wildflower wishes

"When you wish upon a star......bum bum bum bum bum bum bummmmm...." (disney song)

How about wishing on a flower?

Meet my niece "A". We drove out to this wildflower field that we spotted during our visit in Oregon and hoped the kids would enjoy walking around and being among the pretty flowers. "A" cried the moment her feet his the field! She's not one for tall grass or flowers in an open field. She just doesn't like the pricklies I'm sure. Well, after a few minutes she started to realize that it was ok and she started exploring the flowers. Here she has picked an orange flower and is closing her eyes as I capture this shot. I love it for it looks like she's making a wish! The light is so yummy too. =) Magic hour of evening light. More pics to come!

Antique coloring version below.

Happy in the wildflowers at a last!

Thanks Miss A!

School Picture Day!

Today was "picture day" for Miss M. It was a typical morning. Shower, get dressed, eat breakfast and do 30 minutes of homeschool (reading/math). And in addition to that, a mini-photo shoot with mom. Yup, I wanted to get some shots of her before I took her to school. She was all worried we'd be late when I took this photo and was not as interested in posing but she gave me a wee little smile and eye contact and so I took it! Here she is... in all her glory. For her class picture I have made a signature of her name to post on it to hand to family and friends. I've also ordered some pics from the school photographer. We'll see which one she likes the best. I hope he had better luck than I did! =_)

Oregon Visit

We've recently returned from our trip to Oregon to visit with my brother and his family. We had such a wonderful time and we had such great hosts! You guys have a lovely home and look very happy in your new home town. It was a pleasure to be in your world! We saw so many beautiful places and this is by far one of my favorite. This lake's name skips my memory at this time but I believe it was Todd Lake or Trout Lake. B, can you help me on this one?

While at this lake I was shooting some pics of the kids playing in the water. My hubby decided to entertain them by tossing little sticks and rocks and then a bigger stick and OPPPSS... he splashed himself. Here I catch him in the midst of laughing at his own mishap. =) I love to see him smile.

This shot was taken for you B. Your favorite tree which grows out of the top of an Obsidian field. Wow. Amazing huh. Even more so, the kids smiling at the same time!

Here's the lake view from the tree just over my brother's shoulder.


Uncle B was very entertaining for the kiddos. He collected a variety of stones from this park to conduct an experiment with water. He was hoping to show the kids how some pumice floats. Much to his surprise and dismay, none of his 6 samples/varieties floated! However, one did, the rock collected from a volcano in their hometown.

What beautiful weather we had! Can you tell?

One of the most interesting sites was the variety of rocks and what one can do with them. Look below to see my dear sweet hubby lifting this large rock with effortless strength! This size rock would normally require two hands and lots of back work (ouch) but this variety (Pumice) is rather light. You look so strong hun!

My family is always on the lookout for interesting subject matter for me. The gang came to find me to inform me of this little creature that was located in my brother's backyard! The Preying Mantis. What an interesting insect. He was located on a green shrub and we could hardly see him and I was a little bummed. No matter, we had fresh cut sunflowers (thanks K) and borrowed one from the arrangement and coaxed the stick-like bug onto it. He/she went happily. Delighted in the bright colors I'm sure. This flower was really orange with purple leaves! Wild huh. Well, the background is important so I had my dear sweet assistant and hubby move the flower and subject to the small lavendar bush and started firing away. Much to my surprise and delight, this insect can oscilate it's head and just as I shot this he/she turned to look and smile for the camera! Now that's timing! =)

Here he was looking at the lavendar before he looked at me. I love all the rich color and kept these photos rather dark.

...yet another. Can you tell, I was loving the color here!?


One of the evenings during our visit my sister-n-law K and her daughter/my niece (2 1/2yrs) and my son (3yrs) went out to do a mini-shoot. The light was gorgeous and time was passing quickly so we raced from location to location to beat the sun from slipping away. It was fast and furious but so much fun for me. The kids did great, considering. Here, my son enjoys the flower field and posing for me in his oh so handsome and candid way. Love it. He's a nature boy for sure. My niece cried the minute her feet hit the ground. She does not love grass or fields or anything of that nature. Darnit. But low and behold, after a short cry she started to get into it and pick the flowers.

I love the color and feel of these images. So warm and relaxing.

A&M - sneaker peaker

We just returned home from our weekend visit to Oregon. We enjoyed beautiful weather, great company and the relaxing ombiance of the wide-open countryside. Mmm mmmm.... Very nice.
Here is a sneak peak from a shoot I did during our visit. What cute kiddos, "K"! We met at one of the most beautiful parks in Portland and the kids ran around and played while I followed closely behind hoping to capture their personalities in action. They were delighted to learn of my secret weapon - a large whirly pop treat. Mm mmm .... Let me say, this was a big hit and definitely a great way to finish a shoot - fyi...they can be a sticky mess. ;-) I'm glad all of the stains came out of their clothing "K". I wanted to get a few pics to post and felt like playing with some color in black and white. Kinda fun huh. I look forward to showing you the finished collection soon. Til then... I hope this wets your appetite and keeps you happy during the wait. =)

brushin' your doggone teeth

Today I had the pleasure of visiting with a guide dog pup again. Boy has he grown! It wasn't too long ago, back in June, that I photographed this pup for the first time and posted his pics on my blog. (See my archive for those pics.) One of my dog pictures was recently published in this month's newsletter for the guide dog organization. Today, I went on a walk with this pup and his handlers (my parents!) and as we hung around and chatted this pup received his usual grooming and care. If there's one thing I'm learning about guide dogs is this, they are very pampered citizens! First he had his feet hairs trimmed and then it was teeth cleaning time. Out comes the two-sided tooth brush! Thank goodness I tote my camera everywhere and I jumped at this photo op. The pup enjoyed his grooming time and didn't seem to mind me and my big fat lens pointed at him. Thanks for the mini-shoot guys!


