Michele's photography blog

Laughter is the best medicine!

2012-01-31T16:36:00.000-08:00

This girls smile and laughter is contagious! She is always SO happy. She is ALWAYS so sweet. I just hope she stays this way forever.

Hello Beach Weather - I can't complain!

2012-01-30T15:56:00.001-08:00

I don't know who this family was ....

2012-01-30T07:23:00.001-08:00

But thanks for the AH Mazing shot!

They love mom's Chinese chicken wings!

2012-01-28T17:51:00.000-08:00

My kids can eat an entire 8 pound bag of these chicken wings! They LOVE them - especially Ashton. While they are cooking you can find Ashton pacing in front of the stove in anticipation of them coming out the oven.

And another shot just practicing how to smile for the camera - he cracks me up!!!

Amelia and her BFF

2012-01-26T18:31:00.000-08:00

Having sushi lunch! What fun!

Girl talk over a Seaweed Salad -

BFF's

SO much fun! -

Playing dress-up

2012-01-23T08:21:00.000-08:00

She loves getting into my clothes and dressing up like me! Then she LOVES posing for the camera!

We've been hit with a stomach bug

2012-01-21T17:06:00.000-08:00

Amelia slept at a friends house last night and early this morning I got a call from her friends mom - she was getting sick. Poor baby girl has been feeling horrible all day. I'm hoping this skips over everyone else - I'm the biggest baby when it comes to the stomach bug!

My sweet loves =)

2012-01-19T15:25:00.000-08:00

Ashton enjoying the beach

Me, Amelia, Amelia's BFF, and Ash

My sweet Amelia

Someday we'll get the "smile for the camera" LOL

Ashton

Another HDR attempt...

2012-01-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

The clouds today were really cool looking since we were having rainy cold weather, so I thought I'd take my camera down to the beach. Boy, was it COLD!

Laughter

2012-01-15T14:28:00.000-08:00

I just love this moment I caught of my daughter laughing!

My 2nd attempt at HDR

2012-01-15T08:21:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to do this for quite some time now. I finally got off my butt and did it. My 1st attempt was a failure - I won't even share that, lol. This time around I got the correct program and I *think* I did what I was supposed to camera wise. There are a million mistakes in these, I know. But I like where this is going and I can't wait to try more!

Self Portrait

2012-01-10T12:43:00.000-08:00

I haven't done one of these in a while but working on my 365 project this was on the list.

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge - Best Face 2011

2012-01-09T09:52:00.000-08:00

I just love this image of my daughter! This is what chocolate does to her face as soon as she gets some! Big smiles =)

A few from the past few weeks

2012-01-07T13:14:00.000-08:00

Yes, he's eating something out of a Frosted Flakes bowl.

This puts a smile on my face - teaching Ashton to smile for the camera ... we're getting there!

Two princesses

Together

Christmas Day on the Las Vegas Strip

X-mas Day on the Las Vegas Strip

Seaport Village

2011-12-21T17:33:00.000-08:00

Sweetness ...

2011-11-28T20:51:00.000-08:00

OB Sunset (Sunset Cliffs)

2011-11-27T19:59:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-23T18:08:00.000-08:00

Texture Tuesday

2011-11-22T11:23:00.000-08:00

Amelia - Surfing Solo

2011-11-21T15:27:00.000-08:00

Well, here she is surfing solo! I couldn't be more proud! She is doing phenomenal during her lessons. She still needs help paddling out, but she able to paddle in, catch a wave, jump up on the board, and ride it all the way to shore! Way to go girl!

Reflection

2011-11-19T14:35:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-16T14:25:00.000-08:00

Ok there are words ... Ashton now gets homework! He gets to study spelling words! This is big! This is his FIRST homework assignment! I'm one proud momma right now! =)

Someone LOVES Chocolate

2011-11-15T17:46:00.000-08:00

Can you believe she ate 3 of these today?! Oh yes she did ....

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-09T18:49:00.000-08:00

Fall Colors ~ I found some here =)

My Sweet Amelia

2011-11-07T18:58:00.000-08:00

Early Morning So. Cal Coast

2011-11-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

I could never get sick of photographing the Coast of So. Cal. Any Coast for that matter. Here is Pacific Beach, CA early this morning. So beautiful. I feel lucky and blessed to live in such a beautiful place!

