Even though yesterday was technically Veteran's Day, most people are celebrating today. Here is my thanks to all the veteran's out there.... My father My mother My brothers, both of them My sister My grandfather My great-grandfather My husband, Hyperborean Wanderer His father, Big Fat Daddy His grandfather His nephews, both of them (and I'm on the list too.) And thanks to all the joes who are serving...and all the wives and children who are suporting them.

I've shot a few weddings now and I've done family pictures and children in bluebonnets, but this is my first paid studio shot of kids. I have her 5 brothers and sister to shoot later this week and then....drum roll please....a "formal" family group shot. (Can you say stress?) I know the mom won't like this one, but I thought it was adorable....it's from the "warm-up" shots I took to get her relaxed before we did the posed shots that her mom wanted.

So I saw a challenge posted on Flickr to submit a picture to a "stupid human tricks" group. I wanted to post something really fun and cool, but I forgot to take the picture immediately after I worked out and by the time I got around to taking the picture, my muscles were too cold to do much (plus I was at muscle failure so I couldn't hold a trick long enough to get really good shots in) ...but one day, after I teach a yoga class, I think I will REALLY stretch out and do some contortion-esqe ...

Maddy is learning about the joys of dress up and pretend. I'm really grooving on how her imagination works. And anyone who tells you that there is no difference between a boy and a girl is crazy. She plays superheros and cars with her brothers but by herself, she would much rather play house or pretend to be a pink princess.

Link So I'm working on more test shots with my new backdrop...I'm still frustrated with the lighting (au natural) but I'm making progress....I thought I'd throw some test shots up here for you to see.....you can follow the link to see the whole series, but I'll stick a few here.

I was looking at some pictures on Flickr and I found a group....365days. The idea is that you take a self portrait everyday for a year. There were a few other groups with similar themes but this one caught my attention. I don't knwo if I have the determination to continue this project for a year, but I think I could learn some healthy self acceptance by the end of the experiment. So here is my first picture... Anyone want to join me?

You may remember the fact that I decided to start doing photography as a "well paying hobby" instead of just a hobby. I figure that I'll only get better with practice, so I built a backdrop out of pvc pipe and $1 fabric from walmart. Here is a test shot of boy in said backdrop. I can't wait to do some more work with this. Unfortunately, he was tucking his toes under the fabric so this will have to stay in the "test shot" category unless I crop it. 1/100s@f/3.5

I just took some pictures at a wedding on Saturday....7/7/07 at 7pm. Let me know what you think...This was my first ever paid wedding.

My first wedding.....I think I could do better next time, but I think I did a pretty good job.

so here are some photos from this year's batch of bluebonnet pics...

I took these on a test trip....looking for a spot for Easter photos. I only wish I made it out again before the rain and snow hit....

Maybe it's karma for teasing my sister about her louse weather last week. I called and told her how nice the 80-90 degree weather was.....I think this is the universe's way of teaching me a lesson.....or maybe this is the global warming that everyone keeps warning me about? So Connor got to play in the snow. Maddy stayed inside. I don't have a really good jacket for her and whe hates to be cold or wet....so she just watched from inside the new addition (which, BTW is DONE, FINISHED COMP...