325/365 My Pixel2Canvas - Hero's project

Pixel2Canvas had a promotional "Hero" project. I ordered a couple of them and this one came in yesterday. It's an amazing product. It's rich and textured and has a hero's quote. It's 12X12 and 1 1/2 thick. I'm so happy with this product and will definately order from them again.

324/365 Those pesky Mushrooms are back!

I really really dislike mushrooms

These grow on this stump every year. Sometimes two times a year. It's weird, they grow like 3 inches in one day, get a little taller and fuller by the 2nd day and then they die.

They make great subjects to photograph

These have been topazed and I used another coffee shopt storyboard. Coffee shop has some awesome tutorial for photoshop and photoshop elements.

323/365 Photo shoot of Khalila

My daughter is so gorgeous! We did a photo shoot at a local park. I've uploaded more on my Facebook page:

322/365 Princess for a day

I've fallen behind but I'll just pick up where I left off day 322.

Princess for a day . . . or more like an hour. Isabella did my make up and we played dress up (just for the pictures - but don't tell her!) she had so much fun. I set up and handed David the camera.

321/365 Dream a little dream with me . . .

I was blessed enough today to be able to spend my evening with Miss Isabella. Just her & I. I couldn't resist this "snap-shot" she just looks so peaceful in her pink world.

320/365 Boudoir session

I Missed monday - but I had a good excuse. I worked all day then I attended the Digital Wake up call by David Ziser and I didn't make it back home until after midnight.
Let me just say that the seminar was completely worth it! David Ziser is an amazing artist and he's funny and shares a lot of information. I just hope that I can apply some of the techniques he taught.

Which brings me to todays post. I was armed with new information and confident going into my first boudoir session. Well, I wasn't counting on equipment mishaps/failures. So I had to work with what I had. Over all it went good.

319/365 Just a fun day

Dave and I hung out with Pam Lopez and her family last night and today.
Early today we "swapped" lenses. Well, honestly I just borrowed her monster lens. The paparazzi lens Nikon 70 - 200mm 2.8. What a sweet lens. There are so many awesome shots I wanna share but because it's late and because I'm tired and because I don't feel like editing I'm just sharing these two. Minimal/no editing required.

I happened to be practicing when these geese flew above us. I wasn't sure I got them because I wasn't used to the lens yet but yes I did . . . at least I got one.




















and this wall welcomes you as you go down to Pam studio. I loved the color, the light, the images, the quote . . . everything about it was warm and welcoming.



Thank you Pam & Ed for a wonderful weekend.

318/365 Fall Story Board

Mexican Sunflowers in my Garden . . .



Storyboard from Coffee Shop

317/365 My new backdrop

I received my new backdrop today in the mail - it's late and there was no one else around to model for me - these models I can afford, just a few treats and they are happy. They will follow me anywhere.

316/365

sometimes, maybe just sometimes . . .
















less



































is more....

My beautiful, youngest daughter, Khalila.

I guess I just went overboard with all of the textures and colors but I like the original one best.

315/365 Studio Work

It's my beautiful daughter.

314/365 Blowing in the wind

Remember the "Q-Tips" (well, at least thats what Elli called them) growing in my garden? This is what they look like now. I still believe this is garlic that has gone unattended.
Used my 50mm 1.4

313/365 An Educational day for me!

I spent most of the day on the computer editing pictures and learning some Photoshop stuff . . .

Coffeeshop has some awesome tutorials.
The first one is a wedding a second shot for in Iowa. I don't care for the original image but the edited and grunge up one I LOVE! I really like that vintage and grunge look.

You can click on pictures to view more details.


And the princess of the house wanted to play dress up and it was HER idea to take pictures. The pictures are very bright and colorful but I wanted to play. These are textures and layers and actions. The backdrop is just the seemless pink paper.
This storyboard is also from Coffeeshop.

312/365 My "other" models, the ladies . . .

Reesee & Twix. Everytime I put a camera in front of Reesee she gets "sleepy" and Twix always wants to laydown, but they will tolerate anything for a treat :)

It's my pink backdrop

310/311 out of 365 My new model!

