Project 365~ 98/365 Test Subject

In preparation for a cake smash session I am doing next week, 

I tried my hand at making some of my own props. Specifically paper and cloth banners. 

The colors requested by the family just happened to coordinate 

with this little miss' bedroom colors too, so we tried them our in her room. 

She also practiced her jumping skills while Mommy practiced bouncing the flash 

off the ceiling since we were shooting after sunset.

 It sure is nice to have a willing test subject!



The paper banner was made from a scrapbook paper book of papers I picked up from Walmart from $3. The fabric banner is made up of 3 fat squares also purchased at Walmart @$1 a piece. Considering I could actually make many more paper banners, this project actually cost way less than $6. Most likely the banner will live in her room after the shoot. Her bedroom is often a test set for me anyway. Lucky kid, eh?


For the paper banner I followed the directions from this tutorial.

For the fabric banner I followed the directions for making a tutu,
but used cotton fabric instead of tulle.
 Banner tutorial

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Project 365~ Independence

“Why do only the awful things become fads? I thought. Eye-rolling and Barbie and bread pudding. Why never chocolate cheesecake or thinking for yourself?” 
― Connie Willis, Bellwether

She picked out the clothes herself. She put them on by herself. Her shirt and pants on correctly. The sandals are on the right feet. The only reason she is dressed and not in her underwear, is because she has decided it is time to go outside in the front yard and the house rule says for this to happen, you have to be wearing clothes. Independence can be a good thing. 

Of course thirty seconds after she came back inside, she was down to her underwear again.

Project 365~ 96/365 Distraction

“All profound distraction opens certain doors. You have to allow yourself to be distracted when you are unable to concentrate.” 

― Julio Cortázar, Around the Day in Eighty Worlds

Just for the day on we headed up to the local mountain community of Idyllwild, CA.

 It is an amazing little town. It was so fun to introduce my little girl to the place and to be reminded why I love it so much. It had been more than five years since I had visited, which is why,

 despite a very nauseous tummy I braved the twisty road up the hill in 

the passenger seat of my mother in laws's compact SUV. 

I am glad I did.

We actually arrived in the middle of a planned power outage so many businesses were not even open.

The Lumber Mill Bar & Grill was though, and we had a very leisurely lunch.

The cafe was really busy considering it was one of the few eateries still open. We passed the time with fun paper games courtesy of Grandma. Connect the dots to make a box and a round of hangman.

My little "Handy Mandy" was also fascinated by all the sawmill tools hung on the wall as part of the theme decor. Good thing they were hung out of reach, or else she probably would have dismantled the table and chairs while we were waiting.

I really appreciated the server allowing me to just have hot water with my meal and use my own peppermint tea bags. Peppermint tea really helps settle my stomach. 

And though they aren't pictured here. The sweet potato fries at this place are excellent!

As soon as lunch was over, we were ready to explore.

If there is a cute puppy around and willing owners, 

Ems will not pass up the opportunity for a doggy cuddle,

or a free sample of chocolate ice cream.

It is a touristy town, so there are lots of little stores that carry all sorts of interesting things.

The Grey Squirrel was no exception. You can find their small toy department in the upstairs loft.

Amazingly we managed to get out of the store without making a memento purchase. 

Even an equine one.  Took a bit of distraction though...

SQUIRREL!!!

Project 365~ 96/365 Shower

Ezekiel 34:26, NIV I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.

No doubt about it, we are blessed. Not because we have so much, but because we have enough.

We are blessed, not for lack of troubles, but for seeing them in our rearview for now and having been made stronger to weather those in our path ahead.  

Project 365~ Day 92 through 95

It's been a busy week. In the interest of not getting overwhelmed by how far behind I've gotten by trying to individual posts for each day. I'd thought I'd just go for a highlight reel of this past week.

92/365  Splash

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93/365 Cauterize

This was the pre consult with the ENT to do a cauterization procedure in her nose. She has fairly frequent and severe nosebleeds. While they are at it, they will also be checking to see what's causing her to snore at night.  Four year olds aren't supposed to do that.

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94/365 Connections

This past weekend my dad came for a visit. It will most likely be the last one for a while as her moving across the country.  We spent some of the time at our local children's museum exploring circuit boards.