Watching waves

2011-11-05T12:36:00.000-07:00

Today Amelia started her surf lessons. She has them every Saturday morning for at least the next two months. We'll see how long she needs them. She did AMAZING! She was jumping up on the board first try! Her instructor was quite impressed! After the 1 1/2 hr lesson was over Amelia ran out of the water and said "I wish every day was Saturday." I'm so glad she enjoyed it! Anyway, here they are this morning watching the waves before her surf lessons ..

And her surfing .... I'm really going to need a zoom lens if she keeps up with this sport! My 85mm isn't long enough!

Pretty girls!

2011-11-03T15:01:00.000-07:00

Look how gorgeous they both look!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

Touch up Tuesday

2011-11-01T20:30:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd do another before and after! =)

Before -

After -

Halloween

2011-11-01T17:58:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween! I know we did! I dressed up for the first time since I was a kid! I forgot how much fun that was!

Here is me - excuse the crappy cell phone pic

Beautiful weather, amazing food, and beautiful Balboa Park!

2011-10-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

This week has really been beautiful. Thursday a friend and I met up for lunch at the Tea House over looking the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park - the day couldn't have been more perfect! It was 80 degrees out, we had so much to chat up about, and the food was amazing! Oh and the Tea - there must have been over 35 choices! I first went with a Vanilla Bean tea, which was yummy! We spent over 3 hours there, so 1 tea wasn't enough! I then tried a citrus grapefruit tea and that was delish! After meeting up with my friend I went and watched Amelia practice cheerleading. Silly girls - very entertaining! Here are some pics from my day!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

Dentist time!

2011-10-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

I am so happy to report that Ashton handled the Dentist very good this time! She was able to look at far more than any Dentist has ever without putting him under! She was even able to get a few teeth cleaned (his front ones) and he let her check for cavities! I have to say, I was shocked! This was a child that anytime he went to the dentist he would gag and throw-up when ever they tried to put anything in his mouth!
He did have 2 cavities, so we did have to get a referral to a pedi dentist that has access to an operating room because he'll have to be put under to fill them and get x-rays. But I was thrilled this how this appointment went - such great progress here!

Photo Challenge - Face

2011-10-23T15:28:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite face photos I took this week! Go link up your face photo!

Weekend Fun - food and surfing

2011-10-17T08:48:00.000-07:00

We met up with some friends at Hodads for burgers on Saturday. Hodads is the place to get some of the best burgers in San Diego - it was delish! After we left Hodads we walked around OB window shopping. I decided to check out some wetsuits for the kids since the weather is getting cooler. We ended up walking out with a surf board (used of course)! Something for the kids to start practicing on. I might even try this surfing stuff too! The only thing I regret is I bought a pink surf board .. I used have picked one that was unisex - Ashton looks pretty funny carrying around a pink surf board! Ha!

Before and After

2011-10-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd show you guys another before and after! This is from one of my Ocean Beach images. Pretty much all I did was lower the exposure in the sky (in Bridge), clarify the clouds (a lot), removed a few things, and added some saturation. Quick and easy. I love the colors in this one!

Before:

After:

Ocean Beach, CA

2011-10-10T11:56:00.000-07:00

I had no idea we were going to meet up with some friends at Ocean Beach - it was last minute! That is why Amelia was wearing clothes and not a swim suit =) Ocean Beach, or as we call it out here OB, is a really unique beach! It sort of has the same feeling as Venice Beach to me. It's just a fun place to hang out, always something to see, and just has this very laid back feel. The pier is AWESOME!

I Heart Faces - Raise Your Hands Challenge

2011-10-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

Show and Tell Photo Challenge - Black and White

2011-10-08T17:27:00.000-07:00

Edited in an old film grainy process - I've been meaning to try this. I have a few other ideas I want to try.

At it again ..

2011-10-08T10:12:00.000-07:00

So we tried the Cake in a Jar idea once again, but with the Neon colors. They turned out awesome! Amelia had a girls night with her friends and everyone enjoyed making these (and eating them)!

This is all you need (2 boxes make about 6 jars) and of course you need frosting!

You separate about 2 cups of cake batter in 5 bowls (or cups) Add food coloring - use the Neon - trust me on this one!

Then you pour about 3 tablespoons of each color

This is what it starts to look like!

And this is how you eat it =)

Morning walk to school

2011-10-07T08:57:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-05T16:02:00.000-07:00

Self Portrait in Color and B/W - I think I like the B/W better.

