Backyard Beauty

This morning I decided to get the camera out and take some pictures for myself. I realized I don't do that too much anymore. I'm always so busy taking and editing client photos that I don't take time or effort to shoot some for myself. But, today was a different day. I have been admiring my blooming backyard for about a week now and thought if I didn't beat the rain out there today, I might miss my opportunity to get some shots of the new growth in my backyard.

Adam and I landscaped our yard last fall, so it's so much fun to see the new blooms from the different trees and bushes. We don't even know what to expect, but I'm VERY happy with what we've planted.

When I got really into photography several years ago, my passion was in nature and landscape photography. So, today, I allowed myself to get back to those roots and combine my love of gardening with photography. Here we go...

This is probably my favorite bush and my biggest surprise this spring. My purple sandcherry has the most beautiful little white flowers all over it. So colorful against all the green of the grass in our yard.

Last fall I planted some free tulip bulbs we got with a coupon. I didn't have very high expectations because they were free, and I've never planted bulbs before. But, they look gorgeous! 11 of my 12 bulbs popped up. I think that's pretty good for the first try. Can't wait to see how many pop up next year!

I also didn't expect to get flower blossoms on my serviceberry bushes. So cute! Again, they add great color to the yard.

Our sunset maple tree, which we've had for 2 years finally matured enough so it produces (as my grandpa would call it) "whirly-gigs" or "helicopters." They are so cute and tiny right now. I love it! I'm sure I won't be as fond when they start falling off and Brutus is eating them.

One of my beautiful tulips.

Another new tree is our amur maple. It's got cute little beaded sprouts coming off of it. I'm wondering what those will turn into...

A different shot of another tulip.

My boys were being so cute while I was taking pictures, that I just had to get a few shots. Brutus just was not wanting to be photographed today. He wouldn't put his ears forward. Too cool for the camera...

Tator Tots on the other hand was happy to pose, as always...

And pose again...

And one more time... I think this is one of my favorite photos of him. Can you believe he will be 8 years old in less than 2 months?? Old man... Love him to death.

HDR Photo of the Week - Night Shot

This is my attempt at HDR for the week. Looks pretty spooky! This HDR image is 5 separate images shot at different exposures, rolled into one. They were taken around 10:30pm on Ohio Wesleyan University's campus in Delaware. Adam and Brutus accompanied me on the warm, windy night. I think it turned out pretty nice and colorful for a night shot! Enjoy!

Spring Soccer

Last but not least in my busy photo weekend, I went to Andy's soccer game to shoot photos of him in action. He plays for a select/private spring league out of Dayton, but had a tournament in Dublin this weekend. I used my trusty old telephoto lens for the shots and am very happy with the results.

I've decided I'm much happier shooting soccer games than any other sport (hockey, baseball, football, tennis, etc.) because it's a sport I actually enjoy watching. I played soccer for about 12 years growing up and I miss it SO much. I also refereed soccer for 2 years after I quit playing. It's one sport where I understand ALL of the rules and strategies. It's a good pace for me, too - not as slow as baseball, but not as fast as hockey, and it's much easier to keep your eye on a big ball than a puck. However, there was still the element of being a little "too close" to the game. Some players ended up in the laps of the spectators when the ball went out of bounds. Hearing the boys talk on the field brought back a lot of memories of the different terminology we used during play: "Man-on," "Drop it," "Switch fields," "18," "Keeper," "Square," "Through"... Good times! Anyone know of any Delaware spring adult leagues? :)

Andy played left fullback for most of the game. Take a look at him - he's got such command over the field.... the opponents couldn't keep up with him! :)










WOW, Andy! Look at those arm muscles flexing!



Ahh... finally, there are some opponents. They look afraid. :)

Why wasn't I in this good of shape when I played soccer?

I had a lot of fun this weekend with everyone and I'm so glad the weather turned out so nice for all 3 shoots! It was worth the sunburn! :)

Family Fun in the Sun

Today was another beautiful day... even a little on the warm side. I've got the sunburn to prove it. This morning I met with the "R" Family for family portraits for a Mother's Day gift for their mother. I met two of the seven kids - Ashley and Abby - several weekends ago and today I got to meet the rest of the clan. I had a lot of fun - I think it shows in the pictures. You all have such fun, unique personalities. Enjoy!

