A Shot in the Park

A sunny, warm spring London evening. Low, warm light filtering through the trees. This was the perfect setting I had for my most recent shoot. To complete this idyllic scene was this beautiful family! An older brother who clearly loves his younger sister, he quickly jumped to hold her hand when asked. The little sister/big sister who has cute style to match her fun personality. A fun little guy who lights up a scene with his big smile. A dad who is cool, but first and foremost devoted to his family. A mom, and mom-to-be-again, who is stunning in every possible way. Recently life has thrown some curve balls, but they roll with the punches. They are devoted to what they do and to those they love. Sadly they will be leaving us here in London soon, and we think of all the lucky people waiting for them across the pond. We'll miss you guys!

London Zoo

We don't get those lovely long February weekends here in the UK. In fact there are very few government holidays throughout the year. School holidays seem to abound, however. Prior to this point in my children's education, I had always dreaded school breaks. Considering how hectic my daily school shuttling routine is managing two school schedules on foot coupled with how demanding Dallin's homework load is, I welcome school holidays with open arms! In lieu of the February presidential long weekends, the UK has February break, a week-long school hiatus which most people use to escape to warm places like the Canary Islands, Egypt or Dubai. We had strep instead. We did manage a couple of nice little London outings, including a day at the zoo with friends.


Madeleine Squared

Fun Family

I had the opportunity to shoot this one-of-a-kind family. This family makes things happen. Nothing gets in their way. They're constantly doing, making, going, creating and serving. They remind me of the famous 1940's image, Rosie the Riveter, with "We can do it!" emblazoned across the top. This is certainly their approach to life. Their lives are full, but what's most special about them is how much of this fullness they share with others.

While it was virtually impossible to compose images with all four lively boys in happy harmony, it was no less a visual treat to be behind this camera. Who cares if the hair isn't perfectly coiffed, or if smiles sometimes come out a little crooked? I was thrilled that this red/brown-haired bunch chose such a warm wardrobe color scheme. The warm reddish tones of these images really reflect the warmth this family exudes more than perfectly cooperative hair and smiles would.

Primrose Hill

A quick late afternoon stroll through Primrose Hill . . .

Regents Park

While out on a shoot location search, I decided to poke around nearby Regents Park. It was a bitterly cold, winter day in London, so the park was nearly vacant. While I was in desperate need for a scalding cup of hot cocoa and a warm fire at the end of my stroll, I had a lovely day alone with the park and was reminded how much I love living in London . . . even in winter.

Snow Day

Last night we watched giant fluffy white flakes race silently out of the night sky. Pretty, we thought, but also assumed none of it would stick to this apparently snow-resistant land. The following morning the sky was still throwing it down, and we looked outside our flat window and saw this . . .



London was hit with the biggest snow storm in two decades! Schools were closed and transport was snarled to a halt. London had shut down. We traded a hectic day of school schedules and homework for an unexpected fun day of snow play, hot cocoa and quiet walks. Though streets were virtually barren of any buses and taxis, everyone was out and about as if it were some kind of snow festival. I love what a good coating of snow does to a place. It changes the acoustics, as sounds are absorbed by this giant white blanket. Smiles and laughter are the only thing you hear over the silencing snow. A walk through town donned in its winter best, is a real treat. Perhaps in a day or two, the snow's brilliance will have lost its lustre and will have been replaced by dirty, noisy, black slush, but for today we celebrate: it's snow day!

Guitar

Dallin started guitar lessons this term. His lessons are offered at his school (for a fee, of course), and I'm loving the whole one-stop shop concept at his school. Sure he has a long school day, but by the time he gets home at 5:00 he's got swim lessons and now guitar lessons complete. In this cold, dark city with my feet as my main mode of transport, this is an idea I can really applaud!

It's too soon to tell if Dallin is going to be the next Eric Clapton, but we're hoping that if he gets good enough that he could troll the tube stations and earn extra cash. This way if his dad's job is another housing credit crisis victim, Dallin could serve as our family's bread-winner. No pressure, though. How much do you think he could get for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?