tripping over my shadow

Thank you for being part of our 2011!

2012-01-25T16:06:00.002-05:00

A look back at the LOVES, LIVES, & WORLDS we were privileged to be part of in 2011.

Website is updated!
Check it out here.

People Magazine's Best of 2011

2012-01-05T16:06:00.002-05:00

We were very excited to be featured in the year's wrap up with the beautiful wedding of
America Ferrara + Ryan Piers Williams.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T19:59:00.000-05:00

Wishing you all the very best... from us to you...a little video.

We Are Kids of Kathmandu-VIDEO

2011-12-28T13:25:00.004-05:00

Happy Holidays!

Thanks to those of you who came out to our Winter Fundraising Cocktail Party. It was a great night.
See the pictures from the event here.

It was an amazing success with over $10,000 raised, surpassing our goal and insuring that we will continue to be able to send the kids to the private school we love for 2012!

And i want to share our VIDEO with you!
Filmed and edited by the talented Suraj Ratna Shakya, music created especially for Kids of Kathmandu by Kutumba, a popular Nepali band.

Thanks for all your support. Enjoy!

It is all about...

2011-12-15T10:29:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow night is our 2nd event ever, our Winter Fundraising Cocktail Party for our nonprofit, Kids of Kathmandu. We're expecting a great turnout and a lovely evening!

Of course we are running around figuring out how many table cloths, what color, do we have fishing wire, and if we have recycle trash cans or not (which reminds me!)...but it all comes down to these 49 kids below.

Hope to see you Friday.

You can buy tickets or make a tax-deductible donation on our website here
www.kidsofkathmandu.org
and follow us on facebook here.

Namaste and Happy Holidays!

The Poster Project Winning Posters

2011-12-12T13:33:00.004-05:00

I also wanted to share the 10 winning posters that were selected by our amazing judges for The Poster Project for Nepal.

Winning designers stretched from San Francisco to Slovenia!!
We were so happy with the incredible work of these student designers!

All proceeds will go to support education in Nepal for Kids of Kathmandu!
(and event on behalf of The Poster Project is coming up this week! Details on the post below!)

Winter Fundraising Cocktail Party this Friday Dec 16th

2011-12-12T13:26:00.003-05:00

Namaste Friends.

Please join us!

This Friday
December 16th
6-9pm

Go Studios 2, Penthouse
(a stunning brand new space!!)
318 W 39th Street, NYC 10018
btw 8th and 9th avenue

We will celebrate with works from The Poster Project, a design project to raise funds for education of the orphans in Nepal.

cash bar, food, and photo booth.
$25 supporter tickets, $10 student tickets

We will premier our 5 minute movie about Kids of Kathmandu made during our visit to Nepal just a few weeks ago made by
our talented friend Suraj Ratna Shakya.

and great merchandise for holiday gifts!

all proceeds go to benefit these amazing Kids of Kathmandu.
purchase tickets or make a tax deductible donation on our website
www.kidsofkathmandu.org

Look forward to seeing you Friday!

(kids welcome with student tickets)

Warmest Wishes,
Jami + Andrew + the entire team here at Kids of Kathmandu

One Hundred Days of Zach

2011-12-05T11:31:00.003-05:00

Seriously. I could have photographed this little guy all day!
Dimples, fat rolls, fluffy hair, and smiles..what else can you ask for?!

And the Korean tradition is to celebrate your 100 Day birthday. How great is that?
So here is Zach at One Hundred Days.

A gorgeous family. Thanks so much for spending your morning with me.
And fresh from the West Coast...welcome to New York!

xx

The Poster Project First Place Winner

2011-12-01T14:07:00.003-05:00

All 6 of our amazing judges came out last night to judge the submissions for The Poster Project for Kids of Kathmandu.

10 finalists and 3 top winners were selected. Here is the winning poster by Junior Narvaez of Miami Florida. How beautiful. Stay tuned for more.

Kathryn + Justin, A Brooklyn Wedding

2011-12-01T13:56:00.003-05:00

Days before we left for Nepal, we photographed Kathryn and Justin tying the knot.

Who would believe this was a November day! It was so gorgeous...you know how it goes...a nice day for a white wedding!

Justin is a graphic designer and took care of so many amazing details at the wedding...the centerpiece cards were my favorite. Each table was a different part of brooklyn..and they incorporated the history of the area (like Smith Street for example) along with a little story about the significance it has for them personally.
And check draping on the chuppa. Kathryn's mom who is a master seamstress spent almost a year on this, weaving literally miles of wool into this intricate and important piece for the ceremony. This was very much their wedding. What a treat.

So that wraps up our 2011 wedding season. A beautiful year of love it was! Happy December to all!

xx

Hello from Nepal!

2011-11-12T22:47:00.003-05:00

An amazing few days spent in india...time in Varanasi, which happened to coincide with their biggest festival of the year. Tens of thousands of people dipping themselves into the River Ganges (the Ganga)...was unlike anything id ever seen before. Amazing beyond words. Having trouble uploading images too so will include more stories with the photos when we are back.

Now we are in Nepal. So great to be back. Oh how i love this country.
We are updating a tumblr page as we are in Nepal for the next week with our organization Kids of Kathmandu.

Follow us on tumblr here
http://kidsofkathmandu.tumblr.com/

Or our kids of Kathmandu Facebook page here
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kids-of-Kathmandu/106240339441257

Heading to see the kids later this afternoon. I can't believe it. I hope I can keep it together.

Love to all
Xx

Suniti + Kaustubh | Love in Brooklyn

2011-11-05T00:59:00.003-04:00

I'm going to keep this one simple and sweet because it boils down to this.

Suniti + Kaustubh have been married for 4 years. Yet they were as giddy and full of adornment for each other that i forgot half way through that this wasnt actually an engagement shoot.

And at the end, Suniti asked me quietly,
"Can you take a close-up picture of his eyes. I love his eyes."

Yes. Love.

(and the Carousel in Brooklyn is open! Giddyup!)

Ali + Jason| A New York Proposal!

2011-11-01T21:24:00.004-04:00

When I first talked to Jason, he told me his girlfriend Ali and he talked in the past how they would love to have a photographer along with them when they were together since they always had so much fun together. So needless to say, when he asked if i would be interested in photographing his proposal to her, I was so game!

Of course, the weather called for rain most of the day! A last minute time change thanks to Jason genius-itude, literally had him popping the question as the clouds parted and the sun beamed out over the city. i could not believe it. (2 hours later it poured for the rest of the day!)

I was shaking as they approached! It was so exciting. Jason and I made eye contact and in my head, i said, "game time!" Ali noticed me but didnt think anything since we'd never met before. And voila. Documented forever. (video too!)

These 2 are such lovebirds, even before he got down on one knee, in the moments before Ali knew what was about to happen, they were so cute together.

Thank you so much for inviting me to document this super special time in your lives.
Wishing you all the best
xx

Erica + Brett | A Post-Irene Ceremony!

2011-10-29T22:20:00.005-04:00

Erica + Brett (who we photographed for their engagement here) were supposed to be married on August 27th when instead Hurricane Irene made a reeeeeeeeally big visit and changed that plan.

We got the call Friday night, less than 24 hours before the wedding, that unfortunately the venue was forced to cancel the wedding. Booo! But in a storybook way, Brett said they were going to get married right there, right then at the Friday night rehersal dinner. So romantic! And then a proper Jewish ceremony would take place later.

Well that "later" happened it is was beautiful.
On a sunny gorgeous fall day, Erica donned her wedding dress, put on her veil, and the whole family + wedding party surrounded Erica + Brett as they officially exclaimed under the chuppa, I DO.

And the best part was Erica's surprise when she found out that we were actually going to go up to the room where they were originally going to be married. That joy on her face said it all. Every girl wants the storybook, and while Erica + Brett's story had a few extra pages that they hadnt anticpated, the end still finished with a kiss.

Congratulations to you both.
All the best.
xx

Owen, Seven Weeks

2011-10-21T12:38:00.003-04:00

I
LOVE
THIS
FAMILY

i knew from the minute i knocked on the door and Lauren opened the door with the biggest smile and said.
"Hi!!! We're so excited!"

Lauren + Vijay exude so much love together that even when little owen was sporting his naked baby self, he seemed to be wearing a big fuzzy warm coat of amour!!

And this little guy with his chubby Buddha belly kept his eyes on the camera like nothing i'd ever seen for being on this earth a mere 7 weeks.

