The other model, Kayla
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Gray Photography Workshop
As I mentioned in my previous post, I attended the Shooting & Post workshop put on by Zach & Jody Gray on Sunday. It was great, even though the weather totally stunk! I was ankle deep in mud, and threw my shoes away when I got home! However, I learned about using Lightroom for editing (& it is SOOOO much quicker) and I got these gorgeous shots! The first one is the color version of the black & white that was in my previous post. I could've photographed her all day long!! I thought it would be a shame not to share these with anyone, so I had to post a few here!
The other model, Kayla
The other model, Kayla
Monday, March 29, 2010
i heart faces challenge - dramatic black & white
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Just Because
Just because this is my blog I thought I'd post some pictures of my own kiddos! However, I'm keepin' it real b/c these are dirty faced & non smilin' pics.
This little birdy has set up camp in our front tree. She's sitting on her nest & she NEVER leaves! Grant informed me that she had to "protect her eggs from predators." I was a little impressed with the word usage :-)! I wish she was low enough to see into the next, but unfortunately she's not. We may have to pull a ladder out at some point to sneak a peek!
March has been a super busy month for us, and I'm sure the rest of the spring will follow suit. We are making the best of it and trying to enjoy little things along the way. In true Claire fashion, she sported a busted chin last week & a busted lip (on the inside). She is always in such a hurry & has no regard for what she might run into. She's just a little like her momma!
Grant rarely smiles normally for the camera anymore & this was quite by accident. So, even though he has a Spaghettio full mouth here, I still love it!
Hope you're enjoying a beautiful weekend like ours wherever you may be!
This little birdy has set up camp in our front tree. She's sitting on her nest & she NEVER leaves! Grant informed me that she had to "protect her eggs from predators." I was a little impressed with the word usage :-)! I wish she was low enough to see into the next, but unfortunately she's not. We may have to pull a ladder out at some point to sneak a peek!
March has been a super busy month for us, and I'm sure the rest of the spring will follow suit. We are making the best of it and trying to enjoy little things along the way. In true Claire fashion, she sported a busted chin last week & a busted lip (on the inside). She is always in such a hurry & has no regard for what she might run into. She's just a little like her momma!
Grant rarely smiles normally for the camera anymore & this was quite by accident. So, even though he has a Spaghettio full mouth here, I still love it!
Hope you're enjoying a beautiful weekend like ours wherever you may be!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Baby Linley
As I mentioned in a previous post, there are lots of new /expectant mommas around these parts! I had the privilege of doing another session with this sweet 3 week old on Friday.
I also got a logo last week, and I guess this is kind of its debut. I did post some of these on Facebook, so if we're FB friends, you've already seen some of these.
These bright eyes totally crack me up!
I am loving these newborn sessions, and would LOVE any referrals anyone can give me for those or anything else! Thanks!!
I also got a logo last week, and I guess this is kind of its debut. I did post some of these on Facebook, so if we're FB friends, you've already seen some of these.
These bright eyes totally crack me up!
I am loving these newborn sessions, and would LOVE any referrals anyone can give me for those or anything else! Thanks!!
Monday, March 22, 2010
i heart faces - angles
The theme this week at i heart faces is "angles." I took this shot of a newborn on Friday, and I thought it was sweet. More to come on her photo shoot later. She was a doll! Check out the link above for more!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Lady A
Last week, I took Grant to his 1st concert (that wasn’t a kiddie performer). My kids LOVE Lady Antebellum. They get this honestly because I do too, but as tends to be the trend in my household, anything they like they become obsessed with. That is definitely the case with Lady A. We listened to their 1st CD all of the time, and when the 2nd one came out last month; I bought it the 1st day. It has rarely been out of my CD player in the car since. We listen to it over and over and over again. Both Claire & Grant know the words to most all of the songs. Their favorites are definitely “Need You Now” and “Love This Pain” (#6 on the CD, but not released as a single), but we listen to the entire CD and they know bits and pieces to every one of them! Claire’s first words when she gets in the van in the afternoons are usually, “I listen to Need You Now (or Love This Pain).” Claire regularly sings both songs when she’s trying not to go to sleep at night..so funny!! I have to admit that as much as I love the CD, I’m so over Need You Now! It’s on the radio every time I turn it on, and we listen to it constantly in the car!
