the girls

The Lord really blessed me.  He answered my prayers with this photo shoot and gave me my heart's desire.  I wanted to be able to recall everything I had learned so far.  I wanted the sky to not get overcast like in so many other photo shoots I have planned.  I wanted my family to be settled enough for me to leave on time for the shoot.  I wanted all the little details to work out on site- camera, location, lighting, mood. The girls were great.  The mom was great.  Nobody was stressed and I was able to keep things moving along and changing my settings according to the changing light and also according to the pose.  I have learned so much over time-- I knew this time that I couldn't shoot wide open when the girls were trying to do an acrobatic lift-type pose because I KNEW I would only have a depth of field of about 2 inches or less and that most likely- they were going to be moving and not on an even plane.  Little things like that.. I'm so thankful for where I can see growth. On one hand, I know some professional photogs could give me a list of criticism for some of these shots, and that one day I might see a whole bunch of mistakes..  but, I'm pretty happy with them.  They are my best yet, I think.  I see a few things I could change. Yet, I see a bunch of things I did right and while the editing process sure gives them a nice, finished touch- the SOOC shots aren't that far off! It's exciting!!!

I just realized I haven't watermarked any of these on export.  Hopefully nobody steals them! People are crazy!

3/4

I'm about to do a photo shoot with a set of beautiful sisters in a grassy field. So so nervous.  I hope the Lord provides knowledge and the perfect recipe of factors for a beautiful outcome.

It's windy, too!

Summer is almost here. I'm so glad. I couldn't fit time in for photography lately even if I wanted to. It's been a few years since I have felt this behind, this much weight. Each day runs into the next with the same to do list running over. I'm thankful from the depths of me to the Lord for providing strength and health this year to get us through so much. Truly, truly thankful. Yet, I feel so ready for a change of pace. There's been no time for exercise, no time for fellowship or friendship, really. Things are busy...so that's nice in a way, but isolated. I don't like to be stuck in my own head too long.:) Hubby has had extra work related responsibilities and extra fatigue so either he is gone, asleep, or too tired to talk much by the end of the day. Poor guy.
Anyway, I am hopefully photographing Susan's girls next week..and after this week school will mostly be over for all of them..and baseball.  I'm hoping for time to get caught up. Time to read with the kids and play. Time to exercise! (My middle son and I are going to start "training" in the early mornings by jogging together. I'm looking forward to this one on one time with him.) AND, looking forward to a little time to devote to photography, learning, and creativity.

85mm

I got an 85mm lens! So excited! This should make portrait work so much better! I played for a few minutes yesterday while we were out.  I grabbed this shot of poppies.  I love poppies.  SOOC, this one looked pretty good-- like a painting, kind of muted.