Monday ...

2011-10-03T20:17:00.000-07:00

I love Mondays. I do. After the weekend is over I am ready for the kids to go back to school so I can get a little time to myself. Today though. First, I've been having issues with my phone and the USB charger port in the phone. It's been giving me issues holding a chance these past few days. My phone is my life. My only alarm clock and my only phone. I don't have a house phone, so I relay on my cell for everything! Well, my phone died while charging last night and my alarm never went off this morning. It always happens when I need to be up early Ashton decides he's going to sleep in - he did until 7:15. We were late. I decided to take Ashton to his bus stop first - his bus comes at 8 - then drop Amelia off late. Ashton's bus got a flat tire this morning, so we waited at the bus stop for 1/2 hour over until I finally gave up since I can't call Transportation because my phone is dead! I drop Amelia off and then take Ashton to school. THEN, I get a flat! Fixable, but wow, annoying! I head to Sprint to have them look at my phone. I find out it's a problem these Evo's are having. They had to take my phone for inspection to make sure it wasn't something I did and they needed to charge my battery. Great! Being without a phone was a very very unsettling feeling! You don't know how much you relay of something until you don't have it. So, I left Sprint and decided to go food shopping. Thankfully that was uneventful, except it was mobbed. The Marine Base was closed all weekend do to the Air Show, so everyone that put off shopping over the weekend was there! I went back to Sprint to find out it wasn't me (THANK-GOD) and I'll have a replacement in 5-7 DAYS!!!!!!! Ugh. I'm thankful they are replacing it for free since I didn't have insurance, but now I have to go to Sprint every morning and have them charge my phone until my replacement comes!

So after all this I decided I needed some fun time with the kids. We attempted to make Rainbow Cake in a Jar. Amelia wanted to make pastel color ones. So, we did. I wish I would have talked her out of it. I think the bright bold colors would have worked SO much better .... so guess what I am doing tomorrow while they are at school?! Yes, making the bight colorful ones! The kids still enjoyed making them and eating them! It was a lot of fun doing this with them as well!

I had to add this. I needed to pick up jars for the cake at our local kitchen store and Amelia spotted this bug zapper. She HAD to have it. She was so excited to get this thing home and try it out. I, of course, had to make sure this was OK for her to use, so I touched just ONE of the strands of wire and OMG!!! This is just as strong as one of those taser guns! This got put up and out of the kids reach. Amelia saw what it did to me and refuses to now be near the thing, LOL Dangerous! Very dangerous!

My Lazy Boy

2011-10-02T15:24:00.000-07:00

Sundays are the best days to just kick back and relax. Although I tend to do all my cleaning on Sundays, so that way Monday when the kids are off to school I can go do my things without worrying about my house needing cleaning. I also love to cook on Sunday - the one day a week (mostly) that I actually cook 3 meals. Amelia is still off with my friend and her girls, so it's just been Ashton and I all weekend. I think he may be enjoying the fact he's an only child right now - he's been quite happy and quite calm!

Our adventure

2011-10-01T17:06:00.000-07:00

Last night a friend of mine picked up my daughter, Amelia, for a sleep over with her girls. She didn't plan on returning with Amelia until tonight. So, Ashton and I are having some mommy and me time - which doesn't happen too often. Today PB was having a yearly Pacific Beachfest. We live close enough to walk to the boardwalk from our home, so Ashton and I hiked down 8 blocks to the beach for some fun, food, music, and more. I knew he wouldn't be able to handle the crowd for very long. He doesn't do very well with crowds. We got through some of it with little trouble, but once we hit the amazing Reggae band that was playing he b-lined strait out of there covering his ears and with the funniest look on his face! He was done.

We decided to explore Crystal Pier, he loved that. The only thing was every-time I called it "the pier" he lost his mind! He'd scream back "bridge." "Ok-Ok it's a bridge!" He has labels for most everything and if you don't recall what he calls it, or if you don't know what he calls it; be prepared for the wrath of Ashton! In Ashton's world we should just know, duh!

