. . . I can’t believe it has been a week since the big event last Friday.  The Academy has moved from preparing for Commencement to preparing for their new plebes, the awful sunburn I got shooting events last week has faded, and traffic in Annapolis has returned to normal (whatever that is). To say that the past seven days have been a blur…well…they have.  Here are a few more images from Graduation at the Naval Academy last Friday…

for these underclassmen, it probably feels like this day will never come for them…

Everything about this man says Naval Officer

Pure joy…

More pure joy…

an important oath…

the big moment…hip hip hooray!

Just had to post these before we leave town – I’m sure the moment is still very close in the minds and hearts of those who were a part of it. I know it is in mine. Congratulations again.

Quick reminder that I will be out of the office until Tuesday…have a great weekend!

hc

. . . Knock-out Mom + Handsome Dad = WOW! I had a great time with this very sweet family and only wish I had more time to post more images. I’m going to be out of the office for a couple of days without access to email, but couldn’t leave my little blog for the weekend without showing at least a few portraits from my most recent session. (Ok, and well, this family was so lovely that I just had to see some of their images for myself). I will be back in full swing on Tuesday, and emails and voicemails will be answered at that time. I will be reachable by cell, if you need something that can’t wait until I get back. Have a great weekend, and enjoy this beautiful family’s shots…

hc

. . . Do I hear a giant Awwwwwwwh in unison? As if coming home from the hospital with one adorable little boy wasn’t enough, this Mom brought home TWO beautiful little twin brothers.  I had no idea what to expect from these (then) 9 day old little siblings but they were both perfect angels and there were times when I was so captivated watching them snuggle up together that I had to remember to click!  It’s hard to mention how cute these little fellas are without an image of big sis who has the most sparkly blue eyes, so here are a few images of the whole brood.  I give this Mom credit – she made managing these three little ones look easy (with a little help from grandma of course..thanks for the brownies   Have you ever seen such perfect skin?  Wow.

hc 

. . . Just a quick post about a big charity garage sale this weekend for my local readers. The MRE Moms & Dads have organized the event to benefit CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children)– a wonderful program for kids in foster care system. If you have questions – please post in the comments section below and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Their message is as follows…

We need more donations of things to sell!!! Accepting donations up until 6:55am Saturday morning May 31 , however, if you’re able to drop off any time between now and then, that is great. If small items, you can leave on our back deck under green awning, whenever! Also, please let me know if you have LARGE items. We are driving around and doing PICKUP of ITEMS Friday NIGHT May 30 between 5-7pm, or other time can be arranged.

Thanks for your help. It will be a great success with everyone’s assistance. EACH ADDITIONAL ITEM YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW DONATES MEANS MORE MONEY FOR KIDS!

Info for spreading the word:

Community Garage Sale
Saturday May 31, 7:00am-12:00noon
1131 Bay Ridge Avenue (corner of Bay Ridge and Highland)
All proceeds go to CASA
Donuts and coffee provided, first come first serve
Furniture, clothes for ALL ages, toys, treadmill, plants, and much more

hc

. . . I know every Mommy reading, who’s watched their newborn morph, seemingly overnight, from a tiny baby into a capable little person, can relate to what this Mommy is feeling right now. My sweet girl turns TWO today, and I still can’t believe it. At this time in 2006, I was almost 32 hours into labor waiting for our little one to make up her mind to come into the world. We didn’t know that she was a girl, and our early hunches that she was, changed after seeing her sonogram picture at about 26 weeks. She was the spitting image of her father, both in the womb (yes, it was weird but you have to believe me) and after she was born, so we really thought from that point forward that she, was a he. By the time she finally arrived, I have to say it was the last thing on my mind, and if the nurse hadn’t actually said “It’s a girl,” well, I may not have realized it until hours later. We were too busy feeling blessed that God had given us this wonderful, healthy little baby, to love and hold, and welcome into our family. I can close my eyes and relive that moment and remember so vividly how soft her skin was and the downy hair on her back.

