carolyn bowles photography blog

This summer I moved my studio office to a new room in my home, and just love the freshly updated space. I wanted the room to be clean, functional, organized, and fun. It’s still a work-in-progress as more artwork is to be hung on the walls, hardwood floors to be installed on the floors, and some reorganization of my shelves to take place. But, since many of you have been asking to get a sneak peek, I thought I’d share today.

This first photo is where I spend most of my time — sitting at my computer editing. Believe it or not, all those pretty white boxes are filled with vendor samples, tax receipts, marketing materials, and tons of other stuff that I want to organize and hide. They are fantastic and I love the organization!

This area is where I keep all my own personal family mementos and albums. Each flat box holds a different year of memories such as ticket stubs, special cards, birthday candles, fortune cookie slips, and whatever other little items hold dear memories for my family. I love looking in these boxes and remembering the little things we do and celebrate in life together. The painting is one my oldest child painted yesterday — her first acrylic and canvas painting ever. It was designed for the playroom as I planned on displaying photography canvases here, but this painting just warms my heart and it may live here for a little while. In front of the shelving unit, I have two vintage Bertoia chairs arranged with a little white round vintage table. It creates a warm space for visitors and I love when people hang out in this room with me.

Here are a few details of the room that make me smile. The spray of wooden sticks in a huge white vase from CB2. My organized files that are so neatly labeled. My retro space age lamp from a vintage store that has the warmest glow late in the evening. The Bertoia chair that has a sleek design, yet is really comfortable for sitting and visiting. My IKEA paper tray that keeps everything so neat and tidy — from big stacks of bright pink tissue paper to chocolate colored photo boxes and so much more. This is my lifesaver to keeping everything at my fingertips in nice, big drawers.

And this is the very first item I purchased for the room. My little bird vases. They are made out of recycled glass and are hand blown so each one is unique. I love filling them with flowers. Here are some peonies from Trader Joe’s (I try to get flowers there once a week) that fill the tiny vases so beautifully.

Thanks for taking a look! Now you know where I work on all the images you see here and that are displayed in your homes.

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I have been very quiet on the blog lately as I have been doing some summer travels and busy creating memories with my own family. Of course while I absolutely love documenting special moments for families year-round, I have taken a little break to spend extra time with my kids and husband. It has been a pure joy to get away and refocus. We have been to Chicago for the weekend, visiting grandparents and long-distance friends in Philadelphia, and now here, at Bethany Beach in Delaware (our yearly place) for a week. Yes, traveling around has been a wonderful break and I’m happy to share a few photos of our favorite local beach hangouts.

The beach was wonderful, and we couldn’t believe how perfect the weather was during our stay there.

This is our favorite place to get candy and salt water taffy. I have been coming here since a little girl and there’s nothing like getting sweet treats on the busy boardwalk at night. Love it!

And here is where we love to shop for special treasures like sea shells and fun little trinkets. Again, it’s another place I’ve been frequenting for about thirty years and it still warms my heart to step into such a sweet little souvenir shop.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summers and doing some fun family activities too. On a business note, we have a few summer sessions to finish up, and then we are starting to book for the busy fall season. So, if you’d like to have a session this fall, let us know soon. Thanks!

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Mother’s day is this weekend and I just couldn’t wait to share this beautiful gift a dad of five boys ordered for his wife. He wanted to do something really special for her, and wow, did he ever! Isn’t this canvas wall gallery simply divine? It’s 7 individual canvases displayed together for a clean, modern look. I know it’s a gift his wife will treasure for years to come. I’m so happy to have photographed their family, and helped pull together such a magnificent surprise. Enjoy K family, and happy mother’s day to all the fabulous mommies out there.

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I had the joy of photographing a beautiful spring baby girl the other day. At only 7 days old, she was so happy to snuggle, sleep, and eat. My kind of girl! Thanks B family for inviting me into your home during these special early days. It was an honor to be one of the first meet her and welcome her into this world.

This first image is one of my very favorites. I can’t stop looking at it. She’s so beautiful and peaceful. And, oh how I love that baby skin. Those cute cheeks resting on her tiny hands while all bundled in a soft pink blanket. Swoon.

And I love those tiny fingers and toes. Does it get much sweeter than this?

Some beautiful black and white portraits. I love that she was both awake and asleep — we got some great variety in our shots.

And I love mommy and daddy kissing here with their newest addition in their arms. What a loving family. You’re off to a fantastic start as a unit of three!

Thanks again for a lovely morning. It was a perfect start to the weekend.

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I am so excited to share my new camera tote bag with everyone! I spied it last year online and just had to have it. Well, so did everyone else apparently because there was a waiting list. Nonetheless, my husband told me to get on the list and said he’d buy one for me as an anniversary present. It was just too perfect for taking around town, on trips, and to all those school events. And I was right, it’s absolutely divine! I used it the other day when out and about with my family and it worked like a charm. Thanks emera, and hubby! See the images below and then my more specific description of how everything fits so neat and tidy inside (and the scoop on how to get one!)

Here’s the nitty gritty on these awesome camera totes:

• the outside is a classic, yet modern black quilted material
• the top has a super zipper enclosure. it zips while still allowing you the space to shut the bag. smart design.
• the inside is made of a sleek canvas material that holds so much stuff — you’ll see I put in it my camera with lens attached on one side (protected by all the velcro padding that comes with the bag) and then my wallet, sunglasses, keys, and whatever else I needed for the day on the other side.
• the inside even comes with a sleeve for your laptop (or in my case, baby wipes and bibs) and a zippered pouch which housed all my extra batteries, cleaning supplies, and compact flash cards.
• on each side of the bag is a pocket. i found one side perfect for my iPhone and the other side perfect for a tube of lipgloss. easy access to both!
• and then I just love the little strap that fits beautifully on my arm.

