year old should be. I had to sneak my shots in between playing with her dollhouse and a few rounds of zingo, which of course she beat me at fair and square! I'm looking forward to a rematch at our next session, and hopefully more fun pictures of this beautiful family.

Homecoming

2009-04-16T12:10:00.002-04:00

When I received an email from Theresa months ago, I was so excited. She and her husband Jim were in the process of adopting a baby from Ethiopia and wanted to have someone at the airport to take pictures of a small gathering of friends and family that would be there to welcome them. I knew it would be unlike any other job I've had and was thrilled to be a part of it. I didn't want to miss a second of such a monumental event so I asked Tom to come along too. Neither one of us had any idea what was in store.

When the date finally arrived, we got to the airport early. I pulled a few strings and got to the gate to wait for them while Tom stayed on the other side of security waiting with the small group of friends and family that had already gathered. When Theresa and Jim got off of the plane they were excited to show off their beautiful little angel. They were all smiles and definitely had no idea of the reception awaiting them. None of us did. As we approached the exit we could see rows and rows of friends and family, balloons and banners, it was unreal. When the doors opened there was an explosion of cheers, crying, laughter, and hugs. I wasn't prepared for how hard that would hit me. Overwhelmed by emotion I fought back tears while I tried to catch every smile, every hug, every once in a lifetime moment. This was the beginning for them. After a long road of paperwork and trip around the world...they were finally home together, and their friends and family made sure they had the warmest welcome home ever. It was one of the most beautiful moments I've ever witnessed.

I will forever remember Luca's excited smile...and the way Jim and Theresa beamed as she carried him around and introduced him to all the people that will be a part of his new life here. Several weeks later and I still get choked up thinking about it. It was amazing; and unforgettable and I am so honored to have been a part of such a monumental event in their lives.

Many thanks to Tomas Flint for coming along and catching some fantastic shots of this incredible day. For more information on BFAS Ethiopian Adoption click here.

Art for Art

2009-04-09T21:40:00.006-04:00

A while back Kerry contacted me looking for headshots for a project she's working on. A super talented glass bead artist, she was looking for some pictures of herself at work in her studio for a book she's writing. I of course was jazzed about seeing her in action. She's an artist with a talent I wanted to know more about, and I was going to watch her work her magic! When the day finally came, I was as fascinated as I thought I'd be. Kerry was so cool; she made my job easy! She excitedly welcomed me into the studio, showed me all of her 'gear' and chatted with me while she demonstrated her skills. With a rainbow of glass rods, torch, steady hand, and her incredible talent she whipped up little masterpieces. In between snaps I found myself in awe of the glass, their brilliant colors and her ability to meld them into beautiful, wearable pieces of art. I'm telling you, she is amazingly talented. Don't take my word for it though, check out her site and her blog to get the full impression.

I had so much fun watching Kerry in action and now that I've seen her stuff first hand, I know more than a few people that will love to have one of her creations for themselves, myself included (hint, hint). If you're ready to own a beautiful piece of jewelry that will wow people you have to talk to Kerry. Be on the lookout for news of her book coming out...I for one am definitely psyched to see it!

Songs At Home

2009-02-27T18:10:00.002-05:00

There are so many reasons I love sharing a home with Tom. He doesn't mind doing the dishes. He's not that much of a sore loser when I beat him at Wii bowling and doesn't gloat too much when he wins. He makes me tea in the morning. The list could go a mile long but one thing I'm particluarly grateful for is the music he fills the house with. Guitar in hand and full of passion he'll belt out favorites from Pearl Jam, The Beatles, Jack Johnson, or one of the many beautiful songs he's written. He can make me laugh, warm my heart, or bring me to tears with the sounds and songs he makes. I can't imagine living in a house without music and thanks to Tom I won't ever have to.

Here he is after some songs at home with his much loved guitar.

Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything. - Plato

A Mind of His Own

2009-01-25T15:10:00.006-05:00

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with David and his parents Steve and Mary. From the moment I got there David was only interested in one thing, play time. The images I caught were stolen in between bribes of time with his toys...in just one more minute. Thankfully we were able to distract him long enough to catch him being his charismatic self. David has quite a big personality for such a little man. He took over the room...where he sat, how he sat, and who he sat with... it was all up to him. Pictures with mom and dad weren't enough. We HAD to take some with his green dinosaurs too. He is sweet, funny, and clearly knows what he wants. A little man with a mind of his own for sure.

A Bond For Life

2008-12-16T09:15:00.017-05:00

I have the best job. Really. I have been so lucky to work with the most wonderful people that always add more joy to my day. This session was no exception. These kids teased each other, drove tractors around, joked with me, made snowballs and even started an attack on dad! In spite of all the mischief that's typical to kids at this age you can tell they have a special bond. It was awesome to spend some time with a family that so clearly enjoys their time together. It reminded me of how thankful I am for my family; for my sister and brother. The bond siblings share is unique and one that I am extremely grateful for. I love to think that these kids will only grow closer as the years go on. Aren't they a beautiful bunch?

How They Grow!

2008-12-11T10:32:00.005-05:00

I will never stop being amazed by the little hands and tiny fingers, spontaneous giggles and extraordinary light that comes from little ones. I often wonder how it's possible that I was ever that size, how any of us were that small once. So innocent and so full of wonder. During photo sessions I often find myself standing in awe of these fascinating little creatures. Their innocence and wonder makes me wish I could remember who I was when I was that small. How it felt to be so wide eyed and unaware of myself. The younger years fade away too fast and before we know it these moments become memories. For my part, I just keep trying to stop time for families with babies that are growing way too fast. The last time I saw Ella she was just 3 months old. It's 3 months later...she's changed so much, and surely too fast for her parents!

Giving Thanks

2008-11-26T07:12:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is a big day. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year. Who doesn't look forward to the mounds of delicious stuffing, turkey and apple and pumpkin pies? But there's so much more than piles of food that make Thanksgiving a favorite of mine. It's the opportunity to feel gratitude for health, the freedom we have to make our dreams come true and wonderful friends and family in our lives. I am grateful beyond words for all that I have and will spend the day reminding those that make my life better how thankful I am to have them. Life is good...really good!

Before I take off for the holiday weekend I wanted to share a few pics from a recent session. We went to the pumpkin patch in pursuit of the perfect pumpkin. I'm not sure we found it, but it was lots of fun looking!

He's a handsome little man, isn't he?

In hot pursuit of the great pumpkin...

Now go spread thanks and stuff yourselves silly!

Blog Slacking

2008-11-17T07:20:00.003-05:00

I've done it again. I've neglected my blog and my loyal readers...boooo. I've never been so busy and in the interest of making deadlines for clients I have let my blog efforts slack. So it's for good cause that I've been MIA from the blog world right? I've had some really fun sessions in the last few months and can't wait to share some the images from them. Once I dig through them all, I'll be putting them up so check back soon! In the meantime I wanted to share one recent image that I just love.

Be well until the next time...

Sarah & Chris

2008-10-14T21:21:00.023-04:00

As individuals Sarah and Chris are beautiful...together the are even more so. Watching them together they are full of spirit and bursting with love and on their wedding day, they were more radiant than ever. Sarah has spunk that I imagine will entertain and challenge Chris for years to come. But for his part, he seems well suited to handle anything she throws his way. I just know they'll be having fun for years to come.

Their adorable niece and nephew. I just love the eyes in this one!

Many thanks to their families, friends, and to the amazingly talented Tomas Flint for a fantastic day!

Best of Times

2008-09-09T07:30:00.000-04:00

It has been a crazy season and there's no sign of things slowing down any time soon. Just back from a wedding in New York City, Tom and I are getting ready to leave tomorrow for another in Puerto Rico at the beautiful El Conquistador Resort. It's been an incredibly busy but exciting season of weddings that have brought us to many great cities and introduced us to wonderful, new friends along the way. I can't express my gratitude to all the couples, their families, and friends that have welcomed us into their special day as extended family members. It has truly been a season rich with experience, laughter, and good times. I know I'm getting ahead of myself as wedding season isn't over yet, but I figured now is as good a time as any to reflect on what a good summer and season it's been...the best of times.

