24 LIST

Studio 2 Final Project: Nudes

2011-05-09T13:56:00.000-05:00

A possible new hobby

2011-04-27T14:33:00.003-05:00

My first stabs at video work, both for Ben's after school programs.

Enjoy!

Currently

2011-04-25T10:01:00.002-05:00

Quite possibly my favorite blog at this time:

www.soulemama.com

Today

2011-04-19T20:00:00.000-05:00

In Case You Were Wondering

2011-04-18T20:12:00.004-05:00

To-do list for the night:

Possibly finish off the last of the cookie dough cheesecake in the fridge. (What's that you say? You've never heard of such a lovely thing as cookie dough cheesecake? Well, then. Apparently you didn't take advantage of ordering any baked goods to support one of my brides' sisters who was effected by the Japan tsunami. Bummer.)
Design and order beautiful event cards for my first wedding of the season, only two-and-a-half weeks away. (Should I post images of them when they're done/they arrive?)
Run to Woodmans to purchase toilet paper, wine, and diapers. (We are currently out of — and in need of — all three.)
Drink said vino and play penguin video games with my husband.

What does your to-do list look like today?

Eyes and Such

2011-04-16T11:39:00.001-05:00

I am brainstorming about photography lessons for you guys.

I just don't know where to start.

But I am planning on it.

Happy Saturday!

Number Twelve

2011-04-16T10:54:00.003-05:00

I'll be honest: these photos are from July. I'd imagine I was exhausted and grumpy (due to pregnancy, of course) and probably wasn't up to blogging at the time. So, the story...

My friend Melissa was so kind to help teach me how to do my makeup. She is super cute and used to work for Lancome as a makeup artist. I probably hadn't seen her in a couple years, but she was more than happy to help me out with Number Twelve on my list. And it was so nice to see her!

Saturday In Studio

2011-04-09T13:56:00.003-05:00

(Please click photo to view large. (: Thank you.)

12

2011-04-07T14:57:00.003-05:00

As you're making scrambled eggs for your family on a Thursday morning,

it hits you

all of a sudden

that it takes

the whole carton of eggs

to fill everyone's bellies at lunchtime.

(And Zastrow Family Member Number Five doesn't even eat eggs yet.)

In Studio: Funny Faces

2011-04-05T22:41:00.002-05:00

Springtime

2011-04-04T13:28:00.003-05:00

With season changes I usually have an overwhelming urge to create. Sew. Build. Photograph. Crochet. Paint. Bake. Et cetera.

Has anyone else been unusually creative lately? I blame it on Spring.

It's Coming Along...

2011-04-02T17:27:00.002-05:00

Number Nineteen isn't done yet, but it's coming along.

This Girl

2011-03-29T10:58:00.002-05:00

...turned four months old yesterday.

A Friday Photo: Macro

2011-03-25T17:51:00.004-05:00

Oh my goodness, two blog posts in one day?! Per Jamie's challenge, I'll be (doing my best to see that I'm) posting a photo relating to a theme each week. This week: macro photography.

(Check out Jamie & Becki's macro shots, too!)

Friday In Studio

2011-03-25T16:51:00.009-05:00

Spent some time in-studio with the big kiddos and fellow photographer, classmate, and mommy, Taryn, and her daughter Tenlee (awesome name, right?) this morning.

More photos to come. (:

After an awesome get-together with dear friend and aspiring photographer, Meredith (hi, Mer (: ), this afternoon, I'm wondering if anyone would be interested in seeing some photography lesson blog posts. Any subjects that you've been wondering about or would like to see covered? Camera basics? Editing? Composition?

Please please make sure to comment or e-mail me at laurazastrow (AT) gmail (DOT) com if you have something in mind.

Today

2011-03-19T13:42:00.002-05:00

Number Six

2011-03-16T13:24:00.002-05:00

It seems I forgot to mention that Ben and I got sushi from the Willy Street Co-Op (in Middleton, ironically) during Valentine's Day weekend. It was yummy. (:

I know this photo may be more appropriate for item number 23 on the list, but I figured it works for sushi, too. These sweet chopsticks, along with five other darling sets, were given to me by my friend Norbyah who lives in Hong Kong.

(I also am excited to announce that this photograph marks the debut of the full frame camera that I purchased over the weekend!)

Studio on White

2011-03-05T19:29:00.002-06:00

We recently learned how to light...

...stainless steel on white...

...and white on white.

My Favorite Baby Girl

2011-02-10T15:31:00.001-06:00

Lately...

2011-01-23T12:23:00.001-06:00

Evidences of Us

2011-01-07T15:00:00.006-06:00

I remember a few years ago, before I even had a DSLR camera, my friend Jamie photographed a number of things around her home that pertained to her husband and herself. She called the set of photos "Evidences of Us" (I think... Jamie, does this sound familiar?).

For our final project in my studio class, we were instructed to photograph to a theme. I chose to photograph my family in our home, doing our everyday things. I originally wanted to shoot black and white film to push myself to try something I haven't done before. I was very particular about dialing in the right settings and framing my shot up the way I wanted each time. I couldn't just take the same shot over and over until I got what I wanted because I would use up film quickly and I still wouldn't know until I got it developed if the shot had turned out the way I was hoping.

After a couple weeks of taking these very purposeful shots, I got my film developed only to find that the entire roll was blank.

Bought another roll.

Shot the whole roll again.

Blank again. (Apparently I had been loading it wrong. Ugh. That's what I get for trying to push myself.)

So I chose to shoot the same subject matter, but this time with my DSLR and process it to look similar to black and white film. I had already taken some of these shots before (some of them even twice before!) on film, so I had in my mind what I wanted.

Here is the finished product. (Thanks, Nadine, for reminding me to post these!)

(my favorite:)

This Boy

2010-12-29T20:24:00.001-06:00

is getting printed big and hung on the wall. I love this.

Number 11

2010-11-22T16:51:00.002-06:00

My Etsy shop now has a total of eight items! Mind you, a number of them are the same item, just in different sizes, but I have added more than two items since the launch of my 24 List!

So... know anyone whose little one needs a hat for Christmas? Cuz I know this great place...

An Accomplishment

2010-11-15T11:13:00.002-06:00

I just crossed something off my to-do list for the week, and it's not even noon on Monday yet! I've updated my pricing page!

Seriously, folks: this is a big deal. Now let's see if anything else gets accomplished by the end of the week...

Guess...

2010-11-02T13:18:00.004-05:00

... who's taking a silkscreening workshop over the next two weeks. (:

Edit: Guess who else forgot about the effects of toxic fumes from silkscreening during pregnancy and had to give up her spot in the workshop until next semester. (Hopefully.)

