Serendipity: The Angel Band Project

There have been fewer posts of kids and families recently. With good reason.

A few months ago I received an email from a longtime friend. There had been a tragic event. A music album was being produced in honor of someone lost forever. “Would I consider photographing a recording session?”

“Well, sure.” I thought. And what started as a simple request turned into an addictive thrill ride. While it is a passion, a roller coaster of fun, and an honor to work with kids, two full sessions and six songs later I had re-found a buzz. I have prior experience of photojournalism, and documentary work and also of photographing musicians — but never all at the same time.

AngelBandLogo After the shoots, I returned to my studio to edit. I downloaded rough cuts of the songs from the sound engineer and listened to these while I was editing. The sensory overload of working on images while listening to the music that had been created just inches from me was almost too insane. One theme that has run through this project for everyone is a touch of serendipity; when you accidently stumble on something positive, especially while looking for something unrelated. Call it God, or heaven or karma or angels or providence or luck or coincidence. Call it what you will, it’s a darn nice feeling.

The musicians featured on The Angel Band Project are amazing, kind, talented and generous. They include Norbert Leo Butz and Michael McElroy, The Wifflers, The Broadway Inspirational Voices, professional strings, and a crew of genius instrumentalists.

I encourage you to click over to The Angel Band Project, read more about this story, give a few bucks, and maybe have a touch of your own serendipity along the way.

blog11

  • Share/Bookmark
March 5, 2010 - 3:26 pm

jean robertson - Whoa. I really couldn’t have said it better myself. Your photos have brought to life what is impossible to say in words. A visual mirror to the emotions in the music. Another piece of art climbing its way out of something tragic. Serendipity? Perhaps. Artistry? Indeed.

First Communion 2010

I can hardly believe that First Communion time is just around the corner. I have written about this special kind of session before, but it’s so nice that I will just go ahead and do it again…

For a photographer, First Communion sessions are a chance to capture one child at a time at a beautiful age. The kids are still child-like, but smart and interactive and warm and happy. Usually the weather is beginning to cooperate too. I don’t push too hard with posing, discussing this part with the child’s mom to determine what works for the family. These sessions are abbreviated versions of a full portrait session and therefore priced less than a full portrait session. And of course, these sessions are fun!

Here are a selection from the last couple years. Please call the studio or email if you would like more information.

  • Share/Bookmark

Julianna (9 months)

We’ve got a future Project Runway contender here. Julianna came in today with some ahhmazing outfits and accessories. It was a big fashion party (which her father patiently abided…!) — and such a cutie to boot. Thanks for a great morning!

julianna2

julianna

One of my New Year’s resolutions for 2010 is to give back more to the photography community — we’re a nebulous group of people who don’t get much chance to interact in real life. We all work independently and only come together for conferences or seminars. So here’s a pullback of one of my window lighting set-ups in my studio. When working with children, I usually get the child situated and happy *before* moving in the big reflector. The reflector is set up in advance and waiting unobtrusively in the other corner of the room, so the child can see it and is not weirded out when it comes a bit closer. This shot was taken while little Julianna was getting powered up with a snack.

—heidi

julianna-pullback

  • Share/Bookmark
February 21, 2010 - 2:35 pm

admin - Whoops! All fixed. Thanks again— heidi

February 21, 2010 - 2:06 pm

Jennifer - They are amazing and just what I wanted!! Thank you thank you thank you!! She’s only 9 months by the way! :)

George : GIMME 5

Another bright-eyed baby. Happy baby. Smiley baby. Friendly baby.

… and Rock and Roll baby.

Aren’t you just dying at that mohawk?

george2

george1

  • Share/Bookmark

Sydney : GIMME 5

One year old. Perfect.

So perfect, in fact, that this GIMME 5 session had to become a GIMME 6 session so that Sydney’s parents could jump into a shot with her.

{ p.s. Sydney’s little top was a perfect choice — just the right amount of texture in the sweet flowers, without distracting from her beautiful face. Mom said it was from Old Navy — top tip!!! }

sydney1
sydney2

  • Share/Bookmark
February 23, 2010 - 8:22 am

Kate - Those blue eyes are AMAZING!

M o r e   i n f o