see in a new way

i have been making the effort to learn new things and techniques that can keep me improving my photography. one of my current studies has been off-camera flash. but, my friend jodi at mcp actions is having a great contest to win a lensbaby composer. lensbaby's tagline is "seeing in a new way." and that is definitely something i want to always do!

to me, seeing in a new way involves seeing beauty in everything! even something that someone else views as ugly, i want to see the beauty. it is important to me to always find something beautiful in everything and everyone i come into contact with.

here's the address to jodi's blog/contest: http://mcpactions.com/blog/2009/08/18/win-a-lensbaby/

and, here is a spot where others probably drive by and think as ugly and run-down. but to me, it is beautiful!

there's a storm a-brewin'

last weekend, i drove down to beautiful spring island, just south of beaufort. i met with a wonderful extended family from all over--including california! anyway, i think i have never shot a session so quickly in my life. i have shot quickly, to avoid a potential storm. but this time, the storm was hanging out across the water from us. the longer i shot, the closer it got. we just barely got done before it finally got to us. and once again, i drove home in a storm (that was fun).

anyway, i wanted to share a few shots here. in some of them, you can see the dark sky in the background. it was literally lightning right across the water from us. and we ventured to take one group picture on the dock (crowded, but we managed). that was a little crazy!

cute kids! i love cute kids! the little guy told me he was not photogenic? seriously. that's crazy--he had gorgeous blue eyes and freckles! i told him i'd be editing some of him in black/white because i love freckles in black/white. but i thought i'd share a color one here.

anyhoo, without further ado...thank you, m family, for inviting me down to capture your family on your parent's anniversary.

holiday cards and scheduling

happy august! it's almost time for back to school. i am amazed at how quickly the summer flew! craziness!

as it stands now, i have two weekends open between now and november. those weekends are august 22 and september 12. i do have a few evening sessions i can fit in on a few different weekends. and, i still have some openings during the week. but i just wanted to put that out there for anyone considering a portrait party or needing a saturday morning session.

ah. christmas is my favorite time of year! this year, my cut-off for orders will be november 18. the last date i will take sessions is friday, november 6. i have a great variety of cards this year: a little traditional, some bright & cheerful and some clean and modern. anyway, i have a lot of great cards that i know everyone will love!

here's a little sneak for ya!

great family

i had the opportunity to photograph the sweetest family last weekend. when we started, mom told me how she really hates to have her picture taken. by the time we were done, she was having such a great time. we kept going and going. we finally had to stop. and ended our session with a visit to cupcake (and seriously, that is the BEST way to end a session!).

the son is going to be a senior this year. and he is one of the smartest people i know. we did chat photography a little and it was nice to tell him some things he didn't know. of course, once he starts talking computers, he's lost me completely!

we took his senior session and turned it into a combo senior/family session. we had a lot of fun and just enjoyed walking around downtown charleston. i hope they all love what i was able to capture! (and check out the very cool way they coordinated--i love it!)

just recording my thoughts

i want to put this down somewhere, so i have a record of it. i don't want to forget this moment.

addie is spending the night with her aunt. thus, ian is an "only child." and he is alone in his bedroom with no addie here. we had already sung our song and he and daddy had prayed. i was getting ready to get to work on my computer. i heard a wee little voice come down the hall, "mommy." i went in to see what he needed.

"mommy, you sleep with me for now?" who could resist. i knew it wouldn't take him long to fall asleep. it never does. and so i wrapped my arms around him and snuggled. melt my heart when he wrap my arm with his left arm and grabbed my hand with his right hand. he didn't say anything. i just listened to him breathe.

why do we rush through childhood? how often have i just rushed my kids to bed because i needed to work? they are only little once. and i don't want it to end. my baby will be five in a few months. and i still think of him as three. or, i still want him to be three. i don't want him to be five. i'm not ready. all too soon, he's going to be at the age that he doesn't want mommy around all of the time.

but i don't want to forget tonight. i don't want to forget that moment, listening to him breathe.

holiday scheduling and sneak peek

first, i'd like to give a quick chat about holiday scheduling. as it stands now, i have one saturday available in september (the 12th). november is booked. my holiday cut-off for ordering this year will be november 18. october still has some availability. i may be able to take a few weekday sessions in september. also, i'm already plotting my holiday card offering. so, stay tuned for some sneak peeks of that.

now, on to the sneak peek for one of my favorite families. i've been photographing them for almost three years now! it's hard to believe that time has flown by that quickly! wow! anyway, i adore this family. we had to do their family session a bit earlier than normal this year, which meant being in the heat! and was it hot!

i adore them. mr. a will be in class with my ian this year. their poor teacher. those two are peas in a pod and, well, let's just say they have a lot of fun together. and we'll leave it at that. and of course, the beautiful miss l is one of my favorite girls. i just adore her!

i know mom has been waiting for a sneak peek from our session last saturday. i'm still a bit behind in my editing. but, i knew it was time to throw her a few! love them!

beaufort sneak peek

oh my. i am so far behind. story of my life. i still haven't finished all of the family members i photographed in ohio. i had one beach session right after i returned (finished that one up). and then on monday, i traveled to beaufort for ELEVEN sessions. yep. you heard that right. of course, i won't complain at all. i got to see some previous clients and several new ones. the rain held off for all but two sessions (one of those was half-dry). the one session, we were relegated to the porch. i did the best i could and i'm surprised i didn't slide right down the steps during that one! it was pouring!

anyway, i am so grateful for my hostess and all of the families she lined up for me. amazing! but i was sore by the end. wowzers. i truly need to do squats or something to build up my leg muscles. because wow! i'm out of shape!!!

one of these days, i'll post some from my sessions in ohio. but for now, here is a sneak peek for my lovely families from beaufort!