Exposure...it is hard to master!

Hello.  So, I know I have posted these last few days and it is because my dear Lauren has been sick with a stomach bug.  When she is sick, she wants or needs me holding her pretty much the whole time.  Today was the first day that she seems back to her old self...Thank you God!  But now, Audrey is not feeling well.  Ugh!  But at least with Audrey, she usually bounces back from a cold much faster than Lauren and at least Audrey can tell me what is going on with her.  So, today I wanted to work on exposure and I feel like I am getting a bit better but man do I have so much further to go.  After playing with my lighting adjustments.  I can see why Karen Russell says that it is better to be bit over exposed rather than under.  Well, at least I got a little time in today to practice and play...

We had did these sun catcher flowers as a project and I really wanted to get them plus Audrey in the shot.  As you can see, Audrey is underexposed while the flowers are blown out.  Really need to work on positioning myself better.

Thank goodness it was a cloudy day this morning but it still looks so dreary through the flowers.  Still not the effect I was going for!

Lauren watching PBS.  I love PBS...

Correct exposure!  Yes, I had adjusted my exposure compensation and it was over exposed when I loaded it to the computer but a few quick adjustments and perfection!  Yes, she is in the fetal position because her belly does not feel well....poor baby!

Happy Birthday Grandma Bonnie!

I know you have heard about me loving on Bonnie from time to time in my previous post.  Seriously, you have to know, I do LOVE my mother-in-law.  She is so loving, patient, generous of her time, and is constantly thinking of how she can help our family.  I believe she is the reason I really do not go more crazy as a SAHM.  She is an amazing woman and I do celebrate the day she was born!  Happy Birthday Bonnie...I hope you had a great day!

I know there is food on Audrey's lip but I love the look on Bonnie's face int his shot.  She loves her grandchildren.

Bonnie and Roxy.  They have been friends for years. 

Just like Grandmas, looking at their grandbabies via mobile phones.  I love technology!

Denise, Roxy, and Bonnie all laughing at something Audrey was saying or doing.  I love the smiles all around.  I just wish I could have captured the entire scene but we were at a restaurant and I was across the table.  I should have brought my new lens!  UGH!!!!

Courtney and Jax.  I love the sweet smile on Courtney's face.

My Audrey showing me her kissing face.  She is so funny!

Kris and Courtney just chatting away...

Kara, Jax and Velma (Bonnie's sister) checking something out on a mobile phones.  We all have such cool toys!

Audrey mimicking Mama on the computer.  Too cute!

Well, Bonnie I know this is a couple of days past your bday but I wanted to post the pictures and tell you that I do appreciate all that you do and love who you are!  

Everyone else...Have a great day!

Zoo Day

Today was perfect for getting out with the family to see some animals and to do some dancing.  Yes, dancing at the Zoo.  Don't you dance when you are at the zoo?  Well, I had the wonderful pleasure of getting to go to the Zoo with my sister in law, Kara and my ADORABLE nephew, Jax.  We had so much fun and a friend, Cindy and her cuttie, Avery joined us as well.  It was such great fun to be out and about.  I should have taken more pictures but I was really enjoying being with family and friends.  I hope you enjoy the pictures of the day!

This Audrey checking out the new dinosaur at the Zoo entrance.  I love the leading line in this shot.  I just wish the kiddo in front did not block the bottom right side.

This shot just cracks me up.  This Audrey trying to direct us where to go using the Zoo's Map.  I was impressed how well she did considering that we have not worked with maps much. 

This was a small feat for Audrey.  She has been trying for a year now to get on one of these concrete ant hills.  The look on her fact does not communicate that tidbit but I had to celebrate that moment with her and then get photographic proof that she did it!

Jax, eating and break dancing.  He was loving having lunch while dancing!  Don't we all my friend...don't we all!

Audrey taking her dancing to a higher level...literally!  Cindy was telling Audrey that she would be a great ballerina and that just brought on more high kicks and lyrical dancing.  

Of course, Lauren had show she  had some moves.  This is her signature shoulder move...we call it the "Hunka Hunka"

I hope you have a Happy Friday everyone!  

Accidents happen

First of all, I want to thank everyone for visiting my blog.  It really helps me to stay motivated to keep taking pictures.  My favorite subjects are my two girls.  The unfortunately problem is when your kiddos are your models all the time, accidents happen and then everyone sees the booboos.  Yesterday, my sweet Lauren used her face as her airbag when falling down onto the concrete sidewalk.  Of course, this fall happen in slow mode for this Mama.  UGH!!!  It just kills me to see her little face all scratched up.  

You can't see me!!!

Peek a boo...

Or is it...Peek a booboo

Audrey giving me a simple smile.  I love how she is getting so big and so beautiful inside and out!  Thanks sweetheart for loving on this Mama and smiling for the camera!

The Hoff Family - Practice Family Photo Shoot

Thank you...thank you...thank you Hoff Family for giving me the opportunity to do a practice photo shoot.  I had so much fun and it was so awesome to hang out with you and your boys!  They are so handsome and I just love their energy!  I just finished processing the photos and wanted everyone to get a peek at what I feel are the best...

