Welcome Baby Cal

Remember in May when we went to the "preview" for Norah Kate's new baby!?!

If not, you can read all about it here.

Barrett and I wore our BLUE, and hoped that one of my BFE friends would finally have a BOY!

We were so excited to find out that they WERE!!

And now...the sweet little baby boy is here!

Callum John

October 17th, 2010 at 12:17 p.m.

8 pounds, 3 ounces

20 inches

He is so mellow and precious!
I just want to show up at Megan's door every day and snuggle him!

She might get tired of me =)

I did enjoy every second of his newborn shoot on Wednesday morning, though! He wins the award for BEST newborn I've ever shot! It took me about 30 minutes of snuggling, patting and rocking (this was complete torture for me, as you can imagine) to get him sleeping. But, once he was out...he was OUT .... O-U-T, out! I moved that little guy into a hundred positions, took hats on and off of him, took off his diaper, and he just kept snoozin'. Another reason I love him so much already!

I am swamped with editing from sessions over the last couple weeks, but I couldn't resist doing just one to show Megan and Brent. This is one of my favorites!! Megan always has the cutest Fall decorations, and they made the perfect subtle background! The basket was from our friend, Audra! It was just the right size for Cal! Thanks, Audra!!

Welcome to this world, Callum!! You are one very loved little man.

I am so excited that Barrett will have another little boy to play with at all the BFE gatherings, 

and I can't wait to watch you grow!

{TEN} on Tuesday

{1} the lion's den

Would you believe me if I told you I was *THIS* close to a lion a few weeks ago??

Yeah, I didn't think so! Well, I was THIS close...but there was also some heavy-duty glass between us.

We took Barrett to the zoo on one of Justin's days off before Bluegrass. It was a Monday, and all the kids were back in school, so we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. It was nice to be able to get up close at the exhibits without tons of people all around. This was the first time we'd seen the Lion's up so close to the glass. Barrett loved it. It was pretty cool, but kind freaks you out a bit to think about how close you are to them...and imagine if that glass wasn't there. I ask Justin "if the glass weren't there, would they be eating us right now, or still just laying there all lazy?" I think he just laughed at me :)

Here is what it really looked like ---->

{2} family pics

Our family pictures were on Sunday evening!! It could not have been a more perfect night for photos. It was in the 60's at 5:00 when we met Dac and Alisha in Ark City, and there was only a slight breeze. We hung out with them for almost two hours, and it was a blast! It took Barrett about 15 minutes to really warm up to them, but once he did, he was lovin' it. After we left our first location (an alley in AC), Barrett wanted to walk over to their car to tell Dac he'd "see ya at the cows." It was so nice that he got comfortable so fast. Dac was able to take him off and get pics of him by himself, while Alisha photographed Justin and I together.  It was so FUN! Now, I am patiently waiting to hear from Alisha. I put my clients through the waiting game, so I can handle it too...I think! 

{3} happy october

I can't believe it's already October, but I'm not complaining...it IS my favorite month of the year!! On Saturday, I turned on the heat in the Jeep for the first time this season, and as I write this, I have the fireplace on :) I love it!! I've been drinking lots of spiced chai tea, and enjoying evenings out on the back patio. Last night Barrett roasted his first hot dog over our fire. (Pics of that to come sometime). One of my favorite things this time of year...my friend Megan makes the best pumpkin chocolate chip muffins! AND just today she brought us a plate full! Yum! Thanks, Megan!!

This month, I'm looking forward to: 
Watching lots of football, and hopefully going to a game in Manhattan at the end of the month!
The Homecoming parade and game this Friday
Our annual McPherson Fall day this coming weekend
My mini sessions in 11 days!!
My 8th Anniversary
Celebrating several friends' birthdays
The birth of the 2nd BFE baby BOY!! Any day now!!
Going to the pumpkin patch
Our annual pumpkin carving night at the Wolf's



{4} 'lil punkin

My mom and I went to a craft fair this past weekend, and I spotted an adorable little pumpkin hat at one of the booths. It was made by a local lady (the mom of a client), so I ask if she could make one in a smaller size to use on Megan's October baby! She had it to me the next day!! I took it to my session last night, with Audra's baby girl. She looked so cute in it!! I can't wait to use it on all my October babies!

