Loving Mom

Mom and Dad
April 2008

My iTunes: Butterfly by Jason Mraz

Happy Mother's Day!

I decided to share with you a photo of my parents. I took this at the beach when I was with them and my sister and her family. It was wonderful to be there together. On that same trip my parents celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. Pretty cool. I love how they still laugh like this after all these years. I hope to be doing that one day as well!

My mom is a beautiful woman with a servant heart. She helped me and was patient with me as I became a mom almost 15 years ago and I am so grateful for her. We have not lived in the same city since I have been married and so I miss her a lot. I am sure I do not tell her enough how much I love her but I do...so very much. I want to thank her for being a real woman. A woman who is imperfect but faithful...can it get better than that as an example? She has taught me much about love (when I was unlovable), grace (when I fell short), faith (when I had doubt) and joy (when I wasn't content). My life is so blessed because of her.

Happy Mother's Day Mom...I love you!

Quiet Time
April 2008

Bright Eyes

Brown Eyed Girl
May 2008

My iTunes: Viva la Vida by Coldplay

Isn't she the most beautiful little girl ever? Other than my girl of course! I snapped this the other day and have been mesmerized by it ever since it loaded from my camera! Those are the biggest brown eyes I have ever seen...and think of all the things they will see in her lifetime.

Thanks for all your encouraging words about my upcoming shoot in Maui. The fact of the matter is I would not be in the situation without all the of love and support of my family and friends...that includes all of my blog buddies! I have stretched myself further than I ever thought the almost two years I have been blogging and posting a photo-a-day. It has been wonderful to connect with other amateur and professional photographers and learn and grow. This outlet for me has helped build my confidence and has given me an outlook and depth in my photography it did not have before....so thanks!

I am packing and repacking the next couple of days and then I am off! I will be updating daily so be sure to check back! Have a good weekend everyone!

Rows of Blue

Ready for the Sun

April 2008

My iTunes:  Can't Get Away by Rush of Fools

I am LOVING this picture!

I am finally going through some images from our beach trip and I was so happy to find this gem! I snapped this right as the attendant was putting out the lounge chairs for the day.

I am somewhat done with all my photo jobs I have had the past couple of weeks. Just in time to prepare for my next one....I am so excited and so nervous! I am shooting my first official wedding in Maui, Hawaii and I leave this Monday! It is all I can do to make sure I have everything....I am checking and rechecking EVERYTHING!  I am thrilled at this opportunity to really grow my business and share my passion of photography on a completely different level.

I am accepting all the prayers I can get so keep them coming!  I will be eager to share my shots with you, not only of the wedding but of all things Polynesian!

Sitting Pretty

Peace in Purple
April 2008

My iTunes: Someday by John Legend

Just a lovely iris.

That is what I love about photography...there really is no "just" anything. Everything you see is as diverse and unique as the person holding the camera. I saw this tall glass of water when I was on a shoot a few weeks ago. She was at least 2 feet high and I couldn't resist leaning in for a closer more personal look. She did not disappoint.

Hope this brings a smile to you!

The Moves

Still
May 2008

My iTunes: In Love With a Girl by Gavin DeGraw

Here is a shot from the recital I photographed this past weekend. I took about 800 images. At least half (if not more) will make their way to the trash in my computer but I managed to get a lot of good ones. Recital photography is tricky....low light, no flash, a fast lens. I am still learning this fine art of dance photography. Anyhow, I will share more later.

I love the look of this. My regular readers won't be surprised to see my subject WAY off center. Just the way I like it. The backdrop has it's own story as well in an image and so I make it vital in capturing this shot.

I sure hope the week is going well for everyone!

SISTERS

Just Us
April 2008

My iTunes: To Be Love by David Glenn

All this blogging and posting about siblings and it got me thinking....

I sure miss my sister.

I snapped this early one morning while were at the beach together back in April. The day was going to be gorgeous! The beach was empty and we just sat on a towel and talked. And laughed. We love laughing together. We are not nearly close enough in miles but we are as close as we can possibly be otherwise! It is such a blessing to me to have her in my life. I know that God made her my big sister for a reason.

Just wanted to post this image since she has not seen it yet and she lurks here everyday to see what I am up to down here! I hope to let her know how much I am thinking of her!

Grass and Denim

Big Brother

April 2008

My iTunes: Beautiful Mystery by Telecast

Here is a couple more from another recent shoot. I have said before that I love siblings. Trying to capture an intimate connection is always what I strive for in this situation. These two brothers are eight years apart. You can see the difference in years in these two shots.

I just really like these.

Have a great week everyone!

Little Brother
April 2008

Sneak Peak

HOGDOG
April 2008

My iTunes: Alive by P.O.D.

HAPPY WEEKEND ALL!

At Christmas, all the kids draw names on my husbands side of the family. This year, I drew my brother-in-law. I was thrilled because I had the perfect gift idea. No, I did not get him the Harley Road King you see above. He already has it. I told him I would like to photograph his bike and then he could hang the series of the three images in his room dedicated to all things Harley at his house.

