Friday Five

Happy May! Sorry for the slight delay in the post today, which will be coming on Saturday for you email subscribers. Our server issues are *almost* resolved... bear with us!

This week our theme for the five is blogs! Clearly, I am a blog fan, and absolutely adore the time I get to spend *chatting* with all of you! But I'm also a big blog reader, and have an entire bookmark folder on my computer devoted to different blogs I keep up with. I thought it would be fun to share a few with you guys, and please send me any you have, as I'm always on the lookout for more stops on the information superhighway! (by the way.. does anyone use that phrase anymore? I think I might try bringing it back!) :) Without further ado, the list!

Grey Matter
Besides blogs, tv is probably my favorite guilty pleasure. Grey's Anatomy ranks right up there in my absolute favs, primarily because of how *smart* the writing is, how interesting the story lines and characters are, and how complex yet natural the dialog can be. All thanks to the fabulous writers, who keep their own blog! Yea! Every week they write a post-show recap, that gets deep into the behind the scenes stories and the thought process behind each episode. They also drop some serious hints as to their ultimate plans for the characters, it's a must-read for any super fan!

Post Secret
Quick warning.. this one is NOT kid or family friendly.. at least PG-13 but sometimes R.. so PLEASE don't click if you are easily offended or if there are kids in the room. That said, this is a fascinating read.. average strangers around the world write their deepest, darkest secrets on a postcard and send them in to the site, where they are scanned and posted for all the world to read. It's a way to get it off your chest without naming names, and it's so eye opening to see the things people are living with and dealing with everyday. Sometimes you see a secret you share, sometimes one you'd never imagine. And sometimes they are silly, sometimes very sad. But it's all very interesting. Secrets are updated every Sunday, so check it out when you get a chance!

Jinky Art
My all-time favorite photographer, straight from Australia no less! She's got an amazing eye, and her work all has a very editorial, modern look. A different style and a different look from me, but that makes it all the more interesting... it's like candy for my eyes! Hope you enjoy!

The Soup
Okay, back to my tv obsession... a second show in the top three.. The Soup on E! And I happen to know of at least ONE other client who shares my pleasure.. we actually watched an episode during a session while waiting for their sweet baby to wake up! It's a hilarious recap of the funniest moments on tv for the week.. and it's completely addictive! The blog just features behind the scenes news and extra funnies to keep you going from week to week!

FW Child: Mommy Bloggers
How could I end a blog post without a story about blogging? Ft Worth Child Magazine took an interesting look at the trend of mommy blogging.. where regular moms like you and me have their own personal blogs, to share photos of the kiddos and talk "shop" with other moms. Sort of an online diary/scrapbook/quilting bee all in one! I know many of my clients have blogs themselves, and would love to do a five dedicated to them.. so if you want yours added let me know! :)

That's it for this week... happy blogging! :)

Too cool for words...

That describes this family to a t! I don't need to explain much else, just watch this drama unfold and tell me you aren't smiling by the end! :)

Emerging...

from the depths of a server transfer. Who knew it could be so complicated?? Email is back, but all emails sent between noon on Thursday and noon on Saturday were not received, so if you have contacted us in that time please try again! Everything else seems to be mostly working, with the exception of some missing photos on the most recent blog posts, which we are working to resolve. Thank you for your patience!

You might have also noticed the lack of Friday Five last week, due to the lack of service on the site at the time.. so sorry! I promise this week's list will be extra fun to make up for it! :)

Now, as I dig myself out from mini session orders and lots of fun spring sessions we've been shooting (all of which will be shared very soon!) I ask for a little more patience as our response time slows until work resumes to normal. Add that to some exciting new stuff in the works for everyone, due to launch by the start of summer, and things are more than a little nuts around here!

