http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog Photographs, quotes and thoughts by Julie Walton Shaver Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:22:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 en http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/07/03/twenty-five-miles-off-broadway/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/07/03/twenty-five-miles-off-broadway/#comments Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:26:30 +0000 Julie Walton Shaver http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/07/03/twenty-five-miles-off-broadway/

I went to see The Producers the other night at Roosevelt Park in Edison. It was my first experience going to see one of those Plays in the Park and wow! What a deal! Tickets cost $5 (bring your own chair and bug spray) but it was worth far more than that! The actors were fab, the costumes were beautiful, the sets were amazing, the lighting was fantastic (that’s a big deal to me) and I got to see my good friend, Dan Cook, performing on stage!

If you didn’t get a chance to go yet, there’s a show tonight and one final performance on Saturday night. For information, click here.

Dan plays Franz and does an excellent job! Dan, I made a little slide show for you. Turn up the sound and click here. Enjoy! Break a leg tonight!



By the way, nice knees.

]]> http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/07/03/twenty-five-miles-off-broadway/feed/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/07/02/the-bob-effect/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/07/02/the-bob-effect/#comments Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:31:32 +0000 Julie Walton Shaver http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/07/02/the-bob-effect/

It never mattered if I was in a bad mood. All I had to do was walk Gregory to school, crossing the street, then walk back, crossing the street again. Without fail, as long as Bob was our crossing guard that day, I came home smiling.

It’s the Bob Effect.

Even last year, when Gregory went to a school on the other side of town, Bob was always smiling and waving as I drove by in my car.

I don’t know what it is about Bob that makes him such a smiley guy.

I mean, standing in the busy road holding up a stop sign and praying the cars will actually stop doesn’t seem like the sort of job that would guarantee unconditional smiling. Rain, freezing cold, thunderstorms, unbearable heat, it never seems to bother Bob. His beautiful smile has a light to it that seems to shine, soul to soul, and it stays with you for quite some time.

I’m not the only one affected by Bob’s happy demeanor. On the last day of school, I saw many parents walking by, giving Bob gifts and hugs and thanking him for being there for us.

In fact there are only two times I’ve ever seen Bob not smiling. There will, for example, be a stern look and possibly a shout whenever a car is not slowing down quickly enough at the sight of his stop sign. And once or twice, when a child was not particularly listening to his instructions to wait until the traffic was clearly stopped, Bob would assume the holding position, hand extended in a “don’t step into the crosswalk until I give the ok” stance, saying sternly, yet lovingly, “Wait. WAIT!”

Bob takes his job very seriously.

I think the reason Bob is so smiley is because he knows that he can have an impact on all the people, young and old, who cross his path, insuring their safety and brightening their day.

As for me, when I walk by people on the street now, I smile a big bright smile (most of the time — I’m trying really hard, Bob!) and I say “have a great day!” and whether or not I get a response, I feel like a lighter person deep to my core. It’s an inner smile that lifts me and can easily turn a disastrous morning — you know, a whacky-hair, cat-ate-my-homework, can’t-find-my-shoes, socks-don’t-match kind of day — into a contagiously happy morning.

That’s the Bob Effect.

I see Bob. He smiles. I smile back. I see you. I smile at you. You smile back.

So Bob, if you happen to be reading this, I want you to know how you’ve changed my life. Your outward smile, so beautiful by the way, has without question, made me a happier person. Thank you for being my crossing guard. May God bless you and bring you all the happiness that you give to others with your gorgeous smile.

]]> http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/07/02/the-bob-effect/feed/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/07/01/heres-justin/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/07/01/heres-justin/#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:22:46 +0000 Julie Walton Shaver http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/07/01/heres-justin/

Here are a few of my faves from Justin’s headshot session…

I like the one above the best because he’s wearing that now-famous “Have a Metuchen day!” shirt and his smile is perfectly natural.

Justin is running for Borough Council (obviously) and needed new pictures.

I was having a really hard time picking a favorite. But honestly, my TRUE fave is the one I posted as a preview — the “Justin is always working” shot. You can see that one here.

Huge gray/brown rock walls make great backdrops, especially when completely covered by the Metuchen train bridge, thus offering overall shade and light coming from opposing directions.

This one is slightly more traditional, yet still conveys a sense of Justin’s Metuchen home in the downtown backdrop.

Good luck, Justin!

Look for more pictures of Justin’s campaign as the summer progresses. I’m his official “campaign photographer!”

]]> http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/07/01/heres-justin/feed/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/29/sarah-and-ben-at-the-grounds-for-sculpture/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/29/sarah-and-ben-at-the-grounds-for-sculpture/#comments Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:22:08 +0000 Julie Walton Shaver http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/29/sarah-and-ben-at-the-grounds-for-sculpture/

Click the picture, or click here, for a silde show of Sarah and Ben’s wedding at the New Jersey Grounds for Sculpture. Read all the way to the bottom for a fun contest that can win Sarah and Ben free print credits!

I loved Sarah’s dress. So unique.

While I was shooting Sarah’s “getting ready” pictures, my friend, Matt Richman, was hanging out with the men. Matt does such an excellent job. I love this shot!

