Carrie Elton Photography.... The Blog

2010-10-21T06:39:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks....If anyone is following this I have been working on my new blog and it is at a whole different site so if you are interested go to http://www.carrieeltonphotography.com and we all no there is no way I could possibly update 2 blogs so my new blog will have my photog adventures and stories about my life so see you there!

The M family....

2010-09-20T14:50:00.001-07:00

Carly's getting married!

2010-09-18T21:54:00.000-07:00

2010-08-08T21:14:00.001-07:00

New slideshow for Amy

2010-07-27T22:06:00.001-07:00

Amy's bridals

2010-07-23T08:58:00.001-07:00

I went down to shoot one of my oldest and dearest friends in Utah county the other day , so I called my bride to be that I shooting her wedding in San diego in August and said come after my shoot and we'll do a few in your dress. No bouquet or cheese ball accessories that I see so much these days. Just classic beautiful shots of a gorgeous bride.

2010-07-22T14:35:00.001-07:00

2010-06-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

How I love these munchkins

2010-05-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

But it is super hard to take pics of them all together by myself.

Coming soon to Boise and Southern California! Book Now!

2010-05-25T10:56:00.001-07:00

Here's some of my favorites from my last 6 weeks or so of shooting....

I still have a couple of spots open in Boise Idaho for Any type of Portrait Session from June 5-9th. I am also nailing down the dates I will be coming to Southern California...It will be the first or second Week in July....Let me know if you are interested in booking a session! I would love to shoot your family...photograph that is!

I can't stand it.....

2010-05-16T20:44:00.000-07:00

2010-05-13T13:42:00.001-07:00

I have been trying to understand the ins and outs of my new lens....this time it only cost me my right arm, my left arm and my right leg. UUGUGGGGGGG!!! Camera equipment is so expensive! I have working a lot with natural light and trying to understand how to capture it in my camera with perfect exposure and sharpness. It is a lot harder than it sounds, a lot.

Who couldn't love this Face

2010-05-04T19:23:00.000-07:00

I seriously need to get some cute knit hats for Naomi. I keep looking for them but I can either not find exactly what I want or what I want is way out of my price range...liek 35 smackers for a baby hat. Believe me I know crocheting is an art and I appreciate it I just can't justify spending that much on a hat..a sweater yes, but a hat?

My favorite photo to date....

2010-05-03T17:47:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while and I mean every once in a very great while, what the heck I'm sure I have never had a moment like the one I felt after processing this photo. I just thought, I should throw in the towel and be done with photography, because how will I ever be able to top this? THen I realized I think that because it's my own kid in the picture. So bring on the kids people I want to make you feel that way too.

This little person...

2010-05-02T18:14:00.000-07:00

my friends, is one of the big reasons why I love my life.....today that is.

Some more Favs from my latest shoots...

2010-04-24T22:22:00.000-07:00

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Growing...Growing....way to fast.

2010-04-22T17:49:00.000-07:00

Do you think it's time to get this cherub out of the bassinet or should I wait until her skull is pressing up against the metal at the top?

While Daddy is at School....

2010-04-20T21:06:00.001-07:00

Mom drags us around and takes pictures of us, trying to find good new shoot locations.

All the while bribing us that we can go to Mcdonald's if we will just sit here, or turn this way or put our arms around each other so that she can get the shot...and then she has the gall to take us to Wendy's instead. She says it's because it is closer and it will take sooooooo long to get to McDonalds, but we are pretty sure it's because she doesn't like the salads.

She's running for Mother of the Year. Anyone want to nominate her?

P.S. In her defense, she was going to take us to the gym and put us in the daycare but instead she took us us to the park to eat our fast food and ran us to death, pushed us on the swings and played in the sand...would you say she redeemed herself?

2010-04-20T07:39:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning I woke up to this little girl standing by my bed with one hand on her little hip,"Today mom, I am going to pick out your outfit and then I will do your make-up."

Heaven knows and all my neighbors for that matter know I need it.

And the Winners Are.......

2010-04-18T22:59:00.000-07:00

And the winner is........

The Young Beautiful Woman who lived in a shoe who had so many children (7 under 7..a set of twins and triplets) she daily calmly mothers them in a way I totally admire.

and

Wait for it.....Wait for it......

Another young Beautiful Woman who comes from out of State....and lives in the countryside.....and raises 4 of the most handsome boys you have ever seen. (who has some seriously darling home decorating ideas)

Can you guess...only people who went to high school with me will guess.

Amber Timms Kindred and Marianne Strong!

These two really pulled out all the stops the last couple of days! ( I promise this has nothing to do with them being 2 of my best friends in high school)

Congratulations!!!!!

And here's the other great news...

Winners of the $100 bucks for a full family shoot.....

Marlynn Byers
And Tori Westbroek Byers
and tied for 3rd.....
Rebecca Bush Buchert and Rebecca Pincock

(Ladies please email me at eltoncarrie@gmail.com if you want to book your shoot....my 2 shoot times a week are filling up fast)

And I appreciated all your entries and interest and to show you how much.....

I am offering all entrants (you know who you are) the chance to get 20 dollars off your family photo shoot if you can book me before July 1st. After that my rates are going up....and my schedule is getting tight so book now!

I will travel to Utah or Cache County for people I really like or people I don't yet know (everyone) and if you can get a friend to do a shoot on the same day (one in the am on in the pm) I will waive the $20 travel fee.

And Last...but certainly not least

Been wondering what those darling pictures are up top? I am running a special promotion right now. If you buy a fully customizable fine art print from Peek-a-Boo Prints before your photoshoot, you will get the same amount you spent off your shoot....so you get a shoot and a fine art Children's print that can even have your child's name and hair color and your shoot for the same price as just a shoot! . Go to this website to view lots more! Peek-A-Boo Prints They are beautiful!

