Mckinzie - Senior 2014

I can not say enough about this beautiful senior...what a fun day!  We met at the Clinton Library for an urban feel and did a lot of walking!  I'm loving these images!

 

 

 

 





Detox water: Day one

 

Ok so today, I grabbed the pitcher and poured me a hefty glass of the detox water.  I even went a step further and heated it in the microwave because many sources say it works even better if it's a little warm.  The taste is....odd.  The cucumber is overwhelming, I used 1 whole cucumber.  If you don't like cucumbers, don't drink this...haha!

 

If you like cucumbers, you will still be thrown off because you are DRINKING the taste of cucumbers.  After a few sips, it's not so bad.  It's actually bearable and if it truly helps with digestions, skin and all the other wonderful things that it's claimed to do, then I can do one glass a day!

 

So to one pitcher of water, I added 1 sliced cucumber and 2 sliced lemons.  Next time I may add 3 lemons to see if I can even out the taste a bit.  You are suppose to add about 12 leaves of peppermint and I did not have any on hand, nor did Kroger.  Sooo this may help with taste, though on FB I heard many people say that the drink made WITH peppermint is disgusting. 

 

Ok Day 1: taste is OK, it's bearable...I can keep going. 

 



detox water...looks so pretty!

 

Anyone ever tried the detox water recipe?  It consists of lemons, cucumbers, peppermint leaves (didn't have any and Kroger was out) and water.  I thought I'd give it a try because they say it's great for your urinary system, skin, and digestive system. 

Here's the sight where I saw it:

 

http://everydayroots.com/detox-drink-for-cleansing

 

Pictures on this site are prettier than my one of a pitcher on my counter with a teenage mutant ninja turtle bottle in the corner, but if this is a keeper then I may spruce up my next post about it!

 



A beautiful day to celebrate love!

 

My Aunt Sherry threw a wonderful wedding shower for Beth and A.J. yesterday.  They got a ton of great gifts and because I was having a lot of fun, I didn't get too many pictures.  I mean, the photographer needs a break every once in awhile...hahaha!

 

Below is Beth's mom and daughter, Alex. 

And below is her other daughter, yes twins, Addie.



Halloween wreaths...my stress reliever!

 

 

So sometimes I need a little break, a little stress reliever!  And for me, there is no better way to relieve stress then to release some creativity that is built up inside me!

What better way to welcome fall than with some wreaths that celebrate my favorite holiday...Halloween!

 

This is the last one I finished.  I underestimated that amount of yellow ribbon I would need so I had to put this one off for a few days.  So besides the "eek" and "boo," this wreath included 5 different colors/patterens of 1/2yrds of fabric, 2 rolls of ribbon and a little bit of tulle ( I used from a roll from the other wreath).  Of course you need a wire wreath form.

 

 

The next one is a first time try...a glittery tulle wreath.  It started off being a generic fall wreath.  With the addition of purple and the brown looking black, this ended up being a Halloween wreath, too.  This wreath consists of 5 different color glittery tulle, white Styrofoam wreath form, feather boa wreath and the "boo" embellishment.  

 

 

I couldn't resist adding the purple feather boa...I really like it!! 

With both wreaths, time is a necessity...but I turn on the TV to I.D. channel and just tie away.  Before long I'm done and my fingers are burning.  Now I just need to find another door, because having just one poses a problem with having 2 wreaths...hahaha!

 

 



Being in front of the camera...what a difference!

 

 

Yesterday I met my good friend and fellow photographer, Shannon Hall to do a Mommy and Me session of Mason and me.  It was a chance for me to get some pictures of us by ourselves since we have hundreds of him and his dad together because I'm always BEHIND the camera. 

 

So being in front of the camera was a huge learning experience.  I won't say I was uncomfortable, I've always loved being in pictures, but it's been a long time since I've been in posed pictures.  It definitely help me put in perspective how my clients feel when I'm doing their pictures.  Jumping around and making faces has always been in my bag of tricks for the kids, and I have little tricks and techniques for engaged and married couples, but being the one that someone tells "move your head up" and "tilt your head to the left" can get a little confusing.  Being in front of the camera reminded me that being patient and taking your time as a photographer is the key to making sure you get "that shot." 

