Karen Ludwig Portrait Photography

Family

2010-11-30T16:23:00.001-08:00

Live Laugh Love

Little C

2010-05-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

I spent this Sunday morning with this sweet baby boy. He was such a cooperative subject! I just love his eye lashes, don't you?

October Morning

2009-12-21T22:30:00.000-08:00

When I moved to this po-dunk little town, this was my first baby girl I aquired in my daycare. She was only six months old and the sweetest little thing. Watching her grow into a darling little girl and big sister, it warmed my heart to photograph them today. As (T) , the boy, climbed up the slide I said, "you're an animal". He replied, "I not an animal. I a little man". :o) My mistake.

These were done early one October morning for a Christmas present for their daddy.

Say Cheeeeze

2009-12-21T22:12:00.000-08:00

Tired of paying for so-so school pictures, when I am a photographer, I decided to photograph my boys second grade pictures myself. I like these waaaay better :o)

Doctor Doo-LOTS

2009-12-21T22:08:00.001-08:00

As a parent, I spend a lot of time at the doctors

Little M is 2

2009-11-08T18:56:00.000-08:00

Little M turned two and is growing up to be quite a ladies man. He has stolen my faithful assistants heart with all smiles for her...or was it the candy she was sharing lol.

Game Time

2009-09-07T20:08:00.000-07:00

While I love my 70-200 2.8 lens, it had some serious weight. After photographing a seven hour softball tournament, my arms and shoulders were pretty stiff.

Regatta

2009-08-24T20:21:00.000-07:00

The Cub Scout Rain Gutter Regatta is tomorrow. I got him started with the sanding and paint color choice until daddy was ready to do the rest. Sifting through my bag of scrapbooking stickers, I found a few appropriate for the boat. "Fish On" (Daddy picked the name) is ready for high seas tomorrow.

In Style

2009-08-24T00:52:00.001-07:00

"Hi. My name is Karen and I am an infomercial junkie". I had watched the "In Styler" infomercial and coveted this flat iron for months. But as it's a want not a need, I wouldn't order buy it. One day last week I was checking my e-mail and I saw a shipment confirmation from the In Styler company. My awesome husband bought it for me when I wasn't looking :o)

Walk

2009-08-20T20:55:00.001-07:00

Trying to get back into my fitness kick, I have started walking with my friends in the morning. I passed these flowers today and decided to come back later and snap a shot. While photographing them, my son brought me one. I set it on the white hood of the truck to get the reflection. I love that he picks me flowers

Sew...Needle, Spool and Thread

2009-08-20T00:40:00.000-07:00

Each year the Cub Scouts try to rally more kids into the scouting fold. This year my assistant and I helped the kids do a craft, at the meeting, while the parents were informed as to what the organization is all about. The older boys were VERY concerned about the weaponry explored in scouting. I was alarmed when "sawed off shot gun" was brought up by one of the boys. Yikes! After spending the evening with the new recruits, I am reminded how much I love my little Tiger Cubs. At our den meeting today, they learned how to sew a button. They were sooo excited to try.

Back to School

2009-08-07T16:14:00.000-07:00

While helping in my sons first grade classroom, I watched a second grade teacher skillfully lead her students to their room. With homework ready to be checked and minds prepared to learn, the children responded without a fuss. I crossed my fingers that my boy would be lucky enough to be enrolled in her class this year. Not only did he get the teacher I wanted but his best friend is in there too. BONUS!

First Day

2009-08-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

The first day of school and I am off for a much needed and long awaited haircut.

Smoke On The Water

2009-08-07T13:27:00.000-07:00

Guitar hero has inspired the musician in my seven year old this summer. His grandparents bought him this acoustic for Christmas. Wanting to be a guitar hero himself, he asked how to play a song on the real instrument. His daddy showed him how to play Smoke On The Water.

Evening Moon

2009-08-07T13:04:00.000-07:00

The martial arts boxing gloves got left in the car one night. While retrieving them, my son looked at the sky and insisted I take a picture.

Textures

2009-07-28T02:55:00.000-07:00

Snuggling on the couch with my laptop and surfing the net, I discovered the wonderful world of "Textures" for Photoshop. I tried a couple here and learned how to use a paint bucket to add color to the frame. Yey!!

