The Trip

I didn't take many photos while in San Francisco on Friday and Saturday, and I'm rather glad I didn't. There wasn't any stress... we just kicked back and relaxed. I did manage to take a few though... 

This picture wasn't overly interesting, but i had fun playing with it in photoshop. This isn't my normal style, but felt like sharing it anyway...












So the horizon is a little crooked... so what?

Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving. I'm full & tired. Here are a few pics from earlier today ...

Oh, and one of these next three is possibly my submission for the current Exposaroonie challenge.... lines.

Or maybe this one?

I've been busy, and not on the computer much... it might be that way for another week or so. I hope everyone has had a fabulous Thanksgiving, or regular old Thursday ... and an even more wonderful weekend. I'm off to San Francisco tomorrow...

P.S. Have you exposed yourself yet? ;) You have until tomorrow at noon to enter, and then, we'll have a Brand. New. Challenge to enter.

The Goods Part Deux

This afternoon, I had a second family session with another family I found via Twitter! We met up on the UNR campus for the pictures. 

(I'm apparently going through a warm phase. I apologize. I do have the "regular" versions of my photos as well. Bear with me. It will go as quickly as I realized what the hell I was doing all of a sudden.)




Ha, and the Oh Yes I (or we?) Did shot...





This is the first time I've put all of the faces together like this, I think I need to go back and find more shots that actually look similar.. but you get the idea.



I couldn't resist the brother/sisterly connections in these two shots. Oh, and the WARMTH. Oh boy.

Note to self: Fix cyborg eyes later... heh. Sorry. 

The Goods

I was anxious to get some new faces in the family section of my portfolio. I wanted to offer free sessions, but didn't really want to go the craigslist route - having ZERO clue who I might end up with. Instead, I sent out a tweet via Twitter asking fellow Renoites if anyone would be interested in a free family session. Hot damn, wouldn't you know, I had two bites in all of three minutes. 

This morning, I met up with one of the families, @michellereno from Twitter, her husband and their wee-persons. 

More Scenery

Beautiful, no? 

It is 1am and I'm just about finished editing 90% of the photos on my "To Edit" list. As I wait for some to be exported from lightroom, I realized these were too pretty not to share.

This one is kind of boring, but for some reason, I still love it ...

.. whew. OK. 54% finished exporting from lightroom! Yowzers. Off to get ready for bed ....

Fresh Air

(or, The One Where I Do Not Mention the Election)

A few pictures from a trip to Mammoth Lakes, CA we took a little while back. We lived there in 2005-2006 and I must say, it was so nice to go back. Seeing as we are only three hours away, we really should make it down there more often.

P.S. This little 5-mile jaunt just wore out my dogs!

You might not notice it, but there is a waterfall in the background. Finny was so interested in the noise, he propped his little paws up and kept looking at it, like a real life tourist! Then, I called his name and click click!

I was looking back through my older pictures from another time walking this same trail, and I noticed that I took the same freaking Devil's Postpile picture and that Brandon was wearing the same shirt. I really need to spend some time in the "wilderness" taking pictures. Apparently, I lack creativity there...

(From October 2005)

The Goods

I met up with some friends for a family/maternity session on Saturday morning. You might remember these guys from this family portrait session, or possibly this birthday party, or maybe even this maternity session.

And finally .... Last Saturday, I was off photographing this couple's wedding. The started out a little iffy, considering this is what it looked like on my drive there.... 

Thankfully, it cleared up enough to take some photos and stay dry for both the ceremony and reception! Oh Mother Nature... how you just love to tease us, don't you?

You can go to my photography blog to see more of these pictures. 

( and yes, I know I have comments turned off on all of my photo blog posts. )

The Goods

I couldn't resist posting a few pictures from today's wedding before I go to bed ... or um.. eating dinner.

Weekend Update

(and, Happy 500th Post!)

Remember the maternity session I had a (long) while back with our friends in Davis? Well, this weekend, they came to town to visit with us and Crystal and Mario. Of course, they brought their sweet little babe, Landyn, with them. 

 

On Sunday, we all met at the university and did the walk for the cure. From now on, I'm only exercising with babies ... they make me look good.

