Abandoned bunnies :(

I've recently rediscovered (thank you Julie) Seattle's Discovery Park. I can't really even describe it, it is huge, with miles of trails, and lovely picturesque places for taking photos.

However, every time I've been there I've seen bunnies, as in multiples of them. And these aren't wild bunnies, they were at some point people's pet bunnies whom they've abandoned. It makes me so sad for the bunnies and mad at the people who have left them to fend for themselves. Undoubtedly many will die (and probably a slow, painful death) from stress and simply from living outside.

As I was waiting for a friend to arrive the other day for her daughter's session, I couldn't help myself from photographing one of them.



On a brighter note, this is just a head's up that this Friday is the first of 3 cut-off dates to order your desk calendars. Info is over that-a-way ----->

I love it when I come home from a session....

...and cannot WAIT to start editing! I have several sessions I need to edit before I really start in on this one, but I couldn't resist playing with just ONE file!

Couldn't resist this little guy!

I think I'm going to nickname him Mellow Milo because he is one very laid back dude. We had a session that lasted about an hour and a half, and he was a champ!

I shouldn't even be looking at these until I finish proofing another session, but I couldn't resist his amazing blue eyes! I'll put a few more on my business blog in a couple of days.

He's going to make a terrific Grandpa some day...

...and no Colin, neither one of us is in a hurry, I promise...there is PLENTY of time!

I've shared the following sentiment before here, but I sure wish I had been into photography when Colin was little. I missed capturing so many little moments just like these:







Colin, did you notice that Dad's getting his Dr Suess fix? Pretty soon he's hoping to get her interested in Fox in Sox ;D

Oh and for anyone interested, info on my 2010 desk calendar can be found over that-a-way at the top ---->

It's all about her lovely eyes this time

Yes, it would have been nice if her hand wasn't to her mouth, but so much expression can be shared when just the eyes are the focus. I see mischievousness in them :)


The age old question, B&W or color?





Pat, you asked about my calendars. I haven't had a chance to photograph them yet, but I hope to this weekend, so stay tuned next week :) I can't believe I've shoved this to the side for over 2 weeks, yikes!

I haven't abandoned my personal blog, I promise!

I've been up to my ears in STUFF, but it's all good stuff :)

Just one of Miss H from when we took care of her last week while baby sister was being born. I've got a bunch of photos to go through, including some cute ones of her and Brett together, but I have a feeling it'll be a while before I get to them.

More work in Lightroom

A jpeg file from a month ago that I brought into lightroom to rework. I think I'm liking this program :)



f/2 @ 1/160s. 50mm f/1.8 lens

A red letter day for me!

You're probably thinking; "but Lauren, these are just snapshots, what are you talking about?"

I've never felt the need to shoot RAW. My exposures with jpegs have never been a problem. BUT....I've been shooting things and people where I have been able to take the time to make sure my exposure is good prior to shooting. Now that I'm shooting more active young kids, I think I'll need the little bit of leeway in exposre that shooting RAW affords.

So, I set my sights on learning RAW and Lightroom this weekend, and I DID IT!

"What's the big deal?" you're probably wondering.

I don't learn technical things easily, my brain just doesn't process that sort of information well. Give me something creative and I'm all over it, technical, and it's a good sized struggle to muscle through it.

So, it's a red letter day for me, my first 3 RAW shapsots, edited in Lightroom :) Constructive criticism on the editing (especially color and contrast) is VERY welcomed!





Julie, Emma and I explored Discovery Park Sunday morning, checking out spots to use for her family's shoot next weekend. What a gorgeous place! I'm really hoping these trees don't lose their leaves before then, can't you just envision the entire family framed by these beautiful branches?

Missing the kid

Colin called on Tuesday to see if we could find him a cheap flight to come home for fall break this weekend. We've never had a call like that - I think he's feeling the "sophomore slump" and just would like a little family time. Of course last minute air fares were very steep, so unfortunately he's not coming.

I was getting excited about the possibility of spending unexpected time with him, and especially about surprising Brett with his arrival, so there is some disappointment here. Only 2 more months till winter break.....

Anyhow, because that phone call prompted me to miss him more than is typical, I pulled out my Michigan cup for coffee Wednesday afternoon. It just gives me the warm fuzzies when I use it, and makes me feel a little closer to Colin. I don't use it often, it's very large, and with it's wide mouth I tend to slosh coffee all over the place (yes, I can be a bit of a klutz at times).



In case you're wondering, my afternoon cup (I "need" one cup sometime between 2 and 3 pm daily) during the fall and winter months is always an americano with sugar-free hazelnut syrup and a splash of half and half :)

PS, the picture from yesterday is (I think) some rose hips from a rosa rugosa. I bet that Pat will know for sure :) Pat....? Actually, maybe not, the branches were awfully far off the ground to be that....

A sure sign of fall:

Oh, and I have an OMG, OMG to share! My 2010 Floral Desk Calendars arrived this afternoon and they are TO.DIE.FOR! Those who know me know I am typically a modest person and do not toot my own horn, but honestly, I am beyond thrilled with them. I'll post a picture and ordering info in the next few days. I can't wait for you to see it, they'll make great and unique holiday gifts!

Canada, eh?

Last week Brett and I took a 5 day cruise to Canada. It was a wonderful way to get away and unwind, and the weather totally cooperated (which is highly unusual for this time of year).

I took very few pictures (remarkably) a few are below. I'll probably share a few more later.

Leaving Seattle - I know, that should be a margarita or something in his hand, but oh well ;):



It's not often one is able to get a view of downtown Seattle from the water side at 11 stories up. It's a slightly different perspective than other photos I've taken of downtown:



Proof once again that my husband loves me. "Dear, would you please climb up into the fallen down tree's roots so I can take your picture?" He looks at me like I'm nuts, but then says "sure!"

It was so dark in these woods, thank goodness I brought my flash along.



We went to a place called Coombs Market where they allow their goats to graze on the roofs of their buildings. Wish we would have had more time to browse there. A huge place with lots of different foods, many of them imported. My kind of shop for sure!



End of the season rose from Victoria. Usually by this time of year one is hard pressed to find one that doesn't look pretty beat up from the rains, but since it's been such a nice fall overall I had some luck. I love the way the light is falling on it, perfection! And the color is just to die for!

Ava

Oh my gosh, talk about a photo with color casts from HE-double toothpicks!

Imagine ALL the magenta on her face, hands, and hair from the parasol. Then imagine greenish yellow on her legs from the grass. Then to top it off there is a whole lot of chromatic abberration which i just ignored 'cuz I was burned out on the color casts (which I know are still there but trust me, in MUCH smaller amounts than they were initially). If I ever buy a parasol for a prop, it's going to be white ;D

That said, is she not the cutest thing ever?



and I don't know why, but there is something about shooting in an alley that makes me want to convert to black and white:



There probably won't be any updates for a week or so. B and I are talking off on Monday for the week, and are going unplugged. No cell, no laptop, just like the *olden* days! Have a great week!

Cutest little pumpkin ever :)

Angela's little sweetie, Alex. Isn't he a doll?

My lovely niece

She just turned 17, and I'm still wondering how the time went by so quickly!