Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Music and Golf

There are days when I look at my camera and say to myself...why bother.  This usually happens after I work really hard to have a good shoot with the girls that ends up failing miserably, like the last week.  Then yesterday the girls were doing their typical things...playing and being in the moment.  And that my friends, is when magic happens!  So, Audrey's dear friend Paige came over and the girls started playing music together while Paige sang.  Then each would take a turn at center stage for time on the mic.  It was so much fun to see the girls working together and playing.  I secretly wished I was 5 so I could join in the fun!  But...instead settled for being Mama and taking loads of pictures.  Not all are great but the pressure was off to take beautiful pictures but to capture a memory.  Thanks girls for reminding why I begin the journey of photography...
Here is a typical picture of the PACI addiction!  Oh...breaking this habit is going to be so hard on this Mama and little Lauren!  But that is for another day...

Here is Lauren doing her best Recorder Performance.  I love the relaxed nature of her feet crossed.

Here is sweet Paige encouraging her to keep going.

Paige showing off her singing talents and Lauren taking notes. 

Audrey showing off that she has rhythm yes indeed.

Love this shot of them two playing music together and how Lauren is taking in how her big sister is tearing up the Recorder!  

This is a bit out of focus but I love the girl-y-ness of Audrey's singing!

Here is the band all working together!  Too CUTE!

Lauren...really feeling the music!

Oh yes...it is her turn on the mic and she is here to rock this party!

Later on, Kris, the girls and I went outside to hit golf balls around in our back yard and I thought I would try to capture it.  It is just so great to see the girls connecting with Kris.
Here is Lauren doing her best to just hit the ball...She really does not care where she hits it as long as she hits it!

This is usually when we have them move to the opposite sides of the yard just to minimize accidents.

Lauren going to line herself up for a shot.

Kris working with Lauren to give her a ball to hit.

Check out this girls straight arm.  I believe this is good form...but I am NOT the golfer in my family.  Oh and the ball that is behind her is not the ball she was aiming for...

Look at her lining up her club to the ball.  Kris is so proud of her.

Then Lauren asks Daddy to push her around the patio and Kris always ready to help out when ever it is possible!  He is such a great dad!
Well, I know it is a lot of pictures to post but yesterday felt really good and the pictures are not great but I feel good when I see them and sometimes that is the true purpose of taking pictures...to capture a memory.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Trying to capture spring

So, yesterday I went with my dear friend to capture spring by taking pictures of the girls and her son, Sam in wildflowers.  Edith had suggested we go to this gated community that she remembers there being some great wildflowers.  Well, we loaded up and I took all of my photography stuff even with some props in hopes of getting some shots similar to that of Barbara Uil of Jinky Art Photography.  Well, there were so many things that went wrong...I seriously doubted that photography is the right path for me.  But below were the best shots of the attempt.  Hopefully Edith will play along with me and let me try again next week.  Oh...the pains of learning!!!

This was my dear Lauren feeling the wind.  I really think this is a sweet shot, I just wish I could have gotten Lauren to look at me.  She was having a VERY, VERY difficult day.

Audrey is picking some flowers.  She was in heaven getting to pick as many flowers as she wanted.

Again, I like the look of this shot but I wish she was looking at me!  Of course, if I would have changed out my lens I could have gotten a better shot of her sweet face.

Audrey sitting in the pretty flowers.  This shot was before I pulled out my diffuser!  Once, I pulled it out and began to use it...I later realized that Lauren got my camera and changed some settings.  So, after this shot...about 30 were all awful!  Lesson learned...check the LCD screen more frequently!  Especially with children that were not having a good day!

This shot was taken with the use of the diffuser.  The only reason this shot looks somewhat nice it is only because Audrey was so still.  She is a great model when she wants to...

Here I am trying to implement props that coordinate with the girls dresses.  Basically, trying to emulate Barbara's techniques.  The lesson learned here...change the lens!!!

Sam...Isn't he so handsome!  I was trying out the gold reflector and I really like the effect on his face and eyes.  
Of course...this is what Sam really wanted to wear for the photo shoot and it was a MUST that we got a picture of this shirt!  Amen Brother!  

Thanks again Edith for enduring my girls as they melted down one after the other.  Hopefully we can try again next week.  

Everyone else...have a great day!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Loving the girls

I have not been taking pictures everyday like I want to but I feel my finger itching for it.  I have been so consumed with trying to do my chores, yard work, well just stuff in life that no one remembers if it was done or not.   So, I decided to leave the chores and have a picnic and train ride this weekend.  It was great...unfortunately I did not get some pictures I was hoping for due to Lauren falling down and needing her paci.  Then shortly after that the train showed up and I did not get some cute shots of our picnic.  Which I really wanted to show you the beautiful PB&J sandwich Audrey made all by herself.  But I did get a couple cute shots.  Enjoy.
Audrey...she is so lovely.  We got the movie Tangled and now she is telling me that "she loves me most"...if you have not seen the movie you have to see it!  It is too cute!

