San Antonio Photographer, Children and Families-moxie photography studio

For my friend and we may...

have to do a "take 2" for the Holiday shot ;-/.  I know a lot of times I get people who feel a bit frustrated or embarrassed that their toddler will not cooperate.  But just ask Lisa or I...who have kids that are 2 weeks apart...it is just downright a crap shoot on whether you will get a picture with both of you looking in the same direction. 

As many of you know...I do not even have a family picture of my own.  I do have lots of Chris, Grace and I looking stellar and Devin running for the hills!  So I am not discouraging, but just letting you know that we are all in the same boat with toddlers and the "shot" may or may not happen.  yOU can ask most of my clients though and they will tell you...I will 9 times out of 10 get "the shot!"  IT just takes a bit of patience which I have with every child but my own!!

So for LISA... Mollie was a great SOLO artist. AND I do have ONE shot that I like but mollie is looking off...so I am going to search...to see if there is a "head" I can swap! and for those of you that have never used me as your photographer (or photogs reading this blog)...yes...I can and do swap heads sometimes!!!  (IN the picture that is, although there are some days I would like to swap my own!)

MS MOLLIE....

ABOUT THIS PIC...I have been driving by this number "2" for months now...knowing what I was going to use it for!  SO here it is...

And Mollie looking great in an Ensemble sent to me by an AWEsome TU-TU maker.  (more on that later!)

Throwing bones...

mario and dolores are my favorite....so much so that mario has been helping me on shoots.  The other day I showed mario an image I was working on of his daughter...and well how unfair that dolores would have to sit and wait ;-)...bad nikki...

So dolores instead of throwing you one bone...I am throwing you TWO!!!

Hugs, Nikki

Couldn't resist...

I am off for a run now that the kids are ALMOST down for the night.  But before I sign off...I couldn't resist posting these photos.  Its always a fun time with Emily and her man.  Even though he went to bed late and didn't have a nap...we was so good.  (isn't always par that they never nap on picture day!)

Wanted to get use for the fish eye I rented: (room is too cute)

OK...this rocker diaper and accessories she pull out was so cute.  I really want her to be a blog contributor b/c she is up on everything "parenting!"  Maybe we could call it Emily's "find" of the week!! (laura, if you are reading this...you would LOVE her!)

 

My little man deserves the spotlight and

yes...for those of you wondering, I am slowly recovering.  Thanks for all the encouragement or kind words you sent.  Thanks Kirby for reminding me that yes...I do have too much going on and that I"wearing the cape" can be too much ;-)...thanks Kris, for reminding me that I am human.  I really don't expect anyone to feel sorry for me...as I realize mistakes can happen, even on my watch. rrr, but why.

OK...so that is the LAST I am going to say about that...I am going to keep my chin up, make some changes (for the good), and get more organized. Look for some major changes coming at the end of the week.

OK...so what I really wanted this post to be about is my little man.  Poor guy sometime takes second fiddle to his sister, and even though I am a photographer, I don't have as many pictures of him as I do her.  Now that Grace is in Kinder, I am using my Monday's to solely spend with him.  HE started pre-school last week, tues-friday.  His teachers seem GREAT and all is well. 

Looking forward to a GREAT fall!  nikki

So here is Devin, before he knew were we were going! and yes...he needs a hair cut...(note to self:  call up to Sharkey's today!)

 

and this is the scene for about the next 20 minutes...Although I do not practice "attachment parenting," I will say...my kids definitely make me look like I do!

 

Its after midnight...

and I realize I will have to be up in 6 hours.  Up until now I have done really great on getting to bed on time.  SO I will keep it short.

Maternity Photography and a little man!

I love this one...for one reason and one reason only...if you own a boy you know why?  and if you don't get it...then god bless you!

 

And this one because....well well what a sweet moment.

 

And this one, because it is out of the box.  I mostly display vivid color, but as an art-a-holic...I really love doing something different. This picture just lent itself to a different technique!

Coming to you LIVE...from...

the confines of my house, were a child has been diagnosed with Strep.  OK...Not that I am wanting to pawn my children off, but really after a long summer I think everyone is wanting to be back in school.  So today would have been Devin's first day back at Pre-school. BUT NOOOOOOOO....after staying healthy ALL summer...he gets sick.  Well of course we thought it was a cold because his fever was on and off and on Sunday he was perfectly fine, yet Monday was a different story.  So he will be home tomorrow and I will yet be EVEN more behind.  But hey...its all in the life of a working mom, right;-)

ALSO, did you know that MERCURY is in RETROGRADE?  Ya, its the big joke in our house.  LONG story short, I get this newsletter from this great place that sells organic cleaning supplies and in there daily newsletter was a link to this astrology site.  SO of course, I clicked on IT...and it seemed to be quite accurate, for me at least!  SO my husband keeps teasing me that every time something goes wrong...its Mercury.  Its supposed to be gone by OCT. and I can't wait ;-)   Yes, I have had to much sugar and that is probably why I am writing about Mercury!!!!  OR could it be a bit of sleep deprivation.


