This decision comes after much agonizing and number-crunching. As it did for many of you, the virus had sweeping effects. All my event photography: canceled. All of my band gigs: canceled. Our treasured family pet died. Thankfully, since my husband is lucky enough to be able to work from home and shepard the kids' online learning, I can leave the house to work. Above all, I am grateful in this time of chaos to be employed. So grateful.

If the fall isn't too crazy, I will try to schedule a few family sessions. I am keeping my website so if you've booked me in the past no worries; your photos are there. You can always order prints and digitals if you haven't already. Time-permitting I will continue with my flower photography as my side hustle. I have reached out to a dozen interior designers about purchasing canvases and prints for their clients.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting my business for the past eight years. It has truly been a wonderful time. It allowed me to spend more time with my family and gave me the opportunity to spend some time with yours. Hopefully someday I can get back to it. In the meantime, here are my most recent images and projects.

With love and gratitude,

Dawn

Yes, I feel it, too. The creeping dread. The uncertainty. Watching your plans disappear into thin air. Consoling your children as their competitions, games, variety shows, musicals, graduations, etc. all get canceled one-by-one. We've never done this before. And we're not very good at not being in control. We're great at creating these grand schemes, terrible at shrugging our shoulders when they disappear. 

I'm here to tell you that I spoke with my grandmother the other day and she told me it's all going to be alright so I wanted to share that with you. Carry on! But seriously, I want to encourage you to see this time as a gift. People will be there to help you if you run out of food. Neighbors will lend you toilet paper or give you their extra cough syrup. We will see the best in people. If you can't work right now, it's a good time to take inventory of all of the things you have: children, cars, pets, dreams, skills, food, junk. All of it. If you need money, think outside the box. If you get desperate, reach out for help.

I want to tell you what happened when I was taking a "jog" the other day.

My son was way out ahead of me so I walked the last leg alone. It hit me all at once: the despair; the fear; the anxiety. And, sadly, the self-pity. "What about all the things I wanted? What about the money that I was going to make this year? What about the new-to-me car I was going to buy?" (Thankfully I did a year's worth of Mastermind work with Wendy Perrotti (Wendy Perrotti's website) so pity parties are very short-lived these days). I had a moment of clarity and I took stock of my life. I was feeling sorry for myself about the stuff I can't afford. Imagine that? I was worried about a car. And I own one already! Granted it's old and I smashed it up a bit in the fall and there is literally a ziptie holding it together, but it's a beast and it's taking care of us.

For now, I can still take photos and sing, whether I can do that actively for people or not. I still have prints for sale. My family is healthy, thank goodness and that's what matters. We have a roof over our heads and food in our pantry. And one of the dreams I had given up on, writing children's stories, is something I can do during this time to help others, whether it makes money or not. Think about what matters in these crazy times. Take care of yourself. If you find you have with some extra time, declutter, write in a journal, FaceTime an old friend, create a new game. The world needs our ideas right now, not our self-pity. And remember, Nonni said it's all going to be ok. <3

See that balloon? I've already let it go. Stay safe and healthy!

-Dawn

It's exciting to share with you my latest website project which is organizing my Families gallery to show the families who are growing up in front of my camera. As much as I love to photograph flowers (and I do really love it), I always seem to come back to my first love: family photography. 

Like many parents, I discovered (or rather rediscovered) my love of photography when I first welcomed my little monsters into my life. It took a while for it to reignite. In the early goings, my husband took the lead in taking the boys' photos and getting and latest point-and-shoot. I actually said to him once, "Why are you getting another camera?" Ha ha!

Now I get to photograph other little ones and I feel very lucky to have that opportunity. I want to take a moment to say thank you to the families who have entrusted me to capture those memories for them. It's a blessing to have been a part of preserving those precious moments.

For more photos like this, click here: Family Gallery  To inquire about bookings, click here: Interested

For more photos like this, click here: Family Gallery  To inquire about bookings, click here: Interested
 

There is one thing I noticed in taking all of these photos: our collective obsession with perfection. When we take family photos, we want "everyone looking and everyone smiling!" It's the imperative for family pictures. In 2020, let's allow ourselves to enjoy the people we love *as they are in this moment in time.* That includes your crazy kids. That includes *you.*

I always say this and it bears repeating: GET IN THE PHOTO. You're surrounded by people who love for who you are. They love you even if you haven't lost those last 10 pounds. They love you despite the fact that you haven't had time to get your roots done. They love you even though you haven't bought yourself something new to wear in a few years. Your family wants these memories of you and all of your wonderful imperfections.

Children are already perfect; we treasure them just as they are. So the logical thing is to hire a photographer and pay her lots of money to capture that perfection. Then those kids go and ruin a perfectly good photo by crying! Even worse, they're running around and not listening! Ugh, they're not even smiling at the camera. And their hair is so messed up! Now everyone is unhappy. What happened??

