My Word! http://www.stephanieboozer.com Life. Work. Thoughts. posterous.com Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:04:00 -0700 Jemma Kidd, anyone? http://www.stephanieboozer.com/jemma-kidd-anyone http://www.stephanieboozer.com/jemma-kidd-anyone

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So, I'm waiting in the doctor's office, flipping through dog-eared back issues of Vogue (a magazine most definitely not written for simple moi), when I stumble across what looks like a short quip about packing for a trip. This is a story about how Jemma Kidd packs for a trip. Who? A Google search turns up that she's some fancy-pants, and I mean FANCY PANTS, countess in England that spends her free time as a make-up artist. You know, when she's not lacing up her $1,550 platforms or downing a rice-milk vegan cocktail made by the German detox expert that's glued to her side. She also has a make-up line at Target that I've completely missed. One of the photos shows her holding her six-month-old while parading on a beach in a bikini with her rock-solid abs. I hate her already, obviously. 

As I skim a little more, I figure out that this is literally a story about how this woman packs for a jaunt to her family's plantation in Barbados. She changes clothes, sorry, outfits, 5 times a day! And not because her baby spit up on her, or she got a little too sweaty. But because, "she likes to wear white to breakfast" and "a fresh bikini and caftan to lunch" and on and on. The article wraps up with a laundry list of the exotic locales she'll travel to later in the year, and how she sends all her clothes out to be cleaned and pressed and repacked, yes, repacked. Every single ensemble that lady put on cost more than my mortgage payment. (She probably doesn't know what a mortgage payment is, let alone why someone in their right mind would even think about spreading out such paltry sums of money for so long...) 

I probably sound a little bitter right about now. But I'm actually not. Well, honestly, for a fleeting five seconds I did feel a little pang of envy over such an exotic lifestyle. I'm actually quite glad that I'm not Jemma Kidd though. I'm glad that I like to dig in the dirt, get sweaty and dirty at the gym, and wear clothes that I'm not afraid of ruining. I've always felt a little like a grown-up version of Ramona Quimby, which is as far from glamorous as you can get. But I'm ok with that.

For all I know, Jemma Kidd could be a total hack with a worthless British title and so far in debt she had to create a cosmetics line for Target to hopefully bail her ass out. Either way, it's still impressive that someone has that kind of energy and patience to put so much thought into appearances. People are so fascinating.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:40:00 -0700 Ooh, la, la! http://www.stephanieboozer.com/ooh-la-la http://www.stephanieboozer.com/ooh-la-la

lavere611.pdf Download this file
For this month's issue of Professional Photographer, I also had a great chat with Hampton Roads, Va. photographer Chelsea LaVere about her boudoir work, which she markets under the brand Persuasion. As in Jane Austen. Not only do I love me some Austen, I really enjoyed talking to Chelsea and finding out what's new and fun about boudoir - a genre of photography I admittedly did not know much about. Thanks Chelsea for giving me a much-needed new perspective on boudoir. Chelsea also runs Bit of Ivory Photography (yes, another Austen reference!!) as a separate entity for wedding and event photography.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:30:00 -0700 Home, Sweet, Studio http://www.stephanieboozer.com/57338767 http://www.stephanieboozer.com/57338767

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I had a ton of fun writing this home studio article for the current issue of Professional Photographer magazine. Not only did I talk to some really creative photogs who are making it work in their homes, but I also nabbed a few ideas for my own home office! Thanks so much to Jen Thompson, Monica Burby, Katelyn James, and Sarah Ulrich for sharing their design ideas with me!

Don't miss Kelly Munce and Daniele Rose, who unfortunately didn't make it into the printed magazine for space reasons, but were featured online nonetheless. Thanks Kelly and Daniele!!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Tue, 10 May 2011 18:54:00 -0700 Sorry to brag, but...another Gold GAMMA this year! http://www.stephanieboozer.com/sorry-to-brag-butanother-gold-gamma-this-year http://www.stephanieboozer.com/sorry-to-brag-butanother-gold-gamma-this-year