Happy Birthday

2009-07-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

My friend saw this image in my portfolio book and wanted one for her house. I had used a template from the company that assembles the books so I wasn't sure how to create it on my own. With my brother’s help and MCP free action, I got it! Yey! I wanted to give it to her for her birthday. Her birthday was a while ago (months!) and it took me this long to figure out how to do it. Better late than never. BTW It made her cry when she saw it :o) Mission accomplished LOL

Story Board

2009-07-22T05:26:00.001-07:00

Tried an action in Photoshop

Forgotten

2009-07-17T22:46:00.000-07:00

At the public pool they sell goodies. I think my son goes there just to buy a treat. He saw another little boy with this huge cup full of snow cone and just had to have one. After about four bites he was gone. Back into the pool. And I was left to baby sit the melting sugar loaded confection. Never again! From now on, we pack the snacks.

A Picture Of Summer

2009-07-17T22:42:00.001-07:00

Swimming can make you work up a powerful hunger. This little guy just loved the watermellon

T's Truck

2009-07-13T00:59:00.000-07:00

I want to thank (T) for being patient and indulging me. You are awesome!

Acura RSX Type S

2009-07-13T00:36:00.000-07:00

My friend has done a lot of custom work to his Acura.

Power Lines... Yuck!

2009-07-11T23:04:00.001-07:00

I wanted to capture the lonely musician, wandering the back country roads, in search of his music. Instead, I got a bunch of power lines. I didn't think they would be so distracting but, in the end, I hated them. Photoshop to the rescue! While in PS I tried a few filters...

"the glow of the neon lights" isn't that in a country song?

T

2009-07-11T04:38:00.000-07:00

My girlfriend loaned me her son to get some images for some senior portrait advertising. We wanted to take some with his truck but it didn't work out. Looks like we'll try again on Sunday to get some cool shots of his ride. Thanks T, I know you don't love having your pictures taken so, thanks. You're T-galicious :o)

The Fishin' Hole

2009-07-09T16:18:00.000-07:00

So, this isn't the fishing hole that we went to today. The lake we went to was truly boring but the drive there was quite pretty. As we crossed this covered bridge I looked out to see this pretty little stretch of river and had to stop to grab a quick shot. If I didn't know that the river would swell, I would say that spot on the right would be a fantastic place for a cute little home.

"Fish On"

2009-07-09T16:04:00.000-07:00

Being in scouts, my son can earn these belt loops for certain achievements. On of those belt loops is for fishing. Now, his thumb release reel was kinda' old and the line was brittle so my husband let him use one of his favorite spin cast reels. After explaining how to work the bale and release the line, he cast it like a pro. He did such a good job that daddy GAVE him the reel. I took this shot and decided to move the cooler and compose a better shot but by then the boy had moved. Sometimes, you git what you git ...

Fourth of July

2009-07-09T15:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I just love my small town. Today is one of those days. The city held a parade which my boys scout group rode on an antique fire truck in. The downtown was closed off so the community could participate in a variety of classic fun and games. There was a dunk tank, face painting, tug of war, three legged races, pie eating and watermelon eating contests while the fire department BBQed hot dogs and burgers. Local businesses performed music and entertainment.

Senior Session2

2009-06-23T13:16:00.000-07:00

I tried something different in editing today. My 18 year old daughter liked it. What do you think?

Boating

2009-06-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

The jet boat is your standard "hot rod". Temperamental at best. We had the heads shaved and now there is so much compression that when it gets hot, it doesn't like to turn over. While the kids were at school, hubby and I took it out to see if the work he did on it solved the problem. It was nice to be alone on the water with him. Riding around the lake with our hair on fire was awesome but, alas, the problem is still there. Looks like we are going to throw more money at it LOL

Wind

2009-06-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

It was very windy today when I went for a walk with my son wearing the t-shirt he picked out for me for Christmas. It has rainbow colored peace signs all over it. Apparently, in some parallel universe, that means I participate in a same sex partnership (is that PC enough?). I had no idea until some guy started making comments on it, what the rainbow peace sign means. It was strange for me to have my orientation questioned since that really isn't the first thing I look for when I meet someone new. My, how the world is changing... So, I guess I have a new night shirt LOL

Senior Session

2009-06-13T00:23:00.001-07:00

I just love love love shooting senior portraits.

