The Jolly Roger

Wanted to see this one in black and white

Some New Kit

I seriously don't know how I rated, but, I was just granted a biggest-of-wishes birthday present from my dear, sweet, loving, considerate, amazing husband. (Hi, Jt <3 ).
We've agreed that it's actually a birthday/Christmas/Mother's Day and probably even Columbus Day gift all in one. It's a big girl camera and I'm so flippin' excited.

Having your camera and/or lens in and out of the repair shop for months on end is a real buzz kill, I can say for sure. So, along with a whole heck of a lot of motivation to shoot lots more with my new Nikon, I also have a renewed desire to post more for-no-good-reason photos on this blog. So, here goes.

Here's one I captured while said sweet husband was working hard on figuring out how to turn .NEF files in .DNG files for me.  The tones.... the tones.  I'm just in awe.

This was one of my first shots. Sweet Nico agreed to head outside in 30 degree weather to allow me to get at least one photo with the dwindling autumn color which I completely missed out on without a camera. Sometimes one is all you need.... I can't believe the tones and crispness. Swooning over here.

....And then came Enzo's birthday, and 250 shutter clicks later, I have few to offer.  This was in the not very well lit living room, but, I still looooovvvveeeee them.

Our birthday gift to him was a Lego Pirates of the Caribbean ship and he was happy to have the company while he worked so diligently on building it.  If nothing else, I've created kids who are completely comfortable in front of the camera.

He whistles while he works

Nico came to inspect his work when he was done.

Paige + Ben

This weekend I was lucky enough to get to shoot a cute-as-anything, young couple for their engagement photos. With a save-the-date card in mind, we started our session in a nice nook of the neighborhood.

Such a fun idea. We also sneaked this one in:

We went from there looking for great light and scenery...

and I think a little fun. :-)

We found a great, plain white wall, too. I have to remember this place.
 Paige is a real beauty and I love watching her eyes light up when they caught the sun.

Sun flare, anyone?..

Hey, Paige, tell your mom I said, "Good luck choosing a favorite," because I can't.  But, this one's a serious contender. Sheesh.

 I wish you much love and happiness in your life together, Paige and Ben. Thanks for the chance to photograph this special time for you. I hope you love the set as much as I do.

Simple Things Sunday - Half a Smile

When my boys are playing out in front of a crowd, nothing makes me happier when one of them searches me out and gives me (even half) a smile. Especially if I have my camera ready!

Linking up with Simple Things Sunday.

P52/Week 41: "Evoke... History"

I've committed myself to participating in a photography project called Project 52, where each week there's a challenge to take a photo with a particular theme and enter it on the group Flickr site.

This week's theme is a fill-in-the-blank with the prompt being, "Evoke ____________."
I filled it with history and submitted this shot:

I'm so glad the boys have a friend who is just in love with the story of our world as they are. They spend much of their time together not only acting out the past, but informing each other of what they've learned. It inspires them to keep learning so they can share more conversations.



What a treasure to meet others who are just as passionate at reminding us all of our shared past and the important lessons we should learn from it.

Heterochromia

The boys and I ventured this past weekend to a living history event. It was a many-topic-ed thing, but we were there mainly to see the civil war re-enacting because their friend would be part of the union troops that took part in the battle. Fun!

Before the skirmish started we ventured into the medic's area. There was a very interesting man playing the medic and telling us about the medicine and medical procedures used on the battlefield and off. While we listened, I noticed that he had two different colors in each eye! Wow, I couldn't get my mind off of it, and as interesting as his talk was (really, it was) I kept thinking, 'When he's done, I'm so asking to get a portrait of him."

Didn't hurt that he was in the shade of the structure and looking into the light. Can you say "catchlights!" (You must say it with the exclamation point in effect. They were awesome.)
Also doesn't hurt that the man obviously knows how to pose. 

Linking up with Sweet Shot Tuesday.

Paying Attention - Simple Things Sunday

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, if any other photogs read this, but one of my very favorite things about photography, aside from the documentation of my boys' lives, the thrill of capturing someone's personality, the challenge of always learning more, the gasps of subjects when they see something they didn't expect and..... (hhhuuuunnnn, breathe, Kel) well, there's lots. But, definitely one of my very favorite things about my journey is that it's helped me to see things that I never would have noticed before.

This is one of those things:

When we took a paddle-boat ride last week on our city's rivers, I looked up and saw this repeating pattern of anchor cut outs and the warm light and its reflection.  Maybe I would have noticed it, but I'm not sure I would have appreciated it. It's so simple, but adds so much to the character of the boat.