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Yay! I won a Gold GAMMA this year for my article "Woman in Love" in the January 2010 issue of Professional Photographer - all about spitfire photographer Kimberly Wylie in Dallas, Texas. Thanks Kimberly for being such a great subject - and thanks to the Magazine Association of the Southeast for the honor!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Sun, 08 May 2011 09:44:00 -0700 Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy.... http://www.stephanieboozer.com/mommy-mommy-mommy-mommy http://www.stephanieboozer.com/mommy-mommy-mommy-mommy

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As is often the case with parenting, I had one particularly wretched day of cleaning poopy underwear not once, but twice, bickering children, a bad dog who wouldn't stop digging out the irrigation system (really?!?), and a whole caseload of domestic and parental troubles just annoying enough that if this was a job, I would quit. All of this was followed this morning by the foolproof kid comeback of homemade mother's day presents and breakfast in bed, followed by mimosas on a quiet front porch. Waking up to big toothy grins, my 7-year-old's honest good intentions to do all of my laundry (so far, the one load is patiently awaiting its dryer time about an hour later...), a boisterous 4-year-old boy dive-bombing the bed...that's what makes it mother's day.

So, no matter how tired I get of mercurial temperaments, stomping feet, bursts of inconsolable crying over trifling matters, and the seemingly incessant "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" (even after I've said "What?" about a thousand times), I know that this time is fleeting and precious, an inextricable whirl of emotions too complex to fully analyze or comprehend. 

So happy mother's day to all of my friends and family. And here's to enjoying it all. Cheers!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Sun, 26 Dec 2010 06:01:23 -0800 And so it was Christmas http://www.stephanieboozer.com/and-so-it-was-christmas http://www.stephanieboozer.com/and-so-it-was-christmas
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I'm happy to say that this Christmas was fairly low stress, even though we had to have two pet sitters (our dog had to board and someone else came in to feed the fish, cats and visiting hamster...can hamsters actually live in the wild anyway?).  And it's the first time in about....well, since I was about nine or 10 that it's been that way. Our family packed up for a whirlwind tour of our extended families over a three-day pass through Atlanta. Not quite as fast as Santa, but almost. My husband and I have divorced and remarried parents on both sides. Which means that we have a lot of family to visit. And, with the exception of an aunt or uncle or two, they all live in and around the metro Atlanta area. And so do a lot of our very good friends, since we also grew up in Atlanta. If you get where I'm going with this, it makes it a very difficult thing to just pop into our hometown. Were we childless, it would be no problem. But we are toting a three and a seven-year-old with us, and therein lies the difficulty. 

Getting around from house to house is like a complicated dance. Stay too long here, and someone else gets hurt feelings. Stay too long there, and another one feels slighted. Everybody's expectations are hard to meet. And then there are the intricacies of gift giving. Some families have rules. Some don't. Sometimes the rules change from year to year. Sometimes they tell you that. Sometimes they don't. It can be dizzying. It's a time of year for being with family and friends, and it often winds up more like a rushed fulfillment of obligation. And I for one usually come away sad that it felt like that. Sad that it wasn't a glowing time, where everyone was genuinely happy just to be together. 

But this year was a little different. On our very quick tour of Atlanta, we did bounce from house to house. And we did have a few wobbles here and there. But, for some reason or other, it just wasn't as stressful as it's been in the past. My three-year-old acted quite the part of a devilish, tantrum-filled three-year-old boy, but even that wasn't so bad. We spent time with each main branch of our families. We enjoyed good dinners and good conversation. We arrived back home in Charleston tired from all the driving, but feeling glad that we'd seen everyone and had good times. Glad that our time in Atlanta was pleasant, but also glad that all we had stretching before us was Santa and a day of kids in PJs eating cookies for breakfast and playing with shiny new toys all day. 

After polling many moms and many friends, and having quite a few adult Christmases under my belt, I've come to this conclusion: there simply is no right answer for making everyone happy on Christmas. And that realization made something click in my head. I could worry and fret and stress about making everyone happy. Or, I could just do my best and accept the fact that I am not Mary Poppins or Martha Stewart or any other maven of perfection. (Christmas cards will be New Year's cards this year...) I embraced the fact that I have small children. That this time is fleeting. That my primary focus has to be on them. We are making their memories. And for that reason alone, we simply want to be home on Christmas. So this year, instead of feeling a little sad in the post-Christmas re-hash of events, I feel heartened that we had a good visit followed by a peaceful Christmas at home. 