I have watched this young lady grow from diapers to diploma. I had the honor of photographing her senior portraits today with my daughters help. They have been best friends for as long as either of them can remember. As you may recall, my daughter did her senior project on photography and I have found her to be an incredible help on shoots. I could not have gotten the shots I did without her help. Thank you tons, sweety!

Meatheads

2009-06-10T19:43:00.000-07:00

Playing with hot lights today. I tried getting my boy and his BFF to stand there, so I could test the light, proved to be pretty difficult but very funny. Here they are doing "fire power" from "Night at The Museum". They're a couple of meatheads LOL

Flash

2009-06-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

Playing with flash triggered slaves. Thanks Dad!!

Lights

2009-06-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

My dad sent me some lights last week. I finally had a day to play with them. My son was very bored with it. Thanks Dad!

Pool Day

2009-06-05T16:26:00.000-07:00

The first graders had a pool day today.

Boating

2009-06-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

Last year we tried to recover our boat from the water when we discovered the batteries weren't charging and the truck slipped down the ramp, into the water and sank. Today we have a new truck and the electrical problem on the boat was worked on. To check the fix we needed to launch the boat (you can't run the engine out of the water). It was a little scary being at the dock again but we did it. My husband showed me how to back the truck down the ramp. FYI Do not leave your kids in the car while you collect your boat. I was amazed at how quickly the back seat was submerged. My son would have drowned before I could have unfastened him.

Graduation Day

2009-06-02T22:15:00.000-07:00

My oldest received her diploma. She is officially an adult. We met with a college that we are very interested in. Looks like JC for the first year though. Now about that job thingy ...

God Bless America

2009-06-02T21:52:00.000-07:00

Driving down the highway, the beautiful sight of dozens of American flags tossing in the wind took my breath away. For Memorial Day, my cub scouts and boy scouts held a touching flag ceremony at the cemetery. It opened a dialog between my son and I. I shared how blessed we are to be free and how other people are not so fortunate and how other brave Americans have fought for those people to be free like us. We walked around the cemetery, reading the tombstones of those who have fought and died in the service of their country. I am thankful for each and every one of them.

Sports Banquet

2009-06-02T21:43:00.000-07:00

Another awards meeting tonight! The swim team met to pass out swim patches and and such. The swim coach was retiring so the team held a party for him. It was very nice. Leaving the school, reality slapped me in the face; this is the last awards ceremony I will go to at the high school for a loooong time. She really is growing up...

Tubby Time

2009-06-02T21:36:00.000-07:00

Saturday is laundry day. While hanging my unmentionables over the shower to dry, I stopped to photograph my tub. Hubby threatened to remodel, pulling my bath tub out and replacing it with a larger shower. I really don't soak in the bath very often but I like knowing it's there if I want to...Kinda' like my gym membership

Lap Warmer

2009-06-02T21:20:00.000-07:00

My husband likes to keep the house like a morgue. It will be 80 degrees plus outside and I'll be in jammie pants and a sweatshirt trying to keep warm. While he watches the golf channel I snuggle up with my laptop. It emits this wonderful heat that is ever so toasty :o) We refer to it as "moms lap warmer". I haven't been snuggling as much with all the May activities. Now that it is June, I can breath...for now LOL.

Rows

2009-05-13T23:33:00.000-07:00

Today was a beautiful sunny day, with the exception of the ever present wind. It's interesting how a Photoshop treatment can change the mood of a photograph. An open blue sky and golden rows of grass turned into something that (for some reason) reminds me of The Grapes Of Wrath when altered to B&W.

Pool Boy

2009-05-13T23:26:00.000-07:00

I have scrubbed, shocked, clarified, rinsed and now...drained my pool. We are expecting triple digit temperatures this weekend and my pool is nowhere near ready for swimmers. I am prepared to hire "Sven the pool boy" to maintain my pool.

Academic

2009-05-13T23:22:00.000-07:00

Flame On

2009-05-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

My kids have chores. My boy vaccumes, feeds the cat and wipes down the bathroom every night (except weekends) for which he earns a dollar a day. After Saving his dollars for weeks, (M) went to the local Walmart and bought this skateboard. He saw on TV a scooter that sparks so I attached these flint things to the ends so he could spark too. Pretty cool, huh?!