SO, before you thnk I am totally insane...lets Talk PHOTOS!


Baby Giovanni

I have photographed a lot of baby boys in the past new months.  AND this guy did not disappoint.  OHHH...he was such a great little guy (yes, I am gushing, no I am not having anymore babies!).  What a great family.

I really couldn't decide which picture I liked the best with big sis, so I made a little collage.  I have been in a "collaging" mood for the past month!

And the little man himself....

Ok...I received this cute little had...and I haven't quite found the head it belongs on...but I thought this shot was too cute to pass up!

 

Sports weekend for this photographer...

I hate traveling on a holiday weekend, but couldn't pass up the chance to watch OU play at the new Jerry Jones Shrine!  So off to dallas we go....

But before I leave these are for Jake's PAPA, who missed out on his shoot the other day!

Have a great weekend and BOOMER SOONER!

PS... Ioved this one and decided to show it SOC (straight out of my camera!)

Maternity session gone...

WET!  Think residents can't have fun?  Have a skewed view from watching Grey's Anantomy?  Well, Let me tell you what...I had SOOOOO much fun with this couple.  I really liked the way they took the time to do their research and then actually had some "ideas!"  I think the one part of the shoot that surprised me the most was her husband.  He seemed a little reserved when I first met with them, but WOW...did he surprise me and you'll see why in a minute.  "B" was such a great sport and did a cannon ball (which he did the first time spontaneously) for me a few more times so I could get the "shot" right!!  I mean..who else but myself would say..."Can you do that again?"  and "this time look at me" and "just one more time and smile while you are doing it."  He probably thought....ENOUGH LADY.  Either way, I really look forward to working with them during baby's first year.  AND OH...their friends make these signs that my husband (mr conservative) just adored.  So thanks for the sign!

Elizabeth..I am a bit behind...so I hope these images will hold you over until I can finish, hopefully no later than Wed.

And here is the image from an earlier post...

I couldn't resist, I hope you don't mind that I posted this..if you do just let me know ;-)

Some rambling and a week in the life of this photographer...

 

If you don’t want to here me ramble and be sentimental...skip below to the and look directly to the “list”!!!

First and foremost I really want to thank everyone who has taken a general interest in my photography and even ME personally!  In some ways it might be a bit embarrassing to chronicle my life and career in this little thing I call a blog...but on the other hand...I am JUST LIKE everyone (well most almost everyone) else.  I too struggle as a parent (have you seen us at Target lately!) and I struggle to be a wife (we are trying hard for the Friday date night) and as a business owner (as many of you know, I sometimes work until the wee hours of the morning).  But all in all I would not trade my life for anything ;-)  But some of you are right...I do need a few more hours of sleep each day... And I am reminded of one clients story, that I need to keep track of my health (sometimes we blame being excessively tired on having young kids or a new baby).

But I guess what this post is really about, is that all my readers and friends continue to inspire me with their comments, suggestions (thank god for senior moms) and even Hello’s when they see me outside of the “photographer zone”!

The events of the past week and some other thoughts...

1.  First day of kindergarden...ahhh...much harder on me and chris than it was grace...by the 3rd day she told her dad..."just drop me off, I can walk in by myself!"
2. Carpool line...really do I need to say anything else?  Parents of young kids...watch out your turn is coming.
3. IT has been a busy summer, but I anticipate as my kids get older that they will only become busier.  Hmmm...suggestion on how to juggle career and home??
4. Its so darn hot I still haven't put down all my thoughts for HOLIDAY SESSIONS, but they will be on the Last week of Sept and the first week of Oct.
5. hmmm...spent 5 hours at the cardiologist on Friday and will spend 6 more this Tuesday.  It really is a reminder that we need to take care of ourselves.  and I want to thank Chris H. in Santa Monica for sharing his story with me...had he not...I might have postponed my appt.  And not to be to harsh...but heart disease  is the single leading cause of death for American women.
6. As I was watering my poor little flower bed for the umptenth day...I was having envy over the BOLES Backyard.  They had the most awesome backyard and irrigation system.  The house wasn't to shabby either ;-)
7. Wondering if anyone else has a 2 year old that likes to high-five trash cans during our morning walks.
8. UGH...yes I said morning walks.  With Grace having to get up at 6 am. Devin and I are starting a new tradition of a morning walk.  This (meaning I) nocturnal creature is having hard time adjusting to this new schedule.  Guess I will have to be giving up my night time rituals.  (so delores...you won't be seeing any 2:30 a.m emails anymore!)
9. I have been a bit disorganized this past month. B/C having my office at home is not really working out.  So STILL on the lookout for an office up NORTH that is not SO freakin expensive.  I thought  I had found the perfect place, but they want too much.  I keep wondering about all this open commercial space...I realize you have to pay the bills, but are you really thinking you are going to get top dollar in this economy?
10. So I end out the top 10 with a Big THANK you to all my clients who wait patiently for me to edit and finish your orders ;-)
    

I know I said I was off...

but here are a few for the Boles Family.  I hope Payton has a great 1st birthday! 

