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Crane Photography bio picture

Cara's Bio

These Bio areas are always so hard to write about yourself so I'm going to do mine like a fake interview.  Here goes...

So Cara tell us a little about yourself.

Well, I'm married to my best friend and sometimes assistant Rich.  We met in college at the University of Pennsylvania back in 1996 and we've been married for 9 years.  We have two kids: our rambunctious 4 year old Jack and our new baby Lucy.  We are also blessed with a huge, crazy extended family that I just adore!  Shout out to the Lee/Cogan clan!!

How did you get into photography?

As a kid I was always into art and drawing.  I loved taking pictures but I could never really afford a decent camera.  After Jack was born I became obsessed with capturing his every moment on film but my old point and shoot just wasn't fast enough to capture his first sweet baby smiles.  So I went out and bought my first D-SLR camera and taught myself how to shoot manually by taking pictures of my baby and family.  I didn't realize that I wanted to turn my hobby into a business until I took my brother and his wife's engagement portraits on the beach back in the spring of 2007.  Something just clicked for me that day and I realized that I had a real passion and natural talent for photographing people.  So I've been building my business ever since.

So you don't have a degree in photography?

No, I graduated from Penn with a degree in Anthropology.  Anthropology is literally the study of people and I learned how to observe people in the most unobtrusive way and record them as they really are.  I learned to gain acceptance by my subjects and relate to them in a way that allowed them to feel comfortable enough to reveal their true personalities to me.  I never dreamed at the time that these skills would actually help me in the "real world."  But today I begin every portrait session just by talking and getting to know my clients and playing with their kids.  I hear over and over again, "You really captured my son's personality in your portraits."  To me, the emotion you feel when viewing your portraits is so much more important than perfect clothing or forced smiles. 

Wait, what if I wanted stiff, posed pictures where everyone looks at the camera and says "cheese" just like my Grandma has hanging on her walls?

Then I'd advise you to open the phone book to "O" and I'm sure there's an Olan Mills in your area.  Nothing against chain portrait studios but that's just not my style.  But if you want a fun, casually arranged, relaxed portrait session where you actually enjoy the experience as much as the pictures, you've come to the right place!

Okay this is getting long.  Is there anything else people should know about you or Crane Photography?

Yes, if you've never experienced "custom photography" you're in for quite a treat!  This will feel nothing like the portrait appointments you've had in the past.  This feels more like you are a star and I am the papparazzi (a nice one not the stalker type).  For 2-3 hours I will cater to you, follow you, pose you a little, make you laugh, and treat you like a VIP.  I will work with you to create beautiful portraits that you help to design.  I encourage your input on location, clothing choices, poses and any ideas you might want to try.  Every portrait session really is custom designed for each and every client.  But I do have to warn you that I end up looking like something the cat dragged in by the end of the session because I'll do anything for a great shot, including climbing rocks and fences and crawling on my belly.  But that's what you're paying me to do and I work my butt off to create the most amazing portraits just for you.  So what are you waiting for?  Just email me at cara@mycranephotography.com to set up your portrait session or book your wedding today!

Lady Madonna {Medford, NJ Kids Portraits}

May is the month of May Crownings for “Lady Madonna,” First Holy Communions and Confirmations at every Catholic Church in the area.  I went to 12 years of Catholic school and fondly remember May: bringing flowers to the Blessed Mother, attending Communion and Confirmation parties and preparing for SUMMER!!  May was SO much more fun than March when all you had was cold weather and Lent.  I got to revisit some of my fond (and not so fond) memories of Catholic school during the portrait session of Little Miss “M.”  She was about to make her First Holy Communion and looked SO sweet in her gorgeous Communion gown.  I kind of wish she would have visited me after her big day so we could have ventured outside and gotten her dress maybe a little dirty.  But we still had fun and had to stifle a few giggles so we could get the important reverent portraits that are so important when marking such a Holy occasion.  Miss “M” even got to strike a few “diva” poses when Mom stepped out of the studio.  While not a traditional Communion pose, I loved the “diva shot” because it really showcased “M’s” personality and that’s what we’re all about here at Crane Photography.