Enjoy the crying, the sulking, the running around. They might not look at the camera and smile for every photo (I'll do my best!) but give yourself permission to enjoy the photos of their tongues sticking out. It's ok. Give yourself permission to step into those photos with them, too. Enjoy the chaos! By the time they're able to sit completely still and pose for the camera, they'll be that much closer to leaving the nest. 

I want to offer something new in 2020: "Day in the Life" photos. Put everyone in PJs or sweatpants (whatever is comfortable) and I'll hang out quietly, a fly on the wall, capturing your family in those precious moments at home that we rarely get images of. I'll make a lovely black and white book for you to treasure. What do you say? I'm booking these all year so just choose which time of the year is least crazy for you. Make it your gift to yourself in 2020. BOOK A DAY IN THE LIFE

Happy New Year to you and yours. Let's always believe in ourselves. We are infinitely capable of change and growth. Here are some not-so-perfect images for you to enjoy.  :)

Peace,

Dawn           xoxo

Clause 1: Photographer Will Not Wait...

...for you to lose 10 pounds. You see an extra 10 pounds but your family sees a mother they adore, a wife they love; a sister they treasure. While you stress about the extra weight you're carrying, your children are growing beside you. Are you the family historian? If so, are there any photos of you?

You matter.

I want to capture your life the way it is today. If you have children, they don't care one iota about your weight (PS: neither do your friends). Let's celebrate ourselves and our lives. That's the priority; not something silly like our weight.

Clause 2: Perfection is Boring

The sun may not come out. The wind may blow. A stray hair may blow across your face. Sometimes kids are having a bad day. They may be intimidated by my big camera. They may be feeding off the anxiety you feel trying to get perfect photos. Sometimes kids smile, but don't look directly at the camera. If they're under the age of eight, they're going to find it hard to sit still. I want to help you adjust your expectations.

Perfection is impossible and overrated. Let's strive for fun, not perfect.

Clause 3: Trust Me

Schedule family sessions between June and August. May is sometimes too cold and we have to navigate Memorial Day and sports. September is like being shot out of a cannon! In fact, here's a mom's schedule in the fall:

First Day of School

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! Thanksgiving, Christmas.

Trust me. Let's make things easier for ourselves.

Clause 4: No, I Can't 

As an addendum to Clause 1, I can't make you 10 pounds lighter. I can't make you 10 years younger. Can I make a pimple disappear? Absolutely. Can I erase an errant thread? Sure. I can do lots of things in Photoshop (check out my images here! www.dawnkubie.com) but I can't change you. If I had one wish for you, it would be for you to make peace with yourself and your body the way it is right now.

Through that program I learned how to trust myself; how to rewrite the negative script in my head; how to press on through disappointment toward my goals; how to believe in myself. She has been so enormously helpful in helping me achieve a laser focus on my business, even as my business changed. In September 2018, I didn't even have the proper lens to take my flower photos. As of May 14, 2019, my work will be on exhibition in locations across three states. 

A month ago in my mastermind Facebook group I declared an intention that I wanted to get my business to a point where people would give me flowers just to enjoy what I would do with them. Since then, a neighbor gave me a purple tulip. My mother-in-law gave me a giant basket of purple pansies. My son got me orange marigolds from the Mother's Day plant sale at school. And today, my dear friend and client Melissa Donovan dropped to my house an absolutely glorious bounty of flowers. I'm humbled and delighted by the belief that others have in me. It only serves to make me work harder when doing what I love, which never feels like work.

State your intention. Put it out into the universe. Accept challenges and blessings with equal enthusiasm and the world will open up to you. Still not convinced you can do it? Well, you might just want to call Wendy. ;) https://www.wendyperrotti.com/contact

A big part of my business is to bring light and joy to people, whether it's through photographs of children or through my flower photography. I'm in several bands as well, including a duo that plays music to seniors in retirement homes or rehabilitation facilities. While I'm performing, I'm "on." I love music and I want to show it through my body language. What could be better than bringing joy to people?

Well, Saturday I had a no good, very bad day. Things weren't right with my youngest son which meant things weren't right with me. I thought I would try something different to deal with my feelings. I set up my camera on the tripod, tears streaming down my face. I wanted to capture how I was feeling in that moment. Of course, something happened as one would expect: I stopped crying. It took several shots to get a photo that was properly in focus because I was just using my hamper as a stand-in. I became so focused on what I was doing that I was lifted at bit out of my sad mood.

I'm sharing one of the photos I took while feeling so low to say: I see you. For all of those times when you're scrolling through Facebook or Instagram and it seems like everyone has life figured out and everyone but you is happy: you are seen. For those days when you feel like your best isn't good enough: I understand. And please, if you're feeling so low that you can't see a way out, reach out to these kind folks at the National Suicide Prevention line: 1-800-273-8255. 

Peace.

-Dawn

Five years ago I went with my immediate family to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. When I returned, I wrote an article for Photo.net suggesting seven reasons to leave your big fancy DSLR at home. I got some pushback, as I should have expected, so below I'm going to revist that idea.

