i only have eyes for you

This is the glorious beauty I see each time you look at me.

 My guess is those eyes will get you in trouble one day.

[Click on each image to view full scale]

Photo 52: Pespectives | Textured

As I searched the city this past week for interesting textures to photograph, my trusted assistant was with me. Usually he's so busy practicing his kung fu kicks that he could care less about what I'm shooting.  But this time he asked to be in the shot and since this isn't an everyday occurrence, I jumped at the opportunity. Below are a few of my favorites.  

 

 

 

 

In each photo he chose his expression or pose; I intervened very little. Sometimes serious, broody, playful, or in the midst of a kung fu punch, it was all impulsive and super fun to photograph. He definitely has his grill face down in a few of these and I'll admit, I love the intensity. Must be the New York blood in his veins. 

My quest for textures ended up being a spontaneous photo shoot with my little man. You never know what might transpire when you've got your camera, a playful preschooler and New York City as your backdrop.

Click HERE to visit our collective site, Who We Become, to see our image gallery for this week.

 

 

 

 

Letters To My Sons | May

Dear Grey Grey,

Today is your birthday! You are two years old now and there are three people who couldn't be more thrilled. It seems you're finally starting to move out of your dramatic phase, which, might I add, went on for a solid year. This photo is one of my favorites because it's real life ... it's our life -- it's classic Grey.  Sorry boo, it's the truth. But don't be mad, we love you dearly and ALWAYS have your back even when we're laughing through one of your oscar-winning meltdowns, with those heavy arms and Charlie Brown frown. It's just part of our humorous and tactical approach to your mood swings. We even created a couple of nicknames for you: Psychobaby, Mister Moody Rollercoaster, Grumpy Gus and of course, Drama King.  "There goes the Drama King" we'll say, as you fall to the floor in agonizing defeat over something minor, "that's just Grey being Grey." 

The upside down toy truck only adds to the histrionics of the moment, which was like so many over the past year. We have endured thrown toys, thrown food, furrowed brows and scowls. We've been the target of the evil side-eye and witnessed countless crocodile tears. We've watched you fight mercilessly to do things yourself even when it's not safe. And because you want to do everything your older brother does, when things don't go your way you turn on the dramatics. But thankfully it seems the tide is turning and instead of always waking up in a state, you'll chatter playfully in your room until someone comes in. You are smiling and laughing so much more and have started galloping throughout the house. When I see you after being away, you'll run into my arms, squealing "Mommy!!!!".

I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to watch your personality developing in full bloom this spring. Maybe it's because you've finally hit the two year old mark - who knows, but whatever the case may be, I'm relieved to have made it through your first phase of growing pains.

So happy birthday little Grey Grey and welcome to the two's. We'll be sure to have lots of cake and ice-cream while we're here with Grandma and Pow-Pow. Just don't be mad if we end up using this as our Christmas card. 

I love you, always & forever.

Mom 

Letters to My Sons | April

Dearest sons,

This boyhood phase is moving so quickly. Right before my eyes the two of you are morphing into junior men; and because it's happening so fast, I make it a point to take the occasional, more formal portrait of each of you. If nothing else, just to see how much your features change in a couple months time and in what ways your essence remains the same. The light that fills your bedroom in the morning is so beautiful, so that's where I'll place you, in a little black chair near the window usually with the promise of a sweet-tasting treat. 

Cash, I just don't know what to say. Sometimes when you are chatting my ear off with questions about grownup life, ocean life, space life and these days, even questions about God and the afterlife, I just stop and stare into your brown eyes, so curious and innocent. Daddy and I have nicknamed you "Cash, the kid who wants to know everything about everything" (from the Sid the Science Kid cartoon) because of your boundless quest for knowledge, especially when it comes to sharks. You are still really really into sharks and couldn't wait for our trip to the Dominican Republic so you could search for the Caribbean Reef Shark. "Du-nunt...Du-nunt..." (the JAWS sound effect) has become your daily chant. And after that we are pretty certain you'll begin the countdown to Discovery Channel's Shark Week in July. 

This past month you started taking swim lessons and joined Harlem's Little League tee ball, playing shortstop (#7 just like Jeter) for the Harlem Bulldogs. Our weekends have been getting busier as we move into spring, and I can't wait to see what new things you discover along your insatiable pursuit of life.      

Grey Grey, you've also got a passion for baseball. Even more so watching your brother at his practices and games. "Ball" is one of your newest words which is no surprise. Another one is "Ewwwwww" which I gather you learned during your diaper changes. You finally started calling me "Mommy" instead of "Daddy" and have begun making counting sounds; not the numbers exactly, but the inflections -- and damn cute I might add. The sweetest hugs in the family continue to come from you. Dawdling across the room with outstretched arms, you just wrap yourself around one of us and then go back and repeat it a dozen more times. You love to do things over and over and when it comes to those hugs and sweet little kisses, I never get tired of them. Those meltdowns and tantrums of yours, well... those I could do without. :)

But I couldn't do without either of you. That is for sure. I love you both so much. We've been waiting such a long time for the weather to warm up and now that it has, all I have to say is, hold on boys, cause we're about to have an awesome and amazing spring! 

Love,

Mom

  

Photo 52: Pespectives | Fresh

We are reigniting the shooting portion of our yearly project with a fresh start: P52.3: Perspectives. Each week, we will post a mosaic and an adjective - individual voices, unified around a common theme. Simple, streamlined and back to basics - our audience of ourselves is off to reclaim the joy behind the camera. We hope you enjoy this next step in our journey.

This week our adjective is Fresh. The photo below was taken this past Saturday at my son's very first Little League tee ball game. At the age of four he's a fresh faced recruit to the world of team sports. Although his Daddy has been playing with him since he was in diapers, working on his catching and hitting skills, when it comes to hitting the ball in front of a crowd of people and running the bases -- well, that's a whole different ballgame.  Being the youngest on the team, a pep talk from his coach gives just the right boost.  

Click HERE to visit our collective site, Who We Become, and see more FRESH images from this week.

Pep Talk

The Color Collaborative: Green {Week 1}

 

"Black and white photography can show how something is; color adds how it is, imbued with temperatures and humidities of experience." - Peter Schjeldahl
 

As photographers we are not only captivated by light but also by color and how it can be used to enhance the emotion of our images. With that in mind, I am embarking on a monthly project called The Color Collaborative, with a group of talented and diverse women photographers. Together we will support each other, allowing for creative risk and interpretation, as we find and capture a new color every month.  

Our first month is GREEN and below is my debut series. Even in the harshest of NYC winters, beneath it all was something bright and beautiful. 

Please follow along the circle to see the rest of CC's images for this introductory week, starting with the talented Erin Konrath.  

“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.”

— Pedro Calderon de la Barca [Spanish poet and playwright, 1600-1681]”

Elevated Dreams

These last weeks of winter, shooting for myself has mostly been about capturing our travels on the subway. Sometimes I'm inspired by the bright morning light that comes through the doors as they open, or the way it hits the floor just before the turnstiles at certain stations. But in this case it was my son looking out the window of the 1 train while it was elevated near 125th street. I look forward to that stop because there are always fantastic shadows, leading lines and cityscapes to capture; but the moment is brief and you've got to be quick with the shutter before the train goes back underground. 

Elevated Dreams