Capturing Everyday Life...: June 2011

Archive for June 2011

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Checking In...

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. For the past couple months our family has been through a whirlwind of emotions and events. Thankfully, through it all we have all been surrounded by tons of family.

We've enjoyed weddings and birthdays, celebrating new beginnings and milestones. We've visited with far away relatives and caught up on sharing our love to one another in person and met some family we have not yet had the chance to hug before. We've also experienced difficult moments with several family members in the hospital in precarious situations on several occasions. And this week we mourn the loss of a treasured loved one.

Please pray for the Johnson family. We will miss our Uncle Bobby dearly but are blessed to know that early Monday morning he began his eternal rest with His Heavenly Father. Nothing brings more peace to your heart than to know that a strong man of God has finally made it Home.

We are so blessed to be a part of this family. To share in the joys and hold each other up when times get rough. I'm also including our church family. I am so thankful for you all - blood ties, adopted ties, married ties, and spiritual ties. Thank you for being there for us all this year.

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Monday, June 27, 2011

Happy Birthday, Littlest Buddy! {Joshua is Three!}

Remember this chunk of chubs?...

He turns THREE today! Although, since he did everything so early it seems like he's been this big since he was 10 months old! Happy Birthday, you little Stinker!

Joshua at three...

* LOVES anything that has to do with a ball - basketball (he has a great jump shot!), baseball, golf, tennis... LOVES it.

* Crazy about anything Toy Story, Thomas the Train, Cars - basically anything with action or wheels (although I do catch him enthralled with Dora now and then!)

* When he wants to ask what you're doing, he says "What are you doing now?" as if it's all one word and he sounds so angry when he says it although he's perfectly happy! lol

* When something is taking longer than he thinks it should, he says "Come on, come ON!" as if he's in a hurry. A habit he picked up from his brother that we're working on but it's also stinkin' cute when he does it.

* Loves to cuddle and snuggle. He still sucks his finger and his new comforting habit is playing with the skin on your elbow. Although I'm glad he's moved on from picking my fingernails, it's still kind of strange to have him randomly run up to you to play with my elbow! Sometimes he'll want to snuggle up next to you for a long time and other times, he'll wander in and ask for a drink and while he's waiting, he'll try to rub my elbow then run off like it's a perfectly normal thing to do while waiting for milk! If he gets tired while riding in the car, he'll cry out, "Mom! Hand!" which means he really wants my elbow.

* If he doesn't know your name, he'll call you "Deanie" which is John's Aunt. Even when he's playing with toy figures, he'll have them refer to each other as Deanie. She thinks it's hilarious. And it is.

* He'll come to you and hold up two fists saying "Pick one!" and when you do, he'll open up two empty hands and say "Magic!"

* He showed my mom where the games were on the computer and how to play them.

He's still my stinkeroo and I wouldn't have it any other way!

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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Flying...

Did anyone else catch this a couple weeks ago?

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Monday, June 20, 2011

Macro Monday: Symmetry...

I love the symmetrical patterns found in the center of these flowers...

And I love how God took note to intricately create tiny details even though they will be missed by so many and unappreciated by even more. He knew that it would be pretty amazing for every flower to do this naturally and He knew I'd like it. Hope you like it too!

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day!!!

John's Father's Day gift from the boys...

This is what it actual looks like as the end product (please excuse the wonky coloring from my kitchen!)...

Love the raised images!

And dang it, those are some cute kiddoes!

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Saturday, June 18, 2011

Outtake...

First shot of the session. Thankfully, it got much better! Tune in tomorrow to see the final product!

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Friday, June 17, 2011

Photography Fridays: Perspective...

I shoot a lot of people (I just love to say that) and sometimes I feel like I get into a rut. It's times like this when it's good to get out and shoot something completely different. And it's a lot more fun when you can find some friends to play with!

Some good friends (and a new one!) met downtown for an evening of just shooting and talking photography. We spent the first 10-15 minutes just standing around talking and looking around wondering what in the world we were going to shoot!

I decided that I was just going to start off finding random things and trying to make them into an interesting image. I think we all started off kind of awkwardly but within minutes we were clicking away like crazy. I took a lot of interesting shots - to me anyway. I also took a lot of really un-interesting shots. Some were just dumb, really. lol But overall, we had a blast and ended up with some really neat things. It was also fun to see everyone's perspective on the same subjects.