7. I Have Two Children

In 2014 they were younger and had even less patience than they do now. Imagine the whining I'd have to withstand as I change lenses and fiddle with my settings. Undoubtedly, it's a testament to my lousy parenting skills that I'd let whining dictate my choices. After all, I should be able to take 8,000 well-composed, high-resolution photos in the Happiest Place on Earth without having to endure whining from the humans I created, right? Mmm-hmm.

6. Photo Pass, Photo Pass, Photo Pass!

All day, every day: Photo Pass. If you don't know what it is, it's this thing where you pay the people at Disney to take pictures of your family for you. You simply find cast members wearing vests and Nikon gear and they'll pose you in front of your favorite Disney locations. I'm the photographer in the family so I'm almost never in the photo. I wore those poor Photo Pass folks out.

And, because it includes the instant photos that are snapped while you're on the rides, you can trick your family into enjoying having their photos taken. The 10-13 year old boys in our group (and their crazy uncles) posed on nearly every ride. Even my husband pretended to be on the phone on the RockN Roller Coaster. It was Sam's idea to do a Simpsons' pose on the Tower of Terror, which involves my husband pretending he's choking him.

There were a few times I had a moment in the park by myself (miracles) and, well, that's when the magic happened.

5. I Sold My Little Mirrorless Camera

There was no way in hell I was bringing my Canon 6D to Disney. I like rollercoasters! The thing was going to end up smashed, forgotton or covered in sunscreen. Or all three. My options therefore were the tiny Canon PowerShot (which I brought with me five years ago as well) and my iPhone. I became very adept at stopping, steadying myself, and snapping off a quick photo before running through the crowd to catch up with my family as they sprinted between rides. Did I mention I like rollercoasters? Speaking of which you could see the fireworks from the rides. The truth is I wish I had my Canon 6D with me. The 24-70mm wide angle lens with an eight-second shutter speed on a tripod to capture the fireworks? Gorgeous. I'm sure the people behind me in line would have been psyched and my family would have been suuuuuuuper understanding. Instead I got this, which is not as gorgeous:

4. Again, it's for Posterity

I absolutely would have loved to have brought my Canon 6D with me. How fun it would have been to actually impress people with my Disney photos when I got home haha. How lovely to have some actual bokeh in my images. But no; it wasn't worth the anxiety of worrying about smashing or forgetting the camera I use to make money. I'm printing 4x6s, maybe a little book with these. And that's ok. This go-round I took 296 photos total which is half of what I took last time. Most importantly, I enjoyed myself.

3. They Have Flowers in Disney World

Everyone knows I wasn't going to be able to go five whole days without taking a photo of a damn flower. The Flower Festival at Epcot starts the day after we get home. *tears*

2. If I Wanted Gorgeous Photos of My Favorite Rides, Can't I Just Grab Them From Getty Images?

Yes, I totally can and probably will. And I probably will obsess over them for a few weeks until I stop trying to use my Magic Band to get into my own house.

1. Hakuna Matata

I've loved all things Disney since I was three. I had the Mickey Mouse Talking Telephone and Winnie the Pooh pajamas. I still have my ceramic Mickey and Minnie set, and my Winnie the Pooh jewelry box. Someday I'll return to Disney without my kids and I'll bring a fancy camera, maybe even a tripod if they'll let me.

So If you're traveling without kids, have a patient family and/or feel very confident that your equipment won't get damaged, please, for everyone's sake, bring your fancy camera so I can see amazing Disney photos. For now, I'll just grab a few shots with my iPhone and make liberal use of the Photo Pass.*

*I'm not getting paid by Disney to have written this. I wish!

It's hard to imagine how they'd look in your house so I've thrown in a perspective photo as well (forgive the messy house LOL).

Need I mention that they make great gifts...?  ;)  To see them all, click here: Flower Photos

Here are some five tips on how to make family photos less painful:

1. Ask your photographer for black and whites. 

This eliminates the need for getting everyone dressed to match precisely. Also, black and white prints go well in every room in your house, whatever the paint color.

2. Go someplace where the kids can have fun afterward.

If you're doing photos at the beach, let them run in the waves when they're done. If you're at a local park, let them go on the swings after. They'll need a reward for having behaved so well (ha ha!) and you'll need a break, too.

3. Don't expect miracles.

I get it: you're paying money for a photographer. You're thinking to yourself what a waste it would be with no good photos. You're tense because you want them to behave. It's ok. Your photos will be much better if you let yourself relax and let your photographer direct the kids. Let's work with their natural abilities: running, playing, jumping...

4. Get prints made as soon as your photographer makes them available.

I know what you're thinking: "Of course she wants prints made. She gets paid!" While that may be true, I'm not only a photographer but a mother of two boys and I love to procrastinate. It's one of the things I'm great at! I had professional photos done four years ago. Do you think there are any prints of that shoot in my house? Nope. I didn't have them done, didn't have them done...next thing you know it's time for another professional shoot and they're several inches taller anyway with completely different clothes and haircuts. Get them done right away. Having beautiful prints of your family in your home far outweighs the Agony of Procrastination, for which there is no reward.

