Split tree on hill.

Doesn't that sound like an Indian's name?..."My name Split Tree On Hill. I am good cutter of wood....on top of hills".

This is how my brain works. I'm sorry.

I took this while out today. It's somewhere around Old Greenville down a long country road. It's such a cute little tree. He's just hangin' on even though everything's fallin' apart.

Well. Aren't we all?

I think his cheerful little flowering friend is cheerin' him on to keep it together.

Hang in there buddy.
B

Rain can be pretty too.

Not as pretty as the sun, but still pretty.

This is the view from my bathroom window this fine Sunday afternoon. Well. It's actually the view from my bathroom window as I'm standing on the toilet. Don't ask.

The first one is my favorite...I like how the upper right corner is brighter and blurry. Isn't it dreamy in a way? I think so.

I'm hoping to make my next post more informative. Maybe a tutorial on how to do something useful in Photoshop.

Then again, posting pictures is SO much easier!
B

Drip, drip, drop, little april showers...

It was a little rainy today. I hope the Reid family got their roof on without any major catastrophes.

I wanted to see how fast the new computer would churn out my raw files from my compact flash cards, so I ran outside and shot these just as it was getting dark.

I like them for many reasons...the flowers are pretty and make me feel spring-y. It proves that I CAN shoot things outside the studio. I'm aware that these aren't going to earn me any awards, but I was really impressed with how clear they are just using my hunk-a-junk kit lens (just think what I could accomplish with a macro lens!).

Oh. And for the record...the raw files loaded in the blink of an eye. Well. Not really a blink of an eye, but WAY faster than my old computer. Just think of how much more productive I'll be now that I don't have to wait around for FIVE WHOLE minutes for pictures to download! I'm finally gonna get around to writing my autobiography.

I'm sure my life story will sell like hotcakes. I'D want to read it, wouldn't YOU?
B

I get by with a little help from my friends...

I got my new computer today! Yippeeee! Wait till you see the size of this monitor! I'll be posting pictures later but I wanted to give a big, loud thank you to the Thornton family.

THANK YOU THORNTON FAMILY!!!!

They helped me out in a tremendous way (wink, wink...you know what you did you helpful Thorntons'). So now I can keep editing my images of super cute babies, roosters and barbed wire. I know. Wasn't that awful nice of them? I thought so. Which brings me to my point...I want to thank them (aside from just "thanking" them) so I'm giving them 4 free 5x7 images (one for each kid...they're the cutie patooties in a previous post).

It's not much...just a small way to show gratitude, and I definitely have gratitude.
B

The sun is finally shining!

The sun finally came out yesterday, which makes me happy. I like the way I feel when the sun shines.

While these aren't exactly pictures of the sun, you can see the sun in them. Can't you? I mean, I can practically feel the late afternoon sun warming my chubby little cheeks (on my face...just clarifying).

Wait. I'm sitting by the window so it IS the late afternoon sun warming my cheeks. But, still...you get the point. The pictures show the sun from yesterday. Just shake your head yes. It will make me happy.

B

Yippitty Dooo!

I'm getting my new computer tomorrow!! Weeeeee! It has a 24" monitor! Pictures to follow.
B

Cutie Patooties

These are my three favorite shots from my shoot with the Thornton family. You can see the whole shoot here.

I'm not in a very chatty mood today...the stupid sun will NOT shine...I NEED sunshine! So...there ya have it and there ya are.
B

Teaser

The first shot I've edited from a shoot I had on Saturday with this beautiful bunch of kids. I'm certain it's not the best from the shoot, but I thought they looked pretty stickin' cute. More to come soon...

B

Randomization (yes, that's a word)

What do I do when I'm home on a rainy Friday with no children, not enough money to go anywhere, and my other half is otherwise preoccupied?

This...
I'm not sure what "this" is, but it's definitely something, isn't it? I found an awesome flickr group with AMAZING textures. I'm actually drooling right now. So I snazzied up this picture of Merna with one of the textures I fell in love with. For some reason it reminds me of "My Fair Lady".

