A Different Kind of Photography Experience

Quick note: If you read my blog in a reader and it's been a while since you visited, come see the new layout. And by layout, I really mean new header and font colors. Nothing too fancy schmancy.

A couple of months ago, we had a fabulous afternoon. And Gina of Golden June Photography came along and took pictures to document it. I love how the pictures turned out. Even more, I loved the relaxed, happy atmosphere of the shoot. I love that there is light in my children's eyes and that, beyond just taking great pictures, Gina was able to capture our family's personality so brilliantly.

It was a great contrast to previous photography experiences we've had -- the weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, the feeling of being at the mercy of the photographer while he/she works hard to get our (silly, busy, crazy) family to sit still in order to get the perfect shot. I've never been able to convey to a photographer that I'm less interested in the perfect shot than I am in the perfect picture -- an accurate and happy representation of my family in that moment in time. There was no conveying necessary with Gina. She simply followed our lead and our energy. It was wonderful.

I'm in love with these pictures.

(Click to make it big.)

Visit Gina's blog to see some of her other work. She is a brilliant and talented photographer and I'm grateful that she took the time to practice on us.

2009 in Pictures

What a fun year it has been! Click either to see full size.

 

 

Newborn Photos of Peanut

This darling newborn is now THREE months old.

Wipes tears...

Why is it that, when you have a baby, time seems to literally speed up?









Photos taken by my talented and generous friend, the ShutterDoula.

Our Time Amongst the Goblins

Last weekend we went with some of JDub's siblings to camp in Goblin Valley. We had a ball. What a fun, magical place! It was hot, but not nearly as hot as we had anticipated because of some good cloud cover and even some rain.

My early risers had a grand time playing in the morning. We went on a little hike and played in the dirt at our camp. I love how Scud is all arms and legs right now.

Kaitybean and Scud were fearless climbers. This shot does not give nearly enough perspective. They were really up there!

Here's me, goddess of the rain, in the actually Valley of Goblins. We were playing commando and I was, um, something. Basically the one who got to count and didn't have to run and climb all over.

Cute, fun people in a cave at the wall. Mashuga and Coco are on the left. JDub's brother and wife on the right and his youngest brother's fiance in the middle.

Happy, happy, happy...

JDub enjoyed his Vibram 5-finger shoes while here. Like being barefoot, except for the barefoot part.

A couple of cuties and a very pregnant weirdo.

By the time we were done, Rusty was EXHAUSTED! What this picture doesn't show is the major shaking the boys are getting as she pants and pants and pants. She was pretty hot. We gave her water while we were exploring but she still drank a good half gallon when we were done.

Rusty wasn't the only tired one. Though if you'd asked Coco at this moment whether or not he was tired, he would have said no. Ha! He slept soundly the entire 4+ hour ride home.

All in all a successful camping trip. I only had to walk the 50 yards or so to the bathrooms about 4 times during the night. Didn't sleep much. But, I don't sleep much at home these days. So might as well not sleep somewhere beautiful, eh?

Mischief Can Be SO Exhausting

Scud's Baptism Day

Scud was baptized on August 30th. He has been so excited for this day and talked of little else for the month before it. I am so proud of him for the wonderful choices he is making and the amazing young man he is. He was just as handsome as could be that day and I couldn't stop hugging him. Handsome and happy and healthy and good. I couldn't help feeling like a lucky mama.

He asked his Grandpa (my dad) to baptize him and JDub confirmed him. It was a good day.

Here is a smattering of pictures from that day. It was a joy to have all of our friends and family there to support Scud and celebrate him.

I feel terrible, though, that our best friends J&J missed it because I forgot to tell them what time it was. Sorry guys! You were very, very missed.








This one of Scud and I was actually taken the next day when I realized I hadn't gotten a picture with my handsome guy.


And for a bonus, here's a cute picture of Coco with his "squirt gun." JDub read an excellent tip about giving kids squirt bottles to play with instead of squirt guns. They are sturdy, easy to use, carry more water and pretty cheap. Some of the best advice we ever took. We got three big bottles for a dollar each and the kids have toroughly enjoyed them all summer.

Very First Day of School

So, this is very late. The first day of kindergarten for Mashuga was actually in August. But, I had to share these cute pictures.

He likes his teachers and his classmates and keeps telling me that he's bored because he knows all of the answers already. (No surprise there.) I talked to his teacher and she will be splitting up reading groups soon and giving him some good individualized attention. So, I am optimistic. We shall see how it goes.

Mashuga was very excited for his first day of school and just the cutest kindergartner.



He and Scud (who is homeschooling) had to be silly for a picture.


Coco didn't especially like having his morning nap interrupted to get Mashuga from school.


I feel guilty that I didn't get any pictures of Kaitybean on her first day of school.

We went to the gardens at Thanksgiving Point that afternoon, which was wonderful. What a glorious place!

Kaitybean made friends with the petunias.


We all got our picture taken on a giant caterpillar.


Coco and Daddy played together.


And took time to smell the roses.


Scud sat on a bear.


Mashuga walked a maze with me.


And we enjoyed the general splendor.

So, I'm Not a Photographer

I'm not so great at the photography thing. Concepts like foreground and SLR and composition and shutter speed completely baffle me. It always frustrates me that JDub can take a picture of the exact same subject I've shot and it is breathtaking. Mine, blah. That's if it's even clear. I'd like to take a photography class sometime soon so that I can get better. I dream of having one of those blogs with pictures that are like chocolate for the eyes. Ahhh...

So, aside from my obvious lack of photographic-talentedness, my subjects are also hard to get a handle on.

Case in point. Coco got into some pink sugar yesterday and I HAD to take a picture. So, I grabbed JDub's iphone couldn't find our regular camera.

This is the hilarity that ensued:










Finally, a mostly clear picture with a smile and most of his head. That, my friends, counts as success for me.

By the way, isn't he darling? I'm a bit partial to that sweet face.