PPA degree ribbons and medallions.

As a professional in the photography business who isn't a photographer, the world of the Professional Photographers of America is one of mysteries- namely, degrees and merits. If I were to accompany Jeff and Carolle to a PPA convention, the ribbons and medallions decorating photographers would spell a litany of awards and years of hard work to a trained eye . . . but not to me.

According to Jeff, I'm not the only one out there wondering. Shortly after returning from the PPA National Convention in San Antonio a few months ago, Jeff set out to complete a project that described the degrees to folks like myself and photographers new to the world of PPA.

Jeff's work can be found on the PPA website (where I snagged all these images) . . . we encourage you to check it out and read into the award world of professional photographers.

~Abby

Capturing the unexpected moments of a wedding.

Just before vacation, I was browsing through a wedding from last summer for a studio project. I laughed out loud when I discovered a moment captured by Jeff and Carolle- a tiny flower girl sprawled on the floor of the aisle, smack dab in the middle of the ring ceremony.

I thought back to a story I heard once from a pastor: while presiding over a wedding in which his 4-year old was the ring bearer, he witnessed his son slowly crumble from standing upright with the groomsmen to using the ring pillow as a seat cushion. And then to resting his little head on the altar. Whoops. I began thinking, we all look for specific wedding moments- the groom's expression at the first sight of his bride, the kiss, the cutting of the cake. But what about the other moments, the unexpected, spur of the moment events that occur throughout the day? Thus began my quest through our wedding archives!

My findings were fantastic. Our clients are obviously full of personality and unafraid to show their senses of humor. All of the snippets, easily overlooked by guests or the wedding party, are now captured forever in lovely photographs. Can you imagine missing these? Here's a look at some fun moments from the last few years.

I, for one, am really stoked to check out the weddings from this season to see what little glimpses Jeff and Carolle catch this year.

~Abby

Will you be my bridesmaid?: A guest post from Laurie at Madeleine's Daughter

Dachowski Photography is pleased to introduce you to two guest bloggers while we're away on vacation . . . enjoy and we'll be back in the studio on July 5th!

. . .

"We know and the task of asking your friends and family to be your attendants in your wedding can be a little daunting. We don’t think it should be a task that has you biting your nails, so we did a little research and asked around to see how creative brides have asked their their girls to share in their special day.

Here is what we found out:

1- Wrap up a “How to be the best Bridesmaid ever” book and mail it to them or hand deliver it. Place a sentimental note inside the book, explaining how dear and treasured they are . . . you can also be blunt, sneaky or silly with a note that simply says “hint, hint”.

2- Create a scrapbook or small booklet featuring the two of you throughout your friendship. Include a personal note on the last page, “Will you be my bridesmaid?” with the date of your wedding. This is sure to get you both a little teary eyed!

3- Want something that they can wear? Have T-shirts made that say “bridesmaid." You can include the wedding date (or your name with your groom!). There are plenty of places that do screen printing and will customize to your specifications. Be creative or be simple; it’s all up to you.

4- Planning to purchase jewelry for them to wear? You could pre-purchase the trinkets- a necklace, bracelet, earrings, etc. and wrap it beautifully. Include a “Save the Date” on the tag or card and inside with the gift, sneak in a “Will you be my bridesmaid?” note.

5- Do your research:, if they don’t live nearby, seek out a florists in their area and send sweet smelling flowers with a personal note. Have them delivered, because all girls love to have flowers delivered to them! It will make the occasion even more special for them.

6- Get down and crafty! Build a bridesmaid's paper doll chain- write each bridesmaid's name on a doll and then fold it up accordion-style. Use pretty paper in your wedding colors! Hand deliver them or mail them in cute envelopes.

7- Graphically inclined? Go a little more bold and create a movie poster…starring, of course, you! Use a wedding themed movie as inspiration. Add your special request to the poster.

8- Our most simple suggestion yet- have a good old fashioned BBQ cookout! Invite all of the friends and family that you wish to ask and the surprise them by "popping the question." Just make sure that any non-bridal party guests don’t get the wrong impression…you don’t want more attendants than you intended (whoops)!

All in all, just have fun with it; think of fun and memorable ways to ask them and you won't regret it.

. . .

Laurie writes the blog for Madeleine's Daughter, a full service bridal salon in Portsmouth, NH.

(All bridesmaid images provided by Dachowski Photography)

Shedding camera shyness: A guest post by Garrie Madison Stoutimore

Dachowski Photography is pleased to introduce you to two guest bloggers while we're away on vacation . . . enjoy and we'll be back in the studio on July 5th!

. . .

I don’t usually categorize myself as an old dog, but I’m thinking it’s time to learn a new trick.

I’m one of those people who hates to be photographed. In snapshots, I always seem to be caught at the exact moment I look my worst. When I look at them later, I always cringe. I focus on the bags under my eyes, or the way my chin looks like it has doubled, or how much heavier I seem than when I last looked in the mirror. Consequently, at family outings I am the person who is nowhere to be found when the cameras come out. I was okay with this until last winter when my mother died.

After the funeral I sifted through piles of photographs- black and whites from the fifties, colored ones that had yellowed with age, even faded Polaroids from the seventies.

Images of my mother smiled back at me from all stages of her life- Mom swollen with pregnancy. Mom dressed in a black lace party dress and red lipstick. Mom disguised as Elvis for Halloween. Mom digging in her garden.

Some of the pictures are flattering. Some are not. In most of them, she is surrounded by her family. There she is with Dad. Here is one with my siblings. And in this one she is with all of her grandchildren. However, there were no images of my mother and me together. There are no reminders of how close we were, of how we laughed together, and worked together, and loved each other.

