Nicole and Brian

Nicole and Brian's e-session

Nicole and Brian had extremely good luck considering the weather lately when we had their engagement session photos on Saturday. They wanted a little nature in the photos and a little urban Frederick feel. It was also First Saturday so downtown was packed with people. They did a great job of ignoring the crowds and the rest of the world and just related to each other. That's what I love about couples about to be wed, they are the world to each other. And these two were no exception.

I have noticed that many couples have a "signature" pose. This is a pose a couple might do often and naturally, their way of showing affection to one another or one they did one time and loved the way they looked in the pose.

By the end of the shoot, after looking over the images, I realized, Nicole and Brian have a signature pose as well! With no coaching from me they moved together, foreheads touching. The connection between the two of them in this pose is amazing. They are really focused on one another.

Thanks Nicole and Brian, for walking blocks and blocks and trying every one of my poses, but the best ones...were your own!

The engagement of Jennifer and John

I've been having a lot of fun with couples lately photographing them celebrating their engagement. Jennifer and John picked the Antietam area for their photos. Outdoorsy types, they wanted the casualness of the woods, creek and environs.
As with most of these sessions, the first fifteen minutes or so is a warm-up and then the real emotion and moments begin to happen. I love the opportunity to photograph couples before their wedding day. It gives me a chance to see what they think is fun, what poses they may enjoy and we become comfortable with each other. This is much better than showing up and introducing yourself on the day of the wedding!

John had the suggestion for this pose and it really turned out beautifully!

I think the look of Jennifer's eyes is stunning in this photo!

Jennifer thought she'd like to try out John on his ability to dip her and I got this photo of real joy. I think we decided the dip was fun but we may not try it as one of their wedding picture poses!

Thank you Jennifer and John!

Sam IS the man!

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting Sam Glick and his mother, Millie. Millie had seen another blog posting of family photos and thought she would like Sam's senior photos shot in the same relaxed style. Sam very graciously posed in any spot I chose, endured a brilliant reflector on his face ( held very professionally by Millie!!) and held that smile for an hour! You did great Sam! The "real" Sam in his John Deere cap.

Sometimes, amateur photographers will take photos that cut off part of their subjects body. And sometimes, as with this photo, it is intentional. This kind of photo really focuses on the eyes and face. There's a lot of personality in the eyes. Most of my favorite photos of my own son are very tight crops to his eyes and smile. I mean, we all know what the top of a head looks like... more hair!

My favorite!

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown

You're A Good Man Charlie Brown

Whew! We just completed a whirlwind week of rehearsals and four performances with the members of the cast of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown". Cast members are part of the Walker Performing Arts, Hagerstown Children's Theater and Brady, my son, has been taking classes and performing with them since last summer when he was the lion in the "Wizard of Oz"! I was yet again impressed with the level of talent and professionalism of students no older than twelve. They rock!
Brady was Snoopy! He was the absolute cutest! and learned to contort his face into many different expressions as he pantomimed to his lines.... after all, Snoopy doesn't talk! but he sure does think! You could almost see the little thought bubbles percolating out of his head. Of course, the Hahn, Johnson and extended family and friends took up a lot of seats in the theater to see our little "star"!
I put together this slideshow to highlight the actors during the performance. I wonder how long it will take to get those songs out of my head.....

Jessie and Matt (and J.D. too!)