Oh, and a Google search turned up that wild hamsters are native to Europe, Asia and Africa. And I was working on the theory that they are really rats with their tails lopped off. They are kind of rat-like though...

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:27:22 -0800 What did you do last night? http://www.stephanieboozer.com/what-did-you-do-last-night http://www.stephanieboozer.com/what-did-you-do-last-night It's always a toss-up whether or not to bring children to certain grown-up events. Art openings, certain plays, restaurants, etc. And it's a dilemma that parents constantly face. How to expose your kids to culture and give them the opportunity to learn how to behave in more adult settings, without overdoing it and pushing them farther than their own behavioral limits allow. Last night a good friend of ours opened an exhibit of 10 years worth of painting and drawing. Initially, I was going to hire a babysitter and go as an adult, enjoy adult conversation, have a glass of wine, and leisurely view the work. Then my 7-year-old got wind of it and wanted to go to. She's fascinated by the idea that you can be an artist and have more than just the refrigerator as a display space. So, after tossing it around, and not being able to find a babysitter anyway, I decided to pack up both my 7 and 3-year-old children for a very quick tour.

And while my daughter was enthralled with what she saw and generally full of interest, my littler one was also drawn to the paintings and full of wonder. Both of my children were excellent as far as behavior goes. No yelling or running or any of those things that people without children find so annoying. Yet still, despite their quiet, peaceful demeanors, I was met with not a few sidelong glances. People avoided eye contact. Even people that I know and am acquainted with. I had two nice friends there who stopped to talk and didn't seem so freaked by the presence of two very well-behaved little people. I left annoyed with the behavior of grown-ups and more than pleased with the behavior of my kids. Our entire car ride home, both children were asking a lot of questions about the show. From "what is charcoal?" to "why did that animal look like a horse-man?" I was glad to know that both of my kids, even the little one, were impacted. 

I returned home, where I had to make 25 Christmas tree-shaped sandwiches (an absolute nightmare of a job, mind-you), put together myriad teacher gifts, wash a favorite dress for my daughter to wear the next day, and the list goes on. Total mom stuff. And there's a tricky balance too. Being a good mom, a fun wife, and an interesting woman. And it's incredibly hard to reach that balance. You're always running after one aspect or another, wanting to be awesome at everything, but never quite catching up. 

So, those way-too-cool folks who take themselves and their appearances so seriously may be mortified or shocked or annoyed or put out by having a couple of small kids at their grown-up party. But I say, I'm excited to know that my children can go to a place like that and conduct themselves quite well, and, most importantly, actually WANT to be there. And the value of that experience for them is immeasurable. (I certainly didn't go to art openings at age 7!)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Sat, 18 Sep 2010 19:01:00 -0700 Moonrise over Isle of Palms http://www.stephanieboozer.com/moonrise-on-isle-of-palms http://www.stephanieboozer.com/moonrise-on-isle-of-palms

At four o'clock we descended upon the beach. A bride, lovingly surrounded by ladies in island blue, kissed her new husband and walked up the rose-petal-strewn sand, on to her happily-ever-after as we set up beach chairs, shovels and buckets. We played. Rain threatened. A few lightning strikes lit up the sky. The clouds passed, and still we played. Until the moon rose. Not quite full, but bright enough for a moonlit game of soccer on the beach. Me against my three-year-old and the older kids shouting and running and diving against each other. Waves crashed. A lone pelican flew low over the beach and out of sight. Good friends clinked mini-champaigne bottles to celebrate 15 years of mine and Adam's marriage. Night descended on our sandy stretch of beach in perfect mystery.

In the end, we said goodnight to the beach, goodnight to the waves, and goodnight to the moon. But it was a perfect evening, like no other, and I will cherish every second of it.


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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:41:09 -0700 Oh, right, I have a blog! http://www.stephanieboozer.com/oh-right-i-have-a-blog http://www.stephanieboozer.com/oh-right-i-have-a-blog
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Since I'm a writer, you could say that I should post to my blog all the time. Or, since I'm a writer, you might think I just need a break. Blogging for me is a little hard at times. When I've been working a lot, writing a lot, and reading a lot, the last thing I want to do is come up with something witty and charming and hopefully enthralling for someone to read. Maybe I'm lazy or maybe I'm just tired. 