Before I take off for paradise I'll leave you with a pic of a new friend I met along the way. Isn't that the sweetest face?

Farewell til the next time.

One Week

2008-08-25T18:30:00.003-04:00

Lula is one week old today. It's unbelievable how much she's changed already! We had a brief visit yesterday. She squirmed around a little bit, inspected my face as I held her, and mostly just napped. I spent some time starting at her, being fascinated by the purity of this new little person I held in my arms. Simply amazing. Here she is looking adorable and oh-so-sleepy!

Kaitlin & Stephen

2008-08-21T20:08:00.015-04:00

When I think back to Stephen and Katilin's wedding the first thing that comes to mind is the image of them teasing each other and having a good laugh together. On a day that can stress many brides and grooms, Kaitlin and Stephen approached the day lighthearted and full of spunk. It was a joy to work with them and to spend the day shooting such a carefree couple. I couldn't help but feel a little bit lighter in their presence. I think the pictures say it all.

the beautiful bride

clowning around...as usual!

Many thanks to Kaitlin and Stephen for reminding me how much fun love should be and to the Guenette and Gionta families for sharing such a special day with us!

Also a huge thank you to the super talented Tomas Flint for continuing to inspire and motivate me. Swing by his blog to see more of his perspective.

Farwell...until the next time blog watchers...
k

Welcome to the World Lula!

2008-08-18T23:56:00.000-04:00

8/18/08 12:38am

Little Lula made her grand entrance, finally! She kept us waiting, arriving over a week late, but she was well worth the wait. Aside from her shriveled feet (from staying in the "oven" too long) she is beautiful from head to toe. The doctor said she's perfect. I snapped picture after picture but spent so much time at the hospital I've only pulled a few of my favorites of Lula's first 12 hours. I'll be sure to get more up asap so all of you out of towner's can get a good look at her.

Congratulations to Mike and Ali on the birth of their amazing little girl and best wishes for days filled with laughter and nights filled with good rest (you're gonna need it!)
love you all!

Ella

2008-08-17T10:20:00.000-04:00

Ella is teeny tiny and absolutely adorable. At 3 months old she's quiet and sweet. She's the kind of baby that makes you think having a newborn is easy work. During our session she barely made a peep. Mostly she spent her time staring in awe at the camera. From the looks she kept giving me I'm pretty sure she was wondering what the heck that big thing was that I kept pointing at her! When she wasn't looking at me with her quizzical face, I caught her being her cute self.

Thanks so much to little Ella and her parents for welcoming me into your home and letting me share a little bit of your new joy with you!

Camille & Steve

2008-07-30T20:30:00.004-04:00

Camille and Steve knew they'd found something special when they first met. It didn't take them long to decide they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. And when you see them you know there's something special between them. They planned a beautiful June wedding in Simsbury, Connecticut complete with family, friends, birthday cakes for both of them and pink roses and peonies everywhere. It was simply wonderful. Tom and I were honored to be a part of their special day and loved every minute of working with them.

Allison & Molly

2008-06-23T23:22:00.003-04:00

The bond between a mother and child is something that I always feel so grateful to witness. Molly and Allison's connection is undeniable. They threw rocks together, walked by the water, and made dandelion wishes. A few times Molly snuggled into Allison's arm or leg or wherever she could reach just to be close to her mommy. It was so sweet. And when Allison put Molly's hand on her belly to feel her soon to arrive little brother or sister Molly had to check her own belly to see if it was just like mommy's! I enjoyed the time we spent together so much...just look at how adorable they are together!

Thanks Allison & Molly for sharing your time with me! I look forward to watching you grow together over the years.

