On a Whim

Living

2011-09-01T21:57:00.001-07:00

http://www.go4prophotos.com/

Loved this quote...

2011-05-07T22:42:00.001-07:00

Everything in life is about intention.

Six Flags - July 3, 1992

2011-04-03T12:51:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa

2011-04-03T11:04:00.001-07:00

My Grandma (Wanda Firestone, my maternal grandmother) was the best Grandma a little girl could ask for. She was beautiful, affectionate, doting, loving, and giving.

c. 1979

I have been so excited to get a scanner and archive all the photos I inherited from my Grandma and Grandpa after their deaths. Grandma died in 2000 just 2 months before my wedding day. I was so crushed to lose her. Grandpa (Glen Firestone) died only 3 years later and joined his sweetheart. They were a darling couple and together they loved me like I was the only child on the earth! I miss them both very much and think of them very often!

c. 1980

c. 1982

c. 1983

In 1984 (I was 6), Grandma and Grandpa took me and Heidi to Auto World in Flint, Michigan. I remember them laying the backseat down and making a bed for us in the back of the car so we could sleep while they drove in the wee hours of the morning... or so it seemed. It was only 2 hours away. The memory of this little indoor amusement park stuck with me. Every time I would wake up in the morning or the middle of the night, this memory would confirm that I was who I was - "I went to Auto World." Funny as it sounds, it still is a great memory with my Grandparents that I hope to never forget.

These last two photos are from my 7th birthday party - August 1985. I think it was a skating rink or party place like Showbiz, but not sure exactly. I do remember what a fun day it was!

Loving this quote

2011-03-29T15:46:00.001-07:00

Another beauty from a funny friend.

Paper, Rock, Scissors

2011-03-15T13:30:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook today and I thought it was pretty awesome.

It's been awhile

2011-02-14T08:41:00.001-08:00

It feels like everyone is neglecting their blogs these days. Sorry I seemed to have joined the crowd. I'll get my groove back soon I hope. I need to get off my butt in many respects. The wintertime and motherhood whoas have prevented me from making connections like I once did. Something I used to thrive on has lost it's luster... not good. I'll be back soon!

2010-12-23T12:08:00.000-08:00

Wise men still seek Him.

Merry Christmas!

Driving home from Seattle

2010-12-01T22:06:00.000-08:00

So back in September we had the opportunity to go visit friends in Seattle and attend a really fun wedding. It was a short trip, but the weather was fantastic. I took a lot of photos out of the sun roof of the car. I found these still sitting on my Canon Powershot this week... I loved how they turned out with a little help of the Lightroom gradient tool.

Microstock Photography

2010-11-04T10:46:00.000-07:00

How cool is this photo? I found this photographer, Giovanni Gagliardi, on DPS and I am very intriqued by his form of work. Microstock photography. He makes money just by taking photos and selling them online. I hear it's become a tough business since istock photo and other sites are only selling downloads for like $0.25 each.

Stealing Video Again

2010-09-25T16:40:00.000-07:00

Routing you someplace else... as always

2010-09-23T14:26:00.000-07:00

So I see a pattern on this blog. Do you?

I either post about photography, post a video that I love, or send you to somebody else's blog because I can't think of something interesting enough to write an original post of my own.

Nice.

So today I ran into a pretty good blog that made me smile. This gal does her own illistrations and portrays stories that are dang funny. So here it is - The Four Levels of Social Entrapment:

CLICK HERE

Sunday's Song

2010-09-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

I hope you enjoy this favorite hymn. The arrangement is just beautiful.

Cat Versus Car

2010-09-11T18:18:00.001-07:00

I found this hilarious series of photos from January 2009. We had to take Orion to the vet and he hates the car so much. Gosh I miss that cat sometimes. Glad he's in a better home though.

Embracing the "Alone"

2010-09-05T20:47:00.000-07:00

I found another gem over at Alice's blog. This video spoke to her and then it spoke to me.

Good advice

2010-09-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

Faith should be our steering wheel, not our spare tire.

Thanks, Alice, for the reminder.

Living Simply

2010-08-30T11:31:00.001-07:00

I loved reading this post from Stephanie today. She really helped me straighten myself out when I am feeling like stuff is getting in the way too much lately. Let's clear the stuff and refresh our lives. Please read this great post: CLICK HERE

Boston

2010-08-29T18:28:00.001-07:00

I found some old photos that Ian took while he was in Boston a couple/few years ago. He took Tyler's Canon Rebel with him so some of the photos turned out very nicely. I grabbed a few this evening and played with them in Photoshop.

This photo makes me happy

2010-08-18T23:09:00.001-07:00

Happy 10 Year Anniversary!

2010-08-18T06:07:00.001-07:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Dad Life

2010-08-14T03:14:00.000-07:00

I had to share. This is classic.

Second Shooting

2010-08-11T20:08:00.000-07:00

Kristina Curtis invited me to a wedding she was shooting on Monday. I had a fun time with her and also Linnea who was there to take photos too. I enjoyed watching Kristina work her magic to capture some beautiful images. Here are a few of my novice shots from the evening.

Theater Project

2010-08-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to photograph the brilliant dress rehearsal of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat put on by the Cottonwood Heights Arts Council. It was an honor to play a small part of keeping the memory of this production alive - the group obviously had so much fun working on this play. The talent in that room was outstanding. Actors and orchestra alike were top notch.

Kate, the director, put on a fabulous and entertaining show! I found myself laughing out loud in the aisles of the house as other seated family members shared in my enjoyment.

Here is an official review of the play HERE - you can still go see the play this week!

P.S. I did the promo photo on the flyers/posters too. Kate and Heather got the rainbow on the coat added in.

More texture, but with another level

2010-07-29T22:45:00.000-07:00

So my friend taught me how to get the subject untextured by removing a part of the layer... very handy! And here is that friend's sweet daughter.