Anywho! When I heard that they were going to be playing here, I knew I had to take Grant. I won a spot at their Meet & Greet at a radio station back in August, and Pookie & I went. It was great. We got to meet them, get our picture made with them & they played a few songs. I just knew that I should’ve taken Grant because he loved them so much, so I couldn’t miss this opportunity. Luckily, I got online right at 10 am and got tickets when they went on sale. Apparently, they sold out super quick & lots of people I know weren’t so lucky.
Before the concert, we went to dinner with friends at PF Chang’s. Grant spiced it up with a little noodle throwing. I should’ve known not to take him there! We got there just before it was supposed to start, but of course, it was late. Then they introduced some other guests, one of which was Josh Kelley, Charles’ (of Lady A) brother. He is married to Katherine Heigl. I wish I would’ve spotted her, and it would’ve been an even more awesome night! Grant was the only kid I saw at the entire concert, and he was totally bored during the opening acts because he didn’t know their songs. He totally cracked me up because he made friends with everyone around us, from the people on the elevator in the parking garage, folks in line, and everyone sitting around us. He scored some mini oreos from the lady next to him, and the guy in front of us offered to buy him a drink & a snack. So funny! He doesn’t know the meaning of stranger!
Anywho! When I heard that they were going to be playing here, I knew I had to take Grant. I won a spot at their Meet & Greet at a radio station back in August, and Pookie & I went. It was great. We got to meet them, get our picture made with them & they played a few songs. I just knew that I should’ve taken Grant because he loved them so much, so I couldn’t miss this opportunity. Luckily, I got online right at 10 am and got tickets when they went on sale. Apparently, they sold out super quick & lots of people I know weren’t so lucky.
Before the concert, we went to dinner with friends at PF Chang’s. Grant spiced it up with a little noodle throwing. I should’ve known not to take him there! We got there just before it was supposed to start, but of course, it was late. Then they introduced some other guests, one of which was Josh Kelley, Charles’ (of Lady A) brother. He is married to Katherine Heigl. I wish I would’ve spotted her, and it would’ve been an even more awesome night! Grant was the only kid I saw at the entire concert, and he was totally bored during the opening acts because he didn’t know their songs. He totally cracked me up because he made friends with everyone around us, from the people on the elevator in the parking garage, folks in line, and everyone sitting around us. He scored some mini oreos from the lady next to him, and the guy in front of us offered to buy him a drink & a snack. So funny! He doesn’t know the meaning of stranger!
this pic is at the ryman right before the concert started...love that nostril flare (he is so his daddy!)
When Lady A finally took the stage, he was ecstatic. They sang a great mix of songs from the old album and the new one. However, we were both super disappointed that they didn’t sing “Love This Pain” from the new one, since it’s one of our favorites. He kept telling me to take another picture, take another picture.
Our seats were kind of in an odd place, right behind a column so we stuck pretty close to one side. We stood up through the entire show, and he stood on the back of the row in front of us while leaning on me. We were both hot, sweaty messes by the time we left. It happened to be an absolutely gorgeous night outside though, so it was great walking back to the car.
He had a blast and so did I! I’m so glad we got to make those memories together. I wish someone else could’ve captured the look on his face singing along to EVERY song, but it was so dark & I hesitate to ask anyone to use my camera since I don’t feel like I even know how to work it half of the time! I definitely need to start taking my point & shoot to events like that! I hope this is only beginning of our concert memories together…until of course he’s too cool to go to concerts with his mom!
they sang a version of the oooold country song "Lost Highway" & it was so fun! They also sang the Luke Bryan song, "Do I" and "Last Dance with Mary Jane."
