1st Weekend of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2012

I recently went down to New Orleans for our annual Jazz Fest trip.  I saw so much music and yet missed so much more.  It’s amazing the talent available all day at the fest and all night AND morning at the clubs.  One of my favorite acts this year was Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys.  Amanda plays a sort of punk rock fiddle with a rock band. They did a mean cover of the Clash’s “Should I stay or should I go”. I highly recommend seeing them if you have the chance.

We had perfect weather this year although I have some really fond memories of knee deep in mud dancing in the rain from years past. Usually when it rains I hang out in the gospel tent all day, which can make for a surreal fest experience.

The music In NOLA always gets me there but the people keep me coming back.  So I decided to focus on some of my favorite characters this year. Some I recognize from over the past 15 years, green stache man, and some are new personalities . . .

The Hangover at the Fest

Aprons!

Mustaches were very popular.

Ladies . . .

My favorite dancers at the Fais Do Do Stage . . .

More dancers. . .

Parades . . .

This picture reminds me of my relationship with my husband

Outside the Fest.

Click on the title of this blog and add your favorite New Orleans memory.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

My old friend and fellow photog Katherin called the other day to come in for her 6 months old first studio shoot. As you can image Evan, love the name!, is well documented considering what his mom does for a living. Those first’s are precious and can’t be recreated but getting the entire family together for a special time to snuggle, giggle, and enjoy each other can make for some amazing memories.

Here are some common questions I often get

What should I bring?

Lots of diapers, wipes and burp cloths, of course!

A fun hat- winter cap or stylish hat of your choice. It especially looks good in the buff.

Blanket with texture that is not too busy. No animals or crazy stripes. I prefer a chenille or fluffy blanket in white, blue, or pink. We started off with one of my favorite blankets and quickly moved to a blanket Katherin brought after a minor accident. Expect that. Babies rarely get to hang out without a diaper for more then 5 minutes most of the time.

A favorite toy that gets your little ones attention but not one that they will need to cling to and cry for during the shoot

A favorite or sentimental lovey for a few pictures. Evan’s dad picked out teddy before he was born.

Food for a break between the action.

What should we wear?

For the family shot a common color is a favorite. I love the black Katherin chose. They all look great in it and it really works with the grey backdrop. You can also go with a couple complimentary colors. All white does not commonly work with a family baby shot. That said, there are always exceptions. Denim and stripes photograph well, especially in B&W. Fitted clothing for your baby is the best way to go. You want something that just fits or that may be a bit small. They tend to get lost in all the extra fabric if the outfit is too big. You want to be able to see all their super cute parts. Try to avoid really busy patterns- ladybugs, cars, large logos or wording.

What’s a good time?

With babies I find right after their first nap and lunch is the best. The later in the day the more chance you are going to have a tired and cranky baby.

Lastly, always come prepared to be in the pictures. Even if all you are looking for is images of your little one some times that is not the plan they want to stick to. Some of my favorite shots are of mom or dad comforting their baby.

One more thing – Slow down, be patient and enjoy the one-on-one time.

Evan had us in stitches with his big belly laugh. Thanks Katherin, Mike & Evan for a fun afternoon!

After a client/acquaintance/now friend reentered my life at the end of 2011 it gave me pause to realize how quickly a year goes by and how much can happen in a year. Some of you may remember Sara Connell. I met her almost a year ago today at a visioning workshop  for the new year she was leading. Actually I met her mother, Kris first. She was in one of my small groups. Kris was an up beat bubbly woman, grey hair, who looked to be about 6 or 7 months pregnant. At the end of the workshop Sara introduced the class to her mother Kris and the 61-year-old Surrogate to her baby! Their story is an inspiring tail of love and commitment.

After making my vision board filled with all the fabulous images of things I wanted to do in 2011 – create amazing art, spend quality time with my family, go to Santé Fe, paint, and have a blast doing it! -  I was open and inspired. After thanking Sara for the class and chatting with her mom I asked them to come by the studio so we could document their amazing story.

