The other day we had a BBQ lunch at work.  Our managers are nice enough that each year they usually organize and host a little luncheon/picnic for the staff to show their appreciation for all the work we do.  So the normal schedule is we have a staff meeting and take care of business and then have our little BBQ.

Well this year my co-worker brought along her boys Austin and Logan. They are just so funny and were having a great time.  So I just had to chronicle some of their time with us at the park.

I had the day off today so I actually got to see my little girl in the morning.  Normally I have to leave for work before she is up so on the days I am off it is a nice treat.  Well I decided to grab my camera thinking I might record a little of her morning antics.  Oddly there was some great light coming in from this little side window that is not always there (the light that is, the window is always there).  So I snapped off a few shots.  So yes again it is time for my favorite model.  =)

And here is her American Idol pose.

I got a new toy in the mail today.  So of course I just could not resist running around experimenting with it.  Yes, it is a macro lens as you can tell by the pictures.  Back a couple of weeks ago Diana asked “Do you want this for Father’s Day?”  Me, “Oh you twist my arm…ouch…oh…okay if I must.”  Ha ha ha!  Thanks Diana!!  Well here are a few shots.  In the shots with the little robots I was messing around with lighting as well.  If you could not tell I had the sophisticated flashlight system in full effect.  = )  Hope you enjoy my little macro madness.

Okay, if my wife had walked in while I was doing this she would have thought…oh wait she would have SAID “What are you doing?  Are you stupid!?”  Okay maybe she would not have said that in those words exactly but she would have been thinking it for sure.  Actually, after she reads this she will have the same reaction.  =P  At any rate, in my ever evolving journey to become a better photographer I was experimenting with my flash the other night.  I just wanted to get a better grasp of just how different things work and how little changes can sometimes make big differences in the image you produce. 

I was short on models so yes, I resorted to the fluffy bunny.  The good thing about the bunny is it does whatever you tell it to and stays where you put it…well sort of…it decided to fall over a number of times.  But in the end I have to say he did a fantastic job… ha ha.  Well giving Fluffy Bunny a break I decided to use Dumb Bunny (I actually am a rabbit in the Chinese Astrology).  Well I think I learned some stuff from all this so it was not a complete waste of time. Besides the more knowledge I have the better off I am as a photographer and a person in general.  Yes, not a very deep entry and that was a stretch at the end but hopefully it was entertaining on some level.

The better of the shooting subjects.

One of the images that I came up with of the “Stand-In Model”

I mentioned a few entries ago that my daughter had her first little walking experience.  Well she still is pretty wobbly but it is amazing how much better she gets daily.  I really think we are in for trouble, especially since she is also starting to exert her own little strong willed personality.  But in the end I still would not trade the experience.  There is nothing else that makes me feel the way I do when I watch her do her thing. 

A couple of shots to let you see her progress, and my eventual undoing.  =P

Since I shot the family session with “The 3 Little Monkeys” a number of people have been asking if I am for hire.  And the answer…of course I am!  I am available for anyone wanting portraiture.  In addition, I have been second shooting for couple pretty cool wedding photographers.  I have been truly blessed to be hooked up with them as they have really taken me under their wings and have taught and inspired me.  One of the things I have learned from them is that we can always be better, so we should always be learning and refining our skills and knowledge.  I think that can apply to life in general.

If anyone is looking for a wedding photographer give me a shout because I might know one that meets your needs.  As a special offer, if you book through me, you can get a discount off of Scott Robert’s normal $10K + rate.   Plus you would get me shooting as well!  Of course this is dependent on his availability.  

So if you need some photography drop me a line at:

eric@wmericimages.com

In the mean time here are a couple of shots I took of the kids at church the other day.  One because I think the guys just made a pretty funny image and the other because amazingly all the kids are looking at me.  If you’ve shot a group of kids you know how rare that is.  I should have bought a lottery ticket.  =P

I know for most of the world Father’s Day seems to be less celebrated than Mother’s Day but I guess since I am a father it has more meaning to me.  Obviously especially the last 16 months or so since my daughter arrived.  She is a ton of work but she is also the greatest joy in my life.  Ask me if I would feel that way 17 months ago and I would have laughed at you.  But she has been a great blessing in my life.  So here’s to all you dads out there, I hope that you have a great day!

Here are a couple of pics.  The first is a picture of my daughter her very first day and the other is just a shot I snapped of her yesterday for the heck of it.

Well at least that is what their Mom calls them sometimes.  The other day I got a chance to go out and do a family session with Wayne, Jodie, Ally, Zach, and Little (or maybe not so little) Keegan.  It actually seemed a little more like “Survivor”.  First off it was hot!  Then there was a hand getting stepped on, attack of the killer bees, stepping/falling into the pond, crazy natives (aka other kids), and did I say it was HOT!  Everyone looked a bit wilted by the time we were done but I have to say that they were all real troopers.  We focused a bit more on the kids but managed to get Mom and Dad in a couple too.  Thanks to each and everyone of them for hanging in there and letting me get the shots.  They did such a good job I don’t think you can even tell that it was such a grueling trial filled afternoon.  Way to go guys…thanks.

Keegan’s got his superhero flying position down!!

Whew…Time for a Jamba Juice. Thanks for the treat!

After almost 16 months of fatherhood, one thing that I have come to know is that I just don’t know.  I now don’t even try to think I know what will amuse my daughter or what she will like.  For example she has this Sesame Street book titled “Bubbles Bubbles” My wife and I thought it was sort of a lame book, BUT my daughter totally loves it.  She grabs it all the time and wants me to read it to her.  And of all the books this is the one that she tries to say the words out of.  Cute I must say, but baffling.  So in the end I guess all I can do is watch, learn, and enjoy the ride. 

Here’s my daughter giving me “The Book”

So in honor of the book here is Diana blowing bubbles.

Here is C with her stuffed lamb.  She loves this thing…I think she loves it more than me. =I

And of course she loves her Mama!

A couple of weeks ago I the great opportunity to second shoot with Scott Robert at Jenny and Tom’s wedding.  As I have endeavored to take my photography to the next level Scott has been a great teacher, friend, and mentor.  Aside from his great talent what really makes him special is how he gives of himself to his family, friends, students, and clients. 

Jenny and Tom had decided not to have a formal ceremony that day but instead opted for traditional tea ceremonies and a great banquet instead.  So an added bonus of the day was that unlike some couples they did not over pack the schedule so there was time to take care of everything and still have a moment here and there to breathe.  Scott and I even got to have some of the best homemade Chinese Beef Stew Soup we ever tasted.  I think they could have gotten a discount on Scott’s rate if they offered him the recipe. 

Well here are some of the shots that I took that day.  I am sure Scott will have his up at some point but his schedule has been so crazy I don’t know how he keeps going and gets everything done.  Thanks to Liz who was also on this shoot with us.  She really cracks me up and showed us a great place for a late night burrito with some awesome creamy salsa.  I gotta go back there and buy some of that salsa.  

Congratulations Jenny and Tom.  All the best in your new life together and may it be filled with blessings.