The Amazing Gager! |Queen Creek, AZ Photographer

This cute little boy (my nephew) is quite the entertainer.  He loves Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and doesn’t go anywhere without his weapon.  He often refers to himself as Donatello (or one of the other TMNT).  As you can see, he tucks the weapon in his pants when not in use.  He sleeps this way, eats this way, and even tries to go to the bathroom this way.  ; )  This is exactly who he is at age 4! 

Braces | Kirkland, WA Photographer

How many people love their braces?  What about all those who request to have them (the famous term) “photoshopped” out of the picture.  I love her full showing of the braces, I love her full smile.  I love the snapshot in time, the time when she has braces.   There is no holding back (mostly because she maybe was just letting me do my thing and she was focused on something else), no tight upper lip trying to cover the million dollar investment her parents have made.  : )  That’s right, those things are expensive!  Be proud, consider it your current form of bling.

Summertime | Kirkland, WA Photographer

What do feet have to do with summertime?  Well, thank you for asking!  To me, bare feet represent the essence of childhood and summertime.  I remember running around with no shoes, even to Circle K for treats after getting leaves out of my neighbors pool (Thanks for that by the way!).  The dirt, the grime, the constant wading into the pool, lake, beach, etc.  Who needs clean feet when shoes and shocks won’t be on them and chances are the water will clean them!  Who needs shoes in the summertime? It’s a sign- ready for fun, ready for the water, the heat…  The special thing about these feet is those cute little freckles on the bottom.  Have you ever looked at the bottoms of your feet?  I wonder if she even knows she has these?  :)

Swimming in the lake | Kirkland, WA Photographer

In a moment to get somewhat warm, he ran to the play center.  He looked right at me and gave me some typical goofy faces and smiles.  He knew what I wanted and in turn did what he usually does…  BUT, I missed those.  My camera had been switched to manual focus (thanks to my curious husband).  I was trying to get focused assuming it was on the auto focus and in the meantime, I could see the blur of smiles and goofiness.  I was bummed to miss it! I asked him to wait a second until I fixed up my camera and stole this shot as he was looking and waiting.  It was his usual look yet so unusual for the expected performance in front of the camera. 

I used my 70-200mm at 2.8.  You won’t believe this but guess what?  I love this lens.  It is heavier than my car but worth it when you get great bokeh.

New Surroundings | Kirkland, WA photographer

One of the first pictures I love here in WA.  (There is no boost in color, it is just VERY green here.)  Washington offers a great combination of color and light.  The sky always seems to be perfect for outdoor pictures.  I took these with my 50mm 1.4.  I had everything else packed away and the 50mm was light weight and easy to carry around.  I have fallen in love with this lens again.  I never stopped loving it (is this a song, or what?) just remembered it fondly.  : )

Let’s Dance | Queen Creek Photographer

THIS is why I love doing what I do…  Can you even look at these without smiling?  Sometimes goofy really is best.  Remember my thoughts about being REAL?  Can you argue or disagree with their cute little personalities?  They were getting ready for a recital and these little ladies needed to have pictures in their costumes. Sometime (soon) the costumes will be put away, their bodies will grow to the next costume and these days will be a faint memory that only a mother could describe.  It’s hard to imagine that these days will go by as some days feel long and full.  But, its true.  They grow up!  And, want to know the worst part?  Someday they will be “too cool” for this sort of goofiness.  Their portraits at that time will take on new meaning and it will be just as wonderful but definitely different.  In the meantime, let’s take advantage of the moments they share and give away!

Get your kicks | Queen Creek Photographer

Everybody needs a good pair of kicks… no matter your age!  And, add a great color to spice it up!

In The Moment | Queen Creek Photographer

I was having some thoughts today as I was struggling to listen to my kids tell me all sorts of things about their day.  I realized they were asking questions and I was giving answers but I never heard the question.  Have you ever done this?  Please say I am not the only one.  Anyhow, one of the questions asked was, “Mom, when does Karate Kid come out to the movie theatres?”  My answer (and the ah-hah moment that I was NOT in the moment) was, “Tomorrow.”  What was I talking about?  I had no idea!  I was just talking because I was hearing talking with a slight influx of the voice and a pause which typically means it is time to answer one of the million questions being asked.  (I was caught when the next question was, “really, tomorrow?”  Then I had to stop and realize what I had done and ask her to repeat the question. Embarrassing?)

I was sad.

I wanted to erase what was swimming in my mind.  I wanted to delete the other responsibilities in my life and really be MOM at that moment.  I wanted the kids to count on me being honest with a open ear.  I wanted to make a conscious effort to be In The Moment with each hat that I wear.  I want to be In The Moment when I photograph, I want to be In The Moment when I teach, I want to be In The Moment when I mother, etc.  Should I add that to my 2010 goals?  Oh, when is the cutoff date for new year’s resolutions and goals?  Did I miss that memo?  : )

I am always after the real stuff.  I want people to be In The Moment.  I want to capture their true interactions and real emotions.  Lately, I have been loving my 70-200 2.8 lens so I can get a little further away (hide I suppose) and get those real moments.  There is some pressure when being in front of the camera, a pressure to perform.  The closer I am, the more pressure.  I have tried to back up and I like that experience.  Ya know, I am always changing (learning and growing) and by challenging the way I do things, new worlds open up!

Here, a mother truly being In The Moment with her daughter.  This was in between some pictures I was doing-I turned to see this and tucked myself in a corner so I could capture its realness.  To me, it is a beautiful, real “In The Moment” type moment!

Mission Beach, San Diego | Queen Creek Photographer

I would have loved to say {San Diego Photographer} but that is neither here nor there…  I was at the beach and that is what is important. 

All I said here was, “Girls, on the count of three turn around and strike a pose.”  I think it wasn’t truly a beach day-it was more of a stop at the beach on the way to do other things, type of day.  Hence the full clothing (that probably wasn’t a full sentence but added for emotional appeal and dramatic effects.  How did I do?)  They made due by turning pants into shorts, ditching sweatshirts and removing their shoes.  What is more fun than a bunch of girls having a blast on the beach (even without their swimsuits)?  My fun was sitting back and being photographer for the day/moment.  I probably was smiling and just as giddy as the girls.

Oh, and by the way, I am never to busy to be your beach (family vacation) photographer!  Really…! 

Play time at the park | Chandler Photography

Thanks to these little ones, I have discovered some fun play time at Tumbleweed Park in Chandler.  I didn’t even know this play structure existed.  I also didn’t even know that it could be so hot in April!  I got lots of exercise chasing them around with my 200 pound camera with my 70-200 lens attached (or maybe it was more like 400 lbs).  Nichole was ready for a snapshot at any moment-like she had been watching the movies and studying the moves of those being photographed.  She pivoted, turned her head, straightened her back, popped out her hip, etc.  It was a riot!  I loved to watch her catch the camera pointed at her. Then there was Joe who was jumping, climbing, running and hiding like the camera didn’t exist.  I hope to always be young at heart!