Thank you for sharing your day with me!
all the best,
xx

The Poster Project for Nepal

2011-10-20T12:03:00.003-04:00

Now taking submissions!

All proceeds go towards funding education for orphans in Nepal with Kids of Kathmandu.

Winning posters, selected by our amazing panel of accomplished professional, will be printed and sold in a limited edition at our December fundraiser, and will be later sold online.

Top 3 winners will also be able to have their portfolios reviewed by our judges.

Spread the good word and send in your posters for a great cause.
All information is on our contest site here www.wizehive.com/contests/theposterproject

Peace
xx

Erin + Matt | An Atlantic Beach Wedding

2011-10-18T12:11:00.005-04:00

It was like a summer day in October...the perfect day for a beach wedding! The breeze, the light, the smiles of a happy bride and groom.

Erin + Matt got hitched walking distance from their house. I couldnt believe we were in New York and not Venice California.

And how amazing is Erin? Not only is she a teacher now, but she served years in Iraq. Thank you Erin. And congratulations!

Thank you for inviting us to document your day.

xx

Vendors:
Place Cards/Invitiations-Kelly Trench

Ruby Part 3

2011-10-12T14:40:00.004-04:00

I've had such an amazing journey with this family, watching them grow from 2 into a loving 3.

Lynne was so beautifully pregnant here.

Ruby was a gorgeous newborn here.

And now she's 7 months and THE MOST SMILEY BABY EVER.

plus, she does this one shoulder shrug that is straight out of the catalog of how-to-get-what-you-want-with-a-gesture.

I love these shoots because there are times when I'm there to capture a 'first.' And here Ruby had her first feel of sand!
She was rubbing her feet in it, and watching it fall through her hands, fascinated. And that feeling seems to never go away. Havent you been lost in thoughts so many times doing the same thing. Funny and sweet to imagine what the 'thoughts' are of a 7 month old.

After time with this family, i cant help but step outside myself and scream inside, "I love my job."

Thank you for inviting me to document your family!
Until next time.
xx

i love this because we saw Lynn's necklace in Ruby's newborn pictures. And now we see Ruby discovering the necklace herself.

A Genius.

2011-10-07T09:34:00.006-04:00

I've found myself particularly contemplative the past 36 hours since Steve Jobs passed away and i dont think i'm alone.

When we got a breaking news report pop up on Andrew's iPhone, we were in a meeting with 5 other people. We all reached for our iPhones and quiet came over the room. I thought about all of the physical contributions he made to my life starting with the Apple IIe, the ipod, iphone, iPad, and Mac computer in general. These objects are part of my every day life, I depend on them for my career as a photographer, as a friend, as a granddaughter, as a daughter, as a student (of life), every single day.

Then i mulled over his character and his many quotes that are being passed around and passed on, how he never settled and was never complacent. How he was inspiring in how much he was able to achieve and shape the world around him forever.

I asked myself, why is the loss or actually the existence of this one person affecting me so much? And i realized that plain and simply, he was a good guy. There is so much disappointment these days with the politicians, the money makers, the athletes, the starlets. We rarely hear about someone in a position of power that doesnt abuse it, that isnt stealing, cheating, or just plain making bad decisions. And here is a guy that has probably changed the world more than any other person will in my lifetime, not in a far off unrelated way, but in my day to day living, in the very keyboard i'm using to type this, and the monitor i'm using to look at this.....and he was a good man.

He gave us hope and he performed magic. And now behind the curtain, poof. He's gone.

Here's hoping that the magic can live on.

Steve Jobs, Thank you and Farewell.

Amanda + John | A North Fork Wedding

2011-10-02T23:19:00.007-04:00

I was really looking forward to photographing Amanda + John's big day because I absolutely adored them during our engagement shoot last fall in Brooklyn.

These 2 have so much fun together (they met at their company holiday party!) and their wedding at Peconic Bay Winery was nothing but the perfect combination of fun wrapped in a padded envelope of endearing love. I had to blink my tears away during the ceremony so i could keep shooting as they read their vows to each other!

And bonus! They had a DJ and a drummer for the wedding..only to have the GROOM take over the drumseat for a stellar performance! The crowd was going insane, Amanda was dancing to her new husband's beats, and when the best man stepped up to play alongside John you knew it was a moment they would never forget.

Oh yea, and that rain that had a 70% chance of showing up that day? Opted for the 30% no rain scenario. Heck yea.

Thank you for inviting us to document your day. Hope you are having a beautiful time in Mexico!

xx
J + A

VENDORS:

Location: Peconic Bay Winery, event director Valerie Tirelli Hallock
Catering: Food For Forks
Flowers: Moments in Time Florals
Event Lighting: Matt Murphy Event Lighting

Heading to Nepal next month!

2011-09-30T11:41:00.005-04:00

A little update on where we are with our non-profit Kids of Kathmandu that is now just over a year old.

We are going back... Tickets were booked yesterday and I"m so excited.
We have so much to do there, first and most importantly to see the kids that inspired and are the reason that Kids of Kathmandu was created in the first place. We cant wait.

We also have many projects in the works that we will be working:
Visiting the new private school they are attending as a result of our fundraising efforts this past May.
Meeting with solar energy companies regarding our solar panel project for next year.
Exploring the idea of an eco-farm with a group that is already doing some great work in this direction with other orphanages.

And the timing feels exciting as we booked our tickets right as Dashain is upon us, the biggest Nepali festival of the year. Read more about it here

Stay in touch as we are planning an amazing event for December in NYC!
peace and love!
x

Blythe, One Month

2011-09-21T14:04:00.004-04:00

I'm not a dog person. I've said it before. (Luckily my dog wont be reading this...I do love her though!)

it's just that i didnt grow up with dogs. I'm basically a scaredy cat when it comes to dogs. So it always kind of fascinates me when i see kids that grow up with dogs, how fearless they are.

And here is Blythe, one month old, with Buckminster as baby's best friend. She doesnt even bat a newborn eyelash when Bucky is on the scene. And let's just say Bucky is a bit of a moth to the spotlight and stage.

Such a treat it was to photograph you guys!
All the best!
xx

Alexa, Eight Days

2011-09-15T13:36:00.002-04:00

I'm so in love with photographing newborns.

There are a lot of challenges that happen during the shoot, as you have a very fragile yet demanding subject!
But it is such a joy...and when you are getting the shot, there is a calm that comes over the room, and a sense of awe...
Wide eyed new parents looking on, amazed at what they've created...
and i feel lucky to be there to make images that will freeze those moments for a family forever.

Introducing Alexa...Eight days.
Thank you for inviting me into your new world for the day.

Gramps

2011-09-07T15:25:00.003-04:00

Speaking of grandfathers, here's one of my grandfather and me...that I have on my wall...i've studied it over and over. My grandfather would have been 100 this summer. He was a dashing, smart, and loving man. I miss him.

Saturday with Milo

2011-09-07T14:43:00.003-04:00

Sometimes I catch myself grinning while I'm editing. If someone were to look at me on the computer i probably look like a bit looney. But can i NOT smile back?

I like to savor this image of Milo + Grandpa. These are the kind of images that freeze a moment, so you can revisit it for years to come.

xx

Wyoming

2011-09-06T16:13:00.002-04:00

A lovely 8 days were spent in Grand Tetons, Wyoming this summer with my family.

Biking, eating, animal watching, and more biking.
Have you been?

Its the kind of place where you are biking along the foot of the mountains, as a cowboy is riding his horse rounding up the cattle at sunset..and you have to remind yourself that it's not a commercial. Its the biggest screen of all.

Swiss Love in NYC, Valentina + Serge

2011-08-26T11:44:00.003-04:00

Valentina and Serge have it all figured out!

They spent the last 4 1/2 weeks on the road traveling together from Miami up to NYC. I caught up with them on their last day before heading back to Switzerland!
And they didnt seem to be sick of each other ONE BIT!

Wouldnt this be an amazingly lovely way to spend an afternoon on your travels across the world?

Thanks so much for letting me document your love NYC style.
(You got out right before the earthquake AND the hurricane.)

hope to see you in your neck of the woods one day soon!
xxx

Bonjour Baby Grey, Twelve Days

2011-08-23T19:54:00.004-04:00

Congratulations to our dear friends Sean and Marie on new baby Grey!

I've admired Marie for a long time...we used to work together and let me tell you this girl gets. it. done. She's smart, she's savvy. AND violá! she is the mom of 3 absolutely gorgeous (its not subjective) girls. Plus Sean has a heart THIS big.

