Why does just one week back from my vacation feel more like a month? It always amazes me how vacations always feel like they happened an age ago right from the day you return home. I still haven’t finished the laundry!

Just back from vacation. We have visited the Lake Champlain Islands for the past four summers. ( Well, they do say routine is good for the kids!) I have decided it’s MY FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD. Granted I don’t travel too much at the moment but the sunsets, the scenery, the peacefulness is magical. I never want to leave. Thank you to Kaye and Ed for their perfect lake house rental. We’ve loved every minute there!

Here’s the first of my vacation blogs.  More to follow

Minimum print purchases will apply to all sessions scheduled during the Fall and Holiday season (September-November 2010) These are as follows

Full outdoor sessions  $350 ,  studio sessions $275 and  mini sessions $225

Extensive work is put into both shooting the images and creating the portraits for any given session. Families who book a full session with us typically spend a minimum of $500 plus. Mini sessions are ideal those who wish to place a smaller print order and the minimum print purchase reflects this.

Fall sessions are booking now. Please contact the studio to reserve your session.

Spent a recent weekend in Mystic, CT. The evening summer light is always pretty perfect down there. For me, it was also a mini vacation away from the camera. Mike  was behind the lens for these images.

Thank you to everyone who reserved a spot for a studio dress session. The available slots are now full. We do have a wait list for anyone interested should a reservation get cancelled. Some portraits from the first few sessions are already posted here on the blog. More will follow.

Every girl loves something sparkly. In fact NOA here in West Concord is more than just a regular jewelry store. The business showcases and sells jewellery, fine handcrafts and gifts designed by local and state artisans. It was Mike who discovered this store and he’s a regular there each time he needs a gift. ( Lucky for me!)

I am currently offering one time discount cards for NOA for all my clients who place orders of $250+. When you leave my session or after you have collected your prints you can head over to their West Concord location and check out the store.  Other locations are at Groton and Fruitlands Museum in Harvard.

For more information visit http://www.noagifts.com/.

My studio is located in West Concord. For people not familiar with the area I thought I’d let you know about some of the cool stores that are my neighbors here in the area.

Firstly the studio is located directly above The Nashoba Brook  Bakery and Cafe. The bakery sells great breads, cakes and sandwiches. It’s a perfect spot for lunch or coffee. It’s great for me as I’m always in there and my clients regular stop by too after their sessions. The cafe’s hot cross buns sold at Easter are THE genuine article. In the thirteen years I’ve lived in the US it’s the only bakery that has produced a bun that comes anywhere close to the original. I am from England, home of the hot cross bun!

For more information on the bakery, visit their site at http://www.slowrise.com/

For the next few weeks we are offering a limited number of complimentary sessions in studio. The theme is “The Dress”.

We are looking for girls to come along with their best dress, special dress or simply a favorite dress up outfit.  Maybe there’s an Easter dress hanging in the closet that would be great in a portrait. Other ideas include a flower girl dress, new summer frock, tutu or ballet outfit. The requirement for the session is that a dress must be worn.

A model release form must be signed to allow the studio to use the images in their portfolio. It is not a requirement to purchase prints but if a client chooses to, this is done separately. If you are interested in scheduling a session please contact Jane.

We went away for a few days last week and boarded our cat.  Was he mad at us!  I took this shot whilst he was sulking in a corner after he got back.  It’s the feline version of a mean and moody portrait.  Despite the expression he really is a a rather lovable rogue. Well I think so although my husband begs to differ. His name is Montgomery, Monty for short. He’s named after a famous British World War II general.

Spring is here and as a last goodbye to this winter past I am showing my favorite personal winter portrait. It was taken in Vermont in December 2009. My daughter got up at daybreak to watch the first snow of the season falling. I woke up to find her sitting quietly in the corner of the hotel room with the drapes open just watching the flakes falling. There’s always something wonderful about the first snowfall each year whatever age you are. The portrait was taken using the available natural light.