The Best Days....are Beach Days!

As I pack our suitcases to hit the Florida beach this weekend I day dream of the clear water, beautiful sunsets and memories we will make. I read once that preparing for a Florida beach vacation (or any vacation) should be part of the whole adventure - I have embraced that idea b/c otherwise I get overwhelmed! Between the clothes, food, toys and packing up the dog for her own vacation - it’s a lot - so might as well try to enjoy it!!

I love documenting families from around the country that come to our Florida beaches to spend a week of well-earned and sought after vacation. I’m alive when I’m running down the beach with the kids, telling the adults to squeeze in just a little closer, and getting so sandy and wet that I feel like a kid myself.

Summer is here on our Florida beaches. I’m busy scheduling extended family photo shoots on Anna Maria Island, St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, and more! I’m so grateful for all that hire me to do what I love!! This extended family was so much fun — and the “fun uncle” definitely was a hit with the kids!!

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Family kite flying on Bradenton Beach!! Grandparents and Uncles are the best!

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Summer is Coming....

Winter may be coming on TV but in real life….summer is just about here. Do you vacation at the beach in Florida? Spending summer evenings meeting families or friends like family along the beaches on the West coast of Florida to capture their vacation (and love, personalities and stories) is the ultimate job.

Do you beach vacation with friends? This session is of three families that vacation together every summer on Long Boat Key or Anna Maria Island. They invited me along one evening to capture each of their family units and then all of them together. If you vacation with friends, it is a great opportunity to document your own family and capture the kids playing while sharing the cost amongst the group. Contact me to discuss!

What is your favorite part of a beach vacation? A few of my favorite things include the sunsets, losing track of time, endless chips and dip, runs on the quiet morning beach, fishing off the dock, boating to an island, hint of a sunburn, building sand castle, and spending time with family and friends.

Yes, I get in the water to play!!!

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National PTSA Reflections Info - Look Within - 2019

Hi Roland Park Friends!

I created this post to provide information and examples on the Reflections Program!

First - an overview (can also be found here)

“National PTA’s Reflections program has helped students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.

Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. The theme for the 2019-2020 program year is Look Within. Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.

Student winners from the local level have the opportunity to move up through their district, region, council and state PTA programs to the national level.”

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Roland Park K-8 Info!

We are accepting works of art through October 18th in the main office. Some works of art need to be brought in, while others can be emailed to me, Maggie at reflections@rolandparkptsa.org.

Along with the actual piece, a submission form needs to be completed. This is key as the artist must write an artist statement which helps the judges understand the artwork. The forms are uploaded to dropbox here. If you have any issues, please email me for the forms, Maggie at reflections@rolandparkptsa.org!

A little about each art category (see below this section for a few examples from last year). These are high level requirements - please read full requirements when a category is selected!

Visual Arts: Works of both fine and design arts are accepted, including but not limited to: architectural drawing and models, ceramics, collage, computer generated images and graphics, crafts, drawing, fashion clothes and jewelry, fiber work, mixed media, painting, printmaking and sculpture.

Literature: Handwritten or typed. Not to exceed 2000 words. Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: Prose, poetry, reflective essay, screen play and play script, narrative, and short story.

Dance Choreography: Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted. Entrant must be the choreographer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers.

Film Production: Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or media presentation. Use of PowerPoint is prohibited.

Music Composition: Audio file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Entrant must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers.

Photography: Photo must be a single print/digital image. Collages and collections of photos are not accepted. Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques including but not limited to, multiple exposure, negative sandwich and photogram. Can submit print or digital image.

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2018 Theme: Heroes Around Us. Some examples of Roland Park student submissions.

Literature Submission. A very special poem.

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A 3D sculpture submission:

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A film submission!

Time Flies, But Memories....

Yes, memories last forever! And so can images from a family photo session! And when we have a fun session you get both - images and fond memories!

When Robin contacted me about doing her son’s 1 year old photo session at an airport hanger I called my mom I was so excited. Robin and I created a plan to start at the airport and then head to another location to do the smash cake.

Did I mention this smiley 1 year old is named Maverick? Yep!!! How perfect!

During family photoshoots (well, actually it’s all the time) I’m looking for the location and strength of the sun, where the shadows are falling, and the cloud patterns in the sky. This evening during this St. Pete family photo shoot we had it all - we had the glowing sun coming through a window in the hanger creating warmth and interesting shadows. And we had a gorgeous blue sky with interesting clouds. Perfection!!

So thrilled to share some of the images!

p.s. this is the what Robin emailed me when she received her gallery (all the heart eyes for this): “I can’t even express to you how much we love these. They’re amazing.  Thank you so much.  We can’t wait to use you for upcoming opportunities and will definitely be telling everyone what a wonderful experience we had with you.  xoxoxxooxox.  A zillion kisses and hugs.  Thank you thank you thank you.”

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Totally love the toddler walk — he went between crawling and taking some steps! This stage passes so quickly, that I love capturing it for them!

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Happy Birthday, Maverick!!!