Let the music move you | Annapolis, MD music photographer

June 15-24th:

I was trying to keep up and do a blog post at the beginning of each week…BUT we had some house guests for a week and I got a bit distracted…in a good way. So to lead off this post of my top five for the “week”…

1. American Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore: How on earth have I lived in Annapolis for nine years and NEVER have visited the AVAM?? This is exactly my kind of museum. People kept telling me that I had to visit and when I was looking at a day last week with no jobs and a little bit of free time and a boyfriend’s mother in town with no plans for the day…I thought “carpe diem!”

I was immediately amazed as we walked up and saw the giant whirling sculpture swinging above the mirror covered main building. It’s awesome to think of the person that created the piece…so whimsical and unique. We were starving, so we went to the rooftop cafe called Mr. Rain’s Funhouse. I’ve been here once before for a friend’s body painting demo so I already knew how cool this place was and how yummy their food was…we were not disappointed. I had an amazing Kobe beef hot dog with chili and a side of their oh so good french fries…needless to say, I wasn’t watching what I ate that day 🙂

We then headed down the stairs to the second floor where we checked out the main exhibit space…so much cool stuff to talk about, but one artist that I loved was a man who took old pieces of weathered wood and wrote bible verses, quotes, thoughts and warnings on them. These signs that he created were displayed on his property (which I believe was in the midwest in the 30’s…I can’t find any info on him online and am going from memory after reading his bio over a week ago). The locals did not like his opinionated artwork displayed in his yard, yet he continued to speak his mind and exercise his freedom…something that I can respect. Plus, I a nut about fonts and lettering, and his printing/lettering is just awesome!

I also enjoyed the handful of postcards from the Post Secret project this one below was one of my favorites. If you’ve never heard of Post Secret….GO CHECK IT OUT!

I could go on and on and on about the AVAM, but I have other things to talk about for the week 🙂

2. I adore music. I adore really good old traditional american roots music. I adore my boyfriend. I adore 49 West in Annapolis as a great venue for an intimate music showcase. Now that you understand that…you can imagine that I had a wonderful time last Friday night when all of those things came together.

My main squeeze, Ruben Dobbs (Swampcandy) and Caleb Stine came together at 49 West for an amazing showcase of music complete with killer guests, Gary & Leah and Alfonso (from NYC).

The night started out with Swampcandy bringing us the down and dirty delta blues. He makes you feel like you are transported to another time…stompin’ your foot clapping to the raw sounds. Then Caleb gave us a taste of his story telling, soul baring songs that pull you in take you on yet another journey. During their set break, Alfonso, who was traveling through town from NYC, played a few of his originals that the audience quickly became entranced by.
Swampcandy & Caleb Stine then did another solo set each and guests Gary (piano, banjo) and Leah (fiddle and guitar) sat in for a few to round out the set. I am not a music writer/critic by any means…so all I can say is check these guys out!

I was completely blown away by the talent that came together that night and am still smiling. The best part of the whole night was after most of the audience went home and the speakers and moniters packed away, the instrument and musicians remained and an impromptu jam session began. Round and round went the acoustic jam with each musician beginning a new song one after the other. From Townes Van Zandt to traditional Americana the songs kept coming until the close of the cafe.

view more images from the show at 49 West here.

3. New baby #1: I had the pleasure of photographing a very cute newborn last week. Newborn shoots are some of my favorite work I’ve been doing lately. Every one is different and warms my heart. I love seeing the new Mom’s (and Dad’s) bond with their newest addition. This little ones name was Campbell, a five week old cutie. She was so cooperative and precious the entire session and her parents were awesome as they watched over my shoulder as I captured her little feet and silly faces. Campbell’s grandmother was there visiting from NY and got to hop in the session for a few sweet shots of her holding her first grandbaby. Congrats! Enjoy your sweet little girl!