Over this last summer, I've enjoyed countless afternoons and evenings on porches, boats, and beaches. I've spent a lot of time with my kids, most of it special and amazing (though some of it, honestly, I was silently counting down the days for school to start). I've worked a little and played a lot. That's what summer is about, right? And with my children still quite young (3 and 6), it's extremely important to me to spend as much time with them as I can before they get old enough to decide to spend their summers elsewhere. So, my blog fell by the wayside, even though I did plenty of things I felt like blogging about. I started a zillion blog posts, only to walk away from them to attend to some other task, or frankly, I just was too dazzled by the magic of summer to finish them. Between the changing tides of visiting friends and summer camps, late-into-the-night porch cocktails and conversation, the idea of blogging just lost its steam. Ah, summer....

But as the golden days wind down, hurricane season picks up steam, and we dive back into the regular routine of school and work, I hope to do better. So, here's a toast to the magic of summer and to the prospect of a more productive autumn and winter - may I work hard enough to earn another splendidly lazy summer next year!  

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Tue, 18 May 2010 10:03:00 -0700 Zoom-zoom-zoom http://www.stephanieboozer.com/zoom-zoom-zoom-6 http://www.stephanieboozer.com/zoom-zoom-zoom-6

Who are you when you get behind the wheel of your car? Are you the sporty-hot mom dashing between school and the gym? Are you the super-cool hipster trying not to care about how you look, but inside you really, really, REALLY do? Are you the wannabe race car driver? It's a quirky side of human beings, what happens to us in our cars. All of us inevitably fall into some stereotype. We have a level of anonymity in that essentially no one we're passing knows us, cares much about us, and half the time, doesn't even really notice us. We're like billboards for ourselves. And have you noticed that when people do recognize you, you're caught off guard? Busted in whatever persona you're trying to put on. It's also funny how a lot of people lose their sense of common politeness, and everything turns into a race. Because we don't have to immediately answer for our actions on the road–unless, of course, we don't see that cop a few cars back or we actually hit someone or something–some of us just get plain rude. And angry. And dumb. But luckily, there are still a few of us who remain polite and even considerate. 

I have no idea who or what I look like when I drive. I suspect it changes on a daily basis. I'd like to think I look hip, cool and together, and sometimes even elicit a double-take from a handsome passerby. Sometimes I am the lady who's singing at the top of her lungs, who you are glad that you cannot hear. And sometimes I'm the busy mom in gym clothes (not sure about hotness). 
 
I had this funny thought today as I was driving along and noticed that there are really only a handful of driving personas, and wondering which one I fit into. It's just intriguing that something as utilitarian as a car can make such an impact on a person's behavior. People are funny, I guess.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Wed, 12 May 2010 17:29:00 -0700 I won a Gold GAMMA Award! http://www.stephanieboozer.com/i-won-a-gold-gamma-award http://www.stephanieboozer.com/i-won-a-gold-gamma-award

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My story "When the Bough Breaks" for Professional Photographer magazine on the organization Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS) won a Gold GAMMA in the Best Feature category at this year's Southeast GAMMA Awards. Here's the judge's comment:  "Outstanding writing. Covers sensitive subject without becoming maudlin and informs the reader." NILMDTS is an international organization that provides free portraits of terminal newborns to parents. What may sound morbid to some actually provides great solace for many parents and a is labor of love for the photographers. It was a heart-wrenching article to write, so it gives me great pleasure that it was appreciated. 

Enough tooting of my own horn - Charleston-based Garden & Gun, a favorite publication of ours, won the Grand GAMMA. Congrats to all the winners!!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Fri, 07 May 2010 07:22:00 -0700 May Cover Story for Professional Photographer http://www.stephanieboozer.com/may-cover-story-for-professional-photographer http://www.stephanieboozer.com/may-cover-story-for-professional-photographer

Maycover

My article on Utah-based family photographer Drake Busath made the cover of the May issue of Professional Photographer. Drake does some amazing composite portraits of very large families - say 15+ members. He's even designed his own artificial North Light system that produces clean, natural looking wrap-around light in the studio. Also in this issue is my profile on Frank Frost, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Frank specializes in outdoor family portraiture, and is a real naturalist when it comes to lighting and posing.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Mon, 03 May 2010 06:13:00 -0700 When oysters attack... http://www.stephanieboozer.com/when-oyster-shells-attack http://www.stephanieboozer.com/when-oyster-shells-attack