Urgent...Need Information

2010-04-17T18:56:00.000-07:00

The Contest....

Hello friends who have entered...if you had a friend become a fan of my facebook page, please let me know so I can count that vote...

Coco

2010-04-17T07:21:00.000-07:00

This is Coco. For those of you who don't know her...I wish you did. For those of you who do , what one word would you use to describe her?

More Ways to Increase your Chances of Winning!

2010-04-15T07:39:00.000-07:00

Ok...so a friend of mine suggested some more ways to enter and increase your chance of winning the free photoshoot or the Big Discounted Photoshoots....so here's all the ways now and there are still 3 and a half days left.

1. leave a comment on my blog
2. become a follower of my blog (new)
3. become a fan of my facebook page
4. post the contest on your facebook page for all your friends
to see and hey ask them to enter for you if they live out of my area! (new)
5. post the contest on your blog
6. contact me through my website carrieeltonphotography.com
7. And here's how to get the most entries of all....have all your friends do all of the above in your name and help you increase your chances of winning! (just make sure they or you let me know that they are doing it for you)

On a personal note...I don't know if I can ever do a contest like this again. I want everyone to win. I really do. It's bizarre. It's really not as if I think I am the best photographer out there. Believe me, I know I am not. But , as most of you know (those who are my friends, know how much I love pictures. I love taking them, I love editing them, but most of all I seriously get excited to give the gift of a really great picture to someone else and I wish I could give free photoshoots to everyone...but that would mean I would have limitless amounts of time and all the money in the world to buy equipment. But let's be honest here, yes there is a free shoot on the line but you are all really helping me to get exposure and for that I am grateful....Thank you thank you thank you.....

I am also taking entrants who live in the Boise and San Francisco East Bay area or the San Diego/Orange County area (photos to be taken sometime this summer). There will be one winner from Utah and one from out of state (possible areas mentioned above).
Also the top three runner ups in both Utah and Out of State will be given the opportunity to get a complete shoot with a high resolution CD for just $100! So get all your friends and family to contact me and vote for you....so did that just make any sense?
Contest will close Sunday April 18th at midnight! Happy Entering! If you have any questions about how to enter just let me know!

P.S. the winner must be willing to allow me to use their low resolution photos as part of my online portfolio. Please dont' enter if you are not willing to let me do this!

2010-04-13T21:28:00.001-07:00

Here's some more from my latest shoot. SO just wondering if these pics look pixelated on your screen. They are a little on mine...I think it must be the slideshow feature I am using from Photobucket...I may have to post these individually. Also a friend of mine said to me recently, remember when you used to post about your life on your blog and not just every darn picture you ever take? WEll it wasn't quite that harsh...but I have taken that to heart. From now on I am going to make a more concerted effort to write more and post less pictures. Well at least write more....Baby steps.

So here's a crazy one for you...on my shoot last Saturday, unbeknownst to me, there were mosquitos, a lot of mosquitos. But I was so busy I didn't even notice. THat night I was woken up by a nightmare....the itching was back, or so I thought. YOu know the itching from my pregnancy? My ankles and my knees were on fire. I went into the bathroom and large quarter size welts were starting to appear. Some got as big as golf balls.And they hurt like the dickens and itched like I don't even know what metaphor to use here...but it was bad folks, it was bad. So...apparently I was having a reaction to these 25-30 mosquito bites and it just got worse. It has now been 72 hours and I have been drugged up on benadryl to keep the swelling down...ready to fall asleep at any given moment. THen this morning when I was running I was in so much pain..it felt like someone was poking needles into every place there was a bite. I actually took some pics, but my legs look really fat in the picture. Maybe if I get brave I'll post them. Moral of the story...always wear repellent when you shoot at dusk.....

Exposure.....

2010-04-11T20:50:00.000-07:00

So I want to drive people to my website and to my blog to view my work. Do you think if I had a contest and awarded the winner a free photo shoot people would respond? So this is what I am thinking...if you are or know someone in my area (I'd be willing to go as far as Logan to Provo) you would visit my website and contact me through the contact page. If you live outside of Utah but want to help someone in this area get a free photo shoot...you would contact me in lieu of them. Only one contact per person but the contact could be for yourself or someone else living in this area....what to you think loyal blog readers? (this is one of those times when I would really appreciate your input)

This picture speaks for itself.

2010-04-11T20:45:00.000-07:00

No seriously....what do you think of my watermark?

2010-04-08T18:40:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure why but when I ask a question on my blog, I have a hard time getting an answer...and I can see when you come visit.....hhhmmmmm...you know who you are.....so seriously, is the font weird or do you like it? SHould I change it, I want your opinion.....

2010-04-08T09:51:00.000-07:00

Thought I would just make a slideshow of the shoot I did a couple of days ago. WHat do you think of my Watermark?

2010-04-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

2010-04-07T20:52:00.000-07:00

um.....who is commenting on this blog in Chinese? Once, I thought a mistake, twice? Can't be a coincidence. So I took some pics of my sisters family over spring break. Isn't she gorgeous?

April Fool's

2010-04-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

This morning I was talking to my sister Katie on the phone. NO surprise I know, but what she said what quite suprising. See Katie has always been the biggest tease alive. Those of you who know her, know what I am talking about. Well, she informed me that she had no desire to play any jokes on anyone today. What, my world is totally upside down.. She has been married for just under a year, and she informed me that she thinks she is changing. I guess, cause she said, I just don't want to stress anyone out. Bizarro. I have had enough of April Fools already...Hello 4 inches of snow.....what the? But it was fun to go out with the kids and our sidekicks (our neighbors next door)...or rather we are their sidekicks and play one last time...it better be one last time.

I love this face, especially because it is the one that looks remotely like me.