4. New baby #2: Then I drove up to Pennsylvania to visit my family. My sister and I made our way over to my cousin’s house in Lancaster to visit she and her husband and their newest addition, Wyatt. I have been waiting a few weeks to get my eyes on this little guy. His mom Carrie is my “little” cousin and the first to have a child in our family, so it’s a big deal. Growing up, Carrie, her brother Josh and I were the only people in the whole family to have red hair…some would call us lucky, others cursed. I couldn’t wait to see if Wyatt would be another redhead for our little clan…and he was! He has the most gorgeous auburn hair and big blue eyes. He looks just like his parents. It was a pure joy to spend some time with him and get to take his first “official” photographs. Carrie looked beautiful as she held him and Pat, her husband looked like a natural as he held him when he came home from work. They are going to be great parents and I can’t wait to watch little Wyatt grow up…but not too fast.

5. Belly painting by Crystalooney’s Creative Arts:
I’ve recently started working with Chrystalene, a body & face painter & henna artist on a few really cool gigs where she paints her client and then I do a photo session with them to seal the moment in time and preserve the beautiful artwork that she has created. We’ve done, a children’s birthday party, a few body paintings, and a henna piece on a clients back…this time was awesome though…she painting a belly of a woman 7 months pregnant and it was absolutely beautiful. I will let the photos speak for that…
It is always a pure pleasure to work with Chrystalene and she definitely pushes me to new creative heights! Thanks lady!
Looking forward to our next adventure!

Support you local photographers|newborn, baby, child photography Annapolis ,Maryland

Recently I became aware that a national photography company had signed a contract with our local hospital to provide a photo service to new parents. Basically what they do is have a photographer that is contracted by their company “on call” at the hospital so that when you have your baby, they ask you if you would like to have a photo session and then that photographer does a little photo shoot for you. They say on their website that they use local photographers and that the setting is comfortable. Now, don’t get me wrong…I think this is a great idea to have photographs taken of your newborn. But I have a few gripes with this whole arrangement. After being asked to interview to be one of their photographers, I looked into the company and came up with some conclusions of my own…

So, I want to make a few points why you should support your local photographers who are doing this very thing for their clients on a much more personal level and creating relationships that last a life time instead of some large company who is looking at the quantity over quality aspect of one of the most important moments in your life:

1. The photographers that are hired to do the shoots for the family through this company are not paid for their time, they have to use their own equipment and only make 40% from any items that are sold. This makes me sick as a business owner who has worked so hard to create relationships, build a great business and provide great product to my clients. The amount of money we spend on our equipment and the time it takes to really perfect your style is just looked over here. All this company cares about is selling product.

2. The company says that photos are ready to view  just minutes after your session. This is rushing a craft that should be treated with care. Photography is an art form and to just take a bunch of photos in a mini session and throw them up into a gallery is wrong. All the professionals I know in this business put lots of time and love into editing their photos for their clients, giving them an amazing product that they are proud to call their work.

3. The company says that they provide this service in the comfort of your hospital room. I don’t know about you, but last time I was in a hospital, “comfort” was not the word that came to mind while sitting in a room. I recently shot a birth a local birthing center, which was an amazing experience that I would love to do again. This kind of shoot is for a certain kind of client that wants that documentary experience of the birth of their child. When it comes to a newborn photo shoot with photos that you will want for life, birth announcements and gifts why wouldn’t you take the time and schedule someone to come to the comfort of your own home?

4. There are many different photographers contracted through this company. You never know you will are going to get. It could be an amazing photographer, but it could be someone whose style and vision doesn’t quite fit with yours. Why not do a little research prior to the birth and schedule a local photographer whose work you love and admire?

5.In today’s world of big box companies constantly coming into our towns and taking over all the small businesses that pride themselves on great customer service and quality product, we need to stand up to these big companies who come in and take advantage of the little guys who have put in all the hard work to get where they are.

So, before you give in to the convenience of having a stranger come into your hospital room to photograph you and your bundle of joy, think about the things that I have mentioned.  This is not just in the photography world where this is happening, it’s happening in every industry around us. Take note of your local businesses and support them….you will be so glad you did!

BUY LOCAL!