Learned something new in Photoshop

2010-07-28T20:49:00.000-07:00

So the lasso is pretty cool! I learned how to overlay some fun scribbles tonight!

And a little bit of texture:

Before & After

2010-07-25T08:04:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd post a sample of how my photos look SOOC (straight out of the camera) and then after I do a few edits in CS5. Can you tell the differences?

I like to slightly warm my photos, slight sharpen, and then a little saturation of color. Then fix any blemishes on the face that I might see.

My name is Gina and I'm a stalker

2010-07-21T20:02:00.000-07:00

So I met up with some fave mom bloggers tonight at the Brick Oven and had a really nice dinner with them. Liam was pretty decent with the whole girl evening out too. He ate his meal and did better than usual in public. So we were in good spirits on our way home tonight.

We did start into a little disagreement on what our bedtime routine should be when we got home... and then I saw it. IT. I told Liam to look at the car in front of us. He just giggled. Then I giggled. And then we followed the car with a camera. Then they finally decided they were going to hit their destination and park that funny car. I stopped close by them. I jumped out of my car with a business card.

I said (handing the card over), "Hey, did you notice I was following you for awhile? No? Oh, well this car is amazing and you two were the perfect cuddly silhouette in the front seat. Please call me so I can take photos of you two (and this car) in August. Free photos for you."

They totally thought that was awesome. They introduced themselves to me and said they'd be in touch. SCORE!!!!!!!!!!

Motherhood

2010-07-11T08:19:00.000-07:00

LDS Mp3's

2010-06-22T11:46:00.000-07:00

What a treat. I recently got a CD player in my commuter car and have been excited to listen to the scriptures, church talks on CD, as well as some old CDs I had from high school and college. The commute is easier when you aren't listening to the same cruddy radio songs over and over. And since I am limited on my cell phone minutes each month, this link is a wonderful resource too:

http://www.lds.org/mp3/newarchive/0,18615,5249-1,00.html

Now I can start memorizing chuch hymns if I want... or get that whole new gospel principles manual stored in my brain... or catch up on some of the conference talks I missed. I can even listen to the Ensign Articles. So so so wonderful!

Orion

2010-06-19T10:29:00.001-07:00

We thought we were going to say good-bye to Orion for good this morning, so I took some photos of him last night. Ends up we will treat him for his illnesses and see if he can recover and be well. Here are a couple photos of our marble boy.

Click and Smile

2010-06-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.monster-munch.com/images/SharkWithHumanTeeth.jpg

Perspective

2010-06-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

The talented Jenny Phillips sent this "perspective" note out today. Such a wise woman!

Perspective #1--The perspective I almost took last week
Doing laundry is miserable. Just when I finish 8 loads and finally put it away, the laundry baskets are overflowing again. My baby won't sleep. My kids are always fighting, complaining, whining, screaming, and moaning. My husband's high council meeting lasted 3 and a half hours, and I had to mow the lawn myself. It takes two hours to get my kids in bed, and there is never any extra time for myself.

Perspective #2--The perspective I decided to take last week
I am the head laundress for a very royal family. I have found that my chubby little baby loves to be propped up in all the laundry while I fold it and talk baby language with him. One day the mound of laundry reaching half way up to my ceiling will be a small mound of just mine and my husbands laundry, and I will have no chubby little baby to keep me company while I fold it. I also have the title of head tutor for this royal family. Everyday I have the opportunity to teach and train four little souls about the gospel, being kind, and developing a noble character. And in the meantime, they are helping mold and stretch me into a person of much deeper charity. Sometimes I get to be the head gardener. I even got to mow the lawn and smell fresh cut grass and watch the dark rain clouds float lazily in the sky while feeling my muscles work out. Perhaps one of my most loved titles is head bed tucker inner. For 2 hours I get to brush little white teeth, read and tell stories, listen to little voices asking for water, stuffed animals and special blankets. I get exercise as I put my 3 year old back in bed 30 times. And then I get to rock a little chubby baby and see him stop drinking his bottle and smile when I start to sing.

Perspective changes everything.

My Mother's Parents

2010-06-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

Magically Mama Reviews Golden June

2010-06-11T09:22:00.000-07:00

I took photos of the most adorable family a couple months ago. They were so much fun! I still can't get over the good time it was running around and capturing their beautiful faces.

I had to share a cute little post that the wonderful mom, Heather, wrote: GO HERE

Kitty Photos

2010-06-10T18:40:00.001-07:00

Learning CS5

2010-06-08T19:29:00.001-07:00

I watched some beginner tutorials tonight. I finally understand layers!!! Hooray!

Happy

2010-06-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

I love yellow. Maybe that is why I love this photo so much. Not sure. I found this shot from a wedding reception folder I haven't touched for a month. So fun to run into this again. Love.

Cool Night Shots

2010-06-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

Ian and I did a little experiment with my camera and a flashlight the first night we were at camp (May 28). It was so fun experimenting with a 30 second shutter speed. I was so sad I didn't have my tripod with me... these images could have been a lot clearer that way.

Can you tell which ones are Ian and which ones are Trenton (Kara's brother, Joslyn's uncle)?

Dancers

2010-05-20T22:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight I did a little experiment.

A wonderful friend of mine wants me to take photos of a dress rehearsal at the end of the summer, so I thought some tungsten-no-flash photography practice was in order. I called another local theater and asked if I could attend one of their rehearsals and snap snap snap - they said yes!

I got to see little dancers show their stuff on the eve of their big performances. It was a fun opportunity. Here are some of the results.

Note: High ISO results in grainy photos. But grainy can be artsy. Yes, it can.

Click to enlarge each of them:

CS5 is FUN

2010-05-13T20:20:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T11:37:00.001-07:00

Watch this.

