Photo Challenge | Week 5 | Kirkland, WA

I don’t love to be in front of the camera.  I don’t mind it but I would rather be behind it. BUT many times through classes, groups, conferences, blogs, etc. we are challenged to accomplish a self portrait.  What does that mean?  Get in front, use a remote and then check out how your hair looks and if you look fat or skinny?  : )  I’m not saying I haven’t done (ha) that but this challenge was different… we were to capture something we love or something we love to do.  I was lucky this week because we have had some sunny days-beautiful sunny days.  I would sit at the window in my office, while my son was at preschool, and just marvel at the beauty while enjoying a little heat from the sun’s rays.  I love sunshine and maybe more now then ever.  I love to see how it brightens the day.  I love to see all the neighbors come out of their caves.  I love to see all the pets attached to leashes out for walks on a sunny day.  I love to see the water sparkle.  I love to see the water from the day before glisten on the tree branches.  I love sunshine.  And, nightly my family and I talk about what the weather will be tomorrow, meaning the next day, so my daughter can plan appropriately for school.  I never knew at age 8, and probably didn’t know until my 20′s, how to relate temperature to the weather.  I knew super hot or pretty chilly.  I didn’t know what number that equated to.  Now, my kids know that 50 degrees means chilly-bring your jacket.  They know that 20 degrees means possible snow.  They know that 75 degrees in AZ is a perfect day.  So, I wish for sunshine everyday.  This painting I have in my home was a treasure I found just before we moved-I knew it needed to be with me!  For week 5 challenge with Sandi Bradshaw’s group, I chose to include me and sunshine-as you know we go together like peas and carrots.  I am looking out the window (staying bundled in my fleece, which I wear everyday/all day), expecting sunshine for the day.  It peeked out and didn’t stay very long but what I did see was beautiful!

Photo A Day | January 30-February 5

Well, this week surprises me-it is the last few days of January and moving into February.  Pretty soon we will be singing holiday tunes.  A couple things happened this week…  1. I signed up for a 52 week challenge with a specific topic.  2. I signed up for The Flash Bus in Seattle and it was sold out a few days later-I’m thrilled and excited about it!  3. I will be going to WPPI in Vegas on February 20th and I was sent a reminder email this week-which blew my mind away that we are already in February.  4. I finished my product catalog and my home design guide.  These have both been on my to-do list since the beginning of 2010.  Seriously.  They were both big undertakings with lots of details to work out and formatting to handle.  A huge sigh of relief and a big sense of accomplishment was felt this week!  Having this Photo A Day project has kept my focus-remembering why I love my camera and how life can slip by (both the good and the bad) so quickly.  Here is another week in my life.  : )

January 30- Must there always be piles at the bottom of the stairs? Must the children leave stuff to be cleaned up later (Ok, so there might be a thing or two that belongs to me)? This view is from the front entry… nothing like, “Hi, welcome to my home. The piles… oh the pile. We are lazy but we will get it upstairs someday.” This picture does not depict its true form. It only gets worse from here. The children must not have had a fun day as the stairs do not show the heaps and mounds of clothes and toys! Big Sigh…

To be bugged or not to be bugged | Kirkland, WA Photographer

First of all… GROSS.   BUT I am bugged!  I’m bugged that it is already DECEMBER.  I am bugged that I just got used to writing 2010.  I am bugged that it is too cold to go outside for pictures.  I am bugged that it gets dark at 4:30pm.  BUT, I am in awe at the beauty that surrounds me.  I am not bugged that I get extra cuddly time with my family-staying inside where is it warm.  I am not bugged that with each year I learn more and grow just a tad-hopefully in more ways than one.  I am not bugged that with the early sunset comes early bedtime.  Some things can be looked at in two different ways… bringing something negative along with something sweet.  Bugs on the other hand… I haven’t found the flip side of that yet.

