America in My Veins - OctPoWriMo Challenge 1

This month is something I've been looking forward to - OctPoWriMo! Today, I went with the prompt from the organizer for my poem, which is to think about who I came from. 

America in My Veins

I follow the strands from my soul

to the places that birthed me -

discover Scottish blood in an Irish hut.

Look for all Italian on the other side -

find instead that the People flowed 

through half of my grandmother,

spilled down into me.

(Disclaimer...all poems posted this month are very rough drafts - I typically go through 4-5 edits and weeks of debate before I consider a poem ready to publish. This is for fun, stretching muscles, getting out of ruts and creating a body of rough drafts I may harvest lines from here and there.)

#OctPoWriMo

August 2017 Eclipse

Since my studio is currently all packed in preparation for a move to a new location in September, I've been a bit at loose ends photography wise and have been writing a lot of poetry. Here's today's poem:

Eclipse

The shadow of the moon
steps to the table -
Takes a nibble of the sun’s corona.

Enjoys the taste -
takes a bigger bite and then
consumes the heart.

Night falls without sunset.
One minute, two,
before Helios remakes itself.

What Is Spring? Science Beginning Reader Book

I am working on a series of beginning readers using some of the nature and animal photos I take. My first book, What Is Spring? is available now in Amazon's Kindle Store.

This book is designed with just a few words on each page and is ideal for children who have just started to read to enjoy with a parent's help. I am working on several beginning readers that are the next level up and have several simple sentences on each page, as well.

If you have Kindle Unlimited, the book is free. Otherwise, What Is Spring is available for purchase through the Kindle store. 

For parents who are homeschooling, here is a fun activity you can do after reading the book:

Nature Walk

You Will Need:

• What Is Spring?
• Small notebook and crayons or colored pencils
• Magnifying glass
• Binoculars

To Do This Activity:

• Take a quiet walk through a park or around your neighborhood and look for some of the things you read about in the book.
• Listen for sounds that will help you find birds, snakes and other critters. For example, I found the snake pictured in the book because he slithered across some dry leaves.
• Look for flashes of color and movement. Sometimes, you won't see a bird until it flies to another branch.
• Use the binoculars to look at things that are far away.
• Use the magnifying glass to examine things that are up close.
• Help your child record observations in the notebook. He or she may want to draw some of the most exciting things you see.

Charla and Mike - Chesapeake City Wedding Photography

Chesapeake City is such a great location for a Cecil County wedding. Gorgeous architecture, an amazing bridge and lovely waterfront spots combine to create an amazing spot for couple portraits. This sweet bride and groom are especially fond of the bridge, so we grabbed the last few minutes of daylight to create this special wedding portrait.

Maryland Faerie Photography - Children's Magical Fairy Portraits

Children's faerie portraits are so fun and entertaining for the little fairies that come in for their sessions. In fact, they are so much fun that they rarely want to leave when their sessions are over! We've had a few special fairies in the studio this spring and are looking forward to another magical Enchanted Forest weekend in our Havre de Grace, Maryland location July 3rd, 18th and 19th!

Here are a few of my favorites from some recent sessions:

Children under the age of 3 rarely are willing to wear wings and headpieces. This tiny fairy princess did wear a floral crown for a few minutes.

When a little girl truly believes in pixie dust and Tinkerbell, there is extra magic in her portraits.

The orb is always a favorite.

Summer Enchanted Forest Fairy sessions are booking now.

Princess Portraits - Children's Photographer - Harford County, Maryland

We've added something fun to our Limited Edition children's photography sessions in the studio in Havre de Grace - Princess Portraits. If your little girl is a fan of princesses, castles and magic, she'll love dressing up in one of our costumes, putting on a crown or a tiara and having her portrait created in one of our themed sets.

Here are a few favorites from the last set of princess sessions:

I offer Limited Edition princess portraits several times a year. If you don't want to wait for Princess Days, I always am happy to book an hour portrait session just for your child with all of the props, sets and costumes! Call, email, or message me on Facebook to book your child's magical princess experience.

Children's Portrait Sessions - Havre de Grace, Maryland - Enchanted Fairy Day Photography

My favorite moment when I am creating heirloom enchanted fairy portraits? Oh, it is so hard to choose. Is it the moment when the child sees a welcome just for her on the chalkboard? Or when she sees a whole rack of pretty costumes? When she picks her headpiece? Her wings? No, I think it is the moment right after she comes in the door and sees the set. That little gasp as she realizes this is not an ordinary day. No, it is a day filled with magic and possibility. Some day, I will have to have a video camera running to capture that expression!

Here are a few of my favorite images from the most recent Fairy Day fun:

 

If you have a little girl who loves the magic of fairies, princesses and pixie dust, keep an eye out for my upcoming enchanted fairy day photography event on April 11th and 12th in the studio in Havre de Grace, Maryland. These days do fill fast, as I only have a limited number of openings and they are hugely popular with girls ages 3-9. (And some of their brothers, who channel their inner Pan or grab a fishing pole for their portraits.)