Academic Excellence

2009-05-07T18:39:00.000-07:00

I am a proud mom today. For the last four years my girl has attempted to earn the academic letter that her school gives to those who earn a 3.5 GPA or better, only to fall short by a fraction. This year she earned it, as well as a star to show that she kept it up for the whole year and not just a semester. Her brother went to congratulate her. She gave him a kiss and let him hold it. I just love my kids :o)

Lartigue

2009-05-04T22:35:00.000-07:00

My daughter needed to do a report for her contemporary art class on a photographer named Lartigue. She needed to create an image depicting his style. She set it up, I just snapped the shutter. She even did the editing. (wipes a tear) Makes her Mama so proud :o) LOL

Lean

2009-05-04T22:26:00.000-07:00

Spring, where I live, lasts about thirty minutes. It's either really cold or excruciatingly hot and have I mentioned the WIND. The farmers plant their trees leaning so when the wind blows, it straightens them up. Pretty smart, I say. The weather has been warm and drizzly all weekend. Looks like maybe we'll have a spring this year. BTW I just love barns :o)

Doctors

2009-05-04T22:17:00.000-07:00

My daughter came to me on Thursday complaining of a lump in her arm pit. We spent Friday at the doctors doing a collection of tests and x-rays. Tonight was the ultrasound appointment. Turns out, all the tests came back in the normal range and the 4cm cyst is half the size after 3 days of antibiotics. My "worrying won't change anything" attitude was truly challenged this time around.

Catch

2009-05-04T22:10:00.000-07:00

My boy and I spent the afternoon at the park playing catch. I have maybe the worlds worst pitch but I try my best. Dad is on his fishing trip and actually was on the phone when I took this shot before the sun was too low in the sky. See honey, this is what I was doing :o)

Grounded

2009-05-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

My son is grounded. I chaperoned the first grade classes’ trip to the zoo and my son ran off. Literally, RAN OFF. When I whistled for him to come back he stopped for a second, looked at me and kept going. He was missing for the longest 60 seconds of my life. After I swallowed my heart back down from my throat I wanted to wring his little neck. So, my son is grounded.

Tricky Stick

2009-04-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

A couple days ago, I photographed a dilapidated barn. I was already nervous being there uninvited. I also didn't want to go inside for fear of falling roof pieces so I cautiously crept up to the open doors (actually they fell off so it was permanently open) and while photographing noticed this snake curled up by a rock. Now, if there is one thing I hate more than spiders, it's snakes. I backed up only to realize it was this stick. I liked how it was twisted on the end. Everyone who has seen it thinks it's weird that I brought it home. Everyone but my boy. He wants it but I made him wait until I had photographed it.

Self Portrait

2009-04-24T16:38:00.001-07:00

It's hard to find victims who are willing to sit for me, so I decided to do a self portrait today. Maybe it's my approach, hmmm....LOL. I just love MCP actions. The magic skin action peels years off. Now, if only my metabolism would cooperate!

For Sale

2009-04-23T15:43:00.000-07:00

A real fixer-upper opportunity

Police Station Tour

2009-04-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

I took my Tiger Scout den to the police station for a tour. That completes the requirements for their Tiger Cub patch. They got to check out all the items on the officer’s duty belts, the police car and motorcycle, their firearms and weaponry, the interrogation room and the evidence room. Though they were most excited about the Coke machine by the break room LOL. Silly boys.

Clover

2009-04-20T22:43:00.000-07:00

I wore my white capris to the basket ball game today. In an effort to save you from yet another B-Ball action shot, I ventured outside to find something else to post. I found myself surrounded by the fragrances of springtime blossoms and, though these are not what smelled so wonderful, I lay on the ground IN MY WHITE CAPRIS and photographed these.

Fish On!