My own little Norse Viking

When I told my kids to put their arms around each other...Coco pulled a classic Coco move and refused. I should have told her to get as far away from david as she could. Anyone have any tips for a 3 year old with oppositional defiance disorder?

Freezing her little fingers in the snow but refusing to put on mittens.

Going to fetch our Side kicks...I'm pretty sure Gabe is in love with the little neighbor girl. HE wouldn't leave the porch til she got ready and came outside.

She finally came....

The Internet....

2010-03-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

THis is one of my favorite shots I have ever taken. Does anyone know how to make blogger upload photos faster. It seriously takes a full 3-4 minutes for me and I can only upload one at a time.

I seriously love Weddings. I love the stress, the energy, the love, the exasperation (sp?) everything. It is so exciting. Wouldn't it be great if I could be premier wedding photographer? I would love that, and sing in the tablernacle choir too? A girl can dream. WHat are your dreams... I am working on having it be my dream that I help my daughter learn to read by age 4 and teaching my son to actually tie his own shoes. Need to work on those unselfish dreams....hhhhmmmm.......what are your dreams?

Oh by the way....I didn't mean to offend anyone by my last post about being published in a book and not on the net. I was just commenting upon how our world has changed and trying to give my lovely niece a compliment. I have oodles of respect for those who can create a following and make money from their writing, even if there are a lot, it doesn't diminish someones talent or effort, just like photographers. Yes there are a lot photographers, just like there are a lot of writers. Some are really talented, some work really hard to become good, some will never be great, and some are doing it to have something to fill a creative void created by the completely monotonous task of folding endless mounds of laundry. I have respect for anyone and everyone who wants to become good at something wherever that interest may lie. One interest or talent does not make us more worthy than another.

It is interesting, since the internet has become so much a part of our lives, I feel like we as mothers and women are racing to out do each other. No longer are we ignorant of what goes on in each others homes..(or what we say goes on in our homes) in fact I was just reading on facebook the other day, a girl I know wrote about a scripture study funny moment with her husband. ANd I actually thought....oh man! I haven't read my scriptures with my husband for months.....

Sometimes I really hate the internet, sometimes it is inspiring, sometimes it motivates me to be better...sometimes it just makes me eat chocolate and watch endless hours of Jane Austen out of self pity. How do you temper the effects of the internet. Can you stick to limiting your time or the blogs you allow yourself to look at? Seriously how does it affect you? Inquiring minds want to know.....

Oh goodness...I'm already behind....

2010-03-24T21:52:00.001-07:00

I had such a fun day....how long has it been since I have said that people...too long and I am ashamed. I need to have more days with my kids where I get in bed and think, that was such a fun day, wiping bums, taking baths, folding laundry, cleaning up poop on the shower curtain next to the toilet...ok I'll stop now...so you see my plight here? No seriously, now that Naomi is getting older, it is out on excursions for me and the kids I vow!!!!!

Ok back to why my day was so fun. First I got to see my mom and my Dad and my amazing niece Greta (who has just become a published writer, no not on the net, an actual book, a book made from paper that come from trees...you know...remember those? ) All of whom took care of my kids while I was on my little adventure (and believe me, it took all three of them to manage my 4 kids) You are wondering, well how do you do it, I don't...things are never managed, never under control, it's like a four pronged tornado is constantly touching down at my house (credit for the term 4 pronged tornado goes to my Dad...I'm just the tiniest offended...the truth hurts.....)

Now seriously back to why I had such a fun day....I spent a few hours today shadowing a photographer down in Utah County of Maria Wood Photography. ( It was great observing her work with her clients. She has a real gift for posing, taking control of a shoot and helping clients feel comfortable. That's not something that is easy to learn, and it comes naturally to her.

As I am getting more into the wedding industry I need to get hands on experience being on shoot so if you know of any wedding photographers needing an assistant, moving hair, pulling out trains etc...let me know. I only took about 100 pics total, I spent most of the time observing, learning, thinking etc but I did get a couple of good ones. These are a couple of my favorite. Why so I love black and white so much? Why? Tomorrow I have another bridal shoot...lucky me! This time by myself....oh I love all things weddings...If you know someone getting married and in need of a photographer and a deal...I'll give them a great one!

2010-03-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

Check out my website and let me know what you think... I have changed a lot on it....carrieeltonphotography.com

It officially Spring...and my new lens

2010-03-22T15:48:00.001-07:00

OH goodness...I am having computer problems but lo and behold I got the downloader to work. Here is evidence that it is Spring...straight out of the camera...Hallelujah! Hallelujah!!!! ANd I am loving my new lens. I love it more than my leg and my arm and all my fingers which is about what it cost....

NEver Fear I am not falling behind on my daily photo project...shooting for the love of photography.

2010-03-22T15:12:00.001-07:00

I promise I took picutres yesterday- I just can't just can't upload them----my photo uploader is not working....arrrgggghhhh...stay tuned for the official 1st day of spring photos.....

Brothers

2010-03-20T20:32:00.000-07:00

2010-03-20T06:06:00.000-07:00

Naomi slept through the night!!!!!! From 10-6! Although she only slept for about an hour the entire day, I'll take it people! I am wide a wake at 6 am because I haven't had an uniterrupted nights sleep for about 7 months, with the itching and and the new baby etc. I had a really good talk with a friend last night (thanks Ang) who is also a photographer. I had an awakening yesterday. I have been feeling so down on myself because not very many people have asked me to take their pictures lately and it is so lame. I need to learn to measure my progress by who I am becoming as a person, as a mother...that should be my primary focus and then if I want to become good at something, pursue it for the love of doing it (which is why I got into photography in the first place). So I know I have said this before but I want to get my camera out everyday, just once and take a picture of anything or anyone. NOw that it is summer I am going to be going on a lot of excursions with my kids and taking photos too. IF you get really sick of seeing pictures of my kids, come along and I'll take pics of yours too. Here's a shot of Coco yesterday. IT's a miracle I caught her with her mouth shut. IF you know her, you know what I mean...ANd by the way, I have no idea what to do with this girls hair since the cutting fiascos. I ask my neighbor April this at least once a week, (her daughter has the cutest hair ever, mostly due to April's doing it everyday) and she tells me, just let it grow out, while she's thinking (for crying out loud if you ask me this one more time!!!!!)