I had a lovely weekend... how about you?

It's a Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood

(minus all the recent graffiti, what is up with that?)

A big ol' tumbleweed on the trail

The boys, looking a tad bit frightened.










This trail has been mentioned here, here , here and here

PS... We had non-destructive day yesterday!

Roller Derby

This evening, I begged my sweet hubby to head (back) downtown with me (but really, it is 2 minutes away) so that I could watch my first roller derby ... match? Game? Event? ... What do you call it? It was Reno's own, Battle Born Derby Demons v. Lava City Roller Dolls from Oregon.

Um, can I just say these girls kick ass!? OMG, I was left with a yearning to skate, push girls aside, fly through the air, and basically just be as cool as they are. But, seeing as I don't think I know how to roller skate and the idea of falling on my knees, getting elbowed or breaking some teeth kind of scares the crappola out of me.... I'll stick to photography. 

After tonight, I developed a whole new sense of respect for sport photographers. So different from weddings! Yowzers. I still managed to have fun taking some shots... 

Today

Currently, I'm enjoying this...

While doing this... 

Before heading out with this bad boy.... 

To do some of this.... 

 

Around here.... 

Picture from RealDivasRide.com 

Hope you have a fabulous Saturday as well. 

What Friends Are For

A long, long, time ago. My friend Crystal asked if I could take some "vintage" family portraits of her and her little family. Now, "vintage" isn't normally my style. I'm not typically one to fool around in the post-processing, so this was going to be a challenge. But who better to have as guinea pigs than your good friends?

I had a certain look in mind. There is a family picture (somewhere, and in an oval frame!) of some distant relatives (from one side of the family or the other) and I remember the couple having a squinty-the-sun-is-in-our-eyes look. The hair was dark and their faces worn. The couple stood next to each other and lacked any type of emotions, minus said sun-complaint. The colors were fade and quite "sepia" like (as much as I DESPISE sepia). Going into this, that was my inspiration - except I wanted to portray a little more emotion, and less squinting.

We met Mario and Crystal at their house and hiked up this haggard hill behind their house, making Brandon lug a kitchen chair on his back like the pack-mule he is.

I setthe chair up and quickly realized I was too late for lens flare. The sun was JUST setting behind the mountain.

Damn. If only I had gotten there 15 minutes earlier. Oh well... on to a different idea. Improvisation, I could handle that. A few shots later, and I think I have some stuff to work with. Now, it is a matter of figuring out the post processing... ugh. Like I said, I am not usually one to mess with photos too much. So I'm having a difficult time. I *think* I like these...... but maybe I've just been staring at them too long?

But, they are pretty cute in modern-times too! 

2nd Shooting

Last weekend, I had the chance to 2nd shoot for Ashley out in her neck of the woods. Besides a few minutes with the groom and groomsmen, I didn't have much of an opportunity for posed pictures... that being said, the photojournalistic shot I got of the wedding, I'm kind of pleased with.I have more up on my photography blog, but I don't have it set up so you can comment. Feel free to hop over and check them out if you'd like.

>

Pictures of US!?

Holy Role Reversal Batman! I think I could get used to this. Tuesday, we met up with our good friends Mario, Crystal, and baby-tooth-growing-Squidge for a family photo session. I wanted to try out a new location by their house, and well, Crystal is always up for pictures .... not to mention.. she feeds us well.

While I'm back logged, and have yet to even touch many of the photos I've taken the last 6 days. Mario was quick like lightning in getting his pictures up! So, I took it upon myself to share. Our photo session was a little more impromptu. Brandon was sporting a ginormous t-shirt and shaggy hair, and was not thrilled about being in photographs in that state. I told him to shove it.. stand next to me.. and look like he loves me!

**all of these shots were taking by Mario**

I've decided that we need more pictures take of us. I'm usually taking pictures of other people, and my husband is very thankful of that because that means he isn't on the other side of my lens. I told the husband to be prepared ... he has a large, tri-pod photo session coming up where he will be photographed with me and the dogs... for Christmas cards! muahahaha.


