carlie statsky photography » modern wedding and portrait photographer

There is nothing much better than just watching kids explore the world, and it’s infinitely more entertaining when they happen to be your own children. The energy and joy that these particular kids exude when their senses are stimulated has the power to generate an amnesia effect in their mother, making her forget all of the previous week’s frustrations, and fooling her into believing her senses are younger and her demeanor more playful than they really are….and for that she is grateful.

I know that we should always try to live in the present, but there are some days that I’d honestly rather be back in the carefree days of preschool, especially if that school happens to be Midtown Montessori in Santa Cruz. My daughter has been attending this amazing school for about 6 months now and I had the privilege of spending a few mornings hanging out with the kids to capture their educational environment for the school’s advertising and website re-design. These kids definitely have it good, really good; a fully certified ‘green’ school, amazing educational activities, organic snacks, an organic garden, and the most friendly, loving and beautiful teachers that a child could wish for. I love the Montessori approach for allowing each child the freedom to develop as an individual, as they focus on their unique interests. You would think there would be pure chaos with that many kids having that much freedom, but I was amazed to discover a classroom filled with a sense of order and effort, as each child seemed engrossed in their work. The teachers manage to give each child a lot of one on one attention, and they include them in all of the activities from cooking lunch to cleaning up. I think I’m going to have to bring a few Montessori principles back home…starting with putting the kids in charge of the doing the dinner dishes. Thank you Midtown Montessori for opening your world to me and reminding me how awesome it is to be a preschooler.

I’ve had a lot of requests for headshots lately. Here are some images of the lovely Shannon, who’s kind spirit and and bright smile successfully lightened up an overcast beach day. I know not everyone will agree with me, but I think that a natural background always trumps a studio portrait.

Sometimes one portrait session isn’t enough…so michelle chose to do two: one with her sisters, and one with her husband and her 3 babies.

Three beautiful sisters who live in different parts of the country were united in Palo Alto for the holidays, so I came to capture some of their time together. Lots of laughter and sisterly antics ensued, as the youthful spirit of adolescence re-emerged while they posed, pulled funny faces and played in the park together. The three of them have such a connection with each other and with their sweet father, who joined us too. I love how they were all up for anything and even agreed to lay on the ground and let me hover over them to get the shots I had in mind. I love my brother to pieces, but I kinda wish I had two sisters now.

What makes a great engagement session: two people in comfortably and deeply love, bringing along your four legged family member (in this case a pound puppy named Quigley) and a perfect winter afternoon spent on the California coast. I am so excited for this couple’s wedding at the Clement Hotel in Monterey later in the year, I know it is going to be elegant, modern and a lot of fun…exactly like Devon and Ryan are in person.

New Year’s Day is such a powerful time of the year; a time for reflection and change, as we attempt to evolve ourselves into happier and healthier beings. I went for a run on New Year’s Eve and as I reflected on my own life I intuitively knew that I wanted this portrait session to be my first post of 2010. I took these photos back in November with this brave and beautiful woman who had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was so moved and inspired by her spirit and strength that I asked her if she would agree to share these intimate images and her story, in her own words, for this blog. I am so honored that she said yes, and so thankful that she somehow read my mind and sent me these words (without any further encouragement) on the first day of 2010.

‘I came to Carlie for something a little out of her usual scope of work. I had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and was facing the removal of my right breast in the following week, fertility challenges, chemotherapy, information overload and complex uncertainties. In the midst of all the chaos that had flooded my life in the first couple weeks after my diagnosis, I realized that I had a new tenderness toward my body. As time went on, I wanted to capture myself at this point in time, and throughout the journey as well. However, I couldn’t put my finger on what it was I wanted to capture: physicality? sexuality? spirit? strength? happiness? normality? I was afraid if I tried myself, I might miss it, whatever it was. I’ve admired Carlie’s work for some time now, her ability to capture the essence of a moment so beautifully. I wrote to her, explained myself as best I could and before I knew it, we’d scheduled a session. She was so honest and engaged and I am so grateful for her talents. I face this new year with as much courage as I do optimism: this is a year of serious work for me with the pay-off down the road of being cancer-free. I look at these pictures when I need to remember who I am. I look at them to draw strength from myself when I can’t seem to find it in my own skin. It’s there, captured in these images, by one amazing Carlie Statsky. Thank you, Carlie. Happy New Year, everybody.’