Welcome to my blog - it's here that I share some of my most recent work - be sure to check back often!! Kathleen Chapman Photography specializes in child and family photography in the North Country NY counties of Franklin and St.Lawrence in locations such as St. Regis Falls, Brushton, Malone, Massena and Potsdam. I offer studio and on location sessions designed to meet your creative vision!!
Adirondack Balloon Festival | North Country Nature Photographer
Our 2nd year attending the Adirondack Balloon Festival in Glens Falls, NY was just as amazing as the first (minus the traffic getting to and from the festival from a hotel). This year we camped in our RV on a hill above the airport that overlooked the balloon launch area. There were about 100 RV's camped up on the hill and we were surprised when one of the balloons was launched a few feet behind our RV (see picture below). For information on camping at the festival check out Northeast Hot Air RV'ers. We camped Friday and Saturday nights and took advantage of the free shuttle to and from the RV area to enjoy the various balloon launches and activities that took place over the weekend. If you've never been to the festival please seriously consider going some time - it's an amazingly beautiful experience!! You feel like you're in a different world with all the huge, colorful balloons taking off and floating up above you! In addition to the balloons there's music, a craft fair, activities for kids, food and even Sunday morning church services under a tent at the airport. We heard festival attendance broke records this year - I'm guessing most likely due to the surprisingly beautiful summer like weather. We experienced the "Moon Glow" launch for the first time this year - so amazing to see the burners firing up and the balloons glowing after sunset!!
Senior Girl in Wild Flower Garden | Malone Child and Family Photographer
When we set the date for Nicole's senior pictures last month I kept my fingers crossed that my wild flower garden wouldn't get hit by a hard frost before her session - fast forward to high 80 degree weather on September 14th - crazy!! I'm so excited to share Nicole's beautiful senior pictures on my blog today. Her session took place in Dickinson Center with my wild flower garden and our field as a backdrop. I absolutely love our property and the versatile mix of areas we have to shoot in. The flower garden looked almost magical with all of the flowers in full bloom and bursting with color! I had so much fun working with Nicole to showcase her beautiful blue eyes and to die for long brown hair!! I want to thank her for being such a willing and patient young woman to work with - I'm so happy she chose me to be her senior photographer!! Have a great senior year Nicole, enjoy every last second of it!
Mommy and Me Wildflower Photography Session | Franklin County NY Child Photographer
A path through a field of goldenrod and my wild flower garden in full bloom was such a magical setting for this Mommy and Me family session this past Saturday. It warms my photographers heart to capture the precious love between a mother and child. The golden sun and pop of blue in their outfits complimented each other perfectly. I just loved capturing these beautiful ladies as they walked, played, checked out the flowers, snuggled and stole a few kisses. I can totally envision this series in a beautiful little photo book to be treasured always!
Senior Guy Alley Portrait Session | Massena, NY Potsdam Family Photographer
Had my first ever senior portrait session on Tuesday night - needless to say I was a little nervous. I hadn't been able to scope the location out prior to the night of the session but my fears were quickly relieved the moment I stepped into the alley and met my handsome client L! Brick walls, cool doors, concrete steps and a handsome young man - I couldn't have asked for more for my first try at senior photography. I was drawn to the cool door immediately so that's where we started. He was so serious at first but eventually relaxed a little and a small smile came through. I noticed that somebody had locked a couple of bikes on the railing near the steps - not ideal - but when you can't move something out of the frame you have to find a way to work with it. We took some pictures on the steps and I loved how the pop of orange in his socks coordinated with the doors across the street behind him. L plays hockey so he put on his jersey and we took a few shots with that as well. Later we went across the street to take a few pictures at a local park and wrapped up there. I want to thank L for being such a willing and patient young man to work with - it was my pleasure!! Senior pictures sure have changed since my children graduated - I love how students are able to showcase their personality and interests today instead of wrapping up their senior year with a studio head and shoulders shot!!
Extended Family Session in Madrid Park | Potsdam NY Family Photographer
I had so much fun with the Dowdle family during their extended family session in Madrid Park, NY last Friday evening. Almost 2 hours later and just shy of 500 pictures taken we said our goodbyes as the sun was going down over the water. I have so many great pictures to finish going through and just wanted to share a sneak peek of a few before I have their full gallery ready (hopefully by the end of the week).
The session was a beautiful and thoughtful 31st anniversary gift from the three children to their parents - such a special session for all of them. I arrived with a list of photos I wanted to take of each family as well as many group portraits so we went right to work in a shaded corner of the park - starting with the individual family portraits. I then took couple portraits, some of Mom and her daughters and then the grandchildren. These proud grandparents have 6 beautiful granddaughters ranging in age from 6-1/2 months to 11 years - one of my favorite pictures of them is where they were all lined up in age order with the sweet little one on the end. It was obvious how much the older cousins love the little one and we all had fun making faces and noises to get her to smile for her individual portraits (especially Grandpa LOL)!!
As the sun got lower in the sky we moved over by the water to capture some special pictures of the anniversary couple, the loving grandparents with their grandchildren, the whole group and then the parents with their grown children.
I was honored to capture these memories for this beautiful and loving family and can't wait to share their complete gallery with them!!
A special thanks to my daughter who assisted me at the session - much appreciated!!