2010-05-09T11:23:00.000-07:00

I found this photo in an album that Ian took exactly a year ago Memorial Day weekend. I can't believe I passed over this.

I heart clouds

2010-05-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

So I have always been in love with clouds. When I first moved out to Utah (from Indiana), the first thing I noticed was of course the mountains, but a close second were the clouds. They completely amaze me. Trust me, they are different from anything I ever saw in Indiana.

So, naturally I started taking photos with my 35 mm film camera. It didn't do them justice. I got so frustrated with the crappy results that I stopped taking photos of my beautiful skies.

Fast forward 12 years. I got a job that requires a 30 minute commute each day. The dawns and dusks are so amazing to witness (on most days) here in Utah. Because I always keep my little Canon Powershot in my purse, on my commute home in the evenings I'll whip out the camera and shoot while I drive. I'm sure it's about as dangerous as texting and driving, but the law isn't saying so, so I keep taking photos while driving home on the week days. (Actually I've been shooting and driving since Liam was put in a forward facing car seat almost 4 years ago.)

This is in my business park next to my work. I was waiting patiently to turn left and just ate up those gorgeous cotton candy clusters!

This one (not as pretty) is something that makes me imagine disaster. That mongo cloud is eating up the mountain! This photo doesn't do the drama of the scene justice, but this stormy weather hides my pretty mountains on a regular basis and as I looked upon this, I wondered if I were up at the top of that mountain, would I be able to see? Complete engulfment.

This was last night at around 5:30pm. Disregard the road. Look at that heavenly sky!!!!!!!!

This was taken right in my neighborhood. Perfect place for a family photo? Yes! I'll just erase those powerlines in the back.

This was taken pointed north at about 7:45pm. Deep loveliness!

So I'll keep taking photos while I drive and I'll keep posting them here. I can't explain the joy that the deep blue and billowyness brings me. My heart just swells.

Love

2010-04-22T22:45:00.000-07:00

I have no idea if the composition is correct in this photo, but just looking at these two makes me happy. Such a doting mother taking joy in her baby's new discovery. I love it.

Click to see details

2010-04-21T13:31:00.000-07:00

I took my camera to work yesterday because the trees outside the office are blooming and there are tulips sprouting as well. I was focusing on the florals in the trees when I saw a bee land. I went back and saw I actually got a photo of the bee flying prior to landing. Here it is. I love it.

I love this photo of one of the many tulips coming up outside my company's front door.

Mr. and Mrs. Withers

2010-04-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

I received some prints in the mail to give to Mr. Withers as he requested. I left a few minutes early from work to stop by the farm and hand them to him yesterday. He invited me in to sit down and meet his wife. He wanted me to show her the photos. I knelt down next to her and went through each photo. She was so tickled to have photos of her husband and especially loved the photo of his working hands. I had a nice visit with the two of them and learned their 62nd anniversary is coming up on June 22nd. I hope I can go back and maybe take a photo of them on their day. They said I was welcome back anytime.

Mr. Withers

2010-03-27T18:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I met Mr. Withers. I had knocked on his door to ask if I (and another photographer)could use his farm as a backdrop for our photo shoot the next day. He said we were not the first to ask and that we were more than welcome on his property.

Today, when I checked in, his wife answered the door and was just as delighted to have us on the property. Later on Mr. Withers came out to check on us and then asked if I would make some prints of the shoot for him. I was tickled that he asked. So I took it a step further... and I was even happier when he obliged to let me take a couple photos of him. I took a headshot and a shot of him in front of one of the hay silos. Then as he was relaying the story of him as a first grader dealing with the great depression in 1934, I noticed his hands. Hands that worked a farm for 62 years. He let me take a few photos. This one is my fave.

Canon 50mm f/1.8

2010-03-26T18:16:00.000-07:00

I got a new lens today. I can't tell you how excited I am to take this out on the town tomorrow! Look at that depth of field!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I am still playing with the baby

2010-03-24T20:23:00.001-07:00

Why does this child strike me as art?
She is just so gorgeous she should be in a gallery!

It was a hoot

2010-03-13T18:24:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity to meet up with these lovely young women today. They cracked me up more than once! More to come on the Golden June site later.

Beyond Scrumptious

2010-03-10T19:04:00.001-08:00

I can't get enough of this baby girl.

She is just so absolutely delicious!

I keep on practicing fun stuff in Photoshop. I am learning so much since these photos are for someone other than myself.

Thank you Laura!

Birthday Girl

2010-03-06T18:01:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun with this little girl today! My friend Laura wanted 1 year photos done of her little sweetheart and I was happy to give it my best try. It was good practice and there is one photo I loved so much I had to post it on my photography blog! Isn't this baby so gorgeous!?

A big thank you to LeArta who let me use her beautiful sunshine filled home!

Loving this quote

2010-02-26T07:36:00.000-08:00

Kate Bentley has this quote posted on her blog today. I love it. A great reminder for me.

"It is for us to pray not for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks, to go forward with a great desire forever beating at the door of our hearts as we travel toward our distant goal. "

~Hellen Keller

Feeling Good

2010-02-25T21:31:00.000-08:00

So, my previous post was originally an email I sent out to all my friends to gain more votes for Brooke Snow's mentoring contest. I was surprised when one friend, Rebecca (Editor of The Provo Orem Word), replied to my email and asked if I could do her a favor. She wanted me to contact a local artist and take a portrait of him and his paintings. I was flattered and bit overwhelmed by the request, but since she asked, I wasn't going to say no.

The artist, Niki, was a very easy going gentleman. He welcomed me into his home and I started shooting his paintings. He was kind enough to take 2 of them out into the misty rain so I could shoot without a flash as well. He doted upon his work and would blot the paintings with a tissue to retain their integrity between shots. It was a good experience meeting him and I fully appreciated his talents as an artist.