This is a sneak peek at what I have been working on for him. The hardest part about this little project is I can't seem to decide on which images to use! I really like them all! Maybe I am a bike chick....at the very least I LOVE the way they look!

I am hoping he likes them when I am finished. I think they will look great and he can enjoy them for many years! I am expecting a ride very soon! Please check out my blogger friend SARCH who is also a motorcycle rider! He has a special post right now in honor of Motorcycle Awareness Month!

I have to run...I am picking up my better half who has been in China for the past TWO WEEKS!
See you tomorrow!

Girlfriends

Flip Flops and Denim
April 2008

My iTunes: Goodnight and Go by Imogen Heap

I shot this at session with Sadie and a couple of her friends. Whether you are my age, older or younger, there really is nothing like good girlfriends in your life. One of these girls is moving away soon. It is hard to make transitions as a teenager but we will send her along with lots of love and prayers and know God has already gone before her to prepare her way! This was my favorite capture of the day. Something about it just feels very intimate and personal.

Take care everyone and I hope you are having a good weekend!

Dancing Shoes

Recital Ready

April 2008

My iTunes: Tryin' To Throw Your Arms Around the World
by U2

I am preparing for a shoot this weekend. I think these days I am constantly checking and rechecking EVERYTHING before a shoot. I am sure one day I will just grab my bag knowing all my stuff is there. Maybe.

For now I am just glad to walk out WITH my camera!

I am shooting a dance recital this weekend. I will be doing portraits and casuals of all the girls before, during and after the performance. It should be fun. My daughter is one of the dancers so I am looking forward to capturing her and all her friends. I shot the image above for this job. I will print these and then put all my information on the back so people know how to contact me for sessions. It will also have the viewing galley and password for them on the back to see all the images about 5 days later.

I liked the finished product here. Her shoes look worn which I love and I think the wood floor is the perfect background.

Country Life

Relaxing

April 2008

My iTunes: Nine in the Afternoon by Panic at the Disco

Here is a few more from one of my recent shoots. I went to a beautiful spread out in the country at dusk to capture a this brother and sister. Such a pair is always fun to shoot. I think it's because you have these two individual people and I want to capture their personalities AND relationship the best I can. I could tell these two are close. As the time wore on they were more and more comfortable with me. I am sure it is because I got them to do all sorts of stuff and I ended up rolling around on the ground, getting bitten by bugs and scraped by anything my legs hit! It was fun although I needed repellent and Neosporin when I was done!

Below is another shot from that day. I like the grainy, rustic feel I get from these.

Hope you enjoy!

Dirty Feet
(no telling how many bug bites I got while getting this shot!)
April 2008

A Moment In Time

Moving On
April 2008

My iTunes: Feels Like Today by Rascal Flatts

Was Project Green a dream? I think it might have been! Now all I want to do is post black and white! Just kidding! The color will be back here soon!

I promised a few shots from some of my shoots a couple of weeks ago. This is Taylor....or "T" as he is called by those who know him best. I shot some senior pics of him around his high school campus. His sport? Volleyball. That ring? It is a high school volleyball championship ring....pretty awesome! There were lots of great shots but this one was my favorite I got that day.

I also took some images of his little brother and sister. You can see one of his brother here. I will be posting an image of his sister in the next few days.

Hope you all are having a good week!

Project Green. Take Nine.

Green is getting Hosed
April 2008

My iTunes: For You by David Glenn

WOW...my last Project Green post! Thanks to all of you who have participated...whether you posted, commented or lurked...I appreciate you all! It has been a lot of fun for me and I have loved seeing green through each of your viewfinders. It is always positive to see the world in a different way than you are used to. For me, it sparks my creativity.

I hope that you have a new appreciation for searching for colors in your everyday and embracing your surroundings with all the wonder it has in store for you. For example, this is our hose. Ordinary yes...but I did a little artistic Photoshop with this and I like it a lot and by the way, eveything looks good next to brick. Take my word on that.

I hope that you all will keep returning as I continue with my daily photo. Be sure to check back in late May for a new Project. Color TBA....I like to do it spur of the moment....for myself as well! If you are coming across this blog and are new to these projects you can check the participants in yesterdays post and see Project Yellow in my archives to the right.

Take care everyone and I will see you around Blogland!

Project Green. Take Eight.

Have a Seat

April 2008

My iTunes:  Goodbye and Go by Imogen Heap

In my constant quest for benches...I found this beauty.  I was so glad I saw it during my Project Green and was able to post it!  I hope you all are well this Sunday night as I type.  I need to prepare for another week...the laundry, the dishes, the lunches, the cleaning.....wait, did I say laundry already?  I'm already missing the hammock from yesterday and I think my cute nail polish is already chipping too!  Darn it!  Here's to another week!

Anyhow, I hope you all have a great week!

PROJECT GREEN (PG) PARTICIPANTS

Project Green. Take Seven.

