I had to post because I was feeling guilty about my neglected blog. If you can hang on though some good things are coming this week! The above picture is one of me and my dad awhile ago...ok, a long time ago! I scanned it recently for one of the projects that will be featured in a post soon...ah, the mystery of it. Any guesses as to what we are up to?

Favorite Quote from yesterday:

Cynthia (my sister): Is it idiot proof?
Mat (our friend): uh...(pause)...you better let Christina do it.

I laughed so hard!

~Christina

Puppy's First Christmas

Echo

We got them antlers. Sackett thought he should eat them.

Mom sweet talked him into wearing them. No, seriously she did.

Echo was definitely the best antler wearer.

~Puppy photographer

December

Experimenting with tripod, camera, snow and Christmas lights.
It was officially cold outside...very cold.

Well, you wouldn't know it by my blogging schedule but this month has not been as busy for me as the last several were. But it is winter and the grey skys do nothing for my energy level...except maybe deplete it . So I am not really focusing on blogging at this time but I have some fun ideas for updates later on..towards the new year.

Did anyone even notice the extreme lack of updating?

~Christina

We're home again

Praise the Lord we (Suzanne and I) made it safely home from Arizona early (as in 2) last Sunday morning. I had missed the midwest. I have not taken a lot of pictures since returning but hopefully life will settle down soon and we will have a much need break from the stress and drama that has been a theme throughout the fall...but it is Christmastime now so I kind of doubt it!

These images are from the Old Mission in Scottsdale.

~Christina

Missing in Arizona?

No, we are not missing. We just don't have the greatest internet connection. I am grateful, however that we do have internet...at Grandma's house! The beauty of close neighbors who have some technological clue!

So this is an ok picture of me.

Our Great Uncle was kind enough to take us to the Phoenix Zoo.

And Grandma took us to an old mission.

Suzanne looks fabulous...as always.

If I ever live in a climate that supports these flowers I will hopefully have a yard full. They are so beautiful!

Sun flare on purpose!

Hoping to be soon,
~Christina

National Cemetery of Arizona

Is there frost on the pumpkins?

Wedding

I was privileged to attend a beautiful wedding last Saturday. I was so enjoying just "living in the moment" that I almost didn't get my camera out at all. In fact there were so many cameras I didn't think it necessary! Not to mention this particular group of people has never been real cooperative with my picture taking efforts. In fact it often feels like if I have the camera with me while with them I am an outsider that they don't want to associate with for fear of looking less then perfect. Ok, enough of that rant!
I ended up with the realization that the members of my family that didn't come would be extremly dissapointed if I came home with nothing. Most of theese images were snapped towards the end of the gathering while I continued to play with my 50mm lens.

Another precious family

Little Boys

(yes, the pumpkin boards are pretty much my favorite place to pose people)

At the beginning of the summer I benefited tremendously from the shoot and post everyday challenge I made for myself. That was, I believe, a huge turning point in my photography and I am so pleased with what I am learning and practicing. At one point I remember posting about all of the specific photographic topics I want to focus on and learn about. The list is overwhelming!
One of those topics was portraiture. If you asked me what kind of photographer I am I would tell you that I am a photojournalist. I love to document events and details! I do not consider myself a portrait artist. That is not what I wanted to do. I felt a need to be proficient in that area but I didn't particularly like my classes on it and therefore thought I didn't like that type of photography. The thing is, portrait tend to be profitable. Hmmmm? I have been pondering my reasons for disliking portraiture today and I have come to some interesting conclusions:
The perfection required in my classes was not appealing to me...I felt like I couldn't really succeed
Reflectors, tripods and stuff just get in my way and tie me down...and I thought they were required to take a decent portrait
Flash...no thanks!
Comparing myself with portrait artists whose styles I dislike
Photoshop...overwhelming and supposedly required (not to mention expensive)

All that said I am sure that anyone who follows my online life has noticed a serious amount of portrait shoots lately. And you know what? I have loved every minute of it! I am completely passionate about pictures and my favorite thing to do is look through them. I also LOVE it when people like my work and are affected by it. images of people they love are THE most emotionally impacting on this earth!

I have discovered in these past few weeks that I can break the rules. I can combine photojournalism and capturing the details with portraiture. I can relax and shoot fast instead of attempting to control every aspect of my environment. I can make others happy and loved by bringing out my camera and computer to show off their lives. I can take great images and not even touch photoshop. I can get paid for something I LOVE doing.

Okay, its getting late and I don't even know if this makes sense. This particular group of pictures were shot today just before the rain started to fall. I have been begging the guys at work to bring their families by the barn for pictures and today one of them did! I was thrilled, it completely made my day!

He has gotten so big since I last saw him...on the move constantly and not very interested in the girl with the camera. The parking lot was far more appealing to this guy.

He is only three and yet it took him about 1 second to figure out what button to push on the back of my camera to see the different pictures. He would pose and then run to me so he could see the picture. He pointed and told me (in different languages) who was in the picture. So fun.

The shirt says it all! Notice the little brother running through the background.

Ah, my friend! I am so thankful for the friendship of this man. He is so kind and I respect him greatly. Not to mention he has an amazingly adorable family!

~farming and photographing

Engagement