Thank you for inviting me inside on Grey's 12th day! Love you guys hugely.

p.s. How awesome is this adorable French speaking family in their STRIPES!

xxx

Olga, Roman, and Lawrence Part 3

2011-08-19T15:06:00.003-04:00

It started with a wedding

Followed by the little guy at 6 months old

and now this! he keeps growing and so does my love of this family. Lawrence has endless energy and has a deep deep love for the maintenance and garden trucks at Central Park. ha! Luckily Olga is a spritely girl herself and has no problem keeping up and looking gorgeous at the same time.

They even made russian pancakes for us after the shoot. um...YUM?!!!

all the best to you guys. hope to see you again soon.
xx

Jack, sixteen days

2011-08-09T13:12:00.003-04:00

I"ve known Jack's mom for literally decades. She and my brother were student council extraordinaires in high school ( actually i could never keep student council and class presidents straight...so i may have gotten that wrong..but either way...she has been a smiley sincere girl forever...and nothing has changed...except now she can add beauuuuutiful mom to her resume.

It was such a treat to photograph your new family.
I wish you guys all the best and hope to see you again soon!

xx

Congratulations America + Ryan!!

2011-08-03T13:16:00.001-04:00

little cousin Jackson

2011-08-01T13:31:00.002-04:00

I know i've said it before, and you can totally tell me to shut up...well, you can but i wouldnt really hear you...but i love my "job."
In this busy world where we never have enough time to see each other and catch up, i get to actually schedule a time on the calendar to see you and hang out! Granted..photographing a 1 year old in the 100 degree heat at 9am (we're talkin Texas here) doesnt give you a lot of time to say more than "Jackson over here! Look Look!"...but it's still a treat.

And how great does my cousin Emily look as she's running, sweating, helping me get Jackson to look at us with a look that doesnt say "what are you girls doing? why am i sitting in the grass? and where is the fan machine the spews out ice cream?"

love you guys!
xx

A Reunion

2011-07-28T17:11:00.003-04:00

I cant pretend that i think its anything less than TOTALLY AWESOME that my friends from growing up are still a huge part of my life....and last weekend we had sort of an impromptu reunion with 8 of us girls in the hometown, that would be Dallas (Go Cowboys, Go Cowboy Cheerleaders, Go Larry Hagman, go RHS Eagles....oh yea, and go 107 degree summer temperatures!)

It was so much fun to see everyone's kids playing together (bar mine which dont yet exist)...and our parents there too...3 generations ...it really was a family reunion of the bestest kind.

stay cool!
love you all...or should i say love Y'ALL!
xx

Erica & Brett, Engaged in New York

2011-07-26T13:54:00.004-04:00

Spent a really great afternoon with Erica and Brett who we will be with as they tie the knot at the end of the summer!

I love their story!

They were supposed to be set up months and months before they actually met..but with NY schedules it never happened. Then in a completely unrelated way, at a party, they were introduced and sparks flew. It wasnt until months later that they put it together that they were the 2 that were supposed to have met way back when! When its meant to be, its meant to be! love it.

Congrats to you both. We cant wait for the big day!

xx

Annick + Von, Engaged in NYC

2011-07-21T16:44:00.003-04:00

Annick and Von are getting married later this year and wanted to document themselves in the city where they met and fell in love...oh yea, NEW YORK CITY. (Speaking of being in love in a city like New York, if you havent yet seen Woody Allen's new movie Midnight in Paris, GO! Full tilt awesome!)

We had a lot of fun with New York as our backdrop, and were treated with a few moments of pink sky as the sun set over 5th avenue. Finished off the day (It was actually Annick's birthday!) with a heart shaped cappuccino at one of their favorite spots which i'm definitely putting on my list now.

All the best to you guys!

xx

Tina + Greg, A New York City Wedding

2011-07-06T16:02:00.005-04:00

A stretch of rain pounded New York for a while there...and luckily when Tina and Greg tied the knot on the open air roof deck at Rare Bar and Grill in New York City, the night could not have been much more beautiful!

Tina and Greg are THAT beautiful New York couple (who got engaged at Tiffanys!), with fantastic friends and a warm and genuine vibe. Tina is a stylist and Greg knows his photography, so the 2 of them are well used to cameras...cant say we dont love that!

The pre-ceremony stroll around Madison Park with the wedding party was such a treat.

Plus it was literally the day that the bill passed for gay weddings to become legal in New York! So we got to celebrate under the rainbow colored Empire State Building! And celebrate everyone did!

All the best to you guys!
Thanks for including us in your important day.
xx

Dress: Oscar De La Renta
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Suit: Burberry
Shoes: Gucci
Make Up: Craig Honeycutt
Cupcake Cake: Billy's Bakery
Cake Toppers: Aelana Curran (she's awesome!)
Flowers: Jeanine Corbo

Happy Summer!

2011-07-06T12:30:00.004-04:00

How is YOUR summer going??
Sorry for a bit of a delay in blogposts..but our summer so far has been busy!

We had a lot of exciting weddings to photograph, engagement shoots too...and we moved!
After many many years in Brooklyn we're now city rats!

First we had a killer stoop sale!

We BBQed with friends

Then we said goodbye to Brooklyn

Then we soaked in the city...now we see the sunRISE instead of the sunset

Things i love about our new hood...
Old New York...the buildings!
If i squint my eyes I almost feel like i'm in Paris!
The buzz
More bike, less car
The proximity to K&M Camera and Staples
Taxi drivers that dont hate me when i get in the cab

Things i will miss about Brooklyn...well, Brooklyn!

Happy July!
xx

Tirlena + Buddy | New York is a Playground

2011-06-22T19:25:00.002-04:00

These guys were such a trip!
It wasnt an engagement shoot, they're married!
It wasnt really a newlywed shoot either, they've been married for 2 years!
No excuse needed to get together to make pictures...this was just because!

Buddy is an incredibly gentle soul, and Tirlena is a girl who knows what she wants. Not to mention a girl who is very talented in walking on cobblestones with 3 inch heels like she was walking in running shoes. I bow to you girl.

You guys were so much fun! Not to mention beautiful!

All the best
xx

Amol + Sumathi, Sangeet Party

2011-06-20T11:33:00.003-04:00

I love my job.
Can i really call it a 'job??'

Each day is different and new.
Each shoot I meet amazing new people.
A family shares their traditions with me, and in turn, I am lucky enough to share my perspective with them.

A very accomplished and intelligent couple, Amol and Sumathi were surrounded by friends and family that brought the musical thunder like i've never seen before. Performance after performance was unbelievable! And the groom himself even got up there and jammed like we were at a Colorado music festival. (Sangeet translates literally to mean 'sung together.')

What a night!

And an interesting thought..the mother of the groom asked for some black and white images..so that we could "see the people." I found it amazingly insightful. Its pretty much a fact that when you think of Indian culture and at a traditional celebration such as this Sangeet, you think of all the bright (and amazing) colors. And what an idea to take that factor out of the picture entirely...and see the people and the moments. Thank you Neelu for that request!

(i was introduced to this family when i photographed Amol's sister + family here last year.)

All the best to you guys!
Thanks for sharing your night with me!
xx

the bride looking at her groom

the groom on stage

Leigh + Eric, New York City Engagement Shoot

2011-06-16T12:38:00.004-04:00

So i'm not sure i've laughed harder on a shoot than I did with Leigh and Eric. (not surprising they are getting hitched in Memphis on New Year's Eve. Those details are enough to confirm that these two are FUN!)

And we were so lucky to have this shoot when the weather called for rain all day! we had not one drop which was extra lovely because check out Leigh's awesome suede aquamarine wedges! definitely not Hunter wellies!

We checked out the new part of the Highline that was finished only days before! Oh New York, how I love what you are up to these days!

And then we hit the record store where we found an Elvis record for them! And finished off with a cold beer and some food at Extra Virgin, one of their faves...

So much fun with you guys!
Thanks for an awesome morning.

xx

Lindsay + Will, A Brooklyn Wedding!

2011-06-10T13:37:00.003-04:00

Ice Ice Baby!
That is what song played as Lindsay and Will entered the room for dinner with their guests as newlywed husband and wife.
How can you NOT love them??

Plus, Will is NYPD!
Who wore patent leather converse to get married.
And she's a teacher.

These guys are too cute.

It was emotional as they each read their own vows...and there was no denying that these 2 are meant for each other.

Hope you guys are having a fantastic time in Ecuador!