The entire family came by – Sara, her mom Kris and her husband Bill. We had a really fun morning, created some lovely portraits and had a few good belly laughs too.

Sara and her story have been the focus of many articles and the Oprah show just a few months before the end of her season. As a result the images we created that day where on the show as well. I’m not going to lie I was thrilled. Get images on the Oprah Winfrey show- check! But honestly I had already been given a gift by meeting and working with Sara and her equally inspiring family.

Sara just recently called to have me take family pictures of  mom, dad and FINN! Finn stole the show of course. All the love it took to bring Finn into this world shows in his good nature, tenderness and that sweet smile.

I did most of the things on my vision board from 2011. I still need to take a painting class! I am not usually a cheerleader of these techniques that go along with vision boards but the process is fun and really helps you focus on the things that are important to you. I highly recommend it. Sara will be facilitating “Vision for your Year Workshop” this Sunday Jan 8^th at the Bodhi Center. Join me if you can. Who knows what could happen…….

If you want to learn more about Sara and some of the super cool things she is working on find out here!

I just got back from an inspirational trip in every way- the landscape, the color, the art, the people, did I mention the people.  I attended an artist workshop in Santa Fe that was amazing by itself.  Everything we did fed my soul, including the beautiful cowboy boots I bought on consignment in the 15 minutes we had left of our day. I highly recommend worn in boots. Anyway, back to the inspiration.

Here are a few images I created while at the workshop and just some of the wacky things my travel partner, Janet Mesic Mackie and I found ourselves doing.  No one got naked as Janet promised but that is a story for another day.

A special thank you to Michael O’ Brian our instructor and fearless leader, his amazing wife Elizabeth and my new friends- Sara, Michael, Dave, Steve, Javid, Dottie, Bill and of course Janet!

My new favorite quote-

Say yes! Yes! ….Yes, yes, yes!

-Henri Cartier Bresson, The Impassioned Eye

My Portraits

My Classmates

Behind the scenes

Louie

Janet -  driving, texting and taking pictures down the highway

My first Sante Fe sunset, incredible

Chavis House- Our home away from home

In January of this year  I had the pleasure of documenting a portion of  the Connell family’s amazing journey. It was one of those meetings where everything fell into place. I was so excited to document such an extraordinary and beautiful story and they where equally trusting and giving of their time and enthusiasm. The result are moments I hope they will cherish forever.

Pictured above are Sara, on the right, with her Mom Kris. Kris is 8 months pregnant. At 61 she was a surrogate for her own grandson. This story has a very happy ending.

They shared their history making story, and some of my photos, today on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Learn more about their story at

http://www.oprah.com/oprah_show.html

see more from the shoot on my facebook page Mary Rafferty Photography

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mary-Rafferty-Photography/208747469155176

Welcome to the beginning of 2011 and my first blog. I’m excited to actually share a few of the millions of pictures I take each year. I know many of you have hard drives over flowing with amazing, interesting, or funny shots that we all have forgotten about since the digital age. I know i’m dating myself but it’s true. Thanks for visiting and come back again.

I went to the Windy City Roller Derby opening game with my son and friends the other night. As my friend Holly said, ” I love the girl power.” We saw the Fury vs. the Hammers that night. I especially love their Derby names – Jackie Daniels, T. S. Helliot, Take Out Box, Tomy Knockers, Red Zeppelin, Mel Content and Janicide Joplin. I have to confess I have a crush on T.S. Helliot. I feel like one minute she could knock you out in one check and the next bake you an apple pie. The real “star” of the show was Kola Loka. She can finesse her way through the stickiest of situations and still be on her skates. She just so happens to be a teacher at my sons school. I’m pretty sure my 7th grade teacher Sister Elaine didn’t do roller derby on the side.

If you get a chance check it out. I guarantee a good time. They even have cheese fries.

http://www.windycityrollers.com/