Birthday wishes, bonds that tie.

As an occasional event photographer I get to witness wonderful moments in people's lives, weddings are amazing as you watch the beauty of love unfold in an amazing celebration. I've shot birthdays, baptisms, anniversaries - you name it. But one left a distinguishing mark. A birth.

This was not the birth of my own children but that of a dear friend. I was honored to be present, and as the time passed and I shared and documented Beth's pain and amazing composure through a natural birth I also was party to be an observer to something unique and beautiful. A witness to a new life, one birthday I will never forget. My sweet goddaughter Audrey. I guess technically she wasn't born until July 15th, but at 1 o'clock in the morning it all blurs together.
These images always bring a smile to face to know I was there, like a proud daddy to welcome a new face. To bad more moms don't get the chance to know it feels just as amazing to just be there. I think we forget so much about childbirth, (thank god) that those moments are lost on our own stories, and by being an observer I have a birth story to tell much more amazing then my own.

Almost Famous

It finally arrived, my August copy of Shutterbug magazine complete with an amazing review of my work from someone I never met. I think of how critical I am of my own work, and that of my peers so it means a lot to me to get such wonderful feedback from someone else in the trenches. Since shutterbug is an enthusiast and industry publication, I'm not excpecting a lot of my clients to see it so I ramped up marketing to tell the world ( around 1500 contacts ) not a ton but you need to start somewhere.

Perhaps, I'm better known then I think. Yesterday I spent a wonderful day with my daughter at Gilroy Gardens, a kiddie theme park. As it was just the two of us, I found myself talking to the woman in front of me in line - also a lone adult. Turns out her two youngest girls are very similar in age to mine and so we stood in line together, chatting and watching our two girls have a good time. Even though I was an hour from home, I managed to meet someone who lives 5 miles from my house, and whose children attend the day school at our church. Talk about a small world. Alas I do have a point. Upon our departure, I handed new found friend a card with the hope that we could get together again sometime. She took a peek and giggled, "You're Jennifer Hogan the photographer? I feel like I just met a movie star - I've heard about you and seen your ads."

And there you have it. I'm a household name - at least in my zip code :-)