2010-03-19T17:41:00.000-07:00

It's official. She's no longer a newborn. I am torn. Am I sad or am I relieved? I little of both.

2010-03-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

We had such a great day...both sets of grandparents come for Naomi's blessing and we had such a wonderful time celebrating her life, revelling in her adorableness, and thanking Heavenly Father for her safe arrival into our family. We love you Naomi...to pieces.

4 generations!

2010-03-04T13:05:00.000-08:00

WAnt to go to a great concert and help orphans at the same time? I wish I could go but I have 4 kids under the age of 5 so go for me...
Go to this website to look at the ad.....

oneheart-bg.org/courage_to_shine_splash.php

2010-02-24T15:30:00.000-08:00

I don't think you could find a little girl who loves her sister more....

today at our house...

2010-02-24T15:03:00.000-08:00

You know what I hate about blogs? They make everyone seem like they live in a fairy tale. And I just posted pics that make my house look like that....lest you think that is so, I promise, it has been one heck of a day, week, month, year etc. I won't say more, but if you have little kids you know what I am talking about.....

p.s. I am eternally grateful for these little people, the make my life and they havent broken me yet. (David absent form pics...darn kindergarten)

2010-01-30T10:30:00.000-08:00

So I am pretty much healed from the surgery, I am feeling great (besides a serious lack of sleep due to Naomi being the worst sleeper ever). So now I am so excited to get back into shape. Weird, I really can't believe that I am excited to be on this journey to get into really good physical shape. My personal fitness affects me so much. It doesn't make me inherently happy but it makes everything else better. I like getting dressed when I feel like my clothes fit well. I have a lot more style ( I don't even try when I am overweight). I am a beter mother, wife, lover when I am feel good about myself physically. So here I go! I have started another blog like i did after my last baby and if anyone wants to join (I already gave the shout out on facebook and I'll do it here too) let me know. I'll email the blog address and password so you can be bpart of the support group.

2010-01-27T18:46:00.000-08:00

I defy anyone who says there is a cuter face on this planet...as cute yes, but not cuter...

2010-01-18T13:26:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I went to Boise to see my sister Katie's new baby and take as many pictures as we could fit in a one day trip/ She has such a beautiful family and lives on this gorgeous piece of property. Her little girl was due the same say as my Naomi but I had Naomi for 5 weeks before this little beauty came into the world. Enjoy! THe bottom one is of Naomi and Gwen. arent they adorable!

Gross post...not for the weak stomached

2010-01-11T12:10:00.000-08:00

Hi, my name is Gabe. I drive my mom crazy. This is what I have been doing lately

Making giant messes (while wearing my borhters 5T jack-o-lantern shirt in January, the only shirt I will let my mom put on me without a fight)

Drinking toothpaste

and last but not least, producing mountain sized boogers and staring at them crossed eyed trying to figure out what the heck is on my face..

2010-01-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

What do you mean mom, this isn't what I am supposed to be doing at 4 am?

2010-01-04T04:09:00.000-08:00

I've always wanted to take pictures like this of my husband with one of my babies but I didn't have the skills of equipment before. This time I finally got to! I love photography.

2009-12-23T15:54:00.000-08:00

I got all the kids bathed, hair done, set up everything to take some pics of them all with Naomi...it was a disaster...decided to experiment with shadow and lighting and individual shots. lemons ..... lemonade...thats what I say....

2009-12-22T22:01:00.000-08:00

Here's a few shots I have taken of Miss Naomi lately. THe last one isn't the best lighting of focus...but that is what happens when you have 2.3 seconds to catch her with her eyes open. I seriously can't get enough of this little girl...so much so that I sometimes will hold her all night long....bad habit to start, but I don't care. She is my last one and I am going to savor every little moment.

My favorites from this year...part one- and who knows if I'll get around to any more parts...

2009-12-14T15:03:00.000-08:00

I have thinking a lot about a lot of things while I have been holding my baby, feeding and loving my new baby in the nicu and the kicked me out for shift change so I have a few minutes to blog. One of the things I have been thinking about is my pursuit of photography especially this past year. I have loved doing it and it has provided me with a creative outlet....thought I would post my favorites from this past year some are from my shoots some are of my life as a mother ...enjoy....

She is here!!!!

2009-12-09T18:36:00.000-08:00

IT's official, my husband's genes are way stronger than mine. Here she is folks, all 5 lbs 11 inches and 17.5 inches. It has been a very long haul...when I am feeling a bit more creative and not so strung out I will post the story of her arrival...so should we name her Naomi Susan or Janey/Jane Susan leave youor vote in the comments section..
the escond pic is of my war wounds, I itched myself until my skin broke open with all those little sores. I cannot wait to not itch anymore!

H family mini Shoot with their new dog....

2009-11-11T14:40:00.000-08:00

Here'e some pics from your mini shoot. I think they turned out great!

More for you J and family!

2009-11-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

These days when I take peoples photos my main goal is just to capture happiness. Smiles aren't absolutely necessary but I do want to come away from my computer after I have worked on their pictures and feel like I have captured the love people have for each other at the time I take their pictures. I remember telling my husband whenI got home from this shoot, I took this older couple pictures at the very end of the shoot and just from a few moments with them I could tell that after all the years they have been together they still really love each other. It was inspiring....

