Photo A Day | January 11

On Tuesday morning as I was getting ready to greet my day (at 10:00am) I realized that I possessed one of the greatest inventions ever!  Nope, not the toothpaste, although toothpaste is pretty great, it is that little white plastic squeeze it toothpaste thingee that helps you squeeze the toothpaste to the end.  I noticed that I have been using the same tube of toothpaste for several months now (and yes, I brush my teeth every day). This little white thingee keeps the tube clean and prevents wasting gobs of toothpaste. You see, I live in WA now and I am learning to be conservative-this is a step.  Don’t you love when somebody invents something and you think, “Why didn’t I think of that?”  We found these things at The Container Store in Bellevue, WA when we first moved here.  We went a little hog wild (since I adore organization things which makes me unorganized with too much stuff to organize myself… am I talking in circles?) buying shelves and extension shelves, and drawer organizers and sliding under the cabinet storage and SQUEEZE IT tube squeezers.  I am near the end of this tube and getting ready to put my Squeeze It on a new tube (barely holding on to the end).  My kids have a Squeeze It too and I swear it minimizes the mess that kids are capable of creating in the bathroom when brushing teeth is involved.  Someday, I hope to have a simple invention that will be as simple as this yet so helpful, like a Christmas tree that is pre-decorated.  Unbox, plug in and voila.  Or how about a self cleaning toilet?  That can’t be far from the future.  There are self cleaning ovens…

Photo A Day 2011 | January 6

I am cruising right along in this project.  I shouldn’t cheer quite yet but I do get excited easily.  I know its late and one of my goals for 2011 is completely being ignored (stop working and get to bed) as I am determined to get my personal project under way.  I decided NOT to write as many goals as I wrote in my 2010 goals so I could stay focused.  Focus is a problem-no pun intended.  Ha!  : )  I keep reminding myself that it is just ONE photo… not 15.  I can do this.  I need to wait for the moment and patience will pay off.  I don’t need to shoot everything, everyday.  Once I have a shot that I love-I check mark my Photo A Day project and go on to something like laundry or dinner.

Unfortunately, my extremely competitive family cannot make it through a game of Scrabble without the unpleasant argument of whether it is in the Official Scrabble Dictionary or NOT.  My iPhone application of Dictionary.com is not the official word, or so says my nameless sister.  ; )  Many a games have ended without a content feeling of victory since certainly more than one of the words shouldn’t be used if we had the Scrabble Dictionary .  It’s ok, do not fear.  Our last game together on my last night in AZ on our holiday vacation we played a mad game and I won!  BUT, I also ordered a copy of THE dictionary.  I couldn’t wait to get home and have my hands on that little thing.  Well, the anticipation died and all my anxiety went out the window when I opened my front door and saw the Amazon reusable tote with this little goody… AND my contentious opponent was not here.  I have a great reference and resource but nobody to play a good game of Scrabble with.  Thank goodness for Words With Friends!

To be bugged or not to be bugged | Kirkland, WA Photographer

First of all… GROSS.   BUT I am bugged!  I’m bugged that it is already DECEMBER.  I am bugged that I just got used to writing 2010.  I am bugged that it is too cold to go outside for pictures.  I am bugged that it gets dark at 4:30pm.  BUT, I am in awe at the beauty that surrounds me.  I am not bugged that I get extra cuddly time with my family-staying inside where is it warm.  I am not bugged that with each year I learn more and grow just a tad-hopefully in more ways than one.  I am not bugged that with the early sunset comes early bedtime.  Some things can be looked at in two different ways… bringing something negative along with something sweet.  Bugs on the other hand… I haven’t found the flip side of that yet.

I’m in love | Kirkland, WA Photographer

This company MUST know me.  I mean, look at the color, look at the box, read their words, etc.  These new business cards are just mini cards and I am in love!  They are half the size of a business card and I can’t wait to give them away.  : O  You may think this is way too  many pictures but I couldn’t stop…  It was as if I had the perfect model sitting right in front of me, full of color and perk, full of life and excitement. 