I sent the album of photos to Rebecca last night. She replied with a "thank you" and also a request to send in a small bio and head shot of myself to add me to the contributors page of the magazine. Another intimidation since I certainly don't have a business or portfolio let alone a professional-sounding bio.

Sooo, I enlisted the help of my dear friend, Kate. She wrote the bio in no time flat! This is how it reads:

"Gina P____ has always loved photography. After several professional gigs in front of the camera, Gina took the camera hostage and has never given it back. Gina particularly loves biographical shoots and strives to help her subjects capture the many golden moments each life produces. Because of her easy-going and gentle disposition, Gina has been singularly invited to photograph events and life moments where photographers were originally not welcome. In her spare time, Gina enjoys camping with her exceedingly photogenic husband and son, journaling the ups and downs of parenthood, and sharing her contagious laugh."

Thank you, dear Kate. I love you very much for always being willing to help me out in a pinch and to make me feel like a million bucks while doing it!

VOTE FOR GINA P.

2010-02-23T09:32:00.000-08:00

I need your help.

Brooke Snow, a talented photographer here in Utah, has a contest going on for a mentoring session, a personal photography session and a session to photograph a model. This is a huge opportunity for someone like me who would love to eventually get a small photography business off the ground. Since I've purchased my big Canon 40D dSLR camera, I've realized how much there is to learn... and it's not the easiest thing to do on my own. I am a visual learner, try as I may to read as many books as I can.

If you have a moment, please vote for me on Brooke's blog: http://blog.brookesnow.com/?p=611

Voting ends this Sunday.

I appreciate your support!

Time

2010-02-12T07:15:00.000-08:00

Had to post this link to a photographer's blog who talks about how her time is allotted as a full time wedding photographer.

GO HERE!

Girl's Night Out

2010-02-10T19:44:00.000-08:00

Dyonne emailed me quite a few weeks ago to tell me she would be in town for a work conference in February. I was so happy that she let me know. I about counted down the days until I got to see her. I think it's been 5 years since we last met up (and that was because of work stuff). Since neither one of us work for the same companies anymore, we have only been staying in touch via phone, email and Facebook. She is one with a bubbly and positive personality and is magnetic. This woman could make friends with just about anyone and make them feel like a million bucks! I've always loved her presence. I am positive that she can work miracles. She specializes in marketing and last year she helped me fancy up my resume and not a week later I had a job lined up!

Anyway, last night I picked her up at the Grand America Hotel and felt like a princess walking into that regal lobby. (My head spun with photography ideas and I was tempted to see what their fees were to set up photo shoots there.) The valets, reception and security people were all so doting as I waited for Dyonne to come down. One asked if they could get me a bottled water or some cookies. "Thank you, but that is okay. I am about ready to go to dinner."

Dyonne came down and we just immediately picked up where we left off. We chatted nonstop all night!

The concierge at the hotel had suggested we eat at Cucina Toscana and made reservations for us earlier that day. I was impressed before we even entered the restaurant. The valet showed us where to park and the space looked tight and he offered to park it for me. He was so happy and sweet with us as we thanked him.

We walked into the restaurant and people were wanting to take my coat and ensure we were comfortable at our table. We were given some beautiful crostini with a fresh tomato and basil tapenade. It was divine. So we thought that was the complimentary type of bread they serve... nope. A basket of sliced bread came next with a side of olive oil and caper dressing that was DIVINE! We ate it all while we waited for the main dish then the chef came out to talk to us. We asked him if he bottled this dressing so we could take some home! He was flattered because apparently his olive oil has taken him 35 years to master.

We never stopped talking about photography, books we've been reading, dentist credibility and of course we couldn't go without talking about Liam for a bit.

After our meal we went out to the car to find another car blocking the way. The other person waiting informed us that the valet was fitting some puzzle pieces together and it would just be a moment. He was from New York and was anxious to hear our reviews on our meals there. We told him he was in for a treat! We had to share that the caper olive oil was our favorite part and that he wouldn't stop eating bread during his visit there.

We got back to the hotel and took a couple photos in the lobby before saying our goodbyes. Dyonne invited me to come visit her in L.A. as there are many backdrops for photos there! She is quite the photographer herself so we'd have a grand time together with our cameras!

I'd love to take her up on that invitation one day!

Look what I found!

2010-02-06T21:28:00.000-08:00

I found the business card holder to match my dream photo bag.
HOW CUTE!

Sunshine

2010-02-02T18:46:00.001-08:00

Bridal Shoot with Jes

2010-01-31T07:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I got to tag along with Jes Merke and Kristina Curtis for Melissa's bridal shoot. It was so fun to be with these darling women. They were so friendly, encouraging and funny!

We went to a golf course club house nearby and it was just stunning. Melissa and the weather were gorgeous too, so it was perfect.

I was having trouble getting the hang of manual mode on my camera, but here are a few shots I was able to make work.

I want to cry

2010-01-26T21:04:00.001-08:00

So I stayed home from work today thinking I had some kind of flu bug. My throat hurt, I had a fever, a queezy stomach and I was so so tired. I spent the day sleeping, laying around, taking pain medication and such. I fell asleep at 7:30 tonight, but woke at 9 because my throat hurts and throbs to bad!

I did some research. Yeah, I have strep. I have contagious nasty strep and I should have seen a doctor today. Now I have to call into work another day and get on some antibiotics. I hate that I wasn't more proactive so I could get well faster or at least be less contagious. I don't have the time to take off of work, and I've never had strep so I feel really stupid for thinking I had a flu bug. I am in pain and so frustrated right now. IB Profin please kick in to gear!

Now that I have Photoshop...

2010-01-24T22:02:00.000-08:00

I am having way too much fun... even with older photos.
Click to enlarge.