Thanks for sharing your day with us.
xx

Winnie + Aaron, New York City Engagement Shoot

2011-06-05T16:26:00.003-04:00

Winnie and Aaron are so sweet together...and their meeting story is craaaazy cute!

They went to high school together in the city, although Winnie says she acted 'too cool' to talk to Aaron in the teenage years. Fast forward about a decade, and they are waiting at the Spring Street 6 station, waiting for the train...and not just waiting at the same station, but waiting at the same station to take them to the same job in connecticut! what?! i think that is more than just crossing paths...that's tying your paths into a knot!

now they call Nolita home and so we spent a relaxed Sunday afternoon soaking it all in...

Kind of reminds me of SJP in Sex and the City..where she talked about how the 3rd person in her relationship was New York City...i love getting to know the New York that is important to everyone i meet...it is different things to different people...but mostly, there is no denying, she is no passive partner!

i love when i spoke with winnie before the shoot...and she said, they just wanted to 'be themselves' in the shoot...aaron grabbed his hat, and out we went.

all the best to you guys!
thanks for showing me YOUR new york!
xx

Winnie went to Preschool at this beautiful church!

Their favorite coffee spot

Lindsay + Lee, New York City Engagement Shoot!

2011-06-03T11:43:00.002-04:00

A bi-coastal love affair...Lindsay in California and Lee in New York.

While they are getting married on the west coast, Lee LOVES New York (duh!) and they wanted to do a shoot here too!
And you dont have to convince me of the joys of spending a morning walking around New York.

We got an early morning start...and the streets were beautifully empty...everyone sleeping off last night, the cobblestones were all ours.

All the best to you both!
Thanks for a super lovely day!
xx

Nina & Diarmuid Tie the Knot!

2011-05-19T11:15:00.004-04:00

Nina and Diarmuid met when their cubicles were literally next to each other at work!
That must have taken the dread out of Monday mornings!

They were married in a gooorgeous church, that i've literally walked by 200 times, and would never have imagined that this was inside.

An intimate dinner at Le Bernadin, a place that Nina was adamant be part of the evening. If you've eaten there, you know why!

Hope you guys had a fantastic time in Greece!

All the best to you both.
xx

Her cake wore the same belt that Nina did on her dress!

what a cute way to display the table assignments

Beyond.

2011-05-17T16:29:00.005-04:00

We did it. All of us. All of you.

Our inaugural fundraising gala for Kids of Kathmandu was on Thursday and let me tell you, we are still flying high from the event...it gained momentum all week as the event approached, with more and more tickets being sold, artist tickets selling out, and bids mounting up for the desks. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and come 6pm, we had a room ready for an event that looked amazing. So many helpful hands and hearts on this project...it is really mind blowing. The event was crowded and jovial, caring and interested. It went off without a hitch.

And did you hear??

We sold all eleven desks in the silent auction!!!

Ten individual children are fully sponsored!!

And we raised enough additional money to send all 41 children to a better school!!

Thank you to everyone who has joined us on this ride, good things are ahead.

Namaste. Dhanyabad. Om.

And thank you to Melanie McLean for taking pictures for us that evening!

It's Here. Kids of Kathmandu Inaugural Gala is TOMORROW.

2011-05-11T12:43:00.000-04:00

I am so excited!

And if i stop to think about it too much i just go bonkers.
To think that just over a year ago we were meeting these children that would inspire us to launch Kids of Kathmandu...I am so looking forward to being able to report back to the kids with the results of all the efforts here.

In the process, we've met and collaborated with so many people that have given so much time and so much heart to this project...it is truly incredible what can be accomplished when you are spurred by the energy of giving. It seems to be a bottomless well that only becomes more and more fullfilling the deeper you dig.

I'd like to just link to some of the really important people that helped Kids of Kathmandu become what it is.
My husband Andrew Raible who put together The Desk Project giving Kids of Kathmandu a really special voice in the philanthropy world...as we combine photography + design to raise awareness of the orphans of Nepal.
I dont think either of us had a clue what we were getting ourselves into with this project, it has grown like a beanstalk. It has been trying at times, working so intensely together on a vertical learning curve...but i would do it all again with Andrew in a heartbeat.

Danielle Primiceri our amazing web designer. I know i'm biased, but i lOVE our website!

Megan Isaak our social networking guru and wordpress expert!

Michelle Brady, Whitney Doherty board members extraordinaire who are vital backbones to our decisions.

Vendors-Nisa Lee, an amazing friend and brilliant party planner, chef, caterer. I cant imagine ever doing a party without her. She takes the stress out of it all!

Photo Printer-Ray Henders at Rayographix, again, working with talented and professional friends make all the difference. Ray printed the photo installation and did a gorgeous job.

Other vendors we used and worked with us so generously
The crew at Novita Communications and Design Calendar
Jill Malek for our gorgeous book layout and design.
Michael Cohen for the awesome desk posters.
Plywerk-bamboo mounted prints
paperchase-book making
Steve's Key Lime Pies
Palm Bay Wines
VOS wines
Our venue Ramscale Love them!

See you tomorrow!!!

Peace. Namaste. Om. Woo hoo!!

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T11:38:00.003-04:00

Words for the day

beautiful. supportive. spirited. unique. loving. like a breath of fresh air. gorgeous. honest. #1 cheerleader forever and always. smart. open minded. energetic. fun. candid....mine.

my mom.

love.

happy mother's day all around.
xx

Erica & Roman Tie The Knot!

2011-05-06T22:53:00.005-04:00

Erica and Roman are easy to love and I started my lovefest with them here last fall. They are so laid back, so goofy, so loving, so sincere, and so supportive of one another. I was really looking forward to their big day.

Spending the day at the Royalton Mansion was quite a treat. It is so intimate and so beautiful, that the rain on the windowpanes made for one of those days that lent itself to being happy to being surrounded by those you love most. (thankfully, the event wasnt planned for outside anyway, so the rain didnt hamper anything, and especially did not hamper erica's spirits which were all smile, all the time)

Hope you guys had an amazing time in Fiji. We cannot wait for all that is ahead of you. And are looking forward to being there to document it all!!

xx

This was a great moment when we looked outside and saw Andrew outside with the guys in the pool! Go boys!

Luca is growing

2011-05-02T23:26:00.004-04:00

oh how i love my friends Jill + Vram and little boy Luca.

Luca was only a little itty bitty one here...

and now dad is measuring him growing into a boy!! and the fact that they look like they stepped out of a mag is just how it goes for them.

i love little luca..he's flirty, spunky, smiley, goofy, gorgeous, and absolutely heart melty

i crashed family sunday this week while mom jill (www.jillmalek.com) helped us lay out our photography book for Kids of Kathmandu.

Thanks for providing the shake it photo moments (formerly known as kodak moments)

big love

xx

Yay for Love!

2011-04-29T22:56:00.007-04:00

Happy Weekend!
xxx

Wedding Season Kickoff with Olivia & Kurt!

2011-04-28T16:33:00.006-04:00

What a way to start of our wedding season of 2011.

We've been excited for this wedding since meeting Olivia and Kurt on their engagement shoot last year.

What a beautiful connection the 2 families and friends had too. Kurt's family is Haitian and Olivia's is Jamaican...and although i knew we were in Westchester, a little time on the dance floor with the DJ's lovely Carribbean music, I swear I wanted to go change into my bathing suit. It was either that or go take some dancing lessons, because i clearly have some things to learn!!

And can we just talk about the surprise finale at the wedding??! Kurt sang, and I mean BELTED out a song to Olivia, that had the whole wedding crowd on their feet, napkins in the air, cheering on the L-O-V-E!

All the best to you guys in St. Lucia!

Thank you for sharing your very special day with us.

xx
jami

I love Olivia's attitude here!

Clarissa & John Are Engaged

2011-04-26T21:08:00.002-04:00

Clarissa's mom bought her a photography session with me for an engagement gift. So cute!

I love these afternoons...meet new people, explore the city, breathe it in, eyes wide, with a job that is very simple....
Document Love.

With Clarissa and John, that was easy. They've known each other "forever" in their words. And they are so sweet and caring together, you can tell they have been part of each other's lives for a while.

Clarissa is studying opera! And John sings as well. I'd love to be around their house on a sunday afternoon when the laundry is being done, whistling while they work!

All the best to you guys for your California wedding!

Thanks for sharing your day with me.
xx

Children's Desks made exclusively for Kids of Kathmandu-Bid Now!

