A Museum in a Box!

We love covering The Museum School events and taking student photographs. It’s a great bunch of people, staff and students included, and I’m personally invested because my son attends TMS. If you’re not familiar with it, TMS is a local innovator in education. It’s based on the concept that kids learn best through personal exploration and hands-on learning, and is one of a kind in Georgia. We recently made a couple of visits to the school to cover their Museum-in-a-Box program, a cool way in which TMS is engaging students in experiential learning.

The grant-funded program brings amazing “museum boxes” into the classroom. Each trunk-sized box centers on a specific learning unit and contains a slew of content that helps teachers bring the subject to life.

We got to see teachers and students in action during a lesson on a Susan B. Anthony museum box. The trunk spanned everything from the toys she most loved through her commitment to concepts like equality. It seemed like the best of a field trip–real world learning–without the high cost.

We also covered a workshop where TMS teachers got to see the many different museum boxes they can share with their students. I’d guess one of their biggest challenges is what to choose first!

My right-hand lady, Lyndsey Wright, captured the scene as teachers learned how to implement the museum boxes in the classroom.

If you’ve ever wondered what a stronger partnership between local schools and community organizations could look like, this program suggests one fruitful outcome. The museum boxes are only possible via partnership with Georgia Tech’s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC); The Atlanta History Center; Zoo Atlanta; ArtsNow; Fernbank Museum of Natural History and the Georgia Aquarium.

I’m so glad we had the chance to see all of this in person because a Museum in a Box is unlike anything I’ve ever heard of…and now I’ll know what my son is talking about when he comes home raving about it!

These Kids!

I am grateful that the Life on Film team had the opportunity to spend some time this summer with a group of very special kids. Like so many other kids, they were happy to be participating in a really fun summer camp. But these kids all have one unique thing in common: they are all fighting cancer. Together, during their time at camp, they had the chance to do all kinds of “normal” activities…to laugh, play and just be kids. The campers we met were enjoying swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts and making friends with kids just like them.

The joy these kids exude, their enthusiasm and appreciation for the opportunities camp afforded them…I just can’t find the words. Spending time with them was as much a gift as the time we donated.

We witnessed a truly magical place where kids grow stronger and make connections that support them throughout their journey beyond cancer toward bright futures. We’re grateful to Flashes of Hope–an incredible non-profit that raises funds towards a cure and honors the lives of all kids fighting cancer–for making this possible.

I’m honored that Lyndsey Wright and I were able to lend our lenses in support of the effort. If you’d like to offer your support, the organization makes it quick and easy to donate online.

 

 

And the Oscar goes to…Kyle!

Earlier this month we were honored to join Kyle and his family for his Bar Mitzvah celebration at Maggiano’s. Life on Film provided both photography coverage and photo booth entertainment. Kyle’s Mom, Vanessa, created a Hollywood theme complete with mega phones, clapper boards, and film reels.

The cake, snacks and even beverages all built on the Hollywood theme. Maggiano’s served as caterer.

Vibe Entertainment got everyone onto the dance floor with great music, fun props and games.

The kids jumped on the LED stage and had a blast jamming with the music.

Vanessa skillfully weaved timeless traditions into a dazzling party that was loads of fun. The Life on Film team captured more warm moments than I can possible include here!

Jive orchestrated a moving tribute to Kyle, as guests took to the microphone to share their love and warm wishes. (A Journey song played in the background, as you’d expect!)

Thank you, Vanessa, for entrusting us with capturing Kyle’s star-quality celebration!

Kate & Dave Tie the Knot!

A wedding is always an incredibly personal event. Even when couples incorporate the traditional rituals and flow of the “typical” American wedding, we love witnessing the different ways in which they make the event uniquely their own. Kate and Dave’s wedding, which we had the pleasure of capturing on film, took “personal” and “meaningful” to a whole new level. For starters, the ceremony took place at a little white church in Morganton where the bride’s Great Grandfather was once a preacher.

Instead of lighting the traditional unity candle, the bride and groom planted a unity tree and watered it together during the ceremony.

Our cameras loved the bridesmaids’ gorgeous tangerine dresses against the natural green landscape. Simply beautiful.

After we took some shots outside the church everyone headed to a reception at the Harper Family Farmhouse, which belongs to the bride’s Great Aunt. The farmhouse is situated, most fittingly, on Loving Road!

One touching ritual the bride and groom kept intact was the first dance, as well as the father/daughter and mother/son dances.

