Some days I really just need smiles

Andrew has been smiling for a few weeks now, but I finally caught him (sort of) on camera. He always breaks out in grins when he's getting his diaper changed, and my hands are busy and can't hold the camera!

Not my best Self

I'm a wreck. Or, I have been a wreck for about the last week. Things are actually looking up though. For a few days I really wasn't sure what was wrong. I felt panicked. Anxious. Stressed. There really wasn't any good reason for it, but it was there. I have been taking a lot of pictures in the last week. I took Rachel & Andrew out, Ashleigh's Bridals, our family pictures, Halloween costume portraits, and my Aunt's family pictures all in less than a week. Like I said, stressed. So I took a break. I've really tried not even to be on the computer the last two days, and I feel better. I've spent a lot of time organizing and cleaning our apartment and it has been very therapeutic. Let's just say, I am the master at fitting our stuff into Rachel's bedroom closet. It is packed, but I fit it all in. So proud. I still have a very long list of things I have neglected to do (insurance for example), but I'm getting there. I still have a lot of pictures to proof, but I'm taking it slow. I've sure learned that I really can't do the whole "professional" photographer thing right now. I would collapse. Hobby? yes. Career? I don't think so. Don't worry though. You can still ask me to take your child/family pictures and I will say yes. I still love it. Just not in such large quantities.

Stepping into untread waters

I had my first bridals session this week, and I think I am now addicted. It was so much fun! It probably helped that this was definitely a no-stress situation, as Ashleigh is already married with a kid. But...who doesn't want gorgeous pictures of them in their wedding dress? Thanks Ash for dressing up so I could practice. It was great, and you look fantastic!

Isn't He Hot?!

Wow. I sure think so. We've been meaning to take Sam portraits for some time now, so when our shoot fell through on Saturday we decided to head up the canyon anyway. We saw this stone amphitheater in pictures at a wedding reception last Friday, and had to try it out. Luckily it didn't rain on us, but it was pretty wet & chilly.



While Sam and I were occupied, Rachel got to run amok. She took advantage of the situation and drenched herself jumping in puddles.

Camera Shy

Rachel really does not like to have her picture taken. I take that back. She really doesn't like to look at the camera. She doesn't mind the pictures, so long as I don't tell her what to do and it doesn't interfere with her current activities. Ah well. Someday I'll get a picture of her cute smile. I think Sam is right about one thing...I'm going to love photographing in northern California. I love the brown/yellow grass. It looks so good, and is plentiful in the Bay area.





We also found a fun "choo-choo train" to shoot by. It took some serious snack-bribery to get this shot.

So true

I love the Parenting blog. These guys are seriously so funny. If you don't read it (and you are a parent, or are ever going to be a parent) you should add it to your Google Reader. If you don't have Google Reader, you should get it. Because, well, it's awesome and for those of us that are addicted to blogging, reading blogs, and everything else involved it saves a gazillion minutes per day. Anyway...back to the Parenting blog. These guys really understand what it means. That's probably why I find their posts so funny. Especially this one about Standard Issue Fun. You know it's oh-so true.

Biting the Bullet

Remember when I said we needed to just buckle down and spend the money to get real lighting stuff? Well...we did. I admit the bullet was large, rather hard to swallow, and we won't eat for the next month, but I'm so excited! After Rachel went to sleep (because you know we don't get anything productive done before she's in bed), we pulled out our shiny new toys and set them up in the living room. (Just as an aside, I love having technical support 24/7. Sam rigged it all up so my pictures would show up on the computer, set up the lights so they worked properly and let me have it. So nice.) Anyway....our neighbors came down (Jamie knew we had new toys to play with) and conveniently brought Brock for us to practice on. We took lots of pictures. So nice. He's such a cute baby anyway. I think we just stepped up our photography to the next level. I've already learned so many new things that I almost can't contain my excitement. So...if you are as excited as I am, I'd probably pay you to let me practice some more. :O)

Quiet Time

Andrew hasn't done this very often, but we sure milk it up when he does. He just sat in Sam's lap "helping" with homework for about an hour the other night. They were so cute, I couldn't resist.

I've also found that I'm taking less pictures of Andrew than I did of Rachel. If you visit our Flickr site, and view the Rachel set...wow. Picture crazy. I imagine it had a lot to do with a brand-spankin'-new toy, er camera, but still. Is Andrew going to be all sorts of put out because there are only a gazillion (instead of 2 gazillion) baby pictures? Probably not. In fact, he'll probably be grateful that every nano-second of his first year was not documented for posterity. Our family needs a disclaimer: "Please note...if you come to this family you will have your picture taken." Ah well. I'm sure they will be less of the next kid, and even fewer of the one after that. Life just keeps getting busier. I do love the quiet moments though. We have a few precious, all-time favorites of Rachel and I'm building up Andrew's portfolio as well.

Because I Said So...

I had this video forwarded to me earlier today and I just had to smile. How many times do we (as moms OR dads) say these things? Probably way too often. I also still find myself saying things my parents said to me (and I swore I never would!).

Spooktacular Deal!

Cute Halloween costumes. I love it. With some nudging from a friend (thanks Heather) I decided to offer a sweet Halloween photo shoot. *Cost is $12 and includes a 12x12 scrapbook page (see below), or an 8x10 picture if you're not in to that sort of thing. Bring your kid(s) in their costumes, and come have some fun! Pass the word along to all your friends and family. The more the merrier.

I have 2 days available:
Sat, Oct 13 10am-12pm (every 1/2 hour)
Sat, Oct 20 2-5pm (every 1/2 hour)

Email to schedule a time or for more information.
currenphotography@gmail.com

*Additional prints are at normal prices.