i'm back

wow, I'm so sorry...I had slipped off the face of the blogging world for a week there! whew, well, I'm back. And I have some catching up to do. As I read some of my most recent posts, I realized I already gave all the excuses I have for being busy...moving hubby's office, starting a cooperative learning program for my kids, bookkeeping, lobbying for midwifery, etc. So yes, I'll pull up my big girl panties and get back to talking about photography.

I will say that it is a great thing to realize that photography is a wonderful outlet for me. I am moved by images. I always have been. I can sit and look at my photo albums for hours. It stirs all the emotion of that moment, that time in my life.

And for those images of the people I photograph, they engage me too. It is the focus, the moment of reflection on who that person is to me. It is like a meditation...an art that I have always believed I am not skilled in...but here I am, meditating on the image of a person who I have gotten to know and focusing on the spirit that is represented.

Yesterday, I worked on our clinic's bookkeeping, and I took a break to edit some photos. Not because I had to but because it was a welcome break, a reconnecting to what I enjoy.

So here are a few that I enjoyed working on and I think you'll like them too. This is Jen and her family. I looove this image because this is the real deal...this is who they are, what fun!

music addiction

I am embarrassed to admit this but here it is...I pull up my own web site (www.sonyastone.com) and find myself entranced. I listen to the music and look at all those images...it is hypnotic! It is calming and inspiring. I have to give a great deal of credit to Bill Cushman (http://ghostnotes.blogspot.com/) for his compositions, which play on my site. He has an improvisational composition style meaning he sits at his piano, hits record and plays a stream of consciousness. It is amazing and beautiful. If I go on to add or delete something on my site, I spend several minutes listening and watching the sweet faces of the children and families I have been so blessed to photograph and give thanks.

sneak preview

I know it is hard to wait when you have had your portraits done...trust me, I'm scrolling through the images on my camera before I even leave the shoot! So here's a sneak preview for a family that met in WNC for an extended family vacation. The short time I was with them I could tell, they were there to have fun together. I think all families should do that, away from the stress of holidays, just getting together. Here's the two youngest members of the family with their moms.

lazy days of summer

that's what I am supposed to be having now, right? ha! I think things are busier now than they have been in months. I was looking forward to taking it easy, relaxing by the pool. Instead, I am in a creative think tank for a cooperative learning initiative for my kids, I'm apparently a full time school administrator for my kids co-op preschool, I'm editing photos by what feels like the thousands, I'm helping my husband shop for a new space for his health clinic (www.drtoddstone.com), I am fighting the demon that lives in our mini van that possesses my children every time we get on the road, I'm coaching my future Olympic swimmers (aka, my kids) on the benefits of not drowning...and that was just today!

Saturday I have somehow managed to have 4 things scheduled all at the same time. So for those who are waiting for me to pick up my game and have daily posts, just hang in there. I will come up for air every couple of days!

growing up

this is Tedi, such a sweet girl that I have had the joy of knowing for almost 2 years. I'm amazed at how she has changed. I remember being her age and the changes you go through between 7 & 9, wow! That baby stage to the "tweens," the childhood innocence but with a growing understanding of the world around you. She is really coming into her own sense of self and it shows.

I was asked to shoot her portrait after she had her school pictures taken. It's hard to really capture a child's personality in a 10 minute photo session with a stranger. So here's the Tedi I know...

Connection

I just love the sibling connection with babies in the womb...look at this! Already a sweet big sister, and baby wasn't even born yet.

derailed

Ok, I realize that I promised another pregnant belly, but as all moms know, sometimes your day doesn't go as planned. Yesterday, we were supposed to go strawberry picking with a bunch of friends and then my daughter, Sacred, threw up in the car on the way there! Yikes! And so it set in motion a different set of events and derailed my attempts to pull the image I wanted to share with you off the other hard drive.

But here's a fun glimpse of the school family we have created at Grow with Me, a cooperative learning program. Today is our last day for this school year and it has been such a blessing. Look at those sweet little faces, and amazingly, they all sat pretty still while I shot about 30 frames! Now, off the party to celebrate...summer's here, hooray!!!!!

addicted

Yes, I realize I have a problem. Seriously, who could resist this little guy? Thought you might appreciate seeing some of Canyon awake. This was just before he peed on my lap...I thought he looked awfully focused!

Check in tomorrow for another pregnant mama...peace, joy, & baby love!

dreaming

Wow, he's not even my baby and I want to print his picture on a big canvas! These are the from the follow up shoot I had with Canyon. He was 11 days old here.
These babies really should come with a warning label:
Warning, close contact with adorable baby may incite a serious condition known as "Baby Fever." Hurry to a screaming toddler or moody teenager to relieve symptoms. ;)