Happy Anniversary Bubbles!

The theme for this week over at Shutter Love Tuesday is "Bubbles." I did not think I was going to submit this week because I really had no shot of bubbles - until today! January 10th marks me and my husbands 2 year anniversary - and on every anniversary or birthday we always get a bottle of our favorite champagne - Martini & Rossi and toast with our flutes from our wedding day. So champagne always provides a good fizz, which means bubbles!

Also, Happy Anniversary to my very supportive and loving husband, cheers to many more years together!

Photos Courtesy of Nhan Photography

Before & After: The Yellow Wall

I know I have shared a few photos of my cousin’s little girl, but I am trying to finish them up so I can send her a disk, so you get to see another shot of her. I think I mentioned we shot these in New Orleans at City Park, I could shoot there all day it is HUGE with so many different spots. One of the areas has all of these interesting statues – and one was this huge dog and each side was a different color. Towards the end of the shoot she started playing in the statue so I shot away. I captured this really cute moment, but was a bit underexposed. Here is my before and after.

BEFORE

AFTER

Shot with Nikon D5000 using the 17-55/2.8 edited in CS5

• Cloned the bruise off her forehead
• Resized for landscape
• Adjusted levels to brighten
• Ran TRA Lux Soft dropped opacity to 40%
• Did a slight unsharp mask
• Brightened her face a tad
• Finally extended the yellow wall out

 

 

I also might have a photo challenge idea that would run monthly through the year I know there are a ton of photo challenges out there - but I think this might be fun. Check back later today or tomorrow for more!

 

Pay It Forward 2011

 

The other night, Ambrosia Clark posted the following message:

I promise to send something handmade

to the first 3 people who leave a comment here.

To be eligible, you must also post this in your blog,

offering the same thing to 3 other people.

The rules are that it must be handmade by you and it

must be sent to your 3 people *sometime* in 2011. 

 

I have always wanted to do a "pay it forward" thing - like pay for a persons drink at Starbucks or something. I have seen a few people repost this and I want to join in too - it's not Starbucks but I think its fun any way!

Black & White and your vote?

First Wednesday of the new year and I am happy to share this photo! Since the holiday craze is over I am trying to get these done for my cousin. Does Brooke not look adorable giving her mama a kiss? I love this!

Also, if you have a moment I Heart Faces is having people vote for the "Best Face of 2010" and Miss. Brooke's photo is #368. You can vote HERE

I know Brooke is saying "Thank You" all the way from New Orleans! Have a great week!

Touched Up - Pine Cone Tree

I am totally aware that the holidays are over, but that will not stop me from posting a photo from my them. My in-laws have something like a 12 foot tree - its huge and it has all these little pine cones and fake snow on it. I am not a fake snow fan but their tree is gorgeous! This is one of the pine cones...from the bottom of the tree.

SOOC

Touched Up

I Heart Faces: Best Face

It has been a couple months I think since I have participated in the I Heart Faces challenge but when I saw the theme for this week I knew I had to share a favorite face. I am going to share one that I haven’t shared before – it was from my cousin’s session that I did in New Orleans in December. She ended up using this shot of her daughter on their Christmas cards – and it might just be me, but I think it turned out pretty cute!

Check out more faces here

Memories, Dreams, & Reflections

A look back at 2010.

1. Me! - My sister, mom, and I on Christmas Eve. This year has provided so many great things - from a great new job to learning and growing my photography knowledge. I know 2011 will be a great year for me and my husband and my family - and we are ready!

2. I Love You - Me and my ever so supportive husband - cannot believe our 2 year anniversary is in 9 days!

3. Still Laughing... - This photo will always make us laugh. Bentley and his bath time photo.

4. Winter Wonderland - This was taken in Steamboat Springs, CO in January - sad we are not going back this January!

5. Birthday -I celebrated the beginning of the last year of my 20's on Christmas Eve. I fully intend to make my 29th year rock!

6. Friends - This is a great bunch of friends. Old and new.

7. I Was Inspired... -This photo was one of my favorites from the wedding I helped shoot. This shot inspired me, not sure why but I was so happy with everything about this shot and I think it got me more excited to learn more

8. Spring Fever - This is one of my favorites - the color the light, everything

9. Travel or Vacation - Every Summer we head to the River, and go to historic Gruene

10. Summer Days -A day at the lake!

11. A Day In My Life - This is a daily routine in our household. Bentley napping on my legs, on his favorite blanket

12. All Smiles - I love this photo of my nephew. No other way to describe this photo than "all smiles"

13. Autumn Harvest - I think these colors represent fall. I shot this on the way home from work, which earlier sunsets also represent Autumn/Fall

14. Family - We try to take a family photo every year - this was our take on the popular "Awkward Family Photos"

15. Celebrate! - Weddings are always a time of celebration!

16. Let's Do It Again... - This is not me, but I did take this photo. I really want to go snow boarding again. 

17. I Miss You - Me and my Aunt Bertica. Her and my Uncle Wishwa live in Pennsylvania so we do not get to see them much

18. Beautiful - I think the emotion expressed in this photo is beautiful

19. Dress Up - I don't have any from Halloween this year so I am using one from my nephew's baptism - he was all dressed up in his suit

20. Macro - Evan's birthday lizard. I think my dad was more interested in catching it than Evan was

21. Holidays - This was a gift that I got from my mother-in-law this Christmas. It had a B&H giftcard inside...yay!

22. My Favorite -This is my recent favorite of the year. I just love her expression - smiles with a little sass!

23. Don't Ever Change - I think I have a great personality, but I do not have a photo of that. So I love that I still play soccer and I really hope that does not change any time soon. I intend to play until I can't anymore.

24. Just Because...So There!

25. Hopes and Dreams - I think that 2011 will provide great opportunity. I am looking forward to learning and growing as a photographer as much as I can. I have really enjoyed using this blog as a creative outlet and I really appreciate all the kind words I have received. Here's to a happy and healthy 2011- Cheers!

Check out more HERE