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Now, don't get me wrong, I love to go out on a boat. Especially friends' boats, since the upkeep, cleaning and overall cost are not mine. This weekend though, Karma gave it back to me, which I realized with great irony as I was knee deep in sticky pluff mud studded with razor sharp oysters, pushing our friend's boat off of an oyster bed. Ouch! There were five children between us, all stuck on shore and wavering between a little fear of being abandoned while the adults were pushing a mighty mountain of a boat and just a little excitement about their own freedom. In the end, the boat got unstuck, all five kids were accounted for and safely carried through the pluff mud mine field to the boat. And we all made it back home without needing any stitches. We did lose a pair of shoes in the pluff, and all of the adults have a range of lacerations on their feet. My entire body is sore from trying to unmire my legs with each step while gingerly trying to avoid the oysters. Not to mention from pushing that boat with all my might. But in the end, I have to say, I had the best night's sleep I've gotten in a while. And I think our kids had an awesome afternoon too.

However, I still can't get that pluff mud out of the cuts on my feet.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:21:00 -0700 The Chocolatier http://www.stephanieboozer.com/the-chocolatier http://www.stephanieboozer.com/the-chocolatier

Everything I knew about this man had been colored by prejudice. He's French, for starters, which conjures up its own stereotypes, the best of which are still insulting. I'd heard a few rumblings from the wine seller next door about loud fights with his wife (who I haven't seen around in a while). That his chocolate shop wasn't really doing all that well. That the money behind it was family money. From my own perspective, I'd seen him pacing around outside of the shop all winter long, staring into the souls of passersby, whether they be in cars or on foot. Silently daring, it seemed. His scowl, the rumors of his hot temper, and the exquisite perfection of his chocolate dainties. It all added up to an air of mystery.

So, it wasn't surprising that I felt mischievously curious as I strolled into the shop for a truffle one day. I'd just had lunch with a friend across the street, and we needed a little recharge before hitting the carpool line. We walked into the dark shop, filled with sumptuous delights that fed the eye as well as intense cravings. There was a chocolate coral reef, executed in minute detail. Red, sexy, and decadent chocolate stilettos. A pirate's treasure chest. And some of the most beautiful truffles I've laid eyes on, all flawlessly smooth and delicate.

My interest in this character piqued from months of hearsay and idle gossip, I watched him as he described each delicacy to us in a way that only French men can do. "This one is good, this one is caramel and sea salt. All are good. Eat one or don't, I don't care." His words thrown at us in that velvety French accent that caresses as it strikes. Only the French, right?

And then, in an instant, I saw it.

He turned his head just enough that his pupils eerily reflected the window light. A golden flash. Like a cat at night. In the instant it took the shiver to run up my spine, my imagination chased every morsel of fact and fiction I'd heard about vampires, fairies, werewolves and unnamed beastly creatures that folklore insists walk among us. A medical doctor would squash it all as a normal phenomenon, like red-eye in photographs. But this wasn't red-eye. This appeared unearthly. Untamed. Very wild, and frankly, just a little creepy.

Finding myself in an awkward stare, I made a selection and high-tailed it back out to the sunny sidewalk and glorious blue sky, feeling like I'd just evaded something. What that was, I didn't know.

And my truffle? Sinfully delicious, as it should be.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:47:46 -0700 Why you do it in the first place http://www.stephanieboozer.com/why-you-do-it-in-the-first-place http://www.stephanieboozer.com/why-you-do-it-in-the-first-place
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I just had a great interview with commercial photographer Joel Grimes for an upcoming issue of Professional Photographer. The article will be one of many in the issue about lighting techniques and philosophies, and while Grimes has an excellent eye and a very strong body of work, one of the areas where he really shines (literally) is in his use of light. But what I found so remarkable about my interview with him is that the most important part of it all is to remain an artist. First and foremost, we are artists. No equipment is going to define that for us. His main message is one that many photographers often forget as they get caught up in the whirlwind of ever-advancing technology and gadgetry, and that is that you simply have to figure out what you want to communicate and set about doing it. Even if it's for a client, there's a reason they chose you and your style to communicate their vision. So, thanks, Joel for reminding me what should be at the heart of all of our endeavors. We all need a little reminding from time to time.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Wed, 14 Apr 2010 10:39:00 -0700 Yay Kids! Professional Photographer Cover Story http://www.stephanieboozer.com/yay-kids-professional-photographer-cover-stor http://www.stephanieboozer.com/yay-kids-professional-photographer-cover-stor