2011-04-25T18:24:00.003-04:00

By this time, most of you are aware of our new organization, Kids of Kathmandu

BUT you have not had a chance to see our amazing Silent Auction of Custom Made Children's Desks (!!) that is now LIVE!

These desks were designed and made specifically for Kids of Kathmandu by 11 local, talented, and well respected designers+woodworkers+architects+artists
(Andrew included!)

The auction is open for bids now HERE

The desks will be ON DISPLAY at the event on May 12 and the auction will close at the end of the evening May 12.

The desks will go to lucky families in New York (or beyond) and the money raised from these desks will go to fund the children's education in Nepal.

We are so excited for this auction and hope you can take part in it, send it to your friends, and/or come to the event and celebrate the children with us.

Peace
xx

__________________________

May 12, 2011 for the Kids of Kathmandu Inaugural Fundraising Gala.

Location
Ramscale Loft
463 West Side Hwy (between Bethune and Bank Street)
New York, NY 10014

Time
6PM-9PM

Help us to celebrate the children of Kathmandu by spending the evening surrounded by photographs of each of the 41 children, along with custom designed children's desks for auction, live music, food, and drinks.

website
www.kidsofkathmandu.org

purchase a ticket
http://kidsofkathmandu.givezooks.com/events/inaugural-fundraising-gala-may-12-2011

children's desk silent auction
http://www.32auctions.com/organizations/1391/auctions/1593

donate
http://kidsofkathmandu.org/donate/

facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kids-of-Kathmandu/106240339441257

Dallas Days

2011-04-22T14:19:00.002-04:00

A lovely few days in Dallas for Passover...25 family members, with food and laughter to match. Age range from 92yrs to 8 months.

Followed by a couple cloudy days once the crowds dispersed. Sitting on the back porch soaking in the last family moments.

The plane cried as we left.

Hope you all are well.

xx

Featured on Well Wed, New York

2011-04-11T17:34:00.006-04:00

Thank you to Well Wed for featuring Meg & Aaron's wedding at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens!

(Here is more of their wedding)

Have you ever flipped through a copy of Well Wed's magazine? Gorgeous. And we are thrilled to be part of their blog now!

Many thanks!

Spring weather is FINALLY upon us in NYC. Just in time for wedding season. Yay!!!

Enjoy.
xx

Life Support Japan

2011-04-07T11:31:00.002-04:00

Crista Dix from The Wall Space Gallery has put together an amazing project called Life Support Japan.

She has collected images from photographers all over, and the purchase of prints, each print being $50, goes to charities to help rebuild Japan. In light of another earthquake this morning in Japan, to be part this project seems like the least i can do.

My image called Ball of Amy is on sale, in an edition of 10 prints in LIfe Support Japan 5.

Please click here to visit the galleries.

Va Va Va Boudoir

2011-03-24T10:15:00.002-04:00

In case you dont know, there is a trend happening in the wedding world, where engaged brides want to do a Boudoir shoot (pronounced with a French accent, its so much sexier!)...and hey, i'm all for it.

I mean, if you think about it, when you're getting ready for your wedding, you're looking your best, you're feeling your best, so by all means, take it off and lets make images with that radiant confidence! (plus when you're celebrating your 60th wedding anniversary, and gravity starts to set in, wont it be fun to have these?!)

Dacia and her fiance Xavier came in from Atlanta to do their shoot! They stayed in a hotel downtown, and Dacia and I had a fab time jumping around her hotel room creating these images.

All the best to you guys and congratulations on your upcoming big day.

xx

Kids of Kathmandu -Save the Date

2011-03-21T12:58:00.003-04:00

Our Save the Dates went out last week!

We are so excited. This has been a lot of work and knowing that the event is less than 2 months away is both exciting and nerve racking!

We've are collaborating with the most amazing team. It is so inspiring and humbling to see how much goodness people are capable of, how much work and energy people are putting forward, for no money in return.

I think with everything that is happening in the world, particularly at this moment in Japan, and in Libya,
it is easy to feel helpless.
But at the same time,
it is also easy to feel helpful.

If you want to be on the mailing list for our event, please email info@kidsofkathmandu.org.

Have a great week.

Kat Flower Power

2011-03-15T18:43:00.005-04:00

I want to introduce you to my friend Kat Flower.

She does amazing arrangement for weddings and events and so hard working its inspiring.

When she's not jetting off to Paris (get OUT!), she's at the flower market or working on some fab event.

Nevermind the fact that she's GORGEOUS. And engaging and sincere and talented!

Stopped by a showing she had last night at Demi Adeniran's Fabrica where Jeanine Hays from Aphro Chic also showed her amazing colorful water color painted home furnishings as well.

(Kat Flower in the middle in the ridiculously awesome dress)

Aphro Chic's pillows

Demi from Fabrica

Big love for Brooklyn Vendors!

Introducing Ruby

2011-03-12T12:31:00.008-05:00

Lynne was the beautifully pregnant mommy-to-be here with awesomely tender husband Tim not so long ago...

and now...introducing Ruby!

These 3 are the sweetest new family.
I cant believe this is their first time.
They are so mellow and at ease with the whole thing!
(btw, Tim's band is awesome! and they do weddings! check out dexter lake club band here!

And doesnt Lynne looks like an old world painting as she breastfeeds??
Stunning.

Little Ruby didnt feel like sleeping a wink during our shoot, but as long as she was near mom and dad, everything was a-ok.

All the best to you guys.

Thanks for sharing Day 14 with me!

I couldnt believe how she was looking right at me at fourteen days old!

If this isnt the embodiment of LOVE, i dont know what is.

Happy Weekend!

2011-03-04T17:41:00.004-05:00

A few of my faves from a shoot last week with this little man.
Man oh man he made me laugh.

And when he kicked his sock monkey right into the softbox light, like a perfect field goal between the uprights, i had give him props, because really, it was a great shot.

happy weekend!

Here and gone again..!

2011-02-25T14:16:00.006-05:00

I think it might actually be March 1st before I have a chance to sit at my desk and catch up!

But i wanted to send a quick hello!

The husband has been oh so fantastic on my 10 days back in NY between Detroit and Dallas (where i'm heading tonight to visit the fam)

The husband, who used to be a huge carnivore, still is, but we've deemed our house basically meat free. And his fish cooking skills in the meantime are becoming quite top notch!

I think he's just trying to make sure i actually come back and stay put.
I think it's gonna work.

(Oh yeah...i declare, i got an iPhone finally! Now i do not have to steal andrew's 'camera'...i have my own!
so, beware of occassional iphone camera pictures here and there...like right now!)

Happy weekend all!

Hello from Detroit!

2011-02-08T16:26:00.007-05:00

Excuse my absence lately!

I've been and still am in Detroit Michigan on my brother's movie set! Working around the clock 12-14 hours a day, i have literally no concept of date or time. What i do know that it is most definitely WINTER in this Great Lake State!

Wow. What a crazy awesome experience. I'm so ridiculously proud of him its insane.
I cant remember a time he wasnt acting. He's done it since he was this small. And I always ALWAYS knew eventually he would make a name for himself. I never doubted it for one hot minute.

And now, after spending the past 3.5 years forming his production company, Footprint Features, in LA, we are one week away from wrapping movie #1 called Family Weekend. Amazing.

And the supa fly part for me is that I get to share it with him! I'm here shooting publicity stills (called 'specials') to be used for marketing, and behind the scenes stills and video (called 'unit photography').

The other supa dupa part is that i've been making images with and of amazing people. (The family is made up of Matthew Modine, Kristin Chenoweth, Olesya Rulin, Eddie Hassel, Joey King, and Robbie Tucker. Along with Chloe Bridges and Chase Maser and wait for it, Adam Saunders). The cast is awesome. The crew is amazing. The whole operation is nuts. I cant wait to share images with you!

But for now, its all under wraps...

Back in NYC next week. Hope everyone is staying warm and doing well!

xxx

One Year! Anniversary Trip

2011-01-27T22:15:00.004-05:00

So many images from Colorado..and time is slipping away..!

So i thought i'd post a special shout out to my man...who i am about to celebrate ONE whole year of marriage with!..with some trip highlight pics.

Though my photo opening brought us to Colorado, we turned the rest of the trip into a little celebration, since I'll actually be out of town (that post to come!) for our actual anniversary in a few days.

Its been quite a year. Its been an amazing year. Its also been a challenging year. I guess you dont treasure the calm, if there have never been any waves.