Medford NJ Kids Photographer

Medford NJ Kids Photographer

My favorite of the bunch!

My favorite of the bunch!

The "reverant" pose

The "reverant" pose

And the "diva" pose!

And the "diva" pose!

Seriously, how cute was Little Miss “M?!”  So if you’ve got your own diva or even a little serious guy bring them out to Crane Photography so we can capture them on their big day.  If you are planning a Communion, Confirmation, Bar or Bat Mitzvah portrait session, try to schedule it for AFTER their big day.  This will allow us to do some outdoor portraits and relax a little bit without the fear of getting a stain on the special occasion outfit.  Use the contact link above to set up your portrait session today.

May 13, 2010 - 4:19 pm meg reul - WOW...you sure have talent when it comes to capturing the beauty of a child! I really love these images. She is not only just darling but her personality really radiates! Its one thing to see an image that is just pretty but when you capture that inward and outward it really penetrates! These are simply wonderful!

May 13, 2010 - 4:19 pm patti m - oh what a beautiful little girl! She looks perfectly angelic! I absolutely adore the first photo!!

May 13, 2010 - 4:22 pm Lynn Michelle - This girl is going to rule the world, I can already tell it from her expressions! Love the images!!!

May 13, 2010 - 4:22 pm Allegra - What a darling little girl! I would love to have pictures like these of my child - nice job!

May 13, 2010 - 4:30 pm Audra Colpitts - What a doll. Great job capturing her personality. I love the Diva pose!!

May 13, 2010 - 4:32 pm Martin Fitzpatrick - Cara, Wow, great pictures, you really showed off what beautiful girl Little Miss "M" is. Martin

May 13, 2010 - 4:50 pm Kim - What a beautiful girl! Her smile just melts my heart!

May 13, 2010 - 4:55 pm Jessica - Cara they came out great!!! I love them all!!! Great job as usual!

May 13, 2010 - 5:04 pm Daniel Lane - What a lovely young lady! The "Diva Pose" photo is awesome and she looks to be a natural!

May 13, 2010 - 5:13 pm Marcia Gold - This little girl is adorable--is she a model? What a beautiful face and great expressions she has and you have captured her obviously winning personality.

May 13, 2010 - 5:26 pm Jason Grover - Nice work! She is adorable!

May 13, 2010 - 5:27 pm Janice E - Such beautiful expressions and young lady!

May 13, 2010 - 5:29 pm Michelle Amarante - She is so beautiful! Sweet photos of her!

May 13, 2010 - 5:33 pm Kae - What a sweetie!! Great job!

May 13, 2010 - 5:54 pm Anne - What a sweetheart! I'll bet her mom will melt when she sees these pictures of her precious daughter. She's so pretty!

May 13, 2010 - 5:55 pm Allison - what a beautiful girl full of personality! Love them.

May 13, 2010 - 6:22 pm Blonnie Brooks - What a precious little girl with beautiful brown eyes and such a charming little smile. I bet her family is so happy you captured their little girl at this age so they can cherish the photos for a lifetime. Children grow up so fast. I can't believe my own daughter will be -FOUR- in just a month. Great Job on this shoot, along w/all of the other wonderful photos on your blog!

May 13, 2010 - 6:30 pm Ginger - Cute girl. Great smile and I love the last picture. :-)

May 13, 2010 - 6:57 pm Kurt Brown - What a great little model, the diva pose is classic. I love the 1st and 3rd image as well. Very well done, and great images to cherish for ever. Cheers.

May 13, 2010 - 7:12 pm Amy Montgomery - How fun! I love it when a girl knows how to "work it" in front of the camera!

May 13, 2010 - 7:17 pm Carlos S - She's absolutely adorable! Great images!

May 13, 2010 - 7:30 pm Anndee - Little angels aren't only for heaven - what a cutie pie! Wonderful pictures of a little girl that will grow up to be a beautiful woman someday! Rock on!

May 13, 2010 - 7:38 pm Robert - Nice set of images ... love the last one -- she's a cutie!

May 13, 2010 - 7:49 pm John Riedy - Gorgeous lighting and framing! I'll be the client was thrilled!!! Great work!

