The Perfect Place

November 4, 2009

the long road to china wm3
On Sunday, I took the kids to a nearby town to do a little shopping. We don't get to this little "town" often, but it is quaint and the street is lined with the most unique shops and little cafes......we should make it a point to get down there more frequently.

Our main focus of this little excursion was a trip to the bookstore. This is my FAVORITE bookstore in the area. Not only is it a bookstore, it is a cookshop, and a gift store as well. They really have it all, complete with a deli for a quick bite and a cup of coffee.

Nick was looking for a new book for his upcoming book report and Sarah said she wanted one too. We usually frequent B@rnes and Noble, so this was a nice change. Walking in kind of reminded me of the movie "Y@u've got mail"

We took our time and looked around taking it all in. After a little while both the kids picked out their books and we checked out. The kids practically skipped out of the store with their little red bags in hand. The cashier knew enough to ask if they each wanted their own bag.....of course they did:)

As we walked out, I glanced up and down the street and felt surrounded by old brick and cobblestown, I knew that this was the perfect place........

On an angle WM
I know what you are thinking.....

The perfect place for what???

Nick WM
It is the perfect place for our Christmas Card photo!

The Railing - WM
I don't know about you, but for me this is a stressful part of the holiday season......even more stressful than the shopping. It is nearly impossible to get both kids looking in the proper direction at the same time. I can't imagine dealing with 3, 4, or 5 children......

Last year was kind of trying and just when I was about to give up, I finally got the shot I wanted! When I saw my picture printed on the card, it was worth every minute of frustration and I was so excited to send them out to our family and friends.

I know I could make this task very easy on myself and just use one the hundreds of photos that I have taken over the last few months, but I would really like to go with something a little more festive....and in the moment.

face forward 2 wm
Even though I take lots of pics, I don't take many of Nick and Sarah together. It usually ends in disaster, so I am crossing my fingers and my toes that this all works out according to plan.

Daydreaming WM
The wheels are turning in my head.......and I have more than a few ideas floating around.

Nick on the fence wm
The coordinating outfits have been ordered.........

Anyone Home WM
and the scene has been set!!

Steps 5 wm
Now I just need a little cooperation with the weather{and my kids}and I hope that we will have success:)

I brought the camera along with me on Sunday because I have always loved this area. I kind of thought it might become a new hot spot for me......and now I am convinced!! I am getting really bored with some of the places I have been frequenting so it was in the back of my mind, but I wasn't sure until I walked the streets with my camera and the kids.

Nick and Sarah were in such a great mood, they did let me snap a few photos as they explored the new area. The street is filled with amazing buildings, wrought iron fences, and stone everywhere.....ALL perfect backdrops for any photo!!

I have only scratched the surface with these photos....this place has SO MANY possibilities. I did want to leave a little element of surprise for our card, so I conveniently left out some of my favorite attributes of this location.

The fun is just about to begin.......I am hoping we get "THE ONE" by Thanksgiving.

We'll see........


49 comments:

Love Letters To China said...

I can totally understand why you've chosen that spot for your Christmas photo. It is so quaint and it exudes a sense of coziness (does that make any sense?). Your photos are always so warm and inviting. I'm sure you will end up with an amazing Christmas card to send to family and friends.

Kelly And Allison said...

Lisa, beautiful photos. I love the tone. Your children are so beautiful. Can't wait to see your Christmas card design.

Tina

Shell in your Pocket said...

Beautiful pictures as always!
sandy toe

Gail said...

Can't wait to see what you capture Lisa!!!! These are amazing(as always). The location is stunning. :)

xo

Sharon said...

The 5th image up from the bottom... She is making a face that reminds me of your son so much! Is it just me? ? ?

Football and Fried Rice said...

Your kids are always dressed perfectly for any photo shoot - I can't wait to see what you come up with for your Christmas card - it will be beautiful, I know!

Jodee said...

What a fabulous place for a photo shoot! Too bad they didn't have their Christmas clothes on that day! These pictures are just adorable!

Happy Hump Day!

carolinagirl said...

you are a talented photographer and to hear your frustrations in photographing your kids makes me feel better. one of the reasons we went down to the beach this past weekend was for me to get THE photo for our card. I did get one finally, but it is NOT perfect by any stretch of the imagination. EMMA was LESS than helpful. AND my new camera DIED! ALso we got all of the kids dressed, made sure it was not a mealtime or naptime and headed out to the beach only for it to start raining! UGH! Stress! ONce we finally made it out, all Emma wanted to do was either walk around or sit and play with the sand! Lord Help Me! So frustrating! anyway, I did get a photo though and have already designed my card with a little help from someone who knows what they are doing! Picking up the first printing of it today to see how it looks! Crossing my fingers! :)

Good Luck!

love these photos! Sarah is adorable in her MJ outfit!

