I've moved to a new blog!!

Well, this little blog has grown up! I'm moved to a new location - www.cristinacocophoto.com/blog . Please come and take a look!

Son on a rainy day

Yesterday was kind of crappy here in New York, so what do I do? Chase my kid around the house with a camera. Poor thing thinks it's part of my arm, I swear.

No matter how yucky it is outside, J makes in sunny inside. I mean, really - look at this smile. I know I'm his mom, but it's pretty darn perfect.

Am getting geared up for a big playdate on Saturday at my house. My friends and I switch homes every Saturday and we hired a wonderful music lady, Ellen "Watermelon", www.ellenwatermelon.com, to come to the house and sing to the kiddies. Then we eat a whole lot of food that's bad for us. It's a pretty perfect way to spend a Saturday morning! I'm planning on taking pictures this week, so I'm really looking forward to it.

In the meantime, I'm off to check out Pioneer Woman's blog to get recipes for the party...I'm thinking cinnamon buns. Yum.

Photoshop magic

I have been playing with photoshop all morning working on processing. It's such a huge part of photography and can really transform your work into art. I am borderline stalking Matt Nicolosi, an amazing photographer who is really generous with sharing his techniques. (http://www.mattnicolosiblog.com/ - check him out and I guarantee you will become a stalker too! Talented and nice? Come on!!)
My goal today was to take an average landscape photo (which I am NOT good at, BTW) and make it more interesting. Here is what happened!

Here is the original shot, just your average wish-I-was-there-with-a-margherita beach shot, I didn't do anything to it but punch up the blue and sharpen for web:

Now I did a little work on it, because it just wasn't interesting to me...

This image is far from perfect - it is blown in some areas and as it was a first attempt, there are a million things I would change. Not to mention, the comp on this shot isn't so great... BUT, I think it's much, much cooler now.

Isn't photoshop amazing?

I'm off to straighten that horizon, bugging the heck out of me. I need a 12 step program, I swear.

My new logo and a J shot

My final logo arrived today! I'm so excited! It's been a few months, two designers - finally the right one is here. I'm so flipping happy!

I chose a bird because my family has this thing with birds. My mom swears that's how her mother says hello to her since she died. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I did want to keep it close to home. It will remind me why I do this.

I took this of J the other morning. It's not technically perfect, but I love it.

By the way, he's not wearing any pants. My little secret to torture him with when he's older. ;)

J's best bud Bubba

This is J's best bud - his mom asked that I not post his name - so we'll just call him Bubba.
Bubba is a little firecracker - hates to stand in one place so it's almost impossible to get him looking at you. I still love this one - it's my favorite that I've taken of him so far. You can see his mischievous grin and a frisky devil in his eyes. He's one of my favorite people and so is his mom. We've been best friends since forth grade and we lucky enough to have our boys two weeks apart!

Also - just to add - I see you people! I know you're reading my blog, so how 'bout some love? :)

Mr. March

Honestly, my little man is just getting so big. I just adore him and every day I spend with him. The only problem, he's starting to have opinions about things. Including my camera in his face. Instead of smiles or cute looks I'm starting to get a little attitude. Luckily, he wears it well! I'm playing with some processing here, not sure if I like it or not! What do you think? Funny enough, I didn't touch his eyes and lips, they were watery and he was drooling!
Taken about 2 feet from our sliding door.

Also, if you got a March of Dimes calendar this year - Little J is baby March, so check it out! We did a shoot with them when he was around 5 months old. Seems like forever ago!

cutie patootie

Had a really nice session with a great family. I was really touched by this father as he's a stay at home dad with THREE kids! I crack up thinking of my husband staying home just ONE day with our son.
This was just a newborn session, but I would love to photograph the whole family sometime.

Isn't that just the way it is?

That a perfectly good vest can ruin a perfectly good picture? Grrr... of course once I fixed the vest he wouldn't look at me again, that little monkey!
We had a great day at the park today, it was so warm and sunny - so sad it'll go back to cold in a day or two!
Nice to get outside with the camera, it's not as fun shooting indoors!

J has been sick all weekend - it's been a rough couple of days. Going back to the doctor today. At least this image makes me smile a bit!
This shot was inspired by my photog buddy Haley - check out her chair version here: http://laurahaleyphotography.blogspot.com/ , it's much better than mine! I love her green chair!!

Baby A

Well, it's cold as heck here in NY. That doesn't mean I can't pretend it's beachy. I saw this shell at HomeGoods and bought it in 2 seconds flat. Luckily I had a session this week with a little peanut who would fit in it.
This is A.S., who is 8 days old and weighed 6 pounds. He is just so tiny compared to J, I could hold him in one hand!
Anyway, he was a doll - would not *really* sleep, but he didn't cry when I put him in this little contraption.
:)

I had a shoot on Friday with a really nice couple and their daughter who was 14 days old. She was a big newborn, but so sweet and she barely made a peep! Unfortunately she didn't sleep either so after 2 hours I had to go - we still got some great shots and I finally got to use this basket I've become obsessed with. I have another newborn shoot next week - I will get my sleeping basket shot, I swear!

I should add, this was my first 'stranger' shoot - I didn't know them! It was still a PB session, but gave me a lot more confidence that I can do this with people besides friends and family! It was really nice to get a newborn for my portfolio too!

The Dash

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while! I've been a bit crazy trying to get my website going and then this week a friend's father passed.
At the funeral, this poem was read - I thought it was beautiful and really made me think about how you live your life. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.


I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars....the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they
say about how you spend your dash?

J's Nook

J has this little nook by our front door he likes to hide in. I swear he would stay there all day if I let him!
I think he likes looking out the window and some time to himself. Apparently he's just like Mommy! I played around with a little color processing today. Not sure if it's a bit too punchy for me, but fun seeing everything else was white/grey except his jeans!

Mug shot?

Had some time for just J and me so I played around with my new toy today. Still getting the hang of it - a full frame is a *teeny* bit different to get used to as far as composition... it seems like I need to back the heck up a little more or people look a little distorted. Eyes look huge though, and I like that!!
Happy New Year to everyone. I hope it is a blessed one for you all!! 2008 has been so wonderful to me, I can't imagine what is in store for us in 2009!
p.s. - I finally figured out how to post bigger pics on here! Yay!