This Week

2010-10-24T18:06:00.003-05:00

My to-do list for this upcoming week is already too long. UGH. I go on "maternity leave" a week from tomorrow. EXCITING! Except for that I'll still be doing a few shoots and editing like a mad woman. That's what "maternity leave" consists of when you're self employed. Oh, and have I mentioned how I'm a 3/4-time student? Yeah, that too. I don't get maternity leave from that.

Because blog posts without photos are no fun, here's a fun pregnant photographer one from my friend Andrew who photographed our family a couple weeks ago. (:

*Please note, this isn't supposed to be a depressing blog post. Just figured you all wanted an update. Be happy!

Photo School

2010-10-06T21:41:00.002-05:00

We've been learning basic camera controls in school lately. The majority of this is review for me, which is actually a good thing: since a lot of what's being taught is review for me, I'm able to pick up on all the little tips and tricks that are being mentioned. I'm also able to hone these skills that I don't necessarily take the time to think about.

Here are four of the photos I turned in this week for critique. They demonstrate how to use the camera to:

stop motion;

pan with a moving object;

capture emotion. ("Take a photo of a loved one that you will look back on in twenty years and cherish.");

and use long exposure.

My creative writing skills have been lacking. At least I'm updating my blog. Energies are elsewhere, so hopefully you can gracefully overlook my writing and move right to the photos.

In other news I liquidated my LZ Photo blog. Just too much to keep up on. Hopefully that means there will be more going on here at the 24 List blog, right? (:

Recently...

2010-10-04T13:42:00.003-05:00

This photo rocks me. It reminds me of Ben Chrisman's work, which rocks me even more.

Sometimes I set up a shot and shoot it for five or ten minutes to get what I had in mind. With this one, it was so cold and windy, the sun had just set, and we had little time. It was the last shot of the session we had to get. I shot a couple test shots to get my lighting right, a couple of these two standing next to each other, had them kiss and took a few shots (but her hair was blowing her her face), and then I thought, "Have him dip her!" and the set-up, wind, lighting, framing all worked perfectly. In fewer than ten shots in less than a minute. Success!

In other news, I bought jeans today that fit me. I don't think I've worn jeans since May. Ben reminded me these won't fit for long anyway. Oh well.

Parking Meter

2010-09-28T12:31:00.000-05:00

ABCs

2010-09-23T16:26:00.003-05:00

Both our kids know the alphabet song. I probably hear it at least ten times a day. Ironically, one of the first photo assignments for one of my classes (have I mentioned I'm a photography student now?) was to photograph the alphabet. My photography teacher in the graphic design program also had us do this assignment last September. I feel I've come a long way in my photography in the past twelve months, but what do you think? Can you tell which was my 2009 alphabet and which I photographed last week? Which letters are your favorites? (Oh, and please forgive me as I seem to be missing a few letters....)

2513

2010-08-09T09:37:00.003-05:00

When we bought our house, we knew everything we wanted to change about it and everything we wanted to change those things to. After awhile, the small things that bothered us started to go unnoticed, and we realized many of the big things would not be in our budget for a long time.

But, after three years of being in this house, the affordable, simple hope of changing our address numbers has happened. I said from Day One that the boring gold 2513 was going to come down from over our door and be replaced, and now here we are:

The all main materials for this were repurposed: old tiles from our bathroom wall; a piece of cedar leftover from one of my father-in-law's contracting jobs; screws from the old house number. Add some designing in Adobe Illustrator, acrylic paint, sand paper, sealant, adhesive, and caulk and this is what you get!

If I had more time, I think I'd sell them on Etsy and make a killing. But considering it took three years of process and dawdling to make this one, I'm not sure if that would be the best idea.

One more item off my summer to-do list: check!

24 Before 25

2010-08-02T14:30:00.003-05:00

So.

The 24 before 24 has become the 24 before 25 (or 12 before 25 if you like to be a glass-half-empty kinda person). I'm halfway done with my list, but I don't want to forget the last 12 things on there. And I think I'll need another whole year since I'm pregnant, running my own business, and soon to be raising three babes in my "free time" (ok, so it's really that I run a business in my non-existant free time, but you get the picture).

List items will get done, and I will periodically still post on here, but it's not a big priority right now. So mosey on over when you get the chance, but otherwise check out my photography blog. One of my many goals this month is to post every shoot on there, so I hope you get your full serving of photography over there!

Some other August goals:

- TV only one day a week. (TV consists of Hulu and Netflix since we don't have an actual TV.)

- No Facebook stalking. (This is very specific... there are certain unnamed people who's pages I will not allow myself to visit. But it's not your Facebook page, of course, so don't worry.)

- Get a photography display up at Apple Nutrition.

- Work toward prettying the kitchen which has needed it since we bought this house three-plus years ago.

As Jamie mentioned, school starts in mere weeks! So much to do!

Introducing...

2010-07-22T16:13:00.003-05:00

... the Laura Zastrow Photography Blog!

Halfway There

2010-07-04T22:08:00.006-05:00

Oh boy...

2010-05-24T19:41:00.004-05:00

Did you hear?

Get free gift cards to places like Cool Beans and Apple Cafe and Glass Nickel for each person you refer to Laura Zastrow Photography.

Each and every person.

Up to a $50 gift card per referral.

And your friends get 10% off their shoot.

"Hook me up!" you say?

Well, my friends: Click. Print. Fill out. Give away.

Number Three

2010-05-17T14:05:00.006-05:00

This was so long ago, I can't even remember when we went to the studio. Regardless, Number Three is done.

Studio recording is very precise as the point is to capture the best possible sound. So I'll tell ya, the studio is not the best place to realize that you don't quite press the strings down hard enough on your guitar. Oops. Guess I don't play in the studio ~~often~~ ever.

Ben said he's always noticed it, he just thought it was my guitar.

Nope, Babe, it's me.

My dear husband has been incredibly burned out with school and life (as have I!), and my song isn't a priority right now, so it hasn't yet been mixed and mastered, but I will try to remember to share it when it's all done. (:

Ben often talks about this microphone, telling me it's "worth more than our car." So important to someone who does this for a living. So unimportant to me. (:

Number six this weekend? Perhaps. (Don't worry, Mom, it will be fish-free.)

EDIT: Due to Jamie's mention of having no idea of what my music sounds like, this is an old rough recording of the song I recorded at the studio.

Sneak Peek: Daryn, Becky, & Baby Dawson

2010-05-03T14:51:00.005-05:00

November 21st

2010-05-01T08:46:00.001-05:00

Portland, Maine

2010-04-24T22:59:00.005-05:00

... was lovely.