Now, where to get these lovelies? Check them out at www.emerabags.com. And, Nathiya, the brilliant designer, even has them in stock. So, grab one up fast!

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I have a confession to make. It’s been a long, gloomy winter for me. One of my best and oldest friends, my Grammy, passed away. We struggled with the decision on whether or not to move across the country (we’re not, we’re staying!) And if I’m truly honest, my beautiful home simply got messy and chaotic. So, with the warmth of spring on the horizon and the sun that is finally starting to shine again, I’m feeling quite optimistic and more like my old cheery self.

Then when I saw these lovely flowers today at the market, I just knew the clouds were lifting. This tiny bouquet of simple daffodils made me so happy. I knew I had to have them. The moment I got home I pulled out a favorite small glass vase and placed them in a special spot where I can see them all day long. The color. The freshness. The bright green stalks. The sweet aroma. The yellow. Ah, I love everything about these little flowers.

So, now that I’m back blogging, I have to get back to my new year’s drawing. I had promised to send out ten gift cards to ten amazing blog readers as a thank you for a wonderful 2009 and to kick off the new decade. So, the winners of this contest are: rachel olsen, ann westerman, melissa surprise, jane combs, cindy chen, sharon mccafferty, tracy larsen, gwendolyn waite, jen roberts, and rachel clare. The ten dollar gift cards are to my favorite places, including: starbucks, ann taylor loft, trader joe’s, sephora, and the gap. You will each be receiving an email from me notifying you of being a winner, asking your mailing address, and seeing if you have a gift card preference. Maybe we have a few loves in common! Thanks everyone for a wonderful last year, and for a great year ahead!

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Happy new year to all my wonderful blog readers! I wanted to say a big thank you for taking the time to comment on my posts and to become involved in our online creative community this past year. You all warm my heart so much! So, to kick off the new decade, I will be giving away $10 gift cards to 10 lucky winners to my favorite stores. And to enter there is absolutely nothing you have to do! If you’ve made a comment at all this past year on my blog you will automatically be entered into the drawing. It’s my way of saying thank you for all your support, love, enthusiasm, and participation. All my blog readers rock and I am super grateful to each one of you. Best of luck to you with the contest, and in the start of the new year! Check back next week to see if you’re a winner!

This contest is also to make up for the fact that my original blog contest fizzled as the busy season approached. So sorry! This has been the busiest season ever for Carolyn Bowles Photography and I’d just like to thank all my super duper clients for an incredible year.

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When a mom from New York City contacted me for a session, I was so glad our schedules coordinated. I would be in town that weekend and was happy to squeeze in a session. So, we scheduled our time together and crossed our fingers for good weather. Well, the gods must have been on our side that morning as I woke to a warm sun and gorgeous light. Yes, I knew right then and there it’d be a good day. I then hopped into the cab that would take me to the beautiful old steps that led to the family’s apartment. It wasn’t long before buzzing their front door that I was greeted by the most amazing mom, dad, and kids. They were so friendly, full of smiles, and up for anything. In short, my kind of people! We strolled from their place toward Central Park—stopping along the way to take in the unique architecture, flower shops, bright yellow taxis, and all the things that surround their everyday world. Once in the park, we enjoyed doing things kids love to do such as climbing rocks, jumping in leaves, picking up sticks, and taking a visit to the playground. The park was filled with kids, families, and dogs. It was such a vibrant place to be on such a beautiful day.

Whoever says taxi cab drivers aren’t friendly hasn’t met this one. This guy was so nice to allow us to photograph his cab. Here, he’s making googly faces for little miss j.

This corner flower shop is just a short walk from their apartment. Beautiful!

I love the joy that exudes from these kids’ faces as they walk the city streets they call home.

Ah, the park is loads of fun. Everyone loved playing with the leaves, saying hello to all the doggies, and partaking in the slide and swings. Mr j pretended the big rocks were pirate ships. You had to be on the rocks to be safe from the sharks. Yes, he had quite the imagination. Made our time together even more fun to play!

Thank you p family for being the most gracious hosts. It was a big treat to meet all of you!

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I looove halloween. There’s always been something about the crisp fall air when little ghouls, goblins and fairies get to fly free in the neighborhood. The sweet stickiness of candy filling the brim of your plastic orange pumpkin. And the way everyone’s excitement lights up the dark streets. It’s all so magical. Soon the sun will be going down and our jack-o-lanterns will come alive with their silly, scary, happy, toothless smiles. Their illumination will brighten the porch, and our hearts.

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Little miss c was such a kind host at her house for our session the other day. She allowed me to photograph her doing so many fun things — from swinging on her new swing set to running in the backyard to jumping in the leaves to dancing in her room and to top it all off, having a tea party in the backyard. Whew! Yes, this toddler is busy, busy, busy! Luckily, I was able to keep up and snap some adorable images of this little lady. Thank you i family for a wonderful session!

What fun to spread out a bright, orange blanket in the grass and enjoy a tea party. Oh, to be two again!

Mommy and daddy are so tender with their sweet little one. I loved documenting the special bond they all share.

Thank you again i family for the relaxed atmosphere you create — it makes for perfectly beautiful, natural images. It was so wonderful spending the afternoon with you! And happy early birthday to you too miss c. Enjoy the celebration!

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