For A Moment Photography

Yawn

Working on newborn photos.  Too tired to blog.  Please come again.

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Beauty in Arizona: Rust and Roses

Day 8:

 I live in Tempe and love it but I adore the 7th Ave shops in Phoenix.  Today I was at Rust and Roses stopping by before I headed to lunch.  I had (unlike most days) decided early in the day what I was going to photograph for my project.    

  While I was shopping I could not help but want to take photos!  I have to say that every time I walk into Rust and Roses I get this burst of energy and can hardly wait to see what new treasure awaits me around the corner.

  Before I changed my mind I asked Shelly, chief junkster (owner) if I could PLEASE take a few photos!  She politely agreed and I grabbed my camera and now here we are.  Today I had planned on taking landscape photos (different location) so I was a little unhappy with the lens I had but I think the few I posted turned out well.  In another post I will have to photograph items I have previously purchased (today I was caught up with my photos).

  Rust and Roses is filled with beautiful antiques and garden stuff.  One should really check out her shop (4200 North 7th Ave in Phoenix) or her website (www.rustandroses.net).  I named this spot a Beauty in Arizona because Shelley has done such a great job with the items she buys for her store it shows that this is something she has a passion for.  A quality I truly appreciate and find inspiring...

 

  After reading this entry I have to add, I am just a patron.  Today was the first day I introduced myself to Shelly.  I am a strong supporter of Woman and Locally Owned Businesses.

www.foramomentphotography.com

Beauty in Arizona: Tempe, Arizona

  Day 7:

I have lived in the same 3 square miles for 10 years now.  During college I rented a house off of Mill Ave and have stayed close by ever since.  I fell in love with Tempe's walkability- somewhat rare in the Valley.  Several years ago Tempe Town Lake (second photo) was built on land that was zoned a flood plain.  And that once useless land is now a busy park with, lake activities, a water park, baseball field, venue for all sorts of festivals and events.  There is really nothing like it in the Valley.

  Above (top photo) I have photographed one of the many street performers.  This guy is a regular, very nice with a good voice.  Lately we have seen an influx of travelers (ideal weather).  Some of them begging but most of them performing for donations...  When Presley and I walked by him today she started dancing in her stroller.   I decided to stop and listen for a bit.  She got out to offer a donation and became shy right away...

  Tempe is in a state of change right now (recession has slowed that down a bit).  I'm really excited to see this little college town grow up.  The last photo is of some high end condos.  The building of them has stopped (long story) but it's only a matter of time until work is completed.  I'm excited for Tempe's bright future!

www.foramomentphotography.com

Beauty in Arizona: Weather

Day 6:

  This time of year is Arizona's season.  This week temperature's are in the 80's all week, where else would you want to be?  I spend as much time outside (with tons of sunblock) as possible.  Having a home with indoor/outdoor living space is too good to be true.  Most days all of our meals are served on the patio.

Presley loves to be outdoors as well, I guess most kids do...  We have made several friends in the Mill Ave shops due to our frequent visits...  Walking the neighborhood has been a great way to meet neighbors and an ideal way to find picture perfect locations.  The photo below is taken in our neighborhood in front of several (sort of shabby) apartments.  I like this spot for several reasons, it's shady, has grass (rare in AZ) and a wooden fence that looks great in photos...

I will be honest 100 degree heat (dry or not) is hard to deal with.  But we don't have to deal with that for a least three months (cross your fingers).

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Taking the Night Off

Hi,

I am taking the night off from my blog.  I am working on some Senior portraits tonight.  I will be back tomorrow with Day 6 of Beauty in Arizona.  Thank you for checking in.

www.foramomentphotography.com

 

Beauty in Arizona: Sunset

Day 5:

  I love our Arizona sunsets.  I am lucky enough to have done some traveling and love AZ sunsets the best.  Today I decided that I would take my photos on top of A Mountain.  A Mountain is more of a hill but it's a great quick straight up run.  It's near ASU campus, Mill Ave and Sun Devil Stadium.

  Yesterday our "A" atop of the Mountain was painted red by some U of A fans (rival school).  However after a lose to our mens basketball team ashamed they repainted it Gold...  Ok the last part isn't true but it's a better story..

  Below are photos I snapped of a few ASU girls resting after the run up.