The B&B had freshly baked cookies and tea ready when we arrived three-and-a-half hours late after driving through torrential downpours.

The downtown streets were cobblestone.

We ate lunch in an Irish pub...

...and both had lobster for the first time.

And we saw the ocean...

...from the wharfs...

...before we got back in the car and drove home after spending less than 24 hours in Maine.

The car ride was rough. It involved car sickness, sleeping at waysides, awful weather (did you hear about the flooding in Rhode Island?), and a three-hour detour in the middle of Connecticut.

But we drove through Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and Providence. And made some wonderful memories.

Because Portland, Maine was lovely.

Sneak Peeks

2010-04-18T20:21:00.003-05:00

You're the One

2010-04-12T10:54:00.005-05:00

I took a bath last night. I filled the water up too high. When I hopped in, it started to empty out through the overflow drain, and I heard Ben yelling from the basement. Apparently the overflow drain empties straight into the basement celing right by the electrical box. Excellent. No damage done, thankfully.

It's been busy lately. Sorry for the lack of blogging. School's kicking my butt, and I'm falling behind. The house is still a disaster since we haven't found the time to piece together the basement after having a sump pump put in. The kids have been sick. Et cetera.

School's done in a month. Hopefully all will be smoother then. Invitations to babysit my kids will be happily welcomed. Till then, bear with.

Saturday & Sunday & Next Week

2010-03-27T21:50:00.005-05:00

Our business launch celebration was a success! I was amazed at all the wonderful people that showed up! Becki had such a wonderful display of her design work and Etsy products. Nicole made a full spread of perfectly yummy vegan snacks. Jamie took some sweet photos of everyone there (I will post them when I get them from her!). It was a lovely night. If you came out, thank you. It meant a lot to us.

In 14 hours Ben and I leave for a massive road trip to Maine. The oil is changed, the car is vacuumed, and the kids are in Minnesota with Gram and Grandpa. I will not be blogging over this time (I really need a break with just my hubby, no distractions), but I will take plenty of photos to share in the near future.

You can expect plenty of photos (if I remember to post them, of course — please remind me!) after Easter as well. It seems that many of the days in April and May have "photo shoot" written on them. And to be completely honest and not portray myself to be more amazing than I am, the majority of these shoots are not paid. They're for friends, for trade or for portfolio. But regardless of the ways I'm booking my shoots, there will be photos. And I just plain ol' love taking photos.

(24 List photos, too!)

The basement is being waterproofed and sump-pumpified on Thursday before we even get back from our trip, as well as on Friday. This means everything from our 700-square-foot basement is in our 700-square-foot living space. Oy. Time to go finish clearing that out so we're ready to go tomorrow.

So toodaloo, my darling and faithful blog readers, I hope you enjoy your spring break and Easter like I will be mine.

Bethany: Invites

2010-03-25T21:27:00.008-05:00

Although all it may seem that all I do is take photos, I'm actually a fulltime graphic design student.

My dear friend Beth left me a message the other day that she was "freaking out" (hardly like her, so I doubt this was actually the case (: ) since she couldn't get her wedding invitations to look right.

She e-mailed me over a copy of what she was working on, asked my opinion on a couple things, told me what she was thinking for certain elements, and I got to work on them as soon as I got the chance. It wasn't until I went to reply to her e-mail with these four styles of her invitation that I realized she hadn't actually asked me to work on them for her: she only wanted my input! Oops!

Thankfully, though, she loved them all anyway and is trying to figure out a favorite. She wanted me to put them on here to get feedback. Her colors will be wine, champagne, and black, so these will most likely be printed on a cream-colored cardstock.

So which is your favorite?

Number Thirteen

2010-03-20T12:19:00.007-05:00

So I didn't technically "create" these myself, but nonetheless, I finally have a business card! I've been a bit obsessed with letterpress ever since I saw Seven Pounds with Will Smith, and I found Dingbat Press through Etsy. Adrienne designed and printed these beautiful cards for me, and the splatter pattern became the inspiration for my Laura Zastrow Photography graphic. Aren't they lovely?

And for those of you who gave your input on the colors, thank you! I couldn't help but go with the yellow. I think they're sharp. (:

Drumroll, Please

2010-03-19T20:15:00.004-05:00

The winners of the Want-a-Cookie Giveaway are...

...Katy! Woo-hoo! I know you've been doing the vegetarian thing for a bit, so I'm sure you'll love these!

And...

...SimplytoDelight!

You two shoot me an e-mail at laurazastrow {AT} gmail {DOT} com in the next 24 hours with your name and address, and I'll get your cookies in the mail for you! Be sure to do it soon, otherwise I'll send them to someone else!

For those of you who didn't win, thanks for playing! I love that you all were so excited to participate in my big business launch promotion! Thank you! And just so you know, you Madisonians can pick up some Liz Lovely cookies at the Willy Street Co-Op. I also think they're available at Whole Foods. And I know you can buy them on her website.

Stay tuned, guys! I've got another item to cross off my 24 List tomorrow!

happily Becki

2010-03-18T20:39:00.004-05:00

I'm sure you remember Becki who I'm having my business launch party and who made my splattery Laura Zastrow Photography images. Well, she interviewed me for her blog! She says the sweetest things. I really like her. If you'd like to read it, you can find it here.

She's also giving away two gorgeous items from her Etsy store. But click here and enter quick! Her giveaway ends tomorrow.

Don't forget mine does too! Click the photo for the Cookie Giveaway in the right column if you haven't entered yet! And stop by tomorrow to see if you've won!

RAW(e): Distraction

2010-03-16T13:17:00.006-05:00

No edits. No touch-ups. Straight out of camera. (Such a good way for me to be pushed to be better at my craft!) This week's RAW(e) theme is distraction.

I've been nonstop busy for the longest. Fulltime student, fulltime stay-at-home-mom to two (both currently sick) young babes, playing music, creating art, entreprenuing... it's nuts. This morning I was so sleepy from everything that I had to give my cafe-managing friend Kelly a call. Thank goodness she picked me up some coffee. Regardless, my unmade bed has been calling to me all day.

Want-a-Cookie? Giveaway

2010-03-15T08:50:00.011-05:00

Friday 6 pm

Comments are now closed. Check back later tonight to see if you've won!

In case I haven't said it enough, these Liz Lovely Cow Girl Cookies are quite possibily the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever tasted. (As you can see from the above photo, it was hard deciding whether or not to eat the whole thing even though it was 8 am.) They're organic, vegan (you'd never know it!), and fair trade. They taste like straight-up cookie dough. Yum. (See? It even says so on the package.)

Would you like a pack? I'm giving away two packs of these Liz Lovely cookies to celebrate my new ventures.

