Cheese is the Word

Since just before my birthday earlier this month, I've had the privilege to do a few photo shoots for friends and family, and family and friends of those. I have been bitten by the shutter bug, I have.

Yes... even my aunt's doggie was a client! ;)

Coming up, I have a maternity shoot and a new born shoot. Both very new to me. Can't wait to learn lots!

Oh Christmas Tree... You bring me Joy!

It took us weeks... and honestly, we still aren't done. But at least the tree is standing. Thank gosh for pre-lit trees. And who cares if the back of the tree is as nekkid as a baby on his birthday.

I did purchase a FEW new ornaments this year, most the non-breakable balks. They were from Walmart for less than $3. I wanted to ensure I had enough White, Green, Red and Silver. My colors for this year.

I love the glow of my Christmas tree. It's like a warm cup of cocoa.

My little man helped me take these photos. And then proceeded to show me a magic trick. That kid has some talent! ;)

A Man on the Moon

If there was, I am sure I could have seen him.

I stepped outside for just a minute last night, and when I saw the moon, I had Alex grab my camera.
And the big lens!! Here's the first picture, with the smaller lens...

 

This one, above, is with the larger lens, but without a tripod. Just me swaying in the wind. What a cool effect.

f/4.5  1.6  ISO 100

This last one is also the larger lens, but with me propping the camera against the house. It's not perfect, but let me tell you, I've NEVER been able to get more than a pin hole for a moon before. I can even see the little star above it (although, I still moved slightly here).

I called the Mr. and told him I needed a tripod.
*want

Now that I know what this camera is capable of, I can't wait to drag the husband out to the desert at night to get some cool shots of the city!!

FUN!

Capturing Fall {Before & Afters}

I know December is just days away, but here in Arizona, we are barely starting to see signs of Fall. I've been waiting and watching.

I've decided to share with you those signs... AND also what I've learned from taking the Shoot Fly Shoot course. I have three pictures that I am going to show you... the first version of each is straight out of the camera (SOOC), without any Photoshop edits (other than adding my watermark). After each SOOC image, I will then show you what I did to enhance them in Photoshop.

It's hard to believe that a year ago, I was taking pictures like this:

...thinking it looked good! lol... Of course, you can tell that I was way over-editing them in Picasa or the like. Don't get me wrong, Picasa and PicMonkey were great to me! But I am so glad to have taught myself Photoshop, with a little help, of course, from other blogge's posting tutorials! ;)

Back to fall...

f/5.6  1/100  ISO 200

Pioneer Women (PW) Action - Slight Sharpen 100%  PW Action Slight Lighten 75%

f/4.5   1/100   ISO 100

PW Action Slight Sharpen 75%   Natural Touch Action (author unknown) 100%

f/4.5   1/100   ISO 100

PW Action Slight Sharpen 72%   Contrast Boost, no color change 100% (author unknown)

This Ash Tree is near and dear to my heart. We installed it in January 2011... and she has grown into a fine looking shade tree.

So... do you see the hint of fall? In another month, that tree will have lost all of its leaves. And next Spring, it will be bigger and better, for sure.

Well, from a photography/photoshop front... how did I do?
You likey?

Leftovers

It's family tradition to get together on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to enjoy leftovers. But, really, they aren't leftovers. We just call it that, because we serve food that could be considered leftovers from Thanksgiving. It's another reason to get together with the whole family.

Of course, I had to take along my new camera to see what I could capture in the way of beautiful people. In the shots below, you will see cousins, second cousins, third cousins... and aunts and uncles, who are grandmas and grandpas.

You get the idea.

First up, my two nephews (okay, really second cousins), Ben and Austin. Heart breakers.

My cousin Chell with our other cousin's baby, Rose Grace (aka Gracie)

Chell's husband, Darryl.

Proof that they weren't actually leftovers. A new turkey!

My Uncle Mark with his grand-daughter Gracie.

My third cousin, Ryah

And her big sister, Selah

My Aunt Anita and my niece (okay, second cousin, but her grand-daughter) Charlotte.

My nephew (er, second cousin) Evan

My cousin Chell and our second cousin Laurel

Third cousin Ryan and his grandma, our Aunt Barb

My Cousin Jonny's step-daughter, Lily (she's the big sister to Gracie)

And last, but never least, my daddy...

Isabel and Nic were with me, but tired of the darn camera in their face. They ducked. Often.

The weather was beautiful, the spirits were bright - we couldn't have asked for a better day to spend with our family.

Okay, now I am officially done with Thanksgiving. On to Christmas, people!