Dad-itude

2008-06-16T08:37:00.028-04:00

.gratitude for an amazing dad.
I am fortunate to have a lot of wonderful people in my life. Friends and family have made my days brighter, safer, and full of love. I could write line after line of how thankful I am for each of them but today I'll pick just one in honor of Father’s day, my dad. Over the years he has given me wagon rides, read me bedtime stories, sang to me my favorite songs on his guitar, cheered me on at soccer games and helped me mend a broken heart or two with lots of love and words of wisdom. My faithful guide through life, he taught me how to throw a football, how to do math, how to play cards...and even how to gloat when I win. He taught me to be strong and make good choices. He taught me how to navigate through life's bumpy roads.

He is so much of the reason I like the person I've grown up to be. He has supported me, educated me, set me straight (when I needed it), encouraged me and understood me. It is because of him that I understand the value patience, honesty, and most importantly the value of myself. Because he loved me. No matter what. And if I deserve the love of a man as awesome as my father, than I deserve anyone’s love.

We got together yesterday to spend time enjoying the warm summer day together. Cold beers, good grillin (courtesy of grill sergeant Mike) and some fierce bocce competition made it a perfect day.

The boys in battle. Tom, Mike, my dad and Bill

The Best of Times - Me, My Dad, Karen, & Mike (and no we didn't plan to wear matching greens!)

Many thanks to Tom for catching this sweet shot

My father is a man of endless knowledge, strength and integrity. He's a constant example of the kind of person I strive to be and I am grateful he's my dad. So a VERY Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there, and especially you dad. I'm full of dad-itude for having a father like you with me every step of the way. Thank you for being you.

Catching Up

2008-06-09T21:41:00.029-04:00

I've been MIA. I know. A two week trip to Italy (SO AMAZING), followed by a big move (clutter and confusion)...and in between all mountains of boxes I'm digging through there are weddings and family photo sessions. Whew! Life has carried me away but I'm getting back on the blog track. I know you've been waiting patiently for the Italy pictures, and I promise those are coming soon, but I have a few things to get to first.

My first spring wedding in Rochester was a beautiful one. Estelle and Nate planned a sweet and intimate affair. A small ceremony followed by a scrumptious brunch was perfectly suited to them. Here are a few of snaps from the day.

One of mine that Tom posted...I love it so much I had to swipe it from his blog.

Many thanks to Estelle and Nate for sharing their day with us! A big giant thank you to Tom for continuing to inspire me with the enormous amount of dedication and passion he tackles each day with.

Love the Baby Bump

2008-04-20T10:50:00.025-04:00

I got an email from Ali this morning...she's entered one of my photos of her in a bump contest at the Nest Baby. If she wins, she gets a vacation to Jamaica among other sweet prizes. So why am I telling you this? She needs YOUR votes to win. Visit this link, give her a "bumptastic" vote, and leave a comment too!
rate my belly

To register your vote make sure you click on the "rate this photo" section

I hope she wins!
oh....and you have to sign up to be able to vote...but it's worth it!

Spring Cleaning

2008-04-16T17:02:00.001-04:00

It's been a crazy few months and it's sure to get more hectic as wedding season hits in full force. I've been packing to move, packing for a trip to Italy, getting organized for the busy season ahead, shooting in between and enjoying every second of the new spring weather. I couldn't decide what to focus on so I decided to throw together a little collection of my most recent adventures.

Tom's good friends Corey McNabb & Amber Holritz stopped by for a visit on their way to their way to the next workshop on their "Rockstar Roadtrip". Amber was so sweet and Corey entertained us all with his amazing magic tricks. I'm still trying to figure out how he got that coin out of my hand!

The super talented Tomas Flint took this shot at Highland Park on the first warm day of the season...let the sun shine in!!!

I couldn't resist adding this one of Tom. He's so psyched about the warm weather! (even though it doesn't look warm...it really was!)

Oh, I can't forget an update on Ali. Less than 4 months til the big day and she's still looking radiant!

Well that's all for now folks. Next time we meet, I'll have stories and pictures to share from our trip to Italy!

