These littles grow up too fast. I feel very honored to be able to freeze that moment in time.  I feel blessed to capture a great memory and be able to give that gift to the parents.

Although, I remind myself that it isn’t me that makes this a great moment.

It’s them.

This was another great shoot from back home. She and I were in school together starting in elementary school.  I always mention that to people. I think it’s because it was a special time in my childhood. Those school days were awesome.

That’s boring stuff. Geeky stuff.

Here is a bit of non-boring stuff:  My friends.

If you ever get the chance to hang with them, they will make you laugh until you have to pee.  And they instill that same great smile and laughter in their kids. All of them..FUN!

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Now let’s focus on the good stuff. It’s Earth Day. We love this day, unfortunately/fortunately it’s raining. And although we are not outdoors planting a tree today we are excited because we have been long overdue for a good saturation on our little homestead. The lack of rain has allowed us to be outdoors so much earlier than usual in this season and we have taken full advantage of it and have been planting like crazy this whole season!

In the meantime, check out our new mud kitchen, it’s a work in progress. But the 2 littles are loving it. We were just getting ready to free cycle this kitchen or donate it, after 5 years it was sitting lonely in the house. It’s found a new life outside. I think I will expand on it and add some more features. Maybe a mini potting bench next to it.

Happy Earth Day, friends and family!

Schmutz on their face.  Hair a mess. Clothes inside out (she loves to dress herself).

Well, yes.

Nobody has ever asked me that but I know they’re thinking it.

Let’s clarify “them”. I think it’s more just “her”.

This one always looks put together. (Minus the disheveled hair).

Same mama.

It’s a part of their personalities. I think they are so stinking cute like this.

At least that’s the excuses I keep telling myself.  I know, I know…but I am just that mama.

They are really catching the fever.  They are heading out with daddy for some practice.

What do you think? Do they got it?

My predictions:

This one will be scrappy and versatile. More like me.

This one will throw hard and pitch.  Just like her daddy.

Whatever it may be is fine by me.  As long as they have fun.

Happy Passover.  Happy Easter.  Happy Baseball Season.  Happy Spring.

I googled and pinned everything I could find on top house plants you can’t kill. Cross your fingers, hopefully it will work. All I can say is that it has really made a difference inside. Not to mention the fire has been burning in the Firecracker ever since she started her garden last year. I think I am raising a little gardener. She is very focused on making sure they are happy, watered, she blows kisses to them. She names them. She talks to them.  It’s all very cute.

This year’s new garden is off to a great start. Seedlings planted, onions, lettuce, strawberries in raised beds, some annuals in, spring perennials bulbs are happily buried in the dirt, and the Fall bulbs from last year are in full bloom.  Indoors we have succulents, topiaries, porthos, come clippings from a friend, and we even tried our hands at a terrarium! I was hoping to take a Master’s Gardeners course (as suggested by Nici), but it just didn’t make the priority list.  We will have another learn as we go year. Last year it was grow lights. This year it’s throw some seedlings in a pot, germinate, throw them in a window, and pray for the best. That’s our do what we can for this year mentality.

Luckily, I have my little green thumb here to remind me when it’s time to tend to them. I am pretty sure at this rate she will be my master gardener before I ever find time to take that class.

But I had to find time to share the Princess’s Cowgirl Art Party.

It was a collaborative effort with the Princess, Miss “L”, Kori from Paper and Pigtails, and myself.  Let’s just say that the 4 of us make a great team and we knocked it out of the park.

Not to mention that the party was a great success and fun was had by all.  I planned on writing and detailing much more about this but alas I have NO time.  So enjoy the photos and let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks MISS L. The biggest HUGS and kisses to you, one day we will make up that dream job we both hope and pray for.

Thanks KORI of PAPER AND PIGTAILS. You are truly the most talented gem I know. Seriously everyone, go order from her. Now!

And finally thanks to the Princess, for you and your sister are truly my inspiration with everything in my life.

Happy 5th Birthday.

But I have never had quite the experience as I had with Cycle For Survival.

A good friend of mine, JR, was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer this past year.  She set forth with determination, stayed focus, and by 2012 was cancer free.  She is a rock star.  I didn’t bat an eye when Jen asked me and some of her friends to participate in the Cycle for Survival event.  I also didn’t think much about it. It’s a fundraiser, I am always glad to be a part of them, happy to help, and I try be supportive as best as I can.