If you would like to enter, it's super simple:

Comment this post and tell me what my website address is. (If you can't remember the address, the linked image in the upper right column of my blog will open my site.)

To enter a second (or even third time),

Mention the price of my standard wedding package (available on my site)

and/or

1. Go to the Laura Zastrow Photography Facebook page.

2. Pick an album and look through the photos.

3. Let me know which album you picked and which photo you liked best.

(Please note, you do not need an account with Blogger to leave a comment with your name! Just choose "Name/URL" in the drop-down menu and type in your info. If it insists you need a URL, use the address to your FB page.)

The Fine Print:

Only one pack of cookies per winner. (But don't worry, folks, there are two big cookies per pack!)

I will announce two winners this Friday. (Really and truly, though, you're all winners in my book.) Be sure to check back and contact me if I announce that you have won. If you do not contact me within 24 hours of my announcement, I will choose a someone else to eat your cookies.

Happy commenting!

Cookies

2010-03-14T23:30:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow.

Early.

Really.

Today got away from me. Thanks for bearing with.

It's Time.

2010-03-13T22:33:00.013-06:00

The phone call was just made.

"It's time," I said to Becki.

Because after weeks of planning, meeting, e-mailing, designing, editing, staying up until the wee hours, it's time.

It's time to announce new and exciting things.

Like a website.

Finally. Did you know I've been using my Flickr account for my portfolio to show to clients? It's finally time for the real deal. So, I am proud to announce that laurazastrow.com is up and running!

Like Facebook Fan Page.

I've been putting it off. Like the majority of this business stuff, I'm scared. Scared to label myself as a photographer. Scared to spam Facebook friends in the name of business. And scared to announce to everyone that my work is so good that it deserves its own fans. Don't get me wrong, I love it when people like my work. But to ask for compliments from people who aren't really that into my stuff? No.

So I will be messaging a select number of people who have previously expressed interest in my work and invite them to view my page. I hope the rest will just come by word of mouth. I will not be sending out page suggestions to try to get a high number of fans. I don't roll like that.

If you read my blog (which you obviously do), and my work interests you, feel free to check out some of my work on my Facebook fan page. If you'd like to become a fan, please do. If you don't, by all means, dont.

Like a business launch celebration.

With Becki, seeing as she just launched her Etsy store today.

This woman is amazing. She's been running around getting those gorgeous design works together, shooting her product photos, designing business cards, and yet she's still willing to take time to come along side me and do this party with me.

And design me watermarks for my Facebook photos at the drop of a hat.

And design postcards and posters to promote our party.

Sheesh! Isn't this gorgeous?

She came up with the wonderful idea, we shot a few photos, and she did the rest. Goodness! You must go check out the gorgeous things she sells in her store and posts on her blog. Because this woman is amazing.

So would you please come to our party? Just stop by, have some snacks (Nicole has offered to be our chef!) and coffee, and say hi? If you think you can make it, check out the event page here.

Bless you guys for reading my blog and supporting me. Thanks for being so excited about my big announcements. You support is tremendous, and I'd be too petrified to do anything with myself if it weren't for that (especially you, Benjamin).

And, folks, stop by tomorrow for a chance to win a pack of my guilty pleasure.

Any Guessers?

2010-03-10T23:31:00.001-06:00

Any guesses as to what I'll be announcing in the next few days? No fair "guessing" if you already know!

Want a Cookie?

2010-03-09T16:01:00.004-06:00

Or two?

I am a sucker for these Liz Lovely Cowgirl Cookies. They taste just like cookie dough (as you may have noticed from the photo). Plus they're organic and vegan. (I know vegan may not be what you look for in a cookie, but keep in mind that this means they only have to be slightly baked. Would I steer you wrong?)

So.

Want a cookie? Or two?

Keep checking back. I may possibly have some for you in the near future in conjunction with my big announcement. (;

Lately

2010-03-07T14:57:00.007-06:00

I've been doing so much behind-the-scenes work lately it's insane. There's some exciting news on its way, so exciting I'm about to burst! But I won't. You'll just have to stop back in the next couple days to find out. (:

So before I head off to work on this secret stuff as well as read Chapter Nine: Psychological Disorders from my text book, I also wanted to share another product of my photography, Tim and Becki's beauty, and my new-found editing friend. Add a little Lightroom action and BAM! Instead of this being my best editing option, I get this:

Baby Eisley

2010-03-06T18:12:00.007-06:00

It was so wonderful to photograph three-week-old Eisley a few weeks ago. Eisley is the new daughter of Ben and my high school friend, Mike, and his lovely wife, Amber. Ben and I drove out to Milwaukee for the morning/afternoon, and after a few hours of me shooting, Ben assisting, Eisley crying, and Mike and Amber staying cool as can be, they walked with us down to Alterra and bought us lunch.

Here are some of my favorites (but it's so hard to choose!), and as always, you'll have to let me know yours. (:

RAW(e): Chocolate

2010-03-05T10:29:00.003-06:00

This Friday's RAW(e) photo.

No edits, no touch-ups.

Chocolate (of the hot variety... in my very favorite mug... with fluff).

Adam & Megan: Preview 3

2010-03-03T21:13:00.005-06:00

So apparently you readers don't like to comment on my posts without photos. That's fine, I'll indulge you....

I finished up the last set of Adam and Megan's photos today. Woo hoo! Now onto more business-related things... a website, waiting for my business cards to be printed and mailed to me, a business launch party along side an amazing designer friend of mine.... Don't worry! You're all invited. There will be more details to come, but for now it's fun to leave you all in suspense. (:

What are the chances...

2010-03-01T23:05:00.000-06:00

... that someone who photographed Ben and me happened to be at another Pierre event on Thursday and happens to be quite involved with my Number Twenty-Four organization?

How awesome is that?

Adam & Megan: Preview 2

2010-02-28T13:58:00.009-06:00

I'm pretty sure I've been really bad about posting my photo gigs on here. Therefore you get to see a bunch of Adam and Megan's wedding photos as I'm in the process of working through them. (First batch is available here if you didn't see them yet.)

(uhm, James Bond?)

(Yes, Megan was amazing enough to let me photograph from up front during the ceremony.

I promised her it would be worth it. (: )

Which is your favorite?

More soon!

Eliot

2010-02-25T23:57:00.006-06:00

My dearest Ellie girl,

I enjoyed watching you climb around on Mommy and Daddy's bed,

make such good friends...

...with Suzie the bear,

and share Nutella toast with me.

I'm sorry

that it upset you so

when it was gone.

I love you.

