Back to my {fruit} roots

The day after I took my final exam I was a bit lost. I had no idea what to do with all the hours in my day, and couldn’t decide if I wanted to sleep them away or be productive. …and by productive I mean sitting outside doing next to nothing. To my surprise, I ended up going on a crazy cleaning spree and having a crazy desire to take pictures of the pretty plants in the backyard. Especially the plum tree that has copious amounts of plums growing.

Its been too long since I took a picture of a fruit tree and I started to think how much I used to do it in the beginning of me learning to shoot in manual, and I wanted to get back to that feeling. I started late in the morning, which meant the sun was high in the sky, so I had to get in the silliest squatted positions to get these, but I had a lot of fun.

With the one flower photo, I had to lay flat on my back on the patio in order to get the sun in the shot, which ended up giving it the unique effect it did. I think next time I do this, I’ll be smarter and get an earlier start. Regardless of all the neck and back strain, it was enjoyable to do. Here’s only a few of what I got that day.
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Exceeding the limit

I’m packing things up today and what’s sad is I only have about 15lbs available in my suitcase for my own stuff. 15lbs! That’s like three pair of shoes and my toiletries bag. I’m bringing so many things for G-man that I’m going to have to get inventive with my own things. I’m about to breakdown and bring a carry on but the thought of lugging a 50lb bag alongside a carry on suitcase through the busy train stations during rush hour is anything but appealing.

But I might have to do it. I’m going to choose to not think about the pain of it all.

The next couple of days are going to be busier than I planned. What was supposed to be a nice leisurely five hour drive to LA, arriving at any point I wanted in the evening, has turned into me having to get there before 6pm. And what was supposed to be a nice Thursday morning where I could get ready at my own pace and arrive at the airport for the shuttle to the other airport between 10-10:30am, has turned into having to be there before 8:30am.  It throws some really huge kinks into things, but I have to go with the new flow in order for it all to work out, so I’m doing my best not to dwell on it too much.

I’m currently sipping on my second cup of coffee as I battle my power cord for my laptop, planning out the morning’s outline; and I can’t help but think, regardless of how much I have to do, stopping to enjoy my coffee takes top priority; even if it leaves me running around scrambling to get out of the house in time a few hours from now.

Since I’m reading the photography composition tutorial, I’ve been following along with the exercises they have, and subsequently have been enjoying every minute of it. Needing an “action hero” for the exercise yesterday, I improvised and used a toy car from my parents tub o’ toys for the grandkids. He was the perfect little subject.

Doesn’t he look happy? It was all about lines for this exercise.

Last night, my Dad suggested we watch a movie together since he’d be gone before I woke up this morning, so we had a little father/daughter time together, which was nice. That’s kind of our thing; watching movies together, so it was nice to do since we haven’t done it in a long time. We watched Everybody’s Fine, which I’ll tell you is really sad; really really sad, so you might not want to watch that with your Dad (since its about a widowed Dad and his grown kids..).

Happy Hump Day to you all. Next stop, Japan!

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Get in front of the camera

I’m in a couple photographers forums, and one thing I noticed a lot of them say is how much they don’t get in front of the camera. How they take pictures of their kids, their husband with the kids and even their dogs, but they generally stay behind the camera..
a) because in their minds, who else will take the picture
b) they know their cameras best, and
c) which is the most common reason: they don’t want to be photographed. Whether they think they look horrible, unkempt, not where they wish they were physically, messy hair, no make up..and the list goes on.

A high percent of mom’s are never in the shots with their kids because they don’t like the way they look. So years go by with no memory for the kid of MOM.

I am one of those kids. I’ve talked about it before, and there’s no doubt I love my mom (I love you, mom), I just know the other side of it as the kid of having virtually no photos of my mom to look back on. And to be honest, it makes me really sad.

Even as an adult, I probably could count on two hands the photos of mom and me, maybe truthfully one hand.

On Monday, that all changed. I was determined once I found out my mom was getting off work early, to get some nice shots of us. And what was even better, my sister was coming over as well. I didn’t tell either of them until they got to the house, because I’m all for the element of surprise. My sister rolled her eyes, grabbed at her clothes and gave me that look of dread.

I shooed her to the bathroom to use my flat iron and makeup at her will and told her this was happening, so to get to it. (I’m the real sweet loving gentle sister, if you hadn’t noticed)

Once she was all done, I called her out to get some test shots so I could get my camera ready.

And then we got my mom to join. I took some of my sister and mom first and had a ball with it. Those two together are complete goofballs, laughing almost the whole time. Then I got my settings right in the camera, handed it to my sister and had her take some of mom and me.

It all turned out a complete success and I’m excited I have these new photos to cherish. It only struck me after we were done, to have gotten some with my sister and me  …next time.

