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I just finished teaching a Family Beach Photography photo session for The Palm Beach Photographic Center FotoFusion 2014. It was a wonderful opportunity to share with my students much of the information I have gleaned from thousands of hours photographing families at the beach.

Family Beach Photography

I thought about titling this blog: All Dressed Up With No Place To Go,  What Can Go Wrong, Will or Three Strikes And You Are Out.. At the location secured three weeks before the class, we had permission to photograph but had to pay for parking. It turned out the day of, we received free parking passes but were not allowed to photograph. My two families with their young children were incredibly patient as we moved to a second location. Since we were not going to be able to photograph at the beach, I figured we could create the same type of portraits, with similar lighting techniques and students could learn from the experience.

Family Beach Photography

After going through two very useful lighting setups, again we were asked to leave the location. The gate was going to be locked and we needed to be on the other side of it. No worries, next to that site was a place I thought I could finish up with more candid family photographs and give the students the final part of the workshop. Mom and Dad are in position, the background is good, the light is perfect. About to shoot, once again we are asked to leave. No worries. I resorted to begging. It worked with the promise of being quiet.

Family Beach Photography

The students appreciated the experience. Lesson learned, you can make plans but when reality takes over, go with the flow and do the best you can!!
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I could also title this blog, “The Life of a Tree,” “Climbing Trees”, or “A Tree over Time”. I have been a portrait photographer in the Hamptons for over twenty years. When I photograph I imagine what would be enjoyable and interesting for my clients. I like my portrait clients to be engaged in whatever it is we are doing. I feel that natural expressions come forth and enable me to photograph who that person really is. One of my favorite locations has a giant tree. It’s a magical tree with all of its nooks and crannies stretching out over the sand by the bay.

Portrait Photography, The Life of a Tree

This giant tree has held countless children and families in its limbs.

Portrait Photography, The Life of a Tree

I remember how much fun I had as a child climbing trees. The world looks so different through the limbs of a tree.

Portrait Photography, The Life of a Tree

Some families have chosen to make their holiday cards from the portraits on the tree.

Portrait Photography, The Life of a Tree

I started using this location with its giant limbed tree over twenty years ago. It has weathered many storms, lost some branches and many leaves. This is what it looks like now, in July 2013. I wonder what portraits I can make from its aging limbs.

Portrait Photography, The Life of a Tree

Time will tell!

 
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Photography Retrospective: Blast From The Past

In 1983 I was about to complete my Master of Photography Degree at Brooklyn College. My thesis took me to a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania. My mother had grown up in the area and I was curious to know where she came from. While I was there, I met Joe, a single parent father and his two children. I ended up visiting the area several more times over the next few years photographing their life.

Photography Retrospective: Blast From The Past

I was struck by the Joe’s attention and devotion towards his young children. They lived with him and saw little of their mother. He dressed them, fed them, took them shopping for clothes, made homemade ice cream, played softball and more.

Photography Retrospective: Blast From The Past

Eventually this collection of photographs was exhibited at several galleries across the country. It won awards at the Everson Biennial, Syracuse 1984 and the Women Photographers in America, Los Angeles 1985 Exhibition and Competition.