2009-04-20T22:40:00.000-07:00

My husband and his best friend are going on their annual fishing trip next week. A whole week without The Golf Channel. Sweet! LOL

Wishes

2009-04-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

I pass this baseball field littered with these dandelion flowers/weeds at about 5:00pm, on the way back from martial arts. The sun, low in the sky, catches in these fluffy little balls. For days now I have wanted to stop to photograph them. Do you remember the wishes you made when blowing on them when you were little? I asked for roller-skates then realized they were too heavy for the tiny seed to bring back so I decided Santa was the go-to guy for those. LOL Kid logic :o)

Perspective

2009-04-17T01:54:00.000-07:00

I learned a little more about perspective at a recent photography seminar. Photographing your subject from a lower perspective (looking up at them) gives the appearance of "power" or "strength", which is more suited for a male. Bearing that in mind, looking down on your subject is a more "innocent" or "gentle" perspective, which is better for girls and children.

The City

2009-04-14T22:47:00.000-07:00

The Palace of Fine Arts

The Golden Gate Bridge

It's not often our whole family is available on the same day. Today was our lucky day. We cashed in my tip jar (the seven year old bowl of change I've been collecting out of the washer and drier) at the local Coin Star Machine. With a total of $200.00 in our pocket, we took the kids to the Exploratorium in San Francisco.

Chillin' With My Peeps

2009-04-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter everyone! The Easter bunny stopped by last night and left the kids these colorful confections. I, personally, don't care for them but my kiddos love 'em frozen. My sons are in the freezer right now :o)

Easter Prom

2009-04-12T11:11:00.000-07:00

I went to a neighborhood Easter egg hunt when I was about 6 or so. The lady down the street had taken it upon herself to host a bunch of us kids. We all were very excited. Once we were cut loose for the hunt, each egg I spied was scooped up by another child before I could get to it. I didn't get one and was terribly embarrassed. The wonderful woman anticipated this predicament or improvised and gave me the prize for the least amount of eggs found. Because of this experience, though it had a happy ending, I don't care for egg hunts. Yesterday afternoon my son went to our church hunt. My heart went out to him as he found the least amount of eggs. Anticipating this event, they had devised a way for everyone to have the same amount but you can see the discouraged look on his face as he takes count of everyone else’s booty. His best buddy was there. I caught a shot of him passing my son one of his. What a good friend :o) Last night was prom. Thought I would share a shot, for the grandparents, of my oldest on her way. Believe it or not, that was the longer dress! You should have seen the one we didn't get LOL.

Roundhouse

2009-04-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

April Showers

2009-04-10T12:20:00.000-07:00

The smell of warm, damp asphalt reminds me of when I was a kid playing outside in the rain while my mother warned of getting struck by lightning. It began to rain right after hubby cut the grass out front. Two of the best smells in the world and a nice looking front lawn to boot :o) I liked how the water looked splashing out of this pipe. I don't know why LOL.

Church

2009-04-09T02:07:00.000-07:00

Purple and yellow are my favorite colors. I couldn't resist these flowers while I was photographing the church I saw on my way home from martial arts class.

Sunset In The Spring

2009-04-09T02:04:00.000-07:00

It is very difficult to capture the beauty of a wide open sky. I'll keep trying...

Playground

2009-04-07T16:58:00.001-07:00

My friend and I took the kids to the playground today. Love the spiral

Agriculture

2009-04-07T16:47:00.000-07:00

If it can be grown here, it is. The central valley of California is abundant in all kinds of food. You have seen the orchards in past posts but there are multiple varieties of vegetables and fruits along with the smelly livestock here. Today, on day 2 of the prom dress hunt (which, BTW, was successful), I loved the light behind the delicate new grape leaves that I passed on the way home.

Senior Prom

2009-04-04T20:33:00.000-07:00

Today we shopped for the last prom dress I will ever need to buy!!! Not one of these is the one she picked...truth be known, we came home empty handed. She wanted short and low cut. I wanted longer and without all the cleavage. I did, however get a chance to photograph some details on dresses. I thought it would be good practice for wedding dresses. What do you think of them??

That which Does Not Kill You...

2009-04-03T19:51:00.000-07:00

The "intensity" face School patch

His crisp new brown belt

I love the stick-to-itiveness my son has shown with his martial arts. There have been times that he didn't love it so much and slowed down to only a couple days a week but, for the most part, he has kept this nose to the grind stone and improved his skills. I'm very proud of him. Way to go, buddy!