She's pretty, she's pink, she co-operates! The only thing is that she has that same plastered cheesy smile. Sigh, good models are so hard to come by.
LOL
The Story board was an easy one free from CoffeeShop






















After a long and stressful week at work I came home and sat in the sun and read no brainer material. It was more about sitting in the sun and soaking up the last rays of summer. That is until I got a mosquito bite - then it was time to go in.
The picture looked a little moody so I just used some preset that comes with Elements 7.

309 & 309/365 Days

We've had this tree with us for many years. This was the first year that it did not bloom. Partially because it got attacked by Beatles. I have to drag it in in the fall and find a place for it to live all Fall and Winter. Since it did not bloom I decided to get rid of it this year. No sooner do I make that choice when I see a bloom starting. The one and only flower this year.

The first picture is yesterdays while it was still attached to the plant.















and she made an appearance again - this time in the studio. I meant to change the backdrop to white but I forgot.

307/365 Some R&R time by the Lake (Update)

David got home last night after over 1000 plus miles on his motorcycle (Dragons Tail, Tennessee & North Carolina). Today we drove up to Michigan City (Indiana) and took a nice long walk on Lake Michigan.
We walked up to the lighthouse, and up the stairs and behind the lighthouse. It was a perfect day.



































David's pictures:

305/306 out of 365 a flower in my studio

These flowers are huge but they don't last long so I thought I'd bring it in to enjoy. I love the color especially against that backdrop. This is the backdrop a "Pro" photographer told me awhile ago that I should get rid off because the color was too bright. All I needed was to learn how to light it correctly. Don't give up if you are learning photography and lighting. Just keep at it, practice, practice and ask for advice. Don't give up.


























I told my daughter that if all of my clients acted like Miss Isabella does (only in front of the camera) I'd quit - LOL. I think she wants to be a photographer not the subject.
I wanted to take a picture of her in one of the dresses Pam made. This is the best I have.
Pam Isabella says "Thank You."












and I just wanted to share one that I edited from the session a couple of nights ago. I just love how this turned out after the pp in black and white.

304/365 Senior Shoot in Hobart Indiana

Before I share my "business" images, I'd like to say, with a grateful heart and lots of mom pride that today my son completed his tour of duty with the U.S.Marine Corp. today. He joined the Marines his last year of High School and left home immediately after graduation. It has been a tough four years for himself and us. He did a tour of duty in Iraq - which we prayed for his safety daily. He plans to continue living in California, which doesn't surprise me. Unfortunately I don't have any nice images of him with his uniform. So I have contacted my friend Catie, who lives in SoCal and I have arrainged for her to take his pictures.
My son, Gabriel, is the one on the far right.

I am so very proud of him.








Today, I had a senior shoot. This is Ms. C and we had so much fun. These are just 2 of the many new favs I have.

302 & 303/365 Thank you Pam!

I do have a lot of people to thank but today I want to thank a special friend and that is Pam Lopez. There have been several people there who have encouraged my photography learning curve along the way but I must say that Pam invested time and resources on me and I just want to give her a special shout out today. She has encouraged, critiqued, pushed, taught and handed me resources. When I feel bummed out about something I can count on her to be there and not in a sappy way either - more like "dust yourself up and keep on moving."

A couple of weeks ago she put up some stuff for sale and I bought 2 items from her. Well, when the box arrived it had some extra goodies in it. It felt like Christmas. I didn't do the items justice in taking the picture but here it is...
Thank you so much Pam - what a fun box to open up and go through - and look at her home made dresses! She used to have a boutique and she made amazing girls clothes.

I would also like to thank Elli for letting me bend her ear. And thanks to all of my friends. Your support keeps me going.

Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure. -- Jewish Saying





and for todays picture - just some weeds in our yard.

301/365 A couple of studio shots - A baby in a bath update

I just added one updated photo here.


These are just 2 of my favorite shots from todays session. Just did a quick edit with Coffeeshop actions.