On a lighter note...

My new bedtime lately is 4 a.m.  FYI, my mom just gasped aloud when she read that.  She's now saying, "Oh Wendy!  You need to get more sleep and take your vitamins!"

Aww mom, how sweet of you to worry about me! I'm doing fine. I love staying up late cuddled up to my computer.  I'm attaching this awesome picture of me in my current late-night environment, just so you can see how happy I am.

1. unzipped pants for maximum chair sitting comfort.

2. Tonight's late night snack:  popcorn, 94% fat free.

3. Had to cover up my underwear with black paint in PS.  Note to self: low rise pants not good from back view.

4. Pleasant look on face.  I'm happy doing what I'm doing.

5. Now that I've given NieNie her huge canvas- what shall I put on my walls?

6. Calendar filled to the max with appointments and doodles.

7. Standard late-night up-do. 

4 a.m. does sound like an atrocious bedtime, especially considering that I have two small kids who wake up at 6:00 am.  But that's where Tyler comes in, that hunk of love.  He let's me sleep in! Oh, and he also piles all the blankies and pillows on top of me before he leaves for work. It's how he "tucks me in" and I love love love it.  When I wake up I feel warm and snuggly and rested under all the weight of the bedding. Am I weird?

4 a.m. is what I have to do so that I can spend the day with my kids during this crazy holiday season. At least, I would be able to spend the entire day with them if daylight savings hadn't ended- now I have to have sessions at 3 pm!  Whatev.

I'm kind of rambling, huh?

4 a.m. is awesome.  Here's the cutest little dude who's pictures I've been working on since 3:10 am.  SO ADORABLE!

p.s.:  Washingtom DC trip scheduled for April is nearly full.  February's AZ trip is nearly full.

p.s.s: Goodnight MOM!

Not at all bitter!

Announcing... the winner of the Whilrligig Necklace! Winner is commenter Jen who wrote a hilARious comment:

"I freaking LOVE that necklace. I'm at work, so my connection is slow, so I only saw a piece at a time while the picture loaded... so I saw the top bauble and thought that was the whole thing and i was like "Oh my goodness! So cute!" And then the next one loaded and i was like "GAH! Cuter!!" And then it finally loaded the whole thing and i was like "!!!". Yeah. Just like that.

I'm tired.

So my suggestion for music is.... everything on my playlist. But to simplify, try Jack's Manequin. They're pretty much Win."

Congrats, Jen! You are rewarded for looking at this blog at work!  Your Whirligig is on it's way. Totally adorable, just like you said. And hey, to all you who did suggest Jack's Mannequin to listen to: good one.  I listened to "Dark Blue" about 3,487 times on my way to and from Arizona. I love me some male falsetto!

Speaking of Arizona...

My trip to AZ was:  CRAZY!  I "worked" non-stop. Unless you count that teensie little trip I took to the Scottsdale Anthro. Didn't buy anything though- boo!

I loved the folks I met in AZ.  Sincere, funny, kind people.  I do have some things to say about AZ in general though. "Issues" you might say.

To the lady at the Pecan Groves front office: BOO to you.  You made my life miserable and we are not friends for at least a year. Take THAT!

To the makers of Speed Limits: BOO to you, for causing the entire state to not be able to go faster than 60. There are even cameras ready and waiting to catch you "speeding" if you go 65!  65 is my slow pace, people! I have people to see, places to GO!

To the makers of Street Names: You can really do better.  Don't put one name on google maps and another name on the actual street. Causes me to beat my head against the steering wheel in anxiety.

To that $%&*@# sprinkler that decided to turn on right as I took my lens off for a quick lens change- UP YOURS!  Got my sensor and camera guts all wet. 

Now, I realize I may sound bitter here, but I assure you I'm not. I liked my trip to AZ and I'm happy I'm headed back in February for more shoots. (but I really hope they increase the speed limit by then....)

Leaving, not on a jet plane (Giveaway below!)

Hi, my name is Wendy, and I am a photo addict.

Tomorrow morning I head to Arizona to embark on a mission of taking 38 families' holiday portraits. I'm not sure how I acquired that many families.But man, I'm glad I did. It is so very exciting to meet new people!

For this trip, I am not bringing my husband. I am not bringing my children. I am bringing myself and my camera, plus a few changes of clothes.  I have never, NEVER done anything like this before- going off on a solo expedition for 6 days sounds both thrilling and scary. I leave with an anxious heart, (I dont' do well without my man) and leaving my babies behind, yet knowing they will be in good and capable hands. After all, Tyler is the "fun" parent. When I get back the kiddies will probably think "Didn't we get rid of this woman last week and turn this place into a fun house? What the heck?"

Anyway, I really am excited to go and hopefully I can get to sleep in once or twice. That.will.feel.good.