May 13, 2010 - 7:49 pm Petra Hall - Oh, what a darling girl. You see her strength in her eyes and in her smile. To a stranger it looks like you've captured her personality. A bit mischievous, but also full of beauty and confidence. Nice set of images, Cara!

May 13, 2010 - 7:50 pm Melissa Fitzpatrick - Wow Cara, these are beautiful and she is such an adorable little girl. I especially love how you captured her great personality in the Diva pose!

May 13, 2010 - 8:08 pm Pam - She is absolutely beautiful - look at those gorgeous eyes. I know her parents must be so proud of her.

May 13, 2010 - 8:19 pm Humza Yasin - A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!!! I love the second image, what an amazing smile and the Diva shot just rocks!! Can we see more from this session please?

May 13, 2010 - 8:31 pm Lew D'Souza - What a beautiful young lady! Her smile is so full of happiness! I'm sure these will be treasured for years to come!

May 13, 2010 - 8:34 pm Tammy - What an adorable girl - you've captured her perfectly. Her parents must be so delighted with these images of their gorgeous little angel. Congrats to her on her first communion!

May 13, 2010 - 8:41 pm Chris S. - These are great! I especially like that second one, what a great smile!

May 13, 2010 - 8:49 pm Elizabeth McConchie - What a beautiful little girl! Very nicely done. I'm sure her mother is just ecstatic about how well her images turned out. She should be very proud of her child.

May 13, 2010 - 9:01 pm DeniseS - Sweet photos of an adorable young lady; her personality is really apparent in these photographs. The first me makes me smile! :-)

May 13, 2010 - 9:14 pm Jeannie - So beautiful!

May 13, 2010 - 9:23 pm Tony Cooper - What a sweetheart... I love first communion pictures like this. Simple, innocent and beautiful.

May 13, 2010 - 9:25 pm Patti - What a cutie! I love the last one !!!!!!

May 13, 2010 - 10:31 pm AJa - She's so gorgeous! I bet it made your job easy :)

May 13, 2010 - 10:59 pm Judy Edmonds - Wow what lovely photos, this little beauties mum must be so proud.

May 13, 2010 - 11:20 pm Lauri Priestley - What a cutie! This little girl photographs like a little angel. Your images of her are priceless!

May 14, 2010 - 2:31 am Adam Frazier - What a beautiful child!!!! She is just gorgeous. You did an incredible job of capturing her natural beauty. I am sure her family will cherish these photos for years to come.

May 14, 2010 - 2:41 am Dorothy - OH MY GOODNESS! What a little cutie pie she is! I love the sweet innocence of her smile - you did a great job! :)

May 14, 2010 - 9:07 am Ray - Nice images and VERY cute little girl! I'm sure her parents are loving these images!

May 14, 2010 - 10:58 am Tom - SWEET! I like your favorite and the Diva!! They'd be great together. Tom

May 14, 2010 - 11:34 am Drea - What a pretty little lady! You did a great job! Her parents should be proud to have such a doll!

May 14, 2010 - 11:56 am tiffany hughes - Oh...she looks like an angel. Love, love, love the first one and the last one where she's showing her personality. I'm sure that God is smiling down on this child. I am a mom to 2 boys and a little girl, and when I see them, I do see God. They say that you can't see him, but there's no denying it when you see the innocence and perfection in a child's face.

May 14, 2010 - 3:41 pm Lorraine Varela - I love the twinkle in Miss M's eyes in the second image, and the beautiful serenity of the third image. May these photographs be a blessing to the family for years to come!

May 16, 2010 - 4:09 am Haifa - Gorgeouss ! ilove the Second on and the last one ! God bless Herr ! Ilovee youu Ya Ahla cousin ! muaahh

May 21, 2010 - 11:20 pm Lisa Keeney - What a beautiful little girl! I LOVED the diva pose, I literally laughed out loud when I saw it! Her parents must be so proud :)

June 11, 2010 - 10:15 am Corey Schwartz - Fantastic photos! Love her expressions and the poses, especially, the "DIVA" pose at the end. How cute.

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