kml photography - Kate Murphy Lowenstein

This morning I had the pleasure of photographing baby A, who is just over 2 weeks old. She also happens to be my assistant, Sherri's granddaughter. She wasn't too thrilled to be photographed. Really, I don't blame her as I don't think I'd be too thrilled if someone woke me up, got me naked and put me into a basket barely big enough to fit me!

Here she is in the basket. Isn't she cute?


And peaceful.




In her grandmother's arms.


And with her big brother who spent a lot of time outside mowing my lawn this morning. Thanks Brady!


Thanks for bringing these little cuties down this morning!

After getting rained out twice, and rescheduled a total of three times, I was finally able to meet with Rachel and Neill for their engagement session on Friday evening before they headed off to the Vineyard. We had originally settled on doing their session at the marina close to my house and then a nearby beach, but plans changed and I suggested Nobska Lighthouse a few days before. I had never photographed at Nobska, but I love trying new things and going to new places and it was convenient to their ferry ride. It was a windy day, but never did I expect the gale forces out at Nobska that evening! Poor Rachel was freezing and I detected goosebumps on her and teeth chattering more than once but she always insisted she was fine. What a trooper!

Speaking of cold...I had met these two when they came to my studio one morning in late winter. I had run out to the studio that morning to turn on the gas stove to warm it for their arrival only to find that we were out of propane. I was so embarrassed! I didn't feel I'd be making a very good first impression to sit in my cold studio, so I took them down to the Daily Brew - a relaxing coffee shop in Cataumet. In spite of my horror and embarrassment, we just seemed to "click" and I am so thrilled to be photographing their wedding at Chatham Bars Inn later this summer.

Here they are at Nobska trying to escape the wind.




It was windy, but look at that beautiful light and beautiful couple!


This series just makes me happy.


I love how Rachel looks so serene in this shot (and gorgeous!) and Neill is looking down at her engagement ring. Hey, wait a minute! Or is he looking at his watch? It's not time yet Neill!


Here they are cracking up.


After freezing up at the lighthouse, we decided to head down to the beach. Hoping to escape the wind a bit, I posed them in the bath house. The seagull landed on the roof just as I was getting ready to get the shot.


Neill keeping her warm.




Here's where I forced them into the poison ivy patch because I liked the texture behind them and the light. They thought it was funny, but I'm sure if they are covered in poison ivy they won't be laughing...


Gorgeous couple! That's all I can say...


I love black and white photography, but to be honest this one is in black and white because Rachel's lips were blue by now. I'm sorry Rachel! I love the way they bodies are positioned in this shot - they look like models.


Thank you Rachel and Neill for a fun engagement session. I am so looking forward to photographing your wedding in the warmth of August!

Last night in spite of the wind and chill I had so much fun taking some shots of the Quahog Republic crew (pronounced ko-hog for you non-Capers)! They were all really great models for me and I hope they had fun too!

I took some pictures for Erik and his family last year and he asked me back to get some shots of the QR gear for the website (check out his site by clicking here). As I've mentioned in the past, the QR (formerly known as The Beach Club or the Mashnee Island Grill) is one of my favorite spots on the Cape. Not only does it hold sentimental value for me as I got engaged there (10 years ago - GASP!), it's a great atmosphere to sit, relax, play, enjoy good weather, good food, good drink, good company and good music (my husband Andrew plays there every third Sunday starting on May 31st 4-8pm)! It's super kid-friendly and my kids favorite summer spot too!

Here are some of the official Quahog Republic citizens in their gear...



















This shot cracks me up since Jason is so leisurely hanging on the net while Tom and Erik are so into "playing" voleyball. By the way, the ball didn't make it over the net, but it was a good effort. Nice jump, Tom!




There wasn't a Harley in sight for this shot, so we opted for the next best thing...a radio flyer.

Another rainy day here on Cape Cod. My evening photo session was rained out once again... Admittedly I was feeling rather cold and "BLAH!" today, especially after hours in front of the computer editing. My back ached, my feet were cold in my flip flops, and I had the rainy day blues until...

I put my new shoes on! I remembered I had gotten my yellow Hunter wellies in the mail last week. And it's like the Paolo Nutini "New Shoes" song- "Hey, I put some new shoes on and suddenly everything's right. Hey, I put some new shoes on and everybody's smiling..." (or something like that anyway). My husband made fun of my yellow boots, but they added not only a bit of warmth to my toes, but some sunshine to this dreary day!