{5} fall swap

All of my swap participants have been matched up with their partners! I can't wait to see what everyone is swapping!! I had a great turnout this time, and even had ladies from the Netherlands, Ontario, and all over the USA sign up! I'm just about done gathering my partners stuff, and I can't wait to get it mailed out!

{6} wedding

This month, I will be shooting my FIRST WEDDING!! Eek! No, I don't shoot weddings...but this bride is from Winfield, and she emailed me many months ago begging for me to shoot her wedding. I was flattered. I thought about it, and agreed. She will be married at The Barns at Timber Creek. It is the most beautiful outdoor location, and also where my little brother was married last year. I've done several sessions out there, so I'm very comfortable with the setting and lighting. I just met with my couple last week, and it got me really excited for the big day! I DO love an October wedding!! 

{7} my style
Just for fun...a few {before & afters} of some of my client images

Thankfully, my workflow in photoshop has gotten much faster. This is my busy time of year, so I need to be able to get through the editing pretty quickly, while still giving the image my style. To do this, I've created a "recipe" or custom set of actions for all of my images. They are the basic edits I do to every image, then after that, I might also do a few other things...depending on the image. I usually always do some cropping too. 

Since most of you probably aren't Photoshop users, I won't bore you with the technical stuff...but if you are intersted in knowing about what actions I use, or any specific edits on the following pics, just email me :) I am happy to share what I know (which in the realm of PS is very little).

My photography style is to shoot primarily with my 50mm prime lens.  I shoot wide open, giving my backgrounds lots of creamy bokeh. For editing, all photographers have their own style. Mine is pretty basic. I like to keep the image crisp, and bright. I like the colors to be bold and vivid, and I also tend to prefer a warm image over a cooler one. Although I love black and white, I only use it when the photo is just right for it. Unless the image is just right for it, I don't do a lot with vintage actions, overlays, or textures either. The image of Caroline below screamed out for vintage. In this case, I love it!

That's a little behind the scences in my "office"...this is what I do until 4am :)
I will try to get better about saving some before and afters. These were the only ones I could come up with now, because once I finish proofing and backing up a session, I delete all the original files. 

 

{8} K-State vs. Nebraska
Looking forward to the big game this Thursday! I won't say who I'm rooting for, but I'll be happy with any outcome.


{9} New camera 
Our little sony cyber-shot point and shoot died a few months ago. I didn't think I'd ever say it...but I MISS it!!  I really need a little camera that I can stick in my purse and always have with me. I don't want to be the "photographer" all the time. Sometimes, I just want snapshots! Does anyone have any recommendations?!?! I haven't shopped point and shoots for a long time. What are you using?

{10} babysitting coop

Megan, Audra and I have decided to take turn hosting a morning playgroup at our homes. We call it our babysitting coop. Each Monday from 9-12, one of us keeps all the kids at our house. It's like a mom's morning out for the two moms that are dropping off their kids. This Monday was my turn! It was so fun to have Lydia, Caroline, and Norah Kate here to play. The kids did great, but I will certainly NOT be opening a daycare anytime soon =) 

Happy Tuesday!!

I ♥ Faces: Babies

It’s all about babies this week at I ♥ Faces!




I haven't participated in one of their weekly challenges for quite a while...

but when I saw the theme was "babies" I knew I wanted to play!

I have a TON of favorite baby shots!!

So, to narrow it down, I just decided to do one of my most recent. 

One of my beautiful little clients, Ansley Jane...

celebrating her six-month milestone.

 {Ansley is the daughter of Zach & Melissa}

Go over to I ♥ Faces and enter your favorite baby shot!

Miss Caroline Reid

One of my best friends welcomed her 2nd child on Monday! I was anxiously looking forward to yesterday afternoon, when Megan and I could go up to visit them in the hospital.

Meet Caroline Reid
(Congrats to Audra, Kane & Lydia)

Born March 22, 2010

8 pounds, 2 ounces

20.5 inches

She is tiny (compared to her sister's 9 lb., 2oz. birth-weight), with a quite a bit of dark hair! The first picture I got of her, I thought she looked just like her big sister. So I had to go back and pull out my pics of Lydia in the hospital, or course! I know Audra has one of Lydia brand new, that looks a lot more like Caroline. I think Lydia's a day old in this one I have.

lots of dark hair :)

I think she likes her Aunt Lala...She's looking right at me in this pic, and I think she's smiling! Thanks, Megan, for taking the pics of me with Caroline. I look like I'm praying over her in the other one!