Walking home we took Garnet Ave, which is a very vivacious Street to begin with. Ashton on Garnet Avenue was like walking with a very annoying drunk person! He knocked down 3 mannequins, kicked closed almost every business' doors along the way, purposely walked into store front windows (okay, slammed himself into them), and laid down in the middle of the sidewalk rolling around. On top of all this, he must have walked into at least 10 people riding bikes or jogging. I mean in his defense, he doesn't know his lefts or rights and big fat chances are he doesn't even hear the person on the bike/jogger scream from behind him "on your left" or "on your right!" I'm getting better and quicker with pulling him out of the way though.

Here are a few shots from today!

Walking on our street to the beach -

THIS is how he preferred to see the waves from the Pier - you can only imagine ALL the strange looks we got - made me happy though. I'd rather him safe on the ground than trying to climb the Pier fence!

Even Ashton can appreciate an amazing view!

Sitting in the middle of the sidewalk on Garnet Ave - probably plotting how he's going to take out those mannequins!

Have you seen Madagascar (the first one)? Well, every time he sees a pay phone he HAS to stop, dial numbers, pick up the phone, speak a bunch of gibberish, than SCREAM "ANIMALS" LOL

We've finally reached a milestone!

2011-09-28T19:46:00.000-07:00

Baby steps with this child I'll tell ya, baby steps! Ashton has never liked sleeping in a bed, ever. From the time he could climb out of his crib we would find him in odd places, like sleeping on the hard, cold kitchen floor. We finally got him to at least sleep on the couch. That floor HAD to be uncomfortable! So, I'd have to say Ashton hasn't slept in a bed for almost 6 years (or more)! I've tried everything too - even bought him one of those huge race car beds (he did sleep in that one, maybe 2 nights, then he was OVER IT! Well, I don't know what happened, but we are now on day 4 and now am telling him it's time to lay down and go to bed..... and by god the kid is actually doing it! Of course he needs his fake fish tank going, iPad, and his million army guys with him, but hey, you need an entourage when your venturing into new territory! What ever works! I know Mom is happy! I get my living room back - woohoo!

And just because!

Adams Avenue Street Fair 2011

2011-09-24T19:09:00.000-07:00

Mt. Soledad

2011-09-23T17:08:00.000-07:00

Before and After

2011-09-09T21:28:00.000-07:00

I was going through some old photos and I found this one. I thought I'd share my before and after ..

Before:

After:

Back to School

2011-09-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

To our surprise we woke up to rain .... it NEVER rains in San Diego, so this was a big deal. Made for a fun morning =)

One of both of them -

Forever Friends

2011-09-04T20:50:00.000-07:00

These two are just too much when they are together. As close to family as friends can be.

How cute is he?

2011-09-03T20:01:00.000-07:00

I want a Bulldog now! Just look at that face!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-31T14:58:00.000-07:00

I Heart Faces: White

2011-08-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

Strike

2011-08-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

I Heart Faces: Beautiful Eyes

2011-08-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken over a year ago and I know it's a goofy photo, but this really was the photo that came to mind when I saw this challenge! Look at those eyes!!!!! Haha!

Don't underestimate the power of this beauty

2011-08-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a pretty terrifying day for us. The water was calm. The kids were enjoying themselves; boogie boarding and wave riding. We were watching the waves that were getting bigger and bigger. The kids were about waist high. The break of the huge waves that were coming in looked odd, we thought. The kids looked like they were in a safe calm place. Ashton was a few feet in front of Amelia when all of a sudden Ashton got taken in by a rip tide. I ran in after him. He was pulled pretty far out, well over his head. Ashton THANK GOD can swim. As I was running in after him I got taken in by the rip tide. I was helplessly getting clobbered by huge wave after wave. Losing sight of Ashton, horrified. As soon as I would get remotely near him I would get clobbered by another wave, as we'll as him. We were only in the water a few minutes before a lifeguard reached us. Still a few minutes longer than I ever wanted to experience that horror. I thought I lost my baby. I could hear him struggling, gasping, choking...it was the most horrifying experience I've ever had to go through. Today he's safe, I'm safe, but still a little shook up. After this, both my children will never enter the water without life jackets. I don't care if they can swim or not! The power of that water weakened me to my knees. Fighting those waves EXHAUSTED me. Ashton looked so shocked, scared, and exhausted himself. It was only a few minutes. So, please just remember this beautiful ocean can turn ugly in the blink of an eye. Take all precautions - I know from here on out I will be.

