And finally. After 2 summers of angst....
We have success.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Happy Spring!
Just some pictures to show how happy we are with the arrival of spring! We're taking full advantage of the somewhat nicer weather!
And finally. After 2 summers of angst....
We have success.
And finally. After 2 summers of angst....
We have success.
Sneak peak for my auction winners!
Every year at church we have a silent auction fund raiser for the Young Men and Young Women. Every year I donate a shoot. This years winner wanted to go urban, so we went out on Saturday and had some fun! I'm plugging away on proofing some other shoots before I can finish this one, but they're such a dang cute family that I had to proof a few for a sneak peak.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
World Peace
I have the solution. And it's all based on photography.
People are amazing. And beautiful.
I've noticed over the last several years as I've gotten busier and busier with photography that I look at people differently. I think it's human nature to judge. Too fat, too thin, too tall, too short...whatever the case may be. But as a photographer it's my job to make my subject look good and feel good about themselves regardless of what they look like.
I have a lot of shoots where I see the person I'm photographing for the first time right as the shoot starts. So, I have to think fast. I have to make positive snap judgments. I have to know what I'm going to emphasize in the pictures. Does she have amazing eyes? Does he have an engaging personality with a magnetic smile? I immediately look for the good in every person I shoot and then we just have fun.
It's now become second nature. When I meet new people, I look at them with my photographer eyes. I look for those amazing things that make them unique. I've even managed to change my feelings about people who I've clashed with by looking for the good in them and focusing on it whenever I see them/think of them. It doesn't matter if it's a physical trait or a personality trait. If I focus on that, I genuinely like them and my attitude is better in general.
So, I've decided if everybody looked at people this way, then we'd have world peace.
Try it. You might surprise yourself!
People are amazing. And beautiful.
I've noticed over the last several years as I've gotten busier and busier with photography that I look at people differently. I think it's human nature to judge. Too fat, too thin, too tall, too short...whatever the case may be. But as a photographer it's my job to make my subject look good and feel good about themselves regardless of what they look like.
I have a lot of shoots where I see the person I'm photographing for the first time right as the shoot starts. So, I have to think fast. I have to make positive snap judgments. I have to know what I'm going to emphasize in the pictures. Does she have amazing eyes? Does he have an engaging personality with a magnetic smile? I immediately look for the good in every person I shoot and then we just have fun.
It's now become second nature. When I meet new people, I look at them with my photographer eyes. I look for those amazing things that make them unique. I've even managed to change my feelings about people who I've clashed with by looking for the good in them and focusing on it whenever I see them/think of them. It doesn't matter if it's a physical trait or a personality trait. If I focus on that, I genuinely like them and my attitude is better in general.
So, I've decided if everybody looked at people this way, then we'd have world peace.
Try it. You might surprise yourself!
Monday, March 16, 2009
GREEN!
I am dying for spring. The snow is allllmost gone.
But guess what I saw today!?
Spring might actually be coming!
Nevermind that 10 minutes later the ground was covered in gumball hail.
But guess what I saw today!?
Spring might actually be coming!
Nevermind that 10 minutes later the ground was covered in gumball hail.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Did you know?
-I'm obsessed with key rings. Not key chains, just the rings. I like each key to have it's very own, all of them hooked to another one with a couple others thrown in for good measure. I like circles.
-I'm also obsessed with clipping fingernails. Nathan chews his nails and Aria doesn't let me clip hers, she likes them long, but I keep Gabe and Clara's quite short. I keep my toenails really short too. I let my fingernails grow a little, but not much. 25 years of playing the piano has ingrained into me that nails must be short.
-When I'm bored or waiting for something I will tap my fingers. This automatically starts the William Tell Overture playing in my head and I will start to tap my fingers to it's beat.
-I have a recurring dream where I'm in college and enrolled in a math class but I don't go. I can't remember where it is/what time it is/or how to do math. I fail and it messes up my transcript.
There ya go...a little weekend randomness.
-I'm also obsessed with clipping fingernails. Nathan chews his nails and Aria doesn't let me clip hers, she likes them long, but I keep Gabe and Clara's quite short. I keep my toenails really short too. I let my fingernails grow a little, but not much. 25 years of playing the piano has ingrained into me that nails must be short.
-When I'm bored or waiting for something I will tap my fingers. This automatically starts the William Tell Overture playing in my head and I will start to tap my fingers to it's beat.
-I have a recurring dream where I'm in college and enrolled in a math class but I don't go. I can't remember where it is/what time it is/or how to do math. I fail and it messes up my transcript.
There ya go...a little weekend randomness.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Clara's first black eye.
She tried to stand up holding onto the piano bench. It fell and bonked her. Poor baby!
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Through the Viewfinder
Remember when I learned fake TtV? I've been intrigued by real TtV ever since then, but I didn't have an old Twin Lens camera to use for the effect.
