10 Things I Learned About Mexico

1. The Margaritas really are better south of the border.


2. There's no sense in getting a pedicure if you are spending any time at the beach.


3. I finally understand why people prefer the pool to the ocean water.


4. Nothing compares to dinner under a grass hut with friends & family and the surf nipping at your toes.


5. 2 for 1 Happy Hour can actually last for 7 hours!


6. Nothing is the same in Mexico as it is in The States. This includes cheeseburgers, Doritos & Subway.


7. There is something to be said for American emissions requirements. (AND TRAFFIC LAWS!)


8. Mexican beer is good.


9. My Spanish teacher was really good.


10. And there's no place like home.

156 Perspectives

So far so good. I haven't missed any topics for our photograpy project. AND I even got one of my project photos published on the Pioneer Woman's blog! I couldn't believe it! Week 2 was "Fowl" (as in birds). I really do adore this shot and am so proud to have had it published on the PW Photography Assignments blog! I'm in Group 3 so you'll have to scroll down about halfway down the page to see my entry.

Last week's topic was fitting for the dates. "EASTER EGGS" I was having a bit of a creative block, but I snapped these on Easter before family got to the house for dinner. Next time I'll try to be a little more original on the seasonal theme!

*SIGH*

Well, sad news Folks. I have no new sessions to blog about! I suppose I should be grateful that nobody booked with me during this wretched week of wintery weather. (I mean c'mon! SNOW? IN APRIL???) So that means you all are stuck. Stuck seeing the sweetest, little face on Earth. This is someone you have (or will) come to know and recognize. Our boy, Easton.

How can you not love this face!?

Sweet Series

Last weekend we had some seriously gorgeous sunshine! I brought Easton outside to soak up some sunshine while it lasted and caught this sweet series of candids. (Well, they are sort of all candid at this stage, aren't they?)

156 Perspectives

March 1st marked the beginning of a personal development project that I have embarked on with two fellow photographers. We are calling it 156 Perspectives. Every week for 52 weeks, we will shoot a different topic and submit our best images. Shooting every day is so important but is sometimes difficult when you have a life!

For each of us, the challenge is different and I have a feeling it will evolve for me. My personal goal is to start shooting more often and to produce a better image straight out of the camera. I need to get out of the habit of tweaking my work in PS and hone my skills as a photographer. So, each of my images will have minimal to no post-processing. The other challenge for me is to start shooting subjects that I normally wouldn't seek out. My hope is that this exercise will force me to think outside the box when it comes to location and light. My specialty is natural light, and sometimes that can be challenging, especially with our FANTASTIC NW weather-the rain can put a serious damper on things!

This week's subject is FOWL: as in, Birds! I had originally hoped to take pictures of some chickens my sister-in-law is acquainted with, but my schedule didn't cooperate. So, I found these little guys and went to town....well, not exactly. Just to my backyard. Next week: GRASS!

Small Town USA

Got a new lens yesterday and was dinking around in the front yard with it. I snapped this shot went totally vintage with the processing and LOVED IT!!! What do you think?

Why so serious?

It dawned on me today that a large majority of the pictures I post of my son are not "smiley" shots. In fact, most of the shots I take of him are so serious, I wonder if you all wonder if he ever smiles at all! I think this is because I'm so busy trying to focus on the shot, that I forget to interact with him. Lucky for me, he's a patient subject! He just kind of sits there and does his thing while I sit back and click, click, click to my heart's content.



So, here... for your viewing pleasure, are a couple of shots of my kid actually smiling. He really is happy!