The B Family {Photoshoot}

I was so happy that when I approached Tracey to let me practice using my camera on her family, she gladly agreed! The Bower family was a joy to work with. Their natural smiles and love for each other were evident from the first picture I took. The way Tracey and Matt looked at Luke brought a smile to my face. This family has been through so much lately, so I was glad I was able to capture them sharing smiles, laughter, and love. Even though Luke got a little restless by the end of our shoot and we didn't get to do a few poses we had wanted, I think I can call my first photo shoot a success!

So here are a few a lot of my favorites. If you can't tell, I had a hard time deciding which ones I liked the best! Enjoy!

 What a doll! This boy will be breaking some hearts for sure when he grows up. 

There's nothing like a mother's love <3

All smiles for dad! Matt was always able to bring a smile to Luke's face.

I couldn't resist on this one! The wind had his hair blown up so cute, and then this facial expression. Picture perfection.  

I'm still looking to shoot more families, couples, or kids to build up my portfolio. If you're interested, let me know! 

THE Camera

This camera. I've only been wanting one for about 3 years, but the price of committing to a camera, lens(es), editing software, tripod (trust me, this list could go on forever) has been holding me back. Until one day Eric told me he wanted a four wheeler. This is perfect, I thought. I'll let him get the four wheeler if he lets me buy my camera. This plan will never work, but it's worth a shot. The next thing out of Eric's mouth was that I could get my camera! To say I was excited was an understatement. 

I stalked my emails for the shipping confirmation, then impatiently waited for my gear to arrive. In the meantime, I googled everything I could think of on how to operate a DSLR camera on manual mode. I printed out cheat sheets, shortcuts, and helpful tips  When the UPS man finally knocked on our door, I'm sure he heard me let out a little squeal as I went to open it. 

Isn't she a beauty?

I immediately strapped a lens on and went outside to start taking pictures. I frantically searched through my binder of papers all neatly organized by topic to figure out what settings I needed to get the perfect picture. After much trial and error (including some all white and all black pictures) I finally began getting some great shots- at least in my mind!

I ran back in to try out the photo editing software on my favorite pictures. Just using basic controls on the software, I was able to edit my pictures to ones I am proud of. I can't wait to see what my pictures can look like once I really learn how to use the software!

Here's a few of my favorites from my photo shoot with Bailey and Cassie: 

Our big girl!

The ball of energy. 















Rare moment of relaxation.















And one last one of a scenic shot. I just figured out how to get rid of power lines, so I might try to redo this one to take out the power lines. But I loved how the sky turned out!





















With any new thing comes practice. So if you'd allow me to practice on your kids, your family, your pet bird, I would be grateful :) Just hit me up!

Boys and Their Toys

A few days ago, Eric informed me that he wanted a four wheeler. Actually, he said, "I know you wanted a jeep first, but we can always use mom and dad's. We need a four wheeler first." 

Yep, that's right. We need one. For checking trail cams, hanging tree stands, hauling deer out of the woods, bringing the fishing gear down to the pond- you know, all the important stuff. I told Eric that we could get a four wheeler if I can get my DSLR camera that I have wanted for about two years before he got the four wheeler. Eric agreed! (Who said a little bargaining can't go a long way?)

The very next day, Eric informed me that he had found a four wheeler that he liked and that on Saturday he was going to go check it out and possibly buy it. So much for me getting my camera first!

When I got home this afternoon, this guy was sitting in our driveway- the four wheeler, not that handsome hunk.  

Eric took me on a ride around the block, and I have to admit that I love having it! Growing up, my parents didn't have a four wheeler, and none of my friends had one either (or if they did we didn't ride it when we would hang out). I think I've only ridden on a four wheeler once, and that was maybe for five minutes to get through the woods where our car couldn't go. So when I asked Eric if I could drive, I had no idea that my shorts would be a problem. Man oh man does that thing get hot down by your legs! I ended up not driving, I'll save that for sometime when I have full length pants on. Until then I'll settle for riding along with Eric. 

If you have a four wheeler and want to go riding sometime, hit us up. Now that we have one, I want to take full advantage of it! 

Oh, and that camera Eric promised I could get? It's sitting in my Amazon cart ready to be checked out. Score!