Hawley Lake Cover Shot Rejects

ah the tough choice of selecting the keepers! The Hawley Lake Cover Shot Competition is limited to 3 entries per photographer . . . so these beauties didn't make the cut but I can post them here because this is my blog and I make the rules! Come to think of it, I made the competition rules too . . . and now I've got to abide by them. Ouch.

Mom - Don't Take My Picture!

When Mom is playing with her camera and editing programs sometimes the guina pigs are a little reluctant. Nonetheless - perfect shots to alter. This is DJs best "alright there take it." I shot in a different format and loved being able to edit the shadows and light to just right.



My 12yr old has 12yr old skin - a little tempermental. We needed some before and after pics for the wedding web site - to show brides what we can do with a bit of editing. I really like this shot - of course if you know him you know he's not usually this calm. I refuse to post the other headshots with the peace signs, the roaring faces, the tongue sticking out . . . did I mention the guina pigs were reluctant??

Pretty Pout

I've been wanting to capture my baby's little pout but she doesn't do it too often. I was playing with some camera settings and plunked her down for a few headshots hoping for a range of expressions. And yeah I got from tears to hollars to pouts and my favorite and oh so Eliya beautiful light up the world smile.

More Amber

not sure how I overlooked these in posting . . . but a few more favs. Really liking the green lens - and I always love a picture with a good laugh. :)


working the camera into the pic was unsual but this hand placement works - makes her look serious - one of the few not giggly pics - did I mention we had fun shooting these? :)


and because I love color - the green, reds, stripes, etc - another fav.

Smiles and Sun Flares

Amber does a great job capturing natural sun flares - mine were manufactured as a tribute - adding a nice softness to the photos.


This last set is a bit more experimental with angles and effects - not typical portraits but interesting to me.

Photographing the Photographer

Talk about nervous! Amber and I decided to shoot each other's bio pics. I was nervous about having my picture taken and then nervous about taking hers! It was definately fun - though a bit odd. We wanted the camera visible in each shot so we had to be conscience of how it was part of the photo. We were totally unprofessional and didn't sign model releases so I'll show restraint and only post one of my favs. :) Amber's bio page of the site www.tenderlookphotography.com shows another series of shots.

"I DO" Photography

I've joined with a friend Amber to begin shooting weddings again. It wont be the same without Danny but I do enjoy her company so we'll definately work well together. We are trying to get the word out so tell your friends! I've built a website to display our pics - hoping to update it soon with more recent weddings! The big challenge at the moment is choosing a domain name that isn't already taken. We had thought "I DO" Photography was cute . . . but it's taken. Post a comment with your idea! We definately could use some help in that area. The site is finished other then resolving the name issue. It's being hosted as part of Patmos Project until we establish our own domain name. www.jjoy.patmosproject.com

Football = Fundraisers

It's almost football season - pads were passed out this weekend . . . that means the fundraising is about to begin! To help the team stay organized and communicate everything I've completed their website. It's currently hosted as part of Patmos Project at www.gatos.patmosproject.com. I'm debating selling this site to other teams and just customize each. As the season begins lots of content will be added but I think this basic framework will be great and foster a very open line of communication between parents and team staff.

Brotherly Love

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;" Romans 12:10

cousins walking side by side . . .



always mindful of little sister . . .




proof in pictures he's not always provoking her to squeals!

The Hills are Alive . . .

with the sound of music! Actually at that altitude singing would be a bit difficult! We hiked 2 solid miles - all uphill! - did I mention snow in June?? at 11000 ft. It was just gorgeous and worth every huff and puff. Lovely. Our group of kids - real troopers - resting at Lake Williams in Taos NM.

a Girl, a Puppy, and a Push Up Pop

This picture just says summer fun to me. A crazy hairdo - courtesy of her girly cousins. A bandaid knee. A bowl of whipped cream and berries. A porch swing and rocker. A Schwan's Push Pop to share with maltipoo puppy. (No I didn't let her eat anymore after she "shared"!)

Monkey's in the Trees

A week spent with cousins was a blast. Higher elevation brought much cooler temperatures and more playtime outside. My battery died toward the end of my visit so I don't have photos of the mural I was there to create. My niece requested a Parisian theme mural for her room . . . and Voila! C'est Magnifique! My kids joined them at VBS so I could paint in peace. From what I saw on parent night - they had a lot of fun! My younger niece was baptised (again - dead battery so no pics) A lovely visit.

Free Car Wash!

Their very best fireman imitation.


Do they look like they are working?? I thought not.


Yes I did notice the kid on the roof. And yes I did something about it.


Who said photographers kids are posers? This guy didn't get the message.

Madame Blueberry

Rest assured, we presoaked this dress and it came clean! Now as she indulges in her very most favorite snack: she is stripped to her diaper. Fed frozen blueberries until full. Sent immediately to the bathtub. And has her teeth scrubbed until she's blowing toothpaste bubbles. Is it worth it?? I try to remind myself those antioxidants are very important. :P

Inspirational Music

We've recently purchased a Casio Privia piano/keyboard. To inspire my sons to play, we attended a recital of their friends. This little guitarist played football with my son. A great athlete and I had no idea he was so talented musically! His grandfather plays Spanish guitar and composes music. He wrote both the pieces his grandson performed. The strumming, picking, etc was just beautiful. You could close your eyes and never picture a boy this young playing it.

A few kids short of the Von Trap Family Singers, but none the less an inspiring family. The one playing steel guitar on the right is the music teachers son - I'm not a honky tonk country girl myself but this steel guitar sounded great.

And if ever there was a Mama's darling - this is she. :) Madamoiselle Pianist.

Pool's Open for the Summer!

Lincoln went to the pool for the first time with his cousins! He has no fear and kept making a run for the big pool! Yikes!

Amber's Post

I'm going to post a bunch tonight because I've finally got a card reader working! (Bent pin issues with the other one.) These pics are of Eliya (of course) at one of the last baseball games. And I titled this "Amber's Post" because these shots all remind me of her signature style. Kinda off kilter, looking away, candid type shots. And though I drool over her camera, it's so nice to have a buddy to talk shop with. :) We plan to team up and do some weddings if possible! You can take a peek at her work at www.twopeasinapodphotography.blogspot.com