2009-11-07T15:09:00.000-08:00

Here's a few samples from my shoot today.

MY DARLING NEPHEW....

2009-11-05T09:40:00.000-08:00

SO I HAD A FEW MINUTES BEFORE MY MINI SHOOT LAST NIGHT AND MY SISTER KATIE HAPPENED TO COME JUST AT THE RIGHT TIME TO BABYSIT MY KIDS AND SO WE HIGH TAILED IT, GOT THIS LITTLE GUY READY AND TOOK SOME SUPER CUTE PICS FOR ALL KATIE'S CHRISTMAS NEEDS. WHAT IS BETTER THAN PICS OF YOUR KIDS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THEY LOVE IN THEIR LIFE. SO HERE ARE A FEW SAMPLES.....

Mini Shoot of my kids...

2009-10-29T13:46:00.000-07:00

So we all know by now I am ultra fat this pregnancy so I won't be sending out a full family pic for christmas, oh no I have to be feeling really good about myself to do that- thus only 2 pics of me in the last 7 years included in our christmas cars. And since I never get out and take good shots of my kids, this morning I voewed I would. It was very very cold and I didn't have anyone to help me so it was a bit of a crap shoot. hahahahha - no pun intended. Is that where that saying comes from. But I did get some cute ones. Here they are.

2009-10-25T11:06:00.001-07:00

Survey

2009-10-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

Just one more of this darling little girl. So What do you like better- with or without the vignette. ANd I am not asking this for my health. MY blog now accepts comments from nregistered users so everyone who is reading this can leave their opinion...seriously what do you prefer?

Need Christmas photos for your yearly card done?

2009-10-19T13:50:00.000-07:00

Warning...super cute family ahead

2009-10-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

I couldn't help myself I had to post these tonight... is this family darling or what? Could their little girl be any cuter? And I was coveting Carly's hair (who by the way I kept calling her daughter's name the whole shoot. It was really embarrasing. Ok so I have done everything possible to do...now the lnly thing more is to get a professional calibrator to get my colors to transfer correctly to the web as I am seeing them in photoshop. SO that will have to happen next week. More to come on whether that solves my problem. They copy great onto CD, they just lose some color saturation when they make the leap to the web....

shayleearmsup

carlyspensebw

carlykissspense

carlyspensesitlook

carlyfamilywallbw

carlyspensecloseup

carlyfamsitwallbrownwhite

shayleerocking

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NOte: can you believe those sun rays! I was so excited when I found that spot. Yipee! Now next time I need to practice more on getting the subject sharper straight out of the camera....

blog issues....

2009-10-16T11:23:00.000-07:00

Anyone know how to center stuff on on your blog? I am so computer illiterate..

Unbelievable....

2009-10-16T06:27:00.000-07:00

I wish this conversation had not occurred, but it did, every word, except anthing that is in italics.

I'm sitting patiently in the Doctor's office, fiddling around with my new camera, while feeling like I'm going to throw up any second (I had just drunk that diabetes test syrup, gag) and in walks the doctor

D:Hello, how are you?

Me: I'm fine but you are not allowed to come in here if you say anything about my weight gain.

D: (Nervous chuckle). Oh I see here you've only gained six pounds this month.

Me: No, I said you are not allowed to talk about it.

D: Well I only brought it up because compared to your last pregnancy..

Me: I do not know what the heck happened the last time, I am under a lot of stress this time. Seriously, what does your chart say I have gained this time?

D: Umm let's have a look

(I cannot believe we are still talking about this!)

D: 28 pounds

Me: Little do you know I gained 10 pounds before I even came in to my first appt!

Me: Well if it makes you feel better I gained 45 with my first.

D: oh really...well at the rate you are going your well on your way to that...

I then picked up the birth control pamphlets sitting next to me and threw them at him.

Me: Look Dr. I am not one of those people who is like, I just don't know how I have put weight? I know exactly why, I put too much food in my mouth, and frankly, until the really bad itching sets in, I can't promise I'm going to stop. Ok, so should we listen to the baby or...

Dr: Well I don't want you to go on a crash diet or anything but I do want you to try to identify the times when you are unnecessarily snacking and try to stop that..that will probably help.

Me:Really? oh you are so wise Dr. I never would have thought of that!

My new obsession and Dr. update...

2009-10-15T16:05:00.000-07:00

I am currently obsessed with taking shots of this guy. This is a very typical face for him. He can't decide if he is going to laugh or cry. Coming up in my next post...a recount of my most recent Dr'.s appt (today) and the continued gall that man possesses. Yes that is the right way to spell this- tons of S's.

It's official, I am super fat...

2009-10-14T07:46:00.000-07:00

I have been practicing (if trying it twice for 8 minutes a time) to capture sun rays in my photos. It is a lot harder than it looks to get definition in faces while still having the aperture high enough to capture the blinding light of the sun. Anyways, not interesting to those who are not interested in photo stuff.

On a more interesting note, I have already gained 37 pounds this pregnancy. If I was to go full term, which thankfully I do not, I would still have 12 weeks to go. At the rate I am going I would gain 55 pounds. Scary. With Gabe I gained 19 pounds total. This pregnancy has been so different both in feeling and circumstance. Our family has been going through a lot of changes/challenges.

1. Gabe has turned into a monster child in every respect; size and personality.

2. David started Kindergarten (which almost sent me over the proverbial emotional edge. NO, not because I couldn't handle my firstborn going off to school...no nothing sappy like like, I was counting down the days...we just hit a few snags I did not anticipate...that thankfully have been resolved.

3. James Started School...strange I would put this third....which reminds me, I am supposed to be editing his final research paper.

