Sweet Pea, Cassidy

I had the honor of taking Cassidy's two-year-old portrait recently. I have to admit I was a little nervous at the thought of photographing a toddler who has been described as a bit of a diva. Like my wise friend, Bethany, once said "we want our daughters to be strong and opinionated - just not with us. Yep. You got that right, B!Anyway, Miss Cassidy loved seeing herself in my camera after I gushed about how adorable she looked. So she was very agreeable to taking more shots. Even when she wasn't agreeable to a pose, she was sugary sweet with her rejection of the idea. A soft "naaahh" was all she would say. I can take that all day long! No fits, no tears, just a pure delight to photograph.Do you love my background? It's a shower curtain from HomeGoods! I do have a portable stand I use, but that's where the professional look ended. I forgot to buy some heavy-duty clamps from Home Depot, so I had to use duct tape. Classy, huh?Thank you Marty for the honor of taking Cassidy's portrait! And a big thanks to your little girl for taking it easy on me. Thanks to Amanda for recommending me, too!I'm always striving to learn from every session, so if you have any suggestions, comments or even questions, I'm game! Thanks for stopping by.

Homework

My online photography class is over and I miss it. I loved getting a lesson each week with clear and concise ideas, photos illustrating the teacher's point perfectly and then finally the assignment. I learned so much and would highly recommend Maggie Holmes' online courses.
However, the in-house models I was using tired quickly of helping me with my homework assignments.

Example A:Ella is so sick of this...

Example B:

She couldn't get the dog in the shot, so now she's sick of it, too.

To the rescue - my good friend, Heather. She generously agreed to volunteer her time and be my "lighting" homework assignment model.Did I luck out or what?
It was a great learning experience for me. Plus it helps having someone incapable of taking a bad picture as your model.Out of the whole session, I think there were maybe four shots I didn't edit.An example of how back-lighting, if properly exposed can produce stunning results.
(I was taught from the beginning to never have the light behind your subject.) Who knew?

Heather and her fabulous hair - holy cow!A huge thank you to Heather for her help, patience and feedback! I can not even tell you how fun this was for me.
This experience also made me think about how often we (moms, women, the family photographer) are not in the shot. So even if you don't go and have a whole session of photos taken, make sure you get in some shots as well.

And so you know I follow my own advice:portrait by our son, Jack

Get into the picture, friends!

Happy Valentine's Day!

From me and my little sweeties!

Quick, Cheap and Easy...

Decorations! Don't be sassy with me...my son and I barely survived his first book report last week and now I'm waiting for the AT & ! guy who was supposed to be here between 9 and 11. It's now noon. Do you think God is trying to tell me something?! Be patient, child!

I have no problem with Valentine's Day. I just don't want my house to look like Cupid came in and threw up everywhere. Nice image, huh? However, our kids do love when I change things up a bit. So in keeping with my "streamline" approach, I share with you my felt circle garland and tissue paper hearts.

Here is the mantel for February:
Close up of garland.Very easy to make! Buy the adhesive backed felt and you don't even need to mess with glue. I used ribbon spools to trace my circles. Use 4 circles if you want the dimension like mine. Peel off backing, fold circle (good side to good side) and match up another folded circle, stick halves together, stick your third circle on there, place your twine or ribbon down the center and then place your fourth circle, matching up the edges. Did that make sense?Next project is excellent with the kiddos! I used the cardboard from our empty cereal boxes, drew different sizes of hearts and cut them out. I didn't paint mine, but thought about it and said who gives a rip if you see some cardboard? Besides, the kids made more of an effort to cover the entire shape rather than have cardboard showing. Punch a hole to hang your heart from.I love this project because you can use that tissue paper that's all wrinkled up or has a rip...what !? you don't save crumpled up tissue paper?!!? Okay then, go to the dollar store! I cut my tissue paper into 2"x2" squares - no measuring, just approximate. Ball up tissue and glue on randomly or make patterns.
Get some colorful curling ribbon at the Dollar Store or use whatever you've got stashed away. You can repeat this project for any seasonal decorating - just cut different shapes. When you're done you can hang them, prop them against pictures of loved ones or share them!Happy crafting!

Valentine Photo Possibilities

As I began writing this, I realized a few of the photos I wanted to use are not digital. Drat! So we will have to make due with what I've got...you'll forgive me won't you? Anyway, I get so many compliments whenever I take Valentine themed photos and send them to loved ones far away. Why shouldn't you, too?

These are from 2008: Doesn't Ella look like she's givin' me the ole stink-eye? I think she's Amish and thinks I'm stealing her soul whenever I take her picture. These two I have framed and on the mantel: Want to duplicate this? Set up your shot before adding the poochie into the equation. Have your child's face filling most of the frame and the focus locked in. Take a delicious spreadable food (i.e. peanut butter, cream cheese, etc.) and place a small amount on your child's cheek. Call over the pup and snap away! I guess I should suggest only doing this with an animal you trust completely. Oh, and know whatever food item you use doesn't cause an allergic reaction in anyone.

If you don't have a pooch or if you want some other fabulous Valentine photo ideas, head over here to see the winners of her Valentine themed photo contest.
Happy snapping!