surprises everywhere

At first, I found the request for shooting an office party to be puzzling. I imagined dozens of people in slacks making awkward small talk, while balancing shrimp cocktail on their knees.  Why in the world would someone want to document this?! But I agreed. And when I showed up, I realized why they'd hired me. It was a group of 13 people who had worked really hard together for years. It didn't feel like a "networking event" as much as it felt like a genuine celebration of dedication, and accomplishment, and joy. There were pride-filled tears and hugs, and laughter. And since they seemed more like family than co-workers, that's how I wound up shooting them. It was a sweet reminder that it's always about the people. It was also an unexpected treat to find an empty office in the back, with the best window light ever! I used this room for headshots. This is Mr. Boston, with his awesome parents Jesi and Winston. They all have a special place in my heart, not just because they are so fun to photograph, but because Boston is single-handedly responsible for the Red Sox winning the World Series last year. Yep. AND, in the spirit of surprises, I'm totally going to rat Jesi out right now. Look closely...can you see her toes? Looking all painted and cute? When she took off her shoes, only TWO were painted! She is a girl after my own heart! Congratulations everyone at United Lending!

How about you? What surprises do you have in store for us today?

Comments

[Rhiannon]

What a sweet photograph - it somehow has a feel of even being from another era .

[laura - dolcepics]

That's such a cool photograph! Love the peep toes and vintage feel to go with it! Love the back story the most though! Great surprises!

I was at a community garden over the weekend and among all the greenery, saw this tuft of yellow grass. Odd seeing it there but loved it as a backdrop for these flowers!

http://www.dolcepics.com/dailypic/cosmos/

[Marcie]

A heron who crossed my path:
http://bravo.unisonplatform.com/~marciesc/index.php?showimage=485

[becky]

Love this picture and agree that it has a vintage feel - maybe it's because we so rarely see people dressed up anymore! BUT being a Cleveland Indians fan (who the Red Sox made short work of last year)I wish Mr. Boston had a little less power.

I've had a pretty awful couple of days at work so I hope to be surprised today by a little better day.

[erin.darcy]

Oh.my.god. I love her-and her two painted toes! That is to funniest, cutest, such a mom-on-the-go kind of thing.
Surprise on my doorstep this morning-but I've yet to pick it up at the post office, let alone have a picture. :-)

[Jess]

I found this scene this morning when I woke up.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jesspunky/2759902134/

[ELK]

great shot and the two toe paint...have so done that!

this happened a few days ago while my back was turned ~ think 100+ degrees, water and fur .....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/2757114734/

[Paige]

Oh my god, so adorable. It has a very 1950's feel to it. I love it when a baby gets a double chin from laughing so hard. heehee!

[margie]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/margela/

i had a surprise just yesterday, my son and daughter in law are observant jews and yesterday my grandson turned three and was having his haircut for the first time at this birthday party. i had no idea that this ceremony involved letting all the children and adults to each cut a piece of hair while little david sat there calmly handing out candies to each cutter. after cake and ice cream of course.

[~kristina~]

What wonderful photos! Love that little boy.

I guess my main surprise is how my camera helps me see things I've never noticed before (especially that macro lens!) Discovered the beauty of colored sugar awhile ago:

http://meadowlarkdays.blogspot.com/2008/08/wordless-wednesday-1.html

[Bet]

Two painted toes.
The woman is my hero!!
I love the vintage feel of the photo and what a great post!

[mnkathy]

This photo is sublime! Thanks for sharing it and the story too. Love Mom's toes...

[daisy]

LOVE the painted toes!

My latest surprise was some shiny green visitors (no not aliens):

http://www.sharrock.net/2008/08/squatters.html

[claudia]

My surprise came a few months ago. I had never seen the beauty of a painted lady butterfly chrysalis before this day.

http://flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/2530433624/in/set-72157604821920327/

Before that it was discovering Polaroid film almost too late...

http://flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/2454711535/in/set-72157604675872027/

[Lan]

i was surprised last night that i my little point and shoot could handle action shots. and that i actually enjoyed taking pix of people.

http://whatiseeclicks.blogspot.com/2008/08/volleyballaction.html

[Kate Baumert]

http://happyinthehamptons.blogspot.com/2008/08/love-is-in-air.html
My surprise is that my first photo shoot went really well!!!

[Wayfaring Wanderer]

I would like to work in that sort of environment......great photo btw :)

Not knowing what's around the bend will be surprising to me!

http://wayfaring-wanderer.blogspot.com/2008/08/degree-of-inclination.html

[jag]

Love the photo and the 1950's feel to it! Here's a little something I was surprised by last summer - I thought I had totally missed poppy season in Tuscany.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/2272389196/in/set-72157606064294651/

pace e bene,

[ePi.Longo]

How can you see yourself in some spoons?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/longo/2745555393/

[Michelle S]

Mr. Boston is adorable. I love this photo.

[Shawna]

I love the colors in this photo. My surprise was my photographer dad coming to visit me on the way to a business trip and gifting me his "old" camera after he got the new model last week. I can't wait to capture every little surprise my daughter has to offer! (PS the links didn't work for me on this post?)

[Claudious]

Absolutely amazing picture of the little man, it's funny to see how fast they grow, but it's amusing to watch those little arms try so hard to reach so high.

I recently took your story about your daughter's camera to inspire me to take mine out for a walk. The sad reflection can be found here: http://www.mylucidreality.com/2008/08/12/the-waterfall/

[Eurika]

Is it only me, or doesn't the links on your post work?
Beautiful picture, adorable child!
I love visiting your blog...

[tangobaby]

I didn't have any surprises to share for this post, but I have to tell you that this little guy in the photo is making me smile a lot! What a cutie pie!

[Robin-bird]

i can't imagine letting this beauty of a photograph pass without comment. it is brilliant in it's subdued tones and the fact that had he not been so short mr. boston would have been dressed for the office along with his daddy :) i truly love this image!!!

[stacy]

this photo makes me so happy; mr. boston is the bees knees. i had to laugh at the toe nail part of the story because i recently did the same thing at a wedding i attended... great shot.

[Christopher Cale]

I must agree that this is one of the best photos that I've ever seen! Of course, I'm tremendousuly biased because I'm Boston's Pa-Paw and Jesi is my beautiful daughter.

The photo has a strong vintage feel.... love it!

Christopher

[<a href="http://thevintageacousticguitar.blogspot.]

nice work....want to know about guitars i think you are passionate about that..visit this

[crear web gratis]

i really like your pics

[Baby Gender Predictor]

It's the posture of the father which I like here - like he's very rigid and only stubbornly taking part in the shot. The baby is a cutey though. Check this site out if you like: http:www.baby-gender-predictor.net

[Baby Gender Predictor]

Ooops got the address wrong!

It's the posture of the father which I like here - like he's very rigid and only stubbornly taking part in the shot. The baby is a cutey though. Check this site out if you like: http://www.baby-gender-predictor.net

[Jack]

Mr. Boston looks handsome. I laughed for only two toes painted :)

[Singing Machine Karaoke]

That's really a great photo! :]

[jake]

That is one big baby haha