Sweet Summer Time

It has been a long time since I last sat down to write here.
Many wonderful things have transpired. Couples have been wed and babies have been born. Seniors have graduated ready to move on and our dear sweet kitty passed away. All these things are a part of life and all it's gifts and challenges. I continue to have the honor and privilege of photographing all these events. Moment after moment of sweet and sorrow. I have so many images to post and yet at this moment I am only putting up a few. It's a bit of a take time to stop and "see" the flowers sort of night. I will post the other wonderful photos soon but for now please take these in. It is summer and the smell of sweetness and the warmth of the sunlight mixes each day to remind us of the beauty and abundance of it all.

Photo Show!

Well....I have been busy working and photographing things and people I love.It is time to spread it out there!
I will be having this show and it has been a great project for so many reasons. I am excited to create a space where we can all come together and hear some great music...Brett Fenex is one of my all time favorite musicians and will be playing for us at the opening. All are welcome and I invite you all to take a bit of time to stop and look at the photos and listen to the tunes.
I will be posting them on this site later next week for viewing and ordering of prints. I hope to have the book of the nests published soon as well so keep your eyes out for that!
Thanks and hope you are having a sweet May!

Nate the Great

This little guy is just gonna be called that! It was great to photograph him and I felt great being near him and I think Nate the Great is perfect for him! I had photographed his older brother and sister last year and that was wonderful so it was no surprise to have such a sweet time with Nate. Babies are so infectiously lovable.....that's great too!

The photo shows!

I went the extra mile and put up my PHOTO SHOWS!! That's right...2 shows. I printed, matted, framed and hung each image and I loved doing it.
So...here are my thoughts. I need to continue to do it! I enjoyed it so much I decided to have another show. It will be local and with music and there will be a great opening to invite everyone to view and purchase photos!! Or at least hire me to photograph your family. I'll keep you posted.

I have attached a few glimpses. What is most interesting is how different each show is. One is entirely kids and families and what I do for my portraiture and the other is fine art...AHH!! the nests. I can honestly say I am proud of both and would really love to share them with you. Take a peek....

Oh Yes..the website!

I have had an ongoing courtship with technology and it seems to finally becoming more intimate. By this I mean I am figuring out new buttons on my computer and just what they are for! I have just realized how to make the Blog work with my website and so here is the link and please check out the photos there.

www.montalbanophoto.com

I want to say a most special THANK YOU to my website Master..AL SHANTO who has so graciously worked for over a year creating this with me. He has been patient with my indecisiveness, supportive in his creativity and dedicated to finishing.
I am so grateful and think if you need a web Master he is your guy!

Here is a photo of a beautiful dragonfly my friend Sonia found. I think they are quite stunning and mytserious. I hope you come across something mysterious and stunning. I imagine we do all the time it's just a matter of noticing.....or shall I say "glimpsing".

Happy anniversary

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This is for my parents on their 46th wedding aniversary! I think they are the greatest parents anyone could ever ask for. They have role modeled a remarkable, respectful, loving and beautiful relationship all my life. They have supported all of us (4 kids) in so many ways...emotionally, physically and spiritually and I know my brothers would agree when I say I believe we are so blessed to have all had each other in this lifetime. Mom and Dad..Thanks and we love you!

Marriage..."A Union of Souls"

During the past few weeks I have had the great honor of photographing some remarkable moments in time. An opportunity to see change in the world. At one of the weddings of these women a toast was made that recited one of the definitions of MARRIAGE..n., "a union between two souls". One of the things that I found most moving was that each of these couples had been together for more than twenty years. They understand committment and unconditional love in a way most newlyweds can't begin to imagine. Here's to LOVE....in all it's beautiful forms!

Our Owen

It had been a wee while since I last saw my new nephew Owen. I had either forgotten how cute he was or he got cuter I am not sure which. He and I had fun but he was most interested in Buttercup our cat. I remember when my daughter was so small and she didn't like getting her clothes changed and now that she is almost a teenager it seems that's all she does. My son, however, still does not like change of any kind as he is more a creature of habit.
I enjoy all the stages of childhood and feel particularly blessed to be able to document it!
It keeps me connected to what really matters in life...LOVE!

Can't help but smile!

Harvest

The fall is upon us and one of my favorite seasons as the days trade off between crisp and sultry.
The light hits the earth at a different angle now and I feel it and see it in my photos.
I am busy photographing kids' smiles at school and families wanting to make long lasting heirloom gifts for the holidays.
I do love it.
I encourage you to let go of the old habits that no longer worl, take in the abundance of all that is around you at this time and savor it as it is such a joyful and healing thing to do.
Take care,
Michelle

sweet

I have been loving the light just before and during sunset. That time when you know it won't last but it sure is sweet while it's there. AND the kids I haave been photographing lately are spectaculary sweet themselves. I am quite fortunate to be able to do what i love.
Go enjoy the sunset tonightand share it with someone sweet.

bellies,babies and bubbles

I have had so much fun lately photographing what I want. I am still in awe of pregnant women and their beauty. I am still in love with babies and their wonder. Have fun viewing these "GLIMPSES" I had a great time taking them!
Thanks.

the web at last!

Owen Maxwell

Well...I am an AUNT yet again. There is something so magical about babies. I never tire of them. Okay maybe at 3 a.m. for the 20th night in a row and they are up and incessantly crying I might tire of them but otherwise I just love 'em. This is our latest edition to our family. Owen Maxwell. His name is longer than he is. I think he is so perfect and beautiful. I think Owen thinks I have a big black thing attached to my face (camera) because I just want to capture all the glimpses. Here is just one...enjoy!

the nest

Anastella and I made our way to a beautiful mustard field today. It was incredible and fun. She is becoming quite the photographer and has an eye of her own. I love sharing this with her and I may be biased but I think she is amazing.
I am becoming more and more inspired for the nest series.