This Blog Doesn't Live here Anymore =)

Hello everyone! So, I've moved the blog and revamped my website. My website will now feature all new blogs as well as have featured weddings and galleries. The galleries are still in the process of being updated but for all future blog posts please go to www.CindyGuessfordPhotography.com

Thanks and see ya there!

Anna & Jared - A Proposal Session

It was a crisp 35 degree evening with a wind chill of 26 degrees. I'm bouncing around from one dark and shadowy corner to another as I try to envision the best spot to shoot from. I sip my hot coffee and as I exhale I can see my breath leaving my lips in short puffs of smoke like air. City hall shines like a beacon in the night and the city is beautifully illuminated. It is quiet except for a few over zealous visitors running up the Art Museum steps, hands thrusting to the air in Rocky like fashion, I can hear the "Yo Adrianne"s," along with giggles from those that are actually entertained. A family approaches the tree and as the father lines up the children they attempt a family portrait. I offer to take the pic and soon they are on their way to a warmer setting. A woman approaches the top step and I watch her with her camera shooting and it clicks in my head! Here's my alibi!!! Oh yeah!

I ask her if she is going to be around for a few minutes would she mind pretending that I am taking pics of her? You see, I have a client who is proposing tonight and It was essential that I did not use a flash because the proposal is a surprise in the dead of night on top of these very steps. She agrees to be my accomplice. So like ninjas we wait and from a distance I see headlights approach and then the car parks. As two figures clad in dark coats stroll towards the tree I knew that the time was now.

Hmmm, doesn't the tree look beautiful Anna? Oh wait, this isn't just a beautiful stroll after dinner and we aren't just here to see the sights.... Jared drops to one knee and you guessed it, proposes. I was full of adrenaline, snapping away at my accomplice who was standing near the tree(but really at the unsuspecting Anna.)


I just love this pure and beautiful reaction!


Will she say yes?


Of course she does!


As Anna admires her ring, I think she notices that the camera is now on her and she smiles this smile that just genuinely grabs my heart and I feel so happy for the both of them.








Congratulations Anna & Jared! I'm am so thrilled to have been a witness to this amazing moment in your lives and I wish you both many more warm hugs and smiles on seemingly cold winter nights!

10-20 Tina & Bill The E-Session

Sometimes it's nice to get out of the city! Now don't get me wrong, I love the city, urban locations, textures and all that comes with being in and around any major city. There is however a wonderful vibe that you feel when you venture into the country. It's a different pace. A lovely and calming feeling. The sun on a crisp fall day warming your face, the farms, horses and fields creating a picturesque backdrop perfect for a session! Tina and Bill love the country. It's easy to see why. It's even more apparent that Tina and Bill love each other... Their fun interactions, you know the kind that you only have with people who you feel a real closeness with, are definitely fun to watch. I could have traveled throughout all of southern Delaware with these two and shot all day, that's how easy it is to be around them. I don't know what I love more, Tina's fun-loving personality or Bill's smiling eyes. I can say that when around them, you feel like you are just hangin out with friends, a welcome feeling and I can't wait to hang out again on their wedding day! Oh and let's not forget to give a shout out to Melanie, Tina's sister! I photographed her fabulous wedding and that's where I met Tina. So Holla & thanks Mel!

10-14 Lauren & Wayne The E-Session

Not everyone can rock the red shoes but Lauren you wore them well!!! I really had fun interacting with Lauren and her two men today. Who can resist seeing big strong arms wrapped around the people that they love. I can imagine the feeling of safety and comfort that comes from a hug like that one. Especially when you are together as a family. The dynamics of mother and son have always intrigued me. I have a daughter and our bond is sometimes an unspoken closeness that I just can't explain. If I tried I would not do it justice. So watching Lauren interact with her son led me to believe that it must be a maternal thing. Knowing when to hug closer or give space. Slight gestures or twinkles in your eye that aren't meant for the benefit of others. A Caring nod or word of encouragement. Those little things that you do for and with your kids. It touches my heart strings! We had fun, jumped and rolled in the grass and strolled about the city and as I pulled away after the shoot I thought to myself.... This was more than an Engagement Session. This was a Together Session. The three of them, Together, documenting their family love now and once again on a very special upcoming date in
May =) Here are only a few of my faves!

10-9-08 Lauren & Mike The E-session

One of my favorite aspects of photographing a wedding is the engagement session. In my opinion the last thing that I want the session to be is a portrait session. The connection that two people have is what holds importance to me. Obviously you have chosen to set a date that you will in front of your family and friends pledge your love and devotion to each other. Something had to have clicked sometime, somewhere to drive you to this defining moment in your lives... The session is about this emotion that has brought you together. Ultimately my goal is to create fun, passionate, loving, tender and artistic images from the glimpses I get into your lives and personalities. My past clients will tell you how important this session was, my current clients have discovered this to be true and for my future clients I will leave you with one of the most inspiring things that I have been told recently...

