Monday, March 31, 2008

Fresh From the Oven

Who can resist a freshly baked baby? Little Eli was so precious, I just wanted to take him home with me!

Well, almost....I still remember those sleepless nights!! {lol}

All wrapped up in Grandma's hand-knit blankie...

...in Daddy's strong hands...

...equally-precious big bro (Have you ever seen such beautiful eyes?)...


...and the parents that love them both very much!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Playing Tag

My friend Harrison tagged me today. That means, I get to share 10 little known facts about me (I know...you're thrilled, right?). So, in case you missed the first installment of blog tag, here goes round two :

1. When I was a kid, I decided that I wanted to be an astronaut despite watching the Challenger spaceship burst into flames the very same year. I was inspired by my third grade teacher, Mrs. Oliver, who applied for the teacher in space position that Christa McAuliffe won. Sadly, I grew up and realized actually becoming an astronaut meant excelling in math and science. Let's just say my algebra teachers never nominated me for an outstanding student awards (that's for sure). ;)

2. One of my OCD tendencies is that I firmly believe all bathrooms should have the toilet paper accessible from the top of the roll, not underneath. I would even be willing to change it in someone else's home if I was there very long!

3. Since Tim & I married, we have carried on a NCAA tournament tradition of selecting teams from the bracket and giving points for each win (final four wins get more points) to see who will dominate. Actually, we started doing this before we were married with our friends, the McElroy family. This year, our eldest daughter joined the fun...much to our dismay. She's been creaming us!

4. I am a minimalist. I like clean lines (in clothing and furniture), solid color clothing, simple shoes & just enough make-up to get the job done. I guess it's my way of trying to keep life as simple as possible.

5. I check e-mail WAY too much...probably 15 times or more a day (but I'm trying to wean myself). And, okay...it's more than 15 times a day.

6. Tim & I have been trying to become more healthy this year. We've given up all unnatural sweeteners (aspartame) and reduced (almost eliminated) white sugars/white flours from our diet. We've added more protein, veggies and whole foods. We allow ourselves one day off a week to eat a typical American diet but we've found that when we do eat junk on our day off, we feel terrible and miss our fresh veggies! Who knew?

7. I will graduate with my bachelor degree next May...fourteen years after I first started it!!

8. I hate flannel sheets.

9. I have suffered from migraine headaches since I was an elementary-aged kid, but since the birth of my second child, they have subsided significantly.

10. I love the sound of whippoorwills. They are a type of nocturnal bird that I often heard growing up in the forests of Arkansas. They make a very soothing sound...it's a great lullaby.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

The Many Faces of Bobo

I know: Bobo is a weird nickname for a kid. Surprisingly, there is no backstory to it either. It's just something that came out of her daddy's mouth one day & it kinda stuck.


She is a quirky little creature. Unlike our oldest who has always been soft-spoken and a little shy (she once told her Sunday school teacher, "I only talk to kids."), Bobo has pretty much been her exact opposite: loud, boisterous, goofy.


Last week, she was in a indulgent mood and allowed me to take her picture. After one or two, she suddenly began striking poses of all variations. Crazy kid.

Attention Seniors

Senior package pricing will increase as of May 1, so if you're interested in booking a last-minute senior session, do it soon!

Monday, March 24, 2008

Egg-cellent Easter?


Ours was. We (and by "we" I do mean "the kids") colored over 90 eggs Saturday night!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Happy Easter!

I hope you and yours had a very blessed Easter! One final reminder about the reason for the season:

Friday, March 21, 2008

Happy Good Friday, Everyone!

The reason I am thankful for Good Friday:

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Book Recommendation


Maybe you're like me...you hate disorganization but constantly find yourself in the midst of it because your life is so crazy busy. Or maybe your brain doesn't seem to work most days b/c it's on information overload.

You need to read this book.

I haven't even finished reading all of Getting Things Done by David Allen, but let me tell you...it's VERY helpful especially if you are a compulsive multi-tasker!

The best part of the book to me (so far!) was his explanation of how our brains are basically too full all of the time. He compared it to RAM on a computer. Have you ever had a bunch of different computer applications open and running at the same time (of course you have, if you are a compulsive multi-tasker)? Has your computer ever started running slowly or even frozen up? Usually that's because the RAM is almost maxed out. Allen says we are like computers with maxed out RAM--we carry around SO much information that we are constantly "processing" (aka--trying not to forget!) that our brains are working overtime & are never allowed to just have any clear thoughts. Okay, that's the Megan paraphrase--he did a much better job explaining...

Allen spends the rest of the book giving ways of getting the information out of your head and into a functional system. I've implemented some parts of it already and I feel better!

This is the kind of book that is popular in the business world for its systematic organization but it can apply to ANYone from student to housewife to CEO of a corporation. So, if you're looking to do some serious spring cleaning in your brain, give this one a try! :)

P.S. You can check out Allen's Getting Things Done website HERE

Sunday, March 16, 2008

This Old House

Every Tuesday & Thursday on my way to the university, I pass this old house:



Ever since I first noticed it, I fell in love with it. There are plenty of old homes and barns on my driving route, but this one has always captivated my attention though I don't know why (maybe it's the unique skinny rectangular window shapes or the wooden shingles). I have always wanted to do a photo shoot at this location.