A Mentor for Me

2010-01-23T15:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I got a great phone call! A local photographer responded to my request to be an assistant and is willing to mentor me! Her name is Jes and she is a perfect fit for me, from what I can tell. Very experienced, very assertive, and very happy to help me get started with photography!

January 30th I'm meeting up with her for a bridal shoot at a local golf course, then the following Wednesday she is going to show me some tips in Photoshop. I feel so blessed to have a perfect stranger wanting to help me out! After our conversation, I think we'll get along so well too.

You can see her work here: http://jesmyrickphotography.com/

Oh! And P.S. - the gal she mentored a couple years ago is willing to help me too. Her name is Kristina and, from what I can see, is extremely talented as well.

More photos

2010-01-19T18:09:00.000-08:00

A gal at work, Michelle, got hair extensions over the weekend, so I was compelled to tell her how handy it is that I happened to bring my new camera to work.

New hair + new camera = cute photos!

She was totally game for a mini photo shoot at lunch! As you can plainly see, she was such a darling model! The blue skies and cool breezes didn't hurt one bit either.

I can't decide which I like best

2010-01-17T17:10:00.000-08:00

My first SLR photos

2010-01-15T20:17:00.000-08:00

I had to share some of the photos straight out of the NEW camera tonight! I can't wait for daylight tomorrow to go play outside! I've got lots of reading to do... so I can create much cooler results. Here is what the camera can do with out my help.

Here are my first photos in the order I took them. My boys first, of course!

A Fun Contest

2010-01-14T09:39:00.000-08:00

Time Held Photography is hosting a drawing for a free sitting. She does amazing work and I love following her blog.

Go enter!

I can't wait to see who the winner is!

Status

2010-01-13T06:56:00.000-08:00

Hey friends! I wanted to let you know, if you didn't already know... I was not one of the recipients of the SOAR! scholarship... and I am not sad about it whatsoever. After watching the video entries of so many other deserving women, I knew it wouldn't be me. The three women selected will be teaching me much as they start on their journey and go to the next level of photography. It is already exciting to see their beginning steps.

Applying for that scholarship was just a stepping stone for me to make my photography dream a reality. Since then I have been focused on what I really want and how I am going to make it all happen.

By this Friday I should have my first digital SLR camera. By this time next month at least three photography and/or photography software books will be read. By this time next year, I want to have a side business off the ground.

I am so grateful to many friends to made contributions to the camera purchase. I have been so very humbled and overwhelmed with encouragement. I can't wait to "pay it forward" as one friend has told me to do.

Bag shopping

2010-01-05T19:03:00.001-08:00

There are so many ugly camera bags out there. I am on a quest for some cuter more trendy looking ones to put on my wish list. What do you think of these?

And how about a cute camera strap while I'm at it... so cute!

Looking back

2010-01-04T19:27:00.000-08:00

I ran into this old photo tonight. It always makes me smile. Liam at 18 months old...

For Danell

2010-01-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

I finally hung up the 11 x 14 prints that Ian bought me back in October! I took Melynie's advice to figure out a way to get the frames correctly positioned. While I was doing this, my friend Danell called and I told her what I was up to. So this post is for her (and to thank Melynie).

I love having these in my front room!

More brain dumping

2010-01-01T20:08:00.000-08:00

So I keep on shopping and comparing and looking at my budget. The Canon 40D is still at the top of my list, but I didn't realize it didn't come with video capability. I'd be losing a lot of function if I got the next lower tier model, Rebel T1i, but I'd save some money and have HD video. Torn. Grrr.

Besides the back and forth, it's been so fun to shop and daydream about what all I'm going to learn with an SLR camera. I almost have anxiety attacks with my internal dreams of grandeur. Wouldn't it be awesome if I could really make a side job out of it? Sit at my boring day job, but anticipate photo shoots in the evenings and on the weekends? Then more fun with editing photos. Candy for my soul.

Anyway, that is all for now. I'll go back to playing with Lightroom Beta.

Photography Brain

2009-12-29T20:59:00.000-08:00

I saw this video on another blog and had to post it. This is basically what happened (minus the fire and plus some major back-talk and crying) back when Sierra was visiting and we tried to get photos of the cousins together at Kiddie Kandids.

Anyway, I've pooled $600 bucks together to put towards an SLR camera and a lens. I have found some amazing deals locally for used equipment. I am very much on board, but with the body of the 40D and the lens I want, I am over budget even with used equipment. Such a bummer since Ian even gave me some of his Christmas money to make this happen. I just don't want to start with a Rebel. I want a higher grade because I know I won't be able to afford to upgrade later on in the year when I want a more professional grade camera to learn on. Ramble ramble, groan groan. I just want to make the right choice because my first camera just may be my last camera... if no income results after talents get fine tuned. You hopefully know what I am saying.

Confused, frustrated, anxious to get started.

Soar

2009-12-21T21:45:00.001-08:00

I took a leap tonight and submitted an application for the Soar! photography scholarship program. I can't believe I just submitted a video of myself talking about, um, myself. It was something that is really out of my comfort zone. I don't like my voice, how much I blink, and the nervous tangents I went on, but it's over now. I clicked that "send" button and now it's out of my hands.

I am one of a couple hundred applicants. I watched their videos and they inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and pull that same dream a little closer. 2010 is going to be the year I buy my first DSLR camera. Even if it's used, I'm getting one. I've been shopping, asking advice from professional photographers who are friends and some who are complete strangers. I follow photography blogs, read as many tips as I can, then keep on putting my pennies away. It's an expensive business (let alone, hobby) to break into.

I hope by the time my birthday rolls around in August (if I'm not awarded the scholarship package), I'll have my first DSLR camera. I wish it were sooner, but you can't rush that kind of investment. Monetarily or emotionally.

