Strawberries and Kayaking

I love all the fun things this family planned for their session! Strawberry picking, walking around Princeton, ice cream, kayaking, playing in their very shady backyard. It was so much fun! (Even though it was a hundred degrees that day.) If you know this family, send them an e-mail to see their slide show.

In the image above, I wanted to evoke a sense of nostalgia in the beginning of their slide show. I used to work in Princeton, and the sense of history when I’m there is always on my mind. The image of mother and son comparing height against a painted corn stalk is timeless and classic!

Learning how to get the nectar out of honeysuckle. Timeless and classic.

I’m not so sure “timeless” applies to this one, but children (and students and adults alike) have been climbing on this Princeton University sculpture for decades. It’s called “Oval With Points” by Henry Moore. It was inspired by an elephant skull. Now that you know that, you’ll have more to think about next time you climb on it!

This one of a child being swung by his parents as they walk is timeless and classic too but I wanted to keep the color because his eyes and rosy cheeks are ADORABLE!

It was SO hot in that field. But at least there’s no other people to clutter up our pictures! (I like the old farm truck driving down the road in the background.)

Walking down Nassau Street in Princeton, I noticed this classic image of a guy sitting on a bench reading a newspaper. You probably can’t see in this little blog-size picture, but the ad on the back of the paper says, “The places you will go, for almost no dough.” That’s one of the great things about hanging out around Princeton. There’s lots to do that doesn’t cost very much!

Riding atop dad’s shoulders, you can see far!

The Continental Congress met here, at Nassau Hall, in 1783. This is where members of Congress received news of the peace treaty that gave independence to the United States. (See what I mean? I can’t stop thinking about history when I’m in Princeton.)

I wonder how many children have sat on those big bronze cats guarding the entrance?

We also went kayaking on the Delaware and Raritan Canal.

The canal is really cool because you can also bike or hike along the edge of it. Great way to take pictures of people in boats! (Here, the family is checking out the train bridge that takes the little Princeton train shuttle down to the Northeast Corridor line.)

I’m sure the water was cool but man, I was SO hot walking along that trail!

Here’s detail of that awesome capture of the water trail made by the paddle. I love it!

After kayaking, since no one else was there that day, we spent some time learning to skip rocks in the water. And I kept my eyes glued on his feet, which seemed dangerously close to the edge of the dock! Yikes!

Isn’t skipping rocks one of the best summer activities? I love skipping rocks.

You know me! I love to capture those true “day in the life” scenes! Here’s a little photo tip for all you mamarazzi’s who read my blog. You GOTTA figure out your camera so you can get some really cool shots of the kids in their car seats. We all spend SO much time in cars and one day we won’t be able to remember what all that was like.

Love it! The fun mirror at Thomas Sweet!

That very day, my own family had been relaxing at home watching “Coneheads.” No kidding!

After our Princeton excursion, we hung out in their backyard playing with their adorable doggie.

Love the look on dad’s face in this one. LOOKOUT!

If you’ve not yet had the experience of a day of shooting with me, here’s a warning: when our time together is over, you’ll be exhausted!

Here’s something new! You can check out what I’m working on each day by following me on Twitter. Now that SWC’s shoot is edited, who’s next? You can find out there!