Good news--I finally got to! :)

Bad news--I can't show you any sneak peeks because it was for a bridal session! : (

Well, I can't show you for now... but picture this: three gals (one wearing a beautiful brand new wedding dress) tromping through a field, bypassing cow manure then braving the half-rotten floor boards of a really old house to sit in one of those intriguing windows. I gotta say...after doing a session there, I love this place even more!

Oh, and guess what? We didn't get a speck of dust on that beautiful white dress! We're good!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Call Me!


I thought I would be traveling next week, but turns out, I won't be. So, I have sessions available for several time slots on Monday-Thursday next week, March 17-20. If you are interested, give me a ring or shoot me an e-mail! (580) 705-0054

Monday, March 10, 2008

Fun!

Here's your friendly reminder to go out and do something fun today!
Hope you are enjoying the beautiful almost-spring weather!



This is Lauryn (my youngest) and Scooter (my youngest non-human) enjoying some of the wonderful sunshine yesterday afternoon. And for the record, he was licking not biting (I guess that tongue is quicker than my camera trigger finger!).

Friday, March 07, 2008

Lathan & Kate

You've already met Lily & Zach...now meet Lathan and Kate!


These two were cutie patooties. Lathan wanted to show me all of the tractors and trucks that he got for his birthday & Kate told me all of the names of her babies and bears (hint: they are all named after her). And the cutest thing ever: Lathan asked his mom if I could stay and play after we took pictures. Awwww!


I love these little hats!



You know how much I love the serious look!



Added a little texture to this one. I love how she is holding on to her big brother's arm and how he looks like he will always protect her. So sweet!



And for art/photography enthusiasts (because this means absolutely nothing to a regular person): check out the Rembrant lighting. (Rembrant lighting, produces a triangle of light no longer than the nose and no wider than the eye on a cheek).

Lathan was pretty proud of the fact that he helps harvest this wheat field, so I had to get a couple of him with his soon-to-be crop!



Kate had a tea party with three of her closest doll/bear friends (who just happen to share her name--lol!) Her kitchen was so cute~I want one!



One more of big bro...




...and one more of lil' sis.

Thanks Lily, Zach, Lathan & Kate! I had fun! :)

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Lily & Zach

Last Friday the weather was beautiful...PLUS I got to meet four beautiful little kiddos at a beautiful farm location for a session. It doesn't get much better than that! So, without further ado, meet two of the little cuties: Lily & Zach.

I must say, one of the best parts of living in western Oklahoma is that, even in the winter time when everything is brown, there are huge fields of green (winter wheat). There's something about seeing a little bit of green when it's cold outside that makes you feel hopeful...like spring is not too far away! (Plus, it makes for some pretty good pre-spring pictures!)




As my grandmother would always say, "Isn't she a dandy?"


Awww...brothers & sisters DO love each other from time-to-time!

Zach is three and, like most three-year-olds, he likes to move fast! But I managed to get one shot before he hurried off to his next adventure!


Check out those gorgeous blue eyes!



What's a photo session without a round of silly faces?

Stop back by tomorrow to meet the next set of cuties: Lathan & Kate!

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Why Not Host A Portrait Party?

{ Images from past portrait parties}


What is a "portrait party?"
Let's face it: with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, things like making an appointment to have your child's or family's yearly portraits can be easy to put off. Portrait parties are an easy way to make sure your family--and your friends' families--set aside a day to record your family history.

Portrait parties have a hostess who is in charge of finding a location and setting appointments within the allotted party date (sessions are approximately 30 minutes each). She is the liaison between the photographer and participating families. She can even provide snacks or drinks for the party, though this is not a requirement.

What are the benefits of a portrait party?
Each family/individual that books a session at the party receives:
*$15 off the regular sitting fee
*25% off of total print order

For the hostess's hard work, she will get:

*A free sitting fee
*A portion to total sales is credited to her account to be used to order prints or specialty items
*25% off total print order
*A complementary spiral-bound 5x5 proof book, with a custom designed cover like this one:




I don't advertise portrait parties on my website simply because I can only take a limited number of them. Also, portrait parties are not to be used for huge family reunion-type sittings; it's impossible to work with giant groups in such a small session time.


Portrait parties require quite a bit of advance planning. If you are interested in hosting one this spring or summer, call or e-mail me now to talk about dates!

Monday, March 03, 2008

Just. Plain. Scary.

You know how good things are only good when used in moderation (like chocolate)? Photoshop is a very good thing in my life, but I try to use it in moderation. It's not software used to "fix" bad photos or magically drop ten pounds off of a person digitally; it's just a tool used to help enhance photos. I've warned you about how magazines and ad agencies have gotten out-of-control with photo retouching in the past (remember "The Beauty Myth" ?), but maybe you didn't really believe me when I said that the celebrities who grace the cover of your favorite magazine are almost digital imitations of a real person. So, just as a friendly reminder, I'd like to introduce you to a new celebrity: Carlizina Jolectron.




Looks real, right? This is a digital composite made from the lips of Angelina Jolie, the nose of Charlene Theron and the eyes of Carmen Electra. Somebody was actually able to piece an entirely new and completely fake person together using photoshop.

So the lesson of the day is: quit wishing you had the thighs/waistline/arms/fill-in-the-blank-here of the person on the cover of your favorite magazine. Chances are, they wish that they look that good in real life, too.

Source: Photoshop News & The Daily Mall