Commercial Portrait Session :: Ramona Ndlovu

This year, I have really been enjoying work in commercial portrait sessions for local business women. For these business owners it is an investment in putting together a complete professional look~ a first impression that counts when someone is deciding to approve a press release, schedule an interview to talk about their business, and overall adds credibility to business websites and online social sites.

I had the privilege of working with my good friend, Ramona Ndlovu, whose business Sage Heart Studio is just getting underway. She is looking to combine her artistic talent with her counseling background to help others in their spiritual growth. While Ramona's latest art project is rughooking, she also enjoys gardening, reading, and traveling with her husband and two children.

This December, she will be leading a one day retreat for Oasis Ministries at the Palmyra First United Methodist church. For more information about the retreat (and to see one of Ramona's images in action) click here: http://www.oasismin.org/Advent-GodwithUs.htm  Below are a few of my favorites from her portrait session~ she has such natural beauty, both inside and out!

Being TWO is Fun! :: Camp Hill Baby Photographer

One of the best things about being a children's photographer is getting to watch these little ones grow and change. I photographed this sweet baby girl several times last year, and it was such a joy to see her change from a baby to a toddler. I could spend all day just listening to her chatter and marvel at simple discoveries like picking dandelions and watching ants. I met with her mommy and daddy to spend a fun spring evening evening walking around and capturing who she is at this stage of her life. From her pipsqueak "I do it, MYself!" to her adorable way of calling me to follow her "you come, Miss Marshie?" she has me wrapped around her little finger, as I suspect most people in her life would be as well. Here are just a few images from our evening together~ enjoy!

these next two are from her album (a great way to showcase your favorites when it's hard to decide!)

Giving Back :: Joni & Friends Family Retreat 2010

Sooooo... somewhere in the chaos of last summer it seems I posted the images from Joni & Friends Family 2010 Retreat to Facebook, but missed putting them on the blog~ hence, a post of last year's JAF Retreat at Spruce Lake Retreat in the Poconos, just a few weeks away from my upcoming return to capture another week filled with fun, laughter, and an indescribable love that envelops this time. The theme for 2010 was "More than imagined" and truly, it was!

For the families, it's kind of like a cruise, but on land~ all of the activities are planned out, they just show up and enjoy the food and festivities without having to plan all the parts of vacation in addition caring for a loved one's special needs. Sometimes the camper is a child with mental or physical challenges, and  others are adults with disabilities resulting from an accident or disease.

In trying to choose some images to share here on the blog, it was tough because I have many favorites as I got to know the people in these images.... some carry burdens that are mostly lifted during a week that looks a bit like I picture heaven to be~ everyone coming together and being included in fun activities and not being viewed as limited or different~ but being loved and cared for... it is true that by the end of the week it is hard to tell who is a camper and who is a volunteer~ it becomes a cohesive community of Christ which is just beautiful to watch and be part of.

I tried find images that could best tell the "story" of the week~ to see more (and get a better sense of what Joni & Friends Family Retreat is all about) click on this link:  Circle of Life Photography on Facebook

Below, staff members wash and bless the Short Term Missionary's hands to go and serve:


Families are greeted with their choice of a "loud" or "soft" greeting upon arrival:


JAF Retreat Program Director, Sib Charles, started off the retreat popping out of the storybook:


Much to the surprise of Program Manager, Joan Barton :-)


Happy times like these abound~ water fun during the hot days~
and much patience and humor from the Short Term Missionaries!


Almost everyone is able to enjoy the water tubes down the hill~ the smiles from children
who spend most of their time in wheelchairs is just priceless:


The talent show is a huge hit~ everyone is involved and has a blast. From musicians to skits and everything in between, it is a memorable night~ below the girls do a skit to the song "Car Wash":


Another talent show wonder: this young boy below is a true miracle~ for a child with many challenges including speech, he clearly sang the verses to "How Great Thou Art," which his father sang to him every night in the NICU. Needless to say, there we few dry eyes in the house!


Finding the hangouts of young campers and seeing their joyful faces was a fun part of my week~
one of many touching stories was a young mother, who at the end of the week spoke in front of the camp about how her family had been blessed by attending the JAF Retreat~ she was just amazed at the outpouring of patience and love for her child, that no one blinked an eye when her child ran onstage during worship~ and, in her words, "you actually LIKE my child!" Everyone laughed, but at the same time everyone 'got it'~ it's challenging living in a world that expects perfection and has little patience when things don't go according to plan. Here, everyone fits in.


Making friends~ even with social challenges, strong bonds between campers and their Short Term Missionaries are formed by the end of the week:


If these pictures leave you wishing you could find out more about attending or serving
at a Joni & Friends Family Retreat, please click on this link:
 http://www.joniandfriends.org/family-retreats/for-families/
Trust me, your life will never be the same!!