 

Another thing that I really haven't thought of in a while, at least since Mason was having newborn pictures done and cried the entire time, is that when kids need a break it makes parents nervous that they are wasting a photographers time by letting them play.  This is not the case!!  Yesterday we had to take several breaks to let Mason play a little bit, whether it was sliding down a hill or digging in dirt.  As a photographer, these breaks never bother me, nor did they bother Shannon.  I know they are a necessity.  As a mother being a photographer's subject, it made me a little nervous that we were "wasting time."  What a different perspective!! 

 

Now waiting to see all our pictures is keeping me on pins and needles, which Shannon was good about sending me some sneak peaks.  She knew I wouldn't be able to wait to see them, at least one.  We had such a good time and I think Mason may have taught Shannon a few tricks of his own.

 

The best photographers are the ones that play with their subjects.

 https://www.facebook.com/shannonlhallphotography

 

 

Keep a look out for our pictures from Shannon.  I'll post them when their done.  As for now, here are a few I snapped of my silly boy before the session:

 

 

Note to everyone who wonders, "What do I need to bring to a photo session?"  Whether you are a photographer or a subject, always bring water and snacks.  Ever wonder what kind of props to bring of your own?  Balloons are always fun!  Most of all, remember to HAVE FUN!

 

 



Getting down to the wire...

My brother and his fiancé, Beth, are getting married in October and today was the day to stuff and address the envelopes.  Of course, this included our 4 year olds, which were entertained by my dad.  Alex wasn't thrilled with the camera during this visit, so Addie was my subject for the day.

 

Let's start with this priceless expression from Mason as he listened to his Uncle A.J. talk about "his tax dollars..."  And that is chocolate all over his face.

 

 

And there's no words to describe this sweet girl's face...this is Addy!

 

 

Here's the couple hard at work!



 

REAL hard at work...ask him about his "4"

 

And then there is the fun to bed had in the pool...

 

Since I was helping with the envelopes, I didn't have my camera out too long.  I couldn't get all three of them in the frame, which is usually a goal of mine when they are playing together!



September is here, weddings are near...life ROCKS!!

Congratulations to Krystal Perkins, who won the silent auction bid for a photo session on the Arkansas Rage Silent Auction FB page.  Also a big congrats to Meagan Jones who tried to comment first on my post below and then kindly pointed out she couldn't get it to work...MY FAULT.  She won a photo session priced the same as what Krystal bid to win the auction!

 

 

 Now to the fun stuff...I will be donating 20% of each session fee from August-September (and I'm not going to lie, I will include the few people that have scheduled in October, too) to Nicole Doty's lung transplant bills.  She is a super cool young lady that has Cystic Fibrosis and recently had a lung transplant to help her breath and live life to the fullest.  Yes, a LUNG TRANSPLANT.   Do you want to know more about Cystic Fibrosis, go to http://www.cfliving.com/newly-diagnosed/living-with-cf/about-cf.jsp as just one of many resources to learn about the disease.  You can also follow Nicole at https://www.facebook.com/NikkisTransplantJourney and donate to her specifically at http://www.gofundme.com/3usbwo .  I'm hoping that the donation I get to make, from all of you awesome people that have me snap your families, is over $150. 

 

 

More fun information:  My brother is getting married at the end of October and two weeks later my sweet cousin is, too.  Because of these super fun and busy events, I will not be scheduling sessions from Oct. 19-27 or Nov. 1-3. 

 

And in the all the talk about weddings, I will post my favorite shot of my husband's cousin, Samantha and her wedding a couple of years ago...GEEEZ, I love weddings!!

 

 

 



Congratulations and Thank You!!

https://www.facebook.com/arkansas.rage

Arkansas Rage, a youth baseball team in Cabot, had a silent auction this week that had some great prizes including a $75 valued photo session with me!  This was my first auction to participate in and I want to thank everyone for checking it out and bidding! 

A way I would like to thank everyone for participating is simple and fun...anyone who bid on my session in the auction can have a chance to receive a session for the same winning bid price!!  Just be the first to comment below this post with a statement of why you are looking forward to the fall season!  Same expiration date applies to this offer.

Dove Hunt 2013

 

 

The opening weekend of Dove season is a big event in Pocahontas for our family.  This year, my brother brought his fiancé to hunt with us.  I chose to "shoot" my camera instead of hunting this year.   

 

 

 

 

 

Mason, his Papa and his dog Woodrow. (below)

 

 

 

Mason and his Uncle AJ in the background (below)