the real deal.

meet jeff, my stepsister's son. here is what it comes down to. just when i think i should retire out of frustration, when this art form is compromised by well intended new photographers flooding the market for pennies, giving away the moon and knowing so little of this craft, something miraculous happens. one is appreciated for years of work, for the skill and style that is one's own. this is why i do what i do. portraiture is personal. a certain level of trust and understanding must be reached for portraits to contain any level of sincerity, authenticity. it is not about a modeling session, or looking like who they are not. it's personal. it has so little to do with glamorizing a senior to meet current trends for the sake of making imagery their friends will covet. what's the point in that? it needs to be real. jen and jeff are the real deal. and they trust and appreciate me.

so the circle of life is epitomized by this session. really, weren't we just graduating from high school and planning the next step in our lives? it is jeff's turn. his maturity and focus will certainly drive him to heights we can only imagine. i am so proud of him, and of my stepsister, who has put so much of herself into her son. i hope they will be well pleased with these. pinch me. we have a second session at the coast coming in a few months!

she's homeward bound

she comes home today! it has only been 4 days. but i really missed her this time. she has been away at a dear friend's house in the foothills while home from college and i couldn't be happier-for both of them. nevertheless, i have missed my quiet, helpful girl and will be glad to have her home.i'm not quite the same when my children are away. 

birthday in the happiest place on earth

thanks to a very special family who took matthew on their trip for their own son's 15th birthday to the happiest place. such a treat in so many ways. thanks, thanks, and more thanks to parents kimberly and joel, and to grammy and grampy for their rv accommodations. he has not stopped talking about it. 

love, kerri 
all photo credits: matthew and company

miniature world of smithland

attention to the world of tiny is the inspiration from certain friends in sonoma county who see the world as a blank canvas, find the smallest details achievable, and are ceaseless in their creating of all things miniscule - without loss of quality or craftsmanship. 16 year old maddy recently created sandwiches for her dollhouses, a product among several that will be featured in a future etsy shop, among other such small wonderous things. here is a (very small) peak into the miniature world of smithland...

one more for debbie

might this be a fun option? 5x15, which i must order for you. 
kerri 

adventures in silver clay

crafting in clay of silver is nothing less than alchemy. witnessing the metamorphosis from a gray earthen medium to a gleaming semi precious metal piece is astonishing even for the one forming it at every step. cheryl is the kind of teacher i strive to be: patient, informative, knowledgeable, careful yet daring, encouraging, inspiring. thank you my dear friend for opening this world to me.

 photo credits for most: sarah hamilton

for debbie

revisions, per your requests. i hope these meet your vision.and a quick update: your blurb book is in production, and the softcover should arrive any day. the entire package should be delivered by month's end. yay you! love, kerri

valentine's day

i am not fond of this commercially driven 'holiday'. i find it a bit loathesome that merchandisers push the card and candy sales so. still. i make or purchase cards for my children and husband, and usually a little candy too. that is the irony. but really, after all, it still is about care, and the expression of that miraculous thing of the heart that heals, inspires, always remains, love.

grateful, and humbled.

"The walls of my home now convey how immeasurably proud I am of my daughters.  Beautiful.  Dancers.  Lovely.  Young ladies.  Kerri’s photos capture the unique and amazing personalities and talents of them.  To see my girls portrayed in a way that captures their inner beauty and their artistic gifts brings tears to my eyes.  Kerri is splendidly delightful to work with.  Her calm, gentle spirit and her swift, imaginative ideas are perfectly balanced to create an unforgettable experience.  And then, when the day is done and all the dancers have gone, I imagine Kerri’s mind racing with new and innovative ways to bring the photos to life.  Her unique products are sure to amaze and astonish.  I have received countless compliments on the metal print that hangs near my front door, with its superb quality and scalloped edges.  I consider her endless talents a gift and her dedication a blessing." - D.W.

staying afloat

lest it not be forgotten that before, during, and after the darkness there is light. friends have a way of sharing themselves which brightens the heart in the best manner. sarah with her floral hats and tea wallets, autumn with her homemade edwardian chapeaus (not shown, sorry) and her visit from washington, lauri with her never ending supply of newly knitted projects, and gifts from the land of sonoma county, friend b, whose personal touches and attention to detail are unmatched. the last is my own tiny trinket gift to the children of friend b. they all fill me up and keep me afloat, these friends, each in her own way. i am bursting with thanks.

the other side of sadness

I can't make the video link work, so this screen shot will have to do. Happy Birthday from my young friend on guitar. What I didn't have time to post before now, was the flipside of the tragedy of losing Terry - the outpouring of kindness. I lost track after 50 facebook posts and texts yet they still kept coming. Is there any better gift than friendship?

posters and publicity

 

january 3

it's my birthday, but a tough day to feel joyful. by contrast, it is a dark day of sadness as i learned of the passing of my friend terry, who shared the same birth date. that i learned of her death on our birthday is shocking and difficult to grasp. terry was elusive and it was not uncommon to not hear from her for weeks on end. then she'd pop back in via our mutual mom's email loop and we'd carry on. fleeting in person, she was a prolific and expressive writer, gifted with the word. my word today is remembrance. you are missed by so many terry. we will carry you in our hearts.  terry was incredibly private and generally refused to have her pictures taken. i broke the rules on this one. thankful i did.