[wildlife]

Okay really not so wild! I was hanging around for a family session today and well, our lakes and ponds here attract some really pretty birds and crawly critters. I am not a wildlife shooter, nor do I play one on tv... hah. I won't tell you I have talent shooting outdoor animals other than the basics... but this little bird had me intrigued. He was very curious of me while I was shooting some shots of a heron and some ducks that keep bobbing in the water sticking their tookuses in the air. I got up to about 10 feet of him which was kinda cool (almost like shooting at the zoo... ;) ) before he flew off, but thankfully for my 70-200 I didn't need to be that close to snap off some fun shots. Can't remember the specs on the shot at all, and since I think I have heat stroke... I am gonna head to bed early!

So here is my bird. I love him and I think I will name him Alfred. (Although he is gray and this may mean that he is actually a girl?) DH is researching the bird for me as we speak! eerrr ahh type! Hahaha

Okay the scoop is... we think he is an adult Neotropic Cormorant and eats small fish, tadpoles, frogs and insects! Where was he at graduation the other night? Youch! I have been eaten alive by mosquitos! He is considered 'of LEAST concern' for conservation statuses eg: He is as common as a pigeon? Haha... But it is rare to see the non Mexican version this far North apparently! I got a bird lesson tonight so I thought I would share!

Want some more info on my little Alfred? Here you go! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neotropic_Cormorant

[emotion]

So I was telling one of my precious friends today that I always feel at a loss when I am posting on my blog because unless it is education related I think I sound like a gumby head! Haha. I am a dork and I know it. But tonight I could go on and on....

Tonight was graduation. I get attached to these kids. I mean it is really such a special occasion full of emotion of accomplishment, joy and pride in our kids and memories of our lost loved ones taken from us too soon.

It is hard to stand there with a camera that weighs as much as mine does and keep it up while controlling my emotions of joy and sadness that these kids errr ahh young adults are now moving on to a new chapter in their lives. I just can't imagine how their teachers, family and friends feel. Or how I am going to feel when it is MY turn to hug my child and tell them congratulations... YOU DID IT.

Congratulations Maricopa High School Class of 2008! YOU DID IT!

[angelic]

This photo makes me sigh.... I mean how can this lovely lady NOT think she could have a career modeling?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH! What a gorgeous girl!

[5-6-7-8... 1]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Funness! hahah I know what I want to do next time, but these shots were fun. I am a bad blog mommy because I am using photos from previous clients tonight! I am just too tired to post any of the others I have been working on. Forgive me?

I have a very busy day tomorrow so I am heading off to la la land!

[Stevie]

So I am working my way through these in between my normal clients... and I realized that I can't leave out little Stevie... I want to make sure at least one picture of her gets posted.

Ladies I should have these images done for you by noon tomorrow. Thanks for letting me play!

[scorpion]

We see a lot of those little critters around here but this sure is a different kind. Wow... this brings back those days! You know when I was young? And somewhat flexible? Hahaha.

Another sweetie from the cheer squad! Doing something almost IMPOSSIBLE! haha

[new]

This is a new client, a new baby planner, new beginnings. I think God has blessed me with truly beautiful clients. This lovely lady was simply beautiful inside and out and I cannot wait to meet mister Jack.

[Sunday!]

I love Sundays! Without going to church it feels like the next day HAS to be Sunday! Last week we missed out totally, but am very grateful we got to go today! YEAH! Pastor sure likes to put things in perspective for us so we can try to make heads or tails out of what we are reading!

I missed last week because of work and two VERY sick kiddos! This week we are finally all back to somewhat normal health!

Here is a lovely picture of what we did on the 'girls' morning we spent! (And NO I did NOT pick out that color! I about DIED when she came back from the nail station she was sitting at with THAT color on her nails! DOH!)

[hello]

Meet Amy Bratlie. Amy is the gymnastics teacher/coach and owner of Desert Star Gymnastics. She is a great person and has so much energy with the kids she trains! Both of my girls have started classes with her and they can't say enough about her.

We had to take a mugshot at the meet because she does not have one of herself yet. ;)

[soooooooo]

SWEEEEEET! This little sweet pea was very shy when she sat down ... at FIRST... She really warmed up and smiled up a storm but how can you resist this little face? I just have to have a copy of this for my wall in the studio. What a doll baby! This outtake is worth a million words!

I don't have favorites I swear! *giggle*

[Bri]

Such elegance and grace... what a lovely girl! Being booked like crazy this week is killing me because all I want to do is edit lovely recital photos!

[LEAP]

Leap for joy!

Sweet time today... revisting HS a little for me, but it is a love I will always have. I really had a great time playing today. Thanks girls!

GO RAMS!

[dance]

Okay... anyone who knows me knows that I love love love on location settings, and even in studio sessions but I have to say that there are two things I love even more... and surprisingly one is recital photos. Little itty bitty girls and boys in their adorable little costumes. Some of them are shy but most of them come in wearing the biggest smile ever!

