Off to San Francisco! May 23, 2011
Posted by Emily in : Photography, Trips , 2commentsHello friends!
I’m off to San Francisco today with my family . . . we have a fun week planned!
Paris is off to a doggie hotel (AKA, a dog Kennel) where I’m sure she’ll be pampered and spoiled! (Okay, I just hope she doesn’t freak out that we left her at a kennel!)
Life does not seem to slow down, so I hope to share more of my life on this blog when I have a second or two!
Over the weekend, I attended another lighting class from Nikon. It really was just a review for me on how to utilize my Nikon speed lights. The past four or five months, I’ve been shooting exclusively with strobes (strobes and speed lights are white balanced the same, but they are very different in wattage power) so it was nice to get re aquainted with my speed lights. They are super portable, light weight, and as long as I have a wagon to tote my light stands, umbrellas and other hud around, I’m all set to take everything on the go! Here are some shots with my speed lights:
this one was taken with an umbrella which wraps the light around the subject.
This was taken with a small soft box (1 foot by 2 feet) which creates more directional light.
This was shot with a speed light in a soft box and BRIGHT DAYLIGHT! This was an interesting technique to learn! I’ll post how to duplicate this shot on my photo blog when I get back from vacation.
This was shot in the shade with specular light. The idea is to light up the face and evenly expose for the sun. Unfortunately, when you do that, the sky blows out. I would need to take another exposure to meter for the sky and blend the two images together in Photoshop to get the best of both worlds, but hey, what can I say . . . I just didn’t do it.
Hope you all have a lovely day!
As Told By My iPhone May 18, 2011
Posted by Emily in : Trips , 4commentsI came across some pics on my phone that share some of the fun things I experienced on my trip to DC. I must share some of these nuggets! This is what my iPhone would tell you about my trip:
My poor, poor feet. Walking 10 miles in flip flops is not the best idea . . .
This is a million dollar violin from the 1700′s. I was sort of star struck when I saw it . . . kind of like I just met a celebrity.
This is the hat Abraham Lincoln wore the night he was assassinated.
This is the hope diamond which is worth a bajillion dollars. It says it belongs to the “American People” which got me thinking . . . if I were to take it . . . would it really be a crime? I mean, 1/312 million belongs to me!
This is the United Stated Capital Building with an extremely yellow color cast to it. (What the heck was my phone thinking? Doesn’t it know I expect perfect accuracy out of my cameras!)
And here it is again.
The capital up close
Self portrait on the gounds
Double self portraits!
The Library of Congress
The metro which was our preferred transportation everyday.
Truffle’s that look a lot like super expensive dog poop. Did you read the sign? $1,000 a pound!? What the heck? Do they think Donald Trunp shops at this grocery store?!
Oh my favorite sister!
Fabulous trip.
Yep. It was F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S.
Jenn moves back to southern California this summer, and we already have plans to visit her and her family after they get settled back into their house.
Can we say: Disneyland and the beach here we come! :)
Running Faster Than I Have Strength May 16, 2011
Posted by Emily in : Photography, Thoughts , 2commentsPHEW!
Holy whirl wind of a week!
I can honestly say, I have been running faster than I have strength. Theoretically that is. Well, I sort of do that literally as well. (Let’s not talk about the upcoming Ragnar Relay race I’m doing next month, Okay?)
I’ve had an exceptionally busy week (I had 10 shoots in four days) photographing so many lovely people. I’ve attended two weddings, (I cried at both of them, even though I was working!) taken Hannnah to ballet EVERY SINGLE DAY LAST WEEK in preparation for her performance over the weekend, and did I mention it is finals week for me?
Oh yes. FINALS.
I really do try to keep my life in balance, but these last two weeks it have been totally out of whack.
I just need to get through this week . . . I just need to get through this week!
In my rush to fit everything in this week, I FRIED one of my Speedotron strobes and possibly ruined part of my power box during a night shoot this week. No, I will not think about that. I will not think about how much that careless mistake cost me . . . no, no I won’t!
On a happy note, I shot the most BEAUTIFUL bridal session last week (and their wedding over the weekend!) and I really must share just a few images with you.
This is Kari Ann and Jared. They are really good at being in love and staring at each other. :) I have more from their session (and many other sessions) bigger and better on my photo blog, so check it out! The small scale of these images do not do them justice!
When my life calms down a bit in a few days (and after I catch up with emails, and clients, etc) I will be back with so many fun pictures and stories to share!
No Longer a Mountain Man May 12, 2011
Posted by Emily in : Little Man Dallin, My Handsome Husband , 1 comment so farSo . . .
David ran another 1/2 marathon a couple of weeks ago.
He also looked a lot like a mountain man.
He has since shaved his face and our kids TOTALLY DID NOT APPROVE of his shaved face.
Dallin told him several times, “Daddy, I don’t like it. Did you wash it off? Put it back on!”
Um . . . children . . . the “mountain man” look is not daddy’s best look.