With Aunt Megan

Daddy was changing her diaper here, and she was not happy...but her cry was so cute!

Congrats to the {H} family!!
I can't wait to snuggle Miss Caroline again very soon!
We love you!

Meeting Lainey Jean

A few more snapshots from our day out West to meet the new baby in our family!

The weather on Saturday was beautiful! It was the perfect day to be out in the country. We celebrated the birth of Hannah and Jake's baby girl, and the first grandchild for my Uncle Rick and Aunt Debbie. The kids enjoyed playing outside the WHOLE time... in the barns, riding the pony, playing in the dirt, and with the cats, dogs and puppies. The ladies enjoyed sitting inside and visiting. The men enjoyed playing cards in the garage with their beers and cigars. That's how my family rolls. 

Lainey was a tiny bit yellow, so we laid her in the sunlight to try and lower her bilirubin levels. It was so warm and she loved it. We think it really helped her coloring too! Hopefully her levels were better when she went back to the doctor on Sunday afternoon.

As long as he was outdoors and with the animals, Barrett was perfectly content! He wore his cowboy shirt, boots and Wranglers that day.

Bernie took Barrett and I around the field a couple times, then all of the sudden Porky spooked. He shifted into high gear, like he was going to take us off into the sunset. He jerked fast, and it scared the livin' daylights out of Barrett. Bernie had him under control in no time, but Barrett cried out and covered his face with his hands. After we calmed him down, I ask if he wanted to ride some more, or get off. His reply was quick "get off."

Barrett had so much fun that day, he didn't get his nap in.
We'd only been on the road home for about five minutes, when I looked over and saw this...

He slept hard the whole two-hour drive home!

I put together a little slideshow of all my snapshots from our day {meeting Lainey Jean}.

You can view it HERE if you're interested!

Happy Monday :)

RaNdoM...and long

* So, Friday was pretty much one of the worst days of my life since the first trimester of my pregnancy with Barrett. I was swamped with trying to finish up invite orders before our vacation, and noticed my printer was starting to put a thin black line on all my print-outs. This is a major problem when people are paying you to print their wedding invites, programs, menus, etc. After two hours on the phone with Dell, and running all kinds of tests on my printer. They determined I needed a replacement part for the drum. Sounds simple, right? NO...not simple, because my warranty was up. I'd purchased the HUGE printer in late 2006. In order to get the part, I'd have to extend my warranty so that a tech could come out and replace the part. Apparently the cost of doing that would have been over $250, so they told me "it would be best to just buy a new printer, since mine was so old anyway." WHAT!?! Since when is 2-1/2 years old? $590.00 later, I'm the proud owner of a new printer. NOT what I had in mind for all the profits I've made the last couple months.

After that nightmare, I called my mom and Justin to vent. Then I decided I was going to have to just keep printing and hope the line would fade. I had a program and menu order that needed to be shipped out to New Jersey by Saturday morning, for a Friday wedding. I finished up all of the programs and things were going okay, until the printer quit! With 50 menus left to print, it was telling me that the drum needed replaced. Thankfully my dad has a very similar color laser at his office, so I met him there at 10 p.m. to finish up the last few. Things kept going downhill though. His printer didn't want to suck up my paper, and when it finally did, it was turning everything yellow!

Thankfully I did get them finished and in the mail to NJ Saturday morning. Now I'm hoping my printer comes today, so I can finish up the order I have waiting. I'm going to have an ulcer!!

* I just watched the last episode of 16 & Pregnant, and I was balling my eyes out! The teenage couple was giving the baby up for adoption. It was heart-wrenching. By the time it was over, I had a headache from crying so much!!

* Are you one of those people that has to have the house clean, the beds all made, the dishes all washed, and the floors vacuumed, before you leave town for vacation? I am...and it's not helping with my already high stress levels! {Justin always asks if I'm cleaning for the burglars} At least I went to 6am spinning today, so that helped get me kick-started and motivated for the day. Now, I need to start packing soon. I keep adding things to the list, but I haven't officially started. It's so much harder with a toddler. They require so much stuff!!