Walk And Talk

2009-04-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

Stones that remind me of the river we camped at for years. Good times

The bubble gum machine at Blockbuster that (M) had to have a ball from. It's fun to watch it spiral down to the exit.Taking time with my kids is something I get to do more of since I closed the daycare. My son likes to go for walks around town which, today, availed me the perfect opportunity to find my 365 post and pick up a movie from Blockbuster before the weekend renters cleared the shelves (multitasker that I am). We took a nice leisurely stroll (in the gale force winds) down town. He tells me he wants to marry his friend Kaylee and have 4 kids. When I told him, "That’s a lot of kids. You're going to be busy". He says, "That’s okay. My wife and I will help each other out". Kinda' makes me think I am doing okay with him :o)

Go See It

2009-04-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

Today my scout den and I went to the local news paper and town museum to earn two beads for our Tiger Cub toggle. I learned that our little town is 100 years old this year. This is the typewriter that the tour guide used up until a few years ago. Technology is not his friend. He even refuses to own a cell phone. How does one do that?

Spring Is In The Air

2009-04-03T10:18:00.000-07:00

Rebound Shot

2009-04-03T10:13:00.000-07:00

Sunny Side Up

2009-03-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

I went to Pleasanton on Saturday and photographed my sisters boyfriends son at a wrestling match. During my travels, I heard the sound of rolling thunder from the dozens and dozens of motorcycles out enjoying the beautiful day. I called my husband (who was on the golf course with our boy) and convinced him to replace the dead battery in our bike for a Sunday ride to the Good Guys Car Show. Unfortunately we woke up to gale force winds on Sunday and ended taking the truck instead. Best laid plans...

Brown Belt

2009-03-30T09:11:00.001-07:00

Moving up, (M) tested for his brown belt today. He's 2/3 the way to black belt and will attend the advanced classes now. Sparing is going to be a little different. He has never really like to spar. "He's a lover not a fighter," I told Kwan Ja Nim.

2009-03-30T09:04:00.000-07:00

I took my boots to Bobs Shoe Repair shop today to have the heel fixed. As I wandered down the Main Street, I noticed more than half of the stores were void of either customers or merchants. Tough times.

Open House

2009-03-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

Tonight was open house night at the elementry school. It's almost time for them to track off for three weeks.

Blossoms

2009-03-30T08:12:00.000-07:00

The air smells wonderful around here. All the orchards are buzzing with bees. Yikes!

Teatherball Junkie

2009-03-30T08:06:00.001-07:00

It took 5 torturous days for the cement in the tire to cure but today it is done. My boy woke up this morning stoked that he could finally play with his new tetherball. Here he is doing his homework on it because he didn't want to be away from the set up.

More Of The Dress

2009-03-30T07:54:00.000-07:00

The dappled sun, through the trees, presented a problem while trying to get a nice capture of her face. I turned her away from the sun and used a fill flash.

The Tinkerbell Dress

2009-03-19T23:19:00.000-07:00

I love this dress. If I could pull it off, I would wear it. But, alas, I live vicariously through my daughter. Back to the orchards today. I have wanted to photograph my daughter in this dress, in this orchard, in this season. Ta-da! Playing in lightroom and Photoshop, I tried a few new filters. I thought the white flowers and a dreamy white dress would be cool. I liked the painting look of the first one.

Canon 40D, 24-70 2.8L, iso 100, 2.8 apperature, shutter speed 1/2000 & 1/3200.

Happy St Fitzpatricks Day!

2009-03-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

My son, last year, called today St Fitzpatricks Day because that's his best friends last name.

Central Valley Snow

2009-03-17T01:02:00.000-07:00

This is the closest we will ever get to snow here in the California central valley. I'll take it. The orchard trees are in full bloom, preparing for another season of harvesting. For now, the hills are green. Soon the unrelenting rays of our closest star will bake them a golden brown, not unlike the parched flowers, shown here, from last summer.

