Happy Mother’s Day! Mamas all around the world get to have their spotlight day to shine–but really, how can one day highlight all that mothers do?

My own mother means the world to me. She raised me all on her own (and did a pretty good job of it–I’ve been told I have nice manners) and has encouraged me my whole life to embrace who I am. Weird hair? No problem. Shaved hair? You look adorable! You like to dress up like video game characters and go to conventions? Let me make your costume and bring you lunch! You want to change your name? I love it!

I’m so grateful for my mom and all the creativity she has given me and helped me cultivate throughout my life. If it hadn’t been for her, I wouldn’t have pursued photography as passionately as I have. My headstrong desire to create is fueled by her feverish encouragement. My mom ignited the flame in me to pursue a life of art and self-fulfillment. I can’t express enough how integral she has been to my growth as a person and artist.

I wanted to celebrate Mothers Day by spotlighting a special mother-daughter relationship in town–Sam and Ella! Ella just turned 4 a little over a month ago, and is seriously such a cutie!!! She fell right into the role of a model in front of my camera! Our shoot was on a VERY windy day–but we made it work! The windswept look works for the pool and beach. ;)

The first bit of our shoot took place at the pool–I absolutely LOVE the matching black and white patterned swimsuits and bandanas! Sam’s red lipstick is just a perfect touch too. These lil’ watermelon slices had a blast in the pool even with the wind!

After our few shots in the pool, we dried off and headed out to Fort Macon with a vintage bike in the bed of the truck. Fort Macon, as I’ve mentioned in an earlier post, is one of my favorite locations to shoot. The landscape is just gorgeous, I love the expanse of rolling dunes and vegetation surrounding the beach. It’s so open and perfect for photoshoots. I especially love this little path right off the parking lot!

These two are so stylish! Talk about an adorable pair. 

Ella for president 2016!! Free DQ ice cream for everyone all the time. She’s got my vote.

We headed out to the beach to brave the winds. And oh, did we brave it! We almost blew away. But if it weren’t for the wind I wouldn’t have gotten this magical shot:

Ella looks like a painting, doesn’t she?!

We found shelter from the wind behind a dune and settled down on a blanket to play show-and-tell with Ella’s seashells she found along the way. 

These two are just so gorgeous! Sam is such a beautiful mom. And Ella, just look at that hair!! Watch out Sam, looks like you might have a diva on your hands…

We said farewell to the relentlessly windy beach as the sun began to set, and enjoyed some ice cream on the drive home. Until next time, when the weather is warmer and the wind is kinder! Happy mother’s day to you and yours!

Hard to believe that just a little over two weeks ago, I was shooting in a flurrystorm in this exact spot–the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain, shivering my bones off! Boston, I just don’t know what to do with you. Soon I’ll be back in NC where the weather is consistent! (Consistently hot, sticky and humid…)

Nevertheless, this weather was welcomed with open arms by everyone! All around us, Boston was in bloom. The sun was out, it was actually above 60 degrees, so what better day to pick to have a portrait session than this one?

Maxime graduated in 2014 as a fashion major at MassArt - her aesthetic and final collection was an homage to whimsical, wispy, almost fairy-like drapes and colors with a strong earthy undertone. Her collection definitely belongs in a chic indie boutique.  Her personal style, in turn, is much like her collection. Free People and Anthropolgie are two of her favorite brands, and she had this beautiful dress from FP to match the lovely spring day. 

Enjoy this clean and springy photoshoot! 

Maxime actually made the delicate flower crown she’s wearing in this shoot! Keep an eye out soon for her etsy store where she will be making them and taking custom orders. 

Everything here in eastern NC is blooming so quickly that I can’t seem to press the shutter fast enough! Springtime has inspired me beyond belief.  Upon my arrival back home from my two weeks in Boston, I was taken aback by the volume of wisteria that greeted me. I was determined instantly to take advantage of its short lifespan before heading back up north again next week.

The problem was, finding the right place in New Bern to do it. There was only so much driving around we could do… Wisteria blooms in such sporadic places. And it’s usually up so high! Sometimes we found it in sparse collections on the side of the road, and mostly found it clumped together about 20 feet up on a tree. But in a last-ditch effort to find some, we did! Resting on the side of the road between Lowe’s and WalMart, we found our perfect venue for a springtime couple’s shoot bursting with color. 