See everyone back on the blog on Tuesday ;-) nl

 

Karma is a....

Well, what I really want to say is that while I was making fun of my friends in the years past about them "fretting" about Kindergarten...well guess what guys...its happening to me.  I can remember thinking...who cares, its just kindergarten and then I would jet set to whatever country I was working in.  TODAY...these are the thoughts running through my tiny little head:

1. she wants to ride the bus, but should I let her, well what if something happens, what if THIS, what if THAT.
2. This DARN school supply list..who comes up with this.  I am about to go out and try to find the elusive Elmers White Glue 8oz.
3. OMG...we are not going to be able to take her out of school for trips.  WE now have to travel when everyone else does ;-)  WHAAAAAA
4. Its so darn hot here, come on, how many more 100 degree days.  My husband keeps asking if I have bought her school clothes, but how can I, its STILL summer.
5. My little girl is growing up (tear).  She is going to be at school EVERY day during the week.  I thought I would celebrate this, but now I am going to miss our Monday's together.  Well at least Devin will have me all to himself for the first time!
6. Now for the selfish part...as some of you might know...I am sort of a Vampire.  OR as I tell my husband, when born on west coast time...you stay on west coast time.  So I am often up til 2 a.m.  AND since she has to be at school at 7:45...we are going to have to make a few changes at our house.  It is not only going to be tough on me, but she normally doesn't get up til 8:30 a.m., so poor little thing is going to have to get used to an early bedtime.
7. Lastly, I am stressing.  School is Monday and we don't meet the teacher and get the info until tomorrow at 4 pm.  I am a PLANNER...so not knowing any details is killing ME. 

Enough whining...I have a lot of cute pictures to post...more later...after I make some deliveries and try to locate that darn glue! 

UPDATE!!!!  I found two 4 ounce bottles of Elmer's White Glue...so do you think that will pass for the 8 oz bottle?? ;-)

And now for the good part.. the photos!

Don't you just want squeeze her...I almost forgot what those "arm wrinkles" are like!

 

And look at these baby blue's...really I touched up his skin a bit...but the rest of the photo is straight out of the camera.  

 

and we can't forget about sister...

They start out like this (maternity shoot last weekend at lake dunlap..and oh so fun)

And before you know it a whole year has gone by... (one year old photo shoot last weekend)

and as many senior moms have told me...cherish it now...because it goes by so fast.

This is from a senior shoot the other day, which I will be posting more about later...but I really couldn't have been happier that the mom and sister wanted in on the action.  Man...there dad is one lucky guy, right!

And as you can see...I have been a busy little bee (okay, I wasn't trying to rhyme here!)  I am taking off the weekend to be with my new kindergartner...my little travel partner, who spent most of her 1st couple of years jet setting around the US with me.  I guess now we will just have to resort to weekend trips!  I am spending all next week catching up on albums and editing photos, unless any of you expecting moms surprise me with a newborn ;-)   Have a great weekend. Nikki

Ever have one of those weeks...

where you though you were going to get AHEAD...only to fall WAY behind.  For those of you that don't know...we have had several "kid" mishaps.  If you own a baby boy...you may or may not want to keep reading;-)  Starting on Tuesday, my ultra cute little man turned one of our ottomans into a Jackson Pollack art piece.  Only to top it off yesterday by turning on a faucet in the bathroom he shares with his sister and flooding it along with 2 bedrooms.  Let me just say...water extraction= cha-ching!  So as I write this on a Friday as he gets a few minutes of beauty rest...I am a bit behind, but wanted to share a few MORE images from the job I am editing right now.

 

This photographer is off to dallas...

for the weekend.  But wanted to leave you with a few baby and child shots from the week.  I hope that you survived this morning, Ingrid!  Its funny how we always think we have the fussiest child on earth.  I have been told an active, strong willed baby is a sign of intelligence...so I will go with that!!  If you are reading this stephanie...I hope to drop off your CD this weekend although I know you might not be home.  Sorry to hear about your grandma.

Have a great weekend, Nikki

 

I think my new title will be: Santa Monica Photographer!

I have so much more to say about this session, but I really wanted to get a few pics up.  This really was the BEST time.  Not only was the family that hired me the best (thanks Ingrid for the referral) but after spending the day with them I felt like I had known them forever.  An added bonus was that a friend of mine whom I have know for 20 years (since college) assisted me on the shoot which made it even more fun. 

Chris and Mags...really I cannot say enough about you guys and I hope you enjoy these couple of photos while I sort through the 515 photos I took yesterday ;-)

 

On my way to Santa Monica...

So don't be jealous if you live in San Antonio...just because this...

is what you can expect for the next 7 days.  Well fortunately I am blessed to be photographing in 75ish degree weather while I am out there...unfortunately I am only going to get 36 short hours of it.  Bummer...maybe I should just book a one way ticket for the kids and say...see ya at the end of the month.  DARN...can't do it.

So I leave you with these big browns!

Maternity photography with a high fashion

LIGHTING.  I usually save this lighting set up for my seniors.  But I though...what the heck..carrie was so cute...so here it is!

