Week 48: Smile

Hello, can you believe there are only 4 more weeks left! I am so proud of myself for making it the whole year! I know, it isn't over just yet, but this will be the first year I complete, unless I get really sick or something, which I hope doesn't happen!

So, anyway, this week's challenge was smile. I have three kids, and I know I would use one. I choose my oldest because he is at the age he is losing teeth! He already got his two bottom front teeth in, but the top front are missing. Right now it is perfect timing. It reminds me of the song "All I Want for Christmas, is my Two Front Teeth"!!!!    ;)

We are headed out for a ride on the Polar Express this weekend, so in next weeks post, I hope to have some pictures of that to share. Next week's challenge is orange. Wonder if there will be any orange on the Polar Express!!!!

Weeks 38 and 39

Sorry I am late. But, hey, better late then never!!!!
Week 38 was balloons. There was a birthday party at a near by park. The mom was nice enough to let Ian play with the balloons. Perfect since week 38's challenge was balloons! Thanks random mom at the park!

Week 39 was vintage. The following photo is not my best or most creative. But, it is a photo of something meaningful to me. I just lost my Nana in the spring. She was my last living grandparent. She was there throughout my childhood, and she was even there for my wedding, and to welcome her first three great-grandchildren, courtesy of me! (she did get a forth great-grandchild before parting this life too, from my cousin) This china set was given to me by her (in her will). I was lucky enough to finally get the set in my possession this week. And what a perfect way to share something vintage that is so close to my heart. 

Next week is Wild Yellow! See you then!

Week 34: Water

So, I loved that this was the challenge on the last week of the summer, before school starts Monday. We make weekly visits to my Dad's pool over the summer. So, when I realized water was the topic for the last week of summer vacation, I knew exactly what I wanted to do! Below is my oldest son just after hitting the water while doing a "Cannon Ball". What a perfect photo to end his summer vacation!

Next week is Glass. See you then!

Week 30: Something Funny

This photograph was taken this morning. I thought it was funny, perfect for this weeks challenge! All I have to say is that one can never be too careful while mowing the lawn!

Next week is books.

Week 27: Black and White

Here I am, officially half way through the "2012 Photographer's 52-capture challenge"! I cannot believe it is July already!!! I have been having a blast with my photography this year. I have taken two classes, spent hours watching and trying online tutorials, getting families to volunteer in studio so that I could learn more about lighting, and just shooting! I feel like a happier person, now that I have fallen back into the world of photography. It feels great to do something I am passionate about, and love so much. I also feel blessed to have my blog and my Facebook page to share my adventures with you!!!

So, a big thank you to all that have helped me, and supported me as a developing photographer. My hope is to continue learning and growing. May the second half of 2012 be even better then the first half!!!

So, to keep on track, this week was black and white. I have my pick for this week first. Let me explain a bit about it and why i picked it. See, I have always loved things of the past. This is especially true of the history of things were I live. I love to learn about historical events, and I love historical things. This week, I happened to be on what used to be an U.S. Air Force base. It was open in the early 1950's, and it officially closed in 1992.

Most of the base has now been developed to current businesses. and is open to the general public. There are, however, still parts of the base that are original, and untouched. This photo is of the original weapon storage facility. It is completely run down and overgrown now. But it still fascinates me. I look at it, and think of what it was like to work there? What was stored there? What was it like here as a functioning base? So many things run through my mind. This particular photo doesn't give the full picture. Of the eeriness and wonder of the compound. But I still thing it tells a bit about it. I thought as a whole, this was a cool experience.

For the rest of my black and whites, I had each of my boys give me their best sad face. I wanted something dramatic for these black and whites! I think they all did great, even though they do look so sad!

Next week is Pattern!

Week 25: Someone you love

So, I had trouble with this challenge. It is someone you love. But, when I think about people I love, there are more then just one I would want to pick. My first thought was my children. Of course I have three, so I couldn't just choose one. So with the help of my husband, we managed to wrangle the three of them together for my photo this week. FYI, it is near impossible to get all three of them at the same time, never-mind all three looking at the camera! But after about a half hour, we finally gave up. So, here was the best one of many. you will notice my middle one still no looking, but he was the one who won't stay still period, so to even get him in here was a miracle!