Friends, moms, sisters, kids, I can’t encourage you enough to get in front of the camera. Freeze time in a photo. It doesn’t matter how you look, it matters that you’re there.

Go. Go grab your mom. Or your kids. Set the timer. Use the remote. Utilize your husband and have these precious moments together photographed for everyone to look back on in fondness.

Your kids will thank you..and if you let yourself, you’ll thank you too.

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Squishy baby alert

How can anyone stay in a funk when they get around babies? They just can’t, I tell you. They just can’t. In the afternoon, I went over to my friend’s who’s birth I photographed…that I promise will show soon, to take some shots of her now 4 week old for announcements. Better late than never, I say.

We had a lot of fun, though challenging. It. was. challenging. She didn’t care to sleep and when she would fall asleep, she would come awake and laugh at us for attempting to do anything in the 60 seconds she was out. Ok so she didn’t laugh on the outside, but we felt on the inside she was.

Here’s just a little sneak iPhone style.
I’m a little obsessed with these in black and white, but I’ll mix it up at the end with one in color…just for you.

*I promise I have 5 fingers on my left hand. It looks quite claw like.

Babies. They’re just so darn cute.

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A test, a prayer and a sneak

This very morning I’m testing for the position I mentioned yesterday. It’s a 3-4 hour long test and since I’m writing this beforehand, I’ll be honest and say I have no idea what it’s going to entail. Well, I have an idea but it could be nothing like what I’ve conjured up in my brain.

So if you’re inclined, pray. Pray that I pass to move on to the interview process…which will also take 3 hours. who wants to be in an interview for 3 hours straight?!? apparently >this girl<In other exciting news, I’m getting my hair colored tonight…by my friend…from a box.

I trust her.

~~~

If you haven’t yet, I think its time you make the grilled chocolate sandwiches I went on and on about last Tuesday. If you’re still unsure about them, you can read Casey AND Amanda’s reviews on them since they trusted me.

~~~

The photographer from last week, who also is my good friend, knows what she’s doing. There’s no doubt about that. She also knows the difficult position she and I are both in with being able to post photos of G-man. So she used her Masters brain, and brilliantly created ‘blog-able’ images for both of us to use.

Silhouettes and blurred shots. Can’t get any more ‘obscure’ than that. To say I wish nothing more than to show my favorites to you, would be an understatement. But I also like being on G’s good side and will respect his wishes of not having any photos of him on the blog. And friends, for the record. Its hard. I’ve debated making my blog private so I could share ‘us’, but haven’t quite been able to do it. I like you all and getting to meet so many new people by being public is what I enjoy! If I had gone private when it originally crossed my mind, I wouldn’t have met my 2 newest and already dear friends, Casey and Amanda. So I struggle with the idea of being ok with not making anymore friends if I went private, and I don’t think I’m ready for that.

So, until I’m ready, I’ll stay public and refrain from showing photos of my love and continue showing the vague shots I’m given.
photos courtesy of Erin Pasillas Photography


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Baby feet

Adorable, aren’t they?

The day after I got back from Mexico, I took the long (and I mean long…7 hours long) drive to see my sister and her newest baby. She’s a peanut, this one. A cuddler and a newest lover of the binky.


This peanut is their fourth and their last. I think she’ll fit right into their fun and energetic family. Speaking from a fourth and last child’s perspective.. she’ll no doubt have the best childhood growing up. Us babies of the family have it best, no question about it. She’ll see soon enough.

She’s already pretty loved

I would have willingly driven the whole 7 hours in snow if it meant getting to see my newest and last {since all my siblings are done having kids} niece. Crazy to think they’re all done. 11, I suppose is a good number to stop on.

Have a warm weekend. Its in the 80’s here, so I might just soak it up a little bit. That or stay indoors, in my pj’s on my couch. We’ll see.

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Mentally prepare your mind

…for a toes picture. This isn’t your, ‘oh look at my cute pedicure and be jealous’ pictures… this is ‘ugh!! look at my crappy “professional” pedicure I paid a lot of money for’ pictures!!

I don’t get it. How hard is a french pedicure…really?

{what you’re seeing is correct, my toes and feet still swell after almost 2 years since my surgery}

The past 4 pedicures I got were horrible.. and I’m just going to say it.. they were all by white people. I think its safe to say, I will do everything in my power to not see a white manicurist anymore. They just aren’t cutting the mustard.

I even pointed out a mistake to her to fix last night, and she kept asking “where?”, so I got in close, and pointed it out and she said she didn’t see any mistakes.. *_*

It was futile at that point, so I stopped, paid and headed out since I had to rush to my tanning appointment.. yes, I got another spray tan. I’m going to Mexico after all! I can’t be all pasty Casper white! Especially since I don’t plan on baking in the sun.. high skin cancer risk in my family and all.