Hiring a cheap photographer | Kirkland, WA Photographer

I think these are hilarious.  Some nail the moment and how I feel at times.  Should I admit that?  Pricing is a touchy subject, right?  It is hard to assign a price to yourself.  Most of us question ourselves at some point, question our pricing.  There are so many photographers snapping out there, so many styles so many different ways to order a good ‘ol 11×14.   I recently read what Zack Arias wrote on his blog and loved it.  There is a place for every photographer, no matter what our pricing structure may look like.   We all start somewhere and we all grow into something as we keep our business alive.  Part of progressing is learning and understanding the ins and outs of business-the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Inevitably, this knowledge and growth leads to change, sometimes that change is manifested in the pricing structure.  But, as this funny clip says… In the end I suppose we get what we pay for.  : )      (I hate that lesson in life)

Hayrides | Indiana Photography

Our family recently (ok, back in October) took a trip to Indiana to visit more family.  We enjoyed the farm, pumpkin carving and hayrides!

Seattle Sunset | Kirkland, WA Photographer

So, it isn’t true… AZ is not the only place with gorgeous sunsets.   You may think I am crazy for thinking that could have been true.  Hey, I lived in AZ for too many years to not believe it.  AZ has beautiful sunsets with vibrant colors.  I have to say that Seattle can definitely enter the sunset contest.  Do you remember my previous post about Seattle’s Space Needle? The night I caught this, it was turning the sky pink and orange and I just wanted to sit and watch.  Sunsets happen quickly and you miss them if you are distracted.  My family was waiting in the car for me.  : )  This was after a photoshoot and I just HAD to stay around for it.  I am quite bugged about the trees that are in my way.  Any suggestions on how to get around them?  I suppose I could get up higher but at this location, that was not an option.  The good news is that I live here…  I can practice and find all sorts of goodie spots for this lovely scene.

Tim | Kirkland, WA Photographer

To the man who takes care of me,

Thank you for you love and support.  Thank you for turning to look at me, even when you had interests in other things besides ANOTHER dang picture.  Thank you for taking this day long journey.  Thank you for introducing me to a life in Seattle.  Thank you for laughing at me, thank you for complementing my motherhood skills (or lack thereof) at times when I need it, thank you for never questioning my purchases-even when it is another pair of shoes, thank you for always knowing when I need a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, thank you for a life full of growth, adventure, love, patience, understanding and laughter.  Thank you for being my moment’s notice model and always encouraging me to get the shot!

How is business? | Seattle, WA Photography

What do you think?  Busy?  I have to be in awe of the dedication and determination of businesses and business owners nowadays.  It is a tough market, a tough time to be in business.  I have a business mind and sometimes can’t turn it off.  I walk into places and when it is empty or mostly empty, my first thought goes something like this, “How can he/she/it afford to be in business?”  When you calculate rent, fees, taxes, and the plethora (love that word) of overhead expenses, it seems like it far outweighs the income being generated.  But, maybe that’s too simple.  Maybe I haven’t studied the passion behind the business?  Maybe I haven’t studied the time they have been in business and the revenues generated (and saved).  It’s just sad to drive by something like Mervyn’s (had to pick that because I remember the store fronts as a kid) and see that it couldn’t survive after how many years?  Businesses are closing all over the place and it’s sad to me!  Businesses are having to make those wretched decisions to let people go-the ones that have dedicated their lives to working.  Businesses are having to cut back, to cut the slack… and well…, make changes.  Change is good-for all of us.  But, first I suppose the storm will be weathered.

Stalker | Kirkland, WA Photographer

I have heard the term blog stalker.  What does it really mean?  I read blogs and sometimes I don’t leave comments-does that make me a blog stalker?  What if I told somebody that I read their blog but I don’t always leave comments… still a stalker?  I need to know if I am or am not a blog stalker.  Because who really wants to be labeled a blog stalker AND who has time to make comments every time they stop by a blog?  Well, the world wide web is funny and awesome.   To all of us blog stalkers out there…