Garden

Here's an image of the front entrance. It's so nice to take a break on the porch swing on a warm summer day and look out at the garden. The porch is also great for portraits because of the directional light quality. It's North light so is always shaded and low light plants do well here. I plant impatients in the spring and they bloom non stop, without deadheading, until first frost. They have to be replanted every year though since they are annuals. The lamium and hosta come back every year.
The pond next to the entrance. It does require some maintenance, but the sound of the water is nice and kids love to see the fishies. This area is perfect in the afternoon with the western light filtering through the trees.

The front path next to the porch, also wonderful afternoon light. Blue star creeper is a great ground cover to fill in between the stones.

The Tropical set along the side path to the back yard. The bananas die back in the winter but come back every spring, getting taller every year. We also have calla lillies, star gazer lillies, which smell heavenly, canna tropicana and coleus.

We just planted the geranium ground cover this spring and it took off like crazy to fill in the area around the base of the arbor. The arbor is another fun prop to use in portraits and it will be nice when the climbing rose grows up.
A wide view of the back yard. The dark pink heather is beautiful in the fall.
The Fairy Garden path and border were just added this year. The flowering cherry tree on the side provides nice shade and a light block on the side and over head for beautiful directional light from the left.
The Italian set with purple clematis on the wall, fragrant wooly thyme underfoot, and lavender on the edge, makes a beautiful background for portraits.

Portrait Garden

I often photograph portraits in our garden, and we designated the back section of our property to be specifically for that purpose. I hired a landscape designer to draw up a detailed plan for this area a few years ago. Since then, my husband has taken quite an interest in gardening so he has his own ideas on what to do with the space. He recently started building berms, amending the soil and planting fast growing background trees. You'd be amazed at the price for rocks and dirt!

Family Portrait Plan

I've been photographing the Clark family since Karen was pregnant with their first child and now here they are five years later! Karen is always so good at coordinating outfits, and that really improves the look of the portrait. The girls had quite a time exploring my garden and then Abby found a comfy spot on the lounge chair.

3 month baby session

Here's a peak at some of my favs from Lillian's 3 month session. She is just a doll but let us know that she's the boss! I'm looking forward to creating her portrait in her beautiful Christening gown next time. :)

6 month baby session

6 months is such a fun age for babies. Sitting up, playing, happy little creatures. Here are favorites from Brodie's session. I appreciate that his parents drive a bit to get to my studio, as do several of my clients. It actually works fine because little ones can nap in the car on the way. After the session they can go have lunch while I edit and prep the images for their presentation so we can do it all on one day. slideshow