I saw three ships come sailing in...

I headed up to Anacortes, WA on Sunday to take some photos of an adorable baby and got there earlier than I'd expected so my sister and I spent some time hanging out in the "downtown area"... taking some photos on the waterfront and running back to the car because it was biting cold... We pretended like we owned one of the boats and picked out which one we liked best. I chose the bright yellow one named "The Wild Rumpus" ("Let the wild rumpus begin!!" - Where the Wild Things Are) but unfortunately it is not pictured here... My heated seats were calling me.

above taken via "instagram" - @chrisklas

Bokeh Babe

 Who doesn't love babies? And Bokeh?... what could be better?

More of my adorable nephew because I just can't get enough... Full version of his photo shoot in this week's "Friday Photo Shoot"

Friday Photo Shoot: Family!!

Quite literally... My beautiful sister asked if I would snap a few shots of her a.b.s.o.l.u.t.e.l.y. adorable family. I always tell her that God did such a good job taking all the best parts of them and making some stinkin' adorable kids.

Chips off the old block...

 Mostly because I couldn't decide which photo/edit I liked the most...

As far as a photo tips go... Not sure what to say this week - (in fact, I'd LOVE your tips on how to work with an EXTREMELY bright sun)... One thing I will say when working with kiddos - they LOVE to see themselves. If you're working with a camera that has a good sized screen for reviewing your shots, show them their own photo, it makes them smile and it makes them want to take more so they can see themselves over and over - instant cooperation. :)

The below was just too funny... big brother had about all he could take as far as this photo shoot was concerned and little brother was just doing his best to copy the same exact position as his super-cool big bro.

Merry Christmas!

Thankful Thursday

Today I don't have much. I am just thankful for second millionth chances & lattes.

(photo courtesy of instagram: chrisklas)

and I have the house to myself when I finally arrive home at 8:30pm tonight... Maybe I'll be thankful for bubble baths.

Wednesday

(clever title huh?)


I'm just trying to get my feet moving in the right direction... Normally, it's January that lights the fire under me to say "We need to get on a schedule and we need to stick to it and we need to get some things done around here!" But I think I've had enough of this busy life and letting everything else go by the wayside. So - one of my chores yesterday was walking the dog... 

How lucky was I? What a beautiful day (a balmy 32 degrees - no snow on the ground though) - birds chirping, sun shining and a little trip to the park...

(photos taken courtesy of the handy-dandy iphone)

I-phone-ography

Just when you thought there was enough bokeh in the world...

Yesterday I mentioned that I had a bit of time on my hands and the trend seems to continue... As I sat on the couch reading a book, listening to Christmas music, sipping hot chocolate and soaking in the light from the tree I looked down at my phone (which is unfortunately always tethered to my person... Did you know there are support/recovery groups for these types of addictions? That's ridiculous...)

What's more ridiculous - is that I decided the view was photo worthy. Without even trying - the lights created their own little bokeh reflecting off my cell phone. And I spent the greater part of the evening fiddling with the camera. Taking pictures of the tree... the dog... the cell phone... the husband (who was rather obliging)... This is what happens when a photographer gets bored I suppose. No subject is safe.

      

This little light of mine...

I've come to the conclusion that I'm weak. And so are you.

I get burnt out. And so do you.

I'm educated... I'm smart... I'm outgoing... energetic... married to an awesome man... I've got all of that - but it doesn't cut it. I try to be an example and I try to be the person that I want students to look up to (working in ministry) and yet... I don't see fruit - I don't see any growth... Then, I realize it's because I don't see and fruit or growth in MY OWN LIFE. 

It's come to my attention that in order to be an example for others - I've got to follow the ultimate example on my own FIRST. Then, ministry won't be a "job" or something to check off my proverbial "to do list" - rather it will be a natural outpouring of my relationship with Jesus Christ. 

I can only be a light to others if I've got the light shining THROUGH me... from the inside out.

Second photo... I finally had a weekend where there wasn't much going on and I had FREE TIME on my hands (who knew that even existed??)... So I was getting a little bored and decided I would discover new things in my camera. This is the first of many "multiple exposure" shots I'm sure I'll be putting up as long as Christmas lights are hung.

Instagram!

So - I have to confess... I'm not sure what this whole "instagram" thing is all about... A friend told me I needed to join - so here I am... now what do I do? (I don't even tweet and I've got an instagram account?)

I suppose it's all about a way to share your photos "on the go"... Even faster than blogging! So. I've joined. Find me if you like (chrisklas) and are a fellow "what do I do with this thing" instagram user.

Do you instagram?

This week in pictures:

Finding Beauty in the little things with:

Friday Photo Shoot: Mom & Daughter

Last weekend I had the pleasure to shoot a mother/daughter photo session! How fun. :) I think more people should have pictures taken with their sweet mommas. I know I need an updated photo with my own!

It was suggested (thanks!) that I offer up some "tips" for family photography... First thought - Ha! I am not in a position to offer anyone else tips! :), Second thought... I guess I can offer up what I like right now, although that's constantly changing as I learn more...

So, here goes nothing: I really like the above photo. Although it's a bit grainier than I would like (I'm sure a lighting fault of my own) - anyway, I like when the subject is framed by something other than the edge of the photo. The autumn foliage served as just the right complement to the beautiful mom and daughter.

I even had the opportunity to snap a photo of little brother while he waited EXTREMELY patiently in the FRIGID weather for big sis and mom to get their photo-shoot on.