A mom first, photographer second

We had such a great class on sunday.  I hope that the "hands" on approach is more helpful then just learning a bunch of terms.  Of course we are trying to do both so it can be a bit overwhelming.  So many say, "you must have so many great shots of your children," to whom I respond, "oh yes, when someone else takes the picture!"  So case in point....

So as the photographer, I "get" the shot, but as a mom...well you can see that that isn't always the case!!

It was so cute, b/c here at the loehr house we are obsessed with the "trash" truck.  So when I walked into Devin's room, I just couldn't help, but want a photograph of that moment.  But with a 2 year old...that is all you have...A moment!

BTW...this is straight out of my camera (5dMarkII 50mm 1.2)

Maternity Photo Shoot with...

the cutest couple.  It was so funny b/c when I first met them I thought they looked very young.  BUT their not and hey...that's what people say about me and my husband ALL THE TIME!

In fact...tonight I got ID trying to buy a beer for the hubby.  Gray roots showing and all.  Wishing right now that my hair would look as young as my face ;-)

Of course, I can't wait to do their newborn shoot...I am sure it will be a super cute little guy!

babies, brains, school lunch and...

well lets just leave it at those 3 things.

1. I just finished editing the cutest 8 month old little girl. (see below for what I am talking about).
2. It is 2:33 a.m. and I am still up ;-(  not because it took me so long to edit...but b/c I have been fretting about Grace and Kindergarten.  So I missed getting into our 2nd choice school so she is now on the "waiting list," well good luck with that one...17 kids are on that list. So I decided to send her to Bulverde Creek Elementary.  So I have just spent the good part of the night going over the website.  Now I have resorted to obsessing over "school lunches!!!"  But I do want to thank my facebook friends for all the encouragement today.
3. BRAIN...see brain was supposed to be number 2, but I have already went into total shutdown mode ;-)  So, with new price sheets done and new product on the way...I am hoping I have replied to all my emails, but if I haven't...please send me a little reminder. I used to think I killed brain cells in HS and college, but I am more convinced than ever that labor and deliver is the cause of the big brain cell reduction!

Have you heard the story of Nikki and the Fire Ants?? and THUMBS!

Good Ol' south texas!  Up until 4 years ago I had never been stung by an ant.  But as I sit here and write this I am nursing my second ant bite in the past 2 weeks.  BIG deal you say?  Well, let me just tell you that I am not being a baby b/c I am highly allergic to these bites.  So as the benadryl begins to kick in and my eyes begin to get heavy, I am once again forced to spend the next 2 days in a BENADRYL fog.  I guess you won't see me doing any "field" shots in the near future.

THUMBS

When I was pregnant with grace and getting me weekly ultrasounds, we started to notice a pattern.  SHE sucks her thumb.  FAST FOWARD to 5 years later and she still...sucks her thumb.  We have tried everything under the sun and nothing has worked.  THUMB sucking at an early age is cute, but at 5, not so cute.

FAST FORWARD to 3 days ago. Grace LOVES to hear stories of peoples trials and tribulations.  Yes at the tender age of 5, she is always up for a good story on someone and their struggles.  So as she recounted the story of how her Poppy quit smoking, she told us she was going to quit sucking her thumb.  Now I have heard that a million times...so I took it with a grain of salt.  Well as Poppy did it...she decided to go "cold turkey" (this is in her own words) and so for 3 days...I have not seen a thumb in her mouth ;-)

I wanted to post the below picture of Grace.  She was 8 months old and leslie took the photo.  I thought the "griffiths" would get a kick out of it...since I caught a photo of their daughter which really resembles my photo of Grace.

SO parents of Thumbsuckers...Don't give up hope!

Jane and Grace

Waiting and a Dallas Newborn

So I am writing this from Dallas as we try and wait for the kids to get sleepy so we can set out for the last part of our trip!  Unfortunately our 2 year old is not interested in TV...so we are pretty much limited to driving during nap and night time unless we want to hear him cry and scream the entire time!

So I thought I would take this opportunity to post a photo from friday's shoot.  Perect little Pierce!  The only thing he doesn't have going for him is the "loehr gene"!!!  Luckily it doesn't kick in until about 18 months...so Stephanie you have a year and a half to totally enjoy him ;-)

Another Yummy Newborn and...

I say adios for a couple of days to go on a road trip with my family.  I will be back on Tuesday.

So I leave you with this....

no picture today, just a little vent

First and foremost I am not expressing political views here...but I would like to write a little spoof of the health care/insurance industry.  Well really it is just the insurance.

So here it goes.  Nikki takes grace to the emergency room few months ago and well grace's head is split open so I have no choice.  Fast forward to today.  Get gianormous bill from emergency room.  WHY? Well doctor was not on insurance list.  HMMM...so the next time we are bleeding all over the place am I supposed to get out my handy little list and check to see if the doctor is on OUR LIST?  And if he/she is not am I supposed to say..hold on while my child bleeds to death, but you are not on our list, so I need to find someone who is?  And honestly I wouldn't be so peeved if I didn't pay upwards of $700 a month in premiums and then to be told...Well that wasn't covered or they were not on the list.  RRRRR>>>>>

To make things worse the doctors deserve every penny they get, but are they getting it?  Many times our medical bills get sent to "collections" as I try and sort things out with the insurance.  SO...today the insurance is on my poo-poo list.