My tanning lady did a great job. I actually look natural, where all the others would put like the Jamaican tan on me and I’d walk out with an accent. {kidding} but I would be pretty dark.

But yesterday was a crazy day! A crazy day of dumping money. 3 new tires anyone? I wanted to cry. Spending that much money on tires isn’t as fun as say spending it on new clothes, or shoes, or going on a trip! {yes, I realize how superficial that sounds}

Then of course there was my sister. She was in labor all.day.long! that poor thing. I won’t give too much, since she hasn’t really given me the clear, nor is it my story to tell, but she endured intense labor from 2am until they took her for a c-section at 6pm to deliver her sweet baby. And I have to hand it to my amazing sister for enduring the entire labor with no pain medications. She has now set the bar high for me when my time comes.

Yes, I just admitted that. I’m a competitive person, I’ve learned to accept it.

~so you aren’t left with a toe image in your mind~

Happy 1 day old, my sweet new niece!

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Birds of a feather

Say it with me… flock together. very nice!

So eons ago, I went with my friend 1 1/2 hours out into the sticks to photograph birds. Because, why not!? And by eons ago, I mean 4 weeks ago. Crazy how time is zooming by..March what?

She bought my old camera from me that day and we had to go play, so we hopped in her truck and made our way to the Wetland Preserve where the Cranes migrate this time of year. And not just a couple cranes, but thousands upon thousands every single night. The noise they make is something else. The little town is called Pixley and they actually have a crane on their sign. Whenever I was driving to L.A, I always would see the sign and wonder what it was all about and now I can say I know.

And lucky you, so can you now!

After we parked we had to walk a good mile to the lookout, and we waited…and waited. Apparently the cranes only begin to fly over us and into the wetlands at a precise moment as the sun sets, and sure enough, at the most random hour {to me} they began to fly over.

Ever seen the movie Birds? I was living in it for an hour. It was eerie and freaky and gave me the slight urge to break out into a run back to the truck.

Where they all flew into at the end of the night.

It was cold, the mosquitos formed a permanent residence directly above my head, and I was kicking myself for not bringing my zoom lens, but the birds didn’t poo on us once, and that made up for everything else.

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Printed memories

**collective sigh** It’s Friday. I think this week went by fast, but then I think how long it took to get here. Quite the battle inside, but regardless of if it was quick to come or slow as molasses, its happily here.

All week long has been quite the head in the clouds feeling for me. I got a groupon for a 20 page shutterfly photo book that expires in just a matter of days, so pretty much all this week, I spent my work hours creating it. I realize some may find this wrongful use of company time, but well, clearly I don’t have issues with it, so creating a photobook was on my agenda to do.

I decided to make an album of the cross country road trip G-man and I took back in 2009. Ack! Over 3 years ago. That’s unbelievable to me, any way, it was so great looking back at the memories we captured. Getting brought back to that moment where we caught the last 20 minutes of daylight at the Grand Canyon before we couldn’t see anything anymore. Or when G-man drove me through a tropical storm on the coast of Mississippi, because “it was nothing” to him…as the water is spilling over the wall covering the road..and I’m having an internal panic attack..

Or when we were at Disney World and got matching Mickey Mouse t-shirts to wear around the park. Just typing that brings the biggest smile on my face and sentimental tears to my eyes. …and now I’m crying… ugh, I’m hormonal, and emotional and gosh, I’m missing him bad right now.

{any way} I thought I could fit an entire month’s worth of photos (we took a month to drive from California to Virginia) in 20 pages, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. 46 pages later (not bad if I say so myself), my book was complete. I read from other’s that Shutterfly puts this “vivid effect” on all of your photos without your knowing which will over saturate and make your photos more yellow/orange, so I wanted to make sure I took that effect off before hitting ‘order’. Only I couldn’t find where it was. I looked everywhere to no avail, and finally jumped on live chat to ask.

I wasn’t prepared for what they told me. That I had to completely remove every single one of the 170 pictures I put in the album, delete them all, remove the effect and start over. I was crushed… not to mention a little upset. 45 minutes of live chatting back and forth, and taking 50 pictures of each page and its layout with my iPhone later, I finally was able to follow their instruction, remove the vivid effect, and start all over.

Thank goodness I took photos of each page of what pictures went where. In 45 minutes flat, I had put all the photos back where they were, triple checked every page, font and spelling and hit order. Now I sit and wait. I’m pretty excited to get it. This is just one trip of many that needed to be made into an album, so I’m excited that it got done.