Blackwell and Jamie were perfect for my vision! They were naturals in front of the camera and I enjoyed every moment. Blackwell recently closed in on a new house, and they’re both very excited for the transition, as I’m sure their puppy dogs are too! 

One of my favorite things about photography is how well a world can be created simply by how you frame it. Would you guess that those images were taken off the side of the road on the way to a Walmart, with cars constantly passing by? Nope! The thing about photography is you have to think big by thinking small first. Condensing an environment to four corners can help expand it into something so much more than what initially meets the eye. 

As the lighting tilted further towards the horizon, we took the second half of the session to the farm at Anth’s house. His parents just installed two awesome new swings on a huge tree, and I knew it would be perfect right as the sun began to set!

I live for that dreamy, soft light! It was a fun afternoon well-spent with these two. Book me for a session, as May is getting filled up with shoots left and right. 

Til next time,

Riley

(now booking: MOMOCON)

Anime Boston! My first love. Where it all began, six years ago (I…FEEL…OLD!!!!).

I know this lil’ town like the back of my hand. Or I did, until I left for a year and came back, and everything changed. Construction here, construction there, WHERE DID THE FOOD COURT GO? I hope you all survived. I heard a lot of bad reviews from AB this year, and I can’t really blame them. It sounded pretty awful. The weather certainly didn’t help… I hope you all stayed warm and dry, and somehow found food that wasn’t at L’Espalier (what was up with that food guide map, AB…? L’Espalier, really?)

Anime Boston, as far as shooting goes, is tough love. Security at all my favorite locations was hell-bent on keeping me away. I’m sure many of us, cosers and photogs alike, can relate to dodging security at the Christian Science Center (who was completely fine with normal people/tourists taking photos there, but as soon as cosplayers got there, SCRAM). Cute, real cute. 

THANKFULLY, I found solace in one location that was my true love for the weekend: The church at Copley Square. 

Here is where I shot the beautiful, wondrous, talented Angela of FaeDustDesigns on Instagram. She cosplayed Doll from Black Butler. For those of you who know me, or actually read the ramblings I post on this blog, you know I adore designs like these. Elegant, unique, and intricate. Yes x1000, this stuff is my jam. We even managed to get a shot in the coveted library! Just one though. They shooed us away real quick…

Angela brought her adorable parents along, who were super helpful and encouraging. I loved the energy they brought! 

Doll is a circus performer in the anime Black Butler. She specializes in aerial ballet–and it just so happens Angela herself is a professionally-trained, classic ballet dancer and gymnast! This was a match made in cosplay heaven. 

But enough of my ramblings–CHECK OUT THE SHOOT BELOW!

What a beauty! I loved everything about this shoot! I’m headed back up to Boston before I know it for PAX East and Sakura Matsuri in NYC. Message me to set up a shoot there, or book me in NC for an on-location shoot, and for Momocon at the end of May!

-Riley

Ah, Boston. How I’ve missed you. It’s nearly been a year but it’s like I never left. And what a fool I was to think that I could make it through my trip without experiencing some snow. But two days of it? Yeah, now I remember why I left. How quickly we forget…

Snow or no snow, that didn’t stop Bonnie, this beautiful bride-to-be, from shooting with me in this gorgeous vintage Gunne Sax dress from the 70’s. What a find! We shot in the afternoon as the snow tumbled down with abandon at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University in Jamaica Plain.

Bonnie’s roommate, Maxime, made the flower crown featured in this shoot. Keep an eye out for her etsy store coming soon! You won’t want to miss the opportunity to purchase her handmade crowns, as I find them to be very unique amongst the many floral crowns out there nowadays. 

This particular crown featured a dusty rose color, contrasted by brown stems and accented with earthy feathers. I loved this with Bonnie’s natural, airy makeup look, as it gave the stark white a subtle pop of color to match the flowers. I loved how the snow delicately rested on the feathers and petals! 

Bonnie was such a trooper in the snow. And so was my camera! Thankfully, they both made it out dry and safe. I’d say the adventure was worth it!

And of course, no good shoot is without its beautiful assistants. Thank you, Anthony and Maxime, for keeping Bonnie glamorous and dry (when you could)!

I’ll be back in Boston from April 19th-27th, and NYC after that! Contact me for a shoot!