But I have found someone to not only share the journey with, but to make the journey our own..funny, scary, kooky, amazing, shocking, brilliant, unexpected, and weirdly cool...and for that, I feel damn lucky.

Happy Anniversary Babe. !!

Colorado Part 1-Photo Opening

2011-01-23T13:20:00.004-05:00

Attended the opening for the 'Blue' show at the Center for Fine Art Photography in Ft. Collins, Colorado where I had 2 pieces in the show, one that received Director's Honorable Mention.

It was a great show. I thought they curated a great collection. And I was honored to be part of it.

And I met a handful of amazing fellow photographers that also travelled to the show. Alec Von Bargen came in Mexico, Patricia Clarke from Santa Barbara, and Gabi Helfert from Rotterdam! Hamidah Glasgow, the Director at the Center took us to dinner afterwards. I will never get sick of sitting around a table with photographers and talking about the work, our work, their work, other work, the thoughts behind it all, why we do it, why we dont do it, why we do that instead of this, and why we do this instead of that. I love it!

And a pic of my super supportive husband who was looking quite cute at the show if I might add.

xx

Kids of Kathmandu-Website Launch!!

2011-01-19T12:32:00.003-05:00

We are proud to announce!!

That our website is finished.

PLEASE take a moment to visit us
www.kidsofkathmandu.org

We are planning our inaugural gala event this Spring 2011 in New York City.

If you want to be on the email list, you can join our facebook page

or email us at info@kidsofkathmandu.org

If you want to get involved, we'd love to have you on our EVENT PLANNING COMMITTEE!

Also, we are looking for a BOOK DESIGNER to help us layout our photo book that we will have on sale at the event.

Get in touch. Join us!

We are so excited..and cannot wait to share the fruits of these efforts with the kids in Nepal.

Namaste.

Lynne + Tim Counting the Days

2011-01-15T13:23:00.003-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posts!

Andrew and I have been away...more on that later!

We've just returned and I wanted to share a shoot i did right before we left.
Lynne and Tim are expecting their baby's arrival very very soon!

Lynne is a dancer (and Tim is a musician. hello talented baby!)...and was mesmerizing to photograph.
I could have made pictures with her all day.
The photo shoot felt like a quiet celebration...of everything present and everything to come.
If I could bottle up the energy of the studio that day, shake it up, and let it go, out would come these images of Lynne.
For me, when photography really works, it captures so much within the confines of the frame, that it almost seems as if the frame might burst.

And the cutest part was that while I was shooting, Tim sat on an apple box on the side, from time to time saying, wow honey, you look amazing. you look so beautiful.

right he was.

all the best to you guys! cant wait to meet the new addition very soon.
xx

Colorado Bound

2011-01-05T14:35:00.009-05:00

This Friday, I have 2 images in the "Blue" show at the Center of Fine Art Photography in Ft Collins, Colorado. I'm super honored to be part of the show where one of my images, "Come and Go" received Honorable mention.

I'm also super excited to head that direction because I lived in Fort Collins for 3 years many moons ago! Before New York, before photography, there was Colorado...where I worked at the Suicide Resource Center developing a school program to talk to teenagers about suicide and suicide prevention. It was a super meaningful part of my life and an experience for which i'll forever hold close to my heart. I'm really excited to take Andrew there to show him a completely different part of my life.

Enjoy your week! And if you happen to be in Colorado on Friday, come on by!

xx

p.s. I just realized I said "super" 3 times. Seriously, that is super ridiculous.

Oh my lovelies...Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T10:10:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year 2011 from jami saunders on Vimeo.

Sherri, Matt, + Ishan | NYC

2010-12-19T17:16:00.003-05:00

Six months old is one of my favorite ages to photograph. So much laughter and giggling from making funny sounds and funny faces.

Its quite hilarious actually to meet a pair of adults for the first time and fast forward 20 minutes where we're all on the floor making complete goofs of ourselves together.
Of course, its all worth it!

Just check out the little guy and tell me you dont agree!

Hope you're having a great weekend.
xx

Anna + Dan | Newlyweds, Dallas

2010-12-12T15:34:00.003-05:00

Comin at ya from Big D, Little A, Double L, A-S!
Dallas!
My hometown. My hometeam.

Anna + Dan tied the knot back in April, but wanted another chance to don their wedding attire and take some downtown pictures of the 2 of them. (Downtown has some amazing new architecture going up. The Wyly Center , designed by a team of people including Rem Koolhaus is my favorite!)

Then we took a trip to Deep Ellum which was absolutely our stomping grounds during high school and college holidays. Its now pretty desolate but with amazingly painted buildings and parking lots, its kind of a photographer's dream.

So much fun to paint Dallas with some Newlywed love! Seems like Anna and Dan havent stopped smiling since they said I do.
Wishing you guys all the best!

xx

Hook Em Horns-This is Texas

2010-12-09T16:52:00.003-05:00

Although I grew up almost completely and entirely in Texas, I'm a little green on lots of things Texas. I know my share of country music, but that's only because they play A LOT of the same country music i listened to x years ago! Its always nice to come home and turn to a station though and be able to reach in the (not so) back of my mind and belt out 'That Aint my Truck in Her Drive' like no time has passed at all.

But enter some REAL texas kids, and I have to step back. Liz has been one of my besties since high school. We lived together in Colorado where she met and later married Josh. Now they're pretty much the mayors of Austin, and twins Conrad and Smith have been raised in a burnt orange world.

When this LONGHORN roamed up to the photo shoot, my instinct was to back up like i'd just turned down a NY street that has a garbage truck on it. But not the kids. It was as if they'd seen sweet and harmless Big Bird!

It was a gorgeous day on many levels. So fun to see the kids growing up and to be able to photograph with those that are so close to me.

Stay warm!
xx

VIP photoshoot...Tennessee Takes NYC

2010-12-05T21:53:00.003-05:00

What absolute privilege (why is it always SO hard to figure out how to spell that freakin word?!) it was to hear from Heather!
Many moons ago, Heather was my lighting teacher at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography and her (not yet at the time) husband Dan was there as well teaching us how to mat and frame our work.

We were all living in Brooklyn at the time and came back to form a solid 'Artists Group' for a few years before Heather and Dan moved down to T-T-T-Tennessee to literally take the world by storm. Heather is THE photographer to reckon with down there (see, i'm using the lingo)...check her out. http://www.beallandthomas.com/

So i felt super lucky to be able to photograph them with their newest addition. And OMG, she's such a dream! She is definitely no stranger to the camera. And it shows..she had such a calming nature to her, so happy, so relaxed, and so much fun! I wanted her to stay and hang out all day.

Thanks for the visit guys!
I'm so excited for you.

xx

I loved this moment! What a riot!!

Amanda + John | E-Session in Brooklyn

2010-12-01T16:07:00.003-05:00

Love Em and Leave Em...Fall Leaves and Brooklyn Love that is!

Amanda and John are so insanely cute together its nutty.

And Amanda's New York experience has been quite unique I'd say. She moved to NY from California, found an apartment within a few weeks, found an awesome job a few weeks after that, and then at the company holiday party, met her soon to be husband John a few weeks after that! You go girl. And now 4 years later, they are making it official showing everyone at work that all that watercooler talk was the real deal! Ha!

A couple weeks ago we had a ridiculously gorgeous day in Prospect Park. The park is super important to Amanda and John..they spend every morning there with their dog in the wee hours (haha) when dogs can run leash free. So it was super fun to photograph them there...and i went to parts of the park i'd never been to myself. Geez, I've been in NY for almost 12 years and i feel like i've only tapped the surface.

We'll be photographing Amanda and John's big day next fall when they tie the knot.
Stay tuned!

(and stay dry. its an inside out umbrella kind of day here today! ay!)

xx

Brie + Lee | Newlywed Shoot

2010-11-30T23:05:00.004-05:00

You saw them PRE wedding, and here they are POST wedding.

Brie + Lee.

So much fun!

Having spent the afternoon with them weeks before they got hitched, it was like photographing old friends...who had a great story to fill me in on! They were another lucky couple who tied the knot on 10.10.10, a gorgeous day in NYC, and it was so great seeing their faces recount the story of the day as much as their words did.

It was my first time to photograph on the Brooklyn Bridge so it felt really new and exciting. (I've been a brooklyn girl for over 7 years though!) And now Brie and Lee are probably in a half dozen tourists' photo albums!
I find it so interesting that the white dress and the tux signifies to people around the world in all different languages that these 2 are getting married! So many people walk by in awe. A newlywed couple seems to to signify hope and dreams and limitless futures...

here's to all of that and more Brie and Lee!

