In the Blink of an Eye…

They say it happens in “the blink of an eye”…  The sleepless nights with your babies turn into sleepless nights with your teens. Over the past few days I’ve been seeing the posts of friends who have children graduating from High School and it’s starting to feel real. Mine aren’t quite there, but also not far off. 

It makes me think of another saying that suddenly has new meaning: “The days are long but the years are short.” Those endless afternoons of play-doh, hide & seek, and one more push on the swing waiting for bedtime so I could rest and catch up have shifted to franticly shuttling my teens to activities and mapping out how to squeeze the coveted family dinner into the schedule. And trying to stay awake until they are in bed. Now, I’d love to give one more push on the swing…

The training wheels are off. The balance of cheering them on to their new adventures and keeping them safe in bubble wrap is mind-bending. My son is suddenly taller than my husband! How does it go so fast?

I have a few clients who book my portrait services yearly. But honestly, when asked, I suggest every 2 to 3 years. Once your children are no longer babies, they change at a slower pace and you can see those changes clearly after a few years. There are many families who are in a completely different category and and maybe have never done professional portraits. Whatever the case, I recommend that clients schedule a portrait session before their children are taller than they and their spouse are. Until someone invents a time machine, those moments are lost if not captured…

Contact us today if you’d like to book a portrait session to capture the moments for your family.

 

 

Only 18 Years: Make the Memories. Capture the Moments…

You only get 18 summers, 18 holiday breaks, 18 years…

Watching my kids grow up kind of takes my breath away. Those sweet chubby hands and cheeks start to thin out and one day your baby is a little person. Just like that! But don’t blink because in what seems like a matter of months (not years) they become independent and even have their own little sense of humor and style. You can’t freeze time.

A few years back I realized that I didn’t have infinite time with my kids. Someday my two will have their own adventures and make their own vacation plans with their significant others or families. Sure, they may invite my husband and me along or vice versa, but who knows. I started to think about what I’d really love to do together as a family while I’m still in “control” of the plans.

The Grand Canyon, other National Parks, Hawaii, a ski trip out west, Europe… the wheels were turning! When my son was in fourth grade, my husband and I started to think about how many years (and dollars) we had and what our priorities were. We only had 18 years and the clock was already ticking…. The Ogar Travel and Wish List was born.

At some point along the way, we started to ask the kids to help us create our family “bucket list”. We were clear that there was no guarantee we’d make it to these places, but it’s been super fun to plan and research. Then one day my son said, I’d like to ski Tuckerman’s Ravine—this insane back country part of Mount Washington in NH. And I’d like to do some back country camping. My daughter decided we need a real pet… “and fish don’t count.” And thus we lost a little of that control… but we gained so much.

The list became something we talked about over dinner, on car rides, and ironically often while on one of these adventures. School and sports schedules, work commitments and certainly cost always factor into our planning, but I am excited and kind of proud of how well we’ve done. Small local items and big expensive trips grace the same list. Decisions and compromises are made as we plot and plan. We’ve had amazing moments…and about a million photographs taken to pare with my beautiful memories.

Our daughter looks so small biking along the edge of the Grand Canyon. Our son looks so strong and brave before taking on Courbet’s Coulier in Jackson Hole. My husbands smile is suddenly more rugged with his beard as he skates with our son at the Winnipeasaukee Pond Hockey Tournament. We adults change too…

This summer our kids will turn 14 and 16!

Even if you aren’t a planner, maybe think about what you’d like to do before your family is grown. And don’t forget to document the moments along the way. Who knew my son would grow more than 6 inches in just 6 months last year. Thank goodness we have those photos from when I was still taller. They are hanging next to the ones of my daughter the day she learned to walk on our annual trip to Maine, the big family portrait taken for my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary, and the one where my son caught the love of fishing….

Take the trip. Make the memories. Capture the moments…

Life is too short not to enjoy these moments and document them along the way.
Preserving memories of childhood for a lifetime of enjoyment brings me so much pleasure. We hope you take many snapshots of your adventures along the way.

