To photograph, or not to photograph

The hubs and I like to chat about this subject every now and then:

Can you photograph moments while still experiencing them?

For ME, it has been a no. I pretty much always feel like I'm outside looking in if I have a camera in hand. It has been impossible for me to photograph some of our daily life because I'm experiencing it as it happens. I'm in the moment when L likes to whisper in my ear because I'm actually sitting with her listening to her whisper in my ear.

Not sure exactly what I'm talking about? Have a lookie at these photos. The hubs got really irritated (can't blame him) with me after bossing him around too much, telling him how to hold the s'more. So I moved on to my brother (who appears in the photos). He wasn't mad at me. You better believe it would have been a nice little evening at my sister's if I never pulled out the camera at all and just enjoyed the fire and sweets and peeps. But you could also argue it may have been a moment forgotten without the photos.

Another ongoing, but related conversation...

Does everything and every moment have to be photographed? I also say, "No" to this one. Photographers are people too. Sometimes you have to just live.

Any thoughts on the subject?

P.S. I feel a hiatus coming on.

I ♥ Alisha

Remember last week when I mentioned I had my portrait taken? Well, today I woke up to this little lovely. Mmmmm....so pretty.

I've always wanted to do something like this so when the opportunity presented itself I pounced. (I'm sorry you missed it because $50 for large format portraits is unreal! UNREAL!!!!)

And I'm notoriously weird in front of the camera. Meaning, not at ease. So here's to you, Alisha, for capturing a non weirdo portait of me. And here's to Alisha who squeals with delight when she gets it.

Cool experience. Really cool person.

See more of her work here
and some of my faves here, here, and here

The Home

I've posted this quote before, but I love it with the pretty photo




P.S. My latest quilt may be a smidge on the obnoxious side. I can't decide.

Get yourself some Angst

Yep. I think I'll go scream my head off now.

The Escape Artist

L recently learned how to open doors. We have traditional knobs which have been tricky for her until now. She likes to help herself to the outside. "I pay with my fends", she says. And when she gets caught she pretends her only intention was to sit and linger on the neighbors front door. Or.... she screams her head off. Mmm hmm. Time for some drastic measures.

Dream a little dream

I love to peek inside other people's houses. Don't you? You learn SO MUCH about a person from where they live. This house was no exception. Unfortunately, the Mrs. of this home did not want to be photographed and since I am not into force photography I moved on. But I was really bummed. Including her in a series would have made a nice little documentary. Ah well...

But it got me thinking and I'm adding "photographing people in their homes" to my new dream. But not because there homes are spectacular or full of magazine worthy decor, but just a reflection of who they are. Cool. Any takers?

At our favorite pool

K in the fields

Different field.

later in the day.

I really love all of these. If it were one of my girls I would blow it up giganto.

I'm just sayin'.

side note: this lush green field now looks like the first photo.

After one week!

I can't believe it and I'm slightly bummed because I was considering it for our family pics.

Ah, well.

(Have I convinced you yet that our favorite drive is the best place on the planet?)

I'm headed back this weekend to photograph the corn field.

Mmmmm.....

the light was nearly gone here.

love that very brief moment of glowing light lasts about 60 seconds and then it is too dark.

Ok, maybe it is longer than 60 seconds, but it feels very, very fleeting.

I'm slightly obsessed with light these days. suddenly seeing new (the garage) nooks of light around the house after exhausting my favorite a million times over (kitchen window).

{really wish I could take a class like this. I need it. And this would be killer too.}

The Good Report

I'm worn out. Again. And that means I'm too lazy to make a list. But...

I had a great chat with my visiting teachers this week. And met a blogging friend in real life. She also took my picture. I can't wait to see the results.

I'm obsessed with this song: Christina Aguilera's "You Lost Me". WOW. Wow. and wow. So beautifully sad. I got goose Bumps.

M started climbing the stairs. And L figured out how to climb out of her crib. Not cool..

Lydia & Family Portraits

Meet my world traveling friend....

On last year's visit when I quizzed her about living in Cairo she tried to convince me it is not that exciting. Uh, yes it is. And extremely unique. Next month, family life begins in Bahrain. This is one amazing woman.

More of her cute kids who worked so hard for those lollies.

B's senior pics {part two}

Spent some more time with B yesterday. Got the scoop on EFY and cruised the carnival in our little town. Funnel cakes! Yeah, baby. (I'm dying for another one tonight.) I told her she needs to visit more often. Next time, maybe her sister H will come too.

Our favorite drive rules. It's beautiful in every season.

love it, love it, love it.

see more (here and here)

***even more pics later when I pick up that last roll

B's senior pics {part one}

This is the B we know and love. I wish we had teenagers around more often. They really liven it up.....




more tomorrow. including my very favorites.

Children's Museum

Be the one

Communal

I like to eat. And I like people who like to eat. Like our favorites.

Hi, favorites!

Miss you, favorites.

the floors of my dreams

I would love that lighting hanging above my kitchen table. Also, in my dreams.

I inspected the plates. They are CB2's modern dinnerware. (HERE and HERE).

I've eyed those bad boys before online. They are completely awesome.

The verdict: Really expensive good food. Fantastic atmosphere. Great for an experience. And I love to eat like that....small portions of a lot of different things. Not necessarily a place we would return again and again. But if you like food, you should try it.