What is great is that because I shot recital last year, these kiddos know me and are very comfortable with me. Aren't they just gorgeous?

[puppy dog tails]

Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails!!! That's what little boys are made of !

Hahah! I won't post the whole belly because I love my job AND my friendship toooo much! hahha ;) But here is a sneak peak of one of my dearest friend's maternity shots I took today. I know we didn't get very many done in between kiddos, but this one is one of my faves.

Not that you can tell, but this little stinker has NO stretch marks yet. DOH! NO FAIR! hahah

[sigh]

Okay so stay away from my house people! I intended to take the day off today! HA! I ran up to Paradise Valley to hang with a neato-riffic photog I met for a little bit this morning and came back in time for my youngest to tell me that she was feeling MUCH better.

Well, to MY dismay she is REAAAAAAAHHHHHLLLLY not. UGH. So I am up posting and hanging out so I can listen for her in case she gets sick again. The hubster is taking second shift since this is my normal work time anyway! WHAT A GUY! He's a keeper!

I was feeling a little down today, and I have got to tell you that friends make all the difference in the world. You know how when you think things are just ick... and they swoop in and change your whole perspective? THAT is what friends can do for you. *hugs to you girl*

Wheeeeew! I am sooo sleeping in tomorrow! hahah

I am looking forward to a really cool day tomorrow. I hope you all have a wonderfully blessed day! I know I am gonna try!!!

[cheating]

Is it technically cheating if I saved it as a DRAFT and forgot to publish it? hahaha

Okay so I have nothing for you tonight! NOTHING ZILCH! Haha. I have been soooo stinking busy that I have not had much time to sleep then on top of it my youngest has been feeling kind of sick! The poor dear! I am hoping it is not the flu bug that has been going around lately. ICK!

In preparation of this weekend I have been the order packaging fool and have not had much chance to get serious about putting any photos on the blog tonight! So I will have to just wish you a happy night and sweet sleeps!!!!!

[seniors]

Another senior came in the other day (trying to get caught up!) and he was having a standard session done. This is one of my favorites from the session. Isn't he a handsome young man?

[football]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh Why do they always look so serious!??!? It never fails, the football players from peewee to pro never want to flash the pearly whites for the camera! Is it because teeth are missing maybe? At this age quite possible!!! Hahaha... But only for natural reasons of course!

[dads]

I know that the photos were all about Mother's Day but this little girl wanted a photo with her daddy, and how could I say no? Isn't she just a doll face I mean she looks like a little angel!

[Mom]

Mom always makes things better. She always knows what to say and what to do to make our lives better. Moms are one of a kind and kind at heart. Moms feel sad when we are sad and joy when we are joyful!

Thanks all you moms that came out to see me today. YOU make the world a better place.

Happy Mother's Day Moms! You all deserve it!!!!!

(Girl... I had to throw this outtake in because the two of you are just so stinking cute!)

[NiLMDTS]

A great organization...

A friend of mine mentioned to me the other day.... Hey, have you heard of these folks? These people are super great. I love Sandy and all the things that she has done to raise awareness for this program. I loved that I got to chat with her several times this year on the phone and in person at WPPI and I can't wait to go to yet another of her seminars here in a couple weeks.

God bless the ladies in this organization and all they stand for.

[sleeeeeepy]

I am just too sleepy to keep my eyes open! I have to hit the sack because I have to be wide awake for tomorrow!

Hope you all have had a WONDERFUL Tuesday!!!!

[personality]

Individuality; distinctive personal qualities???

UHMMM YEAH!

Isn't she just a doll? Haha... even when she is giving me the sass! She has such a gorgeous face! I am stuck in front of the computer tonight processing what feels like a million orders so I had to take a break and see this cutie one more time before I sent the session info to mom and dad!

[ouch!]

Little brother kept pulling her hair, but this little sweetie face never let it phase her. She just kept doing what mom and dad wanted and smiled right through it! Aren't the just stinking cute? And let me tell you big sis really has potential for a modeling career. Boy can she whip up a cup of sassy pants when she is asked to!

[happy]

This little lovie is just such a happy little girl. Such a joy to be around every time I see her. she is off to kindergarten this year!

[wooooooooot!]

I am sooo excited to say that one of my baby planner's newborn session is D-O-N-E! Hehehe! I sent your gallery info which means Teacher "J" will be hitting you up for the codes too! hahahah!

Okay so it is May right? We are sooo excited to talk about our May special! Are you excited!?!?! I am! Here it is! Some HOT HOT HOT savings for summer! Wahoooo!

Now is the time to beat the heat and head inside for some fun family portraiture!

Here are the details! Click on the image to enlarge it!!!!!!

[whooofta!]

Hahah! Something I have always said when I am blowing off steam! *haha* Now graduation is coming up fast and I can't believe all the seniors will be starting their new adult lives! INSANE I tell you!

This young man is going places. ;)