- Mama

RAW(e)

2010-02-25T22:50:00.004-06:00

My friend Sami is starting a weekly event on her blog that involves using the theme of the week in a photograph and posting that raw, straight-out-of-camera, unedited photo to your blog.

This week: doorknobs.

This will be really good for me because my guess is that you have never ever before seen an unedited photo of mine.

So without further ado, my doorknob:

(Click on it to view it larger.)

Adam & Megan: Preview

2010-02-24T20:30:00.004-06:00

I've been really bad about posting photos from shoots lately. I have no idea the last time you saw wedding photos of mine. I'm sorry. By the time I finish editing and editing and editing, I'm usually so ready to be done with the photos that I forget to put them up here.

So.

I'm getting a head start on Adam and Megan's photos. They're not even finished yet, but I figured I'd share them anyway. These shots of all Megan's girls getting her ready make me smile. (:

Baby Eisley: Preview

2010-02-21T16:06:00.006-06:00

I am avoiding homework like the plague. This means you get a new post. Yay!

I got to hang out with and photograph Mike, Amber, and Eisley this weekend at their home in Milwaukee. There will be more photos to come as I finish them (as long as I don't forget to post them).

In other news, you may have noticed my photo editing has been a bit different these past few posts. I have given into using Lightroom (which I do believe is still available here free for a limited amount of time). Please always feel free to ask me what camera, lens, lighting, editing I've used in any photo. I ask a ton of questions myself and love to pay it forward whenever possible.

Number Eight

2010-02-21T10:52:00.006-06:00

(Photo tryptich inspired by Becki.)

Friday night Ben and I headed down to Barriques by the capitol. They have regular wine tastings, and even though we've been going to Barriques for years, we've never made it to a wine tasting. We each paid $11 for a glass and got to each have a glass of each of the eight French wines that were the theme of the night. I had expected a more guided tour of the wines, as in everyone sitting around and the host talking us through all the different flavors. Instead we were handed a printed sheet with each of the wines and their descriptions, we sat at our own table, and when we'd finish one wine, we'd go up to the front for another. Eight half-glasses of wine was way more than I would like to drink, so although that's what I paid for, I only had a few tastes of each. Can't say I'd go again, but I'm glad we did it.

And to update you about the rest of the list, I just need to find time to schedule Number Ten; Number Twelve fell through as it was a group thing that happened to double-book with one of Pierre's workshops; Number Thirteen is paid for, but not yet designed; and Number Eighteen is on the calendar with babysitter booked.

Little Ballerina

2010-02-20T16:09:00.003-06:00

Thanks, Sami.

The tutu is super cute. (:

Photo Workshop

2010-02-18T15:59:00.001-06:00

I spent a couple of Sundays recently modeling. Not typical of me, by any means, to blow-dry my hair, put on make-up, and put in my contacts, but offer me this in exchange for invaluable photography skills taught by Pierre, and I'm there.

We spent Sunday Number One at the gorgeous Orpheum showing brides-to-be how to stand for their wedding photos. I am so uncomfortable in both of these that I'm trying hard to not fall over, but they look amazing.

My dear friend Bri used to work for Pierre and also hooked me up with free admission to his all-day posing workshop on grounds that I pull my wedding dress out from under the bed for the afternoon and bring along my husband, also dressed up. (Sounds much easier than it actually was, due to the fact that Ben doesn't own a suit.)

Mandie of Red Gecko Studio took some of my favorites that day.

And Stephanie took this.

Last but not least, this hotness was taken in the women's bathroom by Heather.

It cracks me up how photography can lie sometimes, but I think that can be part of the beauty in it. It allows you to see things in a way that they aren't, so that you don't see uncomfortable arms, wrinkled dress, and fifteen people standing around in a bathroom stall in the above photo.

It also cracks me up how wearing a wedding dress automatically makes you a bride. People that you come across treat you differently. Maybe I should wear my wedding dress more.

In other news, wine tasting tomorrow night! And now, off to a second dreaded "workout" this week. Yuck.

Cheese!

2010-02-16T15:22:00.003-06:00

Truly a boy after my own heart. ♥

Number Sixteen

2010-02-13T14:59:00.007-06:00

Do you remember the secret package that came in the post (yes, the post) awhile ago? It was my Christmas cards.

It may be two months late, but they went out on Friday. But really, c'mon, who doesn't like spreading out the Christmas cheer?

I still have a handful left, so if read my blog and haven't gotten one yet, send me your address, and I'll pop one in the mailbox for you! Seriously! I want to send you one! (:

Right Now

2010-02-13T14:04:00.009-06:00

Sometimes

when you are, let's say,

a low-budget just-starting-off photographer...

...this...

...is, in actuality, this

which consists of:

your kitchen counter

a few pieces of paper

a desk lamp borrowed from your neighbor

a homemade cardstock softbox taped onto your flash

and can be defined as either

ghetto rigging

or resourceful creativity.

(Thank you to my dear husband for the awesome silhouette shot. ♥)

Number Four

2010-02-11T10:55:00.004-06:00

If you remember this, you know that my friend Dan surprised me with a djembe. It's absolutely beautiful, and I'm not quite sure if I could have afforded one in time to finish my list if it weren't for him. He lives down in Texas, but he bought me the drum and texted me to tell me where to pick it up in Madison. Amazing surprise. It's gorgeous.

Thank you for blessing me, Dan. I hope it comes back to you doubly.

Creating

2010-02-09T21:09:00.002-06:00

What have I been working on today?

I'll tell ya what, one person who guesses right will get one of their own.

How's that for motivation?

The Post

2010-02-05T20:43:00.004-06:00

Recently I ordered a number of things online. Normally I'm not much of a shopper, and I hardly ever buy anything online. For the past couple of weeks, though, I've daily enjoyed the anticipation of getting the mail, hoping that I've got a special surprise. (Ben is this way too when he's waiting for something to come in the mail. Is anyone else like this or is it just us?)

Maybe I need to order things online more often.

Three of the things I ordered recently were from Etsy, and two happened to be from other countries. Turns out that in Canada and Australia they call the mail the "post." Makes sense, but I had no idea.

And so I am going to quickly share with you my recently purchased items, the last of which arrived via the post this morning, and give a shoutout to a few of the lovely Etsy ladies who hooked me up.

Michelle of Inspired Life Designs was nice enough to trade me this belt for one of my crocheted hats.

My Ellie girl was in need of some shoes, and this pair from Happy Solez is made from old suit pants and lined with organic cotton.

I really wanted a recycled planner for the new year. This one from isis is made with recycled paper and the cover is an old record cover. (Plus I got it on sale since some of the pages are printed slightly skewed.)