Commercial Portrait Session :: Whole Wide World Toys

Sometimes God puts some of the most interesting and fun people in my life ~ meeting Laura Barta, owner of Whole Wide World Toys, was another one of those times when I realize it's more than just a business relationship, I am blessed to make a friend in the process. Laura has lived and traveled abroad, and recently published her first book, My China Travel Journal, aimed at teaching kids about everyday life in China. She is currently working on creating additional toys and games to enhance the book, and has a vision for future multi-cultural books and toys as her company grows.

Last year, Laura bid on (and won!) a Circle of Life Photography portrait session silent auction at the Hershey Playhouse annual fundraiser dinner and decided to use it to create portraits for her growing business. Together we chose clothing and accessories that would be professional and represent her company. The session itself was relaxed and fun, and Laura's personality and warmth just really comes through in the images.

Commercial portrait sessions are a valuable investment in creating a professional look for any business~ these digital images are for use in marketing, business cards, websites, submitting for publications, etc. Even though Laura's images were taken at her home in Hershey, PA, they have a timeless, classic look that could be anywhere in the world, which works perfectly for her business!

Giving Back :: Pillows-of-Love 2011 Derby

Clouds and raindrops could not stop another Pillows-of-Love Pillowcase Derby~ each year the weather seems to pose a bit of a challenge, and with all the rain the Northeast has been having the past few weeks/months, prayers were answered when the rain held off just until the end of this fun event :-) The derby was held at the Milton Hershey School grounds on May 1, 2011 and it was great to see such a wonderful turn out of kids and their families.

The Pillows-of-Love ministry is beginning it's 8th year~ founder Kimberlee Jerrehian had a vision that developed into a non-profit organization which now provides beautiful pillowcases and Bibles to women and children who are displaced, in a recovery shelter, a pregnancy center, or an international orphanage. Each pillowcase is handcrafted by a caring volunteer and embellished with the message of Psalm 4:8~ "The Lord will give you sleep, peace and a safe place to dwell." A gift of The New Testament or a children's book about Jesus is included with each domestic pillowcase.

The derby is held each year to raise money for materials and distribution of pillowcases & Bibles. Children hop, skip, walk or run around the track and earn punches on their card. Donated prizes such as stuffed animals, gift cards and items from local businesses were given away to participants throughout the event. Kimberlee created five beautiful quilts to be raffled off at the event. Face painting, balloon creations, paper making, and a cake walk were all part of the festivities.

More on the story behind the ministry can be found here: http://www.pillows-of-love.com

as well as images from previous years, and more images from the 2011 event will be added soon.

Please note that all images here are copyright protected and may not be copied or downloaded without permission. You are welcome to bookmark this page, or email me for information on purchasing images. All proceeds from image purchases from this event are given to Pillows-of-Love ministry.

Baby Portrait Session :: 3 months & growing!

I photographed this little sweetheart's big sister exactly two years ago when Circle of Life Photography was still in its infant stage... my how things have changed since then! Sometimes it's a good reminder to me to see how much my photography business and skill has grown and changed~ God has been so faithful, as have my amazing clients, friends and family. This sweet baby girl is the daughter of Carolyn & Derek~ we photographed her at three months and she is as adorable and smile-y as she looks here~ I keep reminding Carolyn to label all those baby pictures... she looks so much like big sis that someday they might be a challenge to tell those baby pics apart! Enjoy!

Newborn Portrait Session :: Precious Details

I'm sure everyone is feeling it, but I just can't believe how fast this year is going~ I think 'oh yes, I'll blog this or get to that" and ZIP a week goes by, then another... and here we are with a newborn cutie born back in December, who will soon be ready for his next portrait session! This adorable little guy is the son of Megan and Kraig, and much loved by his Aunt Amy~ as well as his grandparents, cousins, friends and church family :-)

Around the time of his arrival I was considering upgrading my 35mm 1.4 lens to a 1.2 and decided to rent the lens before making the purchase~ I rented it for this newborn portrait session and absolutely fell in love with how it perfectly captures the details~ every little wrinkle, baby fuzz, the creases in his little feet.... all the elements that make up a new baby and are soon changed and outgrown. Hard to believe that one of my "little" guys just turned 10 years old this week... they literally change and grow in a blink and I soooo wish I had some images like these to remember the details of those tiny fingers and toes! So here are a few images of this precious new life, one that God already knows all about~ who he will become, where those now tiny feet will walk, and whose lives he will touch. May your days be blessed, little one!

and p.s. YES, I got the lens! Hasn't left the camera since :-)