Bellini Portraits

We laugh.  We kvetch.  We seek advice, both personal and work related.  We crack jokes and laugh some more.  Share ideas, fears, and insecurities.  And through it all we have become friends.   It’s a safe haven.  A place where we feel connected, understood and loved.  I am referring to a small group of photographer girlfriends, some whom I’ve met in person and some I only know from online.  We created a place in a private FB group where we can “meet” and feel safe to express ourselves, to be girly, to get creative, to laugh, to share frustrations–a place where we really understand one another as we are in the same industry all the while being moms and trying our best to BE the best at it all.  Friendships have  been forged and I feel so lucky to have met them all.  Last year a handful of us met in Cape Cod for a retreat.  A time for us to try some new things, flex our creative muscles, talk shop, cook together and just have a good time.  Since everyone was coming from out of state, I loaded up my SUV with everything I thought would work for this beach shoot.  What’s funny is everything I buy, props and wardrobe, is usually one piece at a time, but then when everything is gathered together, it somehow comes together in a fantastical sort of way.  Socks from one day match a random dress I found at Urban Outfitters and a hat from TJ Maxx, or a top from The Measure paired with a vintage camera and old ladder just work beautifully together.  It’s fun pretending I am part stylist  These sisters that were our models on day two were nothing short of amazing.  So beautiful and so fun to dress.  They toughed out the unseasonably brisk June day we had and let us shoot to our hearts’ desire.  How lucky they are to have each other as a sister’s bond is like no other.  And to my wonderfully talented, strong, smart, funny and fabulous girlfriends–thank you for the sisterhood I feel with you all!