I realize that this is because I avoided having my picture taken, and now it is too late. I wonder if I will remember, and if my children will remember. And I wonder how their children will know.

When I look at photographs of my mother, I don’t see the lines on her face or that her chin had doubled. I see the love in her eyes, and the laughter in her heart. For me, looking at her images is comforting, and uplifting, and precious. Her images warm me and make me smile.

They remind me of how capable she was, and how she enveloped me in her long arms and how she was strong and gentle at the same time. I look at the gray eyes in her photographs- eyes that were stern when I was disrespectful, and steady when I was afraid, and soft when I was sad. I have the same gray eyes. Someday, my children will need to look at my picture and remember my eyes. But just as I cheated myself out of photographs with my mother, I have cheated my children out of the same thing.

So I’m rethinking this camera shy thing I’ve had going on. Maybe I’ll consider sitting in front of a camera- especially if the photographer can disguise my double chin and baggy eyes. After all, even Momma G can learn a new trick or two.

. . .

Garrie Madison Stoutimore is the author of the blog, A Cup of Tea with Momma G and a mother to three grown children.

(All mother and daughter images provided by Dachowski Photography.)

Bon Voyage!

We're leaving for vacation tonight!

Many of you have heard that Carolle's brother was recently named Archbishop of Quebec. Well, Jeff, Carolle, their girls and the whole family are headed to Rome for an audience with the Pope and an incredible vacation in one of the most amazing cities in the world (are you jealous yet?).

"But where is Abby?" The answer is: not at the studio.

Though I usually hold down the fort when Jeff and Carolle are away, I'm skipping off to Nashville for my own little excursion. Couldn't let the bosses have ALL the fun, could I?

While we're gone, we are pleased to welcome two guest bloggers who will keep up the blog in our absence . . . we hope you enjoy reading their work!

The studio will reopen on Tuesday July 5th, after the long holiday weekend. If you need to get in touch with us, leave us a voicemail at the studio (603.626.7300).

The Not So Plain Jane's new Plain Jane!

The secret is finally out! We've been teasing for months that we knew the identity of the new Plain Jane for Not So Plain Jane's . . . and here she is!

Long time client of NSPJ's, Wendy, was selected months ago and we helped them create some gorgeous images after Wendy was pampered at the salon.f We think she looks amazing, don't you think?

You can check out all the images from our session with Wendy and the NSPJ's ladies by visiting the NSPJ's Facebook page.

7 tips to fabulous baby portraits.

We simple ADORE baby portraits. We can't help it . . . they're just so sweet. That said, Jeff and Carolle have photographed . . . well, a lot of babies. We've seen it all- from the wide-eyed giggly to big grins covered in birthday cake (great picture, isn't it?). We've caught spit-up with our bare hands and performed monkey sounds with the best of them. We're pretty sure there's nothing that surprises us at this point (but that's not saying we can't be surprised . . .). After all of this, what is the best formula for superb baby portraits? Read on.

1. Naps- When is your baby freshest? First thing in the morning or later in the day? Most, if not all, infants are alert and photograph best after they're rested. Let us know what works best for your baby so that we can schedule a session time that fits his or her rhythm.

2. Feedings- No one (including adults) likes to be photographed on an empty stomach! Make sure your baby isn't hungry before his/her portrait session, but not so full that we have a spit-up issue (Abby the Baby Handler will thank you, we promise) . . . we guarantee you'll have fewer (or no) meltdowns if tummies aren't grumbling.

3. Stranger danger- Jeff and Carolle are the parents of two daughters and well remember the ages when their girls were most clingy. This stage can come and go at any time for any infant. In order to increase the smiles and decrease the tears (they make everyone oh-so sad!), let your baby or toddler get used to the staff by interacting and chatting with them before the session. We also keep the studio relatively baby proof, so if little hands wish to wander, they're welcome to explore under a watchful eye.

4. Comfort objects- Bring a few special blankets, noise makers and toys to your session. Sometimes the wave of a familiar object is just the ticket to a wide, beautiful smile. If all else fails, we have a special stuffed member of our staff named Flash the Puppy who makes surprise appearances at sessions. He's been with the studio for just as long as Jeff and Carolle and is very experienced with photographing little ones.

5. Illness- We have had a few sessions with sick babies that turned out beautifully . . . but let's face it, most babies don't do well with ear infections, colds and sometimes even teething. If your baby is having a tough week (fever, runny nose, drowsy, etc.), call us a day or two ahead to discuss his or her session. We may encourage your to keep your appointment, but we may suggest finding another time to photograph your infant.

6. Wardrobe- We highly suggest bringing 2-3 outfits per session with your infant. We may not get to all the ensembles, but it's always nice to have variety (and a back-up in case of an accident!). If you have special items (such as a christening outfit or family heirloom, for example) you want your baby photographed in, please bring them and make sure you point them out to us. We will always attend to your specific requests.

7. Mom and Dad- If the parents are relaxed, baby will be more at ease. Please let us know if we can help you feel more comfortable during your portrait session. Sometimes Mom and Dad need some TLC too!

A little about our studio-

Many families choose our Bebe Collection to document the first year of their children's lives . . . most of the lovely images you find on our website are from these sessions. If you're not familiar with our Bebe Collection, give us a call and we'll tell you all about it! We're available at (603.626.7300) if you have questions about this and other portrait sessions for your family.

Check out other Bebe session posts:

Landon, Mason & Tyler