San Antonio Photographer, Children and Families-moxie photography studio

A monday update and calibration woes...

Today I am doing an ABC list!

a.  Since I can't edit on my laptop, things are going a bit slower...sitting at the big monitor too long makes me very "ick."

b.  My new calibration system is on order..so hopefully the laptop woes will be a thing of the past.

c.  Wondering why I felt like crap today...Hmmm...just noticed I was not wearing my seabands!

d.  Getting back to work...but here are some images edited with the calibrated MacPro...YES>>>I AM OBSESSIVE over this.  I hear people all the time say..."I never calibrate my machine/monitor" COuld I be OCD..or is it that "creative/art" perfectionist background of mine.

More Lankfords!:

the face who is usually behind the camera!  Most photographers I know with the exception of Leslie don't like having their picture made...but isn't jenn just the cutest thing.

Is it just me or can you see a difference?!!!!

Personal notes for today!

1. My $3000+ laptop is having calibration issues.  The photographs I posted below are very different from what I am seeing on my screen.  and different from my MacPro.  How to remedy the situation?  use a $1200 calibration system.  And you think being a photographer is Cheep! ;-)
2. Working feverishly on Holiday Images. JUST ANOTHER FYI...Cards are taking about 3 working days to produce..
3. Editing burnout and why I am blogging.  To give my self a chance to take a break for a minute.
4. TOTALLY OFF THE SUBJECT MATTER> if you had an easy time potty training the first one...don't be so sure the second one will be that easy.  Devin will do all his duties in the potty if he is naked.  Once the Elmo's or Pull-ups go on...forget it.  Think people will be offended if he goes around town with no pants on!!
5. TABLET scare!  I use a Wacom tablet for ALL my editing.  I just had to get a new one b/c my 13 year old dog chewed through the other one.  GOT home and it was not working correctly.  I thought my life was over.  Luckily, I fixed it myself!
6. BJORNS...yes electronics.  I have this to say real quick.  IF you plan on putting in a media room or need a TV, projector or any piece of equipment...this is really the place to go.  We are always looking for the best deal.  BUT the best deal is to get a PRODUCT that works the BEST for your situation and lighting.  I wanted to use a projector in the studio...but as some of you know...this studio is not dark enough...BJORNS really gave me some good advice and I am now going to go with an LCD.  Really when you dishing out more than 1K...don't you want something that is going to work PERFECT.  I'll cut corners on my handbags, but not my electronics!

Photographing another Photographer's Family

Really it is always an honor to photograph another photographer.  Jenn came down from Fredricksburg and although we have never met..I felt like she was someone I could really hang out with ;-)  For me the whole "photographer" world has been a bit bizarre and I will just leave it at that.  So to meet someone so genuine who has 2 kids my sons age...is a bit refreshing.  For me families are the most challenging.  Getting people to look and then "look" natural is quite a challenge especially when a few of them are moving objects.  The approach I took to this session was just the "enjoyment" of the family and the fun, and the craziness that ensues when raising toddlers!

 
 before monitor calibraton

AFTER:

 Before:

After, using the Save for Web option:

 

The hardest thing is getting your web images to look great and then having them look great for print...personally I have 2 different files...b/c the web blows some of my photos out.

 

Ok...so you are probably thinking...shouldn't you be editing photos...but I had to add some humor to how I feel ;-)

What I am Thankful for Today!

1. My husband for working on my computer equipment this week and getting stuff installed and cleaned up a bit!  He really is the greatest, and I should probably tell him that more often.
2. For WORK...even though I am struggling a bit these days and back on Zofran, work does take my mind off it a bit.  AGAIN, thanks for your patience and if you didn't read below...HOLIDAY IMAGES will start posting this weekend.
3. For MY KIDS..4 legged and all...6 years ago I didn't think I could even have children.  So really even though we struggled at LaCantera for the traditional hotel holiday meal, I wouldn't trade them ;-)
4. Speaking of 4-legged family members, my thoughts and prayers go out to LENE, who just had to put down her dog of 12 years a few days ago.  He was the cute Sheltie kissing the prego belly. 

That said...I hope you had a great turkey day and ate lots of good food.  I leave you with this image!

PS...Is this your hat?  I buy tons of stuff...but it seems like I remember this hat being someone else's?  So if it is...thank you for unknowingly letting me use it and I will gladly buy it or return it!

UPDATE and super random thoughts from the sick chair!!