I did this too....

As well as this...

I'm not sure what I think of these shots, but I love the colors. The second one looks like the view from a foot bridge into a boiling pit of lava...I can almost feel the heat from here. It's actually the lamp in my living room. Less exciting but also less dangerous.

I then shot this...

and last but not least, this...

I don't even know what to say about these. I had an image in my head. This was NOT it. But here it is nevertheless.

I also took some shots of our goldfish, a chunk of garlic, some old books, and a toothpick. I told you... randomization ...embrace it.

B

Feelin' Some Texture Love...

I can see myself getting out of control quickly with adding textures. The possibilities are endless! Endless, I tell you! Every time I flop a texture layer down on top of a picture it's like getting a sweetly wrapped present. Except unlike a sweetly wrapped present, if I don't like a texture I can delete the layer and try another one, eventually getting the one I want. If I'm feeling particularly adventurous (like in this picture of Merna), I'll add two or YES! even three different textures! I know. I'm a regular Evel Knievel.

Behold...the power of Photoshop.

B

Fruit from our Chicken Tree.

One of many eggs the kids have eagerly gathered from our new chicken coop. Summer particularly liked this one because of the "speckles" and insisted that I take a picture of it. That was less than a week ago and the excitement has already dissipated...they're sick of gathering eggs and feeding chickens.

So goes the story of my life...

My Guinea Pig.

This is one of my guinea pigs, Mariah (we like to call her Merna). Merna puts on crazy outfits for me and lets me put her in uncomfortable positions so I can take her picture. She complains and moans and whines..."I can't feel my leg"..."I think my retinas are burning out"...but I think she secretly likes it.

Do any of these jump out at you for any particular reason?

B

"Now looka, I say looka here boy! I ain't no chicken, I'm a ROOSTER! --Foghorn Leghorn

We are now the proud owners of 10 chickens and this handsome rooster. I sat in the chicken coop yesterday and took these shots of the little guy. I learned one thing...chickens do NOT stand still for very long at all. I'm exctited to start shooting outside more since the weather is starting to get nicer...I need the practice, as I'm turning into a studio snob. Or so I've been told.

It's just too much...the cuteness...it's too much.

Okay. Last one of Phoenix for a while. Here's a link to the rest of the shoot if you're interested in seeing them. I think there's 4 pages of images. I tend to get a little out of control sometimes. shrug.

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/7815056_gWzf2#506043516_PJYyS

B

Oh. My.

Just look at that cute little nose and those cute little ears and those big, bright eyes....

You will be seeing PLENTY of this girl...

First blog post.

How exciting! I've got a blog! Here's my niece Phoenix (Fee to me) doing a bang up job posing with our goldfish. (click the picture to see it bigger)

I'll hopefully begin to make these posts more exciting as I get the hang of this. Patience please.
B

Little Weeds

Little Weeds

Sessions:

Newborn: Preferably under two weeks of age

Three months: Holding up head while laying

Six months: Sitting unassisted

Nine months: Walking with help (cruising)

Twelve months: Walking unassisted

Prints:

2-5x7 and 4-4x6 images of your choice from each session (totaling 10-5x7’s and 20-4x6’s)

Extras:

DVD slideshow of select images set to music for keepsake

20 page 8x8 leather-bound coffee table book of select images from each session at the end of the year

Investment:

Actual cost if purchased separately: $565 plus slideshow

Total cost of package: $300 (equals a savings of $265)

Wedding

Weddings

Engagement Session w 4 5x7 prints

Complete wedding coverage (8 hours)

4x6 prints of all edited wedding images

All edited images on a high resolution disk with copyright release (not including engagement session)

$2100

If you feel that 8 hours is too much coverage for you please call to discuss details with me.

 

  Extras:

Per hour rate above package $250

Photobooth (with props) set up during reception for two hours with attendant $200

Travel time to location exceeding one hour from studio (located in Fredericktown) $30 per hour