Before and After Blog Hop Thursday

2011-08-11T14:07:00.000-07:00

Before SOOC just resized and sharpened for web

After

Canon 5D II, 50mm1.4 Photoshop CS4

Surfers Healing ~ Our Day

2011-08-11T09:57:00.000-07:00

Surfers Healing is an organization that gives children with Autism a free day of surfing. It's such an amazing organization. Water seems to draw children with autism in and with the sound of the waves, feeling of the sand, it somehow becomes very therapeutic for them. It's defiantly that way with my son. Ashton has been surfing with Surfers Healing for 5 years now. He loves it. This year Ashton seemed more overwhelmed than he did the past few years. A lot of tantrums this year, but he did amazing once he was on that surf board. Here are a few photos from our day ...

Here is the website for surfers healing. Check them out! Donations always help to, because if it wasn't for donations these kinds of free activities wouldn't be available for these kids. www.surfershealing.org

Wordless Wednesday's

2011-08-10T16:11:00.000-07:00

I took this photo with my camera at my hip :)

Photographing Ashton

2011-08-09T14:19:00.000-07:00

If you follow my blog you know my son, Ashton, has autism. Photographing him is very difficult. Forget posing him, having him smile at the camera, and family shots are mission impossible! My best photographs of him are always when he's doing his thing. Every once in a while I get a great big smile and always by chance. I made a small storyboard with a few pictures that show the difficulty in trying to get him to sit down and smile for the camera. He may be a lot of work to photograph, but I find all the great photos I do get from him always seem to tell a story, express his personality, and gives a glimps on how he sees the world around him.

I wanted to come back and add my favorite of the bunch, but in color.

Project 64 colors ~ Forrest Green

2011-08-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

A wall in Venice Beach!

Summer

2011-08-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from our summer so far!

LEM photo challenge ~ Summer

2011-08-05T13:07:00.000-07:00

Enjoying summer boogie boarding at the beach.

It's been some time...

2011-07-04T12:12:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy, mostly because of a move, but I am back ... now that things are settling down. I moved beachside and we are loving it.

here's a shot of what we see and enjoy daily...

At it again ...

2011-04-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

Ashton has really been trying to teach himself how to skate. I'm SO proud of him.

Happy BOKEHLICIOUS Thursday

2011-04-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

Before and After - Venice Beach

2011-04-19T09:31:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd show you another before and after since it's been a while. This is my son at Venice Beach, CA. This wasn't a planned shot, nor did I plan on going down to the water this day, which is why he's in a t-shirt .. either way I still love how it turned out.

BEFORE - only resized and sharpened for web

AFTER -

I start all my editing in Lightroom. I used the brush tool to lighten him up, added contrast at 100 percent. Clarity boosted then exported over to photoshop. There I removed all the people, turned b/w, defogged the sky, burned edges, added a bit of grain, resized, and sharpened for web.

Cool dude

2011-04-18T09:25:00.001-07:00

Ha ha, I love this kid .....

Such a beautiful weekend

2011-04-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

and I enjoyed every minute of it out in the sun, swimming, and playing with the kids. It feels so great to have summer weather. I was starting to forget how much I loved hanging out by the pool. Here are a few pictures from our weekend.

I Heart Faces photo challenge - WIND

2011-04-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

This is my daughter blowing away in the Las Vegas wind.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

Trip to the Library

2011-04-12T19:37:00.000-07:00

Amelia has a report due on an animal of her choice - she chose Snowy Owls. I was impressed =) So, today after school I picked her and her friends up and we took a trip to the Library to see what we could find on Snowy Owls. Her friend was doing his report on puffer birds .... both of which we only found a few books on.

A.Skate - skate clinics for children with Autism

2011-04-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

Last sunday Ashton was able to participate in an A.Skate event at Girl Warehouse in LA. He participated last November in San Clemente at Ryan Sheckler's skate pad and enjoyed it SO much. This time around he enjoyed it just the same - if not more. What A.Skate is doing for kids on the spectrum is phenomenal. Seeing the smiles on ALL the kids faces and the interactions between the kids and skater volunteers is priceless! I can't say enough about this organization! Check them out A.Skate Website

Here are a few images I took from the day (warning: photo overload) -

Thanks A.Skate for another amazing day!!!!

April is Autism Awareness Month

2011-03-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

This is a month of awareness that is very dear to my heart. As most of you know that read my blog Ashton is Autistic. He was officially diagnosed around 18 months with Classic Autism, but had clear signs of Autism very very early in life. I won't get into our life story - I just want to raise awareness! =)

This year I chose to show my support by having my nails done in the colors of the autism puzzle piece...