4. Coco...oh Coco, there is not enough space afforded me by blogger to record all the grief that girl puts me through.

5. I have developed a serious aversion to all things having to do with laundry. In an effort to make you feel better about your life and housekeeping skills, I would post a picture of my disaster of a laundry room. But I am too lazy.

6. The final reason I have am now officially huge, which is the only real reason and not excuse, is that I cannot stop stuffing my face. Yup, that't it folks, no I'm not retaining water, I don't have toxemia (although my liver is going downhill every day) it's just plain old food...it's making me fat...

At my last Dr's appt. , he had the gall to bring it to my attention. I politely told him, I would appreciate any advice he had that was gleaned from his past pregnancies and challenges as a stay at home mother. I would love to describe for you his face when I said that, but you and I both know I didn't actually say that, sometimes, a very few sometimes I wish people could read what I was thinking instead of what I had the courage to say. What? that would be totally crazy and I take it back...

Any Suggestions Pros?

2009-10-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

Oh boy...still working on calibrating the colors that come out of my camera to the ones that end up in my shots on the web. This is a lot harder than it looks folks and I can only get 15 min her 15 min there to figure it out. Any suggestions for a MAC OS user would be greatly appreciated....(hint hint Leah if you are reading this)

A study of Gabriel James...unphotoshopped

2009-10-12T15:40:00.000-07:00

Can you believe those eyelashes?

Black and whites of the H family children

2009-10-11T09:04:00.000-07:00

Ooohhhhh how I love black and whites. It was for these kind of pictures that I got into photography a few years ago. I really wanted pictures like this of my kids plastered all over my house. And these children were the perfect candidates. Milky white skin and dark dark brown eyes. A little slice of heaven in that kind of coloring in my opinion. Enjoy.

Timberlakes/ Heaven

2009-10-10T20:51:00.000-07:00

So we are up in Timberlakes at my parents cabin and I just got on the computer to see what my pics look like on this monitor. Holy smokes they look so different- one that I posted last night is has a red cast, one with a distinct greenish hue- weird. I guess they must look different on each monitor. I think I am going to have to figur out how to calibrate my monitor.So we are in one of the most beautiful settings in the world. Just my little family. It is so fun to hear my kids say , mom you come play with us and for once I don't hear myself saying, ok as soon as I put this load in the dryer, or send this email, or lead the dishes. It is heaven. More to come later with some pics of course.

Autumn Family Pictures

2009-10-09T21:04:00.001-07:00

Annefamilyfence

Annefamilylane

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Doesn't this family just look like fall? It is so fun to get to meet new people and they were a darling family from Michigan who just moved to Utah 2 months ago. It was absolutely freezing up where we were. I felt so sorry for these kids! This is just a sneak peak Anne- more to come later...

Oh HAppy Day

2009-09-29T12:27:00.000-07:00

I have gotten absolutely nothing accomplished in my life for the last 3 days besides the bare minimum of the 1st level of human need required by my children. Why you ask? I have been researching and testing new cameras and I am happy to say I have come to the final conclusion. This was the 1st sample shot I took with the camera. How I love this little girl's face. And how I love that she loves to pose for the camera. On our way home she said," Thanks for taking me to the camera store mama and thanks for taking so many pictures of me." What a little doll. I told myself that I could get a new camera if I could earn half the money it cost before I bought it and half after...Done and lets hope the 2nd half gets done!
Oh that smirk is so her! and so is the cold sore so I had to leave it unphotoshopped the poor little munchkin....

Thinking about my life lately...

2009-09-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been swimming in the evenings in an effort to prepare for the itching. The last 10 or so weeks of my pregnancies, I have to swim everyday. It is the only for of exercise that doesn't send my into fits of torture, making the itching worse. When you swim, you can't be distracted by much. You can't read, you can't socially acceptably stare at everyone else in the gym, you can't watch T.V. So you have some real time to think. I admit, most of the time I think about how I am going to get off the unbelievable amount of weight I managed to put on and lame stuff like that. But then sometimes I find myself assessing the course of my life so far and I fear
I have sent myself into an early mid-life crisis. AS I am sitting here writing this my 18 month old keeps putting in and taking out the same two dominoes from my right hand making typing a bit difficult. But this is the path I have chosen. The domino path until further notice. Actually, it just became the poopie diaper path. The stinks this kid can create. YOu know how you don't think your own kids poop stinks, well I am under no dillusions- this kids could asphyxiate you. Pray I never ask you to babysit.

p.s. thought you might like some more pics from our beach vacation. I know I have already posted the one of Coco in the air but I think it deserves a second posting. Can you believe how high she is, and no I did not photoshop her her to be higher. I have reached my blogging quota for the day mostly because because my 18 month old is physically abusing my 3 year old and 5 year old. One more thought, isn't my husband buff. It's sick really...Also can you believe how good my mom looks for age 70?

Picture Wall

2009-09-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

So this is a shoot I just did and I we are going to make a wall of photos on their wall with the shots from their shoot. She wants black and white ( I think, right? ). I love doing stuff like this and I am thinking about making this part of my services. What am I saying, I seriously have to think about even doing any of this photography business more than once every couple weeks....I would love to do it more but lets see, my husband is in grad school, I am about to get very sick with this pregnancy, I will soon have 4 children under 5, I have to teach a Relief Society Lesson On SUnday and last but not least I have a pile of laundry the size of the mountain outside my window. Now what you have to do Virginia, is choose the 9 you want to have printed....that means you have to pick half of what is posted...not fun I know, some have vingette around them, some not--I made them all with both- now you need to decide what you like better so they are all uniform. And for my readers out there- here's a poll for you- do you like vingetted pics- if you don't answer you are never invited back to my blog again....just kidding , no seriously what do you think....lately I have taken hardly and picks of my kids....I am turning over a new leaf-
I am going to take lots in the back yard this SUnday where I grew up. Also check back for the super awesome present I am going to give my Dad for his birthday., I'll post a pic of it come Monday--Amber I was thinking this would be a great idea for your mom too. And I did it all for 100 dollars---granted I took all the pictures for free but all the frmes and printing cast me less than 100....aren't you curious now? Check back here monday.....

