Before I left I was a mess. Like, seriously, my calendar was peering at me from behind the corner of my monitor as if to say, “Are you kidding me? I am not coming out until at LEAST June.” My laundry was piled high, the kitchen sink stacked with dishes from too many weeks ago, and lets not even start talking about the state of my TIVO! I was starting to envy my day-job friends- you know the ones who get to wake up, go to work, and then come home? Before I left, knowing myself all too well, I took some advice from my mom and scheduled a day off. Listen, I know some of you will look at me and laugh. Ehem! You were just in Costa Rica, missy! But guys, seriously, I was working.

If any of you have a hard time handling the insane schedule of your own business (Isn’t is so masochistic that we are literally doing this to ourselves??? Terrible ) try this  method and stick to it! Schedule a day off. Put a vacation notice into your boss. Spend the day on your couch watching TV, turn the twitter off, do the dishes, and finish up that laundry!

I’m back in the saddle, my friends. Lots of shoots to edit and lots of blogs to share. For now, here is my favorite little girl, Ivy Cat from a few weeks back.This turned into a real study of expression. I wish I was witty enough to write expressions for these- can anyone think of anything funny? I mean, the last image needs something really really good…. you’ll see what I mean.

This was a really good story she was trying to tell us.

Blogging from  my future brother and sister’s apartment in Manhattan. Heather and a coffee by my side… loving life….

The  last baby I posted, Olivia was the daughter of Melissa – a Presentation High School graduate and now we have Tanner, the son of Stephanie who is also a Pres grad! I remember Stephanie  as the star soccer player when I was just a low frosh… I believe her and her senior class liked to tell us all to “Bow down!” Now she’s a mommy and I’m a photographer so we’re on level playing ground. It was so amazing meeting her lovely husband Jeff and their new little addition, Tanner (even if he didn’t want to sleep through  our session and cry instead!.) I am always so amazed at how teeny tiny babies are….

Finally…. he’s getting…sleeeeeepy…

Little Olivia is the daughter of one of my fellow 2002 Presentation Panthers, Melissa, and I couldn’t be more thrilled for her and John! One of the coolest parts about doing what I do is that I get to be a part of such amazing moments in people’s lives. I photograph them in love, married, when they are welcoming their children into the world… even though a lot of stress comes with these experiences usually there are bright smiles to go along with it and that’s really what I live to document.

You can’t help but look at newborns and be overcome with awe. Awe in how little they’ve seen, how shortly they’ve lived, and how soft and pure their bodies are. Little Olivia was such a sweet thing to photograph and I am just so thrilled to have been there to document her first weeks! Congrats to Melissa and John- here’s to many more memories to document!

Isn’t he cute??

Fa-la-la-la-la!

QUICK NOTE: I am taking a much much MUCH (:)) needed vacation in December and won’t be booking any shoots December 1-January 1. Mini-holiday session times are filling up quickly! I am available for THESE DATES ONLY for fall family sessions. Bay Area dates: November 7, 8 – Los Angeles dates Nov 21, 22.

Mini Session package includes, 30-45 minutes of shooting time, 15 final edited images on disc for family holiday card use! $200

Email me : meg@megperotti.com to reserve your time slot now!

Onward!

At the beginning of this year I had every intention of expanding my Meg Perotti: Kids business. Seriously, I have a whole business progress journal entry about it. About how much I love children, how their spunk, spontaneity, laughter, and complete unabashed confidence in their expressions speaks of truth and really shows the world was love is really about. And while I accomplished many many things on my 2009 to-do list, expanding children photography just wasn’t one of them. Perhaps weddings are just too big of a monster to make room? (In a lovable Shrek kind of monster-way!) Maybe I worked just a smidgen too hard this summer and lost sight of that particular line item? Both are probably true, but in any case, this session refreshed the drive to spend more time photographing children. There is always 2010!

Sarah and Brian got married just a year ago Sunday (HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!) and they already managed to bring their 2 year old, Shae, a beautiful baby sister, Ava. I’m pretty sure this session was scheduled even before Ava had entered the world and it never ceases to amaze me how time flies. Sarah and Brian, you guys supported me when the business was oh so young and I am so happy to have been able to grow with your family! Can’t wait for many more shoots of your beautiful family! (And I’m glad I am able to prove to Brian that despite my sculpture skills… I’m a pretty okay photographer. ) Props go to Sarah for the styling … couldn’t ASK for a better client. XoXo!

Watch out Brian, you’ve got a heart-breaker on your hands.