Merry, Merry, Lights & Lens

I haven't been posting too much lately.  Of course, that doesn't mean that I haven't been shooting much...I've just be trying to enjoy the process of creating and capturing.  I learned a new trick and have been having a lot of fun trying it out.  Jingle, jingle!!

...and to all a good lens!

Wanna' Get Away? {or...How I Spent My Thanksgiving Vacation}

We always head to Arizona for Thanksgiving.  My husband's family is there, and by the middle of November I'm usually ready for a little bit of a break from the cold and rain here in the northwest.  I took a TON of pictures last year, so this year was a little bit of a let down for me.  I felt like I had already taken a lot of the images that I was seeing of the kids playing and swimming, the holiday decorations, the dinner prep.  It was nice not to worry about missing a shot, but at the same time, I kind of missed it.  I did manage to see a few new things that delighted my lens.  Like this....

She just neeevvvveeeerrrr got tired of that game.  Poor Daddy.  By the end of the day, his arms were shot....

On the last night we were there, we took a trip across town to the Christmas light festival.  It had started on a weekend and we had seen the throngs of people who had descended upon it on the news, but we were there on a Monday and no one else was.  We basically had the streets and the lights to ourselves.  Beautiful....

We had a little time to kill at the airport on the way home.  My son passed the time with his nose pressed up against the window watching the planes...There's a pilot in there somewhere....

Somehow, I always end up on the aisle or on the other side of the plane and I never get to see this.  Rambunctious kids provided me the opportunity to catch a middle seat on this flight, however, and I got the see the Grand Canyon from 30,000 feet....amazing.

Mickayla ~ Class of 2011

Meet Mickayla!  I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph this beautiful member of the Class of 2011 while I was in Arizona over Thanksgiving.  The awesomeness that bubbled out of her during our session was amazing!  There was this Mae West confidence that just blew me away....She was flirty, mysterious, fun and feminine.  Everything a girl should be....oh, and by the way....she's pretty wicked smart, too.

Mickayla, YOU ROCK!!  I wish you the best year ever and much success as you continue to blow the rest of the world away!

B-11....BINGO!

Had some fun last night trying something new.  I was invited to join my mother-in-law and her friends for a rousing evening of Bingo at the local community center.  Let's see, the last time I played Bingo I was in knee socks and Mary Janes (unless you count Sight Word Bingo that I used to play with my students when I was teaching....).  I went in expecting little wooden space markers and some friendly conversation with a few grandmas.  What I got was 3 hours of colored daubers (and P.S...choosing the right color for the game board is apparantly the key to winning), good luck charms, offical game verifications, multiple boards played at the same time, and some serious knock-you-down, step-on-your-neck competition.  My head was spinning, my palms were sweating, my heart was racing.  What if I got a BINGO and didn't call out loud enough?  What if I got a BINGO and had the numbers wrong?  What if (*gasp*) I got a BINGO that was actually good and everyone else got upset at this new, little chickie coming into their game and taking the winnings?  Seriously....stressfull....but, actually...a lot of fun....

My mother-in-law thought I was funny for asking her to smile into the top of the dauber cap....



...and they all thought I was really weird for wanting to take a picture of the Bingo Balls.  It became kind of a thing.  Seriously....those senior citizens can get kind of raunchy....

Clamming At Sunset

A month ago we packed our gear and headed out for an evening clam dig in the rain.  The dark skies and torrential rain made for a difficult time.  This month was much different.  We lucked out with a clear sky and a B-E-A-U-tiful sunset, which made the haul we got even better.  Of course, the fantastic light from the setting sun was more a treat for me than anything else.  I was lovin' those shoreline silhouettes....

Brandy & Marc....K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

I had a great engagement session with a couple that I met through a mutual friend.  The bride LOVES fall color (almost as much as I do), and the groom isn't really all about having his picture taken.  She had a fabulous solution for him, though, and although I can't really give away any secrets, I will tell you that it involved orange juice and a champagne glass.  How do you not love a couple like that?

 

These guys are big kissers.  When I told them that I was going to have them kissing in several of these, she said, "Yes!  I am going to LOVE this day!"  After a while, all I had to say was, "Okay...." and they would start smoochin'....

 

Brandy and Marc, you two are so much fun!  I can't wait for your big day!!!