1. I am hoping to have all holiday card sessions posted by this Weekend or Monday at the latest.  Card orders are taking about 3 working days. If you scheduled a combined session....I will be posting holiday images first and your full session might be posted a few days later.
2. DON"T worry...we have time to get everything in time for the holidays.
3. I am a bit disappointed I am in the 2nd trimester and not feeling  a 100% yet...but hey...I am able to eat, everyone is healthy and so I will stop complaining. But if your wondering why I drop off the face of the earth sometimes...that is still the reason why.
4. Every year my neighborhood has a "lights" competition.  Today I saw professional installers all over the neighborhood.  My very own Mr Griswald is upset...and so I am not sure what he has planned for this year.  But if you see him at LOWES or HOME DEPOT and he is buying out the place...call me immediately! Maybe I should post his picture, so you can recognize him.
5. Last week I made a PLEA for LEFSE on my facebook...I even offered a free session, unfortunately, I live in the wrong part of the country!  Thanks, Mrs Woods for at least looking it up and even thinking about making it!!  Your comments were priceless.
6. Well, off to find a place to sleep...seems the kids invaded the bed before I could get there.  Which reminds me...I can't believe 10:55 is such a late night for me these days.  If you are wondering where I am at midnight and 1 am.  Well, its no longer at my computer.  I can barely make it to 8 pm these days.  So the VAMPIRE in me is at rest!

Please say a little prayer for...

the baby that was in this belly.  I just learned that his mom delivered 8 weeks early by emergency c-section last night.  Luckily, mom and baby are doing ok...but baby will be in NICU 4-6 weeks.  For all of us who have been faced with this, no matter what...its a tough time.  I am praying for a speedy send home date for the Lopez's.

This Photographer's UPDATE:

1. Thank you San Antonio for keeping me busy!
2. Thank you clients for being so patient as I try to get over the morning sickness...which is still lingering.
3. I have so many images, Amazing images, to edit...here is were I am...Flannigan (almost finished), Burkholder, Lopez, Holiday People, Merrill Family, Lankford, and if you don't see your name...you are on the list...I promise
4. It is a bit crazy around here...So if you haven't hear from me or are wondering about your order...feel free to bug me...I don't mind!!
5. Ok...that is all for now...on my way to acupuncture.  Hoping I might be able to skip IV treatment to day ;-)

Signing off....nikki

A 2 year old artist and baby on the way!

Lots of images to sort through..but these caught my eye.  I was so enthralled at how focused he was on creating this belly art! I had another image I wanted to post that was an outtake....it seems that mister 2 year old has already learned gang signs!  What do you expect...he comes from a longhorn family!!! But I thought it might offend my sooner friends (ha ha)!!!!!

 

 

Ochoa Twins Baptism

WOW....I am really emotional these days. I think every hormone in my body is on full alert. These little miracles just brought me to tears tonight. I think I have cried more in the past few weeks than in the past two years...WHEW!

So many things to say, but so little time.

Yes, I am still alive...No...still not 100%...but hoping that day is soon.  I was making great progress and then life happened.  BOOO...someone broke into my car by smashing the window this week.  My husbands backpack AKA diaper bag was in there.  Guess they were thinking it was a laptop.  Took me all day to get it taken care of.  Guess it is time to move out of the GATED/GUARDED neighborhood!!!

My son has had a fever for the past 24 hours...just around 100...no other symptoms.  MY hubby is mad I didn't get the kids the H1N1.  Truth is I am not against vaccinations, I just need to read up on it a bit more.  + technically Grace has already had it.  I know they say that you CANT build an immunity to it, so if that is the case...then how does the shot work?

OK...that is just a couple of things on my mind...but here is what I am working on at the moment....

FAMILIES....

 

Jimmy, I hope you enjoy these while overseas.  Hoping for your safe return ;-)

 

 

 

 

Newborns...

 

And one special Baptism!

Checking in and LISTS

LISTS...I've got lots of them these days!  A frequent quote around the house is, "is it on the list?"  which means...has it fallen onto my "can't eat these foods," list.  My poor husband is suffering, we have not been out to a restaurant in a month, and the poor guy never knows what he can cook or bring home...or if he will have to eat it outside.  

The OTHER LIST...is my growing TO DO list.  ITS REALLY LONG.  Today I sucked it up and crossed off 3 things...yeah!

As far as how I feel, BLAH...hoping just a few more weeks and I will be back to the OLD ME!  And it will happen...one day I will wake up and feel fine and never sick another day.  At least it was that way with the others ;-)

I wanted to share this quick pic..on Sat, I heard my daughter ask her dad, "is mommy coming to my game?" AND as emotional as I am these days...I drug myself out of bed along with my camera and made it to her game.  Amazing what you can do, when it comes to your kids.  I was so glad I made it...she did so awesome, and had a HAT TRICK!  Here she is on a break away!