David was growing it out because he was going to be an extra in the upcoming New Testament film the church is filming this summer. He spent the last six months growing out his beard for this film, only to drop out six weeks before it starts filming.
His reasoning? It bugged him. Too hot. Too unkempt.
Those reasons are good enough for me too.
Working Girl May 11, 2011
Posted by Emily in : Princess Hannah, Thoughts , 5commentsThis little sass-a-frass is going to be in a book!
I came across a casting call for a four year old little girl and I submitted this info on Hannah:
I think that last “skill” is what landed her the job. What do you think? I put together a comp card for Hannah a few months ago and I think it’s working. :) I haven’t decided on an agency for her yet. Really, I haven’t thought much about putting in her in an agency for a while. I should look into that . . . anyway, I’ve been her agent so far, and so far so good. She’s done one commercial, one book shoot (it’s for a book on crafts for kids), and I’ve been contacted to see if she would do another commercial in a couple of months.
Yes. She works. For money. Not for free people. I do not have time or interest in that. We’re opening up a bank account just for her so she can endorse her checks and let her money sit and accumulate for years.
Maybe she’ll be able to pay for college by the time she goes!
Here is a shot of her right before her shoot:
She was sad they asked her to take her earrings out . . . she thought they were the highlight of her outfit!
She is a great listener, and takes direction well from anyone. She loves to act, so when they told her to look surprised, she really pulled out her “surprise” face and it made everyone laugh. The book comes out in October and I met the author at the shoot. Sounds like a fun book and I’m sure we’ll be buying it to see Hannah and to make kid crafts!
Mother’s Day 2011 May 10, 2011
Posted by Emily in : Infertility, Parenthood, Princess Hannah , 3commentsI used to dread Mother’s Day.
I used to refer to to it as, “Barren Awareness Day.”
Now that those days are behind me, I look forward to Mother’s Day and all the handmade gifts that go with it!
Early Sunday morning I heard Hannah sneak into our room and walk over to David’s side of the bed. In her loudest whisper she said:
“DAD! WAKE UP! I NEED YOUR HELP! KATIE (her 12 year old cousin who babysat her the night before) REMINDED ME THAT TODAY IS MOTHER’S DAY AND I NEED TO MAKE MOMMY BREAKFAST.”
“DAD? ARE YOU LISTENING? I NEED YOUR HELP MAKING MOMMY BREAKFAST! WE NEED TO MAKE IT BEFORE SHE WAKES UP!’
David finally pulled his sleepy body out of bed and off he and Hannah went to make me a “secret” breakfast.
A few minutes later, while I lay sleepily in bed, Hannah poked her head back into my bedroom and said in her outside voice, “MOM. YOU NEED TO STAY ASLEEP UNTIL I SAY SO.” And then she left. What a funny kid.
Breakfast was lovely (eggs, toast, bacon, and mixed berries in whole whipped cream) and she made me a lovely card as well. Please take note of the 10 pieces of gum stuck to the card.
They are ALL MINE and I’m not sharing. 
This card was so fancy, she had to decorate every side. I love homemade gifts.
I ended my day with a whopper of a headache. Lovely, right? I fell asleep around 7:30 and woke up at 7:30. How’s that for a Mother’s Day gift? 12 whole hours of sleep!
Mt. Vernon May 6, 2011
Posted by Emily in : Trips , 1 comment so farOh, Mt. Vernon. 500 acres of peace.
What a beautiful estate! I can see why Washington loved his mansion so much!
This is the front of his estate. Beautiful.
This is the view from the back of his mansion. The Potomac river is just a stones throw away to the right.
Oh, see, there it is, the Potomac. What a great view from his back yard. It’s almost as beautiful as my view my patio in the Caribbean!
This is Jenn, and her husband Scott, and two of her kids, Zack (the shorter one) and Ike (the taller one).
He had a farm on his land, (I mean, what else are you going to do with 500 acres?!) and several other buildings. Really, he had a little village behind his mansion!
Jenn and Scott . . . what are you two lovebirds talking about?
The gardens were precisely manicured.
The building on the right was part of the slave quarters. It is now a gift shop, but as you can see by the length of the building, he had a lot of slaves.
George Washington’s original grave site.
This is where Washington is buried now. He has an above ground tomb next to his wife on his property. 30 + family members are also buried here.
I have no idea what this building was used for, but it was on his property.
This is the view from his back patio of the Potomac.
Oh, look at this darling Cardinal!
This building is the green house and the slave quarters are to the left.
Pretty amazing place, no?
Washington DC Trip Part 2 May 5, 2011
Posted by Emily in : Trips , 1 comment so farNote to all of you: If you plan to visit Washington DC and have high hopes of photographing really cool things in the Smithsonian, FORGET IT. Anything really worth photographing (like the constitution and Jefferson’s book collection) CANNOT BE PHOTOGRAPHED.
Friends, that meant I lugged around a lot of camera gear for NOTHING. To top it off, security at certain buildings, like the Capital Building, rivals airport security.
