For A Moment Photography

Where are you Norman Rockwell?

 

 

Gramdma Lala (Presley was trying to say "Linda" and it came out Lala) sent this painting project to her for her birthday.  I didn't get any photos of us painting them, I was trying to just enjoy it.  Sometimes I think the photographs are too much and I just need to be present in the moment...  

Presley was so involved in her birdhouse that we didn't chat during the 30 minutes she painted her birdhouse.  I painted the blue one, Moses got to it first.  I didn't mind, I knew if I didn't paint I would be trying to "help" her with hers and I know she would not like that.  I'm still trying to figure out if there is a way I can hide the damage, hmmm...  

I've attached a video I found on Youtube.  You may know that I have a personal problem with companies advertising to my toddler.  The video is clips and information on that subject.  It's a problem I'm struggling to find a comfortable balance with.  I did watch some television growing up, but we didn't have dvd's, play stations, wii, cell phones, ipods, car dvd players, 24 hour cartoons, tivo, internet and companies marketing to us at school and on all those other devices I just named...

I enjoy painting projects like we did today.  I know we need to do more art and creative projects together.  However this other stuff is just creeping in around us.  I'm not perfect, I use the television to distract her at times or I get distracted from playing with her by my cell phone...  

A scene keeps replaying in my head.  A few summers ago (before Presley watched any t.v) I saw this toddler in a swing and a young Mom with her nose in her phone and I just felt so sad.  It was as if I could feel the child was there alone.  I remember thinking why would this mom do this?  I now find myself doing the same thing thinking to myself, she won't notice and then I have a flash of the little girl in the red swing.  

I don't want her to ever feel she is not important enough.  I've now turned off my ringer during the day, not that it rings that much.  It's more my desire to look up something (online) before I forget, or turn on the television so I can work on that photo, or pick up around the house and yes try to nap.  With all of this weighing heavily on my mind I am really looking forward to summer.

Summer is a time where we are always outside in the grass, in the lake, picking berries, chasing fire flies and being with friends!  This summer's plans are still up in the air, we sold the New York house.  We still have a few great options.  It's my goal to make sure what ever happens Presley is somewhere where she can be outdoors with kids and away from "the machine".  

www.foramomentphotography.com

Beach Adventure

 

 

Shy Guy

 

Lookin' at Mommy
 

 

 

This is just a few photos from our beach adventure.  I got so many fun photos, I can't wait to edit all of them!  For now I'm ready for bed and looking forward to another day on the beach.

www.foramomentphotography.com

 
 
  
 

Race Day

 

 

mermaid

 

Ahh, ok this my second attempt at a post.  :)  The internet is not as reliable as I would like but I'm not complaining!  MAybe I should unplug...  Anyway, we completed our race today and I finished in the top ten despite last nights festivities.  This afternoon was a relaxing time on the beach taking in the volleyball tournament on the beach.

Presley is in heaven, between the nanny and the older kids here helping I may have a hard time leaving myself...  Above are just a few happy snaps (nothing spectacular) from today.  I am planning for sunset session this evening and I'm pretty excited about those...  Until then...  

 
 
 

www.foramomentphotography.com

  
 
 
 

Barefoot in Mexico

 

 

 

 

We are in Rocky Point and Presley couldn't be happier!  I would love to blog more about it but I already have guilt spending this time away from all the hoopla.  I just had to download a few photos and of course I then couldn't avoid posting them on my blog...  Dinner is cooking, the conversation is great and I have to prepare for my barefoot 5k in the morning! 

www.foramomentphotography.com

 
 
 

Plan B

 

 

 

 So I've been seeing all week that today was going to be cold with cloud cover, but who believes the Arizona weather man?  We never have anything but sun, heat and clear blue skies, except today.  Today he (by he I mean my iphone weather app) was right, it was cold, cloudy and windy.  Normally I would not mind, but today I had a session I was very excited for!  I had several new locations I wanted to try out today.

Thankfully I had a backup plan.  We did an indoor location that was a little constraining but I'm happy with the results.  With the space being so small I didn't think we were going to have a lot of options.  However we were able to get creative and Holly helped come up with a few ideas.  All things turn out better when you have someone to bounce ideas off of.  It did help that she is outrageously beautiful.  

I hope for some nice weather and free time to photographer her outside (like we planned) early next week. 

www.foramomentphotography.com

 

Generations of Junk

I love this commercial.  I have to admit that when main stream products advertise they are "eco friendly or green"  I don't believe them.  I feel that these large companies would be reluctant to make the changes necessary, not a great attitude to have I know.  The commercial is funny and I'm trying to have a more open mind. 

As a adult I don't have much faith in the marketing techniques of so many companies out there.  I remember being a child seeing sugary cereal commercials boasting how they were nutritious.  I tried to explain this to my Mom she say that was not so.  I specifically remember thinking, "if it's not true why would they say it?"