Ok, now that all of the reminiscing is out of the way, I will mention again, that she’s TWO, and with that comes, well, it’s own set of issues. Again, you Mommies (and Daddies) who have hit month 24 can relate I’m sure to some of toddlerhood’s trying “moments,” but in the big scheme of things the frustration from the ocassional tantrum pales in comparison to the joy that our sweet little girl brings us. To say that she is a delight, is an understatement and we thank God everyday for bringing her into our lives.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl! (yes, I can still call her my baby)

Then….taken with a cheapy 2.3 megapixel point and shoot camera and still one of my favorite pictures of her in all of her jaundicy perfection

Now. . . finding joy in all that she does and rarely seen without a smile on her face

. . . to the brave men and women who have and continue to defend our Country’s freedom.  Only have a second to post – I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend.  Most importantly, remember what we are celebrating and who we are honoring.

I am back in the office tomorrow and will be catching up on proofing, posting, and returning emails and phone calls!

hc

. . . Wow is all I can say. My experience today was more fun than I ever expected and I have SO many images to share that I don’t know where to start. Admittedly, I am more tired today than I can remember – running on adrenalin this week. From shooting grads and their families to newborn twins to the color parade to today’s big event if I see 8:00 tonight I’ll be surprised! In the meantime though, I just can’t go to bed without posting this image – one of my faves for sure! To watch these planes approaching on the Trinitron, and then hold my breath hoping (ok, and praying) to get “the shot” was an experience in and of itself. To the brave men and women who took the most important oath of your lives today (well besides your wedding vows) – congratulations and thank you for serving our Country!

and a close up of the same shot…the Blue Angels

I’ll be out of the office for the next couple of days and will get lots of other fun stuff posted – new babies and cute kids and more from the Naval Academy – I promise! For those who have emailed or called with inquiries – I will be in touch very soon!

hc

. . . I just have a minute while I’m preparing some images, to post a few pics from my really fun morning! If you aren’t from Annapolis, you may not know that this is Commissioning Week for the Midshipmen of the US Naval Academy – and these men and women have literally counted the days, until their big day tomorrow, from the first day that they arrived to the Academy as plebes. I could go on and on (and probably will later) about how bright, dedicated, and courageous these folks are, but for now I’ll leave you with some images of the Color Parade. This year’s “Color Company” was led by a young woman from Burke, Va.; she selected her Dad as this year’s Color Honoree! How exciting for him (and her). I’m sure I’m not the only one watching today’s parade that got goose bumps when they raised our Country’s colors and played the Star Spangled Banner! God Bless America! (and all of these grads who will be serving our Country proudly for years to come)

The Scot in me always loves a kilt and bagpipes!

and I thought my camera bag was heavy…

more fun USNA stuff to come! Click on the Color Parade link above for more details about this tradition (since 1871), and many other USNA Commissioning Week festivities!  Being an Annapolis photographer is very cool when neat events like these are happening in town!

hc

. . . I will have your images up soon. Thanks   Here’s one in the meantime.

hc

. . . what a sweet, sleepy cooperative little girl she was! I had a lot of fun photographing this little newborn, AND her parents, and we all agreed we had to try something a little bit fun…

when your Dad is this guy . . .

one of our area’s best known performers, Doug Segree, well, it’s not such an unusual place to nap I guess. This sweet girl was such a good sport and to say that she goes to sleep with a lullaby each night, well, I’m sure that’s an understatement. Daddy sang her to sleep and moments later I got this . . .

along with many others. As always though, I am always amazed at how beautiful and glowing a new mother is; even with all of the sleepless nights and ’round the clock tending to the new addition, this little girl’s momma was radiant.

So, of course the focus of this post is on sweet baby, but I can’t help but tell you that you are missing out if you haven’t heard Doug live! Check out his website for his upcoming performance schedule, or to have a listen to some of his latest tunes. I rode home from our session listening to one of his cd’s (thanks Doug which was a wonderful departure from the Wiggles. Ok Doug – time to start working on the children’s cd – your version of Twinkle Twinkle almost put ME to sleep! I know it would be a sell-out!

hc