Delish!

So tomorrow is Thanksgiving and although there are five tents already stationed at Best Buy today for Black Friday, I really do not feel like tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I have been working hard finishing the Christmas shots that I have not had time to even think of what will be for dinner tomorrow. My husband is the cook so he went out and bought a turkey, he was so bummed out he did not receive one from work! too funny but I am just reminiscing about what is really important in my life, my God, my boys, my husband, and laughter. In looking at this babies shots I am reminded of all the fuzzy good feelings inside and I am so thankful for them....

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Christmas Shopping with BV

So it is that time of year again for hot cocoa, shopping, cold weather and nostalgia. My idea for this photo shoot was to grab my family in the midst of all of those emotions and I am very pleased that photographer Bianca Valentim ( http://www.biancavalentim/) agreed to face the freezing wind and cold plus a commute to do these pictures of my crazy ideas. They are stunning, thoughtful and plain Cool! I am so glad I convinced my hubbie to do this and I know that this photographer has lots of great things coming her way and so blessed I met her.I told her I will bug her until she allows me to follow her around in a photo shoot to pick her brain, she still needs more convincing but I think she will change her mind soon I hope. And on a another note why is it that all these men do not like to be in pictures but they all look better than we do?
Here are some shots of the shoot!

Meet you on the 9th floor

I called my husband up and told him how much I loved him and how he was the best hubbie in the world. I than went for it! I made my request for the Three point OH present. I wanted to get pictures done of us, me, the kids, the family.. He sighed, rolled over his eyes and said when? So I explained probably next Sunday, meanwhile I had it all planned in my head. Luckily two photographers I admire were having some great holiday sales and I went for it. On Wednesday, we shot with Paula Leme ( www.paulaleme.com), that is another story itself! but for my photo shoot today, I booked with NJ Brazilian Photographer Bianca Valentim ( www.biancavalentim.com). I had written Bianca an email explaining my crazy ideas of the photo shoot to be family doing Christmas Shopping, so we planned to meet up by Macy's in the city. Well turns out we hit one of the coldest days this year and I was scared I would not be able to get shots of the boys outside as I wanted to. So I woke up early ( had barely slept) to pack bags, get my hair ready and get ready for the photo shoot. I thought to myself, oh I should not take my camera because it is freezing cold and I do not even know how we are going to do this with these two boys plus I am too anxious to even think about that right now. So we are on the turnpike probably two exits down and my brother in law who Thank God came with us, said where is your camera? I said, I did not bring it! You had to pick my husband's jaw off the floor. He was like, out of all people you, no camera, not even the regular one!!! We are going to the city for crying out loud! and my brother in law just added on to the pressure. I begin to bite my lip and twirl my hair and I was so mad because they were absolutely right! Three Words came to my head. " I am a photographer" and I should have that camera with me at all times, attached to my hip, not missing out on any special moments or news wordy events. As Bianca who is by the way so sweet and adorable went up the escalator to reach the 9Th floor of Macy's where the Christmas Shop was, the three words just kept ringing in my year. I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER. I AM A PHOTOGRAPGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I will continue with my hip hugging practice now.

Silva Sisters

Silva Sisters
Originally uploaded by feuzadr

While doing kids portraits, the parents are running around trying to make the kids laugh, to sit in a certain way, all proper, watching if strands of hair are out of place, than I hear, oh he does not smile oh there is no luck with that one, and the parent gets all frustrated, meanwhile I am shooting like 10 shots a second and praying for the more natural poses and a more natural interaction between and the subjects, and once they see IT afterwards there is a sigh of relief and that they do not know which ones to choose. I see how proud they are of their beautiful children, only 10 days for Christmas shots, than maybe I can start my shopping

a White Christmas

jordan 131fusion
Originally uploaded by feuzadr

My phone rings and I pick up and it is one more person wanting to know about the Christmas shots. Some keep putting off thinking they will have time but last day I am doing Christmas prints is November 25th, others a rushing in to make their spot secure. This has been one of my favorite shots so far of little Jordon's White Christmas. My friend had bought these big flakes for me to use as Christmas props and I envisioned it in my mind finally tried it! Let it Snow, Let i Snow, Let it Snow!.

Coming Soon

Coming Soon
Originally uploaded by feuzadr

So I was not sure if this was going to work, but I was shown some photos where the photographer wet the belly in the maternity session and they were stunning. I have to say I am pleased with the results of the wet look! and BTW the baby was jumping and moving all around when I sprayed mammas belly, very cute...
She must be thing, YO what you doing out there?
maybe not- hehehehe lolllllll

Parenting Lessons?

I had the pleasure of doing a Christmas photo session this past Saturday for a family who came from NY just to do pictures with me. I was so honored and nervous during the shoot but very please to have met the Machado Family. What surprised me the most was how they interacted with 3 year old Amanda. Ana Angelica, Amanda's mom seemed like she was that perfect preschool teacher, speaking in this soft tone, singing songs, teaching and reminding Amanda of shapes and numbers. And miss Amanda was so engaged and smart and said things like 5 year old kids say. I watched in amazement and thought about my relationship with my young boys and how I do not stop and teach them things often and I really should. Surprisingly enough I had a birthday photo shoot last Monday and witnessed the same thing. Daddy Moses and Mommy Karla amazed me of how they were attentive and how little 1 year old David lifted his hands way up while his parents sang a praise song. So take a deep breathe Feuza, and really look at your parenting skills and what you learnt with these awesome parents and put it into practice. YES MAMA. ( aka talking to myself).

Realizados

When shot the family Souza for Greicy's maternity pictures and family portraits, I was surprised to see this very young couple who has a son who struggles yet, I am not sure of the name but he is almost two years old and is not fully developed for his age so happy and content. Sometimes in life we complain so much, we lack everything including being thankful for the simple things, the people we love, the beauty around us, the faith God has given us and friendships we made along the way. They drove 40 minutes for this photo shoot and once they got here, Greicy realized she had forgotten her bag with her cute pregnant outfits, if that I was me, I would have started balling and that would be the end of my photo shoot, but not her, she was a bit bummed out but I assured her, it would be fine, gave her some ideas and it was all smiles from there, from her, her husband Junior and even little Joshua! Their happiness and sense of fulfillment and success is contagious and was a big eye opener for me since I have been thinking so much of this turning 30 this month. Thanks Souza family for teaching me, inspiring me and bringing me such joy to take pictures of your beautiful family.