And so it is that we step into another season. It feels like I have flown from one thing to the next so quickly that I've barely had time to notice the cooler days and nights. Yet here we are more than halfway through September. A month that personally began with an adventure and a memory that lingers.

I headed west over Labor Day weekend to Woodstock NY for a weekend workshop with Mary Ellen Mark. I'm deeply inspired by her work and contributions to documentary photography, and this was a dream in the making for many years in preparing myself by photographing and growing. It was time.

My first glance of her as I walked into the Center for Photography in Woodstock knocked the wind out of me. (If you've ever met a celebrity or accomplished individual that inspires you to your bones, maybe you could relate.) Once I got over feeling star-struck and settled in, the experience was like being on a ride - thrills and chills and terror - and a seismic shift in my own thinking: we truly are the only ones that stand in our way.

As emotions ran high during the three days, I'm thankful I found the right place to rest ... the DeForest house was my home away from home among a new found family of friends who provided a restful, inspiring and nourishing experience.

As part of the workshop, we traveled about an hour or so north to photograph at the Columbia County Fair in Chatham. A moving and beautiful experience that filled my heart with joy. I was touched by the people - their warmness, kindness, openness, willingness, and generosity filled me with reverence and inspired a farm project I've begun working on. I am also thankful to have connected with Ari ... her story is moving and inspiring and I'm hopeful to remain in touch with her Mom to document her over the coming year. As for the fair photographs, I'll be sharing selected images over the coming weeks so keep an eye on that if you'd like to see more photographs of the day.

And that brings us to September which has been a time to reconnect with family and in ways pretend it's still summer given the number of beaches we've visited.

Our travels took us to Maine for an extended weekend with the inlaws that happened to coincide with the "summer in september" weather that allowed us to enjoy York Beach and Kennebunkport; a day in Boston with my Mom where an impulse found us on a boat to the Boston Harbor Islands (we went to George's Isle); and a few days with my Dad and step Mom where we walked beaches in Gloucester (Wingaersheek Beach & Good Harbor), Singing Beach in Manchester by the Sea and Rockport.

My travels have also offered unlimited opportunities for portraits of a variety of people I've met along the way and I'm close to being able to being sharing a few on my blog. Having started the year with a commitment to grow a portfolio of portraits, I am encouraged with the progression.

So, as I begin to settle back into some sense of sanity, I am taking only a breath before heading into the busiest time of the year. I have more travel scheduled in October for projects and client work so... if you are planning on family sessions this fall, NOW would be the time to contact me because I'm filling up rather quickly. I'll be announcing fall portraits & mini-session opportunities this Monday so keep an eye out for that.

Until then, I wish you a restful, peaceful, joyful weekend.