David's first Soccer game....

2009-09-09T07:14:00.001-07:00

Last night was tough. I took David to his first soccer game. Mind you they had not had any practices and he has never played before. But there were other kids on the field who had played in past years. Those of you who know David can imagine how the game went. Now I am going to record this so that hopefully at the end I can be laughing about it as yet another painfully funny thing I have to go through as a mother. Which there seems to be a lot of these days. Anyway, David was doing great, running after the ball like the rest of the kids for the first 10 minutes and then he started to realize that he wasn't ever touching ball while getting knocked down. And he sat down in the middle of the field, put his head in his knees and cried. So I though, great this is over- let's go. Nope he got up and tried again. This happened 4 times. Finally, he came over and sat by me, never to go in again. Yet he didn't want to go home. And he wants to go again next next time? This child is glutton for punishment. An suggestions anyone? I could really use some....

2009-09-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

If you think I hire these people to model for me, I didn't. Nope this is my brother and his family. Aren't they gorgeous?

2009-09-07T11:06:00.001-07:00

Stephanie's family slideshow

2009-09-06T22:51:00.002-07:00

I cranked out all these in 2 days because I have wey too much going on the the next week to do them any other time. AS you can see Stephanie I did a few diffent effects for most of the pics so you can choose what you like best. Enjoy!

2009-09-06T22:51:00.001-07:00

Engagement time...

2009-09-05T20:35:00.000-07:00

Here's a little sample as promised..more to come in between diaper changes and kindergarten drop offs. Check my blog often...I'll post more as I can. Hope you guys like them. You both looked great!

2009-09-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

Ruby...

2009-08-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I know everyone writes this when they post a shoot of a baby but I am really asking- have you ever seen a cuter baby than this? I keep saying to her mother, you have got to get this girl earning her keep if you know what I mean...

Jessica and Boys

2009-08-27T07:59:00.000-07:00

Jess came to visit for a couple of days this week so I took her and her boys out for a shoot.
Most of you who check this blog will know Jess no no intros necessary. For you others this is my friend Jess who moved into my apartment at BYU and we have been best buds ever since. But she lives in North Carolina where her husband is doing his residency so I haven't actually seen her for 5 years! She'll probably hat it but the last shot is my favorite. Can't you just see how much she adores her 2 boys. While we were in college she was scouted to be a model...you can see why...

A Sad Sad day...

2009-08-21T07:23:00.000-07:00

My Gabe is too quickly leaving babyhood to join the rank of little boy. And I'm not dealing so well. All in one week he has figured out how to get out of his crib, sit up on a stool to eat, insist on feeding himself, regularly pick his little nose and the worst part, got his hair cut.

What am I going to do when all my babies are past this stage and I have no more. Maybe I'll be so tired by then that I will be overjoyed that they all have left the baby stage. I can't imagine that happening. Gabe just ran to me for kisses while his diaper made that swishing noise that only a full diaper can make. Its moments like these I never want to lose.

It is so strange, in the morning I have a renewed vigor for motherhood..then by four o' clock I want to run screaming out of the house and quit this job all together. It's the only job that really is not an option, maybe if it was I wouldn't consider it so much? Like playing the piano when I was younger, when my mother really gave me the chance to quit, I wouldn't want to.

Maybe that's the trick with motherhood. Give yourself the option to walk away at anytime and you will realize how much you really love it and won't want to leave. If you don't relate to this post at all, please pretend you never read it and that I love being a mother at all times...

p.s. sometime I like to do funky things with photos, what do you think of the greeish hue. It kind of makes it look like it was taken in the seventies...

Haley and family

2009-08-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

This is my niece Haley and her family. CAn you believe I have a niece who has 2 kids. And to top it off...her mother, my sister, just had her eighth child. Yes thats right. Her mother has a daughter who is younger than her nephews....oh and what's that you say? No one should look like that 5 months after having a baby? I agree sister, I agree.

2009-08-19T09:52:00.001-07:00

It's a.....

2009-08-19T09:45:00.001-07:00

2009-08-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

Oh goodness...I feel like my life is going crazy right now. My 16 months old has figured out how to climb out of his crib, they have recalled all crib tents, I find out what I am having today- I really want to have a surprise but don't know if I have the will power, David's birthday was yesterday and I have gotten exactly zero presents for him, my laundry room looks like a hurricane is brewing, Gabe's hair is way to long and while we were at the beach it was super curly but now we are back in Utah it is practically straight, Coco is possessed at bedtime sans binkie now, David starts kindergarten in week, my liver medication is going to cost a fortune, I just found out, James starts his Masters program in 2 weeks, the full blown itching will begin in 4-6 weeks, I still haven't decided abut pre-school for Coco...can I just go back and live here? Click on view all images to view slideshow....

Plus my hair is so much better there....

My brother.....

2009-08-17T21:10:00.000-07:00

Yes single ladies, this is my brother. So if you are interested you can email him at dannywarner@gmail.com. Other than that, you are on your own....

2009-08-17T08:06:00.000-07:00

This past week has been one of the greatest of my life. It was everything we had been looking forward to for the last year. I had the chance to do photo shoots of all my bothers and sisters and their kids. I'll be posting some pics from those shoots for the next couple of weeks- I do have 9 brothers and sisters and 40 nieces and nephews so that makes for a lot of pics. I imagine my old friends will be interested to see my bothers and sisters and their families...so check back often. THose of you who don't know these people, just come for the photos, and make and comments or sugestions. I welcome criticism...just don't be too harsh, remember I'm pregnant....