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Obsessed
This is what my whole house has been looking like lately. Last weekend at a birthday party, my children were introduced to paint with water books. I had kind of forgotten that they existed and never see them anywhere. I hesitate to post where they came from for fear someone might buy them all up and we can't get anymore :-)! I've gotten about 20 of them so far, and they are ALL. OVER. MY. HOUSE.
Claire takes the painting very seriously.
Grant loves them too. I just happened to take these last Tuesday when I was at home with her. She had a stomach virus, and I was covered in puke more times than I care to think about! Today has been interesting as well, but she's not sick. We have been trying to potty train her, but kind of lazily. She can pretty much handle the peeing thing, but the other not so much. We've had a couple of random occurrences of that, but nothing consistent. However, today she has taken her pull up off both times she's needed to go, but she has not gone to the potty to do her business. I won't elaborate anymore...let's just say she's grossing me out!! Suggestions???!
Claire takes the painting very seriously.
Grant loves them too. I just happened to take these last Tuesday when I was at home with her. She had a stomach virus, and I was covered in puke more times than I care to think about! Today has been interesting as well, but she's not sick. We have been trying to potty train her, but kind of lazily. She can pretty much handle the peeing thing, but the other not so much. We've had a couple of random occurrences of that, but nothing consistent. However, today she has taken her pull up off both times she's needed to go, but she has not gone to the potty to do her business. I won't elaborate anymore...let's just say she's grossing me out!! Suggestions???!
How Do You Inspire?
There’s an awesome workshop giveaway at iheartfaces right now, and as much as I would LOVE to win, I’m not sure I have the kind of story they’re looking for. You see, it’s supposed to be a story about how you inspire others…which is hard. Who really sits down and thinks, “Did I inspire someone today?” I know I never do; however I hope that in everyday actions, I spread a little joy, happiness, and love.
In the past year or so, I’ve realized that I want to be a photographer when I 'grow up.' I’ve always loved photography. I remember having the camera with the little flash cubes, and then carrying my pink Polaroid everywhere snapping shots of friends and family. I’ve had a camera obsession as long as I can remember. There were photo shoots in my bedroom with friends at sleepovers, complete with sheet backdrops on the wall. When I got engaged, I became fully engrossed in photography websites, hanging on each tiny detail that had been captured at the weddings of others. I was in love. While the photographers at my wedding were amazing, their customer service stunk! My mind started turning with how I could capture these details and emotions and offer fabulous customer service too.
A short 9 ½ months later, we welcomed our first baby, and things got too busy to think about learning an art that I so admired. So, I relied on others to capture the details of our evolving family. Several years passed, another baby was added and still I had this burning desire to learn more about photography. Finally, last summer I bit the bullet and bought my first DSLR. I was hooked, but frustrated because my images weren’t what I wanted them to be. I enrolled in a course at a local college and learned more in 9 weeks than I could’ve imagined. I did some shoots with friends, who couldn’t have been any more supportive. I quickly realized that I had outgrown the camera I had purchased, and upgraded a little bit. I still don’t have exactly what I want, but it’s a step in the right direction. Now, comes the hard part: perfecting my skills, my vision, and taking that leap. I am scared. to. death. I want to do this, but those feelings of doubt threaten to take over every day. I want to capture those moments between a new mother and her precious baby, tiny hands and tiny feet, the bonds that only siblings have, and families that want to remember each detail just like I did (do). I want to give that to others and make them feel special, because I know how much it means to me feel that way and to see images of my own family living in the moment.
So, while I haven’t overcome any great hardships like so many have, perhaps overcoming my own self-doubt has proven to be the most difficult of all for me. I still have so many questions and many things to learn, and I know this workshop would be a phenomenal experience for me. I try to inspire others through acts of kindness, helping hands, prayers, little notes, tasty treats, and long talks. I long to inspire others to find their passion, and follow their dreams no matter what they might be. I hope to be a shining example of that someday. I saw a sticker last week that said, “What are you Waiting For?” It’s now my mantra.