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95/365 Glass

While we were at the museum over the weekend, I noted a few shots I wanted to get the next time we visited. That visit came sooner than later when we went today. I am fascinated with reflections. I am also amazed at how different the expressions appear at different angles.

95b/365

This was another shot that I had envisioned but didn't dare attempt with a "nearing meltdown" preschooler over the weekend. We knocked this shot out first thing today though. 

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95c/365  Snacks

I even remembered to bring a snack today. I often don't because we visit often and we live very close by so we don't stay all day. We have a membership so we can go as often as we like. They prefer patrons to eat outside and while we doing so, I couldn't help seeing these great light and shadow patterns and how they converged at one point. I asked her to stand on the place where the lines came together. I only had to ask once, she could see it too. 

Project 365~Day 91/365 "The Bucket List"~Palm Desert Lifestyle Photographer

 This child is water baby. I swam quite frequently when I pregnant with her and the sonogram picture of her at 20 weeks showed the diver in a jackknife position.

One of her very favorite things to do is stomp and splash in puddles. Since we live in the desert where it very rarely rains, we usually have to make own puddles with a hose. Not exactly "green".

So this day I convinced her to keep the water contained to a large bucket.

Though the amount of water may have been diminished, 

it did not diminish the fun she had playing with it.

Project 365~Day 90/365 "Training" La Quinta Lifestyle Photographer

 Just a regular ol' trip to the grocery store. Trader Joe's is her favorite.

They have the little kid size carts.

Most of the time that size is perfect too as I don't get the bulk of our groceries at just one store. 

It makes her so happy. It tends to make me nervous. 

Her cart driving skills are fledgling at best. 

I am thinking these things should have been equipped 

with back up warning beepers-that don't just go off when they back up, but whenever they move. 

Ems is proving to be very feminine, despite idolizing her big brothers. 

Most days she would rather play with legos than dolls, 

but if they are flowers nearby she has to smell them. 

She also loves jewelry, though she's not much for dress-up.

Just a little girl full of contradictions, in training for womanhood. 

Grandparents and Cousins Too!~ La Quinta Family Photographer

When I was first queried about doing this shoot, I was so excited.

The family shoot was for the kids and their grandparents. 

Even though I would have loved to get the moms and dads in the photos too,

I was really excited to produce professional quality images for them because 

I have none of myself and my grandparents.

I have nothing but amazing things to say about this family!

The shoot started out a bit rocky, when I discovered I had left my camera's battery on the charger at home and did not have a spare! They graciously waited over 30 minutes

 for my husband to bring it to me. It was a blessing in disguise. 

That 30 minute wait yield some pretty awesome light.

We entertained ourselves by telling knock knock jokes while we waited.

The Halsey Family~ Oak Glen Family Photographer Mini Sessions

At least once a year I offer mini-sessions in Oak Glen at Riley's Farm. It's a really beautiful place with so many fun places to take photos. It's also always fun to find out who will book sessions.

Where I live in the Coachella Valley, there is a good size population. What's truly amazing are the connections between many of those people. 

These kids go to the same school my husband went to when he was a kid. Their grandfather happened to be one of the employees there as well. 

It is a small world indeed!

We had a great time at this shoot!

Project 365~ Day 89/365 "Drinks" Palm Desert Lifestyle Photographer

Today we went for out for lunch after church. I already happened to have my camera with me today because of a project I have been working on at church. I love when I am able to capture seemingly mundane everyday moments that are anything but.

It is in these everyday moments that our life is built and memories are made

Sarah at La Quinta Resort~ La Quinta Senior Photographer

It was a such a special pleasure to get to photograph Sarah for her senior portraits.

This business is often about who you know, and I've been fortunate enough to know Sarah's family for quite some time through our mutual homeschooling endeavors.

Sarah has a heart for God and very big plans for her future.

 Sarah chose the La Quinta Resort for her photo shoot.

She was hoping to see the desert mountains and beautiful florals in her images.

To further showcase this as well as her gorgeous hair and complexion, I processed these images using more saturated colors than I usually do.

On the grounds of the La Quinta Resort you will find an array of wonderful little stores known as 

The Shoppes. On of these shoppes is an old fashioned candy store and proved to be the perfect backdrop for this sweet senior!

On top of being a great student, Sarah is a student of dance. Though she had left her ballerina gear home on this day, I did still manage to get one jump out of her!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Class of 2014!