Contact us today if you’d like to book a portrait session to capture the moments for your family.

 

 

YOUR MOMENTS: 12 in 12 Pets and Their People to support Baypath Humane Society

For both March & April, we will be offering special Pet (and Their People) Sessions….

Book your session today and 100% of your session fee will be donated to Bay Path Humane Society of Hopkinton. We can photograph your pet alone or with you and your children. Sessions can be done any time in 2019 (based on availability). We look forward to heading from you. info@susanogarphotography.com

 

Honored for Outstanding Portraiture

I am honored and proud that my recent portrait, The Farmer, received the highest score for outstanding portraiture at the Professional Photographers Association of Massachusetts (PPAM) Annual Convention. 

The winning portrait, The Farmer, was taken in Northborough and is a black and white portrait of local farmer, Kerrie Yellick of Yellick’s Farm Stand. The portrait was taken as a personal project. I plan to share more about the people around town who make Northborough a special place.

I also received 3 Blue Ribbons for 3 Merit Images from PPAM.

Professional Photographers of Massachusetts (PPAM) is affiliated with the International Photographers Association and Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

PPA is a worldwide association which exists to assist its members in achieving their professional, artistic and fraternal goals; promote public awareness of the profession; and to advance the making of images in all of its disciplines as an art, a science and a visual recorder of history.

The Massachusetts state affiliate, PPAM is comprised of more than 200 photographers, suppliers and image makers.

Kerrie Yellick started the garden at her historic Hudson Street home four years ago. She describes it as a small family-owned and operated farm selling produce and cut flowers grown naturally without the use of pesticides or chemicals. To learn more about Yellick’s Farm, see our Northborough Exposure Blog post. 

YOUR MOMENTS: 12 in 12

The Details on MOMENTS: 12 in 12

I love photographing families and children. Once in a while, someone I have photographed leaves this world. My heart is alway heavy when I hear this news, but also joyful for the fact that we captured some moments to hold onto. (Sometimes it’s even a four-legged family member.) This past November, a special client passed away and that really started me thinking about the heart of what I do. I decided to give 12 Portrait Sessions away in the 12 months of 2019…

Each month I will announce that month’s contest or program. Some will be fun, most will be based on giving back. 1 winner each month will receive a Gift Certificate for a free Session worth up to $300. It can be used on your own family or gifted to someone you love.

More on that Special Client who passed…

Back in 2013, I joined a program called the Olivia Act where people were able to nominate someone for a free portrait session; Someone who otherwise might not have the available time or resources. Through this, I met and photographed a wonderful grandmother with her granddaughter. Janet, the grandmother, passed away in November 2018. She is pictured here with her granddaughter walking hand in hand.

Started by a photographer from Texas, the Olivia Act is named after one of the children killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings, whose family had taken family photos only days before. Realizing the comfort the family would take from these photos, the Olivia Act challenges photographers to offer free family photo shoots to families that otherwise might not have them done.

Celebrate Your Family Legacy

Grandparents and other older relatives play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren and vise versa. The older relatives in your life can act as role models and mentors for the younger generation. Think of them as your own personal historians instilling ethnic heritage and traditions. Plus…grandparents are built in buddies for their grandchildren.

According to Dr. Karl Pillemer of Cornell University, the relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren is second in emotional importance only to the relationship between parent and child. Children benefit when grandparents are involved in their lives. But grandparents also enjoy benefits from the relationship with their grandchildren.

A recent study by Boston College found that “an emotionally close relationship between grandparent and grandchildren is associated with fewer symptoms of depression for both generations.”

Susan Ogar Photography is proud to partner with Bridges Together to celebrate intergenerational relationships. Bridges Together is creating and spreading intergenerational programs that bring children and adults over the age of 55 together for shared experiences and cooperative learning. In September, Intergenerational Month, Susan Ogar Photography offered Generational Portrait Sessions and donated the session fees directly to Bridges Together. Stay tuned for next fall’s charitable program. 