I found a ShootSac lens bag on Ebay for half price since the strap needs to be sewn back on.

And last but not least, the last item I was waiting for arrived today. It's something from Vistaprint, and it's something from my list. Can you guess what it is? (Hint: It isn't business cards.)

Twenty-Two

2010-02-04T14:32:00.005-06:00

Tuesday night I took a trip to High Noon Saloon with a group of old Cool Beans co-workers. High Noon has a live band for their karaoke night, and it turns out that the guy who manages a bunch of the music there is an old friend of Ben's and mine.

That's Kelly and Nicole. I was Kelly's manager when I worked at Cool Beans, but she runs the place herself now (and comes over to watch our kids a lot!). And I hired Nicole years ago. She now has her baking degree and manages CoffeeBytes.

Caleb was hired to cover some shifts while I was on maternity leave with Oliver. He still works at the Beanery. His dad came out briefly, and they sang "Bohemian Rhapsody." Yes, you heard me right. The whole thing. Everybody was super into it.

I backed Kelly up on some Tracy Chapman song that she's always singing. She's been wanting to do that song forever.

Later Nicole and I sang Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer." When we worked together back in the day, we were singing that song and ended up singing "Tommy used to work on the block," so we've got a little history there.

Karaoke was a good experience, plus it was really nice to get out, especially with an old group of friends. Thanks, Cool Beaners, for helping me with my list!

Freaking Awesome

2010-02-02T02:44:00.011-06:00

Posts without photos aren't nearly as fun.

I know. I completely agree. And I'm sorry.

Honestly, I read a fair amount of blogs. And if a blog post doesn't have photos, I'm probably not going to read it.

Even going back and re-reading this post and editing it I'm just skimming the paragraphs that are more than three lines.

Hey, I'm just being honest.

But...

Tonight it's this or nothing, so take what you can get, faithful blog readers. There will be photos soon.

Really, seriously, I promise. Really good ones.

Of me.

From an award-winning photographer.

And other good ones...

Just from me.

In the mean time, it is actually 3 am, I have just finished my psychology homework and have not started on my perspective illustration that's due tomorrow.

I was kinda bumming tonight just cuz I've been really overwhelmed with how busy life's been in the past month or so (being stay-at-home-mom, caring wife, committed deans-list fulltime student, entrepreneuer, and photography skill persuer), and I was getting really discouraged. I feel I am not doing my best at any of these as I'm stretched too thin. (But I don't feel like there's any other option otherwise one or more of these very important things will not be given the attention it deserves.)

I decided to open up an OpenOffice document and just start typing up something titled "I am freaking awesome because..."

Seriously, that's what I wrote on the top of the page. And that's what I wrote in that document. Just completely positive, completely true things about Laura Zastrow.

So far there are 45 things just from that one sitting. Here are eleven in no particular order (word for word, mind you):

I am freaking awesome because...

My nose is interesting.
I made soap.
Ben likes to cuddle me at night.
I wear hand-me-down clothes and look good in them.
I blog and people read it.
I clean the bathroom super well and keep it looking nice.
Oliver and Eliot haven't had fast food.
Becki and Jamie think my photography is awesome.
I can make Ben laugh.
My house is painted cool colors.
I like my friends.

So.

That's that.

I'm going to save the list, open it up when I'm feeling down, read it, and add to it. I'm really excited about it, in fact. It feels really good to acknowledge the amazing things about myself.

And...

I would absolutely love to hear your answer:

Why are you freaking awesome?

Today is a Good Day

2010-01-30T10:42:00.005-06:00

...because Ben has given me the entire day to be out at coffee shops and edit the hundreds of wedding photos I have yet to work on.

...and because, as you can see, the editing is going well. (Yes, we did take fire engine photos on Curt and Kristie's wedding day.)

...because the beautiful Angie Steinke, a dear friend and mentor from my early Madison days, was the only person in Starbucks when I got here at 6:45 am. (Such a wonderful surprise at such an early hour!)

...and because I ran into photographer Lisa Madden (whom I second-shot for this summer) who encouraged me in my work and gave me some tips for my business.

...because I'm highly caffeinated and overly excited about soon-arriving packages in the mail. (More on these soon!)

...and just because today is just a lightly-flurrying beautiful late-January day.

What is making your Saturday lovely?

Stalling...

2010-01-27T20:42:00.003-06:00

So, as you have seen, I have completed Number Four. But I have a plan for photos and just no time for extras this week, so those have yet to be taken.

In the mean time, I have fallen in love with The Die Line. Does this mean I'm truly a design student if I've plugged my first design blog? Bri, Becki, what do you think?

This new semester is kicking my butt, even though I'm only a couple weeks in and still just taking 12 credits. So, although it may take a bit of time to actually post photos, anticipate... Four, Ten (although it hasn't happened quite yet), Twelve, Sixteen (a bit late, but who doesn't love a little Christmas cheer all year 'round?), Twenty-Two... soon.

Seriously, Dude?

2010-01-22T11:13:00.005-06:00

You bought me my djembe?

Thank you, dear friend.

The Photographer's Guide to Screen Printing

2010-01-15T18:07:00.012-06:00

When I put Number Ten on my list, I was under the impression that a friend of mine was well-versed in screen printing. Turns out that is not the case.

So, after hoping for the past six months that a sure screen printing opportunity would come my way, I figured I'd contact a local business. Mad Prints was nice enough to let me stop by a couple evenings and watch their process. (Plus they may be using these photos on their business site!)

Next week I'll be printing my own shirt when I go out to take some more photos for them. Until then, enjoy my most recent Flickr posts.

More Beardly Adventures

2010-01-12T22:04:00.008-06:00

Do you remember my friend Andrew and his beard growing adventure? Well, we helped each other out again. (And thanks to Greg for coming along!)

In addition to my new lens, I was also allowed (by my husband (: ) to get a flash and transmitter. More on the flash when I post those NYE wedding photos, but for now, you'll get to see the wonderful options that the transmitter offers me with that flash: off-camera lighting. Which, you see, I know nothing about. But I know more now than I did a few weeks ago, and I'm hoping to continue that trend.

In other news, Number Ten prep work is going on tonight. I'm not sure when that item will actually be finished, but I'm learning the ropes tonight. Photos to come. Off to the Westside!

Smashing Wedding Photography 101

2010-01-10T22:02:00.005-06:00

Disclaimer: Please don't feel obligated to read this. Unless you're interested in this specific interest of mine, and I mean really interested, I wouldn't want to subject you to this. It's just process stuff anyway. Feel free to come back in a few days and comment on the next post. I promise I'll make it pretty with a picture or two. Ok?

And here we go...

