Posting Troubles

I keep trying to post some photos that I adore . . . and blogger won't upload them. I am trying desperately to figure out the solution to my woes. Any suggestions? It made me question whether or not I had exceeded my storage limit, which I have not. Hopefully I can post some new photos soon . . . they're piling up here!!

~Amy

So He's a Little Guy.

10th percentile, baby! (for weight). This comes as a big shock for me, as my girls were in the 80-90th percentile ranges for the first year and then eventually averaged out to around 50th percentile. So what does all of this mean? For one, he has gotten more use out of his clothing, as he really wears the his age appropriate size. He has some catching up to do- but some day I think he'll pass up his sisters. Here's our sweet little bitty buddy . . . he's too fun.

{Hello, operator? Can you help me please?}

{We've got a climber here- why sit at the table when you can sit on it?}

{Baby Pop Art}

Senior Session-

One step closer to making this blogger thing work! I am still unable to post images on my blog from my computer, so I am borrowing my husband's computer here and it works! Now to play catch up and finally post some images!!

This shoot was so memorable for me-- it was the combination of a great subject, inspiring location and fun interaction . . . I can't express how excited I have been to share these images. I took a little time to come up with just the right post-processing touches to really fit the mood and the beautiful teen here. Meet J:

{She's in a band with a few other teens, and she really does know how to play that guitar!}

{I loved this cool location in southern Utah . . . I will definitely make a point to shoot here again}

{CELEBRATE! I love the energy of this shot- and she was a good jumper too!!}

Congratulations J. and I hope you love these as much as I do.

I am currently booking senior sessions for April 2008. April is a great time for pictures- the weather is warming up a bit and my clients will have time to order pictures before the school year ends. :) So drop me a line or send an email if you'd like to set up a session. Here's a link to more details on the website: teen gallery.

Finding Color in Winter

I am constantly on the lookout for great photo spots. During this winter season we've been blanketed in the color of white (which I do find beautiful) . . . but as the snow melts our whitescape becomes more muddy, gritty, grungy, brownish. Not so beautiful. So in search of some color, I recently noticed a couple of spots in the area that were calling to be photographed. I convinced my "middle model" to join me on an adventure, with the promise of picking out a treat at the end. {Please tell me most parents resort to bribing their children from time to time?}

{This darling crochet brown hat is from chloereese . . . I just ordered a couple of hats last week and I was anxious to get them. As I was ready to leave for this shoot, they magically appeared in the mailbox and I was delighted. I highly recommend this website for children's hair accessories!!}

{A wonderful friend let me borrow her canon 70-200L f/4 lens for this shoot. I did enjoy it . . . and am even more hopeful that some day I may acquire the 70-200L f/2.8 IS lens. I did "try on" the f/2.8 recently and it was "beauty and the beast" all in one. The f/4 does have an appeal in being slightly less monstrous!}

{This one makes my heart flutter. She's just gorgeous! Minutes after this she asked, "Can we go home yet?" Doesn't she know this is as good as it gets?!?}

{Childhood. Imagination. Surreal. Great location, eh?}

Fur Coats, Polka Dots & Telephones

A fun studio session from this week-- this sweet little toddler is sure growing up! I have photographed her beautiful family a few times. Her first session as a newborn had to be rescheduled, as I went into labor that day with M.! Here are some shots that I can't get over:

{Can you believe those eyes?!?}

{The toes. Gotta love the toes!}

Wedding Bliss

I am having too much fun going through this latest batch of images from C + T's reception Saturday night! This couple was all smiles--and they were just beaming. It was a privilege to capture these images of their special event! Brace yourselves for a huge post . . . I couldn't leave any of these favorites out!