I’m really becoming a big advocate for getting photos off the computer and onto print. Whether they’re thrown together in a cheap photo book, made into hundreds of 4x6’s or placed with care into many expensive photo albums, they need to get off the computer and into our hands. My goal is to have stacks and stacks of photo albums to share and see for years to come.

What’s your goal with your photos?
Do you use Shutterfly for your albums?

Have a lovely weekend, my friends. I’ve missed you guys!

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A glimpse of the past

Back from a great weekend, I hope everyone had some fun. I did stuff, I actually did stuff but I’ll leave that for another post later this week.

I’m a member of this photography forum called clickinmoms.com. The name isn’t lost on me, I realize I’m not a mom, but it’s an absolute fabulous photographers forum that will help you grow leaps and bounds in whatever stage of photography you’re in. Doesn’t matter if you’re a novice, amateur, hobbyist or full on professional, you’ll learn so much and grow in your skill. I love being a part of it and have learned so much in the 10 months I’ve been a part of it.

Last week one of the pro’s threw out a challenge to shoot in low light with manual focus and I was pretty eager to test my skills. Ever since I got Monty in November, I’ve taken a major step back in my photo taking skills. It’s been pretty hard to take and rather discouraging when I see my images once I’ve uploaded them.

He’s so different than my first DSLR that we’re taking awhile to get to know each other and its showing in the photos I’m taking. Which is one of the main reasons I haven’t been shooting much nor showing much of anything taken with Monty.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to take a photo of {for the challenge} so I went around my apartment for awhile until I stopped on a photo. A photo that I cherish. One that if there was ever a fire, it would be one of the few things I’d grab if I had time. Its of G-man as a child. One of the only photos he has and it contains one of his favorite memories of all time. Being on stage with Lionel Richie. You can see his joy on his beaming face. What a moment for a kid to experience, and I just love that he was that kid.

What’s even better about this photo is he and Lionel are the only ones that are in focus. All the other kids are moving and blurry, but not them. They’re perfectly still in the moment which makes the photo that much better.

I don’t think I’m breaking any rules by showing this. He’s a little boy in it, almost 30 years ago, so its not like its giving anything away. He looks more like John Cusack in this photo than anyone else. ..maybe it is John Cusack as a kid, who’s to say.

..and I’m sure my watermark takes away from it but I must protect my love, even as a little kid.
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The frame is another thing about the photo I like so much. His mom framed it back in the 80’s, one day I’ll change it out but for now it’ll stay. I like stopping by this photo often in all its original ways. It gives me a small glimpse into his childhood.

(I only used the candle as a light source. It was pitch black without it.)
In case someone’s curious on my settings:
50mm – manual focus
SS 1/125
f 1.8
ISO 5000

So I guess you can consider this your one (and quite possibly your only) glimpse of G-man.

How was your weekend? Bring me up to speed on you.

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I saw the sky

Friends, I saw the sky yesterday and you know what color it was? It was blue, but not just any blue, it was robin’s egg blue and baby blue, light blue and a crisp deep blue. It was so beautiful!

Where I live, I don’t normally get to see the sky for what it really is. Living in a city that boasts the worst air quality in the entire country, leaves me seeing a brownish gray haze almost every single day. Where the sun’s glare off the smog is so bad, sunglasses are the only way to be able to see where you’re going. Where they post flags at the schools that announce the kids aren’t allowed to play outside because the air quality is too bad that day.

But it rained Monday. And for just a short 24 hours, the air was clean again. And it was good. And it was beautiful. I hadn’t seen the sun shine so crisply or so brightly in months as it did that Tuesday morning. It was a moment that left me praising and thanking God for the beauty all around me with the bright sun shining on the farms and cows. Yes, even the cows looked beautiful in that sunlight. Enough to make me wish I had my camera.

I love the rain. How it washes away the dirt. the grime. How it brings freshness, and a renewed spirit to all that it touches. I’m so thankful I got that 24 hours of clean fresh air to renew my spirit.

A few weeks ago, I had the utmost pleasure of shooting my friend and her family when they were harvesting their raisins on their vineyard. She called me months ago laying out her vision of what she wanted for that day. To capture her beautiful family of 6 all working together to harvest the raisins at sunrise. I didn’t know what to expect but I made sure to bring a couple lenses, my sneakers (because I have this thing with ants getting all over my feet) ((ants love the sugar of certain vineyards)), and my half and half for coffee…because it was a Saturday sunrise shoot after all. This girl needed her coffee afterward!

The last two are a testament to how hard the family really worked that morning. All of them. It was such a joy to see all the children excited to help Mom and Dad. To see them work hard and proudly to show they can work right along side their parents in the family business. It put my constant yawning and cat naps on their couch  (while their baby slept) to shame as they continued to work.

It’s refreshing to see true work ethic and team work in a family. It was a blessing to spend the morning with them.

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