Canon 40 D

70-200 2.8L

iso 100

F 11

shutter speed ?? (set on apperature priority)

Doing the Derby & Daughters pictures

2009-03-15T12:06:00.001-07:00

Today was Pinewood Derby Day. My boys car made it to the second to last round and took home the prize for Wildest Decorations. He had a blast as did all the boys in my den. Every one of them took home a trophy! Woot Woot! LOL

My daughter needs to do a senior project as part of her requirements to graduate. She chose to do the project on photography (makes her mama proud). Today we went to a field and learned some about depth of field and how to achieve it. I know this is supposed to be examples of my work but I am just so proud of her efforts. Besides her Grandmother watches my blog and I want to share with her too...

F22

F2.8

F 11
F2.8
These were just for fun. Look what my baby girl can do!

Have you ever noticed, when you are coloring a picture with your child, they automatically want to color the space you are coloring? My seven year old kept diving into the frame we were working in. Silly boy. Some kids hate having their pictures taken, mine LOVE it :o)

Spring Has Sprung

2009-03-13T20:06:00.000-07:00

For the last week, I have been really sick. The fever is gone but the cough lingers on and has given me my bi-annual laryngitis. Yes, twice a year I can barely speak. My husband loves it. He says I sound sexy. I think I sound like a prepubescent boy but (shrugging) whatever.

After the kids were at school and hubby was off to the salt mines, I took a few whiles and sat quietly to take in the moment. Listening to the spring time birds, the hum of a distant lawn mower and the smell (okay, I could only smell it with my one good nostril) of fresh cut grass. It was wonderful. I love my alone time. This morning I sat on my front porch swing and painted my toenails, a task easier left undone and covered with sneakers.

I feel like a queen. My dear husband has availed me this time and camera equipment to learn my craft without pressure to bring in an income with it. "Photography is an art and I want you to enjoy your art," he tells me. In this time I am also finding myself. After years of being "wife" and "Mom" it's easy to forget the things that make us who we are and become what we are. So, here's to you, honey. Thank you for all you do everyday that makes me the queen of our castle and who I am.

Snips and Snails and...LIZZARD Tails?

2009-03-13T00:16:00.000-07:00

This afternoon my friend thought it would be fun to get the kids together to play a little baseball After 15 minutes of play they were done and off on a new adventure. We heard the boys laughing and jumping away from something in the grass. "We found a lizzard!"

Using an empty cup, they collected it. Isn't it cute?

The time came to let it go but it would not come out of the cup.

My son yelled into the cup, "come out of there, Lizzy."

After release, catching again, release, catching again, release and catching again it finally got away under a bush.

(K) likes to have her pictures taken. I was admiring my neighbors red painted fence and she asked if I would like to take her picture on it. So, thanks sweetie. You are just too cute :o)

3/10/09 Wedding

2009-03-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

This is the venue I am photographing a wedding at. These were shot at 11:00am
I came back at 4:00, which is what time the ceremony will actually be. The sun is quite harsh at this location. The bride will be on the west side, casting a shadow on the groom who will be in dress blues. My first wedding shoot. I am super excited!

Game Time

2009-03-11T09:20:00.000-07:00

The first basketball game!

3/7/09 Jump!

2009-03-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

Ever full of energy, I wanted to take my boy out to play a little basket ball. Instead he thought the lined up picnic tables looked like fantastic fun. "Get one of me crashing, mom." It's all just an act. He didn't really fall.

"MEET" The Swimmer

2009-03-07T12:54:00.000-08:00

The first swim meet of the season. (A) has been out ill with a chest cold and with chest pain for the first couple weeks of practice but a couple trips to the chiropractor and she is feeling much better. I, on the other hand, had a cough, sore throat and a fever so I only stayed for the first event. This all that I got. She was in the last leg of the girls first 200 medley

Swimming the Freestyle

Her team took first. YEAH!

Birthday Wishes

2009-03-05T23:03:00.000-08:00

In years gone by I have had a family celebration on the birthDAY and a "friend party" on the following weekend. Our budget and my sanity were limited this year so I had a few friends over today, my boys actual birthday, for cake, ice cream and ping pong. There was a lot less stress and he seemed genuinely thankful for all that he got. I hid a box of chocolate Kisses in a gold box with a sparkly bow for a treasure hunt. After the cake and ice cream, the kids followed 7 or 8 clues until they found the box. One of the gifts he got was a cute little bowling set. All the kids took turns knocking down the pins.