5. Have a good time!

My husband always says, "Moms make memories." Your children most enjoy you when you're down at their level, being silly and having fun. If you have fun, they will, too. 

Do you have a photo of you that puts your best self forward?

Here are some of my favorite pics from that night! (Please note that the guitarist, Mike Liebensohn is not green in real life, he was just standing under a green light).  ;)

My activism -----> my photography -----> my life; it's all one big circle. Kudos to these brave children who are doing what we failed to do. May they be safe.

This afternoon, I had a photo shoot scheduled in downtown Bridgeport, Connecticut. It wasn't too cold, and it was overcast so I didn't have to worry too much about lighting up my subject to get rid of those bad afternoon shadows. However, my models were unable to show up. But I was in a good mindset. I strapped my Canon around my neck and walked around, figuring I would get some cool photos of walls and buildings. 

Steve and I struck up a conversation about photography and he agreed to let me take a few photos of him. I love the red sweatshirt against the blue wall. And how beautiful is this man's profile??

A bit later, I saw Kareem step out of his car, shining from head to toe and I had to know: where was he going, dressed so fabulously? He said, "This is how I dress every day." Such attention to detail. Not a crease out of place! Color me impressed. I was so fortunate that these kind gentlemen agreed to step in front of my lens today. Thank you, Steve and Kareem!

Six years ago this month I convinced my husband to let me buy a *real* camera. Not a point-and-shoot, not my iPhone, but a real live camera where the lenses can be switched and everything. For the first time, I was able to take the photo I saw in front of me. What a difference! 

Let me share with you some of my favorite images from the past six years. Thank you for being a part of this journey. Without photography how else would we be able to freeze time? What an amazing thing.

Brick wall with treeNorth Hampton, MA Grand Central TerminalDepartures Sunset, Canoe Brook LakeSunset, Canoe Brook Lake, Trumbull, CT TrudyBlack Labrador, Burlington, VT

I want to do the work I love and have a passion for while also having quality time with my family. We all yearn for balance, whatever it means in our lives.

You can read 1,000 books telling you to "do what you, the money will follow." I sure did. But it's not until you do that thing and tell everyone you're doing that thing can you achieve your dreams. It's not even enough to just do it. 

How many times a year do people ask you, "What do you do?" I'm writing this blog to show you what I do. What I really do. And to ask, "Is what I do something you need...?"

I photograph young creatives who need a dynamic photo for an audition or a portfolio.

I capture people who work in a field where a simple smiling headshot on a plain background won't do.

I provide photos for people who want to let their sparkle shine. If you're one of those people, or if you child is one of those people, sign up for a session: https://calendly.com/dawnkubie/60min

Enjoy! :D

The below photos were taken on a different day than the family photos.  ;)

The loft had such amazing light and detail. I can't wait to use it again. Here are some photos I shot during that session. Thank you, Kasey & Chloé for the opportunity!

I can never decide whether I like the color or the black & white shot better so I've included both.  ;)

Community organizer Alison Martinez-Carrasco, youth organizer with Make The Road CT, and other speakers engage the crowd:

Rallygoers:

Rallygoers close their eyes as a young woman asks them to imagine if they were forced to leave the home they love.

A young boy reads his speech off a device. A rapt audience of adults listens.

Senator Ed Gomes and other supporters inside the City Council meeting.

Please consider supporting Make The Road in their fight. This matter will come to a vote on February 20th. Come out and show your support! Their Facebook page is www.facebook.com/maketheroadct.

As you can see, she had a terrible time:

I also took a few cool double-exposure images. My Fuji X-T1 has a setting for that:

Tree scars:

Of the two "lakes," I enjoy the one in the back of the park the most:

For these shots, I crawled onto a little patch of ice on my belly and shot upside down. Then I turned the image right-side-up in editing:

I'm not sure what these trees are called, but we have them in our backyard, too. They share a trunk but grow into two separate trees:

Other details:

Here are a few photos I took with my Fuji XT-1 using my 24 lens. I shot at a high ISO without any flash in a dark room so you'll notice some grain.

We all need that one thing that puts a spring in our step every morning.

Here are my faves from our recent shoot!

Anyway, enough about my penchant for a color combo and more about this sweet little darling!

The mermaid outfit and props were absolutely adorable! (Mom-supplied).

As I was going through the images to pick my favorites, I kept saying, "Oh my God look at her face. Oh look at this. Oh my goodness that face!" and so on. Ok so I was kind of talking to myself but the point is, this was her very first photo session. I was very impressed with her composure and ease.

This Sunday, June 5, I have one opening for a sunset session. Grab it now before it's too late!  :D Feel free to message me through my website or through my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/dawnkubiephotography.

As of last night, the two (most likely) candidates to fight over the U.S. presidency are Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. I know very few people who are particularly thrilled about either candidate. More than a few of us are despondent over the current state of politics in this country: the divisive rhetoric, the gridlock. The candidates will, no doubt, continue to pick each other apart until November and then we can look forward to a hotly-contested election. I anticipate hearing about long lines of people being unable to vote. I predict one or both parties voicing complaints.