This at the beginning of the shoot and I was so impressed how calm Kristen and Cody were. From beginning to end they seem they have been taking pictures for years.  I would have been a nervous wreck!  Well, their calmness shows through out the whole shoot!

I really like this shot, I just wish I would have gotten Garrett in front of Mom and Dad.  Can you tell, I was really nervous?  I did not want to the family to pose too much because I really strive to have a natural relax feel to the pictures...but I will intervene next time! 

What a beautiful couple!!!  Between each shot they kept their eyes on their little ones...but you cant tell.  These two are pros!

Love the energy of this shot!  Cody laughing and Tripp loving the special time with Dad!

Great shot of the family!  It would have been out of this world if Garrett was looking at the camera but 3 out of 4 ain't bad in my book!

I love, love, love this shot!  I love the family dynamic!  The beautiful background!  

Garrett telling me about what Santa got him for Christmas.  For him to tell me all about it a couple of months later, must have been a big hit!

Brothers.  They look like they are best of friends!

Tripp...he is so adorable!

Thank you Hoff Family again for letting me practice.  There were some things I wish I would have done different and I have written them in my book of notes.  I cannot become a better photographer if I didn't get to practice and I greatly appreciate you.  I hope you enjoy the pictures and maybe you will let me try again soon!

Happy Friday

It was a happy Friday indeed!  It started off all normal with breakfast and then working out but then I loaded up the girls and we went to the science and history museum for lunch and  the determination to see a different part of the museum.  I am so glad I did because the bonus was...I got a new lens!  This lens (24-55mm, f2.8) has a wide angle lens element when near the 24mm but you can zoom out to get close up shots.  It is so different than my usual 50mm.  I am so glad that I got it but I am really thankful that I have a place to post pictures of me practicing and it is so motivating for me.  Thank you all for checking out my blog because it really does helps me to get out there and practice!  So, check out some shots I got!  

I would have never been able to get this shot with my 50mm.  This globe is huge and I love the colors.  I guess I should have gotten what was before..."and tomorrow", but in my defense I did have two little ones walking around checking everything out.  It really limits the experimenting that I would love to do.

Such a cool electricity display.  I honestly enjoyed playing with the monitors and seeing this display lighting up  as much as Audrey.

Here is a close up of Audrey working on getting the train to take off with diesel fuel.  Seriously, such a cool museum!!

Not a great shot but check out all I am able to get in a shot...so cool! 

This is from the entrance of the museum.  Every time I go to the museum I try to get a shot of the beautiful geometric windows in the entrance of the museum.  It is just so beautiful...someday I will be able to capture it well.

I hope you all had a Happy Friday as well.

Practice Baby Photo Shoot

Oh man...seriously...I feel like the luckies girl in the world.  My neighbor, who is the sweetest person you will ever meet.  She just had a beautiful baby girl and let me do a practice photo shoot with her new baby girl.  It was so awesome!  The only problem was me...I ran out of ideas and we stopped early.  I should have kept going because there was WAY more shoots that were not good than those that were good but, that is how I learn.  I just have to keep practicing!  So, below are my favorites.  

I love how the blue walls bring out the blue in Meridith's eyes. 

I love how this new Mama is smiling at her beautiful little girl.

This shot is great because I was able to capture some colors from outside of the window.  But the mergers to her head is not good.  

I know this may not have been a great shot but I was trying out some different shots. 

I just love the comparison of size of Meridith's ring to her little one's big toe.  Too cute!

I love all of the color in this shot.

Can you tell she was getting hungry?

So cute and so centered.

I call this one...a Mama's touch.

Sleeping Beauty!

Audrey keeps saying she does not like this one because of the belly button.

So sweet.

I hope you all have a great day!

Snow Days

Well, it was a rough week but I have to admit...I was probably one of the few that was thankful for the being iced in for a week.  With me having the crud, regardless of weather I would not want to get out and do much so it was nice to have more than one excuse not to go out.  But I did do a little and I did have my camera in hand so here are few pics I got over this past week.  Enjoy!

I love this shot...You can tell Audrey got her Daddy with a snow ball!  I love that girl's spunk! 

She is getting so big.  She was so excited that it snowed but we did not stay out side much because it was so VERY cold.

Here that little stinker is trying to throw a snow ball at me but the wind was so strong that it just went right back at her...Mama was thinking when she put the wind to her back.

I just love all of the color in this shot.

A couple of days later we went over to my dear friend Edith's house to make cookies and hang out.  Here the girls all ready to make some colorful cookies.

Yes, that is cookie dough.  It is called Play dough cookie dough.  They taste like sugar cookies but it was so fun to make some fun shapes and then to eat them later.  Yum!

Here Edith is helping Sam and Audrey with some shapes.  She is such a great Mama!

Well the snow and ice has melted and the crud is gone...I am so ready to go out and play!  Here's to a great week of feeling healthy and taking some pictures!