Silly monkey...

We played dress up for Halloween last week. She was not too happy about her costume, but settled down after a few minutes. I think she was extra tired that day. She wanted nothing to do with the tutu we planned to put over it. I put it on my leg to show her how pretty it was, but all we got was "no". So, I suggested Jenny bring it home and put it with her toys. Sure enough, the next day, Hannah said "put tutu leg"....so Jenny put it on her and she wore it all day over her blue jeans. lol.

She's got her "purse" and her tiny monkey....what more could a girl want? BTW, I fastened the little monkey on my camera strap and it really helped get her attention ....at least for a minute. Then it was "hold peez"....She asked so nicely, I had to give it to her!

Autumn light...

Study in thirds...

Solitude...

Color her content...

Shot during Hannah's nap time for the "black and white and grainy" challenge. I didn't add too much noise, because I didn't think it fit for this photo. Doesn't Jenny look beautiful?

Pumpkin Patch...

We took Hannah to the Arboretum to see the pumpkins again this year. What a difference from last year! She was very happy riding in her little wagon but, once we let her out to take a few pictures, she wanted to walk. So, the whole time I was trying to shoot, she was saying "down peez"....polite, but wiggly! We'd let her "run" away from us a little way, then I would chase her. She thought that was hilarious...laughed till she nearly cried and said "Mimi (Grammy) FUNNY!" Made my day!

The eyes have it...

This is just a variation of a previous shot, but I still like how it turned out. Shot for the challenge of "eyes". The cutest part is that, after I posted this to Facebook, my model's older brother commented almost immediately...."Is that Emma?"...I wrote back...."Ding ding ding...your answer is correct...it's your beautiful little sister". Then he told me he thought it was one of the best pictures I've ever taken....and not just because it is his little sister. I honestly do think it's because it's his little sister...and I love that about him.

Broken...

Shot for the challenge of "broken"... Remember when your mom would bake for company and you waited around hoping cookies would get broken so you could eat them?

Full...

Shot for the challenge of "full". I'd bought these little birdhouses a few months ago for a dollar apiece, thinking they might be good for a future challenge. Finally had an opportunity to use them. I think it's really interesting how different they all appear in size, tho' they are exactly the same. A good lesson in perspective. Hardest part of this shot was getting that tiny sign to stay on the little peg. lol

Dallas Zoo, pt. 2...

First ride on the merry go round... "Hannah all done spin"... :)

Waiting for the DART rail to head home...

TIRED girl! She sucks her thumb to go to sleep, but RARELY when she's awake.

Dallas Zoo, pt. 1...

That same weekend, we got to meet Jenny, Nathan, and Hannah at the zoo. Hannah really seemed to enjoy it. She had her first ride on the DART rail. When Jenny asked her to tell me how she got to the zoo she said, "Hannah train...choo choo...." So cute. She was OK for this pic, but almost immediately started saying "All done elephant"... :)

I asked her if she saw the giraffe's long tongue and she spent the next 5 minutes saying "raffe"...then blowing raspberries. Of course, we laughed every time, so she kept it up! lol.

Fair fences...

I had to get a little artsy and try some fence shots. There was a vendor there selling these little lighted trees and I loved the sparkly bokeh.

My fave...the old mill restaurant....

The midway...

I always forget how chaotic and loud the midway is. A little retro processing for these.

I wanted to try some slow shutter speed shots, but this was the only one that worked...too sunny that day for long exposures.

Self acceptance...embrace the ridiculous...

Also shot at the fair. We always visit the petting zoo, which is crazy crowded. For that reason, I never get any good pictures...but I loved this one. I have never seen an alpaca sheared like this. I thought it was so hilarious, I had to "dress up" the pic a little.
More fair shots comin' up....

State Fair, pt. 2

My challenge that day was "glass"...so I was on the lookout for anything made of glass or displayed behind glass.

my fave...This last one was featured on the Shutter Sisters blog.

http://shuttersisters.com/the-daily-click/?currentPage=2

State Fair, pt. 1

Kara had a day off school recently, so she and I spent an afternoon at the state fair. We didn't do much except walk around and eat...lol. Kara was patient and let me stop for pics. I love this area at the fair. It's probably the only place that's quiet. lol


Blew out some of the highlights on those lily pads in this one. Someday, maybe I will remember to use fill flash for a shot like this.

Sunrise...

I don't think I shoot enough wide angle shots, so I made myself go out one morning to do just that. It was not a great sunrise...actually very little color that day, but I was able to add enough in post processing to salvage it. I actually like this little spot at the back of Richland College. It's my "go to" place if I need a landscape and don't have time to go far. Generally I shoot sunrise or sunset directly facing the sun, but this time I shot north...and I really kind of liked it. Need to experiment more.

In the mood...

Recently our "assignment" was to shoot a mood portrait. I've been wanting to try a window shot like this for some time. Thanks to Caroline for helping me out.



One of my flickr contacts approached me after I posted this to ask if she could use it in a video she was making for a Natalie Grant song. She was using many of her own photos along with many of her contacts photos. I think she did a great job. You can see it here, if you're interested:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150331199894523

I'd like to teach the world to sing...

Remember that old commercial? Shot this for the "yesterday/yesteryear" challenge. I just love the old coke bottle and vintage processing. BTW...picked up that coke crate with the idea that I can use it to shoot baby pics soon. :) Should be fun!

End of a perfect day...

Nothing she likes better than a walk with Mommy and Daddy...

Oh wait....a leaf....

Bubbles...

We've tried bubbles once before with Hannah, but with no success. I guess she was too young. She definitely paid attention this time tho' and I loved watching her varied reactions. These are only a few.

Typical Hannah...quiet observer:

Apprehension :)

"Bubble...hand" with great concern:

Cautious joy:The champion bubble blower:

Daddy, your whiskers tickle!

I love taking off my hood and playing with the light...

Big ball...

One of the fun things about having Hannah with us all day was that we got to play with her after dinner. That meant shooting during golden hour...a rare treat, because I'm usually teaching. Hannah enjoys playing with a small crocheted ball in the house. She rolls the ball and says "Mimi (Grammy) turn" or "Pa-Chee (G-Pa) turn". With the cooler weather on this day, we decided to bring our exercise ball outdoors. Hannah LOVED it and got some great exercise!

I love her intent here...giving us her game face! :)

Much more typical for Hannah...probably watching a car go by.

My favorite bench...

Ever wonder why I do so many bench shots?

A: I know where the light is good in my yard, and
B: Until Hannah learns to climb up and down more quickly, there's a better chance of
catching her still.

Sincere joy (lovin' the tongue):

Cheesy smile at Grammy's request:

Cheap entertainment...

Last Christmas, Kara received a gift from a friend that was wrapped with this unusual ribbon from Container Store. It's made like a cylinder and, even after it's been tied in a bow, it springs right back into shape. It's so much fun to play with that we saved some for Hannah's toy box. Bob and Nathan like to squeeze the ribbon up as tightly as possible, then let it go suddenly, saying "BING!". It's guaranteed to get laughter from Hannah. And, ever the mimic, she has to try it herself. She squeezes it the best she can, lets it go and says "Hannah ming". Again...fits of giggles. Better than any expensive toy on the market!

My shutter speed wasn't quite fast enough for Hannah's motion, but ask me if I care. :)