Wow...I haven't felt the urge to write in some time. I've been posting images, but didn't really have the time or feel the need to write anything to go with them. So, what's happened since the last entry...?


I added the "raindrops" gallery the day after I posted a blog entry on the 7th. That gallery kinda fell into my lap that night at the hospital. I just loved the colors cast by the lot lights, and the background colors I could create by pointing at different colored cars in the spaces around us. I think that's a gallery I'm going to try to add to as often as I can.


I completed the gallery for my cousins twin girls, Addison and Kira. They are really cute. It was a blast getting some great images for them, as most of the shots I had seen were with small point and shoot cameras in low light.


Last weekend I met my other cousin up closer to my place. They were in Libertyville for a 2-day soccer tournament for her 11 year old boy, Dylan. I really haven't done too much with action shots, but I think I did ok for as little experience I have and the less than ideal equipment for fast paced action.


On the same Sunday that I shot the third soccer game, I went that afternoon to my nieces 1 year birthday party. Shayela has changed so much over this last year, but she still gets all googely eyed at her Uncle John, so I got some great shots of her. They held her party at Margaret's church gym, which is notorious for extremely bad lighting. A daylight and deep orange tungsten mix. I shot a wedding reception in there once, and I had them turn off all the lights and go by the little daylight that was coming into the room, just to avoid having to explain why one side of their face was blue and the other orange in all the prints. Awww, screw it, just convert them all to b&w. ;)


I'm currently planning another senior portrait session, coming up very soon. I drove out to have a quick meet and greet with the mom and son on Monday. An hour well spent in my mind. I think I'm going to be doing that for all my sessions in the future. Just meet up with them well before the shoot to get acquainted and break the ice a little. We discussed a few ideas for the shoot and other ways that we can make their session unique and special. They should be getting back to me in a few days to set a date for the session.


I've also had a couple of hits on my Myspace page for a few portrait sessions, so that might start to pay off there as well. I have some other networking to do as far as MUA and hair stylists to add to my portrait experience.


Outside my little camera world...I have been putting in some decent overtime hours at the day job. That's always a nice perk to see a nice spike in the old paycheck. Ian is moving along nicely in his first grade world, but could probably use a little more quality time with the old man, so I'm going to plan for that this weekend. Eli is finally starting to sneak me some smiles here and there. His acid reflux is better and mommy is trying to feed him more often, but less at each sitting. It's hard to believe he's only 11 weeks old. But when you say that this Wednesday he will be 3 months old, it just feels longer than that.


About todays shot...I was eyeballing the leaves in the front yard for the last few days, thinking of how to bribe Ian to go out there with me and take a few shots. It was actually quite easy. Maybe he really does need some daddy time. Anyways, so I was asking mommy if he had a brown colored fleece to wear outside to pose in. She comes out with this top with the bold stripes. My basic portrait training kicks in...stripes=BAD. Does he have anything different? "Well yea, but this one is festive..."


Good enough for me, lets go kiddo. Festive it is.