Lauren walking out to the picnic site that Audrey was picking out.  Notice...no paci.  This was before she fell.  I wish I was more eye level with her.  This is an example of what NOT to do!  Ugh...seriously...how many times do I make the same mistakes?

I love this shot.  Here Audrey and Lauren are waiting for everyone to buy their tickets for the train.  I love how they really are becoming friends.  It is one of my prayers that I lift up every chance I get!

Audrey is so beautiful.   I love how her eyes pop in this shot.  The turtle is a cute element too.  

I feel like my girls are growing so fast and I feel like I need to stop with all of the to dos and get some pictures.  Really good pictures...if I can remember all of the dos and don'ts!  Hopefully, I find some good locations for bluebonnets or some spring like pictures!  Wish me luck! 

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Daniels Practice Photo Shoot

OK...so this shoot was awesome.  I got to go to this family's house and do the whole shoot there.  I purchased some really nice fabric as a back drop and Bonnie, my mother in law, had let me borrow her bean bag and I lugged all of my equipment to this sweet family's house to see what I could do.  And it turned out great!  They had one of those train play areas that is basically a table that is off the ground about 2 feet and it was located right next to a window. Almost every shot was taken in this very small space and I believe they turned out great!  Check it out!
This little man is just so cute!  

He was the reason for the shoot and he was such a sweet baby!

But he has a beautiful older sis!  Look at those eyes!

This is the older big brother hugging his little sister.  I love this shot!

OK...this shot has so much...well all three are in the shot which is great.  But I personally love how the sister is looking up to big brother.  

This has wonderful endearing elements!

But this one...aw!!!  Too sweet!

Look at this handsome little man.  Seriously...handsome!

Sleeping babies are the best!

Mom and baby.  I love the sweetness of this shot!

I was so thankful that I invested in a little monkey named BoBo that helped me get this shot!
Thank you Daniel family for letting me come into your home and get these great shots!  

Everyone else...tell me what you think?


Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Give her a mic and she will sing!

OK.  So, you may not know this about Lauren but she LOVES to sing.  At only 21 months, you would think that she is auditioning for American Idol on a daily basis.  She cracks me up because you can tell that she is singing from the heart.  Well, some toy that Audrey received for her birthday had a small blue mic with it and Lauren found it this morning and well...Check it out!
Now, Kris was the one to discover her singing into the mic and here Lauren is seeing that Daddy has the mic.

Daddy priming her up to sing in front of Mama with a camera.

Lauren checking it out to see if it is indeed a mic...
Can she bust out the jams and rock the block?

Yes...she can!

Oh, the heart and soul of this little one!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Has this started already?

So over the weekend, Kris and I went mattress shopping and we took the girls with us.  First of all I just want to say that those remote control beds are awesome at entertaining small children while mattress shopping.  Anyway, Kris and I were going from one mattress to another trying them out while the girls played in the store.  No screaming or crying so we are feeling pretty good about this decision to take the girls.  Then Lauren runs up to Kris and he starts to tickle her for being so darn cute.  Then she bends over to pick up something and Kris notices that under her cute dress...no diaper!  He then asks me...Did you take off her diaper?  As if that is what mom's do while out shopping.  I, of course, begin freaking out because I knew she had a dirty diaper that I was waiting to change her when we were ready to go.  So Kris and I begin covertly going through the store to see if we can find the dirty diaper.  THANKFULLY we found it under a bed and we quickly put a clean one on her which she replied repeatedly...NO NO NO!  So, is it time for potty training?
From the smile on her face each time I put her on the potty and the successful peepee in the potty several times already...maybe so!  When did this girl get so big?

Monday, April 4, 2011

Reminiscing

As a mom we all do it!  We look back at old pictures and are amazed at the time that has flown by.  It seems like it was just yesterday we were bringing home Audrey from the hospital.  Kris and I kept looking back to see if anyone was following us because we knew that everyone knew that we were not ready for such a huge responsibility.  Of course, we were paranoid enough to believe that someone would actually follow us home.  Looking back I can see how crazy that was to think that.  Just today my sweet girl, hugged me so tightly had told me she loved me and my heart just melted.  How did this girl learn to be so sweet?  I am so Blessed to have Audrey in my life.  She is teaching us how to be a better friend, to be a better listener, and she is also teaching my heart to love more deeply.  Who would have thought that was possible?
Thank you Lord for such a beautiful girl on the inside as well as the outside.  

Have a great day everyone.