I am all about capturing true expression. I don’t ask my kids to smile in all the photos . . . I never “say cheese.” It just isn’t my style. I am thrilled when I look through images of my family and see the many unique and authentic expressions that my children offer. This week, M. started scrunching his nose, just like A. did when she was about one or two. He also recently adopted a dramatic howling expression, meant to make Mom feel much empathy for him and it often works. I picked up the camera for 10 minutes yesterday afternoon and just interacted with the kiddos. This variety came from our impromtu shoot, and these expressions are ones I dont want to forget.

{I can hear her soft, contagious laughter when I see this image.}

{M. often hums, sings and tests out his voice these days. He seems to be carrying on a conversation in his own language. This is his inquisitive look.}

{This is S. when she is lost in thought . . . saving words for a flood of conversation.}

{Deep concentration, yet relaxed and very absorbed in her dry erase marker drawing.}

and finally . . .

The debut image from 5 year old assistant photographer with her kodak easyshare camera, taken from her booster seat on the way to S. Utah. This tells the story of mom & dad on their anniversary. I LOVE this photo. I love that my girl took it, and it was her idea.

Don’t be afraid to get out the camera and shoot pictures of life “as is.” Even if your house is messy, your kids have crusty faces and messy hair. These are the photos that tell the story of real life . . . isn’t it magical?

My sister Lara is an amazing artist. She was the one who really introduced me to mural art while I was in college, and I am in awe of both her creativity and ability. She has that artist’s eye, always scoping out neat textures, patterns, techniques, etc. Her ability to then take what she has seen and translate it into amazing artwork is incredible.

While visiting S. Utah during the holidays I had planned to do a photo session for Lara & her family. Before I arrived, she found this location for the shoot- she saw all of the beautiful red berries, and mentioned it to me. I knew this would be the perfect spot (even before seeing it in person) as I trust her artistic judgement. So- a portrait of an artist family- (her DH is also an artist) and the coveted red berries (I wish I had my own berry backdrop in snowy N. Utah right now!) . . .

{don’t you just love baby bro’s smiling eyes?}

{Daddy’s girl.}

{a little vintage-texture-fun here}

{we braved the harsh sunlight for a shot on the bridge. No berries, but plenty of nice grasses and cute kids!}

Moral of the story- it never hurts to scope out your own location for a photo shoot . . . just keep your eyes open and you’ll find something that “speaks” to you! PS- and let me know if you find any huge red berry bushes in Utah County!

A couple of weeks ago I promised a post about something GREY. Well, I had intended to post a few photos from this puppy session with some wiggly, cuddly mini-schnauzer puppies belonging to one of my friends. I must say it was more difficult than the newborn session that followed. Just the idea of 5 babies, with four legs each, and lots of sharp teeth. Anyhow, here are a couple of puppy photos:

CAMERA SETTINGS: SOOC (sharpened for web) f/4 at 1/100, ISO 400

So to answer “seepotscrap’s” question regarding camera settings to create a blurred background. I create this so-called “bokeh” be doing the following:

1. I use the largest aperture (f/stop) that my lens allows- this lens is f/4.

2. I use a lens with a zoom or a longer focal length (this lens is a canon 24-105 f/4 L). I am free to crop in tightly, but I stand further away from the subject and zoom in to compress the background.

By doing these two things, you will be able to create a more shallow depth-of-field, thus blurring the background. I have a lens that is 85mm f/1.8. This lens does an awesome job of “blurring the background” because of the large aperture. Sometimes it can be too shallow. Photoshop can be used to blur elements of the image that you would like to minimize (and I use this feature occasionally), but to get the true effect you must create it in-camera. If you are shooting with a point-and-shoot camera, your Av setting, or Portrait setting will basically create the settings I mentioned above for you. Test it out and get to know your camera so you can predict what will be in focus and what will be blurred.

{…and if you’re in the market for salt & pepper mini-schnauzer puppies, my friend just may have a couple left for sale. }

In case you aren’t in Utah, (perhaps you are enjoying summer in Australia!) . . . it is ffffrrrreeeeeezing right now! Well, I am snuggly warm in my office. But outside. Man, it is cold! We moved Andy the bunny into the garage for some added warmth, as it is expected to dip down to the single digits tonight. We’re so blessed with a warm home–and a night like tonight makes us appreciate it all the more.

