Monday, April 11, 2011

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge - Shadows

This week's I Heart Faces Photo Challenge theme is shadows, and this was the first photo that came to my mind. When we lived in Arizona, the harsh desert sun always made my daughter squint during our impromptu photo shoots in the yard, so I thought I would give backlighting a try. Of course, she was more interested in figuring out how to get her toes in her mouth than looking at the camera, but it turned out to be one of my favorite photos of my inquisitive little girl.

Be sure to head on over to the I Heart Faces page to see more gorgeous entries.

I Heart Faces - Photography Challenges and Photo Tutorials

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The P Family - Omaha Nebraska Family Photographer

When my Aunt K asked if I would be interested in taking some photos of her family and my adorable cousin K, I jumped at the chance. Not only would it give me an excuse to visit, but it would be my first official photo shoot since the move to Nebraska. I was so excited I could hardly stand it!

On the day of the shoot, my husband and I loaded up our daughter and our dog to go and spend the day with the P Family. The nice thing about spending a day (or half a day) with a family is that you get a huge variety of shots and great moments to photograph. I had a hard time narrowing down which ones I wanted to include in the blog, but here are a few of my favorites:




















Sunday, April 3, 2011

I Heart Faces - "People's Choice" - Best Face from March

March was a long month in our house. Between my husband, my daughter and I, we were sick for pretty much the entire month with a nasty cold that we just couldn't shake. As soon as my daughter finally started feeling better, she was back to her old self--eating, playing, climbing on the furniture, making messes and making silly faces. Our favorite face is her Gene Simmons Kiss face, taught to her by her Daddy. One night, as she was playing in the tub after a feast of pasta and blueberries, I was lucky enough to catch her doing her best Gene Simmons impersonation. This was, by far, our best face from March.

I Heart Faces - Photography Challenges and Photo Tutorials


Sunday, March 27, 2011

I Heart Faces Challenge - Slice of Life

Whatever you call it--candid, photojournalistic, lifestyle photography--I've always been drawn to it. I don't like fake-looking props or frozen say-cheese smiles. Maybe it's the writer in me, but I want a photo to tell a story. I want a photo to look like I pressed the PAUSE button on life, freezing a moment in time.

For this week's I Heart Faces Challenge, I chose a photo of my sweet daughter. It seems she might be taking after her writer Momma. There's just something about her intensity when she gets a pen or crayon in her hand that takes me back to those first days when my own obsession began to take shape. Perhaps, one day, I will have the pleasure of reading her stories.


I Heart Faces - Photography Challenges and Photo Tutorials


Sunday, March 13, 2011

I Heart Photos Challenge - Sun Flare

If there is one thing that there is plenty of in Arizona, it's sunlight, and while that can make for an absolutely unbearable summer, it can also be a photographer's dream. One day, while taking advantage of the late afternoon light and getting some shots of my daughter in the backyard, I managed to capture this image, and to this day, it is one of my favorite photos of her. 

Try to explain it rationally all you want--sun flare on the lens, a bird or airplane capturing her attention at just the right moment, a mere coincidence--it's photos like this that just have a way of rekindling our belief in guardian angels. And perhaps, that day, Cadence and I caught a glimpse of ours.

I Heart Faces - Photography Challenges and Photo Tutorials



Friday, March 11, 2011

Bravi Tuscan Kitchen

During my recent visit to Arizona, Bravi Tuscan Kitchen in Glendale was on my list of restaurants to visit. Bravi Tuscan Kitchen is an example of the new fast-casul dining craze, which combines partial self-service (ordering at a counter and having your food delivered to your table) with delicious, homemade gourmet food at a fraction of the cost of most full-service restaurants. From the stone oven pizzas to the freshly made pasta dishes, Bravi has something to satisfy all your Italian cravings.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the day:





Monday, March 7, 2011

I Heart Faces - "People's Choice" - Best Face Photo From February

I_Heart_Faces_noborder_125x100

What a coincidence that my daughter would learn how to give kisses just in time for Valentine's Day! I did a quick photo shoot with her as she opened her gift from her Grandma and Papa Luethje--a box of chocolate covered animal cookies. I just couldn't resist this photo, and thought it was perfect for my Best Face Photo From February entry. Pucker up! Here's your chocolately kiss from Cadence!


**Update** This week, the I Heart Faces Challenge is a People's Choice. Click HERE, and then click to vote for your favorites (up to 10). Cadence is #36, but be sure to browse through the rest of the entries because there are sooooo many gorgeous photos.


Monday, February 28, 2011

I Heart Faces Challenge - Anything But A Face




This week's I Heart Faces Challenge topic is "Anything But A Face" and I thought of this photo immediately. I posted it several weeks ago on my personal blog, as part of my 365 Photo/Writing Project, and I just love it. You can read the entire blog post here if you'd like.


wish I could somehow have my flowered Docs permanently attached to my feet. Since the day I got them, I have worn them everywhere--to class, to church, to work, on dates. I was even planning to wear them under my wedding dress until my Mom vetoed the plan.

These days, the soles are worn almost smooth on the outer edges where I have a tendency to walk on the sides of my feet, and the toes are scraped and scuffed. But like all Doc Martens, they were made to last. All these years later, the stitches are still holding tight and even walking through a foot of wet snow, my feet stay warm and dry. The leather is still soft, and the flowers still bright enough to attract comments and curious glances from people I meet on the street.

I submit today's I Heart Faces Challenge entry to my flowered Docs--the best darn pair of shoes I will ever own. 

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Kiss the Cook Restaurant & Antiques

The moment you walk through the door of Kiss the Cook Restaurant in Glendale, Arizona, you know you're in for something truly unique. None of the chairs or tables or plates or silverware match, and the entire restaurant is filled with antiques and crafts that can be purchased along with your meal. The owners wanted their customers to feel at home, like they were visiting grandma's house, and they have certainly accomplished their goal. The menu is filled with recipes passed down through the family for generations, and all of it is made completely from scratch. If you're looking for typical, deep-fried restaurant cuisine, you won't find it here. What you will find is delectable home-cooking and a cozy ambience that will keep you coming back for more.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the day. Yum...








Monday, February 14, 2011

I Heart Photos - Red




Happy Valentine's Day!

The past few months have been insane around here between moving, the holidays, Cadence's first birthday, and trying to get settled and get the business up and running again here in Nebraska. I've been working hard on the website, and hope to be launching it soon. Next week, it's off to Arizona for a bunch of interviews and photo shoots for West Valley Health & Living and the upcoming East Valley Health & Living magazine. Whew!

In the meantime, here are some photos I took of Miss Cadence for Valentine's Day.