This one is my favorite that Matt took. I was taking the formal shots of the family, and Matt was capturing the very essence of shooting formal pictures at the Grounds for Sculpture. I love it! Thanks Matt!

Everything at the Grounds for Sculpture is so pretty and makes such a beautiful backdrop for artists! I love that place. I call it “New Jersey’s Best Kept Secret.” The picture above is in front of Rat’s Restaurant, where the reception was held. In case you missed Sarah and Ben’s preview post, which has some more of my faves from their wedding, click here for an explanation of how Rat’s got its name.

We strolled the grounds for a while before the wedding. I love those pictures!

The ceremony was held at the Nine Muses. In classical mythology, it was the nine muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, who presided over the arts and sciences. The number nine is symbolic of completion and eternity. What a perfect site for a wedding!

This is my shot of the kiss…

…and this is Matt’s. I absolutely love that we were able to capture that moment from two angles. It’s also interesting as a study of photography and how different things appear based on where the light is coming from. (By the way, I prefer Matt’s angle by far! I love backlit pictures!)

If you’ve never been to the Grounds for Sculpture, I highly recommend it. There are a few places that can get a little bit muddy, so wear your favorite old walking shoes. Plus, there’s a LOT of walking to do. I went there once for a couple of hours and probably only saw a quarter of the grounds.

I concentrated on capturing lots of details for the album.

And I’m not kidding when I say the people at this place work hard to make sure every single thing before your eyes is an artistic feast.

See? Even if you look up at the ceiling in Rat’s, there’s a feast for the eyes.

Steve Kaplan played classical guitar at the ceremony and at the reception. He’s a pleasure to listen to! By the way, some of those other pictures on his site’s home page are mine too, from another event I shot where he was playing.

The food was pretty too. And instead of a wedding cake, Sarah and Ben opted for beautiful little desserts.

I love taking pictures here. There is no end of great angles and interesting textures and colors!

This is one of my favorite pictures from the wedding because of the light, colors and angles. I thought it was really cool how the colors in Sarah’s dress went so well with the colors inside the dance pavillion.

Sarah and Ben could not have chosen prettier flowers!

In the preview post, I promised I’d talk more about the famous “red wine incident.” This is Sarah consoling the guest who spilled red wine on her dress. She was so gracious about it, and he felt absolutely horrible.

We all took lots of pictures!

We recommend WHITE wine in the future. LOVE this picture!

I had a great time taking pictures of Sarah and Ben’s friends. Such a photogenic and interesting crowd!

Leave a comment naming the New Brunswick bar where Sarah and Ben met their friends later that night. I’ll credit Sarah and Ben $1 in print credits for each comment post coming from a unique (and legitimate) e-mail address through July 5. You don’t have to leave your name if you don’t want to!

Enjoy the slide show everybody! I had a great time!
Peace,
~jules

]]> http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/29/sarah-and-ben-at-the-grounds-for-sculpture/feed/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/28/last-week-of-school-part-2/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/28/last-week-of-school-part-2/#comments Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:04:22 +0000 Julie Walton Shaver http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/28/last-week-of-school-part-2/

I was going to just put up a few pictures from the last day of school, but Mike said it would be cool to pull out various pictures from the whole year for a “Highlights of First Grade” show. So click the picture, or click here! We love you, Gregory!

HUGE thanks to Mike for taking pictures of Gregory and me walking to school one day. That was my birthday present and I LOVE IT!!

Check back soon for a tribute to Bob, our beloved crossing guard!
]]> http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/28/last-week-of-school-part-2/feed/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/26/the-photography-community-mourns/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/26/the-photography-community-mourns/#comments Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:51:20 +0000 Julie Walton Shaver http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/26/the-photography-community-mourns/
(Photo by Daniel Snow.)

From Julie’s Web site: “Julie Steiskal will be remembered for her passion for photography and love for those around her.”

Julie, an active member of my photography forum, died yesterday while on a mission trip with her church. She had such helpful, experienced advice — always laced with a great sense of humor — for those of us who photograph children and families. Her love for God and her love for her family and friends was evident in everything she did. I extend my deepest sympathies to the Steiskal and Evans families, and all the people who knew and loved them.

To Julie’s family in particular, I have a feeling that you know how deeply Julie touched her clients and friends through the images she captured with her camera. Her love for photography was evident! But her passion went so much deeper than that in her willingness to teach and share with thousands of photographers all over the world who participate in our community. She will be missed.

(News links and memorial information here.)

From Julie’s “about” page on her Web site: “We need a renaissance of wonder. We need to renew, in our hearts and in our souls, the deathless dream, the eternal poetry, the perennial sense that life is miracle and magic.” — E. Merrill Root

Click here for a beautiful and touching slide show.
]]> http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/26/the-photography-community-mourns/feed/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/26/last-week-of-school-part-1/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/26/last-week-of-school-part-1/#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:23:32 +0000 Julie Walton Shaver http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/26/last-week-of-school-part-1/
Click the picture, or click here, for a bittersweet slide show from some of the pictures I’ve been taking this week.

