Welcome to the world, little one!]]> http://www.studiomathewes.com/blog/2010/03/welcome_to_the_world_little_on.html http://www.studiomathewes.com/blog/2010/03/welcome_to_the_world_little_on.html Families Newborn children family newborn Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:00:25 -0500

It's a big, big world. We can only understand so much of it.

But I make photographs anyway.

After the big snow awhile back, I started to notice how all the salt and melting made the parking lots around campus look quite different.

Each red square had its own pattern of wear and tear.

There is beauty in micro-worlds.

The secret? Well, I found a bunch of clothes at the thrift store the very day I were going to photograph her. The skirt and sweater I found at GoodWill, and she borrowed my boots to match. Who knew she'd happen to have a beautiful yellow coat to match? Fun!

Siblings can make you laugh. They can be friends, confidants, and more. I wish I had a sister so I could share the same kind of relationship that Stella and Mary have with each other. They're so obviously at ease and full of grace.

And dare I say striking?

And silly, too. My favorite moment, however, was when they were finished throwing leaves at each other and gave a big squeeze.

Now if that doesn't warm your heart, I don't know what will.

I have a habit of writing in the margins of my books, and did so all throughout college. When revisiting a book, it means that I get to see another side of myself, and what resonated with me in the past. Usually, something different resonates with me the second time around, but sometimes I find myself wanting to write the same things over and over again in the margins; occasionally I underline what I've already written.

Awhile back, as directed by the book, I started an inspiration jar, made from an old mason jar whose lid I lost somewhere. I hated to let the jar go to waste, or even be recycled, since a jar can be such a useful thing, even without its lid.

I started dropping little do-dads into it last August, while I was waiting for Lucas to be born. I remember feeling anxious about the birth, as well as creatively restless; I was saving my energy to bring a child into the world. The physical demands of late pregnancy, combined with a self-enforced leave of absence from any paid photo work, meant that I felt a tad useless too.

The jar has an Orthodox icon on it, featuring the Resurrection--a symbol of hope and triumph over death. Inside the jar was a scrap of velvety wrapping paper I liked, a few of my favorite wedding images, scraps of paper on which I wrote my anxieties, the foil lid of a wine I really liked (Irony Cabernet Savignon 2005--get a bottle while you can!). Other things--like a found friendship bracelet, the paper crane bottle cap, and blue jay feather--were things that reminded me of my childhood.

We'll see what more ends up in the jar later on; it's nowhere near full yet!

And it's not like they don't know if I'm going to be there or not, either! I'm in frequent communication with my couples prior to the wedding, making plans, discussing timelines, and getting excited about the venue.

So imagine my surprise when Mariko and Jeff's invitations came in the mail the other day!

They're having their wedding at the Irvine Nature Center in Baltimore this April, and so I absolutely went ga-ga over the leafy nature theme they used all over the invitations--Audobon-like imagery, paper color, hand-stamping, and a delicate typeface too!

April can't come fast enough!

Towards the end of the photo shoot, the sun began to set; clear, warm, and icy light all at once. I had brought with me this ancient, crusty parasol given to me by my mother-in-law; it tore when I first opened it, but it proved to be quite beautiful in spite of that!

What a lovely shade of green, yes? It was quite windy, and I think that having a torn parasol was probably a better idea than a whole one! These backlit shots have to be some of my favorites.

...and my favorite of them all.

Thank you to Molly, Jennifer, and Leah, who made all of this possible!

Molly Sibley, model / Jennifer LaVanaway, makeup / SmittenXOXO, hairpieces

This bell rings whenever services take place on campus at Holy Cross Orthodox Seminary. I laid down underneath the bell and shot upwards in the snow.

It turns out that Molly likes to collect vintage dresses, on top of being rather dazzling. This number was actually her mother's prom dress. How wonderful that she can not only wear it, but really work it!

Of course, I like to collect a few random things myself--old lace tablecloths, antique cameras, fans, umbrellas, parasols, and other such junky items that take up space in my closet, but turn out to be really useful when putting a photo shoot together!

The fan was a gift from my mother years ago, and the teacup is on loan from her massive collection.

More from this photo shoot coming soon!

Molly Sibley, model / Jennifer LaVanaway, makeup / SmittenXOXO, hairpieces

I wonder what the bird thinks of this real estate. Too much traffic, I'd say.

I then dragged Leah from SmittenXOXO, and makeup artist Jennifer LaVanaway into the project. Even my mom donated a few of her props--a random set of teacups, linens, and other objects that didn't make it into the final project, but served as inspiration nonetheless.

Leah sent me hairpieces that went with the feel and colors of Molly's dress, and Jennifer worked with gold leaf on Molly's face, to emulate the style of the teacups. Quite lovely!

It does help that Molly is so romantically beautiful, too!

More excerpts from the shoot coming on Wednesday!

David and Colleen are obviously meant for each other.

Melodie surprised Evan with a camouflage garter.

Nathalie and Cory enjoy a picnic-table kiss!

Erin waits for her cue with her father.

I loved that Katie and her bridesmaids each had a completely unique bouquet.

Tracy had such a beautiful laughing smile after just getting married.

Amanda stood in a renovated church--her home--as if she was at the altar before heading to the actual altar!

And then she cut loose at her reception!

Leslie gets surprised while having her portrait taken...

...only later to enjoy a kiss with her new husband, Chris.

Thanks to all my clients for making 2009 a fantastic year of creating beauty.

There's no one playing on the fields today.