camera's in the shop

(go read Kristen's post first.  Her's is way better than this.  I just thought I'd post something before I put it off yet again.)

I had to send my camera in to get something fixed. It died during Alison's birthday party (15 Dec.). So I've been trying to take better pics with my point and shoot. I'm really bummed I didn't have my other one to take good pictures of our Christmas this year. This one is okay, but the cast is off - it's kind of green.

Anyway, I love Christmas decorations - do you all have pics of yours you want to share?

winter pictures??

Winter. Everything is dead & crusty outside... It's the south, so we don't have snow (well, we shouldn't). Where in the heck are we supposed to take pictures? Our own Adriane asked me to do her family shoot & we headed out on NEW YEARS EVE for the event. We found an awesome hay field - it was a like a sea of gold - headed out around 3pm when the sun was getting low & golden (I'm quite partial to warm light) & enjoyed our luck of a really warm day.

Other winter ideas... something with evergreens in the background so you're still green & not just "dead." The beach if your subjects can act not-frozen. Inside - especially if you have some nice windows (north facing are said to be best) that let in enough light.

Does anybody else have any winter photoshoot locations you wish to share???

More from this shoot can be seen on my blog or on the full online gallery.

Swan Lake

We visited our friends over the New Years Holiday. They live right around the corner from the famous Swan Lake.

MeRa Koh SOAR! scholarship entry

I did it again... I applied for MeRa Koh's SOAR photography scholarship. I figure I really don't have much of a shot at getting it... but if I didn't apply, I REALLY wouldn't have a shot, right dad? You can click on the SOAR site here & see my last-minute video (and of course you can leave a comment on it if you feel so inclined!). I hope there aren't many more applications that got submitted - right now there are only 116 entries, which gives me almost a 1 in 35 shot!
There are some amazing women out there applying & the camaraderie & cheering-everyone-along of the women is pretty incredible. The group of ladies that attended the workshop in May - well, they are awesome. We still keep in touch & are always rooting for each other with our photography & life in general. If you can... save your pennies & go to one of these workshops. It will do amazing things for your photography & your confidence & your vision & you will build a network of awesome loving sisters who love photography as much as you do.
The video is half of the application, the other half was written. It had to be between 90-120 seconds... which is hard! If it seems choppy, it's because it is! I had to go through & erase all my "ummmm"s & pauses to shave seconds off.

So sweet

My daughter's birth mother got married yesterday. I love this image I captured of the two of them. It looks better pre-blogger. Oh well.

6 Star Filter

We went to see the Christmas lights tonight and I brought my new 6 star filter to play with. I think this one turned out kind of cool.

Pregnancy Photos

Check out these photos to know what to avoid in taking pregnancy shots.