And then almost overnight, it was Spring and the dogwoods were in bloom again:

I chose to do this one in monochrome because the deep greens behind the dogwood were impressive too, after the natural monochrome scenes of winter. The green would have distracted from the blossoms, and the way they hang in the air like lace.

Just like last month, several photographers from around the country have posted on the ‘monochrome’ theme today as part of our blog carousel. If you love photography, take a spin on the carousel and see some beautiful work. Next up is Corey Sewell, Atlanta newborn, baby, and child photographer.

When you scroll down to the bottom, you’ll see a link to the next photographer’s interpretation of reflection. And then follow along, all the way around the ‘carousel’ – it’s like attending an online art show of beautiful work.

Mine:

Sometimes no matter how badly a building blocks some of the sky, it can also make for interesting sky scenes.

And then other times, the sky is wide open, and a jet trail reflects the colors of the sunset.Then there are days when the fog is so thick there’s no sky visible at all. But you know the sun has come up because a small portion of the St. Louis Arch is somehow reflecting the morning light.

Reflections on water always catch my attention. On a crystal clear lake…

…or one lit by celebration…

Rippled water creates other-worldly scenes.
And then last but not least, I have to include an image I still laugh about. A gallery viewer once mistook the reflection for a shadow and told me it wasn’t possible to capture it during a snowstorm…and wouldn’t accept the fact that I did. So for those of you who may be wondering, yes, reflections are possible during a snowstorm…

Thanks for looking! To see how other photographers have posted for the reflection theme, keep going on the carousel…just follow the links. The next photographer up is New York Photographer MaryAnn Talamo of  Custom Digital Images . MaryAnn does the most beautiful classic portraiture I’ve ever seen. She’s so good at what she does, she’s won many awards and accolades, but she’s also earned the title of Master Photographer. On her ‘reflection’ post, she’ll have a link to the next photographer, and so on.

If you don’t see a ‘reflection’ post of MaryAnn’s blog (she’s working on it at the moment) then skip ahead to Corey Sewell’s and go back and check out MaryAnn’s later. Have fun and don’t forget to leave some love (comments) on each photographer’s blog!

The White Rabbit is having their annual Mother’s Day sale, and I’ll be jealous I’m not there. I always find something to buy every time I go. So shop to your heart’s content at their shabby chic boutique on Sunday, and then hop down Manchester just a short drive into Maplewood and come indulge in a glass of bubbly while viewing some art. My black and white art photography is on exhibit at the S.Carmody Photography studio and gallery, and I’ll be hanging out there on Sunday doing my part to make Mother’s Day fun for moms.  I’ll be serving some kind of delicious munchies too.

But the best part is this – bring your Mother’s Day receipt from The White Rabbit, sign my guest book, and I’ll give you a $100 certificate good toward a print purchase from your next portrait session.

If you don’t remember my photos of The White Rabbit from last year, here’s a reminder of what a sweet shop it is:

I have more plans for these codes this spring/summer… one in particular will be loads of fun!

(For those without smart phones, here’s the scoop: Opening Reception Apr 9th, 6-9pm S.Carmody Photography, 2707 Sutton Blvd in Maplewood…see you there!)

So what’s my style? I do like to create artistic images. But when photographing people, I find the best way to do that is to keep my main focus on the people themselves. I like to photograph these precious babies in a way that captures their new lives…all their little details, the way they still like to curl up, their sleepiness, the joy on the parents’ faces, and the love evident in the way they’re held. I love knowing the babies will look back when they’re older and know how much they were loved from the very start.

It does seem, at times, like treating babies as still life is all the rage, and photographers scramble to re-create the latest crazy pose of the moment. Then next week, it’s another more challenging pose, and even babies hanging from trees. Do newborns hang from trees in their real lives? Do they rest on their elbows and hold their head up with their hands? It reminds me of the old-time “thinking man” baby pose done by studios that stamped their logo on the portraits in gold foil. Cute, but not me…and not really a photograph of your baby either…much of the time, it’s merely a photograph of a pose, using your baby. 

I like to create images that at least resemble reality. I do sometimes photograph babies in laundry baskets, bassinets, and vintage prams, to add a few special images that feature just the baby alone. This image below is one inspired by baby doves born next to my front door. When I do images of this type, I like to place the baby in the basket, and let their heads lay down however is natural for them: 

But personally, I don’t get any requests for the babies being used merely to capture a certain pose, and never has someone asked me to hang their baby from a tree. I think the reason they don’t ask me (aside from their child’s safety and well-being) is that they know my main style takes more of a lifestyle approach. The focus of my newborn sessions, even when in a basket, are the newborns themselves and the place they take in their families’ hearts.

If you’re pregnant, and interested in a newborn session, let me know and we can talk about what kind of portraits you want. In the meantime, here are a couple recent images of newborns with mom:

Join me for this special event on November 6th, 7th, and 8th. Selections of my work will be displayed and for sale at the Riverside Gallery at 13 West Moody (next to Llewelyn’s.) The Friday night opening includes a 10% discount on art purchases, and samplings of wines and beers from Garland Wines and Schlafly Beer.

Other events will happen at various spots on the tour throughout the weekend, so if you can’t make it on Friday night, be sure to include it in your weekend plans. For more information, visit the 63119art website.