My evolution as a photographer continues...

Although I've always had a love of taking snapshots, it wasn't until I had Bug that I really became a shutterbug. We had planned on buying our first digital camera that Christmas (when she was due), but when she came early and we learned she'd be staying in the hospital without us, Russ decided to run out and buy me a camera early. So, he ran to Target and picked out a Canon Point & Shoot. I think it was an A85. That camera did us pretty well... I carried it everywhere I went, amassing an amazing several thousand snapshots of my baby girl. It wasn't until she was a year and a half and I dropped it while chasing her, that we needed a new camera. So, again, we bought a Canon Point & Shoot... an A530. I didn't love it as much as my first digital camera, but it worked.

So, when we had Lou, I realized I wanted to do more with my pictures. Learn more of my camera. Russ said I could take the plunge and purchase a DSLR...my Canon Rebel XT. By this point, I had an external hard drive holding 12,000 pictures of my girls.... and that was only the beginning. In the past 15 months, I've made photography more than just a hobby. I've learned to take more than just snapshots of my girls...

I look at the pictures I took of bug, and I think, "If only I'd known what I was doing behind the lens of the camera." I look at the pictures of Lou and think, "Man... I knew nothing about composition or lighting." But, now, with my studio experience and mostly, with my Bella experience, I am happy to know that the photos I take of our next baby will be so much better.

And lucky for me (and 1 really excited - and 1 reluctant and unsure - big sister), I'll be able to put that theory to the test soon. May, to be exact. That's right... #3 is on the way.

Sorry to Mara or mom or anyone else who would've heard it from Bug this weekend (she's been making the announcements so far)... I couldn't wait any longer to break the news!!!!!!

Who needs Photoshop?!

So, like any photographer I know, I've always put Adobe Photoshop on a pedestal. It is the be-all, end-all of photographic retouching and editing. You can do anything with Photoshop. I mean, its a verb! "Can you PHOTOSHOP me out of this picture?" Well, I don't think I can Picasa you out of a picture, but when it comes to my everyday retouching, Picasa is the way. Today, I'm gonna share some of my edits...

I've been suffering a LOT of self-doubt. I peruse photo blogs, websites and Flickr on a regular basis and to be honest... I'm not half as good as some of the other photogs out there. I'm not even talking about the masters... I'm talking about my friend Krysten, who picked up the *hobby* around the same time as me. She's amazing now! I'm talking about the dozen or so photogs who joined me at my recent NILMDTS training session. They all had their own websites... I have a blog. I checked out a couple websites. Boy, I hope one of them will take me under their wing and guide me...

I AM a pro photographer, but I don't feel like it! It pains me that I can't share my everyday images. The little itsy babes who keep me going. The little guy I did this week who was so special, so adorable. His parents had tears in their eyes when they thanked me for putting so much time, care, and attention to their son's pictures. The little lady who was small in comparison to the gerbera daisy her mom had me place in the picture. The chubba baby who I placed in my basket to photograph, much to the consternation of her great-aunt (who also shook her head in disbelief at my suggestion of undressing baby for a diaper-only photograph).

But, anyway, today I took some pictures of the park where we played. My husband and I have wanted photographs for our bedroom... something simple; an understated image of a single tree in a field... or something like that. We've seen some stuff we liked, but never wanted to pay the price that was asked. But, today, Russ finally found some images that were worthy of putting on our wall...and the best part? They were MY images from the park. So, I'm sharing them below. Let me know which you like best!!! (Oh, and you knew I'd include bug & lou, right?!)

Missing in action...

Yeah, I've been a bit busy...

I remember when I first started on camera at picture people. I'd come home each day, "I shot 2 kids today!" And I said, "I can't wait until I can't remember HOW MANY I've done." Well, I'm at that point with Bella Baby. It is insane how many pictures I take each day. I've worked 10 shifts and shot 57 babies. FIFTY-SEVEN. That's a lot...

However, I do remember some of them vividly... in the past 2 days, I had the 5 pound baby in a 10 pound dress... and the 8 pound baby in a 5 pound hair bow (or rather, flower!). I wish I could share the pics. But, I also had the little lady who had more hair than my 16 month old. I had the 2 10 pounders... no putting them in my basket!! I could go on and on. Let's just put it this way... I LOVE this job. Even when I come home tired to the bone... wore out... hunched over like an old woman. It is fabulous.

I've had babies who curl up like they're still in mom's tummy. I've had babies who stretch out like, "I'm FREE!" I had a baby who put her hands in the air, wave 'em like you just don't care. LOL. Baby who covered her face, "No pictures please!" So much fun.

Anyway, today I have my NILMDTS training. Hubby asked me if I'm excited. Excited?? No. But, I'm anxious. I want to see what I've signed myself up for. I want to see how unbelievably difficult (yet rewarding) this is gonna be.

OK... I promise I'll share some pics soon. But if I don't get my rear in gear, I'm gonna be late.

Summer is over...

and I can hardly believe it. But, I took advantage of a beautiful labor day weekend to take a wide variety of pictures. In the past seven days I've been to Menominee, MI; Marinette, WI; Green Bay (and a Packers game!); back home to Chicagoland; and finally up to Lake Geneva, WI and the surrounding area (including the Walworth County Fair, where I took this image).

