New Desk & Being Grateful!

There are huge bonuses to working off a laptop...for example...portability.  Another bonus is that you can get rid of your desk...working on the couch or at the kitchen counter is fantastic!  BUT when you realize that editing on a laptop produces less than desirable images, you have to go out and buy a desktop computer.  So my point is...I sold my desk on craigslist a few months to soon.  The solution was turning my dresser into my office!  The keyboard shares the sock drawer and folders get filed between the jeans...not good...  Today I am happy to announce that I purchased a desk and sold my dresser...the days of resting my keyboard in the sock drawer are just about over!!  What prompted the change you ask?  No, it's not the chronic back pain or the sock fuzz between the keys.  It's something way bigger and slightly more exciting!  My husband and I are in the process of buying a home (closing is just one month away!) and with this we are dreaming of new furniture, a washing machine and fun household projects.  Here is our first new piece of furniture AND our first fun project: the desk I bought is raw...totally unfinished...Oh the possibilities before us!  Neither of us know how to make this a beautiful piece of furniture, but we will be doing it together at our new home...and for this I am very grateful!

So here is the before and after "desk situation"...I can't wait to show you the desk in my NEW office at my NEW house!

  And here is a personal image just to make you smile!

Marvelyn {portrait : boston}

SPRING IS HERE!  My smile is bigger than Rupert's after a game of football!  Yesterday was Patriot's Day, a.k.a Marathon Monday, a fantastic Massachusetts holiday where everyone floods the streets of Boston to catch a view of the people who think it's fun to run 26 miles...I tried a 5k once...ya once...no thanks!  Anyways, I fought my way on to a T and got myself down to the Christian Science Center, just feet from the marathon finish line...and I met Marvelyn.  Marvelyn is pretty well known around these parts, staring in numerous Company One shows as well as helping you to your seat at my personal favorite, Blue Man Group.  We've known each other for years and recently she whispered in my ear that she was going to South Korea for a whole year!  I'm very sad to see her go, but I hope these images bring her much success as she travels the world and continues her already prosperous acting career.  Much love Marv!  I will miss you tons and tons :)

The memories we will have...

It has been an emotional few weeks, but I thought it might be therapeutic for me to write and share how I'm feeling.  Last Saturday my Aunt Betts passed away.  Aunt Betts is one of my strongest memories from when I lived in Michigan many years ago.  I was born there and lived there until I was 8 years old.  My mother used this phrase recently, and I kindly repeat its truth...Aunt Betts loved us all is if we were her favorite.  No matter how many miles away I was and how infrequently I got to see her, that one card or phone call always made me feel that I was her favorite.  She had a way with words and smiles that surpassed everyone else.  She wore the best clothes, sent the best cards and gave the best hugs.  Last fall she traveled all the way to Vermont to visit my parents and grandparents and I jumped at the opportunity to spend time with her.  We went to Ben & Jerry's and to the Cider Mill...but more importantly we sat.  We sat in my mother's living room telling stories and laughing and winking.  Those three days last fall, meant more to me than any other time we had spent together.  Sadly, we knew that it would probably be the last time we were together, but not once did we say it out loud.  She had been sick for a while, but when I saw her she didn't show it.  She was the same spunky and strong woman that I had always remembered.  I can't be in Michigan this weekend to celebrate her life, but I will be here looking up at her because she was my favorite.

Mark & Aimee {brookline, ma}

Sometimes you are just looking for a nice picture to hang on the wall.  Something that captures how happy you are at that very moment and that doesn't have half of your arm in it because you took it yourself!  This is exactly what Mark and Aimee wanted...and luckily they knew a photographer who lived three blocks away!  So...the rest of the story goes like this: Mark and I are friends.  We went to college together here in Boston...five years of studio, Pigs Pizza and silly chit chat...and there was even a moment when we were Resident Assistants together.  Oh the memories :)  Now Mark lives a few blocks away, but we only get to see each other a few times a year.  But seriously...those few days are the best days ever.  No one makes me laugh like Mark does!  And his girlfriend, Aimee, is so kind and so sweet, I can't get enough of her!  I am so happy that the two of them found each other and I am so honored that I got to eternally capture an amazing afternoon spent together!  Mark and Aimee, I had such a great time and I miss you already...enjoy the photographs :) 

Jessica & Ben {engagement : brookline, ma}

This post is a BIG DEAL!  This is the first engagement shoot I'm posting AND the smiling faces are members of my family!!  Jessica is my husband's cousin and Ben is the lucky man who gets to marry her!  This shoot could not have gone any better...Jessica and Ben were tons of fun, the sun was shining and the location was perfect.  We did the shoot at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline.  They chose this spot because this is where Ben proposed to Jessica...too cute!!   The park is beautiful and offers so many different shooting opportunities which I took full advantage of ;)  I had a great time and I can't wait for their wedding in June...which I will be photographing as well :)  Here are a few of my favorite shots!

This is the tree that Ben proposed to Jessica under!

And just for fun :)