OK...back to work ;-)

One last thought...

 I just read through a few of my posts and I know it seems like I am OBSESSING over newborns.  AND I am...many of you probably feel the same aches that I have when you know you are not having any more children.  IT is one half relief and the other half of some sort of sadness.

SO, in order for me to satisfy my need to have another...I hope that you will keep sending this photographer... newborn babies.  Because not only are you going to get great photos, but you can have someone cuddle your child for a few hours and you just get to sit back and relax during the session ;-)

Oh no, I think I made a mistake ;-)...

and sold our CRIB!  I made an executive decision the other day to stop at 2.  One girl and one boy is really all we can handle in this type A family.

So why the remorse?  well you are about to see...

THE MOST AMAZING, CUDDLY, YUMMY, SWEET little 3 day old boy.  Seriously, I really tried not to touch him much.  He was so perfect in every way.  Which brings me to a point.  I know 3 days old seems to some...well a little early and maybe even extreme.  But if you already have children you can agree with me...the first few days..they sleep almost the entire time.  And so was the case with this little man.  I photographed him for about 3 hours and he only fussed when we changed his diaper.  I probably will blog some more pictures of this guy, but for tonight we will start with this one.

OH...and P.S.  Thanks SO much, Chrystie, you were such a great help, we were lucky to have you help us and I am sure Annie feels lucky to have a great friend.

Signing off...nikki

JUST gotta LOVE those Babies

Photographing babies or A baby...is something 10 years ago I would have NEVER thought of doing and now I can't imagine NOT doing it.  Having 2 young ones of my own probably helps...but on the other hand, I DO believe in karma (which is a whole story within itself), which has led me to this great career of being a "photographer."

Here is and adorable 8 month old...more on her and her family tomorrow, but as usual it is past midnight and I am needing to hit the sack, because I am taking the kids out to play tomorrow and being MOM is needs much more sleep than being PHOTOGRAPHER!

As many of you know I like SLOBBER!

BUT I know that some don't...so here is it WITHOUT! Dont you just love the magic of PS.

Twins...and my thoughts for this Friday.

More about this photo shoot tomorrow...oops, I mean today!

IT is 11:49 a.m. and I am actually posting...don't freak out!  Nothing is wrong with me, Grace is at Spanish camp, I am watching Devin be a super dare devil and I am thinking.

1. What happened to the precious little snuggler I gave birth to a couple of years ago? Although, he is fun watch in all his fury...I am thinking maybe I need an ER rider on my insurance policy.  YES...all of you that told me boys are different and I said...Oh...not mine...he is so laid back...well you were right...he is slowly becoming, "monkey boy!"
2. Today after dropping Grace off...I couldn't resist a Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit...hmm...but best of all the girl handing the bag to me smiled and said have a great day...like she really meant it.  It really is about customer service, right!
3. Thinking of that.  I know that many of my clients are small business owners and for some reason during all the help that has been handed out...we have been left out.  So what ever little thing I can do, I will.  So I will be creating a small business list on my blog...listing all my clients businesses.  So if you want a link...let me know.  Its only $5!  No..just kidding...its free!
4. OH NO...Devin found the play dough.  HOLD ON A MINUTE as I>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> OK I am back...WHEW almost a play dough mess.  If your kids are not old enough to play with it, I highly recommend, walking right past that aisle once they are old enough! And Grandparents, DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT ;-)
5. And on another note...I am going to be moving the studio.  WHAT????  Well with the growth and my need to be more available to the kids, I have two choices...one, to move closer to downtown or two have the studio up north or closer to me.  Well, option 1 was the idea...but trying to get the house on the market is harder than I thought.  AND I am wanting to move my office OUT of the house...so I need a space for the editing equipment and my lights, etc...if you see a space that looks like it gets a ton of daylight in it...let me know.

And on to the picture below.  Thank you Anna and mario for your help yesterday, I could NOT have done it without you. After leaving this shoot I could only reminisce about when grace was that age.   OMG...these girls were just so cuddly and amazing.  I was so glad to hit the sack knowing it had been a great day.

Couldn't go to bed without...

posting this image.  Although I do now I have an alarm set for midnight that reminds me that I NEED to go to bed.

1. Things are looking up at the Loehr house as all my "sickies"  are getting better.
2. I am kicking myself for wasting all that water in the spring to keep my grass "green."  I thought this year I would be diligent on keeping up the yard...hmmm...crunch, crunch, crunch
3. I have been CRAVING ice cream.  Maybe it is all this NEWBORN photography I have been doing lately?  What is a lactose intolerant person to do?
4. I have lots of irons in the fire right now.  But I promise to do that "summer" special I promised some of you.

Gotta run...that is to bed...my midnight is now 1:32 a.m.