In the meantime, a shot I think might just be my newest favorite image. I've gotten a similar shot many times before, it's one of my favorite shots to get, not just a swing but a midair swing, just looking at it makes me feel so YOUNG, I can feel the wind in my hair and between my toes, the gravity-taunting weightlessness that comes right at the peak of a swing, before you get that tug in the pit of your stomach pulling you back down again, that unrelenting urge to just push a little harder, see how high you can go... ahh I loved the swings!

But this one really gets me.. I love how you can see the slightest peek of her face, the beaming smile unmistakable even from upside down. And I also love her little painted toenails hanging on to the flip flop for dear life... so girly and young, so full of every quintessential childhood cliche it almost seems unreal, and yet it's still so completely genuine you don't think twice about it.



Hope you all have a great week!

Country Girl...

As primarily a children's photographer, I don't do a ton of high school seniors. But this girl had me at hello for two reasons. First, she and her family have an amazing ranch just outside of the metroplex where we could shoot all sorts of fun stuff, including with her horses! And second, I used to babysit her when she was just a little sprout! Sniff, sniff... it's like watching my own kids age right before my eyes!! From a spirited little bug to a beautiful, brilliant young woman... there was no way I could say no! :)

Toot, toot!

That's the sound of my own horn.. yes I have no shame.. but this is something I'm actually proud of, so why not share it with may favorite people? :)

A peice I recently created for my daughter's preschool auction is featured today on the blog at Design Aglow, which is the premiere design & inspiration resource for photographers. It's a great honor, and I'm excited about the project as well, so feel free to check it out!

Shameless self promotion over now... we will resume regularly scheduled photo features tomorrow! :)

A Glint...

This little guy was one of my favorite sessions in a long time. It was the epitome of boyhood; we rode bikes and played soccer outside, with him running circles around mom and dad and me dodging sharp turns and ducking from airborne balls.



Then we headed inside, where he created a few masterpieces (including a very impressive likeness of a beta fish!)



He's had a rough time the last few years, conquering adversaries unimaginable for such a sweet little guy. But he'll be the first to show you he's stronger than you'd think!



But whether we were jumping on the bed or snuggling with mom and dad, you could tell this is one special kid. He's just got that something about him, the kind of something that no matter how scared or sad he may be, no matter what life throws his way, he's going to come out on top. It's there in his heart, and it's there in his eyes.. just a little glint.. a tiny powderkeg hint of what's to come.



I loved meeting you and your amazing family, Sam.. thanks for letting me play along today! :)

Friday Five 4/18/08

Happy Friday! Hope you all survived the storms last night and are waking up to a dry, sunny day!

Duck Tape Prom
This is a fabulous idea and just mind boggling to think about. A contest for creating a prom dress entirely out of duck tape... and the entries are actually GOOD! Sort of like Project Runway: sticky edition. :) Be sure to click on the past winners and check out the amazing creations these kids have come up with.

Wonderful Graffiti
This is a really creative way to personalize your home without looking cheesy or cutesy.. everything from monograms to famous quotes to your custom phrase, printed onto special black decals that attach easily to the walls. Sort of a temporary tattoo for your walls! Just browse the site and let your imagination go crazy!

Good Pails
Um, yeah.. this is exactly what it sounds like.. a website full of cute pails & buckets. I know it SOUNDS strange, but really they are just adorable, and make great options for everything from wrapping presents to storing toys and other items around the house. Every size, color and variation you can think of... add this to your "bucket list" :)

Main Street Arts Festival
Speaking of creative things to add to your list.. this is a must do! The annual arts & entertainment festival is drying out this weekend from last night's rain but nevertheless promises to be another great year! Go for the music, the art, or just the turkey legs and cotton candy... whatever your artistic taste deems suitable! :)

My Beautiful Mommy
This one is neither creative or artistic... but it will certainly get the wheels in your head turning! A plastic surgeon has written a book for kids to explain the process when mommy goes in for a tummy tuck or augmentation and comes out "Not just different... prettier!" Add this to the watercooler topics today and see what the opinions are.. either way I bet it sells out quickly!

Hope you all have a happy.. (pretty!)... weekend!