A Little Sneak Peek ... and an Outtake

While we were in Pensacola for the Memorial Day holiday, we had a chance to get family together for a visit. Naturally I felt the need to get out the camera! Here's a sneak peek for Monique and Kelli, of the results of our little photo session. I included a little outtake for fun at the bottom.










ETA: Ok, Blogger must hate me, look how washed out the color is on here of that last shot. Grrrr.

Three Little Monkeys

Sarah and her twin cousins "hanging out" prior to the start of a parade. We're lucky we're all able to get together every few months or so to visit. Sarah grew up with the boys before we moved last year. They really miss each other. Every time they get together its like they haven't even been apart. I hope they're always this close.

On the Mend ... Finally!

I'm finally starting to feel human again!! I have to say, this strep throat has knocked me down much harder than I expected. The cough won't go away yet, and the sore throat isn't completely gone, but all in all I'm almost back to normal (whatever normal is!). Here's a quick one of Sarah to illustrate the point. :)

Not a flu bug after all ...

Ever since returning home on Saturday, I've been feeling rundown. Then Sunday afternoon I started getting a sore throat. By Monday I had added a fever, aches, and chills to the mix. By Tuesday my fever had broken and the aches/chills were gone, but not the sore throat, the congestion that got added, and the headaches. So I though it was just a bug that would run its course in a few days. I felt a little better by afternoon and thought it was almost over. Wednesday ... still a sore throat, congestion and now a nasty cough. But still, I'm thinking its almost over, right? Well, no. Wednesday night when I went to bed I could hardly breathe or swallow. Thursday morning Elliot stayed with the girls while I went to the doctor. They did a throat culture and yep, you guessed it ... step throat. I started antibiotics and should be feeling better in 24-48 hours. It's been almost 24 hours so, I'm going to venture a guess that its going to be closer tot he 48 hr. side of thing. I never had strep throat before, but this is definitely the worst sore throat I've ever experienced. YUCK! I just hope no one in our household gets it. So here's hoping you're all having a better few days than me!!

Why Do I Blog?

A couple of photographer friends, Julie B. and Kathy have tagged me to list 5 reasons why I blog. So, here goes.

1. As a way to chronicle little bits and pieces of our everyday life. Little things we'd otherwise forget. Since I'm a photographer, I do this more through photos than words!
2. To let friends and family, especially those we don't see often, know what we're up to.
3. Its kinda like therapy ... but free!
4. For me ... I like sorting through photos and putting together a post that tells a bit of a story.
5. It's addicting! I started out reading others' blogs, then I though ... hmm... maybe I'll give it a try.

The Silly Faces of Anna

Some random silliness from Miss Anna. You'll notice that in all of them she is NOT looking at the camera! Little stinker...

Happy Father's Day

I want to take a moment to wish my Dad a Happy Father's Day. Dad, you never fail to make me laugh, you'll do anything for me, and I truly admire all you have accomplished. You never give yourself enough credit! I'm so proud to be your daughter.


And lest I forget, the other important man in my life, my husband. Happy Father's Day, honey. I'm blessed, I truly am, to have married you. You're always there to support me. I can't imagine my life without you! You do so much for me and our girls. You are an amazing Dad ... I couldn't ask for better. I love how nothing is ever too much trouble for your girls. I love how patient and tolerant you are with them, how you'll play any girly game they want without complaint. We're so proud of you ... and we love you. :)

One More

Sarah's New Best Friend

After a number of years of not having a pet, my parents decided it was time to have another dog. Shiloh is the sweetest, most adorable little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Sarah has completely fallen in love with her grandparents' puppy, and the feeling seems to be mutual. Shiloh just turned six months old ... but I took these when he was just three months. Isn't he the cutest?! :)

Anna & a Music Machine

Anna got this Fisher-Price music machine for Christmas. She gets so excited by the songs and the microphone. She especially loves the Elmo and the Pooh songs! She just squeals with delight. This little girl loves to sing and dance. :)

These are actually from back in February ... I'm soooo behind in my editing!!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom

I'm very blessed to have such a special mother. She's always there for me. She's my friend and confidant. She's always available to help when I need it. She's a fantastic grandmother, both of my girls adore her. I love you, Mom!!

And a Few More From Today

We got the tripod back out again today. Who knew a tripod and a self-timer were all I needed to get my little models to cooperate?!!



And a couple of outtakes!

More Tripod Fun

I'm finally growing to love my tripod. I'm especially loving the self-timer on my camera! Sure, it's a pain to get things setup, focused (don't look too closely, definitely still working that part out!), set the timer, run into the shot ... well, you get the point. But the girls thought the whole thing was so funny, look at that smile on Anna's face!!

Some Famiy Love

Anna is a total Daddy's Girl. I mean, she loves Mommy, but when Elliot is around ... it's all about Daddy. Lately when it is bed time she runs to him and says "Hold YOU!" and holds her arms up for him to rescue him. It's the sweetest thing. I love watching them together, seeing the bond they share. :)


I bought a tripod a couple of months ago and have barely used it. I used it once on my trip to Nashville, but I absolutely hated the thing. We have not yet bonded. Today I decided to get the thing out and try to get some shots of me and the girls. We were giggling and being silly, having so much fun. I can't wait to try it again with Elliot, too. Maybe this tripod thing isn't so bad after all ... hm ...


ETA: Wow, the web is really washing out my color on here. Not sure what that's about, its been happening a lot lately..........

Storytelling

Our last assignment for Wendy's workshop was all about telling a story with your pictures. This is what drew me to photography in the first place, capturing those little pieces of our daily life. I'm not in love with every one of these, but they are the ones that stood out to me as saying something. Some of them have some technical issues, but they each spoke to me. What do they say to you?

I'm so sad that our workshop is finished. I have learned so much. Wendy has really pushed me to discover who I am as a photographer. :)

One of the things I'm working on is trying to get really good photographs of difficult subjects. My youngest really fits the bill on that one! I'm also working on being a bit more creative, and letting go of the rigid technical details to focus on capturing the moment. I've spent so much time trying to get the technical side right that I've forgotten that sometimes its more important to tell the story. Balance ... its all about Balance.

A Sweet Hug

Even though there are lots of things wrong with this shot technically, I just love it for the emotional power. Anna so loves her Papa Mike. She talks about him all the time. Her new favorite phrase is "Where's Papa?" and "Papa 'Cola" (she can't say Pensacola yet!). She loves talking on the phone now, too, and the first thing she says to her Grandma Linda is "Papa Home?". In fact, when she talks on her pretend phone (which is sometimes the remote control or even her foot!), she always talks to her Papa Mike. So sweet.

Happy 5th Birthday, Sarah!

Five years ago today, our first child was born. After 16 hrs of labor and a c-section, Sarah came screaming into the world. We love you, sweetheart.

More Workshop Fun

As I mentioned a few posts down, I've been taking a photography workshop the last couple of months with Wendy Schultz. I am learning so much from Wendy and her amazing way of teaching. She really is pushing me to develop and understand my own style. Our last two assignments have really made me focus on lighting and how I use it. Here's a sample.

Using mid-day light










How do you use light?

Have a Happy Easter!

Here's hoping you have a very happy Easter holiday!