dapple the sun.

come into the garden

it's magical trees

dapple the sun as they sway with each lazy breeze

they'll set your mind at ease

pretend you're a child

with nothing to hide

then we'll join hands and let the universe swing wide

we'll lay our fears aside
{j.brackman/c.simon}

even though i try to grab a photo of my girl daily with my cell phone doesn't mean this girl indulges me with my camera. but this day, she obliged. i don't recall if there were promises of ice cream or other items to entice and she said only 15 minutes mom. i didn't direct her at all, with the exception of where to stand, annie has a way when the lens is pointing in her direction. i look at these images and see the young lady she is becoming. it makes me long for that little baby who nestled at my neck. i often miss those days, but am so digging this child today, this 8.5 year old who lights up my world with her funny fabulous self. how much my own mother would have adored her youngest grandchild. annie often reminds me of my mom with her wit and her eyebrows. each day just keeps getting better and better. looking at these images i am reminded of  how much i enjoy shooting faces, one on one, no planning - just taking off on a whim and a lazy breeze. xo

annie styled herself. natch.

the mountain-sides of dreams.

from breakfast on all through the day 

at home among my friends I stay; 

but every night I go abroad 

afar into the land of Nod.

all by myself I have to go, 

with none to tell me what to do— 

all alone beside the streams 

and up the mountain-sides of dreams.

the strangest things are there for me, 

both things to eat and things to see, 

and many frightening sights abroad 

till morning in the land of Nod.

try as I like to find the way, 

i never can get back by day, 

nor can remember plain and clear 

the curious music that I hear.

{r.l.stevenson}

a face.

sometimes i neglect the lenses sitting in my camera bag. i get so focused, for lack of a better word, on using and loving a lens that the others never get to see the light of day. i grabbed my nikon 85mm and was reminded again why i had fallen in love with it many moons ago. something about the intensity of capturing a face, in all its many moods and subtleties, without invading space, keeping a quiet distance. it's lovely. 

you got me swaying right along to the song in your heart

and a face to call home.

you got a face to call home. 

{j. mayer}

 {so serious. annie viola 19 may 2014 xo}

85mm @ f2.5 400iso

in the light of day.

far away in the light of day

when we as children played

prone to run in the setting sun

and slowly fade away

{m. gledhill, j. corcoran}

i've had the pleasure of photographing these siblings for a few years now. each one growing and thriving into the always sweet people they are, just taller! three can be such a magical number, a triangle of personalities criss-crossing over and into each other. the girls. the big brother. the older sister. the youngest. yet with their titles comes such a connection, a sweet fondness. sometimes subtle, but most definitely there. i love watching them interact and i absolutely love having them in front of my lens. it was a very chilly early december day. we ventured outdoors for our walk in the crisp air and fading autumn colors. 

i was reminded of this session today as spring tries to push through this year. a few warm days followed by chilly cold days. we woke up this morning to a bit of snow on the ground. this past saturday we were riding our bikes and digging in the garden. such is life in new england. always a contrast. the bold light of winter with its blue hues dappled with green, brown, marigold, gray + white gives way to the warm light of spring.

cousins joined in for a sweet family portrait.

so many gifts.

i adore photographing families. i never set the stage, in fact i just let it be. it's like being invited to a most wonderful party. i had asked anne-marie if there was a poem, or story, or song that came to mind about her family. without hesitation she immediately told me. and i know the words ring true to describe each precious member of her wonderful tribe. family. it's such a powerful word. and much love, tenderness, honesty and kindness are wrapped up in its infinite arms. these faces. these smiles. these hugs. this is family. 

xo M. 

You've been so kind and generous, I don't know how you keep on giving

For your kindness I'm in debt to you

For your selflessness, my admiration

For everything you've done, you know I'm bound, I'm bound to

thank you for it....

{n. merchant}

October 2013. Spencer Peirce Farm. Newbury.