In the past year or so, I’ve realized that I want to be a photographer when I 'grow up.' I’ve always loved photography. I remember having the camera with the little flash cubes, and then carrying my pink Polaroid everywhere snapping shots of friends and family. I’ve had a camera obsession as long as I can remember. There were photo shoots in my bedroom with friends at sleepovers, complete with sheet backdrops on the wall. When I got engaged, I became fully engrossed in photography websites, hanging on each tiny detail that had been captured at the weddings of others. I was in love. While the photographers at my wedding were amazing, their customer service stunk! My mind started turning with how I could capture these details and emotions and offer fabulous customer service too.
A short 9 ½ months later, we welcomed our first baby, and things got too busy to think about learning an art that I so admired. So, I relied on others to capture the details of our evolving family. Several years passed, another baby was added and still I had this burning desire to learn more about photography. Finally, last summer I bit the bullet and bought my first DSLR. I was hooked, but frustrated because my images weren’t what I wanted them to be. I enrolled in a course at a local college and learned more in 9 weeks than I could’ve imagined. I did some shoots with friends, who couldn’t have been any more supportive. I quickly realized that I had outgrown the camera I had purchased, and upgraded a little bit. I still don’t have exactly what I want, but it’s a step in the right direction. Now, comes the hard part: perfecting my skills, my vision, and taking that leap. I am scared. to. death. I want to do this, but those feelings of doubt threaten to take over every day. I want to capture those moments between a new mother and her precious baby, tiny hands and tiny feet, the bonds that only siblings have, and families that want to remember each detail just like I did (do). I want to give that to others and make them feel special, because I know how much it means to me feel that way and to see images of my own family living in the moment.
So, while I haven’t overcome any great hardships like so many have, perhaps overcoming my own self-doubt has proven to be the most difficult of all for me. I still have so many questions and many things to learn, and I know this workshop would be a phenomenal experience for me. I try to inspire others through acts of kindness, helping hands, prayers, little notes, tasty treats, and long talks. I long to inspire others to find their passion, and follow their dreams no matter what they might be. I hope to be a shining example of that someday. I saw a sticker last week that said, “What are you Waiting For?” It’s now my mantra.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Baby Love
It seems that everyone around me is pregnant, so as these little babies make their debuts, I'm hitting their momma's up for practice sessions. I had my very first one yesterday, and it was oh so much fun! He was the perfect little guy, and I have major cravings to see him again soon! So does Claire, so we'll be back your way before long :-)!
When we first started the little guy wasn't sure he wanted to go to sleep, but after a little sweet talking, he started getting tired.
love those wrinkles!
sweet, tiny details..
seriously, how perfect is he?! look at those little lips!
Angie - Thank you again for letting me attempt to capture your new little guy. You have no idea how much it means to me, and what a boost it gave me! Love you guys!
When we first started the little guy wasn't sure he wanted to go to sleep, but after a little sweet talking, he started getting tired.
love those wrinkles!
sweet, tiny details..
seriously, how perfect is he?! look at those little lips!
Angie - Thank you again for letting me attempt to capture your new little guy. You have no idea how much it means to me, and what a boost it gave me! Love you guys!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Anticipating
My bff's sister is pregnant with her first baby, and she was nice enough to let me take some maternity pictures. I took a TON of pictures, and it has taken me all week to get through them all! They are such a beautiful couple, and I can't wait to meet this baby!
They chose not to find out the baby's gender, but the answer is inside this little envelope. I cannot imagine being strong enough not to open it! Ashle' said she keeps it hidden so Justin can't sneak a peek on the sly!
Thanks again guys for letting me do this. I had a blast, and I hope you find some you love!
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