The Best Part of my Day

2008-04-10T21:15:00.007-04:00

To do lists and deadlines clutter the path in my life all too often. It's so easy to lose sight of the little things that make our days beautiful. I was reminded of this just yesterday. At the end of a busy day, my phone rang. Before I even got a chance to say hello I heard noise on the other end. Singing. 2 year old Michael was calling from Brooklyn and he was singing my song. I listened with a bittersweet tug in my heart as he sang 'You Are My Sunshine'. That's my song! One I loved when I was a child and here's this sweet little voice singing it to me...and he's so far away. I know, Brooklyn isn't that far, but when you miss someone, it feels like a million miles between us. Little Michael sang the whole song (along with mommy's help). The moments when joy just lands in our lap (or appears on the other end of the telephone) they are what make magic of our days.

Here's the little man all the way from Brooklyn via mommy's cell phone camera. I miss that little guy!

Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice

2008-03-11T11:20:00.003-04:00

Ali & Mike got the big news and drum roll please....it's a GIRL!!! They'll name her Lula. She will be adorable and sweet, but surely rambunctious as the doctor has shown surprise at how active she is already. We've been catching up monthly to document her ever changing figure. By August she'll have a complete collection of images from her pregnancy - beginning to end. Here's just two of our most recent session.

Feeling good, looking even better, and growing by the day...pregnancy is treating Ali well. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming months.

Off The Beaten Path

2008-02-28T19:57:00.000-05:00

I stumbled on this picture today and it made me happy. Tom and I were in Colorado for an August wedding and had some free time to explore. Way out in Leadville, we got a little off course (aka lost). On the side of the road, we took a few snaps in what appears to be the middle of nowhere.

Maybe wild flowers on the side of the road make being lost in the middle of nowhere ok? Well that's all I have for thoughts and pictures currently. Stay tuned for an update on Ali & Mike. This is the week they get to find out if they're having a boy or a girl. I think it's a boy. Check back to see if I'm right in the next few days!

All You Need Is Love

2008-02-14T08:33:00.021-05:00

LOVE...
Cards. Flowers. Candy. That's a list that could go on for miles. Valentine's Day can easily lose its meaning but for me it's more than store bought tokens. It's about saying thank you to the people who make my life rich with the love they shine on me. Without them I would be less. To my friends, family and my sweetheart Tom - THANK YOU! You are the ones that inspire me, challenge me, encourage me, fill my spirit, and make me a better person. You make gray days brighter and make life worth living. So go out and spread the love. After all...in the wise words of John Lennon, All You Need Is Love!

Love & Light to you all...today and everyday!

Chloe

2008-02-05T19:20:00.000-05:00

Spunk. I can't think of a better word to describe little Chloe. At almost three years old, she's ready to take on the world. In our hour session, she blew bubbles, drank tea, rode the horsey (imaginary..but still), and played with her kitty, Camo. She ran me in circles, literally! I could barely keep up, but I was determined to catch the little fireball with my lens.

Camo looks scared...could it be that he's afraid Chloe will "let him fly"? I'm pretty sure she thinks he has wings...or at least that's what you'd assume when watching her play with him!

Isn't she cheeky?

Working with children continues to inspire me beyond words. Stepping back into a world full of imagination, color and life; and catching that spark in each child...it's an extraordinary and unpredictable experience every single time! Thanks to Chloe and her parents for letting me peek into the sweet life they share.

Mike & Ali + 1

2008-01-19T17:21:00.000-05:00

Ali & Mike are two incredible individuals. Together they make an even more incredible couple. They encourage other, laugh together and grow together. Now they're having a baby together. I imagine their amazing qualities will meld perfectly to create a child that's smart as a whip, creative, rambunctious, and beautiful. The combination of these two will make one awesome person that I can't wait to meet!

Don't they look like they'll make perfect parents?

August 9th can't come soon enough! In the meantime, stay tuned for updates and images. Ali is sure to be more adorable as the months go by.

Congratulations Mike & Ali! We're all excited to meet your fiery little leo!

Back!

