If any of you know me, you would know that I don’t get that many pictures taken of myself. It’s just one of the downfalls of being a photographer. And if you know my husband, you would know that he rarely ever picks up a camera to take pictures. If he does, 90% of the time it’s to take landscape pictures. It’s one of the downfalls of being married to a nature lover.

So put us together and you get a family who rarely has mom in any photos with the kids or family. I’m *trying* to train my husband to learn a little about how to use my 5D (the older one, the new one is my baby), but it’s a slow process. He did manage to get a couple decent shots of me and the kids at Carrizo Plain a couple weekends ago, but I’m a bit critical of them just because I wasn’t really prepared (gah, I need a hair cut!). Nevertheless, they are pretty nice and I’m quite happy that one day my kids won’t be asking “but, where’s mom? Didn’t she go with us that day?” Yes, yes I did! You don’t know how many times people ask where I was in the pictures? Our trip to Bear Valley early last month yielded absolutely ZERO shots of me. I could have been vacationing in Hawaii for all you know! Mom was no where to be seen. Hence, my determination to train the husband. We’ll see how much he improves.

I’m going to bite the bullet and show a few pictures of me, with the kids, that were taken over the years. I’m really SO happy to have them, and believe me, I do get them printed and on the wall. Not because of my vanity (no way!), but because I want my kids to see me with them, and not just pictures of them, or them with dad. This is OUR home after all.

This one was taken during the holidays with my family in San Diego. I always inadvertently get sucked into doing family portraits for everyone there, but I manage to get some of our family as well. I have this one hanging between the kids’ rooms:

Here is one that my good friend Pam took a couple years ago. This one sits framed on my desk:

And a recent shot at Carrizo Plain. Not sure where the focus is, the landscape or me and the kids, lol.

So what’s my real point of this post you ask? Besides the fact that mothers rarely have any portraits taken of themselves? Well, actually that’s precisely my point. Mothers don’t get enough photos taken of themselves, or with their kids. With Mother’s Day approaching, I wanted to honor mothers, both new ones and those, like me, busy-all-the-time mothers. Which is why I’m really excited to announce a new mini portrait event in late April. If you have a husband like mine that doesn’t like to take pictures, then get YOURS to purchase a mini session for you and the kids. And while you’re there, do some shopping at Johnson’s for Children and support our local community businesses.
More information here: Limited Edition Mommies Mini Portraits

‘Tis my favorite time of year! The fields are green and wildflowers are blossoming. Weather is getting warmer, and days are getting longer again.  I’m getting really excited about doing more outdoor shoots again.  So much so that I’ve decided to add a new session type, Outdoor Sessions for $175!  No, this isn’t a special.  It’s going to be added to my price list permanently.  I figured it would be a good way to entice clients outside, where the sun is golden and warm, just like these beautiful wildflowers I photographed this weekend at Carrizo Plain.  I LOVE these images.  I just have to decide which ones to print out BIG for our house.  Everything about them just spells love and warmth to me.

I’m a little behind on finishing the proofs for this newborn, but I did want to post a few here before the day gets away from me. My daughter has decided this week that naps are no longer for her, much to the dismay of her mommy, who took advantages of those precious few hours to get some work done. I’m hoping that once we get a new routine down, I’ll get back to being my efficient, old self.

It was difficult to decide which ones to post. I love so many of them!

My daughter has started dance class and this was from her 2nd class.  I don’t know if it’s just because I’m biased as her mama, but I think she’s a natural!  I just love how she has positions her hand just so (see 0:38 sec.) and taps her toes.

And just one more pettiskirt shot thrown in:

I was recently asked how many times I’d ordered something on the internet this month. I proudly said, for once, NONE! Ever since the downturn in the economy, I’ve taken a second look at how and where I shop. Living in a small community, I’ve noticed a lot of businesses closing their doors, many of the owners I know personally. It’s really very sad and I’m grateful that I don’t have any physical “doors” to close myself. I’ve made an effort to shop locally as much as possible, to support the same community that supports my family. I encourage you to do the same! Wherever you live, purchase as much as you can from small, locally owned businesses. I honestly believe it will all come back to you in tenfold in the end.

Today I went out shopping for some birthday presents, and decided to check out a small upscale consignment shop downtown.  Back on the Racks is located on Traffic Way in Atascadero and specializes in the resale of women and children’s clothing and merchandise.  I found THE cutest purple pettiskirt that had my daughter’s name written all over it (not literally).  It was just the perfect thing for her to wear for the princess birthday party we are going to be attending this weekend.  The owner just recently had a new baby, and the store was just bursting with kids and family.  I was very impressed by the selection and quality of the consignment items and I look forward to going back and shopping for myself the next time.  For now,  I walked out with a pettiskirt and shoes for my daughter, and a gift certificate for my friend’s birthday.

I’m hoping she’ll let me “borrow” the skirt for a girl’s shoot in the future.  I just might have to sneak it out of her room.  As you can tell, she loved her new princess clothes.