2010 in Review: Top Ten Holding Things Out Photos

Maybe you thought I'd exhausted this blog series and was off reorganizing my Tupperware collection or folding laundry...

But no, I'm back with one more installment of my top 10 photos from 2010. And today, I've collected photos of people in my most favorite pose! There is something about messing with the depth of field that comes when willing (or unwilling) photo subjects hold objects out very far from their faces that I just love.

So next time we're together and I force you to do this, just imagine yourself showing up in a photo like one of THESE:

1) Cheesiest Blintzes on the Upper West Side Featuring Jewish Philanthropy Expert Holding Something Out
Oh, Barney Greengrass. I met my friends Carolyn G. and Jonathan H. here during my jaunt up the East Coast last Winter and it was delicious. Barney Greengrass was another (in addition to Levain, obv) NYC gem discovered by my sister and brother-in-law during the time they lived on the Upper West Side, so whenever I'm visiting The Big Mango (The Big Apple in Peter G. speak), I always try to visit. And don't tell anyone this, but sometimes when I am feeling not so pro-DC, I like to think about what life would be like if I lived in New York and met my friends for breakfast at BG on the weekend... we'd drink orange juice, eat toasted sesame bagels with whitefish salad, then go for a walk in Central Park.


2) Most Successful Self-Posed Photo During Chicago Trip Featuring Surprise Birth of a Baby and Julie Holding Something Out
I was busy ordering my SuperDawg with Mr. and Mrs. F. at a long awaited trip to this hot dog paradise at the corner of Milwaukee, Devon and Nagle in Chicago when I turned around to a bundled up Julie F. all ready for a photo! I didn't even have to explain the merits of this holding things out game... and look how well it turned out? (In case you forgot, this was the trip to Chicago I took during which my friend Lina's daughter, Sivan W., made her very grand entrance into the world a few weeks early.)


3) Most Willing Apple Farmer as Wedding Program Model Holding Something Out
My friend Rali B.'s dad owns the farm where Rali and Hanaa got married... he was very busy at the moment this photo was taken, but was so cooperative and enthusiastic about my "holding things out" pose that he stopped what he was doing for me to properly pose and snap this photo. Thanks Mr. B!


4) Most Influential Change Maker Holding Something Out
One of my best friends, Elissa F., was recognized earlier this year as a Jews United for Justice Heschel Award winner. There is no way I can tell you of Elissa's greatness in this one photo caption, but I can tell you that I am so glad the greater DC community (and soon, the world) knows how fantastic Elissa is... something our friends have known for a long long while.


5) Sportiest Couple Holding Something Out in a Photo That Actually Serves a Practical Purpose
Remember Amy B. and Alex P.? In addition to their most excellent wedding and being two of my favorite people ever, they also let Julie F. and me take some photos and video of them for their Save the Date (STD) which was perhaps one of the funniest projects I've ever worked on. Thanks for making me feel cool and sporty by association, A and A.

6) Most Second Cousin Centric Photo Holding an Ice Cream Sundae Out in Sedona, AZ
I traveled to Sedona this year for a little family reunion... and while there, I befriended a bunch of my second cousins (is this how we're related?). And when I say befriended, I mean I had Facebook friended within the first seven minutes of our interaction. Surprised? You shouldn't be. Here is Alex S. making the most of the ice cream sundae bar during one of our reunion events.

7) Best Photo Taken in a Pseudo-Asian Chain Restaurant Featuring a Convion
Here's my colleague, Jonathan W., showing off the iPhone app another one of my colleagues made for our conference in October. We took this photo over dinner at PF Chang's. Doesn't he just look so Convio Summit Poster Childish here? And he is a wicked fun Words With Friends opponent--start up a game (his name is iamweldon).


8) Friendliest Hand Model Holding Two Whoopie Pies Out
I stopped by the Curbside Cook-Off earlier this year and discovered the Eat Wonky truck. They were sold out of everything (including their famous poutine) except whoopie pies. I got two and Jill S. very willingly held them out for what has quickly become one of my favorite photos. I'm not sure why I think it is so fabulous--perhaps it has something to do with how good the whoopie pies actually were?


9) Most Fantastic Birth Story Photography Clients Holding Something Out
...and when I say "most fantastic," I really mean it. Elle and Josh M. are basically the best ever. They've asked me to document Elle's labor and delivery (she is due any day now!) and I am just so excited about the opportunity. This is Elle's first baby and my first birth story photography* gig. I have really enjoyed working with this stellar couple as we all prepare for the big day. In the meantime, I took some maternity photos, one of which is featured here. You'll be seeing more of these two--and baby Peanut as soon as he or she makes a grand entrance into the world!


10) Purplest Ideas Man Holding A Straw With a Small Decorative Sombrero Attached to It
My friend Jason D. actually took this photo (thanks Jason!), but I felt compelled to include it because I am sitting with Julie F. as I finish this final installment in my 2010 photo series... and she insists I let everyone know the idea for this specific post was inspired by her. Now you can understand why I often refer to her as my ideas man...


*I am really excited about this birth story photography project. To learn more about this type of photography, check out The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers. I also love Jonathan Canlas' birth story photography work.