At home, my husband and I continue to monitor our chronically ill child who is currently in remission (thank God!) My littlest one is struggling in a different way and is giving us all a run for our money. It consumes us almost daily.

I feel yucky. Or I should say, "I really want to feel yucky." I am tempted roll around in the mud and cry about how bad things are. I want to shed real tears over what's happening to my country. I want to hide in the basement under a blanket. I'm not going to do that, though.

After I finish this blog post, I'm going to meditate for a few minutes before my kids get off the bus. Then I'm going to "take a respite," as a friend had advised yesterday. This might include smelling the lilacs right outside my door or coloring with my own gigantic set of crayons that my children are rarely allowed to touch. It's very tempting to wallow and cry and feel sorry for ourselves. 

One of my best friends had this to say once, "Bad [stuff] is going to happen. What you need to do is prepare yourself for when it's going to happen instead of praying that it won't. Because it will happen." The best way to prepare for that is to be grateful for all the ways in which your life is going right. Today I'm grateful for:

• getting a workout in first thing this morning
• having the blessed job of photographing newborns
• holding a sweet baby girl, just this morning (in between photos)
• my dog, who is an immediate and constant 
• reminder of the good in the world
• food in my fridge, clothes in my closet (not all of them are old...), roof over my head
• breath in my lungs

Here are some photos that put a smile on my face. Enjoy the rest of your day, my friends!  <3

When a young woman goes from smiling to serious, she looks mysterious and fierce (of course she's stunning when she's smiling as well!) I'm a huge fan of America's Next Top Model even though I'm nowhere near the demographic. There are a lot of good tips to be learned. Typically, the models don't smile and those are the photos I treasure most.

I'm so enamored of this young lady's face. I had a blast taking these.

That all said it's disgusting today. It's 43F and raining. The poor dog hasn't even asked to go outside. The skies are overcast and the backyard looks like a scene from a horror movie. There isn't a bit of green to be seen. Even the trees that are green are smothered in a sad, grey patina.

Let's harken back to a summer's evening at sunset. I'm ready to say goodbye to winter, aren't you? I absolutely love the colors she picked out! Such a beautiful family. And it was their anniversary, too.  <3

Summer sunset sessions are the best! My calendar awaits.

Right.

I've had a lifelong affair with music that started when I was very young. My parents had bought me a little turntable and I would put on the Dumbo soundtrack (and cry) and the Peter Pan soundtrack. When I was old enough, they let me use their turntable, on which I would play their records: The Beach Boys; Billy Joel; The Beatles; the Star Wars Soundtrack; Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire. The words were usually printed on the inside of the jacket so I would sit there for hours and learn all the words. In fact, this year's Grammys where Stevie Wonder sang an Earth, Wind & Fire song had me ugly crying. Anyhooooo...that's not the point. The point is my love of music and my love of photography should naturally dovetail. And so they are. And so they shall be.

Below are pics from the Marc Anthony concert at the Webster Bank Arena on February 14, 2016. He was gesturing and smiling to someone standing behind me. I didn't take a moment to see who it was because I didn't want to miss taking any pics. Turns out it was the adorable five year old he pulled up on stage. The crowd went crazy!

No complaints; I'm doing what I love. Please enjoy!

As always, like, comment and share. And thank you!

(If you haven't, go back and check it out; it's dated October 16, 2015  :)

Well now we've got some pics of baby girl! :D When I step into someone's home to do their newborn photos, I look for the room with the best possible natural light. The dining room in this home had this beautiful picture window with so much great light. Not only did I want to do photos near the window but I wanted to feature the window as well. My client was so happy with the suggestion because the very first photo of her son in their new home was of him looking at the window. She said, "Even people who haven't been to my home know this window." Please enjoy my favorites from this newborn session. And, as always, tell a friend. I love meeting new people.  :D

The foliage and weather really cooperated for the outdoor shots. I wish all my shoots could be so easy! Enjoy the pics. I have cancellations for the morning of November 7th. First come, first served!  :D

Baby girl is also sporting a handmade, knitted Minnie Mouse set. And brotherly love.  <3  Thanks for looking!  :)

Her best pal and bodyguard Dino was actually more cooperative, but I believe he considered himself to be "on duty." I kind of have a thing for dogs so there are a fair amount of photos of him. I couldn't help it!

So here is darling Emily, pictured with: her bodyguard; dad's Rangers jersey; and gorgeous pieces from her mom's wedding gown and veil. Our attempts to wrestle her into a tutu were not appreciated. To be honest, I think she enjoyed the hockey jersey the best. Thanks for looking!

