2010 Blizzard

So that was a whole lot of snow. It took us all day just to be able to get out the driveway. I've been sick, was trying to help shovel anyway, but the boys kicked me off the shoveling squad...so my camera and I went into the silence of the woods and into my favorite grove of trees, before heading back inside for some hot tea & a blanket.

The work...

 

 

...and the woods...

I've been in love with these pale yellow leaves lately, noticing them everywhere when I'm out...

 

  

  

  

  

 

...like a butterfly, with winter on my wings...

help.

Haiti has suffered another aftershock today, a huge one. I am at a loss, as I cannot imagine having to go through all of this. I am sure many of us want to help, but don't know how.

I decided earlier this week, that I would donate all of the session fee to Oxfam America, from any sessions that book this week. I am going to extend this to next week, and clarify that you don't have to have your session within this time frame, only schedule and pay for it.

I also wanted to invite you to take a look at the work Oxfam does. They have a lot of experience working in Haiti, and have 200 staff there working right now to deliver water and sanitation supplies. You can learn more at http://www.oxfam.org.

the best of winter

Winter and I aren't exactly the best of friends. I'm practically always cold unless its 80 degrees, which, even with global warming, doesn't occur in SW PA for about another half a year.

Things get slushy and gray. Gravel, salt, ice, snow, and slush all mix together and coat your car, your shoes...I much preferred the SEVERE WEATHER ALERT when I lived in Georgia, temperatures may drop below 32 degrees overnight...compared to here. And let's not forget the general lack of light after 5 pm.

What I do love about winter is the absolute beauty of it.
...the quiet that comes with falling snow. How hot beverages are made so much better by the contrast against the cold. And the way each snow is different, sometimes it dusts the trees and ground with fine glitter, sometimes it attaches to every branch and the sun actually makes an appearance, half blinding you with the brilliance of it all...and how, just going around a bend in the road can reveal something entirely different than the mile before...

These were taken yesterday, driving on Penn View...

<3 and thanks.

Kate in the snow...

Kate is awesome. She wanted senior portraits, in the snow. Not only in the snow, but we did these on a day that the high was only 16 degrees, and it was SUPER windy. ...and Denise gets extra points for being the accompanying friend in this kind of weather...

It took us a few hours with all the trudging through the snow, against the wind, taking breaks for hot beverages and general trying-not-to-get-frostbitedness. Despite the bitter cold, it was enjoyable, and I love the outcome :)

In the editing process, I used textures from my Icing Toast and Spider Tea collection, in addition to some from my upcoming Love and Light collection to enhance the wintry atmosphere...

...I'm looking forward to the next session we have planned when the studio is operable! :)

belly focused.

...some images I shot during a recent session while this endearing couple shared their joy, anticipation, and expectation about what is to come...and Vincent the cat attacked my cords mercilessly until my husband captivated her with a laser pointer. No lights or cats were harmed in the process ;)

 

 

Best Wishes to the couple as their little one makes her way into the world! My camera and I can't wait to meet her :)

trade and display

I've been contemplating paint colors all week, as we're almost to the painting point with the studio space...I've got vintage teals and antique mosses tumbling around in the back of my head, but mostly its white... there is so much to think about when changing a space, it has a purpose, but I really need it to have a particular feel as well...and this is where you might come in, my friends.

Are you an artist, craftsperson, or skilled lovely in some other way? Possibly you just collect neat old things? If so, I am looking to creatively find items to display/use... depending on what you do, the value and nature of the item, it could be seen as a method for your advertising or selling...or a direct trade with me for services/goods.

I'm looking for some reclaimed, reused, repurposed, vintage, eco-friendly, eclectic, earthy, farmhouse-y, victorian, worn, loved, type things...the studio is in an old house, and I will be needing to furnish it, including the kitchen and bath...so what've you got?

Throw your suggestions my way!
email: jen@aislingphoto.com
phone: 724-454-7229

Thanks, darlings!