Jacob & Family

A few weeks ago I got to spend time with my favorite 2 year old, Jacob, and his sweet family.  Jacob is one of my good friend's and old coworker's grandson (yes, I have a friend who has a grandson).  I have watched Jacob grow since he was just a wee little baby.  And I have gotten to know his parents, especially his mother, a little better from just spending time with Jacob when they would visit at work.

Jacob loves anything to do with the tractors, cars and water.  He is such a sweetie and as you can see SO CUTE!

Just a few of my favorites from the shoot.  See, told you!  Now, can you see why he is my favorite 2 year old?!

Jacob - Sneak Peek

This is how I spent my Friday night!  I have known this little guy since he was born.  It has been so much fun to see him grow.  Some of you may remember him from my earliest photoshoots.  He is the sweetest little guy.  He loved the slide.  It amazed me every time that he was able to climb the ladder by himself to get to the top of the slide (with the careful eye of his parents behind him).  It is so hard to believe he will be 2 in just a few days!  Boy does time fly.    

I love his tongue sticking out of the side of his mouth.  Climbing to the top takes such concentration!  

More to come soon!

Scavenger Hunt Tuesday

It's FINALLY raining here!  We were supposed to get some rain all weekend but of course that did not happen.  Which led to a very humid night where my husband and I did not get much sleep even though we had all three fans going in our room last night (we don't have air conditioning).  Hoping this rain will cool things off a little so we will sleep better tonight!

How was y'alls Memorial Day Weekend?  Do anything fun?  Or did you just spend the long weekend relaxing?  That's we did.  Weekends with no plans are my favorite!  Especially after a weekend of travel.

I know I have been slacking on the Scavenger Hunt blog posts.  I went a while there without really taking any photos and to be honest lost a little interest in it.  However, with some changes in my life that I have decided to make and the warmer weather seemingly here to stay, I feel rejuvenated and am taking photos again.

1. Capturing Movement

Here is my husband swimming in his second triathlon on Saturday.  Blurry, I know but I like how you can see him taking breath as he continues to swim.  I would let you know he finished but I am not sure he would too happy if I shared.  Apparently he has turned into a little triathlon snob:-P 

2. Texture

Brick wall.  

3. Beneath Your Feet

Concrete floor on our front porch while I was swinging on our porch swing enjoying the warm Memorial Day afternoon and sunshine.  I didn't realize how dirty my feet were until I saw the photo enlarged.  Oops!  Prior to this, I cleaned my car and grass stuck to my feet.  I thought I got everything.  Apparently not.  

 4. Face Your Fears

I love street photography.  I have been wanting to walk around and capture the different people and culture but have been hesitant because it is apparently rude (who knew right - sense the sarcasm?) to photograph someone without asking for their permission first.  Being the timid and shy gal that I am this has been keeping me from doing what I would like to one day capture.  I asked this sweet man as I  walked around Beaver after work if I could take his photo.  At first he asked me I would want to get a photo of him and I told him for my blog.  He asked me what my blog was about and I told him photography.  He agreed.  And I thanked him profusely.  Before him I had asked three other people and was turned down by all of them.  One lady was really nice but the second two were kinda rude and looked at me as if I had something growing out of my head.  I knew I wanted to do this for Face Your Fears as soon as I read the categories from last week's Scavenger Hunt but kept putting it off (hence me waiting until Tuesday to capture this) because it made me uncomfortable.  It was not until I was looking through my Twitter feed this morning when I came across this article on tips on shooting street portraits. If that wasn't a sign, I am not sure what is.  Next time I do this - and there will be a next time - I will bring my business cards with me with my blog information on it so they can visit the site if they so choose.  Thanks again, sweet man.  I appreciate it!  Just another step to getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. 

5. Currently

I was not really sure how to capture Currently.  Currently to me means being in the moment.  And one of my favorite moments from the weekend was sitting on the front porch with my husband, playing Yahtzee and listening to the wind chimes.  Makes me happy.  This was taken last night (via Instagram) while we were winding down after dinner and from a wonderful long weekend.    

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend as much as we did!  Have a great week!  At least it's a short one, right? 

Linking up with

Scavenger Hunt Tuesday

Late AGAIN!  Arg.  Thank you Ashley for allowing participants to upload photos until Tuesday.  Much appreciated:)

1. People

With the gorgeous weather my coworkers and I have been looking for any excuse to get out during the day.  Last Wednesday during Social Skills group, the group went for a walk.  On our walks I have been asking the group if they see anything that may help define who they are or where they have been in their recovery.  It's been quite successful and many have said how nice it is to see things differently.  As we were heading back to the office I noticed our shadows.  Everyone was very sweet to put up with my idea to photograph "Love" in our shadows.  I think they even had a little fun:)

2. Nature's Own

Nature's way to let us know Spring is here/on her way.  And that makes me one HAPPY girl! 

 3. Photographer's Choice

A black and white photo with light flare.  

 4. Quote or Word

"It is our choices, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." 

As I may have mentioned before, I am huge Harry Potter fan.  Dumbledore, the headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry for those of who do not know, is a very wise man and throughout the series has a lot of good quotes.  And I love quotes.  I recently hung this one up in the group rooms.  I'll take any excuse to use/talk/discuss Harry Potter I can get.  

 5. Vintage

My mother's ring she gave to me after I got married.  It was given to her when she graduated from High School from her parents.  I rarely wear but like to open my jewelry box every once in a while just to look at it:) 

Happy Tuesday everyone!  I hope everyone had a safe and lovely St. Patrick's Day (post to come soon)! 

Sandtana Senior Session

A few weeks ago I was given an opportunity to shoot Sandtana's Senior Portraits.  It was my first photo shoot of 2012 (and WOW I have missed shooting portraits).  Sandtana is a senior at Beaver Falls High School in Beaver Falls, PA.  While we talked throughout the shoot I learned she has a lot of interests and hopes to work with people one day.  She is such a sweet girl and great to work with.  I seriously see this girl going somewhere in life. 

I met Sandtana the day of the shoot.  She is a rather shy girl until I started talking to her and she opened up a little.  I had asked Sandtana if she had any poses in mind she wanted to do.  She kept saying, "Not really.  I'm not very photogenic."  Seeing her smile while she talked with me I knew that last statement was not true.  Once she got more comfortable in front of the camera she was all America's Next Top Model and busting out poses left and right!  I would give her some direction and she would just go from there.  I kept asking if she had ever modeled before.  Sandtana maintained throughout the entire afternoon that she had not.  The verdict is still out on whether or not I believe her ;)

Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot.  

This one is my favorite!  Doesn't she have the most beautiful smile?  And she said she wasn't photogenic.  Ha!  

America's Next Top Model for sure! 

I love reflections and was so thrilled to get this (how dorky am I to be excited about a reflection?)! 

What about you?  Do you believe she has NO modeling experience?  Yeah, I don't either (but shhhh)... 

It was so great to meet you Sandtana!  I had so much fun spending the afternoon with you.  You are such a great girl and wish you the best of luck in the next stage of your life!