I don't think I ever put up this little cutie's picture. Did I?

I found this sweet baby scale at an antique shop and had to have it. I'm a little picky with props in photos but this one I loved. It was the first one I had seen with an attached basket so I bought it in hopes I could take somebody's picture in it.

Baby Andie to the rescue!

She was the best little baby, letting us mold and flop her around.
The double chin kills me. I wish they were as cute when you get older.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Got your party hats?

We are so looking forward to a brand new year, are you? I think it's going to be a fun one. Jon and I have dubbed it our "break out" year.

No matter what, we always manage to have fun but honestly, for us, 2011 just had one too many stresses. We're all for bidding it adieu and kicking it to the curb.

Here's to a fun celebration tonight and a shiny, prosperous, healthy new year!

Thanks for reading along. You are the best!

Canvas art - a quick & easy DIY

I had a harebrained idea at midnight last night, or I guess this morning, to get a project checked off my list. So, I gathered a few supplies, sat down at the kitchen table and got to work.

A while ago I mentioned that I was going to make my own canvas prints. While you really can print on canvas right through your home printer, I was working with actual photographs. I was determined to get the look of canvas prints without the high price tag.

Quality gallery wrapped canvas can be expensive. An 11 x 14 with an inch gallery wrap averages about $60.00. You can find discounts here and there but once you start figuring in the thickness of the wrap or custom edge colors, it can increase the price. The work is beautifully done but I would need 5 and honestly, that's $300.00 which is needed elsewhere. Thanks to my beautiful friend, Alysa, she saved me a ton of dough! I followed her instructions and this is how it went.

Paint the sides of the canvas if you wish, even going over on the top sides of the canvas. Let dry. I just used leftover paint from the boys' room.

Using a paintbrush, brush Mod Podge over the entire canvas area.

I brushed it on after this

Place picture on the canvas and glue down. I smoothed it out with my hands, making sure there were no air bubbles. Just make sure your hands are clean - no oil on the picture. You may also want to use gloves for handling photographs.

Turn over and trim excess with an exacto-knife. My pictures were 11 x 16 but the canvas was 11 x 14 so I had a little to trim. You can also trim beforehand if you wanted.


Now, take the Mod Podge and paint the entire surface of the photograph. Don't worry, just keep spreading the glue and remember Mod Podge is magic! I used a sponge paintbrush but next time I think I'll use a better quality brush, something more sturdy. I just gave it one coat.

While one is drying, you can go on to the other. I became slightly impatient since it was now 1 AM so I took the hair dryer and sped up the drying time. If you do this, don't get too close to the picture. I just gave it a quick once-over and it was already looking good.



I just left it on the table overnight to finish drying and in the morning I had "canvas like" prints for a fraction of the price! They have slight brush marks that you can see up close which I don't mind because of the texture it gives. I really enjoyed the way these turned out.

Showing the edge

Lined up for impact

Total spent:

2 pk canvas $7.99

11 x 16 prints, $6.99 each (used a 30% coupon)

Mod Podge $2.69

paint brush $1.00

Total: $27.19 for 2, including tax

If you need help taking a high resolution photo for this project, let me know and I'd be happy to take one for you!

Linking to Just a Girl

Between naps on the porch
Serenity Now

A Pez dispenser photo tip

Yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph the activities at a day camp for persons who have mental and/or physical challenges.

Because I don't have signed releases yet, I am unable to show any pictures of the campers. But I can show you how I got them to focus on the camera when I took pictures of their sweet faces.

Thanks Pez and cheap Happy meal toys.

Face fotos

When I was in college, my roommate coined the term "face photos" for me when she was looking through my pictures and said, "You like to take face photos." Whenever we were goofing around and taking pictures of friends, we would yell, "Face photo!" and everyone would mug for the camera to get ready for their close-up.

I enjoy getting close ups of people, especially children. I know this can be disconcerting for adults. I am the first to admit that. When I was 20, it was no problem but now, yikes! So I understand the desire for a little light airbrushing and not wanting someone to get too close.

But with these photos, had I been far away from my children, I would have lost a little something in their expressions which would have resulted in just a regular photo and not my new favorites.

Trae came into my office in the morning donning his 3D glasses and unkempt hair. He said "Hi mom. I got glasses." Luckily my camera was on the desk and he just stood there letting me snap a few.


I was taking pictures outside when a sudden rain drenched us. I ran for cover since my camera was exposed and when I turned to see if Reese was going to get the door behind me, I saw him standing under the clogged gutter with eyes closed tightly, thoroughly enjoying the deluge.

While Blair was looking out the window, I focused in on her waiting for her to turn. When I said her name, she responded, "Hmmm?" turning toward me but still with the soft expression from what she was observing out the window.

These photos make me happy.

Try to get out and take some happy close-ups for yourself!

Love looks good on them - a family photo session

I've been behind in posting some sessions so let me begin to catch up by showing you this beautiful family.
When we were talking about locations, Mary suggested a covered bridge. It was music to my ears. I have been wanting to work at this location for a while knowing it would provide for a great backdrop. But photographs aren't just about backdrops, they are about emotions and capturing a feeling at the precise moment.

When I was taking a portrait of just Travis and Mary, I told them to pose how they would normally, just goof around with the kids and pretend that I am not even there. Sure, it's easy for me to say but not easy to do when there is a camera in your face.

So Travis picked up Mary and gave her a piggy back ride. They said, "This is how we play!" and he carted her around for a bit as Mary's infectious laughter let you know it was a genuine moment.
Love looks good on them, don't you think?

As requested, I needed to get an individual picture of the kids. I wholeheartedly agreed. I think every family member holds a special place within their family so each needs a place of honor in a photograph. For the following shots, I held a conversation with each child. Here, B is telling me about her love of dance.

I asked W what he would do if he were me and what he would have me do. He said, "I like this tree. Let's go there." And then he started telling me about school.

I. was running all over so I told him that we could race to find the best rock to climb. I snapped this just before he darted off and then we looked at those rocks.

D. is so cute and liked to play. I remembered the red chair so we told him it was reserved for red-heads. It was his special seat. So he climbed on and I don't really remember how he started to laugh but I think they were making fun of me by making rabbit ears over my head. Anything for a laugh and what a great one he has.

I love that this family loves to laugh and play. Somehow a game of red rover started and jumps across and falling in the creek happened and I was lucky enough to witness it through the lens.

Fun family of four - photo session

Until I post my photo sessions on the official website, I will have to make you suffer through another one here. Although it won't be suffering when you look at this gorgeous family.

It wasn't hard to photograph them for obvious reasons but also because they are our friends and are simply one of the nicest families that you could meet. They both jump at the chance to help anyone and never ask for anything in return. Being a close knit family who enjoys being together makes it fun to be around them. Those personality types just draw you in and make you feel comfortable and I love that about them.

**Until the editing software is installed, all photos will remain unedited.

A family in love - photo session

When this family first talked about photos, they warned that they were not the "posing" types. The kids weren't anyway. That's OK I said, we'd go completely candid and see what we get. I think that it's great to capture images when kids are, well, just being kids.

And when you factor in parents who enjoy seeing them run free
and are happy and play right along with them,
you get to witness a beautiful family in love.

** Until the photo editing software is installed and working, all images remain unedited.

A question, an answer, a photo

In response to a few questions over the weekend,

these are just some of the things I like in a photograph.

Naturally textured backgrounds

"Out takes" that to me are my "in takes."

Genuine moments

Architectural features.

And of course the subject matter!