Baby Clayton

This little boy did not want to go to sleep, but that's my fault. I've been busy with my own bundle of joy so we couldn't do these when he was brand new. But I think he looks so handsome with his eyes wide open! Congratulations Kari, he's adorable!

Photo Tip

For portraits indoors, turn your flash off and experiment with the light and shadows!

This image was taken with a flash. It is too bright, there is not much contrast and no shadows. 

This image was taken without the flash. See the difference? Which one looks better?

Try turning your subject different ways to see how the light changes.

Natural window light is very beautiful.

Placing the window behind your subject requires more advanced control, beginners should place window to the side of subject or in front of the subject for better exposures. 

Attention Photographers:

I am helping another photographer (whose blog I follow), to win a free workshop. You can help too and get free actions from her in the process. Go to: (Link below) and click on the first picture to vote for Dejah Quinn. Just leave your web address or blog address with your vote and CC to dejah@dejahquinn and she'll send you some free actions!

 http://www.seethelightworkshop.com/blog/?p=175

Since So Many People Have Been Asking...

Ta Da! More pictures of Nicole and Natalie. I will have more soon of Kai, Daddy and Nicole. Click on collages to enlarge, sorry for so many pics, but they were all so cute!

Introducing...

Our new baby girl!! Nicole Sheree (sha-ree)! She was born Friday March 6th at 4:45am. She weighed 6' 9 oz and was 20 in long.

And today she came home with us, well, home to our hotel in Mississippi.  

Sneak Peek for Paige

Paige won the free mini sitting last month and I had fun photographing these handsome boys of hers! Who's going to win this month??? You have one more day to leave comments! : )

Jay Reilly Workshop

The workshop was awesome, so much great information! Jay was such a nice guy, so nice in fact, that he let me borrow his camera to shoot for the day. I realized mine was broken after I got to California, so I borrowed his camera and a lens from another helpful girl who showed me how to work a Canon (I shoot Nikons).  So here's some shots I got while still learning how to use that camera. Not my best, but very fun!

Jay had lots of different shoots set up for us so we could experiment with different locations and lighting. The light is so beautiful in California, I love it, I could shoot there all day. Such a beautiful place. 

Now I need to work on my own stock portfolio!

Once Upon A Dream...

I couldn't wait to post some of these from this amazing shoot today! Forgive me for posting so many, but I've had this idea kickin' around in my head for quite some time now and was absolutely thrilled with how it turned out! Hope you like them too. 

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane...

Next week we will be heading to san Diego for vacation! Woo hoo! I can't wait for fresh air, warmth and sunshine. While I'm there I will be attending a workshop from the super talented Jay Reilly. Check out his blog to look at his amazing work!

P.s. For people taking my Beginning Digital Photography Class for the arts festival, I will be contacting you to set something up for next Saturday since I am flying home that morning at 6:30am!

Air Quality

I'm so glad the air doesn't look like this anymore! I usually like the fog and think that it is peaceful, but not when it makes your eyes water and your throat itch. Gotta love the inversions here.

Just Because

A few more of Natalie. Don't forget to make comments this month, I will be picking a free mini sitting winner at the end of the month!

Adoption

We have been up and down a lot lately with possible adoptions and it has been quit the ride! We recently went to a new adoption agency and it is very possible that we will be able to adopt a baby very soon! We actually have already had the chance once, but felt that that particular situation wasn't right for our family.

We have taken out a loan for an adoption, but realize that our fees may total more than our maximum loan amount which is already a financial stretch for us. If you fell like you would like to make a donation to help our family I have added a button on the side bar. We appreciate you all; your kindness and friendship mean the world to us! Thank you.

Music

Hey everyone, I just added my brother's awesome new song to my website, go check it out! His wife is the one singing, I love it!

Just One More - My Favorite

It's About Time...

It's been a while since I've made a real post! It was Natalie's turn for a photo shoot today, but she wasn't really in the mood (meaning: I couldn't get her thumb out of her mouth, or get her to stop twirling her hair)!

I got this adorable outfit at Trendy Tots Couture located in the Riverwoods. It is a new boutique store that is filled with adorable clothes and accessories. If you buy an outfit there I might even give you a discount on a sitting! wink wink. Their stuff is REALLY cute!

P.s. Tell 'em who sent you! ; )