Then my friend (she collects antiques) wanted to sell one, so I snatched it up. :)
I now have this little set up to take pictures with. What I'm doing is taking a digital picture with my camera, but pointing it at the old camera so I'm shooting through it's viewfinder which is pointed at my subject.
That's a kodak duaflex (circa 1950's) on the bottom, a cardboard/duct tape contraption fitted over it's viewfinder to block the light and my camera shoots through the top.
And this is what happens.
This is the first shot I took this way. That's my new porch decoration. It's much nicer to look at than all the icky snow.
But then, THEN, I took it to a wedding. And I will likely carry it with me at all times now. I love it that much. Not for all the pictures, mind you, just the ones that call for it. :)
Because look!
*swoon*
Then my friend (she collects antiques) wanted to sell one, so I snatched it up. :)
I now have this little set up to take pictures with. What I'm doing is taking a digital picture with my camera, but pointing it at the old camera so I'm shooting through it's viewfinder which is pointed at my subject.
That's a kodak duaflex (circa 1950's) on the bottom, a cardboard/duct tape contraption fitted over it's viewfinder to block the light and my camera shoots through the top.
And this is what happens.
This is the first shot I took this way. That's my new porch decoration. It's much nicer to look at than all the icky snow.
But then, THEN, I took it to a wedding. And I will likely carry it with me at all times now. I love it that much. Not for all the pictures, mind you, just the ones that call for it. :)
Because look!
*swoon*
Friday, March 06, 2009
So fun!
Guess what? I'm the funnest Mom in the whole world. I know, because Nathan told me. He's 7 and he thinks I'm fun. :) It probably helps that I surprised them with a trip to a hotel containing an indoor water park. The package also includes a breakfast, a meal at the Olive Garden and movie tickets.
I really do rock.
I really do rock.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Nathan's answers
Nathan's answers (age 7)
1. What is something mom always says to you? Do your homework.
2. What makes mom happy? Doing my homework
3. What makes mom sad? Running away from home and not doing my homework.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? Tickle me and talk to me.
5. What was your mom like as a child? like a girl
6. How old is your mom? 50 million *giggle*, Really 27. (I'm 29)
7. How tall is your mom? 10 pencils high (after measuring me with a pencil...)
8. What is her favorite thing to do? Take pictures and make them on the computer.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Work on the computer
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Being the best photographer in the world.
11. What is your mom really good at? Working on pictures on the computer.
12. What is your mom not very good at? Getting Gabe to go poo on the potty.
13. What does your mom do for a job? Take pictures.
14.What is your mom's favorite food? Everything that you make.
15.What makes you proud of your mom? That you're trying to teach Gabe to go poo on the potty.
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? A dog.
17. What do you and your mom do together? We go to the store.
18. How are you and your mom the same? Our blue eyes.
19. How are you and your mom different? I'm smaller than a nerd and you're bigger than the galaxy.
20. How do you know your mom loves you? Cause you're my mom.
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? That you love him.
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Everywhere.
1. What is something mom always says to you? Do your homework.
2. What makes mom happy? Doing my homework
3. What makes mom sad? Running away from home and not doing my homework.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? Tickle me and talk to me.
5. What was your mom like as a child? like a girl
6. How old is your mom? 50 million *giggle*, Really 27. (I'm 29)
7. How tall is your mom? 10 pencils high (after measuring me with a pencil...)
8. What is her favorite thing to do? Take pictures and make them on the computer.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Work on the computer
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Being the best photographer in the world.
11. What is your mom really good at? Working on pictures on the computer.
12. What is your mom not very good at? Getting Gabe to go poo on the potty.
13. What does your mom do for a job? Take pictures.
14.What is your mom's favorite food? Everything that you make.
15.What makes you proud of your mom? That you're trying to teach Gabe to go poo on the potty.
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? A dog.
17. What do you and your mom do together? We go to the store.
18. How are you and your mom the same? Our blue eyes.
19. How are you and your mom different? I'm smaller than a nerd and you're bigger than the galaxy.
20. How do you know your mom loves you? Cause you're my mom.
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? That you love him.
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Everywhere.
I'm the Mom
You should do this, it's fun. Just ask you kids for their answers!
Gabe's answers are first (he's 3) and Aria is second. (she's 6)
1. What is something mom always says to you? Gabe-I love you. Aria-I love you.
2. What makes mom happy? Watching the TV. All of your kids.
3. What makes mom sad? I don't know. I don't know.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? Making the TV not work. I don't know.
5. What was your mom like as a child? Being little. You were the first one born.
6. How old is your mom? 531. 29.
7. How tall is your mom? A fat, big giant. About 180 feet.
8. What is her favorite thing to do? Watching the TV. Photography.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Say bye bye. Play the computer.
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Pinky. Photography.