Laugh

2009-11-26T19:17:00.000-08:00

So I am still feeling uninspired to really keep up with my own personal blog here, but I did run into a great video on RC's Thanksgiving post today. I laughed so much! I forgot how great the Muppets sense of humor is. Watch at least half of this video.

Free Christmas Cards

2009-11-10T22:13:00.000-08:00

I am so excited! My sweet brother-in-law, Tyler, sent me a link to an awesome deal tonight!

Free Photo Cards - GO HERE!

I ordered the 50 cards with the promo code and it was completely free! No shipping costs either! They didn't even ask for a credit card. Now that is a sure deal it's not a scam.

I am very happy

2009-11-04T15:21:00.000-08:00

I just found out that a very dear friend is moving offices and it's basically within walking distance from where I work. I am so grateful to have a friend that will be close to me during the work day. I've been needing a friend so badly here at my new job and Heavenly Father regifted an old friend instead. It's perfect!

Awesome video

2009-10-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

Her Morning Elegance / Oren Lavie

This is me - working in the 60's

2009-09-29T09:32:00.000-07:00

Go here to do your 60's self!

What I canned today

2009-09-20T20:49:00.000-07:00

Liam helped me in the garden just like he did last week. Last week was another batch of spaghetti sauce and this week was sweet and spicy salsa. YUM!

We turned this...
Into this:

How many tomatoes does it take...

2009-09-06T15:03:00.000-07:00

Does it seem odd that this amount of tomatoes only yields about 6 quarts of spaghetti sauce? And even with yellow tomatoes, green zebras and black tomatoes, it all turned out a beautiful red. The salsa will be different story I am sure. Our fresh salsa looked amazing last week. I call it rainbow salsa.

Doctoring Food

2009-08-29T18:27:00.000-07:00

Last night I roasted 3 pumpkins from our garden. I scooped out all the goodness and put it in a gallon bag. I thought to myself, "I'm gonna make some pumpkin goodies over the weekend."

Then today Ian wanted to make some fresh salsa with all our peppers and tomatoes we've picked this past week. So he went and bought a full size food processor. I am so glad he did. We've had a tiny one-cup processor our whole marriage. This 6-cupper was a major upgrade. The salsa turned out beautifully... and oh so tasty.

Tonight Liam wanted Sponge Bob Mac and Cheese. He picked it out himself at the store last week. I am surprised he remembered we had it.

So he says he wants to go sit on the porch to eat and goes out there to wait like it's only going to take 30 seconds. I take him a fruit cup as an appetizer as he waits. Then I remember the pumpkin. I dropped that into the food processor and watched it turn into glorious cream.

After 12 minutes the mac was ready to drain. I doctored the cheese death as I usually do (with a dollop of sour cream and a dash or Italian seasoning) then added a generous portion of pumpkin cream.

Liam loved it. He cleaned his bowl. I loved it too. No hint of pumpkin, but lots of added vitamins to an otherwise not-so-nutritious dish.

Now I am thinking about what I can hide cauliflower and broccoli in. Thank you, dear food processor!

Dad. Cracks. Us. Up.

2009-08-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

Kara's Baby Shower August 1st

2009-08-19T18:30:00.000-07:00

So I never posted about my friend Kara's baby shower. It was so much fun! She really knows how to entertain a group. We ate and mingled first, but then she got out the balloons and told us all to stuff our shirts. Ashley and I were stuffing our bras and our belly areas. We were all laughing our heads off as we tried to make the balloons poke out of our chests just right.

Anyway, after we measured and came very close to Kara's size, we did another game called spit the binky. We all got a fake pacifier and then measured how far each of us could spit it. Even the kids gave it a try. So funny. Ashley was the most entertaining as she got air as she jumped with all her might to spit that thing far.

I'll let the photos speak for themselves. Enjoy.

Happy Anniversary - 9 years!

2009-08-18T10:13:00.000-07:00

It's been 9 marital years of good times and not-so-great times.

11 years together as a couple.

We've made it through it all - together.

I love him more today than I ever thought I could!!

Tonight we are off to celebrate while Liam plays with Megan.

I can't wait!

Birds

2009-08-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

Some day I am going to decorate my home with prints of birds. I started collecting photos I've found online. Here is a prime example of how beautiful birds are! If you ever run into a great shot of a bird, send me the link or file. Beautiful!

Daydreaming is good

2009-08-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

“Sit in reverie and watch the changing color of the waves that break upon the idle seashore of the mind.”
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I am so lucky...

2009-08-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

...to have great friends.

So Heather is in town this week from South Dakota. I have been so excited to meet her for lunch this week. Kate brought her to Costa Vida and we all had the most delicious food. Their pork tacos with mango salsa is my fave! I also gorged myself on their Tres Leches. We were all full to our ears when we left.

I have to share this tid bit. Kate just got married, as we all know. While we were in line at Costa Vida, she took out her new drivers license to show me her new name (and excellent photo by the way). Anyway, since we were in line and in my haste to pay, I put her new ID in my purse... and never gave it back to her. Whoops.

So I got back to work later and checked my purse looking for something else... I saw this lovely face looking back at me and I panicked.

I called Kate to see how far away she was, hoping she could easily come to my workplace to pick up her ID. She was happy to do a U-turn and head back my way. I met them as I was walking to take out the mail and they gave me a ride back down the lane. We got to laughing again and then said our good-byes. I wish I could have spent the rest of the day with them.

I'll be seeing Kate again next week for a birthday celebration with Linds and Em. As for Heather, she is working on getting moved to Utah - hopefully before Christmas. I can't wait!

better

2009-08-04T09:39:00.001-07:00

I slept and my jaw went down a bit so I have a few teeth touching today. So glad I can enjoy my lunch today!

Can I scream?

2009-08-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

So I've been dealing with a locked jaw for over three weeks now. My top and bottom set of teeth miss each other. I miss them being together.