I book 90% of my work through referrals so please "Like" and "Share"! Click here to book your family or headshot session: http://dawnkubiephotography.zenfolio.com/contact.html

So I'll admit; the toddler was not on his best behavior, but I pulled out all of my tricks and got some good shots. I did take some tips from my article, "The Top Five Most Reluctant Subjects and How to Get the Best From Them." http://photo.net/learn/basic-photography-tips/five-reluctant-subjects/   ;)

I've got a few openings next week and also into September! Email me at dawn kubie dot yahoo dot com for booking details and pricing. Like, Share and tell your friends!

The reason I say this is because I don't have the experience and training of a wedding photographer. They are a fully separate animal. As a general rule, sports photographers shoot baseball players; landscape photographers shoot mountains, oceans, and such; and food photographers shoot crusty bread sandwiches. One of my mentors and I had a good laugh the day I said, "Oh, I could never shoot weddings" and she said, "Oh, I could never shoot families." ("Shoot" in this instance means photograph, of course). I enjoyed myself despite myself.

And here are a few of my favorite pics from my bestie's wedding. <3

It seems to be a thing with him; I take WAY too many photos.  :D

Those eyes.

He pulled the cake stand closer, which cracked us up!

He kind of liked it? He wasn't really sure what to make of it.

Mickey Mouse! He's so bowled over by first birthday parties. I love that we caught him mid-fall.

I'm so available for cake smash photo sessions. Contact me for details. I'm happy to put together packages that include the cake, balloons and props!

I may as well tell you why you should hire a photographer. Because you totally want to know, right?

5. Professional Photographers Hire Photographers

Unless you're Annie Leibovitz doing half-naked self-portraits in front of a mirror (and if you are, welcome! I'm a huge fan of your work!) then you're hiring a professional to take your family photos. The only way that I can get a photo of my entire family is to either hand someone my camera (HA!) or my phone (ok, maybe). However, my kids are most likely wearing T-shirts that read, "I Got Nothin But Game" or "All I Do Is Win" and I'm not putting that on my Christmas card. Even if we were all dressed properly, I'm getting ONE photo out of that. One. See below one photo with four bad T-shirts.

Baloo FTW.

4. We Know What We're Doing

That's right I said it: we know what we're doing. We're going to tell you where to stand, what to wear, where to look, what time to be there. You're going to like that all of that stuff is figured out for you. And it's going to make you look pretty smart.

3. Selfies Suck

My husband bought me a selfie stick for my birthday. It's cool and I actually kind of like it. Of course, it's a total necessity because now I can pretend someone's taking a picture of me for once. "Hey guys, look up there at my phone and smile!" If you're like me, you're getting sick of only appearing in photos by taking them at yourself. You're probably even kind of embarrassed sometimes, right? If you and I were on the beach together and I'm standing in front of you with a camera, you know what all the onlookers are saying? "Oh isn't that sweet? They're getting family photos done! What a fantastic idea!" (Please note below I have spared you my selfies. You're welcome).

2. Your Children Won't Listen to You

But they'll listen to me (it's ok, my kids don't listen to me, either). They will, however, listen to a stranger with a camera around his or her neck. My kids will listen to anyone who isn't me, but this is about your kids, not mine. In fact, I'll tell your kids what to do and you won't have to. That's the absolute beauty. I can be the bad guy! I'm not, of course, children love me. When you get in your car after all of your photos are done you'll say, "Wasn't that fun kids? Who wants ice cream??" and you'll all head off into the sunset so enchanted to have been in front of a lens.

1. You Should Always Hire People to Do Stuff You Don't Do Professionally

Now granted, photography isn't especially dangerous. If you tried to do your electrical work or roofing work yourself you could seriously injure yourself. For sure you need to hire those folks. But think about all the people you hire all the time: hairdressers, plumbers, masons, painters, orthodontists. You want things to run smoothly and look nice so you hire those good people, as you should. Photographers are a little bit crazy. They'd probably take photos for free all the time if you asked them to because they love it to their very core. But just because they're crazy doesn't mean they don't need to make a living. Which reminds me, I totally need photos done so please message me your rates. After you've "Liked" and "Shared" my page, which I appreciate. Thanks!

I am booking sunset sessions for the rest of the summer. Only a few weeks left so hurry!

We're 14 years apart and I love her to pieces. She told me she was doing a photo shoot last fall with a friend so I totally invited myself and took a bunch of pics. I mean, what is she going to do, say "No"? Exactly.

These were taken on Halloween of 2014. She's allowing me to share them now. (It's cool; I love her a lot). I couldn't make up my mind on the color v. the black and white so I'm sharing them both. And hey, while I'm at it, why don't I just share a whole bunch of photos of her that I've taken? Hooray! I was out of town for her actual birthday so I'm sure that by sharing all of these pics I'll be off the hook...

So here I was with all of these balloons. And a Sharpie®, coincidentally. I figured I may as well do it too because, hey, I've got some heavy things I could stand to be rid of. It's not the ocean, but let's not nitpick.

Balloon No. 1. Let the letting go commence!

The first balloon we'll just call the "Gotye Balloon" and leave it at that.

