For A Moment Photography

Along the Way

 

Mural Tempe Farmers Market

 

Lovely tree

 

Yes, it's a cat!

 

I just love the sky this time of day.

 

One of my favorite houses.

 

Helmet always.

Pink sunset

 

The horse she rides and has me pet.  She's a good horse, Presley tells me.

I haven't been very good about posting these past few weeks.  It's been for several reasons, one is I've been so tired and going to bed the same time as Presley.  Reason two is, I haven't had much to write about.  We've sort of settled into a nightly routine (this time of year) trying to take advantage of the cool evenings.  And this routine I've mention several times (I think so anyway)...

Once Dad arrives from work we go on a family bike ride.  We usually hit the Tempe Farmers Market for avocados and a pony ride.  Then we cruise Mill Ave or the neighborhood.  My vote is to avoid Mill these days, Presley knows how to get to the ice cream parlor from any direction on Mill...  Being on Mill is such a different ride then being in the neighborhood.  If you want energy and to be entertained Mill is where to go.  Usually on weekends I like to bike on Mill Ave.  

These last few nights we have only cruised the neighborhood and it's been so nice.  While on these rides we look for cats (there are plenty), anything pink (usually flowers and sunsets).  Experiencing a bike ride or a walk through a child's eyes is so much more exciting.  I don't know how many times Presley has shrieked in pure excitement, "Mommy look!"  Then to see her point out a cat curled up on a wall, makes me smile and wish something that simple excited me so.

I've never examined trees like I do while I'm on these rides.  I've always admired the houses in the neighborhood and checking out other homes has always been fun for me...  I still find houses that for some reason I've never seemed to notice how before.  I wonder why that is, I've lived here long enough...  These bikes rides are just how I want to end my day.

Sometimes we walk, if I don't think Presley has burned enough energy.  We don't usually get to far (around the block), too many ants to check out.  I don't kill bugs (except mosquitoes) Presley usually likes to squish any bug in sight.  I've got her to stop killing bugs (in my presents) by telling her they are heading home to see their Mommy.  Now she will say, "tell your Mommy I said hi" or squish them and then apologize...

We've never had a bad time on our walks (or rides) and there is still aways something new and exciting to see.  I really think these rides will be something we all remember fondly...  The other night on the way home Presley says to Mark, "Somebody's getting sleepy".  We both giggled I guess she knows who "somebody" is...

     
 
 
  

Live from Mill Ave

excuse the video quality (from my iphone), because the music is great.  :)

I love love love where I live.  I hope everyone is as happy as I am about the community they call home.  We live in downtown Tempe (as I may have mentioned before) and I just want to squeeze it's cheeks it's so perfect...  

We frequently enjoy taking the bikes for a spin and who knows what we may find.  Some nights we grab avocados and come home for guacamole and Coronas on the patio.  Nights like tonight we hop on the bikes found dinner, music and balloon animals...  We even hear christian house music!  Mill Ave is a place for everyone and everything.   

Mill Avenue feels alive and has a great energy.  I love my community and love to be apart of it.  

Homemade Bread

So as silly as Facebook can be I'm so happy that it's brought back friends into my life.  Anna, my high school friend and I reconnected after losing contact after high school.  I love that my friends from high school and I can pick up right where we left off!  There is a comfort level that's hard to build the older you get...

Anyway, so during one of our visits Anna told me her kids will only eat her homemade bread.  I love bread and I wanted to learn how to make homemade bread!  So I stalked Anna for a few days and earlier this week we made bread.  Anna made it look so easy and we had fun doing it.  Did I mention she grounds the whole wheat, yeah it's super fresh!  The whole process took about three hours, we had plenty of time to chat.   

The bread is amazing (I don't blame her kids for not wanting store bought).  The first day (maybe closer to 4 hours) me and my family finished half a loaf.  The second day Moses (the super dog) ate the other loaf, growl...  I'm planning on attempting a solo bake next week.  I will let you know how it works out!

Whole Wheat Bread

6 cups  hot water

2/3 cup oil

2/3 cup honey

2 tbsp. dough enhance (optional)

7 1/2 cups of freshly ground whole wheat flour

2 tbsp. vital gluten (optional)

2 tbsp instant yeast

Put ingredients in mixer in the order listed.  Turn mixer on low of 1-2 minutes until all flour is moistened.  Turn off mixer and let dough "sponge" for about 10 minutes (in mixer).

