A Family of Four

If looking too cute on the beach is possible then this family has done it!  Aren't these coordinating polos stunning?  I think so!  This family was full of energy and parents Melissa & Randy smiled through every second of the running and playing!  Although we darted from one section of Palm Beach to the next with rapid speed there are some darling moments that have arisen because of it.  I must say that while my husband and I are counting down the moments to parenthood, it works out that we're starting with One and then building from there.  Yesterday was quite insightful into the scale of momentum that comes along with the territory.  Cheers to this family for pulling it off wonderfully!

Brotherly explorers!  

A day in the life of...seems totally worth it!

...like Father, like Son...

Sisterly Love!

So this Thursday I set out to Lake Worth Beach to meet up with a family of three sisters for a photo shoot.  The youngest, Kate, was the princess for the day as the main model for the shoot but kindly let her older siblings in for a few frames!  Kate started out poised and perfect and slowly let her little personality smile through by the end.  Some of her reactions to seemingly endless picture-time made me giggle and nothing beats her wildly captivating faces of sisterly comfort and youthful self-amusement when her sister Emma snuggled in for a snap or two.  Of course Maggie was the peace-keeper and when present had the other two focused and affectionately looking into the camera.  The outing was a delight and reviewing the images even more of one!  Enjoy!

Sisterly Love Sneak Peek!

60th Soiree at Olio!

Events are always fun but one cannot be topped when the attendees are super fun too!  This Saturday I turned off from the beautiful Atlantic Avenue to arrive at Olio Bistro.  How much fun was this beautifully decorated and intimately situated restaurant!  The walls were lined with bricks and big mirrors and the pretty party place settings situated fabulously in with it all!  As I scoped out the "Lesley Gore Table" wouldn't you know that "It's My Party" began playing among the mix of other era appropriate songs.  The crowd of friends and relatives that filtered in to celebrate as the evening unfolded were as energetic as the ever-accommodating host Joseph.  Every detail was impeccable- down to the birthday girls bee hive hair-do (Cheers to you and Happy Birthday Leslie!).  Enjoy the photos!

 

The Force of Calligraphy

I learned about the misuse of force when I was young.  It was a lesson from my father.  Let's just say that the values of a united ping-pong-playing family discourage the destruction of a new, olympic-grade sporting table, even if it's an accident.  If my father wasn't in such a teach-worthy mindset at that moment then I do imagine that the impact of the broken table would have been well shadowed by anger.  Lucky girl that I was that afternoon.  As it turns out, there was a particular way to fold that table to ensure that the aluminum won't bend and contort into a standing piece that even Forest Gump probably wouldn't be able to master when playing against.

"If something requires more than normal amount of force without give, then stop what your doing.  Something is wrong.  Rethink your approach", is about what father dear bestowed upon me information-wise.

Today I was reminded of that time when working with a highly textured paper.  Since I've incorporated the use of various metal points into my calligraphy work I've discovered that there are different subtleties that affect how I write.  Learning to adjust has been the key.  Even though my mother's dropped jaw and my sister's "glad I didn't do it" giggle might imply a rethink of whether that encounter was really worth experiencing, I'd beg to claim otherwise.  Had I not jabbed the family table tennis board, I might not have that little voice of reason that reminds me to be more methodical and contemplative of my direction when something isn't quite smooth.  Seems to me that that lesson carries through not only into calligraphy (definitely photographic scenes too) but also into so many parts of my life.  

Thanks Dad!

Ballerina in a Barrel!

This Saturday marks ten months of life for this little girl.  Baby V has been photographed by WP inks (me!) every two months since two weeks in this world.  Lucky me!  This is the first time that I've seen her bopping around on those feet instead of scooting and sliding knee-side.  It's amazing to me to see that, as much as she's still so much the same, she's slowly inching away into growth with slight visible notices of change.  Still cute and contemplative though- how wrong can one go with such a combo of traits?!  The flower-lined pink dress that she donned paired with the feminine flower cupping her hair just reminded me so much of a little ballerina.  Then there are the moments in the barrel.  And that, folks, made a title!  Here are some frolicking photos of the little Ballerina in a Barrel (and on the grass...and in the drapes... and with the 'rents...you get the idea!):

Can you say prima ballerina?