Thank you so much Lauren and Mike for having some fun, running around NYC, and just being yourselves. What you both share is truly special and I'm so happy to be part of preserving these memories for you. Your words inspire me! You said to me,

"Cindy, it's not just a chance to have our pictures taken, it's an opportunity that when we have kids to show them where we once lived and fell in love and the things that we loved..."

Yes! Yes! Yes! You can have a grip and grin shot taken by anyone, but wouldn't you rather have to show your children one day that you aren't just parents you are people. People who rode to work on subways or taxi's, crossed over bridges , rolled in the grass, held hands while running through the street, kissed under the stars and yes, people who fell in love... I had such a blast with you both!

10-8-08 Nhat and Arthur E-Session

So can I just say that it is always a breath of fresh air when you step outside of your boundaries and do something you may have never done before? Sometimes it's a good thing, other times it's a learning experience but for the most part you can live in the moment and who knows??? Maybe, just maybe that moment becomes a memorable one for you... Thank you so much Nhat and Arthur for braving the cold and for your 1 million percent cooperation. I feel honored that I was there the day that for the first time Nhat climbed a tree, walked barefoot getting her feet dirty, rolled around in the leaves and laid on the ground! So many firsts!!! I love the feel of these images and I know that we are going to make beautiful images on your wedding day! Can you believe how quickly time is going by!

P.S Have you gotten all of the dirt out of your shoes yet?
xoxo - Cindy

Some Recent E-Sessions and Portrait Sessions

8-28-08 Kelly & Bob - E-session

A session at the beach with the lovely Kelly and Bob! I love your spirit, fun and ready to go twirling on hills, rolling in the sand and most of all just completely comfortable in each others arms. What a cute idea too! Have Bob photographing Kelly while I photograph them both! Thanks for the fun shoot, I'll see you both again real soon!












8-29-08 Lauren & Nick - E-Session

Sometimes it's an innocent giggle or a familiar way that they walk towards each other. Other times it's just a sense that I get. this time it was a little of both. Lauren and Nick are just so sweet together. Their playfulness was infectious. At times Nick and I were teasing Lauren and vice versa. I had a wonderful time today thanks to you both!











9-9-08 Marissa & Tehron - E-Session

Strolling in the city today with Marissa and Tehron. They walk hand in hand with confident and purposeful strides. I feel so at ease knowing the trust that they have in me and this creates such a calming feeling. I think it's wonderful how well they compliment and balance each other! As the sun dips beneath the edge of the nearby building I shout that's it! We r Done woohoo great shot, the smile on Marissa's face was worth a bajillion sunsets!








9-11-08 Dylan & Addison - Portrait Session

Cuteness factor times 2!!! A great afternoon for some adorable portraits of Dylan and Baby sister Addison. After some studio shots we headed to the park and chased Dylan around. I could post about a hundred of this cute little man running from slide to sand, here to there. A nice diversion =)








9-11-08 Lauren & John - Post Bridal Session

Her Blue eyes sparkle as the light hits just right, he smiles and the sight is just so cute! We are all alone on this deserted beach as fall quickly approaches. No worries, baby sea gulls scamper quickly across the sand towards the water leaving the tiniest of imprints. These babies don't have a worry as they are beginning their new lives. I think that Lauren and John are much like the baby seagulls. They too are starting their new lives together, newly married. From what I have witnessed of them together they don't have a worry either. They are loving and compassionate and fun and I am thrilled to have been a part of their day and now the post shoot!

















9-14-08 Audrey & Scott - E-Session

Chatting and Driving all around the city feeling completely comfortable. I Love your love of food and great beers! Ah yes, a couple after my own heart. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy shooting and hanging with you both, I loved the conversation! Thank you so much for being so fun. I can't wait to shoot the wedding!














9-21-08 Corey, Eric & Cameron - Family Session

Thank you to Beth for having 2 amazing daughters (and son too!)

Cameron has the uncanny ability of knowing exactly when I want him to smile. It was fabulous, on cue almost =) He's adorable and I'm sure has his Mommy and Daddy right where he wants them. I just love the interaction between all three of them, so many wonderful moments! I feel so very lucky to have been there for one of his "firsts" Today was the first time Cameron has swung in a swing. When I heard his cute little giggle erupt into a full blow laugh as the wind rushed by his face while he swung back and forth... I couldn't help but laugh myself! We all laughed. It is in these very moments that stick out in my mind. The precise moment of joy as one experiences a first, new, wonderful feeling! I wish I could bottle that. I wish the three of you many moments just like that as you grow as a family and I am sure that the sound of laughter and giggles echos the walls of your house frequently!




















Stay tuned for a ton of Wedding Updates and Images!