Far Away.

Taken just down the road - the English writing gives it away - otherwise I would write a post on a fictitious "Eastern Bloc" trip I just returned from...

Back in BiDness Baby!

Oh it feels so good to post an image that is NOT related to me or my family :)


I love this image and thought it was worthy to be my FIRST post after my self-induced maternity leave (which is now over :).


My daughter(s) will take ballet if ONLY so that I can have huge image(s) like these in my home.

**On a side note - I will be doing a LIMITED number of sessions per month (remember I have no interest in being SUPERwoman). It is recommended that you schedule your session 2-3 months out - there is one slot left in March and only one in April. HOLIDAY sessions (I know we just finished right? BUT I HATE turning people away...) just a reminder that I am CLOSED for holiday/family sessions in NOVEMBER/DECEMBER - so September/October are the best times to get 'em done!

Ahhhh....BACK in Bidness Baby!!

Tickle Time.

I was hired to shoot a series of "tickle" images for a book by its author. I immediately thought of my friend Ade who is completely at home in front of my camera (its not an easy thing to be in front of the camera...believe me, I've tried and its just not!) Anyway I knew she would be able to give me the shots we were looking for, and she didn't disappoint...
The theme was taking off shoes and tickling the feet...with growing laughter until we reached full-on belly laughs. We did this over and over and over...like 10 times. (Keep in mind we had 2 little boys here...not an easy task either....but promises of ice cream seemed to really help).
By the end we really were all laughing because to make yourself burst into giggles for no reason is really a funny thing...I kinda feel bad for actors...probably not too fun doing a funny scene like 100x's.

See what I mean...she's beautiful and relaxed and very comfortable in her laughing...oh! and the kids are cute too! :) (but c'mon we all know its about the mom)

2009 Sessions

I was wondering after taking 2 months off if it would be difficult to get going...the answer is: yes and no.

I was out of breath when we finished and wanted to pass out (and the session was less than 30 minutes with one child) but when I got my shots my heart lept...so although I will be doing VERY FEW sessions this year a beautiful image still makes me jump for joy...or in this case hear a choir of angels sing ;)

I'm not a huge fan of antique/textures but I knew this one had to be processed this way the mintue I took it.

**Less sessions = more images of my own children = happy grandparents = scoring points for year of the mother :) now I'm off to address the uproar of the June birthdays!

Pettiskirts.

Dawn, the resident seamstress, has been busy making these fun & frilly skirts. You can email her for more details at: dawndespain@gmail.com

Gallery at Ponderosa Pediatrics

(12) 24x36 images mounted on the wall....it was soooo cool to see them hanging! Ade did an incredible job designing and decorating the new Ponderosa Pediatrics office.
(She has INCREDIBLE taste in photography...don't you agree??)

Laina got a kick out of seeing herself :)

Matilda Jane Drawing!

And the winner of the session is....

Krista!!!

Thanks again everyone!

4 little Chens sitting in a row...

Do not try this at home!

It is not an easy task to get 4 little ones ages 1, 3, 6, 7 to sit and smile! Good thing I really love them and their mama!!

Ponderosa Pediatrics

For all of the moms (and dads) who are responsible for the trips (well-check or sick) to the pediatrician's office...I (and my designer "Ade") tried our hardest to make the minutes spent in the waiting room a little more "colorful" and "happy" (I would've added fun and energetic but this family needs no help in the energy category....especially in a doctor's waiting room :) We decided on 10 images to be enlarged to 24x30s for some wall decor.
(the ones in the little storyboard are the waiting room images, the rest are just some fun fave's)

Angel Shoes

Little Miss "M" and her shoes...(I love love love the background wall color...it's exactly like my bedroom!) We had a whole row of her mom's shoes all lined up. I have no idea why this age loves shoes, but I find myself frequently putting laina's shoes and my shoes and indy's shoes on Mac.