KBP Gives Back (Again)- Mother & Daughter Session

 I met N & T at my favorite northshore beach in Gloucester.  T was wearing a white dress that she went shopping for with her grandpa just for this occasion.  Mom was worried that the metallic sequins at the bottom might reflect in the camera's sensor and interfere with the photographs.  I told her not to worry.

As soon as we got on the beach, T was off collecting shells.  It was a great day for shell collecting! I could tell right away how close this mother/daughter duo were.  N was always attentive to T, anticipating her next move, and making sure everything she did, she did it safely.

I wasn't sure how T would react to me, so I put on my long lens and I stayed back at first, just capturing them from afar as they scoured the beach for shells.. and crabs in the tide pools, occasionally asking if they'd found something good.

I was expecting a shy little girl who wasn't going to be easy to approach or talk with after all she's been through in her short little life, but I was very pleasantly surprised to see how opposite of that she really was.  She was sweet, and warm, and silly, and engaging.

N is no ordinary Mom.  She is a single Mom who has never bore any of her own children.  She is 29 years old and has been a mom now for 4 years to the sweetest 9 year old girl you'd ever meet.

T is 9 years old.  She's the luckiest girl in the world because she has the best Mom in the world.  Her Mom was friends with just the right people, at just the right time, to be in just the right place at just the right time so that one day she would become her adoptive Mom and love her the way no one else had loved her before.

T wasn't always so lucky though.  Her story didn't have a happy beginning.  Unfortunately, she has known uncertainty, heartache, fear, and loss.  Finally, after the first 4-5 years of her life, social services decided they needed to take T away from her birth mom because she wasn't up to the challenge of caring for the little girl.  Instead of letting social services place her in foster care, N, her Godmother, stepped in (at only 25 years old) and said she would take T.  They told her it would only be for 3 months.  Three months turned into 6, which turned into more, and more, until T's birth mom's rights were terminated in 2009.

N officially adopted T as her own on National Adoption Day in November of 2010.  N has had to make some major changes and sacrifices in her own life in order to accommodate her daughter, as any mother would, but just spending a little while with them and I could tell that N was certainly suited for the job.

It took T a while to adjust to her new life with N.  Things didn't come so easily at first.  T missed her birth mom and had a hard time accepting that she wasn't coming back at first.  DCF (Department of Children & Families) & MARE (Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange) gave both N & T the resources they needed to move forward, and come together during that time.  

N asks that if you are touched by her story at all, or if you know of any child who has been a victim of abuse or neglect, or if you just want to do something to help someone who really, really needs it, please consider making a donation to The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.  Please follow this link to do so.  Every little bit counts!  I'm pleased and proud to say that KBP will also be making a donation in T's honor to MSPCC. 

Enjoy some of the photos from our very special session below:

Better Late Than Never-- Newborn Twins!

I have never been quite so behind on my work! I actually have never had quite so much work. I guess that's a blessing, isn't it?  Well, thank you, Lord for blessing me so!

A few weeks ago, my career had yet another first; I photographed my very first set of newborn twins! One baby girl, and one baby boy! They were almost full term too! I was nervous going in-- I know how hard ONE baby is, I couldn't imagine TWO!? But, I was pleasantly surprised, I've had many singletons that were harder than these two babes combined. 

Here are a quick few from our session:

Jeremy & Bryan; Married. ---- Kara Baker Boston Area Wedding Photographer

I believe in Fate. I don't believe so much in coincidence. I am a member of a photography message board online. It's been slow lately so I don't check in very often. One day a few weeks ago, I checked in and saw a message saying something to the effect of "I know it's a long shot, but are there any Boston wedding photographers out there?" I was the only one to answer the post. A mom was looking for a photographer to capture her son's wedding to the man he loves and all parties live out of state (mom from Texas and grooms from Washington State).

I was a little nervous at first. I had never shot a same-sex wedding before. I didn't feel like I knew quite "how to do it." I posted on another professional photographers message board and they all encouraged me and explained to me that "love is love." Period. You capture two people in love in the same fashion you would capture any other two people in love; regardless of sex, gender, age, race, etc. Love is love. And these two boys exuded love.

I was happy to help bring their day together by picking up their flowers, getting their wedding cake delivered to me, and bringing everything together for them at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston. It was a GORGEOUS day with lots of sun (we all know how I hate shooting in sun!). I did the best I could and ended up with some beautiful captures for the grooms to last them a lifetime and Mom was happy too. As long as every one is happy, I can conclude that I did my job well, and nothing makes me more happy :)

Introduction to Photography Online Class-- Taught by Kara Baker

Hi Everyone,

I've seen so many people recently purchase new DSLR cameras-- and even more posting photos on FB from their DSLRs and I am willing to bet that 95% of them don't know much beyond that little green square (otherwise known as "auto mode"). Sure, even on auto and with a kit lens, your photos are going to look superior to many of those taken with a point & shoot, but why not do one better and learn HOW to USE your awesome tool?

I've heard SO.MANY.TIMES. "Your camera takes great pics!" Would I ever go up to a chef and tell them "Wow, your stove makes great food!?" No. Why and how is photography any different?

I've decided to try my hand at teaching an online class geared for beginners wanting to learn how to use their camera and take really great photos. My class will teach about the different modes in which you can operate your camera, you will learn about exposure, composition, lighting, different types of photography, and extra gear and accessories that are options for your camera.

This class will be 12 weeks long to accommodate such a wide range of topics and so that we can move at a slow enough pace that we will not lose anyone. I will create a space for us on the web where I will post lessons, assignments, and where students will share their photos and assignments. Lessons and assignments will be posted Mondays and students will have one week to post their best work from the week!

This class will begin Monday, May 7th and will run until Sunday, July 21st. I am limiting the number of students to 15 so that everyone gets equal attention and so we can keep it as intimate as possible for a web class. I am changing it to the first 15 people to email me will get into this first session of classes. If this class is a success, I will be happy to re-run it and re-run it again. I look forward to teaching you in the future!

The class is $120 ($10/week). Please email me at kara@karabakerphotography.com by Monday, April 30th if you'd like to be included in this first run of my Introduction to Photography Class!

Best,
Kara

Liz & Rob: Married!

I was so happy when Liz asked me to be her wedding photographer. Liz and I went to high school together and although weren't exactly 'friends.' we were always very friendly. Liz is the type of person every girl wants to be like; she's likeable, hard-working, successful, and did I mention gorgeous?

My heart sang for her when I first met Rob during our engagement session last year. He definitely seems worthy of such a girl. What a sweetheart and true gentleman he is!

The day was lovely, filled when tender moments and true fun. They chose the Topsfield Commons as their wedding venue and had their ceremony at the church across the street. This was my first time working at the commons and it was a pleasure. The coordinator, Johanna, was extremely helpful and kind to both myself and my second shooter. I'm excited to be going back there to shoot another wedding in July!

I've tried to narrow down my favorites from the day to an acceptable amount-- enjoy them!