So, along the lines of photos that represent freezing cold, here are some from a spontaneous sledding adventure from late Saturday afternoon, a snowman photo shoot, and some warm inside shots as well:

{I love how M’s reaction mirrors his daddy’s expression!}

{Mom can sled too? I must admit, it has been awhile since I’ve dared hit the slopes- or bunny hills in this case!}

{In Utah, some snowflakes look like chubby babies falling from the sky.}

We used every last minute of daylight on our sledding outing. We decided to go on the “spur of the moment” and got to the park just about 30 minutes before sundown. Anything to earn a mug of hot cocoa, right?

On a separate occasion, the girls took it upon themselves to create a snowman entirely on their own, and I must say it was just about the coolest snowman EVER!

Now, for a few warm photos taken inside our sunny kitchen:

{Our dear A., stricken with a severe case of sticker pox. Yes, you may note a pattern here that this girl likes to decorate herself with markers, stickers, polish, etc.}

{catch that baby!! M. is continually on the go, despite the fact that he apparently has a double ear infection (again). We just went to the dr. today. Perhaps a little too much fun outside? Ooops.}

DH and I are parents to 2 beautiful little girls and a handsome boy. We know that we’ve already got our hands full, but I have often reassured myself that I have about a decade to prepare for all of the “teen issues” that we’ll encounter. I felt like today we got our feet wet . . . a glimpse of the future, if you will.

S. had her very definite opinion that there was only ONE shirt that was the perfect shirt for today’s outfit. 30 minutes later she emerged from her room wearing the shirt of her choice that was the shirt she had previously despised.

A. was practicing her selective hearing skills as I called out for her many times. She was in the bathroom testing out my nail polish. This was a first for her- and I have to say although she dripped it all over the bathroom counter and her pajama pants, her nails looked lovely. She had chosen the lightest, most shimmery color of my collection. (Thankfully!)

S. and her battles to get out of doing homework. Enough said.

and the one that really threw me for a loop . . .

s: Mom, today I kissed a boy.
me: What?!?
s: Well, he kissed me.
me: Where did he kiss you?
s: On the playground.
m: You shouldn’t kiss boys or let them kiss you. You’re way too young. You need to be a grown up like mom and dad.
s: why?

{I’m not ready to be a mom of teenagers!! Yikes! I am just trying to get the potty training thing down!}

So that was today- and I don’t have any photos to back it up. We were just trying to stay afloat today, so the new 5D didn’t make it out to play.

. . . sisters, that is. My parents have 7 daughters and 2 sons. This is my sister Kim. She is the sister just older than me. Though we were scrappy as kids we get along great as adults. She also loves photography and is an amazing artist. She is one of the most gracious hostesses and is always willing to host big family gatherings (and any gathering with our family ends up being a big production!). Somehow she even talked me into singing karaoke on New Year’s Eve (not sure how, considering singing is not one of my things). I must admit, I had a fun time. Her DH Jeff also introduced us to Wii Bowling. Here are some picts from an impromptu shoot on New Year’s Eve in southern Utah (hence the lack of snow!)

{Pushing the limits (ie. 3200 ISO), using every last minute of daylight . . . and then some. This one has such a runway feel to it, and I added a touch of texture to top it off}

Kim- you make this modeling thing look easy with your dangerous good looks. Love you~ Amy

Some great shots I am excited to post . . . this is another one of my beautiful sisters. Cindy is a screen writer living in Los Angeles, yet is she no stranger to this cold Utah weather. Much of my childhood and youth is filled with memories of entertainment in the form of story-telling, home movies, paper dolls, costumes galore . . . and Cindy always seemed to be the creative force behind it all. She keeps it going, channeling her talents into the amazing screenplays she creates. She has the ability to translate an idea into a cohesive story. Personally, I have a problem coming up with a decent ending for silly stories I make up for my kids at bedtime! So- here she is . . .

{Beautiful smile! Love ya, sis!}

{A little texture action going here. She was a trooper minus the furry coat! Brrrr!}

{right out of a magazine, right here, baby!}

{Aunt Jessica smooches M., modeling a santa red fleece snowsuit by Old Navy}

{Stunning Beauty. Don’t make me choose my favorite shot!}

On a personal note. I have to say that this shoot was a bonding experience for Jessica and I. I admit we weren’t exactly the best of friends while growing up. She lives the single life in LA and I live the married, mom of 3, life in Utah. Yet, when it comes to photography, we have very similar tastes . . . and just the other day I think we realized this.

She’s got a killer voice- if you want to check out her music go here: Jessica Dimond . Love ya, Jess!