And, my husband, my helper, and another Someone I Love. So, it may not be the best picture of him, but I am lucky he even let me take one!!!!

Next week, Silhouette!

Birthday Session

Hey, I had the honor of photographing this same girl a month ago for Easter. I love seeing how far I have come in just a month. Really a difference since January. It makes me excited for the future, too! This sweet girl is about to hit four. Her mom had this great idea to have a session and use one of the photographs as thank you cards for the guests at her daughter's party. Not only is this a cute idea for a party favor, if you will, but my name and a sample of my work will be handed to to potential future clients!
OK, OK, moving on. I will share a few of my favorites from this particular birthday session and lastly will share the picture that will be handed out to party guests.

 

Easter Pictures

I recently had the chance to photograph this lovely 4-year-old girl in her Easter dress. She was a bit on the shy side, but seemed pretty comfortable in front of the camera. We did some outside in the noonday sun. She was very cute, but having the sun high cast so big shadows. I looked at the pictures after the fact, and know somethings I could have done differently for posing in the noonday sun! Well, I will get them soon, as I will be seeing this lovely lady for some birthday pictures.
So, I will now share the outside shots that were my favorite.

And, some taking back inside:

I had a great time with her, and can't wait to see her agian for her birthday!

Big Boy L!

This big guy was a typical two-year-old boy! Very full of energy and ready to go, go, go!! I know Mom was probably freaking out inside think "why won't you sit still???" I know I would be the same if it was one of my boys! Despite his high energy level (which is normal for a two-year-old boy, I know, having three boys myself!!!), I managed to get some cute shots! We did try to get some with Mom at the end, but I think L had other ideas! I would love to have these two back in the summer to try for more Mom and child photos, maybe outside this time! But in the meantime, here are some from this studio session.

These two above are a before and after of what my studio really looked like. I tried pulling out some toys to keep him in one spot for a few minutes. It did work, only for  few minutes!!!I thought this would be a good example of my ever expanding editing skills!

The L Brothers

This was the third group I had in my studio last weekend. It was a group of four brothers. They were a lot of fun to work with. they each surely had their own unique personality. You could also tell the really love each other too. Although, I am sure Mom and Dad may say they had their moments of not being so loving. as all siblings do at some point!!! What I will show here is one portrait of each boy in order from youngest (2) to oldest (12).

First up: L.

Above is a photo that I antiqued. I am just trying to show some different techniques.

 Second oldest, C.

 Third oldest, N. I loved his expression for this one!

And the oldest, T. He seems to fit this role perfectly. He knows the drill when it comes to helping with the younger brothers! He was really helpful with L, the youngest.

And now, some groups photos of the brothers:

This group was a fun bunch to work with. I hope I get the chance again!

Baby E and his big Brother C!

OK, So I had my first newborn session just over a week ago (sorry it has taken my a while to post!). These two adorable boys are the sons of one of my close friends from High School. My friend and I have, as many high school friends do, drifted apart into our separate lives. We have still been shadows in each others lives through myspace, and later facebook. But now that she is  a mommy now too (I become a mom 5 years before her), I hope to maybe get together even if just to let the kids play!

Anyway,enough with the blabbing about the past.... When she messaged me on facebook and asked that I photograph her new baby (second born), I was thrilled! It would be my first newborn session, besides my own three of course!!! I must say, both her boys are very handsome. Her older boy, C, loved the camera! He seems very social with adults, wasn't so sure when he met my little one though!! He seemed afraid Ian would steal his trucks! Baby E was awake the whole time I was shooting. For being only 1 week old, I was surprised just how alert he was. Kind of a bummer for my, as I was hoping to get the classic sleeping and nude poses. Baby E had other plans though! I must say, even though he wasn't digging the naked part of the session, he was pretty cooperative for the rest of it! So, enough of my rambling and on with the pictures!

Big Brother C

Week Old Baby Boy E

Above was one of my attempts at a nude baby photograph. Baby E wasn't having it though. He kept moving his legs. That is why I cut them out. This was the best one I got, before he started crying in protest! I do hope to get anther session in with these 2 cuties this summer. I will try for this again. I have one of mine nude at 6 months, and it is still really cute!