On to the picture post...Someone higher up is trying to cure my newborn wants! He was a little older than most newborns we photograph...but at 4 weeks he wasn't much bigger than mine straight out of the womb.  How crazy is that (on my part...both kids born early and weighted 8 and 9 lbs respectively!) 

Guess who is going to be up all night?

CROUP...its June...go figure. We have never had croup before this year...EVER...and now I think we are on our 4 or 5th case of it.  What is up San Antonio?  ...now back to being a mommy.  More on mother's intuition tomorrow.

The belated Father's Day photo!

Here is the picture I had planned to post on FATHER's DAY!  After taking this picture of the Van De Kieft Men, I was enlightened to the fact that My husbands Grandfather is still alive and kicking at 93 years old  (I think he might be one of the oldest people on facebook!!)...and SO I SHOULD Be thinking about taking a photo of the Loehr Men this summer.  I can't believe that I didn't even think of doing this until now.

The picture I am posting is from a family photo shoot and you might recognize the cute little guy in the middle.  Although this shoot never intended to be a "father's" day photo blog...it is just so fitting.

Thanks Van De Kieft's for allowing me to capture some really great moments...I hope you enjoyed San Antonio and you are probably thinking...thank god we didn't come during the heat wave!!

Honestly...

what is in the air?  My allergies have kicked up into high gear and well...I need to breathe again!

Welcoming a newborn and Happy Fathers day!

OK...first I want to wish all the dads out there...HAPPY Fathers DAY!  AND to let  you know that I really had planned this Special BLOG post.  BUT unfortunately the days slipped by and I never got to do it.  I do want to say this...IF you are like me...and still haven't bought that gift... RUN to your nearest electronics store and buy a digital picture frame for your guy.  I did this a few years ago and my hubby loves it.  He has it in his office and loves the fact he can display new pictures all the time without cluttering his office.  That said...if you run out and buy one and need digital files...well...I am out town for the next 5 days.  BUT I will and can get them to you when I get back.  Just ask for the father's day special ;-)

Now on to my newborn photo session from the other day.  I love this MOM and I just knew if I could get this post up before I left...she would be ecstatic (you will be, right, jenni!).  This is Jenni's first baby.  And if you are the the mother of more than one...or even just one...maybe you can leave a message on the blog, a funny story or just some simple advice.  B/C everyone of us struggle at first and it is always nice to know that we weren't the only ones. 

And really...here is why I love doing portraits vs commercial work (not to say I don't love the commercial work (wink) ) ...I think the picture says it all!

My Last Senior of '09...

and I will have to say this was probably one of the most exhausting shoots I have ever done.  BUT in a GOOD way!  With no assistant (yes, heather..I thought about calling you in the wee hours of sunday morning!!)...I embarked on an amazing shoot.  Meeting a few days before the shoot...Ashley, her mother, and I had come up with some great ideas...SO what made it so exhausting, was that I, yes I, shot about 580 images. But, I couldn't help myself, because we had so many cool ideas. So, narrowing these down to 40ish is going to be REAL hard. Thanks to mom and grandma...who were my "honorary" assistants that day.

Engagement Shoot and More about Wedding Photography

...Later...I couldn't go to bed without sharing this image.  (photog note:  this is SOC with some adjustments in Lightroom)

The Photo CLASS

I am going to go ahead and throw this out there and photographers might not like me for it and might even say bad things about me;-)   BUT, yes you can take this class and learn to shoot like a PRO.  Are you going to be a PRO?  Maybe or Maybe not.  It does takes a big investment and a lot of dedication to be one!  But everyone has to start out somewhere, right?!

Are your holiday and vacation photos going to look better?...YES.  Many of you own the same equipment that professional photographers own.   I have clients that own some the of the very same "L" series glass that I do.

The Problem for most of you is the letter P.

SO here is what you will LEARN:
How to shoot in Manual or at least Aperture Priority
What shutter speed is and why it is important.
White Balance and why auto isn't the answer.
Selective Focus
How to see the "light"
Learn how to use a reflector
What is a light meter and how to use it.

What else will we talk about?  On camera flash, Photoshop, printing your own photos, how to chose your next equipment purchase (but don't tell your spouse about that part!) and a full frame sensor digital SLR vs some of the Prosumer versions.

OK this is A LOT of stuff to cover in the short amount of time...but we can do it and at the same time we will be USING our cameras.

Date:  THE NEXT DATE IS TBA...I may HAVE ONE more before 2009 is over ;-)
Location:  Studio (403 Dawson St.  78202)
Time:  
COST:  $249 (includes Reflector and pocket guide)

Reserve you class ONLINE

Could anyone have ever warned me?

Of how busy your kids would be once they got out of diapers and began to do "activities!"  I have a new job and that is called, "Chauffer." 

Ok, senior moms, I know...your thinking.."just wait!!"

*changing the subject* or *ADD moment, as I like to call it*   I wish I had a picture of  Devin trying to use my Wacom Tablet.  It really was to funny watching him pretend to be me.