I discovered something as I prepared to let go of Balloon No. 1. Firstly, the wind was blowing like crazy. I could not have chosen a more boneheaded day to deal with balloons as subjects. The wind was going to fight me. The balloons weren't going to neatly sail over the little picturesque pond as I had wanted them to. The balloons would not be photographed gently and slowly sailing upward. I was tempted not to let go at all. The flew so fast! I couldn't believe it.

This balloon in particular fought me with everything it had. It didn't want to stay where I held it. I said to the balloon, "I can't let you go!" because I needed to photograph it first. That made me cry because I worried that I wouldn't be able to actually let go of that particular balloon or, worse, of the message I had scrawled on it. But I did. And I cried. It was hard to finally watch it float away. I did it though; it's gone. It's probably hovering over Seattle by now.

No. 2: Feeling Like I'm Not Enough

It doesn't read, "Feeling like I'm not good enough." It reads, "Feeling like I'm not enough" as in, no matter how much me there is, there is never enough. I try to be two places at once and super-achieve to make everyone around me happy. I can't do it. How does feeling inadequate help me? How does that help anyone? It doesn't. Bye, Felicia.

I'm enough. See ya!

No. 3: THE PAST

This balloon was a toughie. Mostly because it's gigantic. As of this moment in time, I've experienced being born, preschool, grammar school, high school, two colleges, boyfriends, grandparents dying, new and old friends, work experiences, that time my bikini top fell down at Action Park...

In other the words, the past is actually kind of large. Because I'm not four. I wrote it in all caps to signify that it's a big thing. I suspect that if Yoda were involved, however, he would have told me that there was no difference.

Luke: I can't. It's too big.

Yoda: Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm. And well you should not.

And if you want to have a good time, you should Google "Yoda balloons images."

"Let it go, you should."

No. 4: WORRY

This next one is a bear. And it's all day long, every day. "Am I making enough money?" "Could I be sick and not even know it?" "What if my 14-year old car breaks down and it's 90 out and I don't have a big hat with me NOR am I wearing sunscreen?" "If my upper arms look like this now, what will they look like in 20 years??" etc.

Good news is, worry got out in a hurry. Keeping it away will be the real challenge.

No. 5: The need to be the PERFECT MOTHER

"Did I send the kids enough to eat for camp?" "Oh geez, the house is so messy. The boys are going to look back and only remember the mess." "Are the boys having a good childhood?" "Will they grow up and complain to their friends that I was such an awful mom for not letting them watch enough tv or eat enough junk food?" "I shouted at them and now they're scarred for life." "We don't take them enough places." "I put them to bed on time in the summer so they can get up early for camp. Both of those things must make me a bad mom."

Do you do that? Yeah, you should stop. I'm going to try. Hey, I wrote it on a balloon and sent it sailing, which is more than I had done the day before.

No. 6: Fear of Failure a/k/a Fear of Success

When I quit my full-time 9-5 in August 2015, it was because I assumed I would succeed. Why else would I do that, right? Running your own business is hard and blah blah blah. There is a little voice in the back of mind that says, "Work harder! Find something totally uniquely yours and stand apart! Do it NOW!!!" And then there's another voice that says, "Did you see that woman who did the underwater maternity photos? Yet another awesome idea that's taken. I'm not sure there are any cool or unusual things that haven't been done. Better keep your typing skills fresh. When was the last time you updated your resume?"

Ray LaMontagne wrote songs in a small, self-built cabin with no electricity and running water. He had a wife and small kids so I'm not really sure how he got anything done but the point of that small yet poignant story is that he didn't have anyone to which he could compare himself. He was making music in a vacuum. With the constant spray of social media, it's so hard not to compare yourself to everyone else on the planet. Even some 17-year old kid with a smartphone is somehow a legitimate threat to my photography business because of her brilliant use of the Hefe filter on Instagram, right? But seriously. I'm going to stop doing that. Which is why I'm doing more of this.

No. 7: The notion that I'm too SMALL to make a DIFFERENCE

Malala Yousafzai is one of my personal heroines. The wisdom, kindness, empathy, strength and courage this young woman possesses is so humbling and uplifting. As of the writing of this blog, she is 18-years old. She said, "Some people only ask others to do something. I believe that, why should I wait for someone else? Why don't I take a step and move forward." This is in no way an attempt to compare myself to a woman who transformed the lives of millions of people. I'm just taking a moment to point out that she's 100% correct. What stirs your soul? What would you change if you thought your voice mattered? What would you say if you thought anyone was listening?

The only way to begin is to START.

And finally, the photographer with the leftover balloons. Firstly, a woman holding black balloons shouldn't smile. She should always look like she wants to star in a sad GooGoo Dolls video. I'm still waiting for the phone to ring. Anyway.

As you can see, the wind fought hard against my little mission. How neat they would have looked straight up and down next to my head, right? Life isn't like that. Balloons (like children), apparently, don't do what you want them to. Balloons filled with helium have one mission: to fly upward. There was pretty much zero possibility that I would write on a balloon, let it go and it would sort of hang around, wistfully; pathetically dragging it's ribbon and getting it wrapped around my car's antennae. They were destined to fly from me (like my kids, right? *sob*). That's how I'm starting to think of these negative, heavy feelings that I'm dragging around with me: they are destined to fly from me. But they can't do that until I let them go.

