Since I’ve been shooting weddings more and more lately, I get to see a lot of pretty ones too.  Lots.

Let’s just say this job is not helping with my affliction.

Seems I may also love Tiffanys.  Or at the very least, their boxes.

The last few pictures I included here were from a wedding I shot for Liz Leighton last weekend at the Union League in Philadelphia.  If you are in the Houston area, please look her up.  She’s absolutely wonderful!

I am a Haddonfield NJ based Lifestyles and Wedding Photographer providing local and destination wedding photography.  Studio work is done from my Philadelphia, PA location.  For more information on booking with me, please contact us at our Haddonfield, NJ office.

Today, especially as I get older, I can’t get away with wearing any old shoe.

Or so I thought.

Last year, while browsing through a vintage shop in Barrington, NJ, I found a pair of boots that caught my eye immediately. I had no idea how much they were or well, anything about them. But I was pretty sure they’d fit. So I plopped right down on the floor and tried one on. Charyl Burley, who owns all the vintage clothing in the shop, just laughed at me. I have a thing for vintage clothing and she has been exceptionally gracious in lending me vintage clothing for photo sessions.

“Those were from Carolyn Wyeth’s personal collection.”

I continued, undeterred. The first one fit, “like a glove.”

“You know that she was Andrew Wyeth’s sister and also a famous painter, right?” I didn’t care. It was the craftsman that piqued my interest most. The styling and details were impeccable.

The second one went on and was just as fabulous. It was like I was wearing a pair of boots that were custom fit for my feet.

Finally I ask “So, would it be terribly disrespectful or insane to want to wear these? I mean like every day?” Clearly they were part of history and Ms Wyeth’s appreciation for fine art and craftsmanship. I wondered if they were only for sale to collectors.

She was quiet and I took her lack of answer as a “yes, Shari, you’d be nuts to wear them, but I won’t stop you.” I didn’t care. I wanted these boots. The stitching and leather stacked heels were so expertly made that they were pure art to me. And you know… they fit me like they were made for me.

I bought them and although I have to love them a little less than I did, due to cracking, they remain very special to me. I wore them last night to dinner with my extended family. They were a conversation piece and some of my family teased me (as they should have) for my silly shoe indulgences. Some did not share my appreciation for the art or craftsmanship, and just did not see what I valued in them.

I got back last night and had to get some more work done in the studio so I took them off by the (still yet to be hung gallery prints). As I looked over this morning I realized that those boots were much more than footwear that fit me well, or that some famous person owned them. They were made by someone who cared about the very tiniest of details, even when most would not notice. Someone once cared enough to create what I consider pure art and I love them for every stitch and every crack.

To each his own art.

To all artists who practice day in and day out honing their craft, I solute you…. while donning my spiffy boots.

Shari DeAngelo Photography | Philadelphia Wedding  Photographer & Lifestyles Photography | Fine Art, Fashion, Lifestyles and Wedding Photographer located in Haddonfield, NJ and Philadelphia PA. Local and Destination services available.

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“OK, I’ll go put on my chaps and tool belt and be right down.”

I was still laughing when he popped around the corner with a big grin on his face. Thankfully we don’t own chaps that fit him, but I’m still chuckling at the quickness of his wit and yes, the visual. Love does funny things to people. Silly, funny things.

I’m not sure I’m going to make it.

But he’s right. I need this too. For the next 10 days I will be in some canyon or another in AZ with my fabulous husband, doing nothing but watching for birds and hiking… Oh and I get to meet up with an old friend whom I’ve lost track of the past 25 years. Can’t wait for that!

But now I hear that swine flu is now a real concern. Ya think I may have found my out and I get to stay here and keep working 14- 16 hour days? Hmmmm. Probably not. Just can’t tell you how much I look forward to being on a plane… or 4 the next week and a half now.

So… Yes, I will board the plane at some point, very early tomorrow morning, and will be pretty much out of pocket until I return to normal studio hours on May 8th. I’ll be all rested up and ready for a fabulous wedding at the beach that weekend!!!

Now… let’s just all keep positive thoughts for an end to the swine flu pandemic.

Here’s a selection from the day. Enjoy!

Miles swam in the ocean for hours and hours. He chased and retrieved every ball and proudly returned each one to our feet to do it “again.”

When we go to the beach every year, it’s pure heaven to our dogs. Surf, sand and balls (Frisbees are our other dog’s favorite). Is there anything better?

On our way back home though (a 9 hour drive extended to 11) this time, we had a terrible scare. Miles had been panting a lot (but that’s normal for him) and he seemed truly exhausted when we left the beach house that morning. We figured he’d sleep the whole way home. We discounted the excessive drooling, which we later regretted.

About 4-5 hours into our drive Miles started to have seizures in the back of our SUV and we were in the middle of traffic on I95. Because we have a dog grate up, we couldn’t reach him. I’ve only heard my son panicked 2 times in his life. This was one. Helpless, all he could do was watch him until we could get our way off the road.

By the time we could safely pull off, the seizure had subsided but every muscle was tense, his eyes were round and he was shaking. His gums showed no sign of shock but his pupils were fixed and dilated. He was very hot. The poor dog (and us) were absolutely terrified. Because we had no idea what had caused it, we weren’t sure what to do but to hold him and make him less scared. It worked.

We stayed there for awhile. He was able to get up and drink and eventually took a walk. He was coming out of it. Whatever it was. We were cautiously optimistic. He’d had a rough first 4 years of his life and we had no idea (for certain) what we were dealing with now.

To say the rest of the drive home was stressful would probably be an understatement.

Everyone made it home safely and Miles has recovered fully. We believe he had a heat stroke. If there’s any permanent damage, we haven’t discovered it yet. All his behavior seems to fall under his “normal Miles-isims.”

Even with this experience, I’m pretty sure Miles would jump right back in the car to get back to this spot.

If you’re family, go to www.sharideangelo.com and enter your password into the Proofing section. Lots more images there!