Theory Number One: 2006 - mid-2009

When I did my first weddings in 2006 with my $200 point-and-shoot four megapixel camera, the idea was simple:

crop in as close as possible to the subjects;
take lots of vertical photos;
crank the saturation and contrast.

Simple. Foolproof.

I just got my first SLR this year in May because a friend booked me for his wedding, well, the end of May. I had no idea what I was doing with this camera. I did an engagement shoot the day before for another couple of friends just to do a test run. I thought it would be a good idea to set the camera to manual and learn it all by trial and error. I tried. I erred. At least two thirds of the engagement shoot photos didn't turn out.

The wedding went a bit better, but honestly, I just click-click-clicked away. And not in a good way. I've read it said that photographers who don't know what they're doing take a ton of pictures, hoping that they'll get lucky and one or two will turn out. That hits the nail right on the head. And thankfully some of them did turn out. During my first wedding of this year (a ten hour day!), I shot 4000 photos. After processing, the couple got three or four hundred. Yup.

Theory Number Two: present

A bit more of a purist approach:

horizontal photos (but not just "horizontal" — "horizontal to a fault");
nice, clean editing, not to be too obvious of Photoshop effects (but still, I like my contrast a bit higher, and whatever would I do without my "Render Lighting Effects" filter??);
low aperture (read: as low as possible, as much as possible);
follow the rules of composition;
bounce flash
black and white

I am now afraid to take vertical photos. I just looked through the 800-some that my New Year's Eve bride will be getting (yes, I'm getting better in that taking-too-many-photos weakness area), and maybe 10 of the candids are vertical. "But I really want to capture to scene, the ambiance, the crowd!" I say. Good stuff, self. I can't argue with that. But branch out. Push it a bit.

One of the photos of my NYE couple is of them looking at a firework that appears to be heart-shaped. I was too afraid to alter the photo, until Ben recommended it. I liked that the firework "kinda looked like a heart." But why wouldn't I want to try making it really look like a heart? Simple: I fear being thought of as a good Photoshopper instead of a good photographer.

I love shallow DOF. I love being able to shoot in low lighting. I don't love when I forget that I many want to change my aperture so the subjects in the foreground/background of a group shot aren't blurry.

I rely on diagonal photos. And the rule of thirds. Goodness, can I not just take a straight-on, subject-in-the-center photos and be happy with it? Go old school! Learn your craft, woman! You can make it work!

I *just* got my flash. Beautiful Brianna has taught me everything I know about lighting, and I love passing it on and watching other photographers' faces light up (no pun intended) when they say, "Ohh!!" and something clicks (again, seriously, no puns). I love the technique of bounce flash. But I don't like how I'm now relying on it, where as before I pushed myself to, for example, set my shutter speed so low that only the subjects' silhouettes would show against the DJ's lights.

Black and white should emphasize a photo's emotions, perhaps its simplicity. It should not be used to try to disguise a crappy photo. I'm sorry, B&W: you're worth more than this.

Theory Three: Oh, how I hope it's soon.

I have a hard time pushing myself out of my comfort zone; looking for a different way to do things; dealing with change. Maybe not "hard time," which sounds like a traumatic experience, but more like a "squirmy, awkward-feeling, really uncomfortable time." It's good for me. I can't wait to learn more and be pushed more and pay it forward. But the experience kicks my butt sometimes (we all know how that is). I tried some off-camera flash stuff at this last wedding, only to miss almost all of the father-daughter/mother-son dance cuz I didn't have my controls figured out. But, oh, I hope I can figure that stuff out soon.

I want to:

not be afraid to take strangers' photos;
learn how to do good off-camera lighting, with only good shadows showing;
break those darn rules of composition
learn to take photos that put me as a fly on the wall (read: peeking around people, yet leaving them in the photo with my focus and lighting specifically on my subject);
use black and white to make a photo simply smashing.

Amen.

P.S. Thank you, Becki, for your encouraging e-mails. You make me feel like a rock star (or a photography star) even when I feel like I have so far to go. Bless you. You are amazing.

Flamingos and Such

2010-01-09T14:43:00.003-06:00

I recently acquired a sweet martini recipe from a local place that's known for its martinis. (Our server was amazing and hooked us up with the house recipe for one of their most popular drinks!) I promise you that I could count on one hand the number of mixed drinks that I like (and I'd still have a few fingers left over!), so that should tell you how great this martini is. Let me know if you try it!

El Flamenco Rosa

Rim the glass with crushed Sweetarts.

2 oz Effen Raspberry Vodka
1 oz Triple Sec
1 1/2 oz simple syrup
1 1/2 oz lemon juice
1 1/2 oz cranberry juice

Sneak Peek...

2010-01-07T16:47:00.001-06:00

...from Curt and Kristie's New Year's Eve wedding. (:

Number Five

2010-01-04T13:48:00.005-06:00

That's right, folks! I got this 50mm 1.8 lens for $100 online. She has a great depth of field (see how out of focus those Christmas tree lights are?) and crispness, but I'm finding the auto-focus is a bit shoddy. Perhaps it's best-suited for close-up still shots and not so much weddings.

And speaking of weddings, as I finish touching up photos from Curt and Kristie's on New Year's Eve, I'll post a few for you guys. They turned out really great, and I can't wait for you to see them!

Edit: I apologize that this photo is super lame. I wouldn't blame you if you never visited my blog again. But I truly hope you do. Really, I'm sorry.

Number Seven

2010-01-02T15:54:00.005-06:00

This morning Ben and I were part of the Wisconsin Capitol Building's first tour of the year. We didn't really plan it that specifically, to be the first ones in 2010, but it happened to work out that way: the kids were at my parents' for a few days due to an out-of-town wedding I had on the 31st, and I wanted to take advantage of the child-free time to get Number Seven knocked off the list. After all, we've lived less than five minutes from the Capitol Building for almost six years and hadn't been inside of it until today! (And as you can see by the above photo, our tour was followed by a stop at the Starbucks across the street which was reminiscent of so many of the pre-parenting days we spent coffeeshop-hopping.)

Happy 2010!

Bathtime with Miss Ellie

2009-12-30T18:59:00.005-06:00

I'm crossing things off my list left and right! But the kids are at my parents' for a few days so Ben and I went out for a big dinner tonight (courtsey of friends Erik & Patti!), so I'm too full to go into depth about 24 List stuff. I promise it will get posted eventually. Really. In the meantime, to appease you readers who I'm sure are ravenous for more photos, here's Eliot!