Even if you haven't been fortunate enough this summer to take an actual vacation, you've probably managed a couple of relaxing days at the beach or in the pool. Your kids don't have any homework and, whatever sports they have, even the super intense ones are finishing up or winding down. Wouldn't it be easy to gather up your loved ones for a night at the beach, eating a picnic dinner and getting photos done? Absolutely! It's a lot easier than saying, "Hey, it's 47 degrees outside but we need that Christmas card photo so get out there. Yes, you have to take your coat off. Your outfit is too cute to hide under that hideous jacket!"

6) Um, it's gorgeous out.

The park, the beach...in front of your house...it's all so lovely right now. Everything is so fully exploded in green. In October you'll be scrambling to get a pic in front a tree that hasn't quite lost all of it's leaves yet. And in November, well, they'll be in a sad, rotted pile and everyone will be freezing. Whatever money you will have saved on your fall mini session will be spent on hot chocolate and hand warmers.  

5) Beach photos at Christmas time make people so completely happy.

Have you ever opened your mail and found a Christmas card with a beach vacation photo on it? Didn't it make you feel so wistful and happy? Once December rolls around you'll be pining for this weather. Your adorable beach Christmas card photo will be a nice reminder that once, not so long ago even, you had concerns other than snow delays, wet mittens and holiday shopping. And, let's face it, your card will probably have a place of honor in the pile. Maybe even some dried teardrops on it.

I mean, I will take the below photo if you ask me to. Ok, maybe not this one. He clearly waited too long to get his act together for Christmas card photos and it really shows in his images.

4) If not now, when?

September? That's kind of funny when you think about it, isn't it. Have you ever gotten anything done in September besides get your kids to school every day fully clothed, maybe? School will be back in full swing and you'll be trying to gently roll out of summer without having a nervous breakdown. You're certainly not thinking about Christmas card photos. Although, I'll totally take them in September if you want me to. It's not like they'll come out bad...you'll just be too busy to remember to do them, is all.

3) Photographers want to put your photo session in the best position for success.

Beach photos at sunset are great, but sunset sessions happen only once a day. In the summer, photographers have an easier time scheduling those sunset sessions. Folks are generally around in the evenings if they're not on vacation and photo sessions can start around 7:00 or 7:30. Sunset sessions in October would have to begin around 3:30, not ideal for working parents. Plus it reminds you how depressing it is that the sun sets like 20 minutes after it comes up and that's not good for anyone.

2) You can actually save money!

I'm happy to work out prices that include digital copies of your photos. Then you can order your Christmas card photos whenever they go on sale. Who doesn't love a great sale??

1) Your sanity.

I saved the best for last. Weekends in the fall I tend to stack up a bunch of "mini session" at a local farm or park. It has to be on the weekend because of a) how early the sun goes down during the week and b) because of work and school schedules. The later into the fall it gets, the fewer timeslots I have available. I have had the occasional panicked mom who is booking into late November/early December because time just got away from her. But you? You'll be already done because you will have had a nice, relaxed beach session in the middle of the summer with me. I will have had lots of time to edit and return your images to you, you ordered at your leisure. By December 1st we could really just get together at Starbucks and laugh about how everything else is freaking out about their Christmas cards and you're sitting pretty.

*Ok. So it's totally possible that you've stumbled across this blog post in October and now you're kicking yourself. First of all, there's always next summer and secondly, I'm happy to fit you in. Don't worry, mama; we'll get it done. And hey, maybe you read this in July and thought to yourself, "This is dumb!" and now it's November and you're crying because you and your family barely survived a really stressful Thanksgiving and this will be the second year in a row that you didn't get your cards done. I've been there, mama. Just call me, no worries.

Here is a gallery of my greatest hits. I'm booking early mornings and late afternoons for the best light.  Book soon as I book up quickly! Email me at dawnkubie dot yahoo dot com.  :)

Enjoy! And please share with friends and family!

It was freezing cold and rainy. She was amazing!

Here are a few of my favorite photos from that day. Contact me soon to book your lightning sessions!

Maren wasn't a model; she was a photographer. She was like a grown person in a young person's body, wise beyond her years. She was a brilliant bright light. Please take a moment and enjoy her cover of "Home," too. We miss you, Maren. <3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6-6hVhbI40

When she closes her eyes, she falls asleep! ;) Actually, at the time we were kind of amazed because she was awake until the very end. Little peanut. *sigh* You'd think after a while I'd get sick of all of these babies. Not a chance. <3

I know, I'm dating myself. But this little munchkin just turned a year old and had a Mickey Mouse themed birthday party. Can you blame her? I was so obsessed with Mickey at that age. *sigh*

Here are my favorite pics from our session together. Please "Like" and "Share" my posts. I'd love to get the word out that booking these sessions! Thank you. <3