Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Kentucky Trip Pt.1 : Water Craziness

 

Hello!  I have so many fun pictures to share with you from my trip back to Kentucky a few weeks ago.  I have been crazed with getting the kids ready for back-to-school, and lots of good business stuff (fill you in soon!), so I’m a little behind.

 

My kids love to swim and play in water.  I can’t tell you how many times this summer I sent my son out to water the plants, and next thing you know he’s got the hose up his shirt and into his mouth!  I suppose this is pretty typical?

 

Anyway, here are a few fun water shots:

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Our favorite waterfront park – complete with a huge splash park and lots of climbing structures.  Always a highlight of the trip!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We spent a lot of time at the country club pool.  Living the high life, ordering fried mozzarella at every break and drinking all the tea we wanted Smile

 

 

Poor kid- he tried MANY times to learn the front flip.  Only had one success, and this wasn’t it!

 

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The “cheerleader” high dive jump.  She jumped off that thing 121 times, to be exact.

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And the crowning glory, the back dive that almost was …. actually, she did do it, but this image doesn’t say that, does it!

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LOTS more coming soon!

 

~Kathy

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Photo Challenge : White

 

All dressed up … ready for the coveted father/daughter dance with her Indian Princess tribe …

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She was ready before her Daddy, so we snuck to the backyard for a small session.  There’s something about a little girl in pearls Smile

 

 

Enjoy more white images this week over at I Heart Faces – there’s some real goodness going on there!

 

~Kathy

 

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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge : Pet Week

 

Every summer we head to the mountains of NC with 3 kids and two dogs to get connected with nature, camp & generally cool off from the sweltering summer heat.

 

 

 

Here’s my Abby girl, playing in one of the wonderfully cool mountain streams:

 

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Yup, she’s smiling!

 

Head over to I Heart Faces to see more happy pets this week!

 

~Kathy

 

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p.s. Yes, I am back from vacation, with lots to share … stay tuned!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Heading Out Tomorrow

I realize I haven’t been all that present here this summer, but I will definitely be offline this next week.  Heading to KY to visit with family.  Family coming in from SFO and Chicago.  Going to meet my newest niece that is 4 months old, and play with my 18 month old nephew.  Good gosh I can’t WAIT!!! (and neither can my camera!)

 

I am also going to take a good break from the computer.  Going to test myself to see how long I can go without looking on facebook or email.  Probably not that long, but we’ll see!  I figure on my 9 hour drive tomorrow I will come up with some rules for myself.  Lol.

 

I absolutely love love taking photographs – it’s all this computer time that is completely wearing me out.  Physically and mentally.  Do you know what I’m talking about?  Probably a fairly typical situation.

 

Holiday Mini-Sessions are up on my site … if you’re interested, drop me a line!  (but I may not  answer for a week!)

 

I recently purchased some batteries and four rolls of B&W film so that I can play with my Dad’s camera from the 70’s …

 

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If you know me, you know I LOVE black and white and just can’t wait to see some REAL b&w, and try to capture some images with that in mind.  I already have some spots in my mother’s house in mind….

 

Take care – enjoy these last fleeting days of summer- I am sad that it is coming to an end, but super excited to be rolling into a crazy wedding fall season!

 

~Kathy

Ma’s 78th

 

 

My mother-in-law turned 78 this week.  I hosted the party at our house and we ate a delicious meal of shrimp, sausage & all sorts of veggies and appetizers.  It was fun and I love celebrating birthdays together.

 

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I like photographing moments because not only does it help create the memory, but you never really know what you’re gonna get! (have no idea what my son is looking at)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What are the odds you get half of your subjects with eyes closed?  (nice face, son)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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You’re never too old to blow out the candles!

 

 

~Kathy

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Great Backdrops are Everywhere!

 

One of the locations if my senior shoot last week was old town Garner.  My senior wanted her photo on a historical caboose, something different.    I agreed, and proceeded to scout the location a few days before the shoot.  I wish I had taken some photos from a distance, because this caboose was a real challenge.  Either side of this historical caboose was a street, with one side parking.  Street signs and power lines.  Ugh! My angles were limited, and I was glad I checked it out ahead of time so I was familiar with the challenges and ready to conquer them!  Never be afraid to shoot angular I say …

 

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We had another location in mind for after the caboose shots, but I decided to explore Main Street.  I came upon a cop shop & a printing shop.  Hmmm. Not the greatest.  But the further I went, the more treasures I found …

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I love the way this door brings out her eyes, and the intricate design on the door itself.  There was a white sidewalk beneath us (great natural reflector!) and good sky light, so I knew we would get beautiful catch lights in those baby blues!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday it rained like crazy, but no thunder so my kids were out playing in it.  I am on a mission this week to capture our favorite summer things … I have an album on Facebook called “Dog Days of Summer

 

Anyway, here’s the first shot:

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Was trying to follow the leading line of the sidewalk.  I like it because it’s my daughter, but I hate all the distractions in the background. 

 

 

 

 

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I changed my angle & changed my aperture to be very shallow on this one 2.0, because I thought the flooded grass would give amazing bokeh to this shot …. and it did!  Would you think she is sitting on the curb next to a house for sale? Don’t think so!

 

 

So go out and challenge yourself to find a beautiful backdrop in an unlikely place.  I’d love to see what you find!

 

~Kathy

Friday, August 5, 2011

My First Giveaway!

 

 

I was contacted by uPrinting to see if I wanted to host a poster giveaway.  Why not?

Click HERE to check it out on my site!  And enter of course!

 

~Kathy

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Kelly Baby Belly~

My first maternity shoot – and I loved every second of it!!  It helps when you have a positively glowing subject …

 

 

It is true what they say … the first light of day is soft and sweet and fun to play with!  We chose to do this session early in the day because of the brutal NC summer heat.   It was hot, but we had a slight breeze that kept things pretty nice.

 

 

 

 

 

39 1/2 weeks.  Seriously, I’m not joking!

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An amazing couple – very much in love, and anxiously awaiting their baby boy.

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Head over to my site if you’d like to see the rest from this shoot (click HERE)

 

~Kathy

Roumanis Portfolio Shoot

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Full blog post is UP on the site … click HERE to check it out! 

Seriously one of the most fun experiences to date.  I feel incredibly lucky to call this my ‘work’!

 

 

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You can follow me on Facebook too – it’s the most up to date place for me this summer.  Click HERE to visit my fan page!

 

Thanks Smile

 

~Kathy