Abandoned

If this pic looks dreary, well that's pretty much what it was outside when I took it. Dreary only because it was past 8pm and there was barely any light left.


Emma had already come in from playing for the day and I was still running outside for laundry. I don't know how I missed them on my first couple passes, but out of nowhere, there they were, cold and alone, abandoned by their owners. Okay, maybe not cold, but alone, yes. Now that I think of it, maybe someone moved them there because the kids probably left them further down the sidewalk... I don't know, but one of these days they won't be there in the morning, if you catch my drift. [wink wink]

A few more for class

Thought I'd share a few more that I turned in last night...


Not the best of Ethan, but the best I could get for this part of the assignment and I still think its cute.


I didn't care for this shot. Pretty, yes, but I didn't like the composition of it. Wendy felt otherwise, and so did my husband actually, so I decided to just feel proud of it and leave it at that. :)


One of my favorites. Ugly scenery with ugly cars behind them and all. But you know, this is our life right now, and it needs to go down in the memory books as such. It also portrays a part of Emma's childhood with her neighbor playmate.

I wish I had some fun pre-4th of July photos to share, but I've gotta tell you, I didn't even buy any of us holiday shirts this year. No $5.00 Old Navy shirts or anything. Makes me a little sad. So I will just hope that we all have appropriate colored clothing to wear today.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday! God bless you all!

A few for class

I meet with Wendy tonight (Thursday) for our second to last chat session... Didn't get all my photos ready the night before like I normally do, but that's because I was messing around with this photo and that photo... She gave us a cool vignette tutorial that I love because number one - it looks great, and number two - its teaching me lots of new PS stuff. But its very time consuming because its pretty involved. When I have it down I'll make it into an action for myself. So excited about that.

Before I show you a few that I'm turning in, here is a sample of a before and after, applying all the PS stuff I am learning with Wendy (not to mention the improvement in exposure sooc).



I pretty much decided that my old bear friend was going to be the subject for all my assignment photos. I tell you, it is draining trying to use the kids... the lack of cooperation and constant running after Ethan that it involves is enough to make a girl turn to a bear. A stationary, lifeless, pretty little bear (with beautiful lashes at that!) that will just do as you ask as you scratch your head and think, "What in the heck am I supposed to be doing here?". She won't run away; she won't rock furiously in the chair; she won't taunt you as she sees you trying to lock focus on her eyes AS she is rocking in the chair... Yeah, you get the picture.

But behold, I SOMEHOW, by some miracle I assume, got some real person shots to use too! In fact, of the nine different photos I'm turning in, only two are the bear.

Anyway, now that I've built you up for possible greatness, just relax, these are not extraordinary. But they ARE of my daughter. They WERE taken in bright sun. And they DO have a fancy shmancy vignette. I AM happy with them. :)







I got some cute ones of Emma with our neighbor girl that I have to share sometime. They're sweet.

Ohhhh, and one more thing about all the photos above, they were taken with a new "friend" of mine. Yes, we were "instant friends". How nice that is. And he, my new friend, brought other friends with him too on that lovely day when he showed up on my doorstep. Yes, I've got lots of new friends these days. I'm feeling quite special, can you tell? (I'm a big tease, aren't I?)

Off to bed! Have a great rest of your week.

His name is Jaymun

...and he really needs our prayers. He is two years old and is fighting cancer for the second time in his life. I know this family in a very small way... His mom is part of the workshop group I'm in with Wendy. But I feel very moved to share this with you. If you are interested in reading his story, HERE is the link to his blog. Prepare yourself... It'll break your heart.

A new fave

When I first uploaded this session to my computer I right away saw this family shot and have been dying to get to it... It is absolutely everything I hoped it would be. But just to lead you up to it a bit...

I have found a new trick! Totally by accident, but it happened with both my sessions that day. Told the kids to scram (well, not really quite like that) while we get a few pics of mom and dad, which by the way, I am really trying to make sure I do with every family session. It is soooo important that we not forget the grown ups!

Anyway, the kids see us doing this...

... and they just naturally have to get in on the action with mom and dad (as most all kids will do!).

That, my friends, is how we got this:


Absolutely LOVE this shot! This photo sums up why I love what I do. It's not about the posed shots, which yes, we all need and should have some posed shots. But this speaks "real life". Put this photo next to a posed shot where everyone is looking at the camera perfectly, and this shot would totally outshine the other. Just my opinion. Just my two cents.

The thing is, what I strive to capture are photos I would want for myself and for my own family. I let that thought lead me when I'm with my client friends. I wish I could put this photo up on my wall, but yeah, that would be kinda weird, wouldn't it? :)

And with that, it is now after 1am and day 3 of VBS (Vacation Bible School) is only a few hours away. Happy Wednesday!