Playing in the drapery...naturally!

He loves me...he loves me not...

Totally tubular!

Life's Professional Path

It's always a pleasure to meet up with folks for a photo shoot!  Even more of a joy is having the opportunity to see people again as their life takes them down and around the paths before them.  I believe that growth and strides forward are appropriate words with which to recap.  That being said, since a wonderful Engagement Photo Session a few months back, the groom-to-be has earned his real estate license (Congratulations Piotr!) and thus needed a headshot.  Below you'll find the new face of Illustrated Properties:

Busy Bee rhymes with Calligraphy!

So, it's occurred to me that WP inks (i.e.: me!) has been so busy with Calligraphy jobs (Yay!) since the fall that it has caused this Blog to be Backlogged!  And, yes, I know that the image above is totally from a fav photo shoot (yes, those have been sprinkled in the mix lately too!) of mine but it implies the playfulness that I've been able to exude in some recent Calligraphy jobs.  I must say, playfulness and "full-reign" has provided equal confidence thats resulted in some fun-looking, handmade graphics!  I'm just so thrilled to be doing what I love and making it pretty!

On top of coercing my wonderful husband (stress on the wonder that he complies with my details and delicate demands!) to be inches away from the finish line that is the creation of the new face of WPinks.com, I've taken up a Calligraphy Class.  Weekly I find myself sitting in a classroom in Jupiter, Florida- giggling like a young school girl with my classmates and ogling at the blackboard with an open eye for tutelage.  I must share with you a story from tonight:

Instructor:  We're going to enlarge our writing to a small poster.  Create a "No ___" poster.  Much like "No smoking" (envision a big, red circle with a red slash through it).

Muffled Class Reactions:  ...Draw something too??...like what?  Say no to drugs??...uhh...

Instructor:  Be creative!

Erica's Mind:  Okay, I can do creative but I'm in no mood to draw...hmm..

Erica's Poster:  "Say no to Bland!"

Guess what?  I didn't have to draw anything~ creative solution?  I think so!  Perhaps John the Instructior didn't deem it creative, but all of the female minds of the room deemed it in good humor.  I believe clever was the adjective.  I was so please that with my anti-bland notion that I created a subtitle of "The Movement".  I'll have to take a snap of it and share so that this writing isn't so bland without images!  In the meantime, below are some of the Calligraphy jobs that I've been working on recently.  Enjoy!

Engagement Party Invitations

Bachelorette Party Invitations

Christmas Card Mail-Out

Song Lyrics for a Scrapbook

Christmas Card Mail-Out

Love at its Best

Please enjoy this preview of what's in store at the our new WP inks website.  It's undergoing a facelift of sorts and there will be a bundle of new images and style that embrace life's tenderness, much like this one.  And, just to clarify, all love is wonderful.  There are just some moments that, when captured, show you just what it's all about.  When she's all grown up, this beautiful little girl will be able to look back and see what three weeks of life was like.  How sweet it is!

Happy New Year!

WP inks was quite busy with Calligraphy as 2010 drew to an end.  The framed Place Cards for a Saks Fifth Avenue event below are so dazzling and sparkly.  It looks like they're all dolled up and ready to celebrate the season in style!  On the other hand there are Crane's New Year's Cards above ready to be sent out for a local attorney (Cheer's Nicole!).  This address caught my eye and I just couldn't resist photographing it.  Nothing beats the thought of venturing into 2011 with the promise of "Sunshine".  Too cute!  Cheers everyone...here's to a New Year filled with sunny days and sparkling dreams!