Turn mixer on medium speed and add:

2 tbsp. salt 

Approx. 6-7 more cups of flour (just enough that the dough completely cleans the sides of the bowl).

Let knead 6-8 minutes.

Grease hands with oil and pull dough out of mixer.  Shape and divide evenly between 4-5 bread pans.  Let rise until dough rises between 1-2 inches about the top of the pan (about 45-60 minutes).  Place pans in cool oven Turn oven on to 350 set timer for 32 minutes.  Remove from oven.  Let bread cool in pan for 5 minutes.  Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.

  

In memory...

 

 

 

As you may know my family and I live in downtown Tempe and we bike a lot in Tempe.  Monday May 10th a 21 year old ASU student was killed on his bike.  Chris was riding his bike home after his last final, he was set to graduate and begin his life.  At 6:30PM he was hit on his bike by a 20 year male who had been drinking. 

I didn't know Chris but he lived in my neighborhood and was killed at a location we frequently pass.   Over the past few days, I have seen people visit this location and I have passed the memorial while on my bike.  I decided tonight I would stop by and place some votive candles inside the candles placed there by friends and family.  This past week has been hot and my candle left outside melted (I can no longer light the wicks) and I assumed the same had happened there.

When we pulled up two guys where there. As it turns out one was his brother.  He was there cleaning up the make shift memorial.  The other guy just a resident stopping to talk...  As I lit the candles I listened to his brother tell his story.  After Chris was hit his brother (they were also roommates) was contacted.  Chris was in shock and said his back hurt...  He died of blunt force trauma. 

I didn't ask him his name.  I nearly started to cry when I asked if he was Chris's brother (when I first arrived).  I managed to say I was so sorry...  When I asked about the picture he did seem to light up a little bit.  His brother apparently was a bit of a clown and they didn't have many "good" photos of him.  I guess he was a fan of Borat's swimwear...  He hopes to keep the monument there permanently (me too), he lives just a little south of this location.  He was very open and you could just see his sadness.  I can't help but think this place must be both a comforting as well as a haunting place for him to be.  He was there cleaning it up in hopes the monument stays... 

The white bike was put the by an organization called, ghost riders.  Anytime a cyclist is killed through out the country they place an all white bike at the scene.  They also placed gears painted to look like flowers along the bike set in cement...  I wanted to post this to remind people to watch out for cyclists and to not drink and drive.  

Click here to read Chris Volpe's obituary.  

 
 
 

Whatcha Doing?

 

 

radial blur straight out of camera

I've been pretty busy with client photos and a few charitable activities.  This week I helped paint a swing set for a children's crisis center in Mesa.  It's a safe place for children to go when their parents are experiencing a hardship.  We donate Presley's clothes and toys there about 3 or 4 times a year.  I find a real satisfaction in service and helping my community as well as those not lucky enough to be born here (the US).

This week I also donated my time and talent (I took "happy snaps" all night talent might be pushing it) at an event in Scottsdale.  The Borderline event was a networking event "The goal of the event was to establish a networking event which will give an opportunity for individuals and organizations in Phoenix and its surrounding areas to reach across ‘BORDERS’ and to provide basic, sustainable needs, in this case clean water, for others both in the local area as well as worldwide." 

I was pleased to be apart of the event.  The two speakers were great, they had a passion for their work.  One the architect Will Bruder who built the building we were in (Henkel building on Scottsdale and the 101- it's beautiful) and the other a man Tom Eggum on a mission to help people in need.  Tom Eggum has raised money for wells (in remote villages), taken vitamins, medicine and other necessities to kids in Soviet Union (1981) and China (until he was caught and arrested).  He is the founder of Water 4 kids International.  Not only did the event raise money for the wells (in other countries) but also money to for water to be delivered to the Salvation Army (locally).     

 I was so happy to be there and to have the opportunity to hear both men speak.  I admire people who follow their passion in life.  When you follow your passion I believe you draw good people (and energy) to you.  I feel these examples of people living their passion being put in my path is not an accident...  So I'm keeping on the path.  :)    ...

...The photos above were just me fooling around with my camera.  No photoshop tricks, just a little "in camera" magic...  But it's a glimpse of my passion, my daughter and my photography. 

   

 

Sun, Smiles and Snorting

 

Seriously how cute is this face!

