Fall Session

As an artist, I like to dream up ideas to photograph. As a photographer I like to explore different genres in the field, and as a mother it's always the challenge to execute the idea when it pertains to my toddler. I find the challenge excruciatingly painful at times, however each experience or failure lends its own lessons to be learned. Sometimes those failures become successes played out in contrast to my perceived vision, offering new experiences and skills learned.

This was definitely one of those shoots. Everything went wrong, but yet the end result was everything we needed. :)

My husband helped me do a mini-session, of my Daughter at a year and a half, which ended up lasting till sunset. What a wonderful opportunity and experience. It's sad to say, I don't often get to enjoy a sunset outdoors, let alone have the opportunity to photograph during one. With young children one learns to try to advance ones skills with expediency. Especially as they grow and no longer are content playing while you snap away.

Changing of Seasons

A change of seasons is an appropriate label for this point in my life... another semester is in full swing and my baby boy is due in just mere weeks!
Unfortunately I do not have a photography class this semester. So I am trying to take advantage of the opportunities to photograph non-school related projects. I must say this is a little more difficult than planned (as it usually is) being my life as a stay at home mother and student with a toddler on my hands is always busy.

My older brother came back to Minnesota for a visit and it provided the excuse to procrastinate on studies a little and enjoy some family time. Daniella really took to him, considering this was her first time meeting him, and I had a fun little opportunity to photograph Uncle and Niece together. Good memories.

Summer Thoughts

My mind shifts into a completely different gear during summer, especially now that I am no longer just a student on break, I'm a mommy who shifts into full throttle when school goes on the back burner. I always end my semester's with lists and promises of goals I'll accomplish... and summer usually comes and goes without me having the chance to give it a second thought. 

Often times I find myself feeling bad that I haven't spent more time being creative or honing my skills. 

My focus usually becomes more about every day life, and therefore that's usually what I photograph. It's like I go into warp speed trying to catch up on all of the photo ops of my daughter that I usually miss during the school year. I've also shifted into high gear with my crochet. So.. I guess I am learning to see the creative in the every day, when my life may not be goal oriented in the art department. 

I was going through editing some of these photos I took over the 4th, and was a bit disappointed at the grainy quality of them due to the high ISO setting. I also tend to stray away from the softer focus, however I was reminded of my instructor's comments that there's not always cause for sharp focus, and I think that the more grainy and soft focus of these images are effective for the theme I decided to shoot for. 

So I thought I'd share a couple of my favorites. 

Heart of Amber

My husband and I took our 15 month old out for a mini family vacation the weekend before last, and while we were out and about my husband bought me this beautiful necklace. I hadn't started looking at the necklace with the intent of guilting him into buying it, I was just admiring it... 

I felt it was too beautiful not to photograph. While photographing it, the amber color made me think a little bit of the phrase 'heart of gold'. Over the (almost) five years that we have been married, I have seen many sides to my husband. I think one of his strongest traits is his willing heart to learn and grow. Over the years I've seen grow into an involved and loving father, and better husband. The more we go through in life the more our character is built, shaping us to be more compassionate, and loving people. Therefore making a person more attractive. Just like the little fractures in the amber prove the substance to have been under stress. However this does not take away from the beauty of the necklace, the fractures sparkle in the light and add a special beauty to the piece. In a way this necklace reminds me of my marriage :) 

May the Force be with you!

I thought I'd share, being my little brother was very proud for being a part of this shoot. I am also very proud of his persistence during this long and challenging shoot.

A couple comments made by him were, 'Standing still for this I bet is harder than being in a movie!' and then a day later after he'd seen the results, 'It was hard work but it was worth it'. The thoughts of a 10 year old. lol.

Desserts, desserts, desserts!!!

I'm pleased to announce that the choice to continue the 'food photography' experience paid off! After a very pleasing grade and critique from my instructor I thought I'd share :) 

Fairy Princess

I had the fun opportunity to photograph my youngest sister this week for school. It's been a while since she's allowed me to really take pictures of her. She used to tell me how many more pictures I could take. Lol. But today I was very impressed with her patience. :)

After all of her hard work we went out for ice cream cones. It was a rewarding day.