So what is my point in this Photography Friday post? Get out there and shoot! Try to explore different things. Play with the light on inanimate objects so you and learn more about how to light up a live body. Look for shapes and textures. What about those images do you love? Why do you love it? This will help your eye to see things differently and this can then be applied to your portraits. To just shoot a person and focus on their expression will result in a cute snapshot, at best. There is so much more to an image than just getting a smile from your subject. Sometimes shooting random objects will take your focus off the emotion tied to the subject and then you will see other things you need to work on. You will see other things that need to be part of the image, or not. So when you go back to shooting that cute little niece, you'll not only see her cute smile, but the pole that looks like it's growing out of her head, or how the shadows fall on her face and make her look like a raccoon, or that she's completely out of focus... take the time to really learn photography at it's highest standards so you are producing more than just a snapshot.

Capture memories, not just randomness.

Those memories are no less priceless even though it ended up blurry or poorly composed, but why not take it to another level? Why not capture what you want to remember and how you want to remember it?

"A picture is worth a thousand words."

But only a thousand so don't use up those words with clutter and unskilled technique if you have a choice. You didn't pay extra for a fancy camera only to produce the same quality as the one your neighbor got at a garage sale. That is just silly. If you want to learn, then learn. If you are happy with your snapshots, then be happy with your snapshots. There really isn't anything wrong with snapshots. I take them all the time and love those moments of my family. But for those of you who think you want to be a pro, remember that your clients can take their own snapshots and they expect more from you. Deliver more because they are worth it and so are you.

And since a post is just no fun without a picture, here are a few from our little outing the other evening:

I was looking for fun textures, shapes and colors. Found some on various fireplugs (as my grandma calls them!)...

This pole had a lot of texture...

But was more interesting shot this way...

Goofing off...

Happy shooting! Please leave a comment so I know who the awesome visitors are!

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Thursday, June 16, 2011

Chalk It Up To Summer...

This kid is growing up too fast. That statement has nothing to do with this post, just my heart.

Mommy throws in some Preschool review while playing with the new box of chalk and her favorite 2 year old...

He decided to trace his hand...

"You toon, Mom!" (Your Turn)

Not sure why he calls me "Mom" sometimes. I'm not ready for that. He's already growing up too fast, let's not rush it all! And he sounds so big saying it. Even if it is with his little 2 year old lispy thing.

What happened to my little chunky monkey with his funny comb-over?

*sigh*

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Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Summer Colors...

Perfect start to summer break: Sidewalk Chalk!

Daddy hates the mess it makes but I feel like we can't go a summer without them! It's so fun to hang out with the boys, decorating the driveway with brightly colored drawings... it just oozes childhood!

It's also a great way to review some things so the past school year doesn't seem like it went on in vain!

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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The Ones They Didn't Get...

I know... it's not Macro Monday. But I was hoping you all wouldn't mind.

There is something so magical about these, especially up close like this. So dainty and delicate looking. Unfortunately, it's a weed that can destroy your perfectly manicured lawn. Hmmm... I think there's a sermon in that. But for now, let's just focus on the beauty of this tiny little thing...

Closer...

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Monday, June 13, 2011

Macro Monday: Been There, Done That...

This is (was?) a wishstick (dandelion). Guess my kids beat me to it. Doesn't look so soft and fuzzy anymore, does it?

Have a great week!

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Sunday, June 12, 2011

Cooling Off...

Nothing like a blue slushie from DQ on a hot summery day...

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Saturday, June 11, 2011

Happy Snack!

Joshua loves the sugar snap peas. And I love that he loves them. :)

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Friday, June 10, 2011

Photography Fridays...

I did this for a while and it seemed to get a decent response so maybe I'll try to start it up again.

Anyone game?

Typically, I'd just do a little post on some basics of photography. You know, stuff like how to make your snapshots a little better and how to improve your memory capturing skills. I think I might also start incorporating some other things related to the photography industry. Leave a comment of some ideas you have that you'd like to see here, K?

I get inquiries all the time from people wanting to start a photography business and they are asking advice that requires more than a quick line in a text or email. Maybe I can spread some of that out through some Photography Friday posts.

I wish I had the time to help everyone get started but it's overwhelming sometimes! I have a life outside my business. Really, I do! I homeschool my crazy little guys and I have a house to maintain as well as love my kids, hubby and my church. Oh, yeah... and that photography business tends to take up some of my time. :)

One thing that has been fresh on my mind lately...

I recently read about some "newbies" getting upset about some professional photographers "bashing" them. Actually, the "newbies" were bashing the pros! It was quite ridiculous and wasn't going to help them, it only provided evidence of why pros are getting so frustrated with "newbies." They were comparing apples with oranges and blaming pros for their problems. Like I said, ridiculous.

