I had a shoot on Friday with a really nice couple and their daughter who was 14 days old. She was a big newborn, but so sweet and she barely made a peep! Unfortunately she didn't sleep either so after 2 hours I had to go - we still got some great shots and I finally got to use this basket I've become obsessed with. I have another newborn shoot next week - I will get my sleeping basket shot, I swear!

I should add, this was my first 'stranger' shoot - I didn't know them! It was still a PB session, but gave me a lot more confidence that I can do this with people besides friends and family! It was really nice to get a newborn for my portfolio too!

The Dash

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while! I've been a bit crazy trying to get my website going and then this week a friend's father passed.
At the funeral, this poem was read - I thought it was beautiful and really made me think about how you live your life. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.


I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars....the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they
say about how you spend your dash?

J's Nook

J has this little nook by our front door he likes to hide in. I swear he would stay there all day if I let him!
I think he likes looking out the window and some time to himself. Apparently he's just like Mommy! I played around with a little color processing today. Not sure if it's a bit too punchy for me, but fun seeing everything else was white/grey except his jeans!

Mug shot?

Had some time for just J and me so I played around with my new toy today. Still getting the hang of it - a full frame is a *teeny* bit different to get used to as far as composition... it seems like I need to back the heck up a little more or people look a little distorted. Eyes look huge though, and I like that!!
Happy New Year to everyone. I hope it is a blessed one for you all!! 2008 has been so wonderful to me, I can't imagine what is in store for us in 2009!
p.s. - I finally figured out how to post bigger pics on here! Yay!

the best gift EVER

I GOT MY 5D, I GOT MY 5D, I GOT MY 5D Mark II!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My husband surprised me for Christmas. I have no idea how he even got one as they are backordered! I had asked for it, but it was so much money I never thought I would get this so soon!!!!

I've been playing around, but PS3 is not updated for the RAW from the 5D and it won't let me convert to JPG's! Grrrr, I think Canon and Adobe are up to something for sure. So now I have to plunk down $200 for the PS upgrade.

Hopefully I'll make up for all this spending with clients this year! Starting business plan and website this month - it's getting official! In the meantime, here is a preview of a possible new logo. Still working on it, but like where my friend is headed with it.

Snow Day

Sometimes you have to not worry about the photography and just capture the fun going on in your life.
J saw snow for the first time today. It was pretty amazing. He probably would have liked it much more if he didn't HATE his snowsuit!!
I didn't get a clear shot of him screaming about 1 minute later - that would blackmail sometime around age 16...

Had a mini session with my cousin and his wife for their (very late) holiday card. I know they will go with a more traditional one, but this was my favorite...
I've been so crazy with getting all this stuff out to people I haven't taken any shots all week before today. It was nice to get out behind my camera for a few minutes. It was REALLY cold though!

christmas craziness!

Oh boy, I've been nuts over here! I've been decorating, baking, shopping, partying, and editing!! All those -ings make me a very tired girl.
We had a birthday party for my best friend's son this saturday - his first and little J's first birthday party. It was a blast! M had a Sesame Street theme and I made cookies - I am NOT a baker, but I think these came out pretty good and they tasted great! The kids loved theme so I was thrilled.

p.s. - you can see I'm no product photographer!!! LOL.

Isabelle

This is Isabelle, who I had the pleasure of working with yesterday. She is six going on 30, and I just fell in love with her. Isa's brother Max wasn't into the picture taking so much and she was so patient while her mother tried to wrangle him for me.
Her nickname is Birdie and I thought this pic kind of summed that up!

MCP ACTIONS AND BLOG CONTEST

So I'm adding this to *fingers crossed* win a new blog from MCP Actions and Into the Darkroom. I picked the images, but I didn't have time to really pick out images that fit into the board.
That being said MCP is AMAZING and I use their actions constantly, especially Eye Doctor which kicks A**!! The magic board above is really cool too, I might have to invest in it...