I have promised for weeks on end that I would have another CLASS.  So the date is June 28th.  I am still looking for a NORTH location, so it will be at a studio if I can't find a north space.  IT will also depend on how many people we have coming too.

Also, in JULY... I will do a Photoshop series CLASS.  This will be a series of 3 classes for beginning, intermediate and Advanced.  Many do not know. (or may not even care) but I was Adobe certified for years ( and yes I have let that certification drop...b/c I haven't had time to take the exam, nor do I really have any desire to do so) and have used photoshop since version well it was just called, "PHOTOSHOP' back then.  THAT said, I hope to put together a class for each type of user.

Well, I had lots more to say, but after a full day of kids activities I am spent at the wee hour of 9:30 p.m.

So I leave you with one of my new favorite little guys... this was really going to be an outtake...

Sorry to leave...

you hanging from that short post the other night.  Well, the baby in the question mark belly is....

 

A family photo...

I was just thinking...If I had my family photographed (which I haven't yet BTW) this is what I would want it to look like. Now you're probably thinking, "where is this?" that they are having soooooo much fun.  Well, its their crazy, wacko photographer that finds these crazy places,and asks her clients to "trust" her!!!

On another note:  I have really bonded with the mom in this picture....having photographed her daughter's senior photos and then watching as her daughter choose my alma mater, OU, to play soccer at and then just chit chatting about all kinds of things such as dogs, kids and life!  Terri...your the greatest!

Thanks to the Senior Moms and I am a blog neglector!

When I look back it has been over 2 weeks since my last post and I don't even know where those weeks have gone.  I have never been so busy working and SHUFFLING kids to and from from school, soccer, parties and everything else in between.  If you are contemplating having another baby, my suggestion to you is to NOT have it in May (because these things are planned ya-know!).  Of course, I had to go ahead and have 2 children that month!  OK...so now that I have made it over the end of the school year hump...I am smack dab in the middle of having kids at home and trying work at the same time.  GUESS it is time to find an office up north.

NOW on to SENIORS!

Besides going crazy with my own little ones, this has been the BEST month for Seniors.  I REALLY appreciate all the mom advice on how to make it the next 15 or so years!  I saw little tears of joy from moms, tears of sadness that their little one would be leaving, and tears of excitement for what lies ahead for their daughter or son who it seemed like yesterday was jut 5 years old.  I will say that all of this has definitely had an impact on how I feel about being a mom and how I cherish every minute I get to spend with my little ones! (ok...I am saying that right now, but when my house is a total disaster at the end of the day and everyone is screaming...I will...well still cherish it, I guess!)

Wanted to post a few pics of MEGAN...so sweet and so adult-like.  Hanging out with her and her mom was like have a girls day out!  AND they gave me the name of this great product...which I will reveal in an upcoming post!  Thanks so much for letting us photograph you.  (I wanted to say "shoot," but that didn't sound right!)

Remember that ? belly?

Well tomorrow I reveal what the peanut is and why this post is so short and it is only 11:49 pm!

Random thoughts from your favorite photographer on a

Sunday NIGHT!

1. We are trying to process all the print orders and get them out this week. WE ARE BEHIND...
2. Which brings me to number 2.  My calibration is all messed up on both my computers, thus the delay in getting prints.  UGH..I have been told I have to invest $1500 for a new calibration system, so I will be setting up the donations site soon ;-) (sorry to vent again about that, but is really is and has been a pain in my rear)
3. Went to the Texas Valero Open this afternoon, but was wondering what went on, on 1604...traffic was at a stand still.  YET we made it, took Grace and we all had a great time.
4. Just an FYI...I take off Mondays, so if I don't return your call, I promise, I am not ignoring you!
5. I need a haircut soooooo bad, but can't even remember or find the time to make an appt.  I had to use root touch up  the other day.  wow, this stuff really works.
6. We had a GREAT Build-a-bear party for Grace last week.  She is 5! and here is the link for a slideshow of the party.  Thanks to Anna for doing the pictures.
7. I feel horrible because I haven't even planned devin's party and his birthday is next monday.  Does this always happen to the second child?
8. I am back to drinking COKE ;-(  5 years and I fell off the wagon.

So...I end the evening with these images...that will put a smile on anyones face.

And yes...he was this happy the entire shoot. 

 

I need to vent and a senior who couldn't be more...

OK FIRST MY VENT:

Its been 25 years and I have never strayed, not even once.  But I feel like I want to break up. WIth my laptop that is.  I just purchased a 17" macbook pro to replace my 15" macbook pro that was having a hard time handling the large files of my 5dmarkII. So although I wasn't wanting to fork over the cash...I had to do it.  WHY you ask, since I have a screaming desktop machine.  WELL, for travel, for times when I can't be at my desk, you get the point.  WELL, HMMM....so why the call for a break up, b/c it is displaying images at different brightnesses, depending on where the screen is. So it looks like one exposure when I am looking at it straight on and a different exposure when I move the screen. SO you are probably thinking...well don't move the screen.  Well, if I knew where the correct position was...then i WOULDN'T MOVE IT!  Apple Computer...are you listening to me...I have a complaint.  THIS is absolutely the worst thing that could happen to a professional photographer.  OK...PC people...don't even think of suggesting I make the move to the dark side...cause unfortunately...it won't happen.  DONE...thanks for letting me vent.

