Photo of the Day: Sky

I was standing outside the other day and happened to look up just when there were about 6 contrails in the sky... it was a cold, crisp day so you could even see the airplanes at the head of the trails, even the little teeny one that must have been tens of thousands of feet up. It just looked so awesome. I stared and thought to myself, "Gee, I wish I had my camera..."

Then I started twitching a little... then a little more... then I dropped everything and ran inside to find the camera. Like I always say, it's a disease folks.

Well by the time I got back outside, it wasn't nearly as cool as before... the contrails had dissipated, so I didn't get that shot, but the sky to the east was still streaked with some really cool clouds. See...



It's almost Friday! Joy!

~ K

Sneak Peek | Baby Jayden | Hampton Roads Baby Photography

A few days ago I had the pleasure of photographing this adorable baby boy. At about 5 weeks old he wasn't the sleepy newborn we had originally planned for, but he was so much fun to work with nonetheless. And, in looking through all the pics, I really like the awake ones we captured... :)



This sweet boy LOVED his soothie! Noah was a soothie baby too.. for all of about 2 seconds after which he realized it didn't produce milk and then wanted nothing to do with it. I like his half-awake, soothie-coma expression here... it's so very newborn-ish :)



...and then he drifted off...



...and then he was awake...! He was very intent on checking out his surroundings...and keeping an eye on his mom.



Have I mentioned how much I love baby feet?! To nibble them is to experience bliss. Seriously. You should try it. But maybe on a baby you know otherwise the parents might freak a little :)

So mom, sorry this took a while to post... I'm still working on a few more and your gallery should be up soon!

~ K

Photo of the Day: Gear

Well... despite ONE day of missed posts, I MADE IT! A full month of blogging everyday :) Whew. That was work. But fun work.

Though I probably won't be able to do an everyday post from here on out, I really enjoyed the challenge of finding something new to put up here everday and I'm going to keep it up as much as possible. Any suggestions for topics? Leave me a comment! I'd love to hear from you...

So without further ado...



Have a good night. Hope your Monday was productive!!

~ K

Photo of the Day: My Heart...

These make me smile.



Such a photographer's kid...



.. he sleeps... on his daddy of course.

Hope everyone had a good weekend. Baby pics next!!

~ K

Photo of the Day: A New Old Friend

You know how sometimes you get or find something new and for a long time it's your FAVORITE thing?! And then the glitz wears off and it finds a place on a dusty shelf somewhere? Well that's kind-of what happened with this lens (minus the dusty shelf...omg...I would never...).

After getting this lens about a year ago I shot with it all. the. time. There was rarely another lens on my camera. Then I forced myself to get back into my primes (50 and 85) and have been shooting with them pretty much non-stop for the last 6 months.

The other day I broke out this baby again... and have fallen in love all over again.



Ahh.

Okay. I swear... baby pictures soon!!

~ K

Photo of the Day: Through-Trey's-Eyes Fridays...

Tonight we had a small birthday celebration for Noah (those pics to come later) and Trey had his camera out for the "festivities".... So after bedtime, my normal computer work time, I began my hunt for his little digital camera. I searched the living room, dining room, and ever so quietly searched his room. Dangit, I thought, I would just have to post something ELSE this friday.

So I walked into my bedroom and there it was... he had put the camera back on my desk. Just where he knew it should go. Good boy.

So here's his picture for this week:



He took this a few weeks back before we were headed out. It makes me laugh :)

Good shot Trey.

More to come soon...

Oh... and if you're in Charleston, SC - or if you know anyone in the Charleston area - I've got some fun news for you guys! Stay tuned!

~ K

Photo of the Day: A Shoe-Shining Obsession

Here I am. Back on track!

So, my husband has an obsession. Shining his shoes. It's a little ridiculous and kind-of endearing. When he's done with the whole shoe-shine ritual (which DOES actually include some spit shine...) he'll gently place the shoes (or boots) neatly in front of the door. Sometimes he puts them on a towel, sometimes not, but either way, he'll stand there and look at them adoringly for a few minutes. I do not lie. He will deny this in every way, but it is the gods honest truth. He is obsessed.