2008-01-04T17:06:00.001-05:00

It's true; I disappeared from blog-world for the entire month of December. Caught up in the rush of holidays, work, work, and more work, dedication to my blog has waned. But with the New Year, I have renewed energy, big ideas and great images to share. As I'm looking out the window at one of many gray days in New York, I'm inspired by a picture I stumbled on from vacation in the Bahamas last year. Warmer weather, bluer skies, and a slower pace. I'm officially making my New Years resolution (4 days late, but who's checking?) to get back to this place before 08 ends...and i'm taking the lensbaby with me.

Now that's a right start to the new year! 08 promises to be an incredible one.
Best to you all!

New Life - Jaysn Joseph

2007-11-13T22:32:00.002-05:00

Since my dear friend Jay told me that he and his better half, Krystal, were going to have a baby, I've been eagerly awaiting the little one's arrival. Last week I got the excited call from Jay. He was ecstatic and could barely catch his breath as he blurted out all the details. Happy, healthy, and beautiful; the baby was perfect. When I got to the hospital the next day Jay and Krystal were overcome with joy, and in complete awe of their new addition. As I held his precious little frame in my arms I was overwhelmed with hope that comes from new life; a little bundle of unlimited possibilities. I only finally let go to take a few snaps. Here's little Jaysn at 16 hours old.

safe in daddy's hands

proud grandpa

New beginnings are so amazing! Congratulations Jay & Krystal!

Abram & Abigail

2007-11-04T17:33:00.000-05:00

On one of the most beautiful fall days I can remember, I got together with two adorable little spirits, Abram & Abigail. It was a perfect day, the leaves were brilliant bursts of red, gold and rust, the sun was shining on blue skies, and it was a record-breaking, 80 degrees! During our photo session Abram skipped through the grass throwing leaves and looking for bugs while Abby searched for grass and twigs to put in her little 8 month old mouth. It was an amazing experience for me to see the season new again through their young eyes. Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

BOO!

2007-10-30T16:35:00.002-04:00

I couldn't let Halloween pass without putting up at least one ridiculous picture from the festivities. Ketchup and Mustard (aka Jason and Ali) hosted a rockin party over the weekend. Due to an embarassing addiction to VH1's "Rock of Love", Tom had his heart set on going as Bret Michaels from 80's hair band Poison. I admit I was quite addicted to the trashy reality show too, so it was decided; we'd be Bret and his rock star groupie. Here's a few pics from the point and shoot camera before things got crazy.

Happy Halloween blog world!

James & Thurka: 3 Photographers, 2 Ceremonies, One Incredible Day

2007-10-03T19:11:00.000-04:00

When Tomas Flint asked me to join him in shooting James and Thurka's wedding I gladly agreed. With one Catholic ceremony, one Hindu ceremony, five wardrobe changes, and a fast paced schedule I knew it would be a challenging day, but definitely one not to be missed. Tom also recruited the amazingly talented Erich Camping to ensure that we caught every important detail. The Flint-Camping-Marsh combination set out to seamlessly cover every minute of the day and achieved a totally awesome result. Three cameras capturing different angles and perspectives of one incredible day. The joining of two families and two cultures made for a fantastically diverse and exciting event. I couldn't help but be fascinated by the Hindu wedding ceremony. They had it all: drums, horns, incense, flowers, and fire. After 14 hours we emerged feeling triumphant and with a stack of spectacular images.

The super fired up crew at hour 12 of 14...and we're still snapping our hearts out!

On A Path

2007-09-20T01:48:00.001-04:00

I just had to take a minute to give a shout out to one of my biggest inspirations, Tomas Flint. Tom is constantly praised by grateful brides and grooms for his commitment to unique and flawless images and bringing amazing energy to their wedding day. Their family and friends never miss an opportunity to express their gratitude for tireless efforts from the beginning of the day to the last dance of the night. Working alongside him, I have been fortunate to witness and be motivated by his passion for his work. Rochester magazine, the Insider, wasn't going to miss an opportunity to highlight such an incredible talent either. They've featured him in their most recent issue.

With each step, great things keep happening. He's on a path, and he's unstoppable!
So proud of you Tom!