* Here are a few of the invitation designs I've been working on the last couple months.

With all of the portrait sessions I've been doing, I've ordered many of these proof books for clients! I just love them. The printing company I use is wonderful and these books are a perfect way for clients to see all of their session and order prints, and they're great little books to tuck in your purse and show off to friends and family! I need one!


* I am really thinking about starting a business blog. I love sharing all of my designs and portrait session sneak peeks on here, but I want to get back to the main reason I started this blog..a digital scrapbook for our family and Barrett. I feel like I haven't been posting enough of that lately. True, I haven't really had much spare time, but it's something I'm willing to make the time for in order to keep the two more separate. My photography adventure seems to be taking off like crazy, and want to have a spot to share all that's going on with that. Where I can announce upcoming specials, prices, and other details. I do have an Elephant Juice Designs website. But I don't want to cram it too full of information. It's more of a showcase and client proofing spot. Does anyone out there use Wordpress, or know anything about it? Any advice on how their blogs work? I'm pretty sure that's the route I'll have to go for a more professional looking blog.

* I've gotten a few fun new finds! Mom and I found this basket at Hobby Lobby while we were getting things for my little brother's rehearsal dinner. It was on sale for $5.00. It is perfect for newborns, because it's so soft.

Then I found this basket at a garage sale on Saturday for $2.00! I got out to run to the post office and bank, and just stopped at one sale really quick. I'm glad I did. It's perfect for cradling newborns. I used it at both of my newborn sessions on Sunday, but I still need to work on what angles work best with it.

*I FINALLY got a camera strap! You might remember this post from awhile back (holy cow, it was late February!!), when I was trying to decide what strap to get. Well, I stressed about it way too much...like spent over an hour on Etsy going back and forth between fabrics and designers! Then one of my favorite blogs, Prop Insanity, had a feature post on straps and the designer {designs by Jessie} was offering free shipping and a free lens cap pocket on the strap! It was the *kick* I needed to just order one already!!



* Why do I finally feel like being productive around the house, when I have a million things to do for my business? On Friday (same day that I had a load of invite orders due, a portrait session, and a mental breakdown) I had the urge to organize our bedroom closet and clean out the dresser drawers! Maybe I was just trying to work off some of that frustration from my two hour conversation with Dell!

* Summer TV:: Anyone else addicted to summer reality shows like I am? I watch too much TV; but I admit it, I'm okay with it, and there's no way I could give it up! Okay, I'm sure I could give it up if I had to, but unless I go on Survivor in the Fall, that's not happening! Really...is it bad that I'm already excited about the Bachelorette tonight??

The Bachelorette: Ed was one of my favorites from the beginning! He's adorable...but it seemed a little too easy for him to just leave her behind for his career. AND, I'm not really sure what to think about those ridiculously short shorts he was wearing last week, and how comfortable he looks with his legs crossed.

Bachelor Ed...I just saw on the website he's only 29. I'm starting to feel old.
Everyone on these shows is now my age or younger!

Bachelor Kiptyn...if you're curious, he's 31.

Wes (not in the running anymore), probably the most hated bachelor of all time.
I know he was a total jerk, supposedly having a girlfriend back home.
I'm ashamed to say...I had a {tiny} little crush on him! Well, only during the
first few episodes when he acted a little more like a gentleman.

Big Brother 11: This just started last week, and it is a major commitment to watch. It's on like three days a week! Thank goodness for DVR, or I'd miss it all the time. It always takes a couple weeks to really get good and drama-filled. I don't really have a favorite yet this season, but Jeff is my favorite to look at :)

Design Star: I guess my degree in Interior Design makes this show a lot of fun to watch. It started last night, but I haven't had time to watch yet, and I'm sure Justin will want me to wait for him! He probably didn't want me to tell you that though! So, I'll have to tell you my favorites later.

Okay...off to be productive while Barrett is still napping! My new printer isn't here yet, but I have plenty of paper cutting and packing to keep my busy! Have a wonderful Monday! Here's to hoping this week is a million times better than last week was!!