Family Time

It's funny...we go away on a fabulous vacation to the beautiful beaches of Hawaii- lush palm trees, kids splashing in the ocean and building sand castles, gorgeous plumeria and hibiscus flowers blooming everywhere...a photographers dream come true, right? Yet, now that I am home culling my (4,000+) images, THESE are the photos that grab my attention. These are the images that draw me in, beg to be edited and put on display.

 Of all the sunny, colorful images I took on this trip- it is this handful of photos taken at bedtime in our hotel room that pull at my heartstrings. THIS is what vacation is all about to me...family time. The pure joy of doing nothing together. These are the moments I want to always, always remember...

Bracketing

 So throughout our vacation, my camera took quite a beating...needless to say, buttons that shouldn't have been pushed, were pushed and tonight when I ventured out for a shoot I noticed my camera was acting funky. I started playing around, did some research and realized that I was unknowingly "br

acketing". This is something I had never fooled around with before and had NO idea how to use. Basically, even though I had my camera set to manual, my camera was taking 3 different shots with 3 different settings for each "click" of the shutter- adjusting my SS and ISO each time. Here is what 3 sequential images looked SOOC. At first I found this annoying, but now that I know how to use this function of my camera, I find it pretty handy...because from these 3 images I was able to merge them to create the bottom (edited) image!!
I'm sure most of you know all about bracketing, but I thought I'd share for those of you who are still learning something new about your camera every day- like me! Photography is pretty amazing stuff, huh?

 

Here is how bracketing works: On my camera (Nikon D700) you hold down the Fn button on the front of your camera while turning the main command dial to number you prefer. You'll know you are bracketing when the (+/-) symbol is blinking on your top display. I had (mistakenly) set my camera to bracket at -3F, so it was taking 3 different versions of each image at 3 different setting combos. It's kind of fun to play around with....now that I understand it!

 

Friendship

I just love how close these two have become over the last few months...what choice did they have with two photographer mommies always bringing them "test shooting", "location scouting", "light testing"...the list is endless.

These two share a mutual bond and a common pastime...running when they see their mommies pick up their cameras!!

So....sometimes a little "Cupcake & Milk Picnic" is in order to treat these little troopers....even if half of the milk ends up dripping down the table!

This month, I Heart Faces is hosting a "friendship" themed photo contest and there are some phenomenal submissions! Head on over to check out all the entries...and maybe even submit one yourself!

This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com 

Year One

A little yearly project I'm starting...so fun! Thanks pinterest! :)

Sunflare & Fireflies

When my friend gave me a call and told me about her fabulous new prop I couldn't wait to see it in action! Then, when she invited me to come do a test shoot with it...I was there in five minutes, camera and pajama-clad child in hand! 

The lighting was incredible and the tent sure did shine in its 'debut shoot'...even though I think the two adorable models stole the show!! :) 

{Side Bar} I processed all of these photos with my FAV new action set, "It's All in the Details" from Liz Labiana Photography.  This set literally has everything you need to make your image "picture perfect"! For these images, I used "It's All in the Details" combined with a low layer of Liz's other action "Dream". Aside from a little curves adjustments, and the special "fireflies" added to the last picture,  these actions were all I used to edit these photos. 

Liz just released "All in the Details" TODAY- so head on over to her blog & snatch it up!!

Rainy Day

So in the midst of the 100+ degree Texas heat, it's safe to say that Fall just sneaked up on me this weekend! The overcast 70 degree weather left me daydreaming about boots, patterned scarves, coats, and cute sweaters....Ok, so maybe it's not exactly coat and boot weather yet, but I can't tell you how excited I am for the cooler temps! However, when I woke up this morning to a dreary, rainy day...I found myself unprepared. Off to Target we ran, and with new rain boots in hand {2 sizes too big, I might add}, Q & I went off on a puddle hunt. What can I say?...she had a "splash"! hehe

Mom*Tog

Such exciting news! I've been chosen as DrewB's "Mom*Tog" of the week!! Mom*Tog is such an inspiration, not only to myself, but to her many fans and followers! The way Drew captures her family's memories through her words and stunning photos

is funny, sentimental, and totally relatable! I joke that Mom*Tog has become my new pinterest...but it's totally true! Her work is amazing, her site is addicting, and she has had such an impact on me as I set out to begin my own journey.
I feel SO honored to be a small part of her incredible site! Thank you, Drew!

Make sure you check out her incredible photography site as well!!

www.momtog.com http://www.drewbphotography.com/