The Bride and Groom had a “Coca Cola toast” using Coke bottles provided by the Matron of Honor and Groomsmen.

The lighthearted tone carried through to the cake cutting–and eating!

The reception channeled a 1950’s Southern garden party combining rustic simplicity with pops of tangerine, hot pink, and yellow.

Guests enjoyed Southern style BBQ and music. The kids weren’t the only ones having a ball with lawn games, hula hoops and bubbles.

We were happy to still be on hand to see the joyful send off!

Kate and Dave, we wish you a lifetime of love and happiness. Thank you for allowing the Life on Film team to be part of your day!

Remembering Tami and Jess

No words can express the pain, shock and horror that have haunted us since learning of the tragic loss of Tami Willadsen and her daughter, Jess. Our hearts go out to their family and to the entire Museum School community, where Tami (pictured far left) served tirelessly as Foundation President and Jess was a vibrant a fourth grader.

This loss is personal. I was lucky to come to know both Tami and Jess by virtue of being a parent of my own Museum School student. I’ve also served as their regular photographer for school pictures.

I want to take a few minutes to celebrate the beauty and joy that they brought to all who were lucky enough to know them. Jess just glowed with personality that came shining through every shot we took. One look at Tami and it’s clear where Jess got it!

Tami’s charitable work was far-reaching. She led the school’s capital campaign and served as both Director of Philanthropy for The Nature Conservancy in Georgia and as chairman of the board of EarthShare of Georgia.

The Museum School held a butterfly release last week in Jess’ honor. I was honored to be on hand to witness (and share in) the grief created by this senseless tragedy…along with the love, compassion and joy that filled our hearts in celebrating the life of this beautiful little girl.

Each of us at Life on Film Photography extends our thoughts and prayers to the Willadsen family. If you’d like to show your support, please consider contributing to an online fund-raising effort at gofundme.com that was put in place to raise money to help the family.

 

The Best Bait & Switch Ever!

The Life on Film team has covered our fair share of engagement parties, showers and the big day itself for many Atlanta couples. We love sharing in each bride and groom’s special moments. But we recently experienced a first that truly redefined the term “unique”: The fiancé-to-be provided the perfect bait for his girlfriend with the ruse of a site visit to the Georgia Aquarium, and she walked unaware into a surprise marriage proposal!

Krista was so surprised she actually thought the diver was holding a sign congratulating her on a recent job offer. But this was an undeniably more exciting proposal.

When the reality of the situation hit her — and Chuck made sure it did by dropping to one knee — Krista said, “Yes!”

As if the proposal alone weren’t romantic enough, Chuck had a guitarist on hand to serenade them.

The locals even swam up close to take in the scene.

So many of the couple’s closest friends and family members were on hand to see the proposal, Krista said it even crossed her mind to tie the knot right then and there.

We’re kind of glad they didn’t, though, because the whole LOF crew is dying to see what kind of wedding will follow this absolutely amazing proposal event!

Thank you, Chuck and Krista, for allowing us to be part of your very special evening.

Morieka and DeAndre’s Wedding

First off, we’re really late with this post. But since it was my friend Morieka’s wedding, I’m hoping she’ll forgive me and appreciate that I want to feature her beautiful family’s photos!

At the Solarium in Decatur, the couple and their wedding party had space to gather and get ready along with a beautiful venue for the ceremony and reception.

A gorgeous September day offered plenty of sunshine as a backdrop for Morieka and DeAndre’s wedding. The Solarium provided wonderful outdoor vignettes where the bride and her party simply shined.

The groom’s side was no less photogenic — or joyful!

 

What a charming and elegant way to say “I do…”  Simply gorgeous!

Morieka and DeAndre shared their first dance to “If Only You Knew” by Patti LaBelle. The dance floor was soon hopping.

But there were still moving moments at every turn. I was honored to be able to capture many of them and share in the joining of these two families.

The bride and groom truly sparkled as they left the Solarium to start a new chapter of their life together.   

I am so thankful to Morieka and DeAndre for including me in their amazing day. Weddings are always heartwarming, but this one was extra special indeed.

Fun and Stress-Free Family Portraits

What to do if you find your brood of four adult kids, including one living in Texas and one recently married, will actually be together in Atlanta to celebrate the holidays for the first time in years? You recognize a rare opportunity to have a family portrait taken and call us! We’re so glad Carol Rubin had just this “aha” moment because we loved spending time with her beautiful family.