Where did you get her hat??? Emma loves little beanies WAY more than bows!

Jboo said...

What a cool location! Great photos as always. I'm stumped on what to do for holiday photos! Have a great WEdnesday!

Janet

Gina said...

Wow Lisa I think you found your place for the Christmas pictures...It's beautiful...Love Sarah's MJ shirt I was thinking about that one now that I see if on I am kicking myself that I didn't get it....

Dita said...

Spectacular setting and the shots you got are just gorgeous. Sarah looks so grown up in these pictures. She really is a little chameleon, isn't she?!

Your Christmas card picture last year was incredible. I can only imagine what you'll come up with THIS year!

See you tomorrow!


xoxo
Dita

Shari said...

Lovely!
I can never pick 1 photo for our card - last year I got lucky. Previous years, I just picked my favorites from the year and used those in a multi photo layout.
I already did 1 holiday card because I could get some free samples - LOVE them, but at $2.50 each I will not be ordering 100 of them. I think I'll continue looking for another layout I love:)

Marla said...

OMG, awesome!!! I LOVE that first one of them walking with Sarah looking up at Nick. LOVE it. I'm sure your card will be spectacular!!!

I have no idea what I'm doing about our card, I'm just hoping Crystal got something good last weekend so I'm off the hook! :)

See you in 8 days!!

Becky said...

Love these and this is for sure gonna be a new hot spot for you! Can't wait to see what you get for your card but I am sure it will be awesome!

See you soon, my friend!

xoxo,
Becky

Tutus and Choo-Choos said...

That place is perfect. You are right about how hard it is to take a christmas picture when you have more than one child. With four kids, it is nearly impossible to have everyone look at the camera.

Take care,
Michelle

Robin said...

I love this location & can't wait to see the pictures! My fingers are crossed for you :) I know it will turn out fab!
Take care - Robin

M3 said...

Oooooooo, gorgeous!!!!! You rock, just loving those pictures (great job to the kids too).

Missy said...

You are too cute! I love the way you stake out locations and put so much thought into your Christmas card...it makes it so special!
I love the warm and fuzzy feeling of these pics. I can envision the bookstore now. I love quaint bookstores.
As always, beautiful pics!!

Sue said...

I love the first two photos..you are a great photographer. Fabulous setting too.

Sue : )

day by day said...

Beautiful pics! What a lovely area you have found!!! When you start to get frustrated getting a good shot of your two...just think you could be trying to get a good pic of MY two. ha!

looking forward to seeing your Christmas photo!!

love,
Michelle

Kim said...

I love, love, love looking at your pictures. What a great little town to capture some great ones, I hope your plan the the Christmas Cards works out for you!

Lucy said...

Wow, what a setting! Can't wait to see you xmas card! I'm impressed you've ordered their outfits. It's always so stressful for me to do our xmas photo and now that there's two to shoot I can't imagine how long it will take to get ONE decent shot! :)

Kim said...

What a great place to get away and do a little shopping.

I can't wait to see your Christmas card photo....it will be beautiful...being every picture you take is gorgeous!

((HUGS)),
Kim

3 Peanuts said...

These are gorgeous and I am so curious as to which little "town" this is because I am from that area. I am guessing NH? Let me know if I am right. I too am stressing about our Christmas card photo this year as I kind of want our whole family in it but waited too long to hire a good photographer here. Oh welll this week I have been to sick to think about it but I am sure we will pull it off. I cannot wait to see yours. Last year's was fabulous!

Bridget said...

What a great spot - I am sure you will get the perfect picture for your card! The bookstore sounds great - I just love places like that! Your kids are handsome and pretty as ever!

Hope you are having a good week!

~Bridget

Courtney said...

These pictures are adorable. I love the backdrop!

Briana's Mom said...

What a beautiful place! Oh my! Can't wait to see the finished product. :)

I am stressing too about taking a photo of Bri for a Christmas card. Not sure if my three year old will cooperate this year.

Wanda said...

Oh,Oh,Oh....what an amazing place! I can only imagine what you have in store for your Christmas picture.

Gorgeous captures!

Chasing Dreams Photography said...

