Monthly Archives: September 2014

Senior year – Rye, NH

One look at this site and you can tell that most of my clients have “littles” – kids 4-feet and under. So, when Alisha contacted me to take Justin’s senior photos, I was flattered, and nervous. My diversion tactics for meltdowns and toddler-appropriate jokes wouldn’t *quite* have the same effect on a 17-year-old. But Alisha is family (and she kindly accepted all of the disclosures about my inexperience with seniors). Well, I shouldn’t have worried at all because Justin’s sense of humor and easy-going personality made this session a blast. And once the rest of the gang joined in the fun for some family portraits, my only challenge was to steady the camera from all the laughing I was doing. Between their jokes and all the banter, it’s easy to see that this family is fun-loving. Thanks for the ab workout, guys!

Alisha’s voice echoed with both pride and astonishment during the shoot, “I can’t believe you’re a senior.” For a brief instant, I could see my not-yet-5-year-old reaching this same milestone and could hear myself repeating that same sentiment. How bittersweet for you, Alisha and Glenn. As Glenn eloquently put it, “You can’t go back.” Justin, you’ve got a good head on your shoulders and a loving family behind you – my best to you in your final year of high school (and don’t forget to let me know about that mural we discussed!).

20140914_R_fam_18 20140914_R_fam_14 20140914_R_fam_08 20140914_R_fam_21 20140914_R_fam_32 20140914_R_fam_42 20140914_R_fam_46 20140914_R_fam_50 20140914_R_fam_53 20140914_R_fam_57 20140914_R_fam_7320140914_R_fam_63 20140914_R_fam_76 20140914_R_fam_78 20140914_R_fam_84

 

Royalty on a rock – Newton, MA

Isn’t it amazing that little kids can take something totally unremarkable and make it exciting? Take a rock, for example, a normal, average size rock, sitting there without anyone noticing anything special about it. A spirited little 4-year-old girl turns it into a way to declare that she’s queen of the world. Her 2-year-old brother follows suit and attempts to make a similar statement. A cute little dress becomes a reason to dance to see its magnificent twirling properties. And what 2- or 4-year old thinks twice about just laying down on the grass for a look up at the blue sky? It’s been so much fun seeing the lovely and expressive M and the sensitive, adorable B grow over the past couple of years! Thanks, Suzanne and Mike, for a beautiful morning in your neighborhood.

20140913_A_fam_0820140913_A_fam_1120140913_A_fam_1320140913_A_fam_1720140913_A_fam_2920140913_A_fam_1920140913_A_fam_3920140913_A_fam_4420140913_A_fam_4720140913_A_fam_5220140913_A_fam_5320140913_A_fam_7020140913_A_fam_8420140913_A_fam_7520140913_A_fam_77

Astounding beauty – Somerville, MA

“Are you sure you want to arrive in time for his wake up? He wakes up at 5am.” Jill seemed skeptical that I would really want to be there at that birds-should-be-the-only-ones-awake hour, but yes, yes I did want to be there. By some small miracle, he started “sleeping in” until 6am the week before our shoot so I arrived at 5:30am instead of 4:45am. Thanks, little man.

After already surviving breast cancer in her 20s, Jill was 20140906_F_M_fam_028diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. With her husband, Tim, and their sweet 3 1/2 year old son by her side, she has fought SO hard. At this point, she is enjoying life while she feels good. A friend gifted a portrait session to her which we then turned into a mini-day in the life session beginning with little G’s wake up. Jill and G, the early birds of the family, carried on with their normal Saturday morning routine, then they all prepped for a little portrait session. We took some fun portraits on campus of a nearby university and topped off the session with a trip to an awesome splash park/playground which was perfect for the super-hot day.

This is a day I will never forget. I will never forget the love between Jill, Tim, and G. I will never forget the wonderfully giant pancake G made (and how Jill refrained from reigning him in as he was doing it). I will never forget the moment when I realized that she, Tim, and I had crossed paths 10 years ago. I will never forget Jill’s grace and beauty.

Thank you from the very bottom of my heart for allowing me into your lives for a short while. Pancakes in my house will forever be a bit bigger thanks to you. I hope we meet again.

 

Beach discoveries – Gloucester, MA

Periwinkles, hermit crabs, giant shells, and barnacles – there are so many things to discover at the beach and these kiddos found them all. We had a beautiful evening with perfectly warm air paired with wonderfully almost-tepid water. There were boats to float and planes to soar, races to run and rocks to climb. It was truly a joy to see this trio – a set of twins whom I’ve known since they were about a year old and their sweet sister who seems to adore her older brothers. Thank you so much for yet another chance to see your family!

2014_Aug24_Ffam_062014_Aug24_Ffam_152014_Aug24_Ffam_142014_Aug24_Ffam_19

2014_Aug24_Ffam_262014_Aug24_Ffam_092014_Aug24_Ffam_332014_Aug24_Ffam_292014_Aug24_Ffam_392014_Aug24_Ffam_442014_Aug24_Ffam_432014_Aug24_Ffam_522014_Aug24_Ffam_612014_Aug24_Ffam_662014_Aug24_Ffam_682014_Aug24_Ffam_762014_Aug24_Ffam_852014_Aug24_Ffam_932014_Aug24_Ffam_99

photographystephanie goryl

stephanie [at] stephaniegorylphotography [dot] com

Wakefield, MA

(just north of Boston)