Many, many of you photogs who read this blog have emailed inquiring about photo workshops and mentoring sessions. I've been thinking about this for some time and I'd love to do it.  So stay tuned for all the details on my mentoring sessions that will help you get on your feet with your photo business. These sessions will cover shooting, photoshopping, studio work, the works. FUN!

I leave you with (yet another) beautiful family in the orchards. Four daughters! In colorful, playful, vibrant clothing.

You know that makes me happy.

Random Anthro Giveaway, Random Pictures

First: THank you all SO MUCH for your wonderful comments about my last post with the Nielson kids. I love those kids and it's clear you all do too.

Next: CUTE NECKLACE FOR ONE OF YOUUUUUUUUUUU!

check it out:

This is the adorable Whirligig necklace from Anthropologie that I've had my eye on.  Isn't it the most whimsical necklace you've ever seen? Besides all those other baubles of whimsy that they sell there?  You can't live without it. You just can't!

I can't either- which is why I'm buying one for both of us.

Last time I gave away something, I asked for book recommendations in my comments. WOW. Got tons of good suggestions, I'm so excited to have free time so I can read!  This time, I'd love some suggestions on music to listen to while I edit.  I've recently been digging Ingrid Michaelson, Regina Spektor, Joshua Radin, etc. 

So- to enter this contest, leave me a comment! You can suggest some good listening music... or not!  It's your choice, just make sure you leave a comment on this post before Midnight on Saturday the 8th, when I';; use Mr. Random.org to pick a winner.  Then make sure to come back to see if you've won and take a look at the music suggestions.

OK, so that's that. Now on to some pictures from the Orchard sessions last week in Utah.  How fun those were!  To all the families who have not yet seen their pics... I'm working feverishly on them. Er... except for right now... A gal needs a break! :)

Claire, Jane, Ollie and Nicholas at the Farm

You know what I love... autumn evenings, crisp breezes, low, golden light.  And four kids who know how to romp around just like kids should.  Four kids who completely gave me a workout. Four kids who demanded to know why I forgot to give them a mint like I promised after our last photo session (I gave them each 4 sticks of gum this time to make up for it).

These kids are hilarious. Enjoyable, giggling and innocent. For our session, we ran around like crazy chickens, with some actual crazy chickens.  We ran races and made piles of leaves and threw them at each other. They rode the tractor eating apples, and went on the swings while I laid on the leaves beneath them for a different view through my camera- which made them laugh so hard I'm pretty sure I got drooled on. 

At the end of our session I stayed a while to talk to Courtney about her life and how it has changed since our last hang out in July.  Her description: "Um, yah... it's different!" Her voice: totally calm, completely confident. Lucy and Courtney and their husbands share the task of caring for Stephanie and Christian's kids. I know they are having a good time, watching the kids grow, making their best effort to fill Stephanie's shoes while she heals.

I love these pictures for so many reasons, but I'll tell you now why I love them most. Because they are proof that in the face of tragedy and trial, life can go on, moments of happiness can still be found, and kids can still be kids.

It's their laughter that keeps us all going.  Claire, Jane, Oliver and Nicholas are still laughing, playing, imagining. Living and breathing and growing while their parents live and breath and heal.

Such beautiful children.

 P.S.  By the time I left the Farm, I had sticks in my hair, dirt on my lips, leaves down my shirt, plum juice drool on my jeans, dust in my lenses and had been wrestled to the ground 1,000 times by Gigs. Not to mention that one time, I was playing Ring-around-the-rosies with the kids and I'm pretty sure they plotted to tackle me at the end... all of the sudden I had 4 bodies jumping on top of me.  Yep. A sinister plot.

:)

 P.S.x2:  Don't know who these kids are because you've been hiding under a rock?  Click here.

Travel Updates and Pricing Info

Hear ye, Hear ye:

I have dates settled for several future trips about the country. If you live in one of these areas and are interested in a sesh, drop me an email or a comment!  I'll get you an appointment in a jiffy. 

My pricing and ordering structure will be changing drastically as of January 1st, 2009.  I'll be revamping a lot of my processes to make things easier, better, and.... cooler (although travel sessions will remain the same). So, if you want to book a session with my current price list, please do so before December 31st.

My traveling sessions work a bit differently. Sessions are a half hour long.  The travel package is $440 ($100 deposit req'd) and includes: 1 16x20, 1 11x14, 2 8x10's and 4 5x7s, plus a disc of your favorite images.  I will decide, with your help, where to meet and schedule sessions back to back at the location. Fun will ensue.

So, here we have:

ARIZONA:  February 20-21st

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA (focus on Sacramento): March 20-21st

WASHINGTON DC: April 25-27

NEW YORK CITY, BABY!: May 15-16

My travel sessions this year all went quickly- so hurry and reserve your spot!