Love the town!!!! So beautiful!!! The pictures are incredible!! I decided this year to make it a bit easy on myself. I took each of the girls seperate. I took the four boys together. I would of loved them all in one shot but forget it!!! I got my shots and am ready to order my cards : ) all stress free.

Ivy Shaffer said...

Amazing photos Lisa! These are some of my favorites. The expressions on Sarah's face is priceless, she's looking straight at you in one pic, and Nick, well...that man is always looking dapper!
Love that new place you found. Give me a time and day and I'll meet you there!

Gorgeous processing! Absolutely captures the essence of fall.

You amaze me:))

Kayce said...

That picture in your header is just amazing! Frame it and frame it big! Beautiful! Your skills are amazing Lisa!

Thanks for all your good thoughts for us right now! So appreciated and very much felt! Thank you!!! And yes, after this first rumor of the month I'm climbing out of my skin and am wondering how I'm gonna make it till the end! :0

fleur de lis cottage said...

That is the perfect place and I know you'll get the perfect image for your Christmas Card...can't wait to see what you come up with this year!

redmaryjanes said...

We live in the middle of 3 small towns and I just love the quaintness of it all.
I am so thankful that Steffie got a good family photo of us for the cards this year.

Faith Hope Love Photography said...

These are amazing Lisa!! They are some of my favorite yet, and how do you pick a favorite when they are all good. Can't wait to see what your christmas card looks like!! I also love your new header, do you want to teach a class to me on how to do all this fancy stuff? I have been trying to find a website or something to teach me because I know that my blog needs something!!
Hugs!
Steph

Colleen said...

Love how you put so much thought and heart into all that you do!!!! Looking forward to seeing what I know will be a gorgeous card!! Your kids are so adorable! And some how I know even when you have 3 you will take that perfect photo!!:)

Shelly and Family said...

Oh Lisa How I miss you so too! I was so upset when I got your message about the party - we are all set to come and spend some money lol! Things here in DC have been crazy - and can you believe I have 98% of our Christmas decorations up - crazy I know but if I didn't start it would have never happen...

Love the photos and next time I come for a visit...we MUST visit that area! Sounds like my kind of place! As for the photos...beautiful as always.

Love you & Miss you....

Michelle R Photography said...

Ooohhh, fun, fun!!! I am in need of a new location, too. This one looks perfect. I love wrought iron fences. I can't wait to see your Christmas Card shot.

JMCS said...

Oh sweetie,

these are gorgeous images of the kids. WOW! Beautiful images and beautiful processing too. I love to find new hot spots for pictures. You do such beautiful work and your pp is great too. I know what you mean, it is so hard to get pics with two kids, but you sure did it.

Hugs,
Jonni

Jennifer said...

I love it!!! The picture will beautiful!!!

Ashton said...

I looovveee these pictures!!

Jeni said...

OMGosh...these could be the one! These are amazing. What do you look for to find such good scenes ALL the time. Our leaves are perfect so I need to take my kids outside...mine just to turn out like yours AT ALL! I have a Canon Rebel...sometimes they are okay. Do you usually use a zoom...I do have a 55-250mm. I remeber you came to Atlanta last year...if you come again, I would love to share a few hours! I LOVE the way you dress Nick and Sarah...you are so lucky she will wear a hat! I am gonna try that again too. Your pics just blow me away.

Kiy said...

What I wouldn't give/do to get you to take Emi's picture! I just love how you capture so much, both setting and child.

I always look forward to seeing what you do next!

Kiy

Casey said...

STUNNING pictures again, girl!!! Your kids are so dang cute. They can't take a bad picture... even if they are looking in different directions!! (I have the exact same issue with Em and Liam - especially when I NEED them to cooperate like a holiday card!!)

I'm trying to figure out the town!! :)

Sylvia said...

I look forward to seeing what you come up with. I know it will be beautiful!

Any chance you can come out to San Diego and take our family photo????

jenbusymom said...

What a beautiful spot for pictures! The kids are just gorgeous and I can't wait for the anticipated pictures, I know how frustrating last year was for you.

De Lucchi Family Treasures said...

Oooh I cant wait to see those photos.These are amazing!!
love Jules
xxx

Unknown said...

I know the picture is going to turn out fantastically : ) I can just feel it! Totally and completely adore the one of them with their backs walking away!

Kristin said...

I have not been here in long while. Each image is more beautiful than the next. I hope all is wonderful in your world!

Our Complete Family said...

Oh my word Lisa, these are fantastic! I can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve for Christmas photos as I know they will be wonderful!
This spot is just divine for backgrounds! And Ms Sarah's outfit and hat...precious!
Love ya, L