It does feel like we are on the verge of change.  I hope so, I don't like going to the grocery store and paying three times the amount for a dozen eggs and still not sure what the label means.  Is that too much to ask?  Anyway, the commercial is funny and I hope they mean what they say. 

www.foramomentphotography.com

Pat's Run Year 6

 

Not very happy

 

showing off "Pat's Run tattoo's"

 

This lil' guy saw my camera and came running towards me grinning.  His Dad got a kick out of it! 

 

This morning was the annual Pat's Run.  We've attend 5 out of the 6 years, this year a record of 28,000 runners.  During the six years, a lot has changed.  The first year there was only 5,000 runners.  I remember seeing his brother there in the crowd the first year, we (my family) hung on the field and I was without child then.  There were a lot of runners in full army gear and football gear (helmet, hair and all).  The first year was pretty special for me.

With the run growing in popularity, they now move you quickly off the field and have booths and games set up in the parking lot.  I now chase a toddler around and make the time there more about her then a workout for me.  The race does always remind me to be thankful to our soldiers and stirs up my spirit.  How often do you go out and see quotes by Emerson on a run?  I feel pretty lucky to have this race here in Arizona, we were lucky to have him call Tempe home.  

This year the kids race was huge!  I never watched the kids from the start line, they take off like their life depended on it.  So many parents were running behind their child, trying to keep up grinning from ear to ear.  I was surprised to see so many 3 and 4 year olds running.  It's really a great family activity...  Presley will be a runner in next years race for sure!  

 
 

 

Missing My Boy

 

The first day I got him.  He would whine when he ate.

 

My birthday, he was my gift.

Looking very regal.

My baby before my baby. 

05.26.07 

 

02.17.10

 

 

10 years 10 months and 8 days.

Bailey J. 
 

A few months ago my dog Bailey was very ill.  He lost 30 lbs. and the vet didn't know why.  But he was able to come home (with lots of medications) and seem to bounce back.  Then early this month his front leg was swollen and hard.  Quickly we found out the diagnosis wouldn't be good.  He either had cancer with a tumor in his bones or valley fever attacking his bones.  Two days later it got the results, valley fever and he had lost another 10 lbs.  

Our first visit (two months ago) the vet had said they were going to test for valley fever however with all the other tests they did they evidently forgot.  The medications must of masked the pain and discomfort, he began to eat, had his energy back and wanted to be with us again...  As upset as I was at first that they missed this test I'm now thankful.  Because we mostly likely would of had the past two months with him...

There is medications for valley fever.  It's a long recovery (6months to a year if it works) and Bailey's situation was pretty bleak.  Bailey's leg would need to be amputated and with his hind leg not 100% (he had knee surgery a few years ago) he couldn't make it as a three legged dog.  To be honest Bailey could barely run when he had four good legs!    

The past two days were hard.  He could barely walk and needed to be carried outside to use the bathroom.  Although he was eating he wasn't doing much else.  We had to make the decision to let him go...  I'm just thankful he isn't in pain.  I'm sad because I can feel him missing...   Bailey was at times a difficult dog, but he was a good dog.  And once people got to be around him for a bit they loved him despite his drooling, barking and begging...   

Bailey (Bubba, Handsome) always seem to have three flies on him whenever he was outside.  Poor guy, I think it had something to do with his allergies.  Today on his empty dog bed there were three flies.  It sorta made me smile.       

      

www.foramomentphotography.com

 
 
 
 
 
 

Water and Light

 

 

Presley and I had a pretty easy going day today.  She didn't have any meltdowns and neither did I!  She had "college" in the morning then we had lunch by the pool.  Last year at this time all Presley wanted to do was jump in and out of the pool.  This year she wants to run and splash around a bit more.  She doesn't seem to really want to get her head wet, not sure what the change is.  She doesn't seem to mind it while in swim class...

Photos above:

I've been wanting to get a photo that is really blown out (lack of detail) by the sun except for my subject.  I don't know exactly how to do this.  The first photo I sort of got what I want.  The subject (Presley) in full detail and most everything else white.  This of course happened by accident, I had just pulled out my camera and tried to snap this pose before she moved...  

Pamela Anderson has a reality show for a second and a lot of her shots were blown out (it hides fine lines and wrinkles).  It has a dreamy feel to it that I like, it worked well for Pamela too...  It's something I just need to play around with one day. 

 

www.foramomentphotography.com

 

Bare Bear

 

  

 

Here are a few photos I took today, this was one of the sleepiest babies I've photographed.  Maybe it was the heat because she did not seem to mind this at all...  

I wish I had more energy to write more...

www.foramomentphotography.com