If you know anything about me, you would know that I offer lots of free advice. I have been blessed to get to know some amazing photographers who have taught me some very valuable things and I pay it forward and give back where I can. I meet with people and do free mini workshops and all kinds of things. Some people take advantage of this and some people just take advantage of me.

I get frustrated when I hear about "newbies" (those new to photography) whining about pros not giving them the time of day when they ask for help. It's not that they don't want to give help. Well, maybe some don't. But not all so let's grow up and not generalize, okay?

Like I said, I give a LOT of my time to helping others. What's frustrating is the lack of respect for the industry. This is the bottom line for me. This is where the rubbing starts going the wrong way and I get highly annoyed. Not all, but many people that have come to me for advice have turned around and chosen to not listen. They are unwilling to learn from someone who has been there done that. Now I know that each person has their own path to take, but there are also some steps that you would be better off not taking and you would be wise to heed precious advice! I am NOT a guru on all things photography. By ANY stretch! Trust me, I have so much more to learn as well. But there have been some pitfalls where I wish I knew better and I have learned the hard way. I've also taken wise counsel to heart and avoided some situations much worse than I could have imagined. My heart wants to see you succeed, not to fall. So why would I lead you astray?

I am not one that feels threatened by newcomers to the industry. If you want your piece of the action, go for it! More power to you, good luck, best wishes, I'll celebrate with you! Unfortunately, not all have taken my help as encouragement. I've even had one person with no experience ask for help starting her business. I asked some probing questions about how she'd handle certain situations and she had no clue. I let her know these were important aspects of being a professional photographer and she needed to know them before starting a business. She left in a huff and badmouthed me to others saying I told her she shouldn't ever start a photography business. I have no idea where she is today and I hope that if she did start a business, it is doing well and that she did learn how to handle those kinds of situations because they will come up.

Another note... I don't mind people asking for help, but you have to understand that I can't do it all for everyone! I cannot hold your hand in every decision you need to make. And when I do answer a question you have, please listen and don't come back month after month with the same question. If you are not going to listen, why waste all the time asking the same question and having me answer the same answer?

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

- Albert Einstein

My point in all this rambling is that a poor attitude will make you an unsuccessful photographer. If you are unwilling to learn and take some criticism now and then, you will never grow. You will become stagnant. Starting out, you'll have your faithful followers, your cheerleaders - your family and friends. You will start out charging next to nothing and be only remembered as the cheap photographer. In the meantime you will ruin your business, cheapen the value of your work and bring down the industry. Please don't do this. The photography industry is an amazing thing to be a part of. If you love photography as much as you claim to, give it the respect it deserves. It's worth it, and so are you.

My desire of these posts is to help others that love photography to grow. To learn something new that will give them the skills they need to capture the moments of their lives with more meaning and purpose. If this is something you'd like to share with me, check in now and then and let's feed out passion for our love of the capture.

And since a post is not so much fun without a picture, I'll include a recent self portrait...

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Thursday, June 9, 2011

This House on Thursday: Going for a Walk...

I decided to document one of our many many trips around the neighborhood these days...
(warning: snapshot heavy!)

Typical us...

Already complaining about the heat...

"Me too!"

Hmmm, let me take a creative shot? I can't quite get down far enough to look through the viewfinder so I guess I'll wing it, but quickly as the neighbors already think I'm nuts...

Um, FAIL. Let me try again. Again with the random aim...

Ok, never mind. Let's keep walking before anyone sees me crawling around in the neighbor's yard.

My kids love to find wish sticks...

But I'm sure the neighbor's are not fond of my kids' obsessions with blowing the seeds around...

"Me poowit, Mom! Me poowit!"

Uuuuuggggghhhhh....

"Joe, out!"

Oh, forget it. Just drink your water...

Joshua hears a big truck somewhere in the distance... "Wassat?"

Joshua has the coolest fashion style. Overdo the Croc charms and wear them on the wrong feet. Its all the rage in 2 year old fashion mags this year...

Another random attempt at a small group shot...

Did you notice the enthusiasm? So much interest that I decided to try a more complete group shot...

Ooops. Oh yeah, that fail was a repeat. Maybe I should try to learn something. So I crawled in my neighbor's grass to attempt to correct my composition and get my desired subject in focus. This time I ignored the carpet cleaner guy that came out of the house and waited for me to finish so he could dump out the dirty water into the street we were posing on...

Even though I'm sure I looked like a complete idiot setting up this shot, it makes me smile to look at us in our everyday selves. And it makes me smile that the carpet cleaning guy didn't decide I was a complete fool and chose to dump the water anyway.