Here we have the beautiful White House.
It has LOTS of security. I was sort of nervous taking pictures of it . . . check out those binoculars! They probably know what make and model my lens was after looking through those!
This is also at the White House. The detailing on the building is really beautiful.
I heard these townhouses across the street from the White House are reserved for dignitaries and other leaders of foreign countries.
The Library of congress was BEAUTIFUL.
Oh. My. Gosh. STUNNING.
Look at the ceiling! Look at the woodwork!
Look at the columns! The murals! The arches! The statues!
Look at the architecture! Really, do I need to say more?! IT WAS GORGEOUS!
This trip really got me excited to take my kids to see our nations capital when they get a little older. And by older, I mean like 12+ . :)
Washington DC Trip Part 1 May 4, 2011
Posted by Emily in : Trips , 5commentsSee? I went to DC! I really did!
This was my first trip ALONE since I’ve had kids. That meant I had no needs to look after, no diaper changes (Dallin REFUSES to even LOOK at the toilet, let alone use it!) no little people hanging on my legs, no meals to cook, no cleaning, and no games called, “Let’s ask mom 1000 questions.”
It was a bit eerie at first, but I adjusted quickly!
Jenn and I walked the Mall (the national mall that is) on my first day. We walked 10 miles that day and let me tell you . . . MY DOGS WERE BARKING. I pulled out an ice pack from my backpack (See? I had an ice pack in my back pack. One of the many pounds added to my already overweight bag that exacerbated the “barking dogs” problem.) to ice my poor feet down toward the end of our day. OUCH.
Jenn took this picture of me in front of the Lincoln Memorial after like 14 attempts. (It’s OK Jenn, I know my camera is complicated and heavy.)
See this here? Jenn carried my backpack for like 15 minutes and she was DYING. Honestly, I don’t blame her. I was ready to get rid of it after wearing it for 15 minutes as well! If it wasn’t holding 11 pounds in camera gear, four pounds of water, extra clothes, my purse, our lunches AND ICE PACKS, then maybe it wouldn’t have been such a beast to carry.
Oh. My shoulders still hurt just thinking about toting that bag around for 8 hours.
Isn’t Jenn pretty?
Unfortunately, the reflection pond was under construction, so we just got to look at a big dirt pit. Beautiful.
This is the Lincoln Memorial.
This is the Jefferson Memorial which is right on the Tidal Basin. The Jefferson Memorial faces the White House and there is NOTHING obstructing the view between the memorial and the White House. All the trees have been cleared out and trimmed to allow Jefferson to always keep an eye on the White house.
These are some of the massive pillars at the Jefferson Memorial.
Here is Jefferson keeping an eye on the White house from his perch.
OK, I shot this to give you all a perspective. I was standing in front of the White House when I took this picture. Can you see how Jefferson has a clear view of the White House? I shot this image zoomed in to 200 mm. (That is far people, check out the image below.)
This is what the view really looks like from in front of the White House. The Jefferson Memorial is just a tiny dot at the end between all the trees. I shot this at 18 mm.
There is much more to come from my trip . . . stay tuned!
A Peek at Hannah’s First Commercial May 2, 2011
Posted by Emily in : Princess Hannah , 3commentsHello.
I’m alive. Barely.
OK, so I exaggerate.
The truth is, I’ve been suffering from Acute Bronchitis for almost THREE weeks. That is three weeks of my life I would like to get back! I feel like I’m coughing up all of my innards about 1000 times a day.
It sucks.
This sickness comes with the added benefit of not sleeping well.
People, the only time you should not sleep will is when you have a newborn. Clearly, that is not the case around here.
Basically, that means I have been running on fumes for a few weeks. (School doesn’t stop for sickness. I’ve had several shoots for clients that can’t be rescheduled, and unfortunately, weddings still go on even when the photographer is sick.) I am BEYOND ready to be DONE with this disease!
To top it off, I am an expert cougher. In past years, I’ve broken two of my ribs TWICE from coughing too aggressively. I blame Bronchitis for both of those casualties. I am a hazard to myself . . . this nastiness must DISAPPEAR!
In more exciting news . . .
Hannah filmed her first commercial this week. I don’t know much about the product, but it is about “potty training.” I was super sick when she shot this last week, so can I just say how happy I was to realize that child labor laws applied to us? Yes, after five hours of being on set, we were done. Hannah worked for about 1.5 hours, and played the rest of the time. It’s nice to have your child get paid for something they would do anyway.
Here is a peek at her shoot:
She got to color which she was super excited about. (She colors 3+ hours a day at home.)
See this here? She played with toys with her new friends while they waited for their turn to be filmed.
(No worries, she has a nude colored leotard on underneath her dress!)
At the end of the day, we ended up hanging out at the “jumping water” at The Gateway, and we were both thrilled because she got to run in the water and I got some books at Barnes and Noble right across the way.
It was a lovely day.
