Out of the Mouths of Babes...

Just a few moments ago, I said to Sophia: "You have cute buns." (well, she does!)

She responded, "No, you have cute buns, Mama!"

I laughed.

"No I don't... you do!" I responded.

"Yes you do, you have cute OLD buns!"

Oh man. :)

Retro!

So... I was over at 5 Minutes for Mom, when I saw this giveaway. Oh my, can't you just see Sophia cruising around in it? So I've entered. You can enter too. You can choose the car or other items, if you're the winner. If you're into retro stuff... you'll be like a kid in a candy store here.

So check them both out, and I'll post pics of Sophia in the car when if I win it!

You know you're a redneck when...

This lil news story was in the local paper today. Wow.

"SWANVILLE, Maine - Police say it's case closed on a sibling spat over the shaving of a pet cat in Swanville.

State police launched a search last week using tracking dogs for 22-year-old Nicholas Palmer after his 18-year-old sister claimed he choked and struck her. He fled after she called 911 and was located several days later.

State Trooper Luke Cunningham says Palmer is now back home, and the trooper says the sister has recanted her story.

Cunningham says the sibling altercation began when Palmer attempted to stop his sister from shaving the family cat to help control fleas and ticks. He says the family has since decided to use insect powder."

Ain't country life grand????

I need your help! Please?

I took these pictures last week, for a friend from church. Please check them out, and read the text below... I need your help!


This is my favorite!


Isn't she a doll? I did not edit the color of her eyes, I just made the rest of the picture black & white.


The whole family


Awwww...





I've been taking pictures for awhile now. No professional training, (unless you want to consider one adult-ed class professional training, ha!) just a hobby. I love taking pictures of my family, and have close to a dozen scrapbooks on the shelf, showcasing our memories.

I've been asked many times to take pictures for friends and other family members. I've done a couple weddings, some senior portraits, and a family reunion. I've never charged for this, as I'm certainly not a professional, and have done it as a favor to whoever has asked. Over time, my pictures have improved. I'm at the point where I think I want to turn my hobby into a bit more. Am I ready to get a degree in photography? - Nah... While I'd love to learn more and take better pictures, I don't have the time or desire to make it a full-blown career, at least not right now.

What I'd like to do is create a brochure with a sampling of my work, and promote it locally. Not a big expense or a big deal, but to start charging something. Obviously, I could not and would not charge what the pros are getting, their work is in a different class. I don't have a studio set up, I take all my pictures outside and use natural lighting. I'd like to get some lights and filters like a studio would have, and play around to figure out how to set them for the best results. Good thing I've got some models around here to be my guinea pigs!

I went to Barnes & Noble the other night, and looked at some photography books. 'How to take Senior Pictures', 'How to photograph children'... as I browsed through them I suddenly got intimidated. All the tricks for lighting (which I know NOTHING about), and the pictures were so gorgeous in the book! 'What am I thinking?' I totally doubted myself. Then I realized, that there is a market for a 'good' photographer, that is reasonably priced. Not to mention that if you look at my pictures (and you're not a trained professional - ha ha!) you'll likely think it's a 'good' picture. No one is going to be putting my pictures right next to a professional's pictures, and picking them apart.

I want to make a little something, but I also want to provide a good picture at a reasonable price for people that can't afford to hire the professionals in the area. Not every family has $800 or more to spend on Senior Portraits. I know I need to really check out the prices in the area, and go from there.

I also want to offer something different. Whoever I take pictures for will get the CD of all the pictures taken, to do what they want to with. They can take it to Walmart (or hopefully a better photo printing place,) and can print their own 8 x 10's for $2 rather than paying one of the pros $50 for the same picture. I guess I would also offer to print the photos for people (at a more reasonable price) if they would like that option. Photo editing would be additional too, as it can be time consuming. Can you tell I'm having such a hard time trying to figure out what my services are worth??? Any comments, suggestions or advice would be appreciated! Let me ask you this: What would you expect to pay, or be willing to pay (realistically) for a sitting with your family, if you could take the cd of edited pictures when it's all done? What about 'senior pictures' for your teen?

Dancing Queen

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY (& shoes that clash)

Lunch w/Grammie

The other day we went to lunch with Grammie (my Mom) at a local chicken/seafood place. Whenever we go there, Sophia has the job of putting ketchup into the little paper cups. She takes this job very seriously.

Oh - she's getting that rascal look in her eyes... watch out!

Sophia looks over at Grammie - (I love this look!)

Here's the 'I'm so proud of myself' grin, once she completed the job.

"Hmmm... you can drink ketchup, right?"
No - she didn't really drink it, she just teased me like she was going to.

Look at that yummy DEEP FRIED chicken and mozzarella sticks! At least it's real 100% chicken... crispy and delicious!

Sophia was curious about the little man in the corner.

After lunch we went to get apples. No, we didn't pick them ourselves, but bought them from a local orchard. Here is Sophia, posing with the pumpkins that were also for sale. She was very willing to sit there, but I couldn't convince her to smile.