Thanks for allowing me to capture the glee.

xx

We even got a rare few seconds of an empty bridge!!

Erica & Roman, Engaged!

2010-11-18T17:09:00.002-05:00

I LOVE these two.

Roman is passionate about photography himself, so he was very involved in the whole process of arranging this photo session. Its not often that I speak to the groom more than the bride, so I knew this was something important to him. I can definitely relate to that!

When they arrived in Dumbo, they could not have been anymore relaxed, full of love, and eager for a great day. We had ANOTHER gorgeous day in NYC. We've been insanely lucky lately.

And can I share their adorable story?? They met a year and half ago in NYC, only to discover that they are actually from the same village in the Ukraine. Roman arrived in NY when he was 5 years old. And Erica arrived when she was 10. So who knows! They are so beautifully perfect for each other that you have to imagine if they'd stayed in their village, that they would have met anyway. It definitely feels destined to be.

Stay tuned in the Spring next year when we'll be photographing the two of them tying the knot.
We're so excited!

xx

Brandon, 90210 no???

her eyelashes are to die for

Erica's smile is so captivating.

No joke, as I was taking this picture, there were Central Park tourists behind me saying, Anne Hathaway! I think that's her. That's really her!

You guys are gorgeous.
Thanks for sharing your day.

xx

Freida's Family

2010-11-18T00:59:00.003-05:00

Sweet Nolie! (a saying of my brothers, usually to address his friend Nolan, but i think it could be applied in situations of pure glee!)

Its been INSANELY isane in NYC this fall. Pinch me that it is mid November and we are still photographing outdoors sans jackets under the crisp fresh skies. Gratefulness is out in full force.

Frieda and her gorgeous family hung out with me in Prospect Park a couple weeks ago. They felt like such a FAMILY, a unit, a force to be reckoned with, that made each other laugh all along the way.

My favorite part? The fact that beautiful Frieda in her classy black look did not bat an eyelash when i suggested that everyone sit in the leaves. She didnt even FLINCH! Not for her self or for the kids. She was so cool about it you wouldve thought she was hanging out in her pajamas.

All the best to you guys! You were so much fun.
Here's to a gorgeous Fall.

Fall Family Frolic

2010-11-09T15:38:00.008-05:00

People often tell me, wow you must have a lot of patience to photograph children!

I suppose I do. But the reality is that even when the itty bitty subject matter is doing everything they can NOT to give you what you want, they're still giving you an adorable moment in time, and that is what I focus on.

Addy, who just turned one prior to the shoot, desperately wanted to cry for the entire 2 hours we were together. She definitely got her way for much of the session. But we managed to convince her otherwise here and there, and big brother Jackson was very helpful in this department, being the little cheery clown that he was.
Ultimately, everyone was a winner.

Happy Fall Days to you!

We also made a video!
Click HERE.

Parent and Child Magazine

2010-11-08T10:47:00.003-05:00

Novmeber is National Adoption Month.

And I was honored to photograph Susan and Molly to celebrate for the November issue of Parent and Child Magazine.

Ever since I was in grade school, I always said I wanted to adopt. We had a babysitter while we were growing up whose family fostered children all the time. At that point, I think there were 10 children total! And while of course there were more challenges than i was probably aware of at 11 years old, I was always fascinated and inspired by the love of that family and the power it had as it kept extending its wings.

Happy Adoption Month to all.
xx

Interior Design Magazine

2010-11-02T14:55:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite things about being married to Andrew is how much fun it is to collaborate with him on projects for our work. After all, we met under the auspices that we were going to do a shoot together! (it was only a line he was using on me, but i fell for it!)

I'm so excited for him. Interior Design magazine featured his new line, Taible, in an awesome full page spread in their Fall 2010 issue!

Yipeee!

(grey skinny jeans on Andrew! styled by Annie Nicholas )

Happy Birthday Little Brother

2010-11-01T12:38:00.003-04:00

You're right on my tail...catching up to me! Ha!

Hope you have a fab day little bro...and the great news is that i'll be able to make sure of it since you're in NEW YORK CITY!

yay!!!

Love you to the moon and back and around it and back and the reverse way and back too.

You're my bestie and I'm so lucky!

See you tonight!

4th Annual Halloween Polaroid Corner!

2010-11-01T12:27:00.002-04:00

So much fun!

A tradition we (Andrew, Michelle, and I) look forward to muchly!

Some insanely awesome costumes as usual. I think my favorite would have to be dad as Empire State Building, holding son, dressed as King Kong, with mom as lady in distress. I mean brilliant. HOLDING his son, makes as if the gorilla is climbing the building. love it!

We're doing almost all polaroids these days, so I dont end up with much for the archives.
But here's what they look like.

Hope you didnt get any overnight cavities.

Happy November!

TenTenTen at Brooklyn Botanical Gardens!

2010-10-25T00:53:00.005-04:00

WowWowWowWowWowWowWowWowWowWow

Ok, that was 10 wow's.
Meg + Aaron's gorgeous wedding on 10.10.10 deserves it.

Andrew and I loved them way back when we first met at our studio last year.
And as the year unfolded, I only got more and more excited to document their day.

Not only did Meg change into a handmade Japanese Kimono flown in for her by her aunt in Japan, at the end of the night for cake-cutting and some last dancefloor moments, (and can I just say, I was dying with excitement and awe behind the camera, as she was getting cloaked in it. She had a specific person to dress her, as the knots, and the ties, and the layers were all so complex, it was fascinating.)

But...she also is a competitive dance champion! She also changed into a short white number, put on her sparkly shoes and did the cha cha on the dance floor with her dance partner of many years. I had a front row seat at Dancing With The Stars. All I could think about was much my mom would have loved the show!

And Aaron is a big wig at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, (he's a groom that knows his flowers!), and although I know the staff at the BBG is ALWAYS gracious, this just felt extra special. And Aaron just has that calm, cool, collected energy that makes you feel like he was born to wear a tux on a beautiful day in a beautiful garden with a beautiful girl.

Congrats to you both. I hope you're having a fabulous time in Greece!

Thanks for inviting us to document your day.
xx

Inside the Patrick Dougherty sculpture that was temporarily visiting the park.

Doesn't her mother look like a porcelain doll?

Nathan, 13 Days

2010-10-19T01:05:00.005-04:00

Seriously. Or rather as East Side Bride says, Srsly.
Seriously or srsly, I love my job. Most days I really like my job, but then some days i LOVE it. I mean sometimes I just feel so damn lucky.

And photographing Amy, Seth, and newborn Nathan last week was one of those days.

I went to college with Amy and Seth (those college lovebirds!), and I spent many college days laughing with Amy. (That girl is always smiling!) We hadn't seen each other in years, only to run into each other a few months ago in the city when Amy was counting down the weeks to her due date. We made a plan then to photograph the new little guy when he came on the scene.
Enter Nathan.

It really feels like a gift, I mean not to be too cheesy, but to be able to reconnect with an old friend on such a personal level, witnessing the new phase in their life, and doing everything I can to capture it in a way that will make them happy to look back on that day, this new life, with awe and joy.

It was an honor you guys. And 'srsly', Nathan was such a little songbird rockstar. Joy!

xx

As Andrew said when he saw this one, "Victory!"

omg, this cracks me up.

Isabella Rosallini, I'm just sayin

Behind the scenes

Seth and Amy bought this glass bowl on their honeymoon. Love.

all the best to you guys.
big love
xx

Meg + Aaron in the Times

2010-10-14T15:01:00.003-04:00

This past Sunday was a popular day to get married...it was 10.10.10

Definitely a cool looking date, and one that will be easy to remember as old age sets in!

And it was a INSANELY gorgeous day! We photographed Meg + Aaron at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and I just came across them in the Times. How fun!

Pictures coming soon...in the meantime..meet Meg and Aaron!

19 Hours in Boston

2010-10-08T12:44:00.003-04:00

I made a spur of the moment quick trip up to Boston this week.

My cousin Julie's oldest daughter Jane was turning 8.
I love that girl big time so i decided to go surprise her for her bday.
When she walked in the door from her piano lesson and saw me, she did a bee line right into my arms, wrapped her legs around me like a fancy ice skating move and we twirled and twirled. Those 20 seconds were worth the 4hr drive up and back. Though hello, where are the drive through Starbucks along the way?? I looked for 4 hours and came up with bubkiss.

