Paris Part II: Character & Characters

I admit it. I always seem to be one of the goofy by-standers looking up. While the locals pass by with straight determination, my head swivels from side to side and my eyes dart with fervor. Even strolling down streets I have been down countless times before, there is always a tiny piece of detail waiting to remind me that I am just a visitor, a stranger.

Being in Paris was a bit overwhelming for someone like me. There was so much to see! I am not talking about the stars and circles marked along the frayed pages of our Lonely Planet guide. The minutia amongst the streets was breathtaking. The quirky traits of Paris revealed herself in so many delicate ways. What could easily be passed by or ignored in daily routines would peek out with a unique silliness or striking splendor.

Like travelers before me, I am sure that my looks of awe and wanderlust will get an eye roll or two. And while I rarely wear clunky, white sneakers, I make sure to always have a camera around my neck or in my hand because in this lifetime, I am a tourist…always.

Paris Part I: La Tour Eiffel

Where to start? Where to begin? I captured so many amazing moments in Paris  and I keep asking myself these questions over and over again. With so much to share from such a magical trip I don’t know what to offer up first.

La Tour Eiffel. The Eiffel Tower.

“Of course! I’m starting with a cliche!” my brain angrily whispers. The iconic image is emblazoned on hundreds (okay, thousands!)  of posters, postcards, books, magazines, and any other cheap chotchkies found in an airport terminal.  I, myself, was sure that no matter what, I wouldn’t do any touristy Eiffel Tower mumbo jumbo on my first trip to Paris. Boulangerie. Patisserie. Vino. Those three words would be enough to get me where I wanted to go!

The first evening we were in Paris we decided to outsmart the jet lag and hit the ground running. Strolling towards the Champs-Élysées the bright lights and fancy storefronts kept most of my attention and then we took a right. I squeezed Danny’s hand and caught myself gasping a bit.

Bright and sparkling standing with a kind of sultry confidence, there she was. La Tour Eiffel. From that moment on, I was smitten. As we walked, no matter the direction, I would catch myself peeking behind my shoulder to see if she was there. Sure enough, no matter the moped frenzied intersection, quaint cobble street, or boutique lined boulevard, the Eiffel Tower held her head high as if to say, “You don’t have to pinch yourself. You aren’t dreaming. You are here.”

 

On the hunt for customers!

trying to taking it all in.

Ron & Caroline: Popping the question!

On their first date, Ron and Caroline went to see an Imax Movie and afterwards took a stroll to the National Mall. They ended up sitting close to each other on a little brown bench near the Washington Monument and talked until almost 2am!

Two and a half years later, Ron called me in to be a part of a little scheme he had been planning to execute at the end of November. He wanted to take Caroline back to that special bench so he could ask for her hand in marriage and wanted me to photograph it. The catch? Caroline could NOT know that I was there.

Ron gave me all the details. Date, time, and even drew a little map of the exact bench where he would be popping the question. He told Caroline they were meeting friends for drinks close to the Mall before they had to be at a “surprise” party later that evening. What Caroline didn’t know was that the surprise would be for her!

Hiding behind benches and innocent bystanders wasn’t easy but I was so thrilled to be part of such a special moment. I was too far away to hear anything but the hugs, kisses, and tears of joy that followed the ring presentation were proof that Caroline had said “yes!” I don’t think I have ever seen two people happier.

There are times in life when you think back on what happened and it is just one big blur of emotion. It is hard to recall what actually happened or how it happened but you just remember that it did.

Since Caroline didn’t know I was there, she didn’t think she had any way of really remembering the moment and later at dinner mentioned to Ron that she wished she had photographs! Well, Ron and I worked together and this past Valentine’s Day, he presented Caroline with a beautiful frame of the entire proposal! How utterly thoughtful and romantic!  In one of our last conversations, I mentioned to Ron that he deserves the fiancé of the year award!

Caroline & Ron – Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of such an amazing event!  Congratulations!!   xoxo

 

 

 

 

 

Addison & Mason: A Newborn Session (times two!)

Most of you, my lovely readers, know that I am blessed to be a twin! Throughout our lives people would always ask……what’s it like? Well, like with most everything in life, there were lots of laughs, plenty of tears, wicked arguments, and giant hugs. The same holds true today and I consider my twin my absolute, best friend in the world.  So today when people ask me what it is like being a twin? I respond with a “I couldn’t imagine life any other way!”

I was lucky enough to do an anniversary session with Janine and Chris last year and gushed over their awesomeness. You can imagine my thrill when Janine told me she was having twins and asked if I could photograph them as newborns! Let me tell you that as parents Chris and Janine exude patience and kindness and the love they have for each other and their new little family is awe inspiring! Having two little bundles of joy is a lot of work but Mason and Addison are beautiful!  They both have so much personality despite being so new to this world!  I can tell already that they will be best friends for life 🙂

Thank you so much Chris, Janine, Addison, and Mason! xoxo

Miss Addison!

Mason is all smiles!