P.S. Check out the sweet Northern Nevada background! I love this part of the country. Sage brush & mountains .. oh my!

Exhausted. Pooped. Beat.

I had a busy weekend, and as it is winding down, I find myself thinking ... where did it go?

I haven't even touched the wedding pictures yet, but here are a few from today's family session in San Francisco I've managed to find time to play around with. I couldn't go to sleep with out posting something...

Photogging Madness!

This evening, after work, I'm leaving Reno and driving over the hill to San Francisco. Again. Really, I am. As if I haven't had enough fabulous jaunts over the hill this summer.... I get another one!

Ashley was kind enough to ask me to 2nd shoot a wedding with her this weekend and I have a family portrait session lined up for the following day, before I head out of town. Hello fun-filled weekend of PHOTOGRAPHY! ... I love my life.

Of course, there is always a downside to fancy photography weekends..... leaving my fabulously supportive husband at home by himself. We thought about going together, but honestly, I wont have any time to spend with him. Also, we have friends coming in town and he gets to go float the Truckee River ...again... with out me. So, while I'm gallivanting about the Bay Area enjoying myself, I know Brandon will be lifting his butt to avoid rocks, screaming loudly as the cold mountain water soaks him for the first time, and enjoying the company of some old friends. That makes me feel a bit better ... but that isn't to say I'd rather runaway together and let is just be the two of us for a weekend ....... some day.

To add this story, I was gone all evening last night. I met up with a friend for drinks, a photo session, and then dinner. I had a wonderful time with her. And ... we were only accosted by ONE transient.. who insisted he should be the guy behind the camera! The lighting was rad, and the company was even more rad. I had a blast, and I hope she loves her pictures as much as I do.

The Best Part About Blogging

This year, I've had the amazing pleasure of meeting of up with several of my favorite bloggers. There have been individual meetings, photo excursions, photo excursions gone to breakfast, blogging convention fun-ness, and last night, Brandon and I met up with Sarah & Jon while they were on vacation in Lake Tahoe.

Originally, I had offered a photo session to them, but it was mostly so I could get more pretty people fro my portfolio. Unfortunately, a freaking cold front decided to blow in this weekend. The wind was incredible! .. but not so helpful when it came to an outdoor photo shoot. I managed to snap a few shots, before dropping (and breaking) my 50mm .. and then calling it a wrap and heading to the restaurant to start getting our booze on- which we did.

**Shot with my 50mm f/1.4 .. rest in peace my dear friend. RIP.**

**shot with my Sigma 24-70 f/2.8**

And in case you missed my twitters from the evening ... a few iphone pics...

OMG I had a blast. I wish I could have had a better chance to take their pictures.... but maybe next time? ....Like, when we meet up in Napa? ;) 

Ribtacular!

Attended the 20th Annual Rib Cook Off in Sparks this evening. It was actually the first time Brandon and I have been able to go in our three summers here! Although we had some mighty fine ribs, I was sad there weren't any stalls from Kansas City - even though Kansas City Barbecue Society was a sponsor in this whole shindig. I also managed to find sun tea, but no sweet tea. Damn it ya'll ... don't you know if there is going to be a BBQ Rib contest there needs to be a participant from Kansas City making some kick-ass KC style BBQ ..... and there needs to be some sweet tea. Sheesh Nevada... get it right.*

We got to see Joey Chestnut kick some serious tail in a rib eating contest ... that was pretty awesome. The dude at 9.8 lbs of rib meat in 12 minutes!

** all of these shots were taken using my Canon 50mm f/1.4**

We did some eating ourselves...













.. and a few other random pictures ...

*I could very well be wrong, and just happened to miss the Kansas City rib stall & sweet tea completely, but I'm fairly certain there wasn't anything like that there.

Bun in the Oven

Remember this family? They threw this fabulous birthday party for their adorable little girl? Well, they are expecting another little bundle of joy and have asked me to help document her pregnancy with some maternity pictures along the way. She's due in January, but we got a head start on some pictures! Here is the beautiful mom, at 20 weeks ....

**I used a combo, my 50mm f 1.4 and my 24-70 f 2.8 for these shots**