11. What is your mom really good at? Mario. Photography.
12. What is your mom not very good at? Hula Hoop. Jumping up and down.
13. What does your mom do for a job? A great job. Photography.
14.What is your mom's favorite food? Burritos. Tomatoes.
15.What makes you proud of your mom? Playing the wii. Photography.
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Mickey Mouse. A dancing pencil.
17. What do you and your mom do together? Play the computer. Jump up and down.
18. How are you and your mom the same? We have 1, 2 eyes! We both have brown hair and we're both girls.
19. How are you and your mom different? You're Mom and I'm Gabe. Her ears are pierced and mine aren't.
20. How do you know your mom loves you? Feeling happy. You say I love you almost every day.
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? Making Daddy happy. When he comes home from work and hugs you.
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? To the mall. To the temple.
Gabe's answers are first (he's 3) and Aria is second. (she's 6)
1. What is something mom always says to you? Gabe-I love you. Aria-I love you.
2. What makes mom happy? Watching the TV. All of your kids.
3. What makes mom sad? I don't know. I don't know.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? Making the TV not work. I don't know.
5. What was your mom like as a child? Being little. You were the first one born.
6. How old is your mom? 531. 29.
7. How tall is your mom? A fat, big giant. About 180 feet.
8. What is her favorite thing to do? Watching the TV. Photography.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Say bye bye. Play the computer.
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Pinky. Photography.
11. What is your mom really good at? Mario. Photography.
12. What is your mom not very good at? Hula Hoop. Jumping up and down.
13. What does your mom do for a job? A great job. Photography.
14.What is your mom's favorite food? Burritos. Tomatoes.
15.What makes you proud of your mom? Playing the wii. Photography.
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Mickey Mouse. A dancing pencil.
17. What do you and your mom do together? Play the computer. Jump up and down.
18. How are you and your mom the same? We have 1, 2 eyes! We both have brown hair and we're both girls.
19. How are you and your mom different? You're Mom and I'm Gabe. Her ears are pierced and mine aren't.
20. How do you know your mom loves you? Feeling happy. You say I love you almost every day.
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? Making Daddy happy. When he comes home from work and hugs you.
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? To the mall. To the temple.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Literal Charades
We like charades.
The kids love to play and it's always a laugh for Dave and I. Always.
See, they play charades literally. We let them just act out whatever they want and we all try to guess. So, think about a banana. How would you act that out? You'd likely put one hand out in a fist as if you're holding a banana. You'd then take the other hand and peel the imaginary banana, then take a bite, right?
Not my kid. Nathan laid flat on the floor with his arms over his head. He lifted his arms and legs up, (like that abs exercise) and tried to hold it. He literally became the banana. And it took us a while and we needed a few hints.
Another time, he lowered his head like a battering ram and plowed into Dave's stomach and didn't move. We never got that one until he told us. "I'm Daddy's insulin pump!"
Aria flopped on the floor once and just kinda wiggled around. We guessed and guessed, she said "I'm doing the best I can!" and she finally informed us that she was spaghetti.
Gabe, on the other hand, doesn't seem to understand the guessing portion of the game. He'll get on his hands and knees, yell "I'M A KITTY!" and then start crawling around. He doesn't stop crawling and meowing until somebody says "Are you a kitty Gabe?" and he'll shout "YES!" Another time he was a bridge. He jumped up on the piano bench, did a perfect split (didn't know he could do that, lol) and exclaimed "I'M A BRIDGE!" and then waited for us to ask if he was a bridge.
Anyone want to have a charades party? lol
The kids love to play and it's always a laugh for Dave and I. Always.
See, they play charades literally. We let them just act out whatever they want and we all try to guess. So, think about a banana. How would you act that out? You'd likely put one hand out in a fist as if you're holding a banana. You'd then take the other hand and peel the imaginary banana, then take a bite, right?
Not my kid. Nathan laid flat on the floor with his arms over his head. He lifted his arms and legs up, (like that abs exercise) and tried to hold it. He literally became the banana. And it took us a while and we needed a few hints.
Another time, he lowered his head like a battering ram and plowed into Dave's stomach and didn't move. We never got that one until he told us. "I'm Daddy's insulin pump!"
Aria flopped on the floor once and just kinda wiggled around. We guessed and guessed, she said "I'm doing the best I can!" and she finally informed us that she was spaghetti.
Gabe, on the other hand, doesn't seem to understand the guessing portion of the game. He'll get on his hands and knees, yell "I'M A KITTY!" and then start crawling around. He doesn't stop crawling and meowing until somebody says "Are you a kitty Gabe?" and he'll shout "YES!" Another time he was a bridge. He jumped up on the piano bench, did a perfect split (didn't know he could do that, lol) and exclaimed "I'M A BRIDGE!" and then waited for us to ask if he was a bridge.
Anyone want to have a charades party? lol
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