 

Here are a few photos from my sessions today.  I'm so glad to have started the first session at 8:30 AM.  It was a warm day and a warm morning.  Thankfully the lil' guy didn't cry once and was a great sport through all his wardrobe changes.  To be honest I didn't get as warm as I usually do, but we didn't get out in the open sun much... 

I had a busy day so I haven't had much time to work on the photos.  As I was downloading photos this one of Charlie jumped out at me.  It's just one of those silly sweet faces all Moms are familiar with.  Presley use to make a face like this and snort at the same time (I think he was too).  I love that at this age they don't hold back any of their emotion, it's pure unguarded state of being.  A face like this can change your day...     

I love love love her head shot!  We first tried the photo against the house.  The house was tan and the photo didn't really pop.  Once we got out in the grass- wow!  I really think the photo captures more of who she really is, fun, bright and eyes (and skin) to die for.

www.foramomentphotography.com

 
 

Bumpy Road

 

I'm still facing a few bumps in the road with silly stuff...  I'm not going to let it frustrate me...  So for tonight, I'm just going to step away from all  the work I need to do and relax (by numbing my mind with reality television).  I decided to blog because I assume I'm not the only one with these lil' irritating scenarios that can sour your whole day if you let it....  I thought a tranquil desert scene might be something nice to look at.  Good night.     

 

In the pages of Vanity Fair

 

 

 

When I start to get too freaked out about all the things I "need" to do for my photography or if I start focusing on what I don't have (for my photography) I know it's time to take more photos.  Everything I do  within my business is because I love photography.  At times all that other stuff can take over my time and I move my focus away from photography and that's not good. 

When I started this business I never imagined all the others things I would have to do in order to make it work.  And I work hard at all of it because I so desire a product where clients are excited and people want to be apart of it...  I've been frustrated recently and I question, why this just can't be easier!  Then that voice reminds that if it were it wouldn't be worth the journey.  It's so cliché to say but that's what makes it cliché- right?  Needless to say I battle my way through...

I got out today and took a few photos.  Although my favorite model didn't have the right attire I like the photos and I was able to breathe again.  sigh...  I have to admit I do day dream of having a team of people working with me!  Someone to figure out my budget, someone to organize my office, someone to shlep my equipment, someone to buy a printer hook it up and buy ink and print CD labels (you feel my source of frustration?).  Of course in this day dream I'm a uber cool photographer in NY photographing for the pages of Vanity Fair...  sigh...  Until then. 

www.foramomentphotography.com

 

Weekend with Lala & Papa

 

This weekend Presley got a visit from Papa Joe and Grandma Lala (they live in CA).  I have to admit it was a huge break for me, Presley wanted nothing to do with me (or Dad).  Lala was so patient and played horses and unicorns for hours...  This weekend happened to be the Kentucky derby so Presley (and Papa Joe) were in heaven.  Presley loved talking about horses and she always picked the white horse as her favorite.  

The weather was cooler then it had been so we were outdoors most of the weekend (or had the doors open).  Presley played outside so much she got wind burn (notice the rosy cheeks)...  My poor baby has very sensitive skin.  If you ask her she likes her "pink" cheeks.  

We plan on spending some time with Lala and Papa Joe this summer in California.  We may need to find a few friends for Presley otherwise Lala might have her hands full.

 

My Mama...

 

The coolest part of blogging and creating videos with my photography is people think about me more.  What I mean by that is if they run across something they think I will like because they've read/seen my stuff they send it to me.  It's great because there is so much cool stuff out there I'm unaware of!  

Had a dear friend (thanks Lisa) send this song to me because if reminded her of things I had wrote about Presley.  Well as soon as I saw the clip, I downloaded it on iTunes and created a slideshow with my photos.  The slideshow has mostly photos of Presley and I.  I added a few of my favorite shots of my Mommy clients with their baby girl...  There are two photos of my Mom and one of my Grandmother...  

I love the words to the song!  My nickname as a child was "bird or birdy" and the last words are, "and she'll fly away".  I believe that as parents we raise our kids to leave us.  I want to prepare Presley for the outside world that will not always be the warm safe place I hope home is.  It's our hope (her Daddy and mine) we do what is right for her which is sometimes in conflict with what we want.  I'm not sure how we are doing but one day too soon we'll know.  If I do my job right she'll have the security of knowing we (her parents) will never leave...  I'm a sap I know but I'm her Mom, I'll only say that once in my life. 

www.foramomentphotography.com