So, once I catch my breath (did I mention I start at Bella tomorrow!?), I will be a flickr'ing, blogging madwoman. So, keep your eyes peeled.

Baby *P*

As promised, more pictures from my sitting with Baby *P*...

He was such an angel. Barely fussed... did whatever I asked (haha). 6 days old is such a special age. I tried to do a lighter black and white conversion on these (thanks to the PYF gals for the feedback!). If you like this better or worse than the pic I posted last week, please let me know which you prefer!

Had some more training with Bella. According to the boss (Kelly, who is FABULOUS!), her goal is for bella babes to one day be too BIG for Bella. To grow as photographers and branch out. To take the training she gives us and become famous. Its so obvious that photography, photographs, kids, family, etc. are insanely important to this woman. I love her! I love Bella.

Anyway, before I get too off-track, I love this baby too. He's adorable and I'm so thankful to his parents for letting me photograph him.

Enjoy and let me and the family know what you think of the pictures.

don't know if I'm crazy about the weird angle on that one... but no other angle really works, either! Ugh!





I have more, which I may or may not post after I edit. And starting September 2nd, I'll be photographing all the beautiful babies at my assigned hospital. Although I can't share those, please wish me luck!!!

My First In-Home Sitting!

Tonight I took pictures of a 6 day old baby... his parents are our neighbors (and dad is a former coworker of my husband). So, as a gift to them (and a way to build my portfolio), we went over to take some pictures. Of course, they'd already bought the Bella Baby CD offered to them in the hospital, but the difference between a 2 day old and a 6 day old is amazing. I didn't get as many pics as I would have liked, but I plan to go back tomorrow or Monday to take pics of the little guy with his gorgeous mom. She hadn't thought of it before my visit...and I don't at all mind a return trip. He was a sweet little baby and I loved cuddling and holding him between shots.

So, anyway, a slight teaser... one pic that I had time to work on. The rest will have to wait until tomorrow, as I still have Bella work to do in anticipation of my first day (tomorrow!).

Baby *P*...

Something new...

I've been taking quite a few pictures in the past couple of weeks. And I'm trying to take pics of something other than my kids... so, here's some of what I've been up to:

On August 2nd, we went to the N.E.W. (NorthEast Wisconsin) Zoo in Suamico, WI. We saw a lot of animals, including this giraffe, whom my daughters fed.


We also got to meet a box turtle...up close and personal. She was very shy, but let me take a couple closeups.

The next day, we took a drive up to Sturgeon Bay, WI. We sat by the marina, watching the boats come in and out; watching the bridge lift up to allow the taller yachts and sailboats through. My daughters were pretty interested in the canadian geese (which, of course, we see all the time around home anyway!). So, here's a picture of one getting all riled up.

After our short drive to Sturgeon Bay, we returned to Green Bay to visit Lambeau Field for the Green Bay Packers' Family Night. Rather than obsess about the drama surrounding Brett Favre (my favorite player of all time), I busied myself with learning to use my father-in-law's 70-300mm lens. Thanks, Ray! This picture of Brian Brohm was taken from the 58th row. In 10 days, I'll be sitting in the 13th row of Lambeau Field to watch the preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. Can't wait to see how much better those photos turn out!



On Saturday, August 9, we visited the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. I quickly filled my memory card, but had to narrow it down to choose one to share here... this is a good one of a monkey. The lighting was challenging (the monkeys live in the "monkey house", a dark, dank windowless building).

Then, finally, this past week I had family in town (Mike & Mara, it was nice to see you! Hope you had as good a time as we did!). So, on Tuesday night, we went to watch the Schaumburg Flyers baseball team. We had great seats that were unfortunately obscured by the net that protects the fans from foul balls. So, I took a bunch of pictures before the game started. Here, one of the pitchers warmed up with his catcher.

I also took some pictures of my girls that night (you knew I'd share at least one, right?!).



On Wednesday, we took the train downtown and visited Navy Pier. Besides walking around and eating too many treats, we also took an architectural boat tour of Chicago courtesy of SeaDog. Despite the rain, it was an amazing excursion. We saw the city in a way we'd never seen it before. I'm no architecture buff, but there's something about those buildings that makes my breath catch in my throat. So, I took a bunch of pictures, but here are my favorites.


Upon finishing the boat ride, we were all exhausted (and wet!), but we stopped near the ferris wheel to allow Bug a ride on the carousel. So, I took the opportunity to take a couple more photos. Notice how blue the sky was! This was maybe an hour after the downpour we experienced on the boat. Amazing how the weather can change in an instant.
While waiting for the train to take us into the city, I took this picture of my girls. I was very pleased with this capture. They weren't fighting, they weren't talking, and they were actually smiling. A rare capture of both my girls at once!


I start my training at Bella Baby this Tuesday! I'm very excited (and a little nervous). My last day at Picture People is Wednesday. I'm honestly going to miss that place (and a few of the girls - and Steve! - that work there). I've learned a lot and I credit my newfound self confidence to working there...

In the meantime, check my flickr for more photos. I upload lots more there, and on a more frequent basis. And also tell your friends to check out my photos! Thanks for reading (and looking!).