So please, spread the word, donate to Autism organizations, and educate yourselves. With the fast rate of Autism rising chances are you will one day know someone or have a love one that is affected by it!

Two WONDERFUL programs in need of donations:

A.Skate - http://www.askate.org/

Surfers Healing - http://www.surfershealing.org/

Teaching my 8 year old photoshop CS5

2011-03-19T19:40:00.000-07:00

We used this photo because, well, it was already up in ps and Amelia looked at it and said "oh, this should be rainbow"! So, I showed her how to add a gradient map layer and she had fun with it. I also showed to how to erase back the seagulls and lower the gradient map opacity ... this is how she liked it =) I think it actually looks really cool.

LEM photo challenge - "Anything"

2011-03-19T14:49:00.000-07:00

A few from my week!

2011-03-16T19:12:00.000-07:00

It's been a crazy past two weeks. Busy and fun. I really don't have much time to tell you a story, so here is my week in pictures! =)

First my beautiful great niece arrived!

Then we spent the day/evening in Old Town where Ashton found this wonderful hat!

See, isn't she CUTE!

Yes, adorable!

Then Ashton got sick for, oh, about 7 days!

And the kids colored my back window with window crayons! Who knew!?

And the neighbors came over for some fun in the pool

Even though Ashton was sick he tried really hard to enjoy the fun too!

Then we went for a hike it was fun!

Ashton enjoyed the water, of course!

Walking home was a bit frustrating .. kids got LAZY!

Then the kids earned some mulla for ice cream (Thanks generous neighbors)!

Our Tsunami warning!

More from Friday morning .... bye bye ocean!

The fog was insane!

Then we went to the Irish festival - fun, but holy cow was it CROWDED!

Then today Ashton was so CUTE singing sweet noises to me! =)

Well, if you made it this far - thanks. =)

Making that money ...

2011-03-07T12:52:00.000-08:00

So, the kids wanted money for the Ice Cream Truck Sunday and I suggested that maybe they should make thier own money, you know, EARN it =) Well, they sure did - they earned $17 dollars. They ended up not buying from the Ice Cream Truck because he never rolled by. Instead they went to the Ice Cream place and all got a scoop of ice cream. They were even so generous to take along a few other neighbr kids and bring back Ashton (who is very sick right now) some ice cream too!

I heart faces photo challenge: People's Choice-Best Face from February

2011-03-07T05:40:00.000-08:00

This was hard seeing I didn't take as many photos as I usually do this month, but I did love this one (I had another picked out but I took it in March). Anyway, this is my sweet niece! I just love her to pieces!!!!

I heart Faces - Fix it Friday

2011-03-05T11:35:00.000-08:00

Here is my play on this weeks Fix it Friday. All I did was saturate the colors in everything except his face and arms, added some contrast, slight sharpen, and added some texture!

Original by Dana Suggs Photography -

My edit

My B/W

My new love ....

2011-02-22T12:16:00.000-08:00

I never intended to purchase anything today from the MCX. Actually, I was just browsing the store waiting for the Commissary to open their doors, so I could do a little food shopping. I found myself smelling all the new perfumes that I haven't yet smelled, and well, I just fell in LOVE with this perfume - Very Hollywood by Michael Kors. I wasn't even going to walk out the store with it either (I kept telling myself no .. you don't need more perfume), but it kept dragging me back over to smell it again and again. I am very happy I bought it. It's definalty my new favorite fagrance and the bottle is just so purdy!!!! =)

Hope

2011-02-21T11:48:00.000-08:00

My daughter can be quite the little model at times. This morning she woke up and asked me if we could do a little photo shoot since she had the time AND it was her day off (yes, that came strait from her mouth). Got to LOVE her! Anyway, thought I'd share .. maybe another one (or two) to come later! Have a happy Monday everyone!

Back from Vegas

2011-02-13T07:56:00.000-08:00

Here are a few highlights from our trip. I don't normally do the "strip" while we are there (I lived there for a year and it's just some place I try to avoid now). Although, I do stay on the strip as my little man LOVES to stay at the Castle aka Excalibur. My daughter spends most her time with her Great Grandma. Ashton, my son, is too much for my Grandma to handle so I generally do things with him, while Amelia and Great Grandma spend time together. Overall, it was a good trip. I did get hit by a taxi and he took off. Ashton handled the excitement of the trip much better than I expected. Although it wasn't easy by any means! I got to visit and photograph one of my favorite places - the Redrocks. I wished I could have made it out to The Valley of Fire again - next time.