My profile on Brianna Graham's colorful eye made the cover! She was an energetic interview and fun to talk to. I also compiled a piece on really cool home-based photography studios that are super stylish, and profiled Aussie photog Rachel Devine. A fun issue focused on children's portraiture - take a look!

brianna0410.pdf Download this file

 

studios0410.pdf Download this file

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Sun, 28 Mar 2010 17:29:20 -0700 Wow. That was fast. Really. Fast. http://www.stephanieboozer.com/wow-that-was-fast-really-fast http://www.stephanieboozer.com/wow-that-was-fast-really-fast

Today, while shopping with my 6-year-old daughter in Claire's, that haven of sparkly bangles, bows and Hello Kitty emblazoned make-up cases, I found myself caught in a shocking moment of change. Instead of gleefully looking through the eye-candy on display, Annabelle was edging away from me, growling when I pointed out a cute bauble or giving me a crooked, frowny "go away, Mom" face when I held out a locket. And in a horrible instant, my heart was pulverized. I was in the next phase of being slowly-painfully slowly-pushed away.

Now, I know. She's only six. Seasoned moms will be quick to point out that this is only one in a million instances where she will rip out my heart, throw it in the dirt and step on it. And, I'm not that melodromatic. I do realize the natural progression of things. Children don't belong to us. Our job is to raise them with love and kindness, and provide the guidance to help them (hopefully) turn into wonderful, level-headed adults. And, to do that, they can't stay little and they can't stay needy. Growing up is a messy path to tread on both sides, and we're all amateurs.

Still, I couldn't help but think back to that little girl who delighted in everything I could show her. With whom I was a most favorite playmate. There will be more things I can delight her with, more insights I can squeeze in. More giggles, tickle-fights, and silly games to play before I pass into being completely uncool. But, in this one moment, the weight of how quickly change can sneak up on us was heavy indeed.

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:57:08 -0700 Spring flowers http://www.stephanieboozer.com/spring-flowers-26 http://www.stephanieboozer.com/spring-flowers-26 Annabelle greeted me after school with this picturesque bouquet-a lovely way to end a busy day!

Photo

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:20:29 -0800 March Issue of Professional Photographer is out! http://www.stephanieboozer.com/march-issue-of-professional-photographer-is-o http://www.stephanieboozer.com/march-issue-of-professional-photographer-is-o Check out the current issue of Professional Photographer - this month focused on weddings. My article on the ultra-hip Canadian duo Dave & Quin Cheung and another piece on fun reception tricks are features. Many thanks to the Cheungs for their fun interview, and also to wedding photographers Christian Oth, Tasha Owen, Becka Knight, Chris and Adrienne Scott, Brian Dorsey, and Eric Sartoris for their great insights!

See more from the current issue at ppmag.com

cheung.pdf Download this file

receptions.pdf Download this file

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:37:29 -0800 TOXIC: Garbage Island 1 of 3 | VBS Newsroom | VBS.TV http://www.stephanieboozer.com/toxic-garbage-island-1-of-3-vbs-newsroom-vbst http://www.stephanieboozer.com/toxic-garbage-island-1-of-3-vbs-newsroom-vbst

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TOXIC: Garbage Island 1 of 3

Come aboard as the VBS crew takes a cruise to the Northern Gyre in the Pacific Ocean, a spot where currents spin and cycle, churning up tons of plastic into a giant pool of chemical soup, flecked with bits and whole chunks of refuse that cannot biodegrade.

via vbs.tv

Just found this really cool new "news" channel. Seems like truer journalism at work, and this piece on the ocean was amazing. A three-part bit that's worthwhile to watch. I wish more of what we see on the televised news channels was this in-depth and documentary.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/393708/sab.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sy9DyMxeklr Stephanie Boozer Stephanie Stephanie Boozer