NOW...for my round rock senior!

Cathy and Carly...thanks so much for making the trip to San Antonio. Carly was more that an trooper as we braved the almost 100 degree weather. Her and her mom were a blast and it just felt like hanging out.  I will have to say as I browsed through the images...I couldn't beleive how many look you had :-)
Here is just a few!

What a crazy day...but a great senior!

Ok..the day started off with Anna and I fumbling over each other like two of the three stooges!  But wait there is more...after a trip to a top secret location ;-) .... anna got pooped on by a bird, well actually her camera did!  But I will have to say we really had so much fun trying to find the top secret location! 

 

Mother's Day and Why...

I hope everyone had a great mother''s day.  I did.  It was so nice to spend time with the family after being away for 6 days.  Tomorrow (or shall I say today!) is Grace's 5th birthday party, So I will be back on the office on Tuesday...catching up on editing, orders and all the what nots!    Thanks for being patient with me if you are waiting.

Lastly, I leave you with this...Why couldn't my senior pictures have looked like this!  Of course I did graduate in the eighties where it might have been hard to get all of my hair in the frame ;-)

NO your photographer has not...

fallen of the face of the earth, even though she feels like it. I am out of town, pulling 18 hour days and sweating like a, well, oink, oink!  What does this mean?  I am behind on email, blog posts, editing, mommy minutes, husband minutes, and just about everything else. 

This is for jenni...who has been waiting!  (PS...this is not underlined for any reason, except for I can't get the dang underline off!

PS...this is straight out of the camera.

More Random thoughts for the week...

and its only Wednesday ;-)

1. Seniors!  We are still booking senior photo shoots for '09.  Ya know, we have a slacker package for those of you who waited till the last minute.  My philosophy, better late than never.
2. and thinking of that...I was putting the kids in the car this morning, when I was informed by my daughter that it was "pastries for parents," and umm...I was talking them to school in my pj's ;-)  oh what can I say, but change of plans ;-)
3. Ok...so after woofing down a pastry I decided I need to seriously have someone or something help me with getting the baby weight off.  So I dropped by the office of Dr. Rogers, b/c darn it...I am starting TODAY...Change of plans again...she is on maternity leave!
4. I am out of town next week...So I am already feeling extreme "mommy" guilt.  This is the longest I have ever left devin.  For some reason, I am fine with 4 days and under, but 5...sends me over the edge!
5. Things I am thinking about for the summer.  hmmm...I was thinking maybe so photoshop classes, fun, themed shoots.  Anything to stay cool!
6. Have any old maternity clothes...BLOOM is collecting them for Seton Home from now until May 9th.
7. I am the midst of a build-a-bear party Plan-a-thon. 
8. Oh, thinking about this summer, I really want to do something to honor barney...so I plan on having a pets and people special ;-)
9. Hmmm I really think since I am at #9, I Should continue to 10!
10. I hope to post a photo of the band I photographed last week.  If you were a child of the '80's...chances are they will play music you recognize.  (oh, I am having bad flashbacks of REALLY big HAIR!
11. oh and one last think...terri, you are just too funny, I find your conversation enlightening and really I hope I do as good of job with my kids as you are doing with yours.  And I am oh so happy kalie is going to OU...boomer sooner!  Senior moms can be so insightful to those of us with toddlers!

I didn't count...

but I think I may have done a thousand squats this weekend.  My thighs are killing me...making me think about changing my shooting style (jk).  Who needs a personal trainer when you photograph like I do!

Yes, I am delirious and exhausted...but I have waited 2 years to do a photo like this and had to share.

Wow steph...look how tan you are ;-)

Busy weekend...

but had to share this image ;-)  As a photographer and a mom of a 2 year old, I know how challenging it can be when trying to get a family shot at this age.  But I have to say...I am loving this image.

 

And then they grow up!

its always funny to be photographing babies one day and then a senior the next.  Although, I LOVE doing both,its nice to have a change once in a while.  Seniors don't need to be changed and feed (well not always the case!) nor do I have to wait for a Senior to stop crying.  But on the flip side, the older you get the more self aware one is, so it is a bit harder to get those great belly button shots ;-) or those super cute/funny looks that only small kids can give.

One day, well actually SEVERAL years from now I will have to watch my little one grow into a man...and I hope that someone can capture those special little quirks, that only I will know!

******

SENIOR Boys...gotta love them, even if they don't want to have their picture made.  But Zach was a good sport all the same.

Coming up next

Here is another job on the burner!

Chris and Leslie have both made some funny pics with the site called writeonit.org.  So tonight I decided to try it out!

This is Haley and I have photographed her in her mom's belly and when she was a newborn.  But look at her now.  OHHHH...this so inspires me to find my daughter's shots at this age.  IF I do I will post it.  I can remember grace was so chubby we had to run our fingers inside her rolls to get all the "ickies" out!