So here he is. Shining his shoes in front of the dining room window.

Laugh away folks, but this is my life. :)

In other news, I did an awesome baby shoot the other day and I'm working on those pics now... hopefull I'll get a sneak peek up soon!!!

~ K

Photo of the Day: Happy Birthday Baby

First. Bad blogger! I was so excited about making it a whole month of putting up a photo of the day. And last night, just as I was settling into my nightly routine of picking out a picture... Noah got sick. Not just a little sniffle-sniffle sick. Puke all over mom kinda sick.

Needless to say, I didn't blog last night.

But here I am. It's Noah's first birthday today... a day we had planned to spend watching him dive into a sugar-laden cupcake, but instead we spent it at the doctor's office with a feverish, sweet little boy.

Noah, this post is for you.

In only a year you've gone from this...



To this...



You live life with so much energy and force that it's hard for me to believe. You're not the kid that freely gives his smiles away, but when you do they are the most amazing gift and the recipient really feels special... you're smart as a whip and really don't miss a beat (evidenced by the fact that you will copy every sound out of your brother's mouth, short of full sentences)... you love to dance (and head-bang) and you just love your daddy.

But my favorite part of our everyday is watching you interact with your brother. I love the relationship the two of you have created. That too has evolved... from this...



To this...



I love that you two are actually playing together...that you chase each other around the house (well brother runs and you crawl/scoot, yet you still manage to scare him)... that your big brother is the only person that can really make you belly laugh... that he's the only person that you'll open your mouth for (when we're trying to figure out how much food you've stuffed in there)... and that when we say 'brother' you try to make the sign for brother and then you point to him. I love how you copy his every gesture and try to play with his toys (like yesterday when you insisted I put the Ben Ten watch on YOUR arm even though it weighs almost as much as you do)...and I love that he was the first person who was able to get a "kiss" out of you...

Though you are not defined by your brother, I know what a big role he'll play in your life over the next few years and it makes my heart happy to see you develop that relationship with smiles, laughter, and fun.

Love you little man. You are amazing.

Happy 1st Birthday.

~ Mom

Sneak Peek | Lisa... | Hampton Roads Portrait Photography

I have an amazing friend (I introduced her to you the other day). When she was planning her visit, she asked if we could go out and take some photos of her... to celebrate, well, to celebrate being an amazing strong woman.

Absolutely, I said.

Photography serves so many purposes for so many different people. For some it's about documenting special events... watching kids grow... capturing the essence of a family.... For Lisa, it's a show of how far she's come in so many ways.

Here you go... just a few for now.



Clearly, I'm the most hysterical photographer in the world. I think I was demonstrating my acrobatic photography skills... the mad dash to get the right angle and shot. OR maybe I was just falling... and getting sand all over myself. Either way, ignore me and... isn't she gorgeous?!



This shot is just so peaceful to me. I love it.



But this is my favorite.

I'm not done editing the whole bunch, your gallery will be up soon!

Love you lady... :)

~ K

Photo of the Day: Dusk

I love it when the light is just leaving the sky...and everything is that nice shade of lavender tinged with gold...

Specifically, I love when the sun hits the bridge or the port on the other side of the bay and it looks like it's been highlighted with a deep gold marker. It's just breathtaking.

Tonight I was sitting at my dining room table exhausted beyond belief, looked up, and saw the most amazing clouds outside. I grabbed the camera...



...and here ya have it.

I love my house. I love where I live.

Up next, Lisa's pics!!

~ K

Photo of the Day: A Visit

The greatest thing about being back in the states... hands down... is getting to see friends again. Lisa, a good friend from our earlier days on Oki, came to visit for a few days this weekend. It had been 3 years and yet... it was like it had hardly been a few hours since our last visit. Comfortable. That's the mark of a good friend.

So two pics today. First, Lisa and Noah.