Despite a rain delay we managed to find a clear, nice day when LOF could capture their fun personalities with candid shots and formal family portraits. Their own home was the perfect setting to put everyone at ease and help them just be themselves during the shoot.

This was not a problem at all for the littlest family members, who seemed blissfully unaware that they were being photographed.

The kids’ playful spirit and insistence on having fun made it impossible for the adults — or the family pooch — to be nervous!

Since no portrait session would be complete without some mantel-worthy photographs, we also captured a few slightly more traditional family shots.

I know many families won’t brave the winter weather like the Rubins did and, if you’re in that group, I don’t blame you! But with Spring right around the corner in Atlanta–and I say this hopefully as 30 degree winds blow outside my office–many families will be hoping to do outdoor family portrait sessions. The Rubins had fun and got great results for some simple reasons that anyone can borrow:

• They didn’t spend the shoot worrying about getting the kids to stand still, be quiet, stop sticking their tongues out at each other…(fill in the blank). We captured their kids being the kids that they are at this very second in their lives. That’s the great thing about candid photography. The grownups can keep smiling for the camera and let the photographer watch the kids and catch the right moments.

• Carol shared her list of ‘must-have’ formals in advance. Then I was able to work towards shooting those and capture candid moments along the way.

• They scheduled the session with the little ones in mind. You know your kids better than anyone. Are they happier first thing in the morning? Or are they more fun after an afternoon nap? Or are they at their best beside a fire reading books and playing a few games before bed? Let that guide the time of day you choose for your shoot.

• They kept the wardrobe simple–coordinated but not matching, solids that photograph well rather than distracting prints. Wearing layers is another fun way to switch things up; a jacket or scarf can be taken off or wrapped around your waist for a different look. And being comfortable is key. It’s tough to move naturally in clothes that bind or dress shoes that pinch.

Drafted to Zac’s Bar Mitzvah Team!

We were privileged to join Zachary for his Bar Mitzvah at Temple Sinai in Sandy Springs last month. Rabbi Bradley Levenberg officiated the ceremony.

Lynn Zinn of Zinnsations created an NFL draft-themed decor with Zachary as the standout MVP. From personalized place cards for seating to fun table toppers featuring Zac’s photo and a ZBL (Zachary Bean League) food court, Lynn fully transformed the venue. A green screen let guests have photos taken of themselves against imaginative backdrops — like a Wheaties box! — to take home as souvenirs.

There were plenty of fan favorites in the food court. Guests could choose from tailgating must-haves like hot dogs along along with lighter options, all provided by From Scratch Catering.

Zachary and his guests burned up the dance floor. Cathy Schwartz and her fun team from Atlanta Fever Entertainment kept the party hopping, and even taught the kids to break dance!

In the spirit of the sports theme the dance floor was also host to many games, led by Atlanta Fever, that kept the kids moving and ensured no one was bored. Luckily the VIP lounge gave the kids a place to chill out and recharge! 

There were plenty of smiles, laughter, and hugs at this celebration, and we felt lucky to be there to capture them.

Special thanks to Zac; his Mom, Tina; and his Dad, Mike, for drafting Life on Film Photography to their Bar Mitzvah team!

Daniel’s Celebration!

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to capture Daniel’s Bar Mitzvah celebration on film last month.

Daniel was joined by brothers Ben and Nathan and his parents, Miriam and Mike, along with many extended family members and friends. Daniel’s grandparents, Kenny and Helen, beamed by his side. The event’s theme – generation to generation — proved to be both meaningful and fitting.

Making the event exceptionally joyful was that it took place November 30 – right in the middle of Chanukah. Daniel lit the menorah during the ceremony, which was led by Rabbi Mark Zimmerman at Congregation Beth Shalom in Atlanta.

Rather than a traditional Bar Mitzvah candle lighting, Daniel and his family created an inclusive, meaningful ceremony by passing out flashlights. Groups of attendees then turned on their lights as they were acknowledged.

Daniel and his guests danced the night away to tunes from Joshua Bagley from Sound Entertainment Experience. The festivities spanned everything from a traditional Bar Mitzvah chair dance to a conga line!

The Salpeters ensured the dessert party appealed to even their youngest guests with a cookie decorating contest. Jan Adler of The Silver Platter catered the event.

Thank you, Daniel, Mike and Miriam, for allowing Life on Film Photography to capture the joy of your celebration!