But what happened this day of the event was something I didn’t expect. Pure and raw emotion.  I walked into a giant room filled with cycles and cyclists.  Many, many, many faces I knew.  They were of acquaintances, coworkers, and great friends and I immediately burst into tears. The energy of the room was unlike anything I have ever experienced.  I was so overwhelmed with emotion I immediately wanted to start cycling. Unfortnately, you have teams and you have schedules so you have to wait your turn. I did the next best thing that I could. I started photographing. It was unbelievable.

Cry. Click. Cry. Click.

I really can’t do it justice with words so instead I will share with photos.

One behalf of everyone who was involved with Cycle for Survival, thank you for doing what you do and the putting on such a great event!

Thank you so much to all of my family and friends who donated.  This is an unbelievable event and cause and I encourage everyone to join part in it next year!!

Whether I win or not I would love to see you shoot places out here that aren’t really noticed too much….there’s Hillcrest here in Reedley and well pretty much anywhere here for blossoms..we’re right smack dab in the middle of the Blossom Trail..I agree with the Amtrack station area in Fresno..oh…and Playland for a carnival feel.

Yay, Susan! It will be so great to see you and meet your family! I can’t wait to capture them on camera! And I am thinking Playland is the way to go……

Thanks to everyone who entered. I will be be back and there will be more of this.  :)

Happy Leap Wednesday!

Classes, old friends who are amazing MENTORS–michaelemo.com,one on one workshops, VIDEOS, online tutorials, STUDYING.  YOU name it. I stay as busy as possible learning my craft.

As a latecomer in the photography game or MWAC (mom with a camera), as some people like to jokingly refer to us as, it’s all been a crazy road.  And the most difficult part of the this whole process has been how to convert this crazy/obsession or hobby into something more professional.

I love it, but can I make a business at it?

Am I good enough?

Will people pay?

Is the pay what I want?

Or is it a hobby that I love and that is as far as I take it?

I am feeling pretty grateful that the business side of has been growing organically, pretty simply I might add. I am so thankful for that.  Cause’ I got a lot to learn and I don’t want to go too fast.   I also have other priorities in my life so finding the balance of it all is the main objective.

But I also knew that if I were going to try and do this, I needed a little more help. I need to talk to someone who has done it, I need my images to be sharper, I need to master my equipment. I have a TO DO list a mile long.  I realized early on that a workshop was exactly what I was looking for.  I knew instantly when I read this post here with Meg,  that this was the way to go.

Blue Lily

Are you feeling good about how your are doing with your camera but you want to take it a step further?

Blue Lily

Do you want to spend quality time with 2 people who know this craft like the back of their hand?

Blue Lily

You want to laugh? A lot? And then some more? (Cause’ Wendy is very funny…)

Blue Lily

You want to learn to master your Nikon and or Canon (cause they know both!)?

Blue Lily

You want to learn about a duo that has grown their business organically, ethically, creatively, and simply? And they are rock stars at it?

Blue Lily

You want an ocean view?

Blue Lily

You want to be surrounded by people who are just like you (the workshop attendees)? A group that is full of good people (cause that’s the only kind Blue Lily attracts)?

Blue Lily

You want to walk away knowing that Wendy and Tyler poured knowledge out and shared amazing and helpful information?

Blue Lily

You want to build a ridiculous portfolio with the best models? And ask Tyler 20 questions all in the span of about 10 minutes about that exact shoot you are working on?

Blue Lily

You want to walk away with a vivacious and charged up support group and a bunch of new friends?

Blue Lily

You want to learn about taxes or just debate Tyler (cause that sounds like fun)?

Not Blue Lily

It was a life changing experience for me.  They were amazing. Simple and perfect!

My goal now is to keep things simple and hope that in return I can increase productivity and longevity.

Thank you Wendy and Tyler, for showing me that just that.

Oh and meet all of my new friends.

Anne

Jamie

Ashley

Stacey

Misty—coming soon!

Taylor

Jenny

Tiffany

Christine

Pat and Candy–coming soon!!

If you live local to them, you should book them for a session. They are awesome!

If not, just wait till Blue Lily comes to your town. They have a World Tour.

My goal now is to keep things simple and hope that in return I can increase productivity and longevity.

Here are some behind the scenes shots from the workshop.

I know, I know Tyler…..too many pictures. You really left me no choice, too much good stuff to share!

Many thanks to all of our fantastic models, most of which are photographers too!