The picture above is from the First Grade Author’s Tea. This annual event is usually held on the lawn but just as the children were filing out to meet their audience, rain began to fall and the reading was moved into the gym.

This is my G-rex, the Destroyer, (regular blog readers know him as Gregory) and his best friend, Hurricane Shane. This was Hurricane’s last week in our close-knit little community. Just hours after the last day of school yesterday, he and his family moved to another state. We will miss you, Hurricane! I chose the music — “As If We Never Said Goodbye” — because I really can’t stand that they’re leaving so I’m just going to go into intentional denial about that fact.

(Check back tomorrow for pictures from our last-day lunch.)

I also included a few pictures in the slide show of kindergarten graduation. I still remember Bradley’s graduation from kindergarten. He got sunscreen in his eyes and was up on the stage BAWLING until I finally went up there and took him off the stage. It was awful! But Gregory’s graduation last year was absolutely wonderful. I still love that slide show more than just about any one I’ve ever made. It still makes me cry. If you want to see it, send me a message or post a comment and I’ll send you the link in e-mail.

Ooooh! And check back next year in late June for a massive slide show project of eighth grade graduation. I’ve got BIG PLANS! Bradley’s class better be ready to be seeing a lot of me next year!

COMING SOON: A TRIBUTE TO BOB, the best crossing guard in the universe! Keep your eye on the blog!


]]> http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/26/last-week-of-school-part-1/feed/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/21/eight-feet-and-two-hearts/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/21/eight-feet-and-two-hearts/#comments Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:58:42 +0000 Julie Walton Shaver http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/21/eight-feet-and-two-hearts/

Some friends of mine are looking for a caring home for their two cats.

Archie says, “They are mother and daughter: the mother is a beautiful long-hair Maine Coon and loves snuggling with you on the sofa. The daughter is a sleek, short-hair tabby who is playful, inquisitive and occasionally politically active. They have had their shots and have been spayed.”

If you’re interested, email me at julie@juliewaltonshaver.com, or leave a comment and I’ll hook you up with Archie’s number. He’s heartbroken to have to find them a new home, but trust me, there’s a really good reason that has nothing to do with the kitties.

]]> http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/21/eight-feet-and-two-hearts/feed/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/20/jury-duty-and-a-sneak-peak/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/20/jury-duty-and-a-sneak-peak/#comments Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:45:33 +0000 Julie Walton Shaver http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/20/jury-duty-and-a-sneak-peak/

I’m on jury duty and I don’t have a laptop or a smart phone, so I won’t have access to my email on Friday.

Meanwhile, Justin hinted that he’d love a sneak peek at his headshots, so just for fun, I’m putting up my favorite of the “Justin is always working” shots. More later, court willing.

Happy Friday everyone! PLEASE pray that I don’t get picked for a trial. I already need 48 more hours in every day as it is!




]]> http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/20/jury-duty-and-a-sneak-peak/feed/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/17/fathers-day-headshots-and-outtakes/ http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/17/fathers-day-headshots-and-outtakes/#comments Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:35:39 +0000 Julie Walton Shaver http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/blog/2008/06/17/fathers-day-headshots-and-outtakes/

This was the last picture from Father’s Day. Isn’t that a sweet picture of Gregory, Mike and Bradley? It was a very long time in the making! Took me ALL DAY to get this shot!


This was the first one of the day, in Mike’s favorite (salad and breadsticks) restaurant, Olive Garden. Gregory was an unwilling participant in the pictures, saying, “I don’t know how to smile.” Yeah right. I have no problem getting natural smiles out of YOUR child, but mine, well, that’s another story.


He doesn’t know how to smile at my camera, the true child of a mamarazzi.


We were working on new headshots for Mike. Isn’t he cute!?


Here’s an outtake. (I’m a dead person for posting this.)


I love this one!


Here’s another outtake. Love it!!! (Lips tend to get dry during an intensive photoshoot, so occasionally I might say something like, “wet your lips.” But to my own husband, it might come out more like, “your lips look flat.” Hence, a really cute pucker and a major tummy smile from behind the camera!


Bradley was my photo assistant. His job was to hold the reflector. He did not enjoy this job at all. I think he was jealous of the fact that somebody else was the center of my camera attention, so when I turned the camera on him (after an hour or so of shooting his dad), he actually gave me a half-smile! Yay!


By the end of the shoot, Bradley was beat.


But being the mamarazzi that I am, I couldn’t resist trying to get a nice shot of all three of my men. Unfortunately, Gregory was not cooperating, and Bradley was too tired. (Reflectors are so heavy, you know.)


Mike was trying to get Gregory to smile. Meanwhile, Bradley was getting more and more bored.


Come ON, Gregory! If we get this done we can all go home!


Nope. (Focus, Bradley, just a minute longer…)


Nope. I love Bradley’s sequence of expressions in these — SO typical of his personality. But, as I said under the first picture, I did finally get the shot of my dreams, soon to be displayed on a desk near me! Yay!


Here’s Mike’s headshot. Thanks for your help Bradley, and for your patience, Gregory!


Here’s the second headshot. Always a good idea to have a couple of options. Isn’t he so handsome?




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