Stoked to be at Stokes!

There were 4 slots available, 108 applicants...
he was the 2nd name pulled.


Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School

My first born started Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School (that's a mouth-ful most of us just call the school - Stokes) this year (2009). Oh yeah, did i mention - DCPS school systems operates on a lottery system? Talk about a nail-biting, anxiety- filled experience last year was as we rolled the dice with hundreds of other DC parents trying to get their child(ren) into a decent pre-k program. Needless to say, when i heard the news we were in - i ran through the house shrieking from joy. The experience has yet to disappoint. For that i am extremely grateful...


This year and ever year after (i hope) i was allowed the privilege of capturing Stokes school-wide picture. The site was unbelievable, the weather superb - the images really reflect the beauty of the moment. Here are a few of my favorite from the bunch...enjoy!

Patricia Crain de Galarce

Director of Education

Fresh and sexy

A friend of mine, who is a jewelry designer http://farahbellah.wordpress.com, asked me to shoot some images of her new line of earrings - the results were stunning! I can't say enough good things about the moment we were able to create and capture; the day was perfect, the model divine. Here are some my favorite from the bunch - enjoy!

Bright lights big city

I am forever awed by the miracle of love. I've known this couple for along time now and when i heard they were going to be parents i was over the moon filled with joy. For reasons unique to my friend, there was no baby shower before the birth of their baby. Nope. All celebrations would wait and be held after the baby was born. Well. November 6, 2009 - he arrived. This weekend i was lucky enough to travel to NYC to congratulate the lucky couple and were i go so doth my camera. Here are a few shots of the tired, lucky but happy couple. Mazal Tov !

It a new dawn; it's a new day

I've decided that before January 2010 ends (there are exactly 17 days left, but who's counting)- i will commit to doing one of the of things i said i was going to do - blog. Ahem. Here's my first attempt - i hope you like.

For as long as i can remember I've longed for some talent that was unique to me. Born in the early (almost mid) 70's - i grew up listening to Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston - vocal powerhouses. And while i can carry a tune (my kids love my voice) i ain't know powerhouse. It's not til many years into my twenties i realized that the way i saw the world was in fact unique and my ability to capture it - my gift.

My first camera was given to me by my mother who passed away five years ago (soon to be six). The undertow of grief is wide, deep and strong and while i tried to hold it together, i realize now that to people who knew me well - my smile was too wide, my eyes unclear, my voice too sharp.

I'm happy to say I've come a long way, but there are still times when I slip back into the dark crevices of grief that never seems to go away. In 2010 I've promised to work at my life with as much intent and effort as i can muster. To walk toward the best me that i can imagine. To be happy...



I had the privilege of capturing this wee one while he was in his mam's belly (I'll post those images too). Here he is at his first photo shoot - he's 3 weeks old.
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