-

Destination: Geneva On The Lake

2007-09-08T16:20:00.000-04:00

Nicole & Mike
With their adorable little Benjamin and a few cherished friends and family, Nicole and Mike had a sweetly intimate wedding at the lovely Geneva On The Lake Resort. From the beginning it was clear that Mike and Nicole share a bond with each other that extends across the people they love most. As their handful of friends and family looked on, Mike and Nicole spoke the vows they had written for each other. The beauty of their words and the love they share brought everyone to tears. Their two lives rightfully and perfectly joined marking a 'coming together' of everyone. Since it was such a small gathering Tom and I were immediately welcomed into their family. We strolled the gardens, raised our glasses during their toast on the boat ride on Seneca Lake, and shared their candlelight dinner. Most importantly, I got to witness two people, with their loved ones, celebrating the relationships that mean the most to them. Nicole and her sister shared a dance while their mother held little Benjamin. Mikes best friend gave a speech that brought everyone to tears, again. Over an elegant and delicious dinner, everyone laughed and shared stories of their long, colorful histories together. Everyone should be so lucky to have a tight group of friends and family in which love circles all around. I feel grateful just to have been near it.

Many thanks the super-fired-up Tomas Flint for bringing me along, continually inspiring me, and catching this sweet shot of me on the train tracks that day.

Michael Turned 2

2007-08-30T21:38:00.001-04:00

It feels like just yesterday that my sister called to tell me to get on the next flight to NYC because the baby was coming fast. Of course I jumped from my desk and ran, literally, to catch the next flight. At the hospital we all waited anxiously, for little Michael Philip, my first nephew, to be born. Somehow two years have flown by since that beautiful day and I'm amazed at how much he's grown. With each visit he's bigger, smarter and full of boundless energy. Now he's busy. Busy playing cars and guitar. Busy running up and down the stairs; opening doors and closing them, and opening and closing, and, well, let's just say it's hard to keep up with him. He also learned how to say my name since he was last here. Is there anything sweeter than hearing that little voice calling your name? He's a little monster, as all little boys are, but he melts my heart and lights up everyone that's around him. I want to keep him the way he looks in these pictures, to freeze time and keep him a sweet little angel forever. Don't grow up too fast little one!

Mommy teaching him how to use bubbles

He might be a rock star someday. Look at him go!

He's a little guy

Learning guitar with papa

Being serious with grandma

They Stand Together

2007-08-25T23:13:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago I got a call from my father. He wanted to create a special anniversary gift for his wife; a picture of two trees they pass on the drive home from trips to Niagara Falls. Though I didn't immediately understand the significance of the trees, I gladly agreed. It wasn't until today when discussing printing and framing options that I learned the significance of the two trees. He explained how the they stand together in the open field and how it made him think of Karen and him. Standing firmly, side by side. I was touched at his sentimentality; 14 years together and they're still one of the happiest couples I know. Happy Anniversary Dad & Karen! I hope you both love the picture as much as I do.

Another set of two standing together that I discovered in the fields near the trees. They were too pretty to ignore.

Stash Bash '07

2007-08-21T21:22:00.001-04:00

It all started with a mustache and a dream. Lindsay was browsing around Archimage when she stumbled upon a package of fake stashes. Of course we had to find use for them, and since summer has been insanely busy we dedicated last Sunday as a day for ridiculous fun (aka Stash Bash 2007). Of course we were camera happy early in the day and the pictures prove it. I swiped a few images Tom and I snapped from his blog.

Tom gets credit for this fantastic invite

Lindsay's cupcake men

Thanks Tom for the sweet pics of me and the girls!

