My first

Today marked my first official photo session with a subject that is not related to me. The lucky winner is none other than my friend and neighbor's newborn baby girl, Gemma.  She is just the sweetest little bundle of baby meat I've seen in, oh, two years I'd say.  She didn't particularly like having her picture taken today but I'm hoping she'll outgrow that as I have big plans for her and I.  Thank you for your patience with me Margaret, Leah and Miss Gemma!

 Proud big sister Leah was happy to help me set up this morning.

 Aargh! Shiver me timbers!

I love those delicate little fingers.

See you soon sweetpea. Don't grow up too fast.

The Dark Side

After all of my Christmas morning photos turned out terrible, I decided I'd had enough of  trying to take decent photos in low light without a flash.  I love using natural light for the majority of my photos but sometimes, it's just too dang dark to get a decent shot and I hate having to up my ISO.  But, since you can't have your cake and eat it too, there was only one solution. Use a flash. So, instead of using my camera's built in flash, I saved my pennies and bought an external flash. I have no idea how to use it and right after I post this, I'm heading over to YouTube to see what I can find for videos on it.  This is a test shot I just took in the downstairs of our house, which has one (ONE!) window.  I always have trouble with white balance and getting enough light when I try to take photos down there.

This image is SOOC. All I did was crop it.

While I still consider myself a natural light photographer, I no longer think a flash is evil.  If I can get this on my first try with it, I know I can get natural looking photos the more I practice.

Best Face

This week's challenge on I Heart Faces is Best Face. I immediately thought of this photo of my son, taken this summer, while he sampled a popsicle for the very first time.  Perhaps I should have chosen a sweeter one for his foray into the popsicle world?