Catch up....

2009-07-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

For the last 3 weeks I have been working on a big project for my mother's 70th birthday bash. My entire family, and when I say entire I mean all my siblings, in laws, parents an 40 nieces and nephews will be convening on a beach in California for 7 whole days. We aren't your typical Utah family. We all don't live withing 15 mintues of each other, nope, we are spread out in 7 different cities in 5 different states. Sometimes I really hate it and I get really jealous of friends who have so much family around- that for me is the hardest part about living in Utah. Everyone has so much family around except for me. I find that I feel sorry for myself a lot about that- among other thing of course. Oh goodness I am getting way off track- so in the process of doing this project, I have been talking to my mom and she told me one of the greatest failings of her life was not keeping a journal about her children as they were growing up, and not keeping a journal at all. I told her my blog was kind of like that for me- but I want it to be more so, so soon I will be making a private blog journal and just sharing public things like photos and things that happen etc. Of course not today because I never actually do things when I mean to. But I want to share a few recent photos and one funny, yet no so funny story from my little character Caroline.

The Many faces of Gabe

Heaven forbid I get two very sensitive boys....but that is what heaven gaveme and I am dealing every day...

Last Friday was my birthday. I kept reminding my children and David finally took the hint and asked to make a "project". Of course Coco wanted to make something too. When David was done he brought me his creation and said, "Happy birthday Mom, this is for you." Coco quickly followed suit but said instead, "Mama look at my picture!" Me: O I love it Coco! Coco: It is for my Daddy. Me: But isn't it for me? It is my birthday. Coco: Daddy could share it with you Mama. I forgave her because she still calls me Mama and yesterday day she told me "Mama, I have to tell you a secret, I definitely love you."

Pictured below: The creation Coco made for her dad on my birthday in training pants (outside of course) because she informed me, "It is way too sticky for pants."

The Real Thing...

2009-06-21T05:11:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been really sick. Every night after James comes home from work, I go into my room , lay flat on my back and pray that I don't throw up again. This guy below feeds the kids, bathes them when needed and puts them to bed. Then he cleans up the house so I can wake up to a clean sink every morning. What???? Yes a man does all of that. That is why this is a very special Father's Day for me. Come December, this man and I will have produced 4 children in 5 years. Not to mention what he has been able to accomplish in his professional life. Yikes. He can't believe it either. The picture below is one of my favorites this year. IT has no fancy photoshop effects, no fabulous backdrop or perfect lighting, but it tells you why I love my life
(even though these days all I do is moan and vomit)and this Wonderful Man who makes it so worth living. Happy Father's Day James.

Want to see my Dream Home?

2009-06-19T08:42:00.001-07:00

Go here to see the home of my dreams.....

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/reb/1226358136.html

A Sorry Sorry Case

2009-06-18T09:44:00.000-07:00

I have been a sorry excuse for a blogger lately. Come to think of it, I have been a sorry excuse for most things in my life lately, a mother, a wife, a housekeeper. This pregnancy is about to do me in. Only a few more weeks and hopefully the nausea will end and I'll have a couple of months of glorious pregnancy until the dreaded itching starts. As I mentioned in my last post we made a very long and stupid trip to Vegas for 48 hours. But I'm glad we did it because we learned we will never, ever do something so idiotic again. I was too sick to even attempt taking pictures until our last pit stop before getting home. Lately I have been focusing too much on taking pictures of other people families and not my own. So here are some recent shot of us. I sure love my new remote shutter release which came in handy for this little family picture. Because there was absolutely no one to be found in this tiny Utah highway town. It was so lonely that I could even pee next the the Forestry Service building without the fear of being caught. By the way, have I ever told you how much I love my downstairs playroom? Like a blessed gift from above my oldest two have decided to play down there by themselves for the last 2 hours while Gabe has been asleep. They are finally getting past the fighting stage and are learning to play together sans fighting! P.S. Can you believe my husband's calves. That guy is in incredible shape. It's weird how the fatter I get the thinner and in better shape everyone else looks.

I'm going to have to change the TItle of my Blog Soon!

2009-06-05T08:04:00.001-07:00

Ok- so this is not my photo, but it is one I am super duper excited to post anyway and it is going to count as my photo of the day. Can you gues how old this baby is just by looking at it? If you can...that is how far along I am. What the....I cannot believe I am going to be the mother of 4 children!!!!

WE are headed down to Vegas this weekend for my James' friend's weeding. Not sure why I agreed to this - do I really want to ride in a car with small children while wanting to vomit the whole way? But my husband cleaned up the house after he came home from his 3 hours of THursday night basketball. So I guess I can make myself. To make it tolerable- I got a 4 star hotel for 45 bucks on priceline. ----I get such an adrenaline rush when I'm waiting for the site to tell me if a hotel has accepted my offer. The older I get the more I realize what a dork I am....

Warning...serious sappy cuteness ahead

2009-06-04T15:39:00.000-07:00

The other day while doing a newborn shoot for my friend, while the baby was being rocked, I got some great shots of this little cherub. This maybe way too high on the cuteness for some people but I love it. Want one of these of your own offspring---let me know.

2009-06-04T13:19:00.000-07:00

Heres some of shots you wanted to see- when I make your cd I'll put them on both color and b&w

Darling Boy

2009-06-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

We can change what it says but just wanted to put something on- or it doesn't have to say anything at all.

Robin and Kids Slideshow

2009-06-04T07:54:00.001-07:00

Enjoy your slideshow- as soon as I get some more CD's I'll get them over to you- Hopefully I can get to the store today.

Lorne Family Slideshow

2009-06-03T10:52:00.000-07:00

Here are your proofs from Saturday. As you can see I put them all in Black and white and color so that you can make a picture wall in either one. Just click on view images and it will take you to view the slideshow....ENJOY