Noah doesn't normally like strangers. At all. He likes his mommy the mostest mostest. Daddy comes in a close second, but might be tied with big brother. However, he warmed up to Lisa in a heartbeat. It made me smile. :)



Lisa is quite a force to be reckoned with. On top of being a fabulous working woman, she's also a great mother, a prospective PhD student, and a black-belt in karate. When Trey heard that Lisa taught karate, I thought he was going to wet himself with excitement. Obviously, an impromptu lesson was a must...



Lastly, Lisa celebrated a very important anniversary yesterday. One that we had to mark with some gorgeous photos. Photos that show her strength, beauty and inner spirit.... That sneak peek is coming soon. Stay tuned!

~ K

Photo of the Day: Tonkatsu Sauce

I found this at the commissary the other day. Yum. As I sit here chatting with my good friend Lisa who I met in Okinawa... I thought this was appropriate. There's so much that we miss about that place and re-hashing all the good memories with her has made us crazy-nostalgic. So here...



This is nothing like the sauce at Tonkatsu Taro, but it's good enough for us now.

I was lucky enough to be able to take some awesome pictures of my fabulous friend Lisa today... so those to come soon!

~ K

Photo of the Day: Through-Trey's-Eyes-Fridays

I am sucking up my pride here.

Trey took this one with our Canon point-and-shoot while we were eating at Chili's the other night.

I had turned the flash off and bumped up the ISO (I hate on-camera flash... it's like the devil)...

And with all that, he got this shot. I am gross. But he framed it pretty well and there's little camera-shake... yes, very noisy. But, you know, I kinda like it...



My good friend is on her way from the airport as I type... I can't wait.

More pics to come soon... :)

~ K

Photo of the Day: Old School Washer

This gem belongs to my neighbors. I love it. What is it about rust that makes pictures so awesome?!



Very cool.

Speaking of neighbor... if you're interested in purchasing any real estate in the Hampton Roads area, check out her website for some great information! She specializes in our neighborhood, so do you love this area?! Come on and buy a house here!

I would show you a picture of her (and her husband's) gorgeous mugs, but I have no pics of them... ahem. Soon perhaps...

Okay, until tomorrow...

~ K

**Biz Update** | Hampton Roads Photographer

Just a few quick things I want to share...

FIRST: Gift Certificates are In!

Don't know what to get that special someone for Valentine's Day? What about that person that is IMPOSSIBLE to shop for... give them a gift certificate for a portrait session!

The best thing about these is that they are completely customizable! They don't come in denominations or anything like that... I will write in exactly what you've purchased for your special someone.

Example:
... The Ultimate Portrait Package...
... $50 towards a package...
... A canvas print...

You name it. I'll make it work for you!



SECOND: Package Updates

If you're interested in maternity and/or newborn shoots, please check out my website for some updated package options!!! Now, you get more bang for the buck!

LASTLY: Pictures on my WALL!!!

I mentioned previously that I was waiting on some prints to come in... well... they're here! And I am in heaven.

I love standouts. These are 3/4 inch standouts and they are perfection.



I think it probably helps that my boys make me smile. All the time. Every time.

My huge canvas should be here soon toooooo!! Eeeee!!

Until next time,

~ K

Photo of the Day: Two Today...Cookies and Face Art

Trey has been asking if we could make a treat to bring to his class...My first reaction... um... no?

Apparantly some of the kids have brought little treats for the class on their birthdays and since Trey's birthday is during the holidays we kind-of missed that boat. Initially, I shrugged it off. No big deal. Treats-shmeats.

Then, DJ tells me that Trey mentioned it again and said... "Dad, I just don't want to be left out..." Ugh. Straight to the heart. My sweet little boy.

So what do I do? I make every attempt to over-achieve. This is how I roll folks. Do you see why school was so stressful for me?!

I won't even begin to tell you the PROCESS that we undertook to get to this final product... let's just say it took all day...there was sugar and dough and other random ingredients flung about my kitchen... and I basically ate my weight in sugar. Yay for class treats! *Twitch* *Twitch*



Trey helped decorate the cookies and had SO much fun. But the best part, I think he's PROUD to be taking these to school tomorrow. That's all I need.