Relaxing with Green
April 2008

My iTunes: Turn to You by David Glenn

I have been waiting for today since last Saturday! It was a sleep in day. I have finished my editing from all my shoots last week and I am ready to relax! At a friends home today, I laid in their hammock for awhile...of course my camera was around my neck at the time! Don't you just love my toes (OK, maybe just my girlfriends out there like them)? They are compliments of my friend Kathy who treated me to a pedi last week! Thanks girl! I will be posting a few of my shots from clients later in the week after Project Green has come to a close.

Some of you are wondering about how long Project Green will be going on and I will be posting my last Project Green on Monday night. I will be doing my daily photographs until the next Project starts. I will not start that project until late May. :) Color TBA! I have quite a few things happening on the business front so I will be giving that my attention. I do hope you all will come by and see me day to day! I have enjoyed all your comments!

Have a wonderful weekend!

My View Up

April 2008

PROJECT GREEN (PG) PARTICIPANTS

Project Green. Take Six.

Game. Set. Match

April 2008

My iTunes:  Dreaming With A Broken Heart by John Mayer

Evening all!

Day six of Project Green and I still going at it!  Is anyone tired of it yet?

This shot was taken at my match yesterday. If you don't read tennis, this sign is how score is kept when you don't play Wimbledon.  :)  We are the "V" for visitor and it is showing we had won the first set and we had won the second 6-4 (it says 5 because we had not changed it yet when I grabbed my camera from where else...my tennis bag!)

Anyhow, it was a great season.....much too short for me!  I posted several images from this season and if you click through my archives you will see them.  I look forward to the next season and playing all summer with my girlfriends!

BTW, please go visit the youngest participant of PG!  He and his mom were doing the project together and then he got this own blog and is doing it himself...how cool is that?  Visit Zane here.

Have a wonderfully GREEN weekend!

PROJECT GREEN (PG) PARTICIPANTS

Project Green. Take Five.

Water Break
April 2008

My iTunes: Lift Me Up by Chris Taylor

My team drove to the last match of the season today which was about 45 minutes away. I was pretty darn excited to see this water fountain in the park where we were to play. You don't really see these much anymore and this one didn't work. Look how clean it looks! I did not clean it at all and the reflection of the grass is spotless. I will update you on how the match turned out in tomorrow's green post! Come on back!

I hope you all are enjoying the green things! It is harder than yellow but well worth it when you find it! Take care!

PROJECT GREEN (PG) PARTICIPANTS

Project Green. Take Four.

Game Time
April 2008

My iTunes: Made For You by Chris Taylor

I am completely exhausted after an incredibly long day!

I had to post this shot from one of my last photo shoots. I know I am ready for summer because I just look at this and get a big smile! During the shoot I captured this little guy, along with his older brother and sister doing their own favorite sports. The shots were fun and casual and it was easy to get them comfortable with what they love to do! Their mom is doing a series of the three of them. I will post the others later for you to see.

I won't be making the rounds tonight but will be around tomorrow to comment! Have a great day everyone and thanks for all your wonderful comments on this Project!

PROJECT GREEN (PG) PARTICIPANTS

Project Green. Take Three.

Better Days

April 2008

What I'm Listening To: To Be Love by David Glenn
~To check his songs out go HERE ~

Hi everyone!

I was THRILLED to see this chair when I was at a shoot. If you look closely it once was yellow and then painted green. I can imagine this was a great chair and could be again. I wonder about the conversations that took place on the porch and who was sitting in it. Every object has some sort of story and I am always intrigued when I think of what was.

A couple of people have asked me if I chose green for Earth Week. I could lie and say yes but I had absolutely no clue. Seriously, that's embarrassing to say. I chose it because I was noticing when I was out and about that green in the "in" color this season. Anyone else notice? So there is my big reason.

One more thing...JERRY sent me a link to watch a video collage of R.E.M's new single Supernatural Superserious. It's great and you can see and hear different versions...my favorite is the acoustic marked "BOWERY"...check it out if you get a chance! Go HERE.

I will be around to see all your additons to PG tonight for sure! I can't wait to see! I will be back tomorrow with another installment for you!

PROJECT GREEN (PG) PARTICIPANTS

Project Green. Take Two.

Green Cart
April 2008

My iTunes: Supernatural Superserious by R.E.M.
This song is amazing and R.E.M. just rocks. Make sure to watch the video on iTunes which is very artistically done.

Another day...another green...

I actually was on my way home, saw this cart from far away, turned around and sat through two lights to snap it. You should have seen the man who was minding his own business at a store right next to this cart. He watched me walk up from the parking lot, take the picture (OK, a few of them) and walk away back to my car.

I wonder what he was thinking when he saw me!

Oh, and this also is my Project Look Through (PLT). Take Three. For more on that go here. On the blogs I have visited already today, some have been combining the two projects and I love the idea! Very creative and it makes the hunt extra challenging!

Make sure to add your name below when you join in the fun! See you all when I make the rounds! Have fun finding green!

PROJECT GREEN (PG) PARTICIPANTS