fall photo season is here!

Fall is definitely my favorite time to take photos. The weather is brisk. Cool enough for sweaters but not a heavy coat. The leaves are changing. Twilight happens in late afternoon (after Zara's nap is over and after Sofi gets home from school). Not to mention the photo ops. Pumpkin patch. Halloween. Our maple tree. Or anywhere there is beautiful foliage. Yup. Fall photo season is in full swing in our house!

The family knows the drill by now. Wear something pretty. Brush your hair. Load up the car and find a scenic spot with lovely leaves. And be prepared to take LOTS of photos.

On this sunny Sunday afternoon, we decided to go to Kelsey Creek Farm. The farm animals were already put away so it was pretty empty. Even the playground had only one other family there. Which is great for photos.

At first the sun was still a little harsh. But I found a nice, mossy boulder to sit on.

Happy smiling faces, but the light is harsh.

By the time I hopped on the rock for this self-portrait, Sofia was unhappy. The rock was a little uncomfortable, even with the baby blanket I brought.

When there is harsh light, I try shooting with the sun behind them.

Ring around the rosy. love the highlights in their hair.

The little playhouse at Kelsey Creek.

After playing on the playground for a bit, we climbed the hill to reach the farm proper. Isn't that a gorgeous barn? Love the graceful lines of the roof.

On top of the hill, I spied a pretty spot for more photos. The light was hitting the leaves just right.

Favorite shot of the bunch: I used my new trick: "Attack Daddy" to get this shot

Awww. Sofia loves her Daddy.

Jumping into the shot.

I used my tripod and self-timer for this one.

Another favorite pose: lying on the grass while I shoot from above.

And we're back at the playground.

happy sisters on a fall day.

study in self-portraits

Like her sister and her father (her mother used to be, but now is more of a voracious crafter and occasional reader), Zara is a voracious reader. She loves thumbing through books, making up words to go along with the pictures. And of course, she loves being read to. On her current rotation: Berenstein Bears Bedtime Battle and a vintage Little Golden Book ABC book that I picked up at a Seattle flea market, plus any book within reach at the time. I love how she fits perfectly in my lap while I read over her shoulder. She will often turn the pages prematurely if she gets bored, but I just keep reading.

So, I am taking Willette's Family Joy class. Self-portraits using a remote and a tripod is the first week's assignment. Coincidentally, Dear Lizzy (one of my all-time favorite photo/DIY/crafting/scrapbooking/lifestyle blogs) is also having a little self-timer challenge.

I took this photo after Sofia left for school. Their room gets gorgeous light in the mornings. I set up my tripod and used the self-timer. I focused on Zara's face, hit the timer and ran into place. Bummer that my newish remote control doesn't work on my Canon 60D (which I got last Christmas for my 30D).  So I had to make do with the mad dash into the shot.

We moved to the bed for a closer shot. I'm out of focus, but Zara is in focus. Not tack sharp, but I like her sweet expression.

And then we took the photo session outside. These were more posed. And I didn't quite get the focus right. I grabbed the red-cushioned chair that Jamie uses for his morning meditation and faced it towards the house under the shade of our huge elm tree in the back yard. I had Zara sit in the chair while I toggled my selective focus points to focus on her face, hit the timer and ran to the chair and plopped her in my lap.

For the second one, I tried something less posed, but the focus is not there. But I do like the overall feeling more. Will definitely have to try some more self-portraits with the other half of the family this weekend.

day 2 : what i wore

I had my artist's reception for my Pretty Craft Show this night so I was all dressed up. I actually blow-dried my hair, which I hardly ever do, put make-up on, and wore a (new-to-me) dress. I actually got the dress at a thrift store for $4.99 earlier this summer. So it was a lucky day to have this challenge today.

1/60 @ f 2.8, ISO 1600
4:29 PM at home, in full-length bedroom mirror
Canon 60D, 50 mm 1.8
cropped

day 1 self portrait

When I heard (via Facebook) that Erica Hernandez was hosting a 30-day photo challenge this month - inspired by this, I jumped on the bandwagon. Thirty days seems a lot more do-able than 365. Plus there is a prompt each day so more struggling with a daily subject. I took about 30 before I settled on this shot.

1/60 s @ f 1.8 ISO 200
6:48 pm at home by sliding glass door
Canon 60D, 50 mm 1.8
milk & honey II action by florabella collection
sunshine action and soft pop action by pioneer woman