In the past, my jaw has locked for 24-48 hours at the most (unlocking while I sleep at night). This time, I have had therapy done with my chiropractor a few times. I've taken anti-inflamitories and muscle relaxants prescribed by my primary doctor. I've tried to recognize any stress in my life and let it go. I've tried positive affirmations. Nothing has put my stupid jaw back where it belongs.

The past week I've actually been able to bite down more than before so chewing food was actually worth my time. Then this morning as I was eating some oatmeal, my dang jaw popped back to it's status from two weeks ago. I can't bite down at all. I am so annoyed, frustrated, hungry and... I am actually fuming. I want to break down and cry. The kind of cry when you become a new mom and you miss the enjoyment of sleep. The desparate longing for feeling normal again.

Tomorrow I am supposed to meet an old friend for lunch. I've been looking forward to it for awhile now. I thought, "By then I'll be healed and able to enjoy good company and a yummy meal." I know I shouldn't let the enjoyment of food bug me so much. I stopped worrying about it a week ago when I saw progress. Now I am back to square one and worry I'll be stuck this way forever. Reminds me a of a similar restriction to food I had once upon a time. But at least when I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes 4 years ago, I knew that within 10 weeks I could eat what I wanted. I fear I'll reach the 10 week mark with this locked jaw and will still be feeling sorry for myself.

Okay, I'm done whining [on my blog].

Keeping naps for home, not the car

2009-08-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

I found this quite funny this morning. "You've tried throwing things AND striking up a conversation..." We have SO been there!

Yvonne is awesome

2009-07-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

I just spent 90 minutes chatting with this gal. I've admired her for quite some time now. It was fun to have her all to myself this evening. We could probably talk for hours.

Thanks for meeting me tonight, Yvonne. Enjoy the rest of your week! Let's not make it another year before we meet again.

Kate's Wedding - Day 2 and 3

2009-07-15T23:01:00.000-07:00

Sunday was a great day with a lot of one-on-one time with the Bride! I felt like since there were so many people involved with the wedding set up the day before and everyone grabbing Kate's attention... that on Sunday it was like spending time with a celebrity. That is the only way I can explain the honored feeling I had that day as we ran around town doing more wedding preparations.

This is how hot Kate was that Sunday... I am jealous of her non-make-up face! What a natural beauty she is!

The wedding walk-through was that evening followed by a rained out BBQ/Game Night at a nearby park. We visited with friends and ate great burgers and hot dogs. It was a fun evening of laughing and staying up late going down the list of details that needed to be done the following day.

Cute Laren and Megan!

Jay (the best man) cracked me up as he did this without Linds or Em none the wiser!

Monday morning we were all up just a few hours after we had fallen asleep. We were groggy workers - that didn't matter - we all continued to enjoy this time helping Brandon and Kate! Working doesn't feel like working, either, when you are with a great group of people. I can't get over the support group this couple has! His parents are just amazing! I fell in love with them.

Here is Debbie, Brandon's mom, doing more of the amazing behind-the-scenes work. She had to prune a tree so the band would fit in the backyard. What a woman!

Emily, me & Heather between the ceremony and the party.

At 3pm we all started doing our hair and the stylists she hired put eyelashes on all of us! It was so fun! We'd each trade off primping to go run and get other stuff done for the ceremony soon approaching. At 5:30pm the photographers and videographer arrived. It was crunch time. Seconds before we made a line outside, I was buffing Kate's nails to get them all shiny for her big evening!

There was much dancing to a live band, chatting, laughing, picture taking, refilling the treat tables and much more! I had such an unforgettable evening with friends.

Sweet Memory Garden

Sweet Memory Garden

Sweet Memory Garden

Sweet Memory Garden

Sweet Memory Garden

Sweet Memory Garden

A reminder for my friends

2009-06-13T07:43:00.001-07:00

Saturday - Set up, Rehearsal Dinner & Bachelorlette Party

2009-05-31T08:19:00.000-07:00

I showed up for wedding set ups at 1pm on Saturday and hugged Kate on my arrival. I was so excited to be spending the weekend with her! What a treat to be a part of all the wedding activities and spend time with so many great friends! Kate has introduced me to a lot of her friends over the years and it's always a treat to see a few of them at a time, but this weekend was full of fun people that I loved being around!

After a dry run of some of the wedding set up, we all met at Buca di Beppo for the rehearsal dinner. Kate had seat assignments set up and I got to sit between the best man, Jay, and an Indiana friend, Heather and her hubby Nathan. We were the loudest people at the table! We were laughing so hard and talking non-stop. Between Heather and I hogging all the garlic bread, Jay was interviewing us like crazy. He was very into the whole name-tag-and-three-topics that Kate gave to each of us. We enjoyed his stories about his fiance and how they met. He was so excited to get married in only 13 days!

Heather and Me

I had borrowed my brother-in-law Tyler's camera for the weekend, so I took LOTS of photos of everyone and everything. Here is a pretty one of Kate the Bride at Buca.

After Buca's most delicious spread of Italian good eats, we girls made our way to Fat Cats for the Bachelorette party! Heather and I rode together because we had to stop off at Wal-Mart quickly to get her some socks for bowling. I got a pair too so we could match!

WE ROCK!

Emily, Me & Kate

Tressa, Laren, Kim & Angie

Emily, Kate & Lindsay picking out the perfect song for dancing

After much bowling, laughing, skee-balling, laughing, talking smack, taking photos and cashing in all the tickets we won for Kate (1300 or so), we headed back to wedding headquarters for parfait shots and more chatting and laughing. It was a fabulous night with the girls!

Oh and I can't forget that I gave Kate her wedding gift that night. A vintage family songbook that I found at a flea market in Idaho while with my other Kate. Since Kate and Brandon are both singers, I figured they would put it to good use. Plus she loves vintage books! She sang a couple songs for me before we went off to dreamland. It was beautiful!