Here's a oldie but goodie of Jane.

Made the family rounds a bit more. Saw cousin Rebecca whose Gallows restaurant just tied for Best Gastropub in Boston. You go girl!

And also got to meet the newest cousin on the scene, Ellie! Cousin Danny + Brooke are proud new parents and it was a treat to be able to photograph them. Ellie was a perfect little model, completely fixated on my camera. Congrats you guys!

xx

See you cats soon.
xx

Introducing Taible! by Andrew Raible!

2010-10-07T12:13:00.005-04:00

It's been a long time in the works..but Andrew's new line of 'Taibles' is out on the town!

Between the months of designing (years in some cases), the building of the prototypes, the photo shoots (!), and the endless discussions, i'm proud of what he's done. It's not really in his personality description to stand on the top of a building and shout it out loud, but it is in mine!! (You gotta meet my mom!) He's such a .....designer!! Oy!!

But in Andrew's case, the New York Times is shouting it out for him today right here!

Wanted to also share some results from our collaborative photo shoots.
Thanks to Annie Nicholas for styling as well!

Train to Dijon

All Y'alls

Il Palio

and a CD cover we made for the Press Launch Party. (inspired by an idea from our friend Maren Levinson)

Now, lets sell some of these babies and move to Italy!!

Cassin + Geoff Are Hitched!

2010-10-06T12:52:00.004-04:00

What a gorgeous wedding!
Cass is an alumni of the stunning private school in New York called Sacred Heart.
So they were lucky enough to be able to tie the knot there!
Amazing.

I dont think she dropped her smile even once. Everyone there was beaming, especially Geoff, her Aussie husband (!) who whisked her away to a super secret destination for their honeymoon!

Congratulations Cass + Geoff! Thanks for sharing your day with us!

One proud Papa.

And it was a fantastic collection of vendors too!

Dress- Ines Di Santo from Bergdorf Goodman
Flowers-Sarah Tallman Design
Event Planning-Kristen Ashley Events
Catering-Creative Edge
Band-GDO Soul
Make Up-Adele Genovese

Brie + Lee...E Session

2010-09-27T11:51:00.002-04:00

Brie + Lee are getting hitched in less than a month!

They wanted to frolic in NYC for an afternoon..and frolic we did.

They are so much fun to be around and were game for anything and everything. We had the best time.

And ended our shoot moments before a complete downpour hit the city.

I tucked into a wine bar nearby to keep the cameras dry, my lips wet, and to relive the moments of a day well spent.

All the best Brie and Lee! Woo hoo!

A movie too!

Brie + Lee Are Getting Hitched! from jami saunders on Vimeo.

I Love Factory, Hand Sewn Headgear

2010-09-24T13:34:00.004-04:00

Millinery!
Don't you just love that word?
Its kind of like Feather Pen.
Or Pocket Watch.
i feel like i'm in that movie Somewhere In Time just by saying the words!

Met these two gorgeous cats (Laurel and Christopher) when we photographed Nicole and Danielle's wedding.

They made Nicole's super lovely birdcage veil.

Check out their website and their story. Love it.

Happy Weekend!
xx

Featured on Grey Likes Weddings!

2010-09-22T10:17:00.006-04:00

We were super excited to be contacted
by Summer at Grey Likes Weddings...
and today she posted our wedding
of Meredith and David at the Catskills here!

Grey Likes Weddings and We Love Grey!

cheers!

Nicole + Danielle ...Love at the Metropolitan Building

2010-09-21T11:50:00.003-04:00

Nicole and Danielle might very well be the most low key couple to date...So much so that I hadnt even met either of them before the big day!

Walked into the funky and unassuming Ravel Hotel in Long Island City where they were getting ready (separately though! not to see each other until the ceremony) not quite sure what to expect.

Met Danielle first who was absolutely glowing. With a huge smile and a couple glances at her watch awaiting her parents arrival, she laced up her shoes and put on her cufflinks with such a calming energy, I knew it was going to be a gorgeous day.

Next I met Nicole as she put on her dress with help of her friends, I knew immediately that this group of friends were also considered family.

And rightly so. 10 years after they met, Nicole + Danielle declared their love in front of family and friends in the gorgeous Metropolitan Building...on September 11th, with sincerity that lit up the entire building while the beams of the twin towers lit the city skiies.

Thank you N + D for sharing your day with us.

Wishing you all the best all the years ahead.

xx

First Moment Seeing Each Other...

And Grandpa...97 years old! Speaks only Italian. I just have to post this of him!

Happy Days ahead to you guys.

Cheers!

End Of Summer.. Movie!

2010-09-10T11:58:00.003-04:00

Its hard to believe that this family started out as clients of mine!

2+ years ago, Andrew and I photographed Scott and Jeff's wedding....

And now, I cant remember when I didnt know them. Luckily I dont have to.

Lots of love
Turn it up!
xx

Beach House Summer from jami saunders on Vimeo.

Chicago Darlings Part 5

2010-09-10T10:10:00.004-04:00

Kelly is one of my longest time friends...we've known each other since we were 9 years old. She's almost like a sister to me.

And now she's an (itty bitty) mother of 3 boys! wow.

Although we live on opposite sides of the North American Continent from each other, we were both in Chicago this summer at the same time. An insanely fantastic coincidence.

But the family photo shoot got cut a bit short when baby Max showed up with an ear infection. And Max is ALWAYS happy. So you know he must have been hurting. Poor boy.

Nevertheless, we had fun photographing older brothers Ryan and Nathan who love each other more than life. Its adorable. I remember one visit I had out west..when younger Nathan was still sleeping in a crib... Ryan crept into his room and slept next to him on a chair...just to be close to his younger brother. It was the sweetest damn thing.

it was a treat
see you soon,
xx

Happy New Year.

2010-09-09T19:41:00.001-04:00

A sweet one to you, every and all...

xx

Labor Day + Bikes+ Sun + Ice Cream

2010-09-08T10:14:00.003-04:00

seriously??!
was that weekend even for real?? maybe "they" were just trying to sweeten us with amazing weather so we would FORGET that summer is over!!

well...it worked!
(for the moment anyway!)

longest bike ride i've ever been on!
36 miles!
from brooklyn to the very top of manhattan..literally where the east river comes around the top of the island.
very cool.
such a great way to see, feel, smell new york.

and riding your bike on a holiday in the city is craaaaazy (fun).
its all your senses on alert at high speed.
dogs, roller bladers, babies, kids on training wheels, super speed olympic dudes on bikes, pedestrians, people who stop to tie their shoe or wave to their friend.
Passing On Your Leeeeeeeeeeft.

woo hoo.

hope you guys had a great holiday weekend too!

Fall Season here we come! Let's do it!

Chicago Darlings Part 4

2010-09-07T13:05:00.003-04:00

As you can tell, it was a fruitful trip to Chicago!

You'll see these guys again soon, as they were the models for their mom's children's clothing line that we photographed (coming soon!) Mom and I are college besties...and it was such a treat to hang with the family and photograph their every move.

The twins recently celebrated their 5th birthday.
Happy Days Mira + Will!

xx

She looks so Roman Holiday to me here!

loved every moment.
see you soon.
xx

Chicago Darlings Part 3

2010-09-02T17:30:00.004-04:00

Some shoots are a little more uphill than others. I know we'll always get some good images, but sometimes we have more than the handful of usual variables. Here, poor Owen was dealing with a handful of cruel mosquito bites...and a fever! (mind you it was not a case of stage mom...we just didnt realize until after the shoot that he had a fever!) alas...everyone rallied, and we got some adorable moments between sister and brother Owen + Olivia

cant wait to see you guys again soon!
xx

Chicago Darlings Part 2

2010-09-02T09:44:00.003-04:00

Had so much fun with this adorable crew on a hot hot summer day.

Thank gawd for lollipops and shady trees!

Little Pria was mezmerized by the model trains...it was her front row seat at the concert

Was so great to meet you guys!
Cant wait to see you again next year!
xx

Dear Summer, I miss you already....

2010-09-01T15:57:00.004-04:00

And I'm counting down the days until I see you again.

I'll never get sick of you.

NEVER!
_______

Farm Stands are definitely in the top 10 for summer-tastic-ness

We're not in brooklyn anymore...

Spent a few days with dear friends...and their dawg...andrew hearts teddy big time (hopefully our Fred wont be reading this post. woof!)

rockin the bike helmet hairdo....

here's to squeezing out every last drop of summer fun...
big love to all