Here they are against my terribly peeling deck (which by the way I am trying to fix in my "spare" time). I actually took this picture myself, but thought I'd flip it around so it looks like someone else did. Oooh - look at 'em!


And I probably looked like a freak to the passers by as I jumped in mud puddles in my driveway while trying to take pictures of myself, but it was fun! It was also much like patting your head while rubbing your belly. It took quite a few tries before I could snap the photo at the same time I splashed into the puddle!


I worked on the garden all day on Saturday, so I figured I better take some pictures of that too. Here are my wellies in the strawberry patch.


Here's the head that guards the garden. It was here when we bought the house 7 years ago. The poor guy has lost his nose since, his head head has deteriorated and in it's place he is growing moss for hair. I'd love to say he scares away the birds, but that's not the case - they still manage to eat half the strawberries and all but about 4 of the blueberries last year! Oh well, I like him anyway.


A closer up of the strawberries.


The spinach. Admittedly, nothing thrilling about this picture - just posted it so I can compare how it's growing from week to week.


And the mint. Makes for a delicious mojito! Yum!


This year I planted the most ever! Along with the strawberries, blueberries, spinach and mint, there's asparagus, arugula, field greens, romaine, corn, peppers, lots of different herbs, 6 varieties of tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini, cukes, onions...I think that's it! Don't be surprised if I show up to your photo shoot with a handful of veggies to unload on you!

Today I continued the preschool pictures and ended today's session right before the first raindrops fell on my windshield. Yay!

Here's one I liked of Lainey. I know it's not your typical "school picture" (in all honesty and no disrespect to the photographers that do school photos, I hope none of them are!), but it reminds me of a picture I have of her hanging in my studio almost 2 years ago peeking out from behind a tree. I am so ready to redo my studio walls and can't wait to have that one in my house! Anyway, here she is in her Matilda Jane dress for her preschool picture (I love this company! Check out their dresses by clicking here. Maybe in my "spare time" I'll host a trunk show/photo shoot!).

Well, last week I was rained out for school pictures, so I am so happy I was able to get them in on such a gorgeous day! The kids range in age from 2.9-5 years and they were all really great. My only complaint was that I was not only photographer, but also nose wiper! But thankfully I'm used to that...

I didn't get permission from parents to post the shots I took, so here's the one I liked best of Jack. Even though I shot the most of him, there were only two to choose from. As I always say, my own kids are the most difficult to photograph! But here's one I thought was very "Jack".


The rest of the school will be photographed tomorrow including Lainey. I'm hoping this lovely weather will continue through the weekend!

Many, many weeks ago while my husband was away on a business trip, I decided to swap my kids bedrooms. I tend to do these types of things while he's away so I don't have to hear the questions like, "why are you doing that?!" I put the boys in Lainey's old room and Lainey in the boys old room which would allow me to move her into a big girl bed. Well, months later, I'm thinking that wasn't such a good idea since she lands in my bed every night (she used to sleep like a rock in her crib!). But then again, I do have to admit that I love cuddling with her and am cherishing this time as I know one day (ie: the teenage years) she will likely want nothing to do with me and tell me she hates me and I am the worst mother in the world (side note: sorry, Mom!).

Of course it has taken me weeks to get her & the boys new rooms in order, and in fact, they're still not quite finished - the boys still have pink gingham curtains hanging in their room and Lainey's door is still not painted nor all of her furniture moved in yet (hint, hint, Andrew!). But yesterday I hung her curtains (2 of the 3 anyway), and put the 24x30 wrap canvas of her at 5 days old above the existing bed. I know when her queen bed is moved in (that's another hint), it will look even better. But in the meantime, I wanted to show it off!



While I was in there taking pictures, Lainey got a little curious. This is probably about the 5th outfit of the day for her (before noon!). And of course it is pink!







And then the jumping began...




"Stop jumping!" (I broke my arm jumping on the bed when I was her age).


Who me?




Oh so cute! - the wild hair with the curl wrapped around her eye...the cute little teeth...the reflection of her as a baby above... I love it!


When I suggest a wall portrait for my clients, I often hear "I don't have any wall space to put it". Well, bedrooms are a great place for wall portraits! What do most people have above their beds? Plenty of wall space! And if going in the kids room, kids LOVE to look at pictures of themselves!





All the rain last week caused the cancellation of school pictures, but I am looking forward to some sunshine and to getting back to taking more photos! I have a gorgeous couple scheduled for their engagement session tomorrow and am doing make-up photos for the school next week. It's only a few short weeks until my busy season kicks in high gear, so if you're thinking about a summer session, book now! My summer schedule is filling quickly!