Day 120--Happy Birthday Rachel!

My birthday buddy turned 1 today...Happy Birthday Rachel!

Day 119--Happy Birthday Darcy!

Our little friend Darcy celebrated her 2nd birthday yesterday! I took a good amount of pictures, but most of them are over-exposed. I need to take time between shots to check the image. The first shot in a string will be exposed correctly, but the sun comes out from behind a cloud as I am clicking away (for example) and the rest of my string is blahhhhhhh! I will learn. The good news is, I did get some good ones: see below. I just need to take my time more, and if that means losing some shots because the kids lose patience...so be it!

Love these pics of Darcy and Daddy JJ.

My official picture of the day: our friend, Jamie!

A close 2nd place, little Gracie!

Day 118--Yager Children Shoot

My good friend Kim volunteered her children for a quick photo shoot today! I used a blossoming tree in her front yard as my backdrop and took a whole bunch of pictures. Here's a quick collage of Shelby! There are lots more, check out facebook to see what I think are the best! I had fun doing this and I am actually feeling like some things are becoming a little more instinctual. And I am more quickly noticing things that I never noticed before. Obviously much improvement is needed, but I am seeing the progression which gives me hope. I am looking forward to many more shoots to improve my skills :)

Day 117--No girls, so Barbie

So while Leo was chasing the dogs, I looked for something a little different to photograph today. Since the girls were at a sleepover at Grammy & Grampy's house...I opted to stage a tiny photo shoot with their Barbies. Obviously, Leo didn't remain occupied for long...but I really liked this idea, expect to see it again in more detail in the future!

Day 116--My little guy!

Not too shabby, especially when you consider how fast this kid moves!

Day 115--A Rowan attempt

Rowan is not nearly as patient with my new futzing dilemmas...so I tried to catch her while she watched her morning show!

Day 114--Loofy super slow shutter speeds

New day, same problem, same solution, different dog!

Day 113--Petra at super slow shutter speeds

Life has been super crazy...as is probably apparent by going over a week with no postings, however, I did take the photos! I now have several extra converting steps to go through before I can really get to my photos, so that has slowed the process even more. Because of the schedule this past week, I haven't practiced as much as I would have liked and I have often arrived at the end of the night without having picked up the camera, so on this day, I decided to experiment with super slow shutter speeds...I actually managed to capture some of Petra's brindle depth!

Day 112--Earth Day!

Kaylee shows off her Earth Day project and allows me to futz with settings again!

Day 111--Too much too soon!

I tried to take my new knowledge with me to a friend's birthday party...I am not fast enough yet, it was probably too much too soon. Here is the best that I got! Happy Birthday Emma & Juliana!

Day 110--Using some new knowledge!

Kaylee was very patient with me as I adjusted and readjusted (and readjusted, and readjusted) my settings. Not bad for not-ideal light...I am going to get this! It will be slow, but I am going to get this!

Day 109--Photography Workshop, Day 2

I am finally starting to catch up...going to keep the anecdotes to a minimum!

Day 108--Photography Workshop, Day 1

On Tuesday I headed out for my first day of shooting at my photography workshop with Jason Lanier. It was amazing!
I learned SOOOOOOO much, Jason was so amazing; a wonderful teacher. I was really lucky to have been able to work with him. I'd love to work with him again when/if he comes back to the area.
Here are some largely unedited shots I took...just cropped really!

OK, this one I added just a tiny fraction of light...the sun was setting quickly!

Elly was a natural talent, I can't believe it was only her 2nd time in front of a camera!

I love this shot...so ethereal, almost haunting!

Day 107--Rowan poses?

Now, I take pictures of Rowan all the time...but here, here she actually asked me to do so and therefore let me play, if only for a half a minute ;)

Day 106--Leo at the Park

After Saturday's marathon with the camera and looking forward to Tuesday's and Wednesday's photography workshop, I really only took out the camera to get an obligatory shot, that is self-explanatory from this post's title:

Day 105--fake gig, day 2

OK, I realize I got behind, but for organization purposes, I feel a very strong desire to go in order...and I had to sort over 1100 pictures from Saturday April 14th, otherwise known as day 105. I am finally done and ready to move on...however, I will get caught up again, because I took a 2 day photography workshop that have a ton of pictures to sort in them as well... So, no, I have not abandoned this project, and I hope to be officially caught up soon!
For now, here are some of the good things I got as my gym launched BODYPUMP 81 and BODYCOMBAT 51

Day 104--fake gig, day 1

My gym launches new programs approximately every 3 months. This time, the owner asked/allowed (lets not nitpick) me to photograph all 3 launches. The first launch, on Friday night was Sh'bam, which is a cardio dance class that is tons of fun. Here is a little collage of my favorite track in the new release: Footloose

I took over 400 pictures of the Sh'bam launch.
I also photographed 2 launches on Saturday with almost 1100 pictures to go through from that day...I am going to have to find a way to get that down workable number. (I sense I will have to almost blindly hack anything that is not close to what I want before I can sort them in any real sense.) But that is why I am a few days behind and probably will be until I can get something up for Saturday.

Day 103--Doggie Time

This might not seem like a huge deal...but trust me, for practicing my depth of field, this was a successful day!



Oh, and Queen Petra too!

Day 102--14 months and a great one!

The title kind of says it all:
Today Leo is officially 14 months old!

Also--come on these are great of Kaylee...I really like the middle one. Also, it should be noted that I mean I took a good picture, not that Kaylee is giving me her best smile...or you know, showing me her face at all.