Now onto the second photo of the day. My second son has so much personality he's practically overflowing... he is full of energy and spunk and attitude and makes me laugh, scream, and want to fall on the floor EVERY day. So this....



... is just par for the course. Pen. on. the. face.

Whew. I will sleep well tonight.

Next... some biz stuff.

~ K

Photo of the Day: Backdrop! Well, Noah too..

I finally got around to making that DIY backdrop I've been wanting...!

Okay. So maybe I finally got around to watching DJ make that backdrop I've been wanting... yay for PVC pipe and my husband! I didn't get a great picture with it b/c Noah isn't exactly what you'd call cooperative these days. But I got him to sit still for about .5 seconds only after I gave him DJ's cell phone. So after how knows how much $$ in phone internet charges later... this is what I've got... and it's not much. More with that soon... I really put it together for a project I've got in mind :)



Tomorrow... my misadventures in being a crafty-Martha-Stewart-wannabe.

~ K

Photo of the Day: Murasaki Mura

Sometimes it's good to go back through your old files and see what's lurking there. For me, each second I spend in photoshop, each shoot I go on, each time I meet with another photographer, I learn something new. And I find myself looking at all my old pictures with a fresh eye.

So I went back through some older stuff... and found this gem.



I took this picture on my first outing with my friend Aviva. I remember being so nervous b/c I didn't know squat about what I was doing and she was good... really good. She even let me shoot with her 5D, which is the camera that I covet.

I can't believe this was hidden away in that file. I love this picture and will probably have it printed on canvas to display in my living room.

Until next time,

~ K

Photo of the Day: Power Tools Baby...

We've got new shelving in two rooms, just put up a coat rack, and I finally got around to getting the stuff together for my backdrop (like a do-it-yourself backdrop holder thingy) plus loads of new pics coming for the walls (UPS tracker says they'll be here Tuesday... I CAN'T WAIT!).... So DJ's been busy. :)



This is a little tribute to his favorite power tool. The drill. The big drill. :)

Have a good week folks!

~ K

Photo of the Day: A Suggestion for Mac

Okay. I love my macs. Love them. Probably a little too much. But there is one little eensy thing that drives me nuts about my laptop.

The power cord is TOO SHORT! And what I really wish is that they could put the AC adapter receiver thingy (whatever... you know...where you plug the cord into the computer) on BOTH sides. That would be awesome.



Anyway, that's all for now... my little rant is done.

Tomorrow is supposed to be gorgeous I can't wait!!!

~ K

Photo of the Day: Through-Trey's-Eyes Fridays...

Are you sick of my pictures yet? Well, to change things up a bit, I think I'm going to start posting some of Trey's pictures. He has the cutest Fisher Price camera for kids...he loves taking pictures with it... and always begs me to download them to the computer so he can look at them in all their glory.

So why stop there? We shall blogify his pictures as well... (For your information, I just totally made up that word... and I don't care if it doesn't make sense b/c it made me giggle a little).



This was taken back in October when my mom came to visit and we did the Williamsburg touristy thing. This is my mom in the governor's mansion. With swords in the background. Trey was probably very interested in the swords and very not interested in taking a great portrait (sheesh... i mean... come on it's not like he was FOUR or anything). :)

Enjoy.

Have a fabulous weekend. See you soon!

~ K

Photo of the Day: Driving

I had my camera in the car the other day after our little trip to the park for baseball. So, as we were driving up to Lowe's I decided to, well, snap a picture of the highway. I know, thrilling.

Everyone. This is I-64. I-64. This is everyone.



Toodles,

~ K

** Edited to Add ** okay... I realized after I posted this I might need to clarify just one little thing... I WASN'T DRIVING... sheesh folks. DJ was driving. I was a very safely buckled in passenger. Afterall, safety first. I'm a safety girl! (omg. what movie was that from... 'I'm a safety girl...' anyone?)

Photo of the Day: My Feet

Okay... my shoes. I just bought these moccasin-looking things from Target the other day. Yippee.