In the meantime, this holiday season, engage with grandparents and relatives by inquiring about their lives. You may be surprised by what you learn…

– Did you go to college? What did you study? If you didn’t go to college, do you wish you had had the opportunity? What did you do instead?

– Did you have any pets growing up?

– Did you live in a house or an apartment? What was it like? What was your room like?

– Do you know any stories about the history of the family name, or the origins of the family?

– How many brothers and sisters do you have? What are their names? What do you remember about them from growing up?

– How did you meet your spouse? How old were you when you met/got engaged/got married? – – What was the wedding like?

– What are the most difficult and most rewarding things about growing older?

– What big world events were the most memorable while you were growing up?

– What did you want to be when you grew up?

– What do you remember about your parents? Your grandparents?

– What do you want your children and grandchildren to remember about you?

– What kinds of clothes, hobbies, slang terms were popular when you were a teenager?

– What life advice would you pass along to your grandchildren?

– What was your favorite thing about school? Least favorite? What were your friends like? Who was your favorite teacher, and what was your favorite subject?

– What were your children like when they were growing up?

– What were your favorite games and hobbies? Did you play any sports? What else did you do for fun?

– What was your first job? What was your favorite job?

– What’s your favorite book or movie and why? What was your favorite when you were young?

– Where and when were you born? Did your parents ever share their memories with you about the day you were born?

Who were your heroes or role models when you were young?

*20 Questions Grandparents Never Get Sick of Hearing posted by Sarah Stevenson on A Place for Mom blog.

The Boroughs & Beyond… October 2018

Fall in New England… a magical time of year with the beauty of nature showing her true colors. For me personally, fall means the busy season. While thrilled to be fortunate enough to be super busy with sessions and clients this year, I do miss enjoying the beauty of the autumn. I’ve been sneaking in some hikes and time in nature.

So, where was this image taken? Do you know?

Play Along!! Here’s how it works…  I will post an image taken somewhere in or near the Boroughs area.

The first 3 people to correctly identify the location will win a set of Susan Ogar Photography note cards. How to win…
1. Like the Post on Facebook
2. Tag a friend (In the comments on Facebook) who you think will enjoy the image. AND/OR share it to your page or a friend’s page.
3. Email the correct answer to info@SusanOgarPhotography.com

Thank you to everyone who liked, shared and emailed in for our last post. Please visit Davidian Bros Farm upstairs area to see more of my Fine Art Photography.

The correct location of the last image above is Tower Hill Botanical Gardens. 

[/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][/tatsu_section]

Northborough Exposure: The Farm Girl

Welcome to Northborough Exposure. This blog will introduce you to local, everyday people from Northborough. Your neighbors. My neighbors.

This edition of Northborough Exposure is about The Farm Girl. For several years I watched the garden on Hudson Street grow and expand as I drove my son to and from hockey practice and games. For those of you in hockey families, you know how much time we spend at the rink… I’d see this dark-haired, tanned woman toiling away in the garden from April to November. Each year new rows of crops added, a new mini greenhouse constructed, and more growth.

One day, as I drove past the iconic aqueduct and onto the later part of Hudson Street, there was a sign and an “open” flag flapping in the wind.  Yellick Farm Stand was born. I was thrilled to check out the amazingly fresh veggies, but also anxious to meet the woman from the garden who I began to think of as The Farm Girl.