Here the pup sees a familiar friend - a 4-year-old neighbor boy - who happened by for a visit with his mother. Unlike the typical pup he waits here resting on the porch for his handler's next command.


Have you ever brushed your teeth on the front porch while shooting the breeze?


Attentive. Focused. Working. Ready.

Brusha, brusha, brusha.... brusha tooth i-what?! (Mom, what's that familiar tune?) =)


This is what a working dog looks like when they are itching with anticipation of their handler's next command. Eager to work. Ready to please.

Thanks for stopping by!

Webs & Texture

Welcome Autumn days....

Yesterday morning my son and I went on a web photoshoot together. He scouted out the webs and I did the shooting. I was most pleased when he found this web that I just walked passed and overlooked but was dazzled when I came over to find this! A web build right on the side of this simple lawn /utility trailer. The trailer is an old weathered thing and has lots of texture, LOVE THAT. Morning dew beaded up on the side of it and also on the web itself further enhancing it. What a find! I love the spookey effect and sense of alarm that red creates.

And so, our scouting proved that fall is the busiest time of year for spiders. Webs gallore I tell you! They were everywhere and it was so much fun to see all the various kinds of webs. None of the spiders were out however. They must have been hiding in the leaves for cover and waiting for the dew to dry. Fine by me...I respect the spider but they do give me the hebejebes! Below is another web my son found. I love the lighting here and how the beaded water really shows up. Aren't spiders some of the most amazing artisits?!

This was the last web I shot. I ran out of card space! Had a small 1G card in because my others were full and you know what...those fill up quickly!

Lakeside Sunset

Last night we went to our usual lakeside pickleball court at one of our favorite relatives homes. A beautiful place I tell ya! We arrived around 6:30pm and I saw the yummie light and placed the seed of sand toys into my sons head and he quickly ran down to the water's edge to eat his sandwich and play in the sand. He loves that stuff! He's a beach boy - gets it from his mommy. Ahem..anyway. I had so much fun as he was captive and enjoying himself. I just love my little guy! Anyway, without further gabbing....here he is ....

Just FYI: I have a new watermark this post. It has come to my attention recently that people are actually printing off my photos with the watermarks or cutting them off and using the photos (you know who you are). Please note that all of my photos are copyrighted and unless I have sold you the files, photo rights, or have sold or given you written permission to use a photo for your website display or downloading for print it is considered theft and is illegal. I work very hard to produce these images. Please be respectful.

On a lighter note, I am currently in the process of designing my company website. It is long and grueling work and I have designed and tossed a couple sites already. Back to the drawing board. I hope to have my home page up by the end of this month - more if I'm extra happy with my results! I am also in the process of designing holiday cards! So, if you are among the traditional who mail out photo greeting cards please consider me for your family photo greeting card this year. I will be offering a Holiday Special which includes a discounted sitting fee + package (cards and 5x7 or 8x10 print). Please check back here within a few more weeks for samples.

Here he is running towards me. I just love it. The light was so warm and the Autumn colors are really singing here.

My little man eating his dinner by the lake. Tuna sandwich with a pickle on wheat bread and an apple juice box. Mmm ... (What can I say, we were excited to get to the lake!)

Here he is talling me. "Mom, stop doing that." He didn't want me to take anymore pictures of him while he was eating. As my shutter was "click clicking" away.

Thanks for stopping by!

It's Here!

My new camera! Yup, I got a new one. Hooray! Here's some test shots I took with it today just after I got it out of the box and put a lens on it. Oh me, oh my! I have lots to learn with it but so far I'm liking what I'm seeing. =) I'm off to go for a sunset walk and take my new baby with me. Here is our son happily playing his guitar for me and then walking in our woods looking for insects. He's not much for posing so I had to be quick and entertaining.

*Click on the picture to see it enlarged to appreciate. =)

Retirement Celebration

Over 30-years of working at the same company and on August 31st he retired! Friends, co-workers and family came together to congratulate and celebrate the next chapter of his life - retired life. Though he has been retired less than 48 hours he is and was already talking about his next job. Yup, he's ready to go back to work but I think he will just have to try on the retired life for a few weeks and he might just change his mind.

Congratulations on your achievement of the many years on the job!

She wants to be a lap dog. Kisses from the family pooch.

T with his sweet smile of mischief.

Sweet Baby Boy all smiles and bright eyed.

Lovin' the camera.

A photographers dream, a willing model with "the look". Thanks "T".

Sisters.




My mom.

Sisters and their hubby's.

Relationships.

My toothless daughter. She lost her first tooth tonight and is showing the camera he prized new gap and the brand new tooth that was hiding behind it all this time (though it wasn't really hiding, we could see it). Congrats on your first lost tooth! You are growing up so quickly!

I have many more pictures from this event on my flickr site. Please visit there to view the whole event.