People who know me and know I am working on this photography thing (I can't call myself a photographer yet) ask me all the time about photo workshops, classes and seminars. I tell them that for the busy person and someone new to photography, I found a great option. Being the mom of three that I am, I sought out a one day photo seminar sponsored by Popular Photography magazine and Sony Cameras. http://www.digitaldaysphoto.com/

They offer a two day intensive program. I only took the second day as I had already taken a beginner photo course. The first day was a beginner day and the second (the one I attended) was an intermediate day.

After a review of the previous day, the second day was jam packed with learning how to shoot models, how to edit and how to use Adobe's newest image management software, Lightroom 2. The day filled me with inspiration and the longing for a new Sony A900 camera. My only complaint is that they don't offer any advanced classes. One day classes are perfect for me and my schedule and I learned a lot! Here are some pictures I took that day from the live model shoot:

I am still working on pictures at home with my makeshift studio. My kids think it is a big game and try to yank the backdrop down, use it as a launching pad for their vehicles and just basically do anything other than sit there and say "cheese". Got a couple of good ones today. I only took about 20 pics, so I think that's pretty good.

I took this picture of Michael while I was visiting his classroom a couple of weeks ago. He and all the other boys ran to the windows when they saw another first grade class just outside. Gestures, silliness and boy behavior ensued and I got this picture of Michael interacting with his friend Will on the other side of the glass. I think it turned out to be a neat picture and I liked it.

I spent my week figuring out a studio for home. It's WAY too cold to take pictures outside (7 degrees this morning!) and I don't think it's going to warm up enough for the next couple of months. So here was my first (and only) picture I took this week of Anna. She liked it, but getting her to stay still long enough was a big challenge. She thought it was one big game!

I am little behind in the photo-editing since I just edited some pics I took this past October during my daughter's pumpkin picking trip with her mommy and me class. It was a hard day to take pictures. The sun was super bright that day and it was freezing! Most of the kids had very pink faces from the cold and my hands were frozen too. But all in all, I got a couple of good ones ... you be the judge.

This next one is my favorite!

This past spring, my friend Jill answered my call for help with practicing my photography. We took all four kids up to Ringwood Manor. The kids loved it, especially running away from the two of us! You can see in one picture, how all three boys just took off when they saw this wide open area to run in!

I only got a couple of good pictures that day, but I definitely got a good workout ... thanks Jill!

The camera bag I have been wanting was delivered today! It is a really nice looking camera bag ... you be the judge. Now if only I can have the $1,500 lens I want!

I had the pleasure of working with my friend Sara's family this past month. They were very patient with me and now I can admit I was VERY nervous! I think for a beginning, the pictures came out pretty good. I hope I get better as time goes on ... we shall see.

Oh --- by the way, friends ... I am taking pictures for free right now. If you want me to take some of your kids, let me know and I will gladly, as I NEED the practice.

Thank you Sara and family!

This is my first official post of my new photography blog. Funny, 6+ years ago I worked for one of the major ad agencies in their interactive group. People were just starting to talk about blogs and I thought "well that sounds dumb!" and lo and behold here I am getting one online myself. Who would have thought it?

I am going to use this site to document my photography skills development. I one day want to start selling my services as a portrait photographer, but right now I am just practicing and studying. I hope you like what I post!