Eco Portrait Brunch Playdate!

We just wrapped up the first eco portrait brunch!
Thanks to all the mamas and papas who came and let me play with their precious little ones! To our gracious host, Sean and Kerri, Scott and I owe you our second born! You were amazing and to promote my work outside your home was incredible.
After all those babies going through I have only begun picking out the best images to capture the little personality I met! It was so fun, so action packed and so worth it! I hope everyone had a fun, unique afternoon and it was so good to met everyone!
I am dying to show the results and will have some here closer to the big reveal! Stay tuned!

UPDATE! The portraits from the first Eco Portrait Brunch are displayed on the "Sessions," page on my site!

See them here!

Bathed in children...

I want to write a note about children.
I am a mama, a nanny and a children's photographer. They have got me surrounded. I have done my research. The perils of it all are overwhelming, but to actually envision the complete picture of what they hold stretches the imagination. We can travel down that way for a short time, a quiet moment of them playing, a minute of admiration at nap time, but we would lose our place in the day to sit and encompass their role in life at this very place in time.

Children remind you you are a static thing moving farther away everyday. To not give the best of us is foolish.

It is incomprehensible how wonderful children are in their untarnished innocence.
Man is inherently good Hobbes, all you need to do is see a child.

Enjoy them when they are little. They are static too. They deserve the best of us.

I have recently been lucky enough to see the Dalai Lama and listen to him speak.

(Perhaps a little of him is sneaking into this post. )

A little about us...

My work is a combination of all passions, photographing children, giving whatever I can and living sustainably.

Behind this business is myself, my husband, Scott and our son, whom we owe for what he brought to our family, Cole. I have been a nanny all through college and this has enabled me to have my little subjects up close over long periods to perfect capturing many little moments as we wish all could be captured. My husband personally funded my business as each holiday, birthday and anniversary gave opportunity for another piece of equiptment! I have combined my refined technique with a major aspect of our lifestyle, living sustainably and leaving as little impact as possible.

We reside in a tiny cottage on a historic farm. We made a decision to live there to live a greener lifestyle. There we compost, garden and use wood heat. We even have an outhouse. We use minimal electricity and the house itself is built to make the most of the trees in the summer and the sun in the winter. As far as giving, I have always believed no matter how little you have, in giving what you can. After our son Cole was born, and 1,000 hours clocked in on the couch during tiny feedings, a longtime dream slowly began to become a possibility. Here, I introduce my work as everything is beginning after a year of extensive research, dreaming and planning. My site says it all, all of my inspirations, goals, plans and possibilities with my work.

I capture wondeful little moments and expressions, I give 10 % of all profit to a wonderful children's charity, "Giving Children Hope," and I try to raise awareness of sustainable living with comprehensive information. For a session, I come to clients for a personal session where children are most comfortable, I also offer our farm as a wonderful outdoor backdrop or I will go to a location of their choosing. I also offer an organic portrait brunch, where hosts recieve free portraiture! (More information below.)
This business is literally a labor of love and a combination of all things that keep me going. Enjoy the site, the information, and here you can literally watch us grow!

Eco Photography of Children...Is it different?

Questions? Questions? You must have questions.

This weekend I was thinking...

I do get alot of questions. There must be questions, as green photography is different. Or is it? I do get many questions. I have included information I have found in my extensive research from the past year in my site, however, as something new...there are many questions. I will answer some here.

How do the materials compare to mainstream photography?

All of the materials are of professional grade, comparable quality. In many photographs, the stone paper is preferred as it gives a soft glow to photographs. I do offer mainstream photograph paper if it is requested. The matting is mainstream professional matting, however I only use professional matting made from renewable cotton resources. The framing is art in itself as each is a beautiful handmade piece comparable to mainstream mass-produced pricing.

Isn't all natural photograph paper biodegradable?

It will disintegrate just as a mainstream photo would over 100 years. Only, the stone paper will not leave any harmful materials behind. It is archival paper just as mainstream paper is and actually stood up better in a flood test than mainstream photograph paper.

How can frames from recycled wood look as nice as new frames?

They are new frames. New, professional grade, handmade frames. The wood is taken down from what is was and able to be turned into something else. They are a labor of love by two fellow sustainable entrepreneurs. Their names are Lars and Lisa and their work is absolutely beautiful and available in many moldings and plant based stains. The material is wood that can be reused again. It has dried over many years and can actually be stronger and more durable than virgin wood. There is more information regarding reclaimed wood on the Eco page of my site, Reflectedinnocence.com.

Your computer isn't green, your car to the session is not green, your batteries aren't green.....

You are right. It is as close as I can get. I do the best I can and use my work to thrill parents, raise awareness and give to a greater cause. In regards to my car, we purposefully purchased a Subaru made in the US from the only automoblie plant designated a wildlife refuge and is a zero lanfill auto plant as well. In regards to electronics, we chose to live in a small cottage using little electricity, (we use wood heat) I only use rechargeable batteries and I am looking into a solar charger, digital photography is greener than film (with wasted paper and chemicals) and as far as waste...there is none. All waste generated is recycled again or burned as heat fuel.

How do you know the charity you chose is legitimate?

They have had a wonderful history of work and keep current listings of both current and past projects, I have been introduced to the Director, we have spoken personally and keep in touch regarding new donations. GCHope.org

Against traditon??

In no way do I believe this is better then or above traditional photography. I admire so many photographers in this business all over the country. I love their work and what they do and offer. I wouldn'tbe where I am without their influence. My passion of traditional photography brought me here. My passion of living green brought me here. My passion for giving back brought me here.

It is different. Yes, I guess it is different...but is that a bad thing?

Places to go...

Vegan Recipes! goodbaker.com

Eco Photography Brunch on the map!

This is a age old concept of charity.

I offer an organic eco portrait brunch and will say it should be the most fun, hassle-free portrait session you may participate in. It is now pro-active too as 10 % of portraiture can benefit the certified charity of your choice!

The same percentage has always benefited a wonderful charity, "Giving Children Hope," and I now leave it up to my fellow pro-active cause-ers to contribute, host a brunch and donate 10 % to the root of their passion in a charity that they care about!

Have a charity you are passionate about? Host a brunch to benefit them! It doesn't cost anything, host's receive free portraiture and guest's enjoy portraiture at 50 % off!


"It is our purpose in life to help others." -His Holiness, The 14th Dalai Lama.