Ridin High

2007-08-19T10:33:00.001-04:00

Back after a week in the Colorado Mountains I feel energized, refreshed and most importantly, grateful. Waking up every morning to the warm blue mountain skies brought a feeling of serenity that had escaped me for too long. Those Colordao skies are endless. We stayed in the charming town of Frisco but put almost 1000 miles on the rental car exploring from Dillon, to Breckenridge, Boulder to Denver and countless stops along the way. Each day a new adventure awaited; a moonlight ATV tour on the rugged terrain of the Contintental Divide, strolling around the shops in Breckenridge, a blissful night at the Cottonwood Hot Springs in Buena Vista, a day chillin in Boulder, and an incredible three hour trail ride on 'Little Joe' at the Rusty Spurr Ranch. There's just too much to squeeze into one rambling post about an experience that words can't possibly do justice. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Photo courtesy of Tomas Flint

A huge thank you to Steph and Pat for bringing us out to document another special day for them, and for introducing us to wonderful people, places and experiences in Colorado. Many special memories and good friends won't be forgotten.

Colorado or Bust

2007-08-01T14:48:00.000-04:00

I've always wanted to go to Colorado and I'm finally on my way. Renowned destination wedding photographer and my partner in crime, Tomas Flint, invited me along to shoot Steph and Pat's wedding in Buena Vista, Colorado. I could 't resist posting the picture below. Anyone who's been on a plane with Tom knows he's an EXPERT at sleeping on planes. He was out within 5 minutes of take off. At least he's not a drooler.

Lookin good Tom! Fun times ahead...

Destination: Adirondack Mountains

2007-07-29T11:11:00.001-04:00

Kelly & Jim
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of traveling to the Adirondacks with Tomas Flint to shoot Kelly & Jim's wedding. It was a perfect extended weekend of sunny days surrounded by their wonderful family and friends. Kelly & Jim were adorable together. Giggling and smiling constantly, they were pure joy to photograph. Here's a few snaps from the weekend.

Beautiful mountain scenery, a warm and welcoming group of people, and a couple so clearly in love...simply amazing. Thanks to Kelly & Jim for the good times. Best wishes to you!

Sunshine State

2007-07-25T17:53:00.000-04:00

Last weekend I was lucky enough to take a quick trip to Florida to visit one of my best friends, Jen. Jenni is the girl everyone wants to be near. Fun, free spirited, and solid. The all around good friend, we've shared the highs and lows of life over the years. When she announced she was moving away 5 years ago I was sad for the distance it'd put between us. Thankfully her move has become a good excuse for many trips and good times. Jen, her brother John, and her niece Alex graciously open their door every time I come for a visit. Their house has become a home away from home.

Such good times in the Sunshine state! Jen and John, thanks so much for having me...again. Miss you guys already!

Mike & Ali

2007-07-13T15:08:00.002-04:00

Two of my favorite people in the whole wide world recently celebrated their 2nd anniversary. Seven years ago Mike and Ali were working at the same restaurant. Her sweet face immediately caught his eye and it wasn't long before he got her to go out with him (she didn't make it easy). The rest, as they say, is history. Now they're celebrating two blissful years of marriage. He brings her flowers for no reason. She watches Yankees games and cheers along with him. He's brilliant and funny. She's creative and talented. They dance together. They laugh together. They adore each other. They balance.

I marvel at the honesty of their relationship and am grateful to be witness to such an incredible and ever growing bond. Congratulations & Happy Anniversary Mike & Ali. Keep loving.

I'm a BLOGGER. For REAL.

2007-07-05T23:51:00.000-04:00

The blog. It's officically my first step towards simplifying life. After spending too much time emailing pictures and trying to catch up after an awesome wedding this weekend in the Adirondacks I've decided it's time to put things in their place. No more jamming your inbox with updates from recent adventures; my pictures and words have found a new home.

So for those of you that have been patiently waiting, I'll start with Steph and Pat's wedding. Then work backwards, forwards, and all around to get things up that I know you'll want to see. Until then, here are a few of my favorites.

Many thanks to the super talented Tom Flint for bringing me along. Who works harder than this guy?

Tom, you are an inspiration and all that you do is appreciated immensely. What an amazing day. I can't wait to see Steph and Pat again to document the follow up bash in Colorado next month. Rocky Mountains here we come!

Winston & Allie

2007-06-22T17:32:00.000-04:00

For Karen
Old man Winston and naughty Allie, what a duo. They couldn't be cuter.