Number Fourteen

2009-12-26T20:39:00.011-06:00

I absolutely adore Katie Sokoler. She is a photographer, artist, and people-lover out in New York and is so fun and creative that I can't even comprehend it! She creates all sorts spontaneous art, some of it being street art that makes me smile. I've been really interested in grafitti and street art for a long while and am actually planning some more of it for my 25 List. (Yes, there is a 25 List in the works!)

One of my favorites of Katie's projects is her thought bubbles. This is what I had in mind when I put Number Fourteen on my 24 List six months ago.

...And conveniently, my photography class instructor let us pick our own final projects, which made it easy to kill two birds with one stone.

Stop One: State Street

State Street was by far my best attempt at reading people's minds. (And they all seemed hungry for some reason....)

Only a few people looked up and saw the thought bubble.

No one stopped to ask me what I was photographing.

Stop Two: Monroe Street

Monroe Street was not so successful, but lots of people stopped to ask what I was photographing and got a kick out of it when I told them I could "read people's minds" across the street. (:

I met a lovely lady from a print shop in town who is going to let me come and check out her shop and show me some letterpress stuff (another recent obsession) next year.

I met a 40-somethings man who talked to me for awhile, offered me a coffee to warm me up ("No thank you, I just had some."), and then got me a box of (very expensive!) David Bacco chocolates out of his car.

He said he keeps boxes of them in his trunk to pick up ladies.

I told him I was married.

True story.

Anyway, back to photos:

Stop Three: Willy Street

By the time I hit Willy Street, it was getting dark fast. I ended up setting up my thought bubble across from a vacant lot, so lots of people saw me from across the street photographing and looked up and saw the bubble above their heads.

This lady walked by once and then walked past again, making it a point to stop under it for a second and smile at me. (: Sweet.

Thanks, Katie, for this lovely idea. Keep on dreaming and inspiring, and be encouraged!

Number Two

2009-12-23T20:21:00.012-06:00

I played a show last week! You guys all got it right! (You obviously pay good attention!)

I've been playing with Lisa for almost five years now back when we both knew approximately two songs and a total of five chords. We found a couple guys to play with us and put together a set from there. Lisa's going to Namibia, Africa in January to work with orphans for a few weeks, and the show was to raise funds for her trip.

We raised almost $1000, and since it went so well, we are hoping to do another show early in the year before she leaves! Thanks, Lisa, for coordinating all this so all I had to do was just show up!

Expect photos from ~~two~~ three more list items over the next week or so!

(And thanks to Hannah Diedrich for taking these great photos at our show!)

Yes, Another Post with No Photos

2009-12-22T21:27:00.007-06:00

Alright...

I get those photos that you all have been itching to see tomorrow.

Stop by the blog around kiddo naptime as they should be up during that time. (:

In the mean time, I am finishing up another thing on my list. (Those of you who follow my Facebook already know what I'm talking about.)

Excited for all these wonderful dream-filled passion-filled projects! Peace, y'all, and thanks for bearing with.

xoxo

P.S. You readers are much more faithful than I gave you credit for! You pay good attention and are great guessers!!

Progress...

2009-12-14T16:19:00.003-06:00

So... I haven't done anything off of my list since July. (I've been bummin' about that.)

But this weekend, I polished off three of them in 24 hours. (Heck yes!)

Wanna guess which ones? (I'll make my next post photos from the first item correctly guessed.)

Happy guessing!!

Becki

2009-12-10T13:12:00.007-06:00

Do you remember Tim and Becki? Well, Becki's an incredibly talented graphic designer with a charming style. She made these sweet thank you cards from one of the photos I took of her and her husband. (: Aren't they cute? Nice work, Becki!

Typing this post made me want to go back through their photos, and I found these few that I wanted to share with you. I love the O'Briens!

Snow Day

2009-12-09T07:49:00.004-06:00

Dear Santa,

I know your budget probably isn't too high this year, but I've been very good. I think a tilt shift lens is in order.

Love,

Laura

P.S. If you can't find it in your heart or you budget to get me one this year, I'll survive. At very least, I have this one to borrow for the week.

At the Warehouse

2009-12-08T00:14:00.004-06:00

Number Two from my list is happening this Saturday night at 7 pm.

If you'll be in Madison, you should stop by.

You will be impressed by my mad skills.

And there may be free pizza and cookies.

But that's just word on the street.

Let me know if you'd like to come out, and I'll hook you up with directions.

Whiskerino Meets 10-Second Exposure

2009-12-05T23:13:00.003-06:00

About a month ago, my friend Andrew contacted me about doing some photography for his his beard growing adventure.

A recent photography class assignment was to do a long-exposure shoot.

As you can see, we helped each other out on this one.

Monday Happenings

2009-11-30T23:41:00.005-06:00

That's my Ellie girl! Modeling for a fill-flash demo for my photography class and helping me work toward Number Eleven on my list. Check out my new listing on Etsy (more sizes to come!).

12.01.2009 Edit:

I just came across this one of her with her daddy a few weeks ago, too, so I have to share it. I think it'll be my new desktop. (:

Yum.

2009-11-29T14:14:00.006-06:00

Almond sugar cookies on this Sunday afternoon. Because Ben took the chocolate chips with him, leaving me absolutely no readily-edible sweets in the house.

And during the few minutes I spent messing with this photo, I started wondering if all you photographers who edit with Photoshop use layers to do your editing non-destructively. I love how fool-proof those Adobe folks make it. Comment me if you want me to post more on that.

Happy Sunday!

Sweet Husband

2009-11-24T14:03:00.005-06:00

Me: So do you think you're getting used to my lip ring?

Ben: I think so. It's pretty.

It's Almost December

2009-11-22T20:21:00.002-06:00

Fortune Cookie

2009-11-20T22:25:00.006-06:00

Guess who's getting married tomorrow...

What It Means to Be a Work-At-Home Mother

2009-11-20T14:44:00.003-06:00

Question: What happened to me while I was working on my computer in the basement this afternoon?

(a) I was visited by the Publishers Clearing House which now gives its awards in the form of stuffed animals.

(b) I was attacked by a vicious pack of dogs, rubber ducks, Sneeches, and Minnie Mouse.

Just a Pick-Me-Up...

2009-11-16T22:26:00.007-06:00

Now, I know there are some of you that need coffee, coffee, and some more coffee... so just incase you're away from your mug for a minute, this should help tide you over:

If only it brewed that fast in real life.

(It's last week's assignment for my photography class. Have I mentioned how I love that class?)

Just a few...

2009-11-14T22:58:00.003-06:00

I love the sound of the shutter when I release the button.

I love the look of sliced citrus.

I love the feel of the cold microphone on my lips.

I love the taste of my husband's kisses.

I love the smell of home.

(I also love Saturday nights with nothing to do!) Mmm...

What sorts of things do you love?