Why you hire a professional photographer.

Sometimes, when I am in my time-suck otherwise known as, Pinterest. I come across something and I'm all, "Oh. This is happening."

A certain Superman picture (that has since been taken off Pinterest. Boo.) made me think of this little boy: 

As a photographer.. I can make a lot of things happen if you show me a picture you are going for. I know what I am doing there. I may not be a Photoshop genius, but for the most part, I can make things happen. 

The problem is when you, the photographer, want someone else to take a picture for you. No matter if you describe to a T or even show them the picture, most likely, they won't get it. 

J was pretty pumped about the picture. We tried to take it at the party and after two hours of hell, trying to Photoshop Claire into a picture, John took one look and said, "No. I need to be in a suit." Well.. okay. Wish I would have known that on Sunday. 

So, I gather the supplies and tell John to meet me at his mom's after work and we are doing. this. picture. 

He starts in on how he needs Clark Kent glasses.. um. Okay. Then you need to go find them. He wants me to grab some 3D glasses (!?!?!) and bring them. Done.

About 3 minutes into this photo op, I want to chunk these glasses in the road. He wants to be throwing them.. Um. Okay. 

And we have a 5 year old and a 2 year old. 

Pictures are hard for kids that age. I know. This is my life. I get it. 

I also use tricks and noises and generally act like a fool to get kids to look at the camera and sometimes it doesn't work. 

We took 99 pictures to try to get this family picture. (NINETY-NINE.) 

(Side note: I am doing a Project 12- one family photo a month for a year and it may kill me)

While I am not showing you all 99.. I am showing you a few of the gems we have. This is why you hire a professional people! Which is what I really need to do. But I am stubborn.

This is just a Hot Mess. 

John is giving the air gun to someone...

Could have been cute if it weren't for those stupid glasses.

Claire has found a present for you. 

C is frightened by how horrific this is turning out. 

Addy is clearly over this. And John is about to blow a gasket 

Who are these kids?!!?

Clearly I am arguing with Addy about her pink camera. John looks more like a Blues Brother than Clark Kent

Oh What's that, Rachel? You smelled a fart? 

John says it looks like I have scoop like Lois Lane.. I think I am smelling more farts. 

This is the best we could do. And Yes. Some people have been photoshopped into these family pictures. 

Family pictures... will drive a photographer to drink. 

Updates in pictures

Two years ago, I set out in my photography journey. 

I wanted to have an awesome Christmas card. 

So, I set it up and had Linda take our picture. 

Two years later, tons of hours editing, researching, and practicing later... John asked me to re-do the family picture. He said it was terrible. He wanted the same shot, but just better. So I turned that into our Project 12 for the month and a mini-photo shoot for the family. 

Just a tad different, don'tcha think?

I am almost embarrassed about that first picture.. I was so proud and it's terrible. I've learned a little bit more about exposure and white balance, but for me, photography is about constantly studying and getting better. If you think you know it all, it's time to get out. 

This is Classic Claire.

Linus and her blanket..

I love this picture. 

Of course I got gussied up and had John take my picture!

I hope you enjoyed my mini-session with the kids!

I was supposed to be giving the garage an acid bath, but I have apparently sniffed too many fumes, I have been banned from working in there anymore and he is going to finish it. Who knew that you could literally get sick from smelling paint thinner fumes? Don't worry.. I have before and after pictures of the garage to share with you soon.. it's only been a project for 3 weeks. 

Happy Friday, Y'all!!

Magical

My birthday was a hit! I had a blast, we ate at Ruby Tuesdays and I got so much Nike Running gear it wasn't even funny! Seriously, when I take a picture( and I WILL take a picture) you will be floored. BUT, I may not be around much this week, because I will be busy making magic happen. This is what I did for 5 HOURS yesterday. And people, that was my 2nd day there. I want to hear you brag on me, because, day 1? It wasn't easy! 

Claire and the Christmas Hat

I get the question, "I bet your children love the camera, don't they?" Truth be told, Addison runs from it, but Claire does great. Look at this smile.

Those beautiful baby blues.

Those 4 teeth.

But beware...

I've had this Christmas hat since Addison was a newborn. I have always thought it was adorable. Hello? It looks like a Christmas tree!!

Whatever you do... Don't put it on Claire's head!

"Mama? I can please take this thing off?"

"Let me get just a couple more pictures of you!"

"Please, Claire? Just a couple more, then I'll pick you up!"

Photo session=over.

I promise I don't torture them too badly.

Forgotten Pictures

Saturday John took Addison to the Alabama football game and I stayed home with Claire and undertook the task that was laundry( which took, literally, 8 hours to finish) and cleaning our dirty house. I also was able to go through and organize and edit some pictures that I haven't had to the time/forgot that I had until I was going through and deleting a bunch.

SIDE NOTE: I went through and backed up my entire iPhoto library of 2009 and deleted them out of iPhoto because I needed to space on my computer and since iPhoto "talks" to Facebook, when I deleted them off of my computer, they also got deleted from FB. I WAS SO PISSED. Now, I have a bunch of albums that have NO pictures on my FB. I officially hate iPhoto now.

Anyway, I came upon some pictures that I took earlier this year and I finally got around to doing a little editing on them and I thought I would share it with you! They are not the greatest pictures in the world, but they are my girls and their expressions are totally them!

We were doing the "airplane" game,which is one of Addison's favorites.


Claire looks petrified!

These are from our weekly Sunday morning breakfasts at the All Steak.



Why are children so MUCH more precious when they are sleeping?

This is her, "I know I did something bad and I'm really sorry, Mama" face. Adorable!


What do you think? I was totally playing around with the editing and not sure if I LOVE them, but I find it SUPER hard to delete pictures of my princesses.

Happy Birthday, Addison!

Sunday was Addison's 3rd birthday. We did a small family party for her with a "Strawberry Cupcake" A.K.A. Strawberry Shortcake theme. She loved it! I ran around on Friday getting the house cleaned and errands ran, because we left to go to Tuscaloosa for the weekend and I wanted to not have to worry about it on Sunday.





Uncle JoJo and Claire


Sarah and Jana


James has it going on!


Me and Jana


Addison and Kailey



Eating some cake


She looks so grown up!


She was so proud to have everyone there and really enjoyed opening her presents. She would exclaim," Look everybody!". I thought I was going to die when we gave her her pink tricycle and she said, " I'd rather have a green motorcycle." You see, GiGi works for Regions Bank and they had a green tricycle in the branch and on Friday GiGi let her ride around on it. So.. there ya go.

Thank you to everyone who came. Addison enjoyed seeing you!

In completely unrelated news, my photography website and my photography blog are up and running! I am super pumped about it. I have been working on this for about 6 months and am extremely pleased! Feel free to check it out!