Now you get to meet The Farm Girl, Kerrie Tetreault-Yellick. Kerrie started the garden at her historic Hudson Street home four years ago. She describes it as a small family-owned and operated farm selling produce and cut flowers grown naturally without the use of pesticides or chemicals. Kerrie says her love of gardening was inspired by her grandmother Betty Tetreault and her passion for farming is rooted in 13 years of working on Berberian’s farm. Kerrie says, “working at Berbarians taught me to work hard but have fun playing in the dirt…”

Named for the families dairy farm that was once across the street, the farm stand happened by accident. After buying the house from her husband’s great grandparents, Kerrie expanded the garden and she says her husband was “tired of all the vegetables piling up on the counter…” Each time I stop, I get amazing produce, a genuine smile, good conversation and often an extra gift. On one stop, Kerrie gave me the useful advice to add flowers to my container gardens to attract bees. I did so and ta-da, my flowering cucumber plants where pollinated and began to bear fruit. On another visit, I was greeted lovingly by a sweet black and while cat who followed me throughout my visit. The best gift is the taste of fresh vegetables. Growing up I thought that I didn’t like tomatoes. It turned out that I’d never eaten a real tomato. A farm tomato. I suggest you go get some. And say Hi to the Farm Girl (and the bees, butterflies and cat) while you are there.

As a personal project, I hope to share more about the people around town who make Northborough a special place. I’m taking the blog over from my wonderful friend and fellow photographer, Joyce Maranto who started it last year.

The Boroughs & Beyond… July 2018

I hope you are enjoying summer as much as I am! I’m squeezing in the July Boroughs & Beyond on the VERY last of the month because I’ve been frolicking in the summer sun all over New England and am finally buckling down to work.

I will do a post of my summer adventures soon, but in the meantime, here’s this month’s image.

So, where was this image taken? Do you know?

Play Along!! Here’s how it works… Each month I will post an image taken somewhere in or near the Boroughs area.

The first 3 people to correctly identify the location will win a set a Susan Ogar Photography note cards. How to win…
1. Like the Post on Facebook
2. Tag a friend (In the comments on Facebook) who you think will enjoy the image. AND/OR share it to your page or a friend’s page.
3. Email the correct answer to info@SusanOgarPhotography.com

 

 

Thank you to everyone who liked, shared and emailed in for our June Post.

The correct location of the June image above is Bancroft Tower located in Worcester. The tower is a 56-foot-high stone and granite tower, which looks like a miniature feudal castle. It is located in Salisbury Park and was erected in 1900, in memory of Worcester native politician, historian, and statesman George Bancroft. 

[/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][/tatsu_section]

The Boroughs & Beyond… June 2018

Summer Solstice is a holiday in my book!

Now that the weather is brighter and warmer, I’m loving getting out to explore and photograph more local places. This month’s Boroughs & Beyond image is a fun one. An interesting, local, lesser-known landmark…

So, where was this image taken? Do you know?

Play Along!! Here’s how it works… Each month I will post an image taken somewhere near the Boroughs area.

The first 3 people to correctly identify the location will win a set a Susan Ogar Photography note cards. How to win…
1. Like the Post on Facebook
2. Tag a friend (In the comments on Facebook) who you think will enjoy the image. AND/OR share it to your page or a friend’s page.
3. Email the correct answer to info@SusanOgarPhotography.com

Thank you to everyone who liked, shared and emailed in for our May Post.

The correct location of the May image above is The Old North Bridge in Concord, MA. Allow me to geek out a bit… here is some history and fun facts: The North Bridge (often called the Old North Bridge) is a historical site in the Battle of Concord, the first day of battle in the American War of Independence. The current wooden pedestrian bridge is a replica of the one that stood at the day of the battle. It and nearby sites are now part of the Minute Man National Historical Park of the National Park Service, an extremely popular tourist destination.

It spans the Concord River 0.5 miles northeast from the start of the river at the confluence of the Assabet River and the Sudbury River at Egg Rock. For local Boroughs friends, the Assabet River runs through Northborough as well. The North Bridge in my photograph is actually a recent restoration of the last bridge built on this site in 1956. The 1956 bridge is the fifth bridge to occupy this hallowed ground since the time of the battle in 1775. The bridge that was there in 1775, the “battle bridge,” was taken down in 1788.

Copyright Susan Ogar Photography 2023. All Rights Reserved