Bizzy Week

2009-03-02T23:23:00.000-08:00

My daughter has been complaining of pain in her ribs. We thought she must have pulled something due to a cough she has had for a couple weeks now. Last night it occurred to me that she may need a chiropractic adjustment. Snap, crackle, pop! All better. After weeks of constant pain, the relief was such a pleasure she cried out "I love you" to the chiropractor, Dr. Alexander. We all had a good chuckle. The pinewood derby car is done, finally. My boy wanted to use EVERY sticker on the sheet we bought, much to my husband’s dismay. He did not want to cover their prize winning paint job with stickers. Last thing we did tonight was basketball practice again. Look at that determination on his face. Kinda' scary!

For Rent Dreams

2009-02-28T23:52:00.000-08:00

Do you ever pass by a building and see a FOR RENT sign in the window and think, "Gee, that would make a cool studio"? I do it all the time. I am nowhere ready to open a studio but it's fun to dream.

Mom And The Moon

2009-02-28T23:41:00.000-08:00

I ran to the grocery store to pick up something for dinner and when I got home the moon was peeking at me through the tree branches out front. Next to it was this bright light that I thought was a plane but it never moved. I sat there watching it (really, the kids were in the house and I was enjoying the peace and quiet LOL) then decided to try to photograph it. By the time I had switched lenses, found the tripod, set the camera and located the quick release plate for the tripod the silhouette of the tree was gone and the sky didn't have that pretty translucent blue anymore. The picture didn't turn out as I would have liked but I treasure those five minutes of peace and quiet :o) BTW I'm sure the light next to the moon is a planet but I cannot remember which one, can you?

Badden

2009-02-27T07:56:00.000-08:00

We had our first basketball practice today. I love the determination on his face here. Using my newfound skill with my flash, I shot these at 1/640 sec. ( They are just numbers- They don't own me LOL ) but I forgot my diffuser so yikes with the shadow on the poor kid behind him. The color bugs me in the gym so I converted to B&W.

End Of The Flash Saga

2009-02-25T18:40:00.000-08:00

without flash with flash

(Doing the Cabbage-patch here) Go Karen! It's your birthday! Go Karen. It's your birthday! I AM smarter than my camera. I knew it! Actually Leslie from Momphotographers is. So, here's a shout out to Leslie "you rock, sister". Thanks a million. She helped solve with my flash dilemma. The first capture is without flash and the second is with (Yeah!).

I gotta' go do some more cart wheels LOL :o)

Canon 40D

24-70 2.8L

iso 200

F 2.8

1/2500 sec (that's right, 1/2500 WITH my flash)

2/24/09 Downpour

2009-02-25T08:36:00.001-08:00

It's been raining here a lot. The sky opened up and dumped at least a half an inch of rain all at once (I checked my sons Cub Scout rain gauge). The water drops on the pool looked really cool to me. I thought you might think so too :o)

Canon 40D
70-200 2.8L
F 2.8
1/1000 sec
iso 400

Negotiations Begin 2/23

2009-02-25T08:26:00.000-08:00

The flash is my primary source of frustration these days. I know what I want it to do but I am not sure how to make it do it. It's behaving like a naughty 2 year old. It keeps stomping its buttons and saying "no, no, no!" Grrr...

Canon 40D
24-70 2.8
F 2.8
iso 800
1/25 sec
NO FLASH!! LOL

Snow...Umm, Rain Day?

2009-02-22T19:59:00.000-08:00

We live about 12 feet above sea level in the central valley of California. Snow will never touch our front steps. If we want to see the snow, we are going for a drive. And drive we did! The weather man said there was a "pineapple express" storm coming off Hawaii straight for the west coast tonight. It was about twelve hours early. Usually, when it rains at our house, it's snowing in the Sierras. Not the case today. At 5000 feet it was pouring rain but after a three hour drive my feet were hitting the snow. How bad could it be, RIGHT? Our family has got game. The kids had tons of fun in the two hours of play before our cloths were too soggy to stay anymore. They were so proud of their snowman. I used my brand new lens IN THE RAIN. I had it tucked under my coat, pulled it out for a quick shot then tucked it away again. Since I was rushed to keep the camera as dry as possible, these aren't as sharp as I would like but definitely keepsakes.