Jilly and Mia | Queen Creek, AZ Photographer

Let me tell you a story about these two ladies… they are quite the duo and will keep you laughing all afternoon if you let them.  Their talent is exploding, especially when they work together.  They are devoted mothers and wives and always designing or baking something (just ask to see their to-do list)!  The projects are endless and their creations are amazing.  Their thrills come with perfect finds and an opportunity to create a trinket of treasure.   They work together, play together, and celebrate together.  It is quite a pleasure to know these two, and a gift to have them as friends!  To see what they are up to and experience their humor and personalities, you must visit Girls With Good Taste! 

I’m in love | Kirkland, WA Photographer

This company MUST know me.  I mean, look at the color, look at the box, read their words, etc.  These new business cards are just mini cards and I am in love!  They are half the size of a business card and I can’t wait to give them away.  : O  You may think this is way too  many pictures but I couldn’t stop…  It was as if I had the perfect model sitting right in front of me, full of color and perk, full of life and excitement. 

Hiring a cheap photographer | Kirkland, WA Photographer

I think these are hilarious.  Some nail the moment and how I feel at times.  Should I admit that?  Pricing is a touchy subject, right?  It is hard to assign a price to yourself.  Most of us question ourselves at some point, question our pricing.  There are so many photographers snapping out there, so many styles so many different ways to order a good ‘ol 11×14.   I recently read what Zack Arias wrote on his blog and loved it.  There is a place for every photographer, no matter what our pricing structure may look like.   We all start somewhere and we all grow into something as we keep our business alive.  Part of progressing is learning and understanding the ins and outs of business-the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Inevitably, this knowledge and growth leads to change, sometimes that change is manifested in the pricing structure.  But, as this funny clip says… In the end I suppose we get what we pay for.  : )      (I hate that lesson in life)

Tim | Kirkland, WA Photographer

To the man who takes care of me,

Thank you for you love and support.  Thank you for turning to look at me, even when you had interests in other things besides ANOTHER dang picture.  Thank you for taking this day long journey.  Thank you for introducing me to a life in Seattle.  Thank you for laughing at me, thank you for complementing my motherhood skills (or lack thereof) at times when I need it, thank you for never questioning my purchases-even when it is another pair of shoes, thank you for always knowing when I need a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, thank you for a life full of growth, adventure, love, patience, understanding and laughter.  Thank you for being my moment’s notice model and always encouraging me to get the shot!

How is business? | Seattle, WA Photography

What do you think?  Busy?  I have to be in awe of the dedication and determination of businesses and business owners nowadays.  It is a tough market, a tough time to be in business.  I have a business mind and sometimes can’t turn it off.  I walk into places and when it is empty or mostly empty, my first thought goes something like this, “How can he/she/it afford to be in business?”  When you calculate rent, fees, taxes, and the plethora (love that word) of overhead expenses, it seems like it far outweighs the income being generated.  But, maybe that’s too simple.  Maybe I haven’t studied the passion behind the business?  Maybe I haven’t studied the time they have been in business and the revenues generated (and saved).  It’s just sad to drive by something like Mervyn’s (had to pick that because I remember the store fronts as a kid) and see that it couldn’t survive after how many years?  Businesses are closing all over the place and it’s sad to me!  Businesses are having to make those wretched decisions to let people go-the ones that have dedicated their lives to working.  Businesses are having to cut back, to cut the slack… and well…, make changes.  Change is good-for all of us.  But, first I suppose the storm will be weathered.

Stalker | Kirkland, WA Photographer

I have heard the term blog stalker.  What does it really mean?  I read blogs and sometimes I don’t leave comments-does that make me a blog stalker?  What if I told somebody that I read their blog but I don’t always leave comments… still a stalker?  I need to know if I am or am not a blog stalker.  Because who really wants to be labeled a blog stalker AND who has time to make comments every time they stop by a blog?  Well, the world wide web is funny and awesome.   To all of us blog stalkers out there…   

Money | Kirkland, WA Photographer

Why in the world did I take this picture?  ha!  Well, maybe I needed an extra $20 and spotted her loose fingers???  This gal was in line for a huge bowl of fried calories and it was going to be good.  I’m sure it was well worth that money in her little fingers.  Everything costs money-including fried calories.  Why do we pay for such things?  The funniest part is why do we pay for them then complain about them (talking to myself out loud here)?  Just curious…