Is there anything Ben can't do?

My friends Michelle and Zvi brought their son Ben in for his pre Bar Mitzvah photo shoot. I have been photographing Ben since he was a baby (can you believe those big, brown eyes?!)  Fast forward to Ben the 13 year old. He still has the biggest brown eyes, is still a little sweet and has just the right amount of spice for a teenager. Along with being a video game addict, Ben has turned into an amazing student and athlete. I love the cool "Athlete" shot I took of him.  It is edgy and raw. A big change from baby in a bear basket!

Happy Birthday Katie!

Here are a few darling portraits of Katie on her big day. Happy Birthday to Katie and her Mommy and Daddy too! 

No, they aren't triplets

Sometimes a family has a special wall in their home to display their children's portraits when they were the same age. In the case of baby Mary Louise, our task was to create a set like the ones we did for her older siblings when they were in for their first portraits. The interesting thing that we see over and over again is despite the same clothes and set, each child is SO unique. Some are delicate or quirky and some are rough and tumble. Even though the personalities are different, we take pride in photographing children in a way that shows exactly who they are at this particular time in their life. 

Have you ever seen feet like these?

You can't be a great dancer if you don't have great feet. I would try to describe what that means but as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. I have known Erika for a long time. She was a dance teacher for my children at David DeMarie Dance Studios and is now  submitting these photos to dance wear catalog companies in hopes of being their newest "foot model". Can you point your toes like that?

Speaking of dancers...

I wanted to wish Christie GOOD LUCK as she auditions for openings in a career she has always dreamed of ....dancing. Christie has been training at Dance Spectrum since she was a toddler and is ready to face the world.  I think her fabulous head shot will be a plus as she faces each new adventure.

Ballerina in the making

We have been photographing dancers for many years. My daughter Alissa who has grown into a beautiful dancer over the years now steps into the studio to help our younger dancers with their posing and technique.

Today, she assisted Isabella. At only 12 years old, Isabella was at Short Street Photographers for audition portraits for an intensive summer ballet program. This young dancer has incredible potential. I will keep you posted if Isabella becomes 

a principal dancer someday!

First comes love, then comes marriage, here they come with a baby carriage!

We love being a part of the different chapters in a person's life. Kristen and her brother Nick both came to us years ago for their seniors portraits. Her parents Lisa and Phil also selected Short Street Photographers for their family portraits as well. Kristen met Brendon and fell head over heels in love. We were fortunate to be able to photograph this warm and wonderful couple's wedding. Kristen was beautiful in her Vera Wang gown as she floated amongst her guests at the County Club of Buffalo. The day was almost perfect yet we couldn't help feel the loss of her mother's presence. Lisa passed away the year prior.

Fast forward and on an absolutely delightful note, we just got a call from Kristen. She was planning a visit to Buffalo with her husband and their BRAND NEW BABY BOY, LIAM! Our calendar was a little crazy, but how could we not fit them in? We did itty, bitty baby parts and some lovely portraits of Kristen and Brendon as they settled baby Liam. The circle of life and we are a part of it. How lucky! First comes love, then comes marriage, here they come with a baby carriage. I love it! Joan

How many days till Christmas??!!?? Yikes

I can't help but think about the contrast between my counting the days until Christmas and that of my daughter Alissa. She loves everything about Christmas (so do I) and is anxious for Christmas morning. For her, I am sure the days are crawling by. For me, with each day that passes and Christmas literally just around the corner I wish I could add on a few more...just a few more days. Christmas cards and portraits need to be out. If you see the lights on in the studio at 1:00 a.m., that is the norm this time of year. We are so busy pressing to take care of our wonderful customers (yes, even our last minute customers are wonderful!) We just created portraits yesterday for Grace, Adam and Mary. Their parents Claudia and Jeff from East Aurora have been bringing their children to Short Street Photographers in Williamsville since Grace was a baby. I can't tell you how touched I am seeing my customers children grow up over the years. I have so many memories from sessions over the years. Adam, well, what can I say..I have paid my dues and he is now just the most cooperative of subjects! For his reward in doing a great job with his sisters, I let him come up with a pose of his own. It is so "Adam" and it cracks me up. Grace is turning into a most lovely young woman and Mary is simply delightful. I do have a great "job" and I am so thankful to be doing what I am doing even if it means 12 to 16 hour days. So, Jeff and Claudia will have their Christmas cards out on time (of course I'll make it happen) and their wall portrait will be up in time for Christmas dinner.

Less than a week to go....Joan