Time for costumes...

Every year I dread Halloween because I don't think I'll be able to come up with a costume for the boys that will measure up to the year before! After much brainstorming we decided this year was going to be a superhero theme. So after talking my sister and a few other friends into joining me and making all of our little munchkins superheroes, we got together today and made the first part of the costumes... the capes. It took a long time but the results were beyond my expectations. We'll have to have a costume creations part 2 because we still need to work on accessories but here's what we've got so far.

The best part is Andersen's first birthday party will be the week after Halloween and were going to do a superhero themed party.. So the kids will get to wear their costumes again. I love killing two birds with one stone. ;)

My somewhat new hobby...

About six months ago we became interested in getting a Digital SLR camera so we could take quality pics of our boys. We've been quite spoiled over the past few years with people in our lives that wanted to use us to "build their portfolios". When Camden turned a year old we ran out of people interested to take our pics either for free or pretty close to it. It was great while it lasted but I also got used to having GREAT quality and really affordable pictures.

I knew nothing about where to start so I talked to a few people and got some advice. One obvious resource was Brian's brother Brent. Brent lives in LA and is involved in Film. He's a partner of the production company Chronicle Project. On a side note, they are making a series of short film documentaries right now about how every day people are being used by God. They're really cool. The series is called Deidox, Click HERE to check them out.

Brent was generous enough to pretty much give us his old Nikon D70 since he was getting a new one. So first step accomplished, we got the camera. The next step was learning how to use it. I still have a lot to learn but I've come a long way in the last 6 months. I finally understand the "manual" settings on my camera, every one said once I got that down I would never go back to using "auto" again and they are right. I love it.

The next step is learning how to use a flash. I've never really attempted one because I prefer to use natural lighting for my pictures. Next weekend my friend Heather (Heather Marshall Photography) and I will be shooting our first wedding. The wedding is outside, but it's at 12:00pm. This means we will have a lot of direct sunlight and I'm dreading that. Also the reception is inside and who knows how the lighting will be in a reception hall. My good photographer friend Cherie, who is also one of the most generous people I know, let me borrow her flash. She has a Nikon SB-600. I've been playing around with it for the past few days and so far so good. I'm amazed at how much of a difference it can make when it's needed.

In the past few months I've been privileged to take pictures for our friends. I started putting some of my pictures up on my Facebook, not thinking there would be that many. Soon people were adding me on FB so they could see their friends pictures or because they had questions about getting pictures done with me. I finally decided to make a photo blog where I could showcase my work without adding people on Facebook. I wouldn't have imagined I would enjoy taking and editing photos so much, but I really do. I love getting to preserve these special times for so many different families.

So here it is, my photography Blog. Take a look around and enjoy :)