P.S. You'll have to hop over to Lindsay's post about the wedding weekend. She is so darling!

Wedding Weekend

2009-05-26T08:56:00.000-07:00

I just spent Saturday through Monday with my dear and wonderful friend Kate. I spent a lot of time with all the bridesmaids too... all of which are fun friends that I have enjoyed getting to know over the years. There were lists of things to be done and accomplished before 6pm on Monday, but running around in good company was a blast! We all had so much fun prepping and running and, on the day of, primping ourselves and getting the bride perfectly stunning for her evening of vows, photos, socializing and lots of dancing! She is a beautiful bride. I'll report more with other photos soon.

Notes late coming

2009-05-14T20:12:00.000-07:00

I still haven't typed out all my notes from Women's Conference. Sorry to leave you hanging.

The new job is completely wearing me out this week. My new schedule of getting up at 6am, leaving the house by 7am, commuting into Salt Lake rush hour and then coming home to eat, bathe a cute kid, get him tucked in and then get myself to bed by 9:30 or 10pm... it's a tight few hours of wakefulness.

I do hope I get used to this. I've shocked my system the past 4 days. Even with 8 hours of sleep each night my legs don't want to move from point A to point B, I have a tension headache each evening and a wretched homesickness for the days of a 10 minute commute to work.

I am really grateful for this job though. It's a great fit for me!

Womens Conference Report

2009-05-04T21:48:00.000-07:00

I am really glad my mom made the decision a few months ago to just book a plane ticket and plan on attending BYU Womens Conference with me this year. I wonder if I would have actually gone if she didn't make the trip. Probably not since I lost my job and didn't have a babysitter hired full time. But since she was coming, I did end up finding a couple wonderful people to tend Liam so I could go.

I had tried to see if anyone else I knew was attending this year. I didn't get any bites on Facebook and the few local friends that I called. Well I take that back. I reconnected with a dear and wonderful friend, Sheila, on Facebook through her daughters (that I babysat when I was 12 and 13). She was totally game to meet up with me and my mom after more than 15 years apart. It was a great reunion! Like no time had passed. She was the same bubbly wonderfully darling woman she was when she was my Young Women leader and babysitting employer. She lives in Utah now, so I look forward to more meet ups with her.

Mom, Sheila and Me

The conference was so uplifting and refreshing. I felt guilty leaving Liam in someone else's care while I enjoyed this spiritual indulgence, but I tried my best to not let it eat at me. I was bettering myself by doing this... creating a better mother for him. Much like the new job I've been offered, I feel like this was another morsel cleaned off my plate of life... to help me start over.

I have written down many notes from the inspired speakers at the conference. I'll be drafting those up for you very soon. I hope you can feel a fraction of the spirit I felt when you review my findings.

A New Beginning

2009-05-02T19:15:00.000-07:00

So my last interview that was scheduled for Wednesday morning went really well. I walked out hoping for the best, but unsure of what the next step might be if they were still interested. I took an assessment test online that night as I was asked. The next day, Thursday, I got home from Women's Conference with my mom and there were no emails. No phone messages either. So I thought I'd send an email to this company and mention I took the test and to let me know if they needed anything else.

Five minutes later I got a call. It was the HR person asking if I had gotten her email. I said I hadn't checked since I sent one to her a few minutes earlier. She had sent me a message saying they wanted to make me an offer, but that we should talk first. The company had concerns about my previous company hiring me back in a few months if things turned up for them. I told her that I would not choose my previous company over them if that happened. She also wanted to ensure I didn't have any other serious interviewing going on and risk me getting a better offer a week after they hired me. I reassured her that wouldn't be the case. She said I'd have another email in five minutes.

I got butterflies opening that email. I should have just eaten my dinner first and waited for Ian to get home before I checked it out. I was too anxious. I opened it up and found the number I was looking for. I about cried from pure gratitude to Heavenly Father and to this company! I was glad my mom was here to hug and celebrate with! I called Ian and about put him in tears too! He said he was really proud of me. We are both so so so grateful for this opportunity!

The company asked for me to confirm acceptance by sending a signed agreement via fax. I got all my paperwork together and the fax cover sheet ready to go for the next morning. Since I was going to be attending BYU Women's Conference the next day, my mission was to find a fax machine on campus somewhere between our classes.

After a couple classes, we found ourselves in a building with many offices and information desks. I was able to get a gal to help me send a fax for a small fee. The confirmation printed out and I was on my way to my next class. I just hoped that it actually went through, since I didn't have time to call and confirm with HR that they had actually received it.

After the last session of the day, I got a phone call from HR saying, "Welcome to the team, your start date will be May 11th!"

Elated joy and gratefulness is all I've felt since!

P.S. My dad was so happy for me and proud of me with the good news, he told my mom to buy me a new outfit for my new job while she's here. He is so sweet!

I've cast my spell

2009-04-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

So I had my big serious interview on Monday at 2pm (yesterday). The whole thing was just as smooth as silk. I couldn't get over how well it went. The job is just a perfect match for my skill set and for their business model. They told me they'd be doing more interviews this week with other candidates. The top people would be contacted for another interview next week with their execs.

So as excited as I was about the successful interview, I had to wait a week to hear any result.

You can imagine my surprise when they called me back this morning at 9am. They asked me if I could come back to meet with a couple of their VP's this Thursday. I said both Thursday and Friday were out. (I have BYU Women's Conference with my mom.) She asked what it would take to see me again tomorrow (Wednesday). I said as long as I was finished by 2:30pm (so I could pick my mom up at the airport), whatever time would work.

I have my third and final (I hope) interview tomorrow at 10am.

My references have reported this company has made contact.

I am feeling pretty good about this!