I can't begin to tell you how badly I need new shoes. I mean really. Let me see if I can justify my shoe patheticness...

1) I just got back from living on sub-tropical island... I own about 250 pairs of flip-flops...
2) I haven't worked in an office in a YEAR (ohmigod i just freaked a little there - I've worked for as long as I can remember... I started babysitting in the 5th grade...) I have little need for heels anymore. I miss them. Terribly. I still look at them in shoe stores and drool.
3) Pregnancy = bigger feet. Who knew. So even the old shoes that I DO have (which are horribly out of fashion, but hey)...they...uh...don't freakin' fit.

So there. Yay. Three good reasons for me to go shoe-shopping!

Until next time,

~ K

Photo of the Day: Office Supplies

So this might be more like PHOTOS of the day...

Here's an admission for you: I'm obsessed with office supplies. I could spend all day in a Staples or Office Depot or Office Max... or all three.

Even Target. So the other day we were getting "a few things" to help me get organized (finally) and I went just a bit nuts. Not really, in the grand scheme of things, but for me...

My splurge:



A LABEL MAKER!!!!!!!!!! Do you guys understand just how exciting this is?! I'm like Monica on Friends...



My fun new shelving.



Pretty paperclips... I love paperclips.



And last, but not least, my desk is not complete without some kind of caffeinated beverage sitting square in front of my face. Today, Coke Zero. Mmmm.


Until next time,

~ K

Sneak Peek | Connor & Reid | Hampton, VA Family Photography

Getting ready for this shoot, Mom and I hemmed and hawed about possibly rescheduling due to the cold. Yes, it's been cold and windy here and both of us wanted to get some shots outside. In the end, we decided to give it a go... and I'm SO glad we did. In one of our emails, mom casually mentioned that, even if it's nasty outside there's a sunroom in their house that gets pretty good light.

I secretly did a little jig. Yes, mom, I kinda played it off in the email, but the words 'sunroom' and 'good light' made me freak out in delight a little. Or a lot. But whatever. I have some pride that I'd like to keep for the time being.

Anyway, yes it was a bit brisk, but the sun was shining and her sunroom (and entire house by the way) was AMAZING!

Here are some of my favorites so far... not done editing all the pics yet... I'm floored by this family. Truly.

Okay, I'll shutup now.



Sweet Connor. It took him a second to warm up to me. Just a second though. We played with trains and airplanes and he showed me his Nemo video. Then, I think, we were buds.



See. That's a smile for a bud. Score! By the way, do you see those gorgeous eyes? Whole family had 'em. It's just not fair... :)



Reid. Reid loves his mommy. Oh man. He would watch her like a hawk... and he has the most adorable grin and giggle. And, again, the eyes. Wow.



Look at this mom. She is gorgeous. No wonder these boys are so cute! I love this shot... that's Connor all hidden behind her. This was one of those "mom" looks like 'I give up... he's a nut...but I love him.' And I caught it. Go me! It's perfect. Really one of my favorites.



While we were outside we played a bit on their awesome playground in the backyard. This was the pirate ship (see dad being a pirate there)...



And we did some swinging.



But this is my favorite so far. In that to-die-for sunroom. Here again we have one of those family photos that tells a story about this family. Beautiful... in all aspects.

This was good.

Mom, more for you soon! Keep an eye on your inbox :)

~ K

Photo of the Day: My Baby's Feet

I love baby feet. I have an obsession with baby feet. I like to kiss them. Nibble the toes. Tickle them. I can't help it, really.



Noah's feet are absolutely edible. Every little inch of his body is edible, but his feet, cheeks and chunky thighs are the best.

He's getting bigger and bigger by the second and I'm not going to be able to cuddle and nuzzle with him much longer... he's almost one now. The days are numbered... it goes by so fast.

Next up... shoot pics!

~ K

Photo of the Day: Yum

One word. Yum.



I can't wait to open this.

Pictures from the awesome family shoot I went on yesterday coming soon...

~ K