I was having a conversation with Spike through the window.  He was messing around.  I had my camera (trying to photograph Cosmo).  Spike messing around + camera+a sprinkling of post processing= A R T.

I love that his left eye is prominent.  (Spike, Ike, and I are all left eye dominant and right handed).

I’ve been wanting to mess around with ttvf and haven’t had a chance.  This will have to satisfy the want for now.

Several years ago when Spike was tall enough to ride the coasters at King’s Island I coerced him into riding Son of Beast with me.  I can still remember the anticipation while we waited in line.  After the ride began, Spike was upset with me.  As we are approaching the first loop de loop I began questioning what I had gotten both of us into.  As we come out of the loops I wanted off the ride and I was certain Spike would not be speaking to me.  To my surprise, he’s screaming to ask if we can ride again.  No way I was going to ride again.

Fast forward to this past summer.  We are at King’s Island.  Spike coerced me into riding Diamondback.  Pay backs for the damage I had done several years ago.  I know for sure I am done riding the thrill rides, sad but true.

Today I feel like I am standing in line for a coaster ride.  My stomach is in my throat and I’m holding on!  Hope the ride is everything we hope for and more.

The boys and I headed downtown Dayton for an urban photo session.  The session started out getting shots for our family Christmas card (I’ll share those in another post soon).  After we got the card shots I wanted to capture a few individuals shots.

This capture was a happy accident.

Spike leaned against the wall while I was photographing Ike.  Thankfully I looked up to see this.  Spike was told not to move.  Then it was Ike’s turn.

We ended up north of town at a vacant motel.  I’ve been wanting to photograph a session here.  Unfortunately by the time we got to the motel both boys were over this session.

Ask any portrait photographer you know and they’ll tell you the hardest subjects to photograph are their own children.

We left Vandalia and headed to the country to the family farm for this extended family photo session.  It was a beautiful evening session, just a bit chilly.  The parents/grandparents cruise around Vandalia in their restored Model A so we knew that was going to be a part of this session.

This family is gorgeous.  And they are a lot of fun to hang around with.

Dogs can be unpredictable in a family session.  Miss Indie was such a good girl.

“H” sorry that I kept asking you to kneel on the concrete.  It isn’t like I didn’t know that you had knee surgeries:(

“B” family thanks for making the drive for the family session.  I’m glad the weather cooperated for us.

When I was leaving the grandkids were negotiating over who was piling on the blankets and riding in the rumble seat to head to dinner.

When M&M and I decided to have children I thought I would have girls.  I have a sister and quite frankly knew nothing about raising boys.  Fast forward to today.  We’re the parents of a 13 year old and 10 year old boys.  I really thought we had gotten off easy on the drama and shopping of it all.

I’ve been to the mall 2x in less than 72 hours.  First we had to pick up a pair of converse at Journeys.

Last night we went to AEO because Spike had to have this.

And Ike had to have these.

This morning was ugly getting ready for school.  Spike thought he could wear shorts with his fedora.  Ummm… it’s 27 degrees outside.  Let the drama begin!

{Names of been changed to protect the innocent… M&M is my husband, Spike is our oldest son who is 13, and Ike is our youngest son who is 10}

I had been in search of “the chair”.  ”The chair” required certain qualities.  I had searched antique shops, second hand stores, and thrift stores with no luck.  On day this summer I was perusing a photography forum and I saw it.  I sent an email to the photographer asking about where she found “the chair”.  Just so happens her chair was one of a pair.  The photographer happily provided the store information.  A call to the shop keeper to put the chair on hold and confirm directions.  He thought I was crazy when he realized where I was driving from.

I convinced my youngest son “ike” to go on a “junkin adventure”.  Little did he know what he was in store for.  We drove for 3 hours.  We are not off the highway and the shop was going to  close in just a few minutes.  I thought a quick phone call to the shop keeper to let him know I was almost at there.  The grumpy shop keeper told me I’d better hurry cause he was closing…

We weren’t in the store 5 minutes and back on the road.

The trip was worth it (although I doubt Ike would agree).

I had the opportunity to attend Allison Tyler Jones FOTW (Fly on The Wall) Workshop .  I spent two days with some amazing and talented women.  Learning, laughing, creating, and connecting.  

Allison had just moved into her new studio.  Fabulous.

Here are just  a couple of the gorgeous girls we got to photograph! 

Thanks to all the amazing people who were a part of this event.

In August I headed to AZ.  Having never been to AZ before I wasn’t sure going to the desert in August was the best idea I’ve had.  The timing was influenced by a photography workshop.  M&M’s sister and family live in the Phoenix area.  I was able to spend the weekend with family.

Saturday we headed to Sedona.  Snoopy Rock is a favorite landmark.  Uhm… I had a little trouble finding the rock formation.  Had to hand the camera to Meghan so she could frame in the view finder for me.

If you are ever in Sedona sign up for a www.pinkjeep.com. The sunset tour was gorgeous.

When we stopped we were losing light quickly.  I needed a tripod… had to brace myself against the pink jeep to minimize movement (oh and it was a bit windy).

(The difference between the lighting in the above two images… Snoopy Rock was taken late afternoon and the rock formation above was taken in the golden light of sunset.)

On the drive back to Phoenix that night, the adventure begins.  There are two ways out of Sedona.  One easy and the other more scenic.  We took the more scenic route (I was not driving).  We drove through the historic mining town of Jerome “America’s Most Vertical City”.  We found ourselves quickly in what felt like a creepy, scary movie.  The road out of Jerome is in the foothills and it’s one hairpin turn after another.  Did I mention the sun has set and it’s dark.

Signs are posted “low visiblity forest fire” (We could see the fire in the distance on the way to Sedona earlier in the day).  Next we see signs for “heavy equipment”.  Linda takes a hairpin turn and right before us is the forest fire.  A scene right out of a movie.  While I was tempted to ask Linda to pull over (remember I had my camera) I wisely kept my mouth shut.

The road we were traveling on was closed the next day… http://www.readitnews.com/prescott-arizona-news/latest-prescott-news/2477-increased-activity-on-woodchute-fire.

I can’t wait to return to Arizona when I have the family with me and more time to spend seeing the sights… Jerome in the daytime!  Next up part two photography workshop.

Remembering the heroes of 9/11 and their families.  Thankful for the men and women who serve to protect our freedom.  Giving thanks to the countless volunteers who risk their lives for our safety.  Praying for world peace.

Meet Miss J.  Such a spunky young lady.  Miss J and her mom have great fashion sense.  They did a great job styling the outfits for this sibling session.  Look how beautiful she is.

Big brother Mr C.  We connected on so many levels… scouts, pinball, cars.

I can’t remember who said something to crack these two up.

Miss J working the tracks runway.

Who would have guessed that a bribe would work on  this handsome guy.

Mom was the role model parent, I can’t thank you enough.  It was a pleasure to meet your family.  Mr C… next time we’ll schedule it so that our session ends with a pinball game!