Redrock

Isn't it just gorgeous!? I could photograph this place forever and never get sick of it!

The road on the scenic route in Redrock Canyon

I love this one =) But of course if you've been on my blog or flickr you know I love flare photos!

Ashton at the Redrocks.

I did try to get him to walk the strip, but all the commotion - people, lights, noises - he started to panic. So we went back to the room where he was happy.

I think I can say this was the highlight of the trip for him! Ha. He LOVES to watch the chicken go round and round.

See - happy (and very loud, lol)

Well, that about sums up the trip. Now I need to go peek around and find some new photo challenges to enter =)

Sunny Sunday!

2011-02-06T15:37:00.000-08:00

I'm going to bore you guys with more sun flare, but I'm an addict. I. Can't. Get. Enough!

photo challenge: YELLOW

2011-02-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

Well, the rules in OUR game of Operation is you MUST make the noise and nose light up to get the piece out! I couldn't convince Ashton otherwise!

Didn't your mother teach you not to play with your food?

2011-02-04T19:30:00.000-08:00

Ha ha - she loves making faces when I have my Fisheye on my camera and she LOVES her asparagus! =)

Weekly Challenge: Trees

2011-02-04T12:46:00.000-08:00

Thanks to another blogger (thanks Kel) I found another photo challenge. I was just out and about the other day taking tree photos while hiking. I LOVE these beautiful trees - they are all over my neighborhood. Just gorgeous!

Before and after - fix it friday

2011-02-04T09:21:00.000-08:00

Sharing another before and after -

SOOC - just resized and sharpened for web

The result - I used a Lightroom preset (one from TRA gosh I can't remember which), then I gave it a vintage feel, and lastly I added a texture.

I heart faces photo challenge: Best face photo in January

2011-02-01T07:13:00.000-08:00

I just HAD to use this photo. His pure joy and happiness had me smiling from ear to ear!

I love me some flare

2011-01-27T11:46:00.001-08:00

Need I say more? =)

Dusting off the Fisheye ...

2011-01-26T20:00:00.000-08:00

Oh how I forgot how much I LOVE this lens! It's been a while since I had real fun with photography (dang life) ... well, I put my trusty 50mm 1.4 high up on a shelf and said goodbye for a while ... I want to have fun with my Fisheye again!

I heart Faces photo challenge: Innocent Wondering

2011-01-25T06:40:00.000-08:00

I was excited for this challenge! Ashton is always off looking at something, wondering. It always makes me wonder what going on in his little head. I can just imagine! He doesn't give me big cheeses when I ask him, or pose for me. So, I get some of my best photos of him because of his innocent curiosity and his beautiful outlook on life. With hopes one day he's verbal enough to share his world with me! =)

While most of the country is cold or snowy ...

2011-01-22T11:14:00.000-08:00

This is what we are doing today! =)

Happy Saturday

Simply beautiful

2011-01-16T08:38:00.000-08:00

Amelia and our Maine Coon cat Cleopatra. Cleo for short. =)

My little worker

2011-01-15T17:34:00.000-08:00

Helping me water my plants and grass today. I'm so thankful for this beautiful weather we have been having!

Before and after

2011-01-15T08:48:00.000-08:00

So I thought I'd share another one. This took me maybe 5 mins. First I opened in Lightroom 3. I used a preset called pretty girl ... it gives it a purple..ish retro look. Then I cropped. I sent it over to CS5 added a texture, masked back most the texture off the photo, gave it a slight "S" curve, resized, and sharpened for web!

There is SOOC (resized and sharpened only)

My edit

Such a beautiful day!

2011-01-14T18:02:00.000-08:00

It was SO nice having the warm weather return. I really hope it's here to stay. If felt wonderful wearing shorts and a tank top, running around outside with the kids, and finally picking up my camera again! =)

I heart faces photo challenge: SMILE

2011-01-10T20:10:00.000-08:00

I really had a hard time choosing one from this series. Some of them were funny. I don't know what it was about this one I decided to go with it. After the contest I'll post the others. This was thought up by my daughter! She's great when I need creative ideas! =)