{Ode to Cinderella & Prince Charming . . . this shot was a great match for the bride & groom!}

{Putting the last few minutes of daylight to good use!}

{I love this shot! You can just see the joy in mom's eyes here~}

{The guests were given little boxes of tiny confectionary hearts. I love how you can see the hearts raining down on the couple. What a memorable event!!}

More February Fun

Here are some more photos from the past few days that I'm pleased to share:

{this one melts my heart!}

{just a doll!}

{M. knows I have a tendancy to lose my lenscap. He's just making sure I keep it on!}

{She's sure growing up! She has really been into styling her own hair this past week. She told me she wanted "bangs" the other day, so I clipped a few really subtle ones. This morning at breakfast she said, "I really like bangs." She is such a little carbon copy of me at this age, I can't believe it. Stubbornness and sweetness mixed into one!}

{We recently moved M. from his high chair to a booster seat at the table. Here he is letting us know that he's done with dinner, even though we had just begun eating. He reminds me of a little cowboy here.}

{sassy lass!}

{these eyelashes were handed down from his maternal grandfather- my Dad.}

{My photography assistant! She is really loving her camera- and was so cute yesterday setting up a tripod and requesting that I be in a "photo shoot."}

{Sweethearts! This was a very spontaneous shot, as you can see I am holding the camera at arm's length. Please forgive the wide angle distortion! Photos of the two of us are lesser in number, so I have to insist on a few now and then. }

{my little snow people . . . we've had more snow than ever this winter and the kids know the routine of getting geared up to play outside. We currently have at least 18" in the front yard!!}

Where Oh Where Has My Baby Gone?

Who is this toddler and what have you done with my baby boy?!? M's hair was growing long and kind of fuzzy in the back and he was looking a bit shaggy. I knew I'd have to cut it at some point, but knowing that when this happened his baby look would be immediately erased. Friday I finally had the nerve to go ahead and give him his first haircut.

{before the haircut}

{rocker baby hairdo- before the cut. Notice the lollipop distraction? This really did help!}

{almost there}

{fresh out of the bath- a clean-cut, sticky lollipop-free boy!}

{Ta da! I can't believe how old he looks now!}

In church yesterday several people commented that M looks so grown up "these days." Well, that just happened the day before when I clipped off his baby locks. Of course I saved a couple of locks of his hair. So long babyhood . . . well mostly.

S. asked me yesterday, "What are we doing to do with that hair? Make a wig?" (referring to the little clipped locks I set aside.

I told her it would only be enough for a Barbie wig!

DH said he was glad that I am now the official family barber- which is fine by me. I told him if we ever have another son, that he'll have to be in charge of the boys' haircuts. While growing up, DH's father was the one who cut all of his boys' hair. They'd avoid being the last one at the clippers, since the metal blades would get mighty hot by the end of the haircutting session! (He grew up in a family of 6 boys and 2 girls!) His dad even owned a barber chair and is still willing to give the grandsons a haircut now and then.

~Amy

Some People

I am on the mend after nearly a full week of being sick. It is a rare thing for me- as we all know moms don't have "sick leave" and I have been blessed with really good health. Thanks for the well wishes, people.

So a couple days ago a good friend did something for me that really made my day, and even more than that, reminded me of how blessed I am. Just getting through the day on "lesser-capacity mode" I had yet to think of dinner. My sweet DH had been making meals all week while caring for me. A knock came at the door, and wow! Here was this friend with an armload of food (vegetarian food, nonetheless--yes, I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian) and a smile. This woman drove 20 minutes in the snow to bring this food to me! I couldn't believe it, but then again I could. Some people.

Some people have many generous thoughts . . . and they follow through with them. I recently fell in love with this quote:

"Never suppress a generous thought."

~Camilla Kimball, wife of Pres. Spencer W. Kimball

So to this friend- thanks for reminding me of how beautiful service is. I often think I need to plan ahead, coordinate, make sure it is needed, cover the bases before I act on a generous thought. I needed the reminder that service doesn't have to be so planned out. Your gesture made me want to jump up and do something nice for a bunch of people. It reminded me to call a neighbor who has been experiencing a difficult pregnancy. It reminded me to tell my children about how wonderful people are. You are some person! Thank you.