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Beauty in Arizona: Cotton & Citrus

Day 4:

  The four "C" of Arizona's industries are, Citrus, Cotton, Copper and Cattle.  I'm pretty sure Cotton and Copper are the two leading industries.  Growing up I lived in a rural area where we had a lot of farmers and miners.  I did go on a date in high school where we rode a tractor, it didn't seem very weird at the time.  It was a very nice tractor...

  The first two photos were taken at a Farmers Market this afternoon.  We are pretty lucky to have so much locally grown fruit, and veggies.  We got there late so there wasn't much left to take photos of or buy.  We did get a sweet grapefruit...

  The cotton photo was actually taken a few months ago in my hometown of Safford.  Growing up there I never remembered how pretty the cotton was.  I used several trimming on my Holiday table this year.

www.foramomentphotography.com

Beauty in Arizona: Round up

DAY 3:

I am having so much fun with my 10 days!  Today was great, I pulled over to take photos of a Church and produce stand.  I started walking around the area and I found this arena tucked in the back.  Right away a few cowboys invited me over and I started snapping away.  The first shot is a round up competition...  That was interesting and quick, all I really remember was their eyes, both the horse and the livestock.  I was standing on the fence and they all (10 to 15) huddled against it trying to avoid the round up.  All but two were corralled...

  Then I turned my attention to these corralled calves.  When I approached them most of them moved away.  But this lil' sweetie walked toward me.  I have to admit it's not the best photo but I thought she (my guess) was pretty.  I love her eyes, amber coloring and pink nose.  I haven't been around cows much to know if they have a personality or not.  But I think this one might...

  One Cowboy named Jake talked to me the whole time I was photographing.  The last photo is of Jake's horse, he didn't have a name or Jake couldn't remember it.  I guess he has a lot of horses, I wasn't really listening very well...

  Like most days I wish I would have photographed MORE.  I met both of Jake's parents and his Dad just leaning up against the rail in his black cowboy hat would have been the perfect photo.  When I'm in "photo" mode I'm busy scanning the place trying to figure out what/how to photograph sometimes I miss the ones right in front of me...  A good lesson.

www.foramomentphotography.com

Beauty in Arizona: Bare Foot

Day 2:

  Again today I had no idea what to photograph, and I wasn't "going" anywhere but the usual spots.  Most days we walk on Mill Ave and to the park, so that where we went today.  And there was almost too much to take photos of.  I couldn't make up my mind!  With the weather being in the high 70's the park is a happening place with, biking, running, fishing, rowing, roller blading and picnickers.  Mill Ave was full of action, but I think that will be a complete other "10 days of" project (maybe 5 days)...  A really fun eclectic place to be...  Ok back to this project!  

  I saw the couple wrapped up on the hill and I had to snap their photo.  I wasn't going to ask at first because they seemed so happy in their own space, but I felt sort of creepy.  So I asked, I wish I would have taken more they both had beautiful eyes...  But for this photo I wanted anyone looking at it to be able to place themselves in the photo, you know?

  I of course had Presley with me (second photo).  She didn't want to be in the stroller, wear shoes or shorts, I can't really blame her.  So she got out, took off her shoes and without shorts started twirling...  I thought about showing her how to roll down the hill, but that might have to wait.   

  www.foramomentphotography.com  

10 Days of Beauty in Arizona

  

Day 1:

Ok I have to admit I was a little worried today about what I had gotten myself into (grass is greener).  I was stuck at home all day waiting for the Maytag guy...  Anyway so I left the house finally at 3:30 not knowing at all what I was going to photograph.  I had already taken the bee photo (at home)  but I didn't think that was a good Arizona beauty photo...

  So I drive a bout a half mile from my house, (I live in the middle of the city).  And in this empty lot I see these Saguaro's (obviously transplanted).  In case you didn't know the Saguaro only grows in Arizona and Sonoran desert.  So how perfect for my project!

 

  These particular ones are very old.  It takes about 75 years for a side arm to grow...  I thought they were just beautiful.  I had never noticed the copper coloring before either...  I added a texture to the one because it had such a rustic feel to me for some reason...

  The bee photo was taken in my front yard...  I was trying to be very brave, while reminding myself, "bees can smell fear".  It didn't help that my dog (who can't seem to smell fear) kept diving in and out of the bush disturbing the bees.  I like the photo but I hope to get more photos that really show what Arizona is like during our "season".

www.foramomentphotography.com