I had my another family session last weekend. 30 C and shooting a baby jaga the soap bubbles is not what you prefer as a photographer. :) I must give credits to all of us (I mean the kid, his parents and I) for keeping the mood up the whole time. *Thank you guys!* As a result we’ve got some really good shots. *happy* However, I try to identify all the difficulties of shooting toddlers. They are so unpredictable, mobile and cannot take instructions that it is a real challenge to have them in focus all the time. I’m also struggling with finding a better place for my shootings. This is the common mistake for all  semiarmature (or semiprofessional :D your ambitions decide what you call yourself :D) – what looks perfect in the real life doesn’t necessarily looks great on the picture.

I’m so excited to report that I had my very first family photo shooting today! :) Or I would rather call it chasing-a-baby-with-a-camera for two hours. :D It was a great challenge for me for many reasons and honestly I didn’t dare to hope to get so many good shoots. But I can tell you, getting a sharp shoot of a 16 months baby is more a coincidence then a rule. :D I was lucky to have such patient and loving family to start with. Thank you so much! And besides for two days ago they revealed that their daughter is going to be a big sister! :) I’m sooooo happy for you, guys!

I wouldn’t mind sitting here and edit all those nice pictures, but it’s getting late and I should be in the bed. I have a lively weekend ahead of me filled with both joy and sadness. We are going to the funeral tomorrow to say the last good-bye to a very nice person – a relative of J. And then we are going to the *best ;)* West Coast to celebrate Midsummer together with our friends. It seems like the weather is going to be quite cooperative this year so I even hope to get some tan *wow!* :), eat a lot and relax big time! I’ll get back with detailed picture report, be so sure!

Happy Midsummer!

I can’t help it! I just have to share with you some of my many favorits from today’s shooting! :) *hope you like it too :)*

I’m writing this so obviously I’m not depressed ;) after I had my haircut today. It all seemed well as I left. I give it a first wash before I decide if I like it or not. :D

Anyway, I had my second photography class last night and this time it was better then the last time. Even though I cannot say that I learned a lot I can definitely say that I learned two things that I should have known by now.  But the more I learn the more I realize how much there is to learn. Besides I cannot even look on the pictures that I took for example last summer. Even those that I thought were perfect now seems hopelessly out of focus, ridiculously composed or incredibly dark. :(

A cheer up to myself: Never cry over spilt milk! ;)

So I had my first class last night. I thought that I would be the only girl but I was sooo wrong. There were only (!) girls or, considering how old they were, I should probably say “ladies”. ;) We were six. Two scrap-booking maniacs. Their biggest ambition is to take pictures of their dogs, cut them and put them in the albums. Then there is a photographer “wannabe”.  She bought her camera for three years ago during her trip to US ( because it was cheap) and never touched it until last night. ;) (I try not to judge but I admit that I did… ;) ) Then there was the one who said that she got the camera and she doesn’t understand how it works. She was talking about her compact camera…. ;) And then it was a girl next to me who got her camera because all her friends had system cameras and she wanted to be like them ;).  Yeah, and then it was me. :D A wonderful mix – we all have our reasons… :D

Anyway, I learned a couple of things that were good to know, but I hope to learn much more next time. Unfortunately, we are not having any practical classes, but so far it’s ok with me. I dreamed anyway about cameras, lenses and all adjustments all night. :D *I’m insane I know :)*

Finally it’s Monday. Finally it’s THE Monday I’ve been waiting for like a child waits for Christmas and I had hard time sleeping in weeks. ;) Tonight I start my photography class. I can say right away that I am a student from hell. ;)  The teacher will regret taking me in to this class ;) the same minute he sees the list with all the questions that I wrote. :D  And I’m not leaving with out getting all answers. :) *poor guy, I feel sorry for him*

Speaking of leaving… Tonight is the first time when Lil’ Fil will have to take care of J (hmmm, or vice versa? ;) ) on his own. And I will not be  there when he falls asleep. At least, this is what we plan. :D I really wonder if Lil’ Fil will notice that I’m not here and if he cares at all… I do… I miss him as soon as he sleeps too long or falls asleep too early in the evening. * The idea about stay-at-home-mom becomes more and more attractive! ;)*

Reminder to myself: Check if J’s last name is not Rockefeller by any chance. ;) If not, buy a lottery ticket to insure our financial independence in the future! :D

To get some truth in my life ;) I decided to create a new section in my blog, which is called “My Hall of Pride” (see the top of the page). It’s just to keep track of the pictures that I personally like or that I consider are challenging in one way or the other.  So please be a dear and click  HERE and vote.
So appreciated!! :)

The only one that you cannot fake in Photoshop, and here’s the deal. The polarizing filter has one main effect: it eliminates reflection from non metal surfaces. Besides, it is a “must” :) for outdoor and landscape photography – it turns skies into rich, blue and removes reflections when taking pictures of water. Now I’m just waiting for the sunny spring day (I hope it will come someday :) ) to test the whole power of my present! ;)

I will play a real photographer today! :D I’ve got my first real photo shooting today, where the pictures will be used for product promotion.Yahoooo! [Can't wait to post some pictures of this genius idea!] Besides I will be having two other photo shootings later on this year. I’m really excited because it’s a chance for me to show the best of me.

In a looooong month (this must be the first time February is a long month ;) ) I’ll be taking my photography skills on a new level – I’ll be taking photography classes and THIS is what I’m really looking forward. Not in the least to have a good reason to escape from the house and leave “ma guys” on their own once a week. :D

I’m totally into photography right now and I start to realize that it’s kinda expensive hobby :D. The more I learn the more expensive gadgets I want to buy! I’ve been experimenting with some adjustments today and got this picture, which I’m happy with. :) What do you think?

No more pictures today. Tonight I’m going to enjoy our fresh and good-smelling apartment, which I was cleaning for four hours today. No, it’s not THAT messy… Try to do it faster with whining Lil’ Fil, who is sleeping 30 min at a time… if sleeping at all!

Guess what we are having for dinner tonight?! ;) Yep, tacos! Besides, I’m “outsourcing” cooking to J tonight, so I will hurry up and take my place in front of the TV. I’m all exhausted and I am not doing anything tonight except eating and watching TV! Sweet!