This is Abby and her husband Chris, and their doggy. The family portraits were her great idea!

Sisters...

This is Sam and Ashley (and Winston). You'll be seeing more of them on my blog this year. They are one of my wedding couples for December and we'll be taking their engagement photos soon.

The grandkids...

What a fun idea to get on the slide... I bet it was hard to hold the pose without sliding!



How cute! Thanks for staring into the sun... I think (hope) it was worth it!

Thanks for a fun morning!! I can't wait to share the rest of your pictures with you.

Parker is 2

I am thrilled with how the weather has turned out for the weekend! I love being outside with families doing sessions this time of year. (Although, Mother Nature has me fooled into thinking it's already summer.) Today was no exception. I spent the day with Parker, and his mom and dad Becky and Darin. We went to Bruckner Nature Center in Troy - beautiful. Parker loves the place! There were plenty of places for him to pose and say "cheeeeeeeeeese..." He just celebrated his 2nd birthday this month, so we needed some great portraits to mark this year of his life.

Stopping to smell the tulips.

So cute in his little fisherman hat and outfit.



I will admit, this photo began as an over-exposed mess on my part (that happens to EVERY photographer every now and then), but I felt it had potential. I played around with the color-burning a bit, and I think I'm liking the result. A lot.

Parker and Daddy - how cute!!!

And, my favorite so far... they are such a serious family. Does Parker look more like Mom or Dad? :)
Becky wanted a Brady Bunch-style family portrait - cute idea! See, we can be serious, too!

Plenty more photos from this weekend coming soon! Thanks guys! It was fun! Parker, you gave a great tour of the Nature Center!

A Few More Photos for Your Wednesday Afternoon...

I had to share a few more favorite photos from my session with the "B" family last weekend. Here they are!! Enjoy!

How cute is Aidan's pose? (ok, so I had to help him a little bit with that one) Adorable! Such a cute little man!

Kathy with her little puppy.

The family taking a walk together.

I am in L-O-V-E with this picture. I think Boomer should be a model.

Spring Family Portraits

FINALLY! Spring is here!!

For an on-location/natural lighting photographer... spring = photo sessions. My assistant hubby Adam and I met our friends Kathy, Sean, and Aidan for the afternoon for lunch and to meet their new doggy - Boomer. (How cute is that name??) The beautiful weather made for a perfect day for some family photos. Boomer posed very nicely.... and so did the rest of the family!
I figure you can always keep kids interested in taking photos when they get to make some funny faces.

My favorite photo from the afternoon... there is nothing better than a boy and his beagle. It reminds me of my beagle growing up, Mandy. Boomer is just the sweetest, most loving guy. (P.S. Sean - I still think Boomer should get to sleep in the bed!)

Cute expressions - leave it to Aidan to be goofy!

Dad and Aidan didn't know I was watching them with my zoom lens... what a sweet moment - picking "flowers" in the field (aka. dandelions).

And at the end of the day... this photo CRACKS me up!! I think Boomer is saying, "Come on lady, how many more photos do you need??" Too cute! He was looking right up at me, into the sun, so I just had to snap this cute shot.

My HDR photo of the week - the gazebo in Blacklick where we took photos. Beautiful blue sky and green plants.

Enjoy what's left of the beautiful weekend! I hope the weather turns out this great for my photo sessions next weekend!

Baseball Season

My husband is a huge fan of baseball, so it wouldn't be spring without going to a few games or without him being sick from the cold and rain on Reds' Opening Day. :)

Two weekends ago we went to see an exhibition game between the Reds and the Reds' Futures team (the all-stars from their farm league system). They played at the Dayton Dragons' stadium and we had great seats. Here are some of my favorite shots of the players I actually remember from the Reds last season.

My FAVORITE Red - second baseman Brandon Phillips. I'm pretty sure he was checking me and my camera out in this shot.

Brandon gets a hit for the team!

An out at second. Good defense turning the double-plays!

Edwin Encarnacion on first...

Phillips steals second base in a diving play. I caught him mid-air.

And then he got stuck in a pickle situation... and got out...

Joey Votto sliding into second base...

The back-up catcher for the Futures warming up the pitcher inches away from us.

A surreal HDR image of the stadium.

Last weekend I shot photos at the Dayton Dragons game, so those shots to come soon!!