dreamy?

So I was readying Kal's blog (see links at right), and she was talking about "dreamy" photos. I really want to learn to do that. Technically, you shouldn't have to photoshop every photo you create or you'll do nothing but sit in post production. Having said that, I'm working here on limited lenses, etc (since the camera is new) and so post production is necessary.

I really like the dark around the edges effect. The problem with that is I HATE PHOTOSHOP. I just absolutely refuse to use it. I suppose someday I'll be forced to cave, but until then, I challenge myself to see what I can do with my Paint shop Pro version *5* (yes, 5.. from like 7 years ago) This is the only thing kicking my butt so far. I messed with this photo for a couple hours tonight. Before and after and I think I did a pretty good job of getting that dreamy effect I'm looking for.

Dark edges, slightly blurred background, even more slightly blurred Laicey and her face punched up a bit in brightness. I'm pretty happy with what it looks like so far.

Click to see the larger version.

Off to bed. Just wanted to post!

Amy's wedding on Saturday! I"m very excited, I hope it's not too cold for her. It's been real chilly. After some POST PRODUCTION, I'll share some of my favorites.

Where did the time go???

The photos I promised of the senior session I did with my neice Laicey. She's 6 months older than Seth, and a grade higher. She's my older sister's only daughter and the first grand"baby". Where the heck did the time go.

Laicey has changed so much. She is so outgoing now, and mature (and immature still in ways, that's GOOD LAICEY). I was so surprised how willing she was to let me drag her around to *anywhere* to take her pictures (including the *cemetary* LOL). She even had many good ideas of her own. Here's hoping they are all as easy as she is to photograph.

She's sure come out of her shell, no more quiet little girl that just sits back bashful. She's out there. Kansas city has been good for her I believe.

And lastly, poor child looks like a Perdew. I swear no one can match our dominant genes. *no one*. We all look like we came from the same pot. It was weird, seeing her in the lense and catching glimpses of ME. WEIRD. And then editing photos later and seeing Torrie, and my Mom in her face. So strange!



She wants to go to school for Criminal Justice (good call.. I'm jealous.. my dream degree), so when we drove past the sheriff's department, she HAD to have her pic taken there.

Hands down, my favorite photo. Young, innocent and grown up, all at the same time.

Pop... this wall just called to have this shirt in front of it. here she is doing the "duck" that we called it. It's the nice little trick to making your little extra "something" under the chin disappear. Stick your head out like a duck and tilt down. She got tired of me saying it, but it really does make for a good picture.

If you have a senior or know a senior that needs their photos, or if you are interested in maternity shots, weddings or informal portraits, contact me! I will send you a price list and set up a time we can meet.

a whole month

It's been a month since I posted! I'm at work so no pictures to share at the moment. I felt so guilty when I saw that, I decided to post an update. I will try to post some more pics tomorrow.

House update:
It sucked.
I hate moving. nuff said.

Floors got done just in time for them to cure before we moved in. Personally, they need at least 2 more coats of urethane. There are several dry spots. I might move furniture and do a few rows at a time. Just to make me happy. Not at the moment tho, I"m still recovering from moving.

Had our garage sale. Mom came down every day for 3/4 days straight. I don't think I could have gotten it done without her. I tend to be a bit ADD when I'm overwhelmed and finally we decided that I'd price and she'd arrange. She didn't do it how I would do it and I decided that THAT WAS OK! Don't get yourself worked up over the small stuff when there's big stuff left to do! We borrowed mom/dad's truck for about a week, (don't tell dad, he doesn't know!) and without that, I don't think we could have made it! THANKS MOM!!!

Speaking of Mom, it was fun spending time with her. With work and her being 45 min north, I don't get to see them much. Well, now I guess it's only about 35 min north with me moving out of town.

Unpacking has been *so-so* I kinda like unpacking, but this time I'm a bit paralized because:
a.) not all the rooms are done so I don't know where to put some things
b.) even tho the living area is larger, I technically have less space because of no basement so it's hard to think of where to put stuff.
c.) My scrapbook room got switch. Since seth spends most of his time at his dad's, I decided it was more fair I got the larger room for crafts. So the 3 bedrooms/scraproom has to be all finished then rearranged.
d.) I'm nervous about poking holes in walls I spent hours working on making sure the holes/cracks/texture/paint were perfect.
e.) I can't decide which wall what should go on.

MOM! LOL.
I should just let her do it.

I got an AWESOME new stainless steel stove with some of our garage sale $$. It's beautiful and gonna look awesome once we get all new stainless in the kitchen with all the black cabinets / granite tops.

I had a theory, and I was right.

World famous scrapbooker heidi swapp moved herself, husband, household and five VERY BLONDE children to China to help support her husband's business. It just so happened they all moved to china the same weekend I moved 3 miles north of town. I predicted she would have an easier move than me. She's now been shopping, church, set up house, even been to ikea and bought some cute black and white dishes to set up house.

I on the other hand, dug through a cardboard box for underwear this morning.
TRUE STORY.

Heidi.... you suck.
(in the I'm jealous sorta way)


In other news...

About 3 weeks ago I took all of my niece, Laicey's, senior pictures. She came up and spent the night with me and we hauled butt and took about 175 pictures. I'd say 60 are really good and the rest. pretty good. Very few were deletable. I spent 2 days editing, but in the move, I haven't had time to finish. I"m going to work on that this weekend and post a couple here, so at least SHE can see!

Next weekend I have my first paid wedding. Amy was one of Amber's (sister) bridesmaids, and she is a real sweetheart! I have her a "you know my sister" discount, and I'm trying to build my portfolio up. I'm really looking forward to doing some sessions with people I don't know as well (personally). She seems really low-key / whatever goes, and I dig that. I will get her permission to post some photos here.

Next Sunday, there is a bridal fair in Maryville. I wish I had a booth! I didn't know who to contact but saw the advertisment in the paper, so I think I"m going to go and check out whats there, the competition and talk to the promoters about getting in next time. I have no idea if it's big or only 4 booths. But it's only 2 hours. That part's not all that impressive. I also just remembered that the BPW craft show is at the same time same location. That might be interesting.

In the month I've not posted, I've thought of 800 things I wanted to share with you guys, but that's all I can think of at the moment. I"m going to get back into the swing of things. I'm happy about that, so expect to see more from me! I promise!

OK2BEME

OK, so much to update so I'll make it the bulleted post!

• Been working on the house. LOTS getting done, lots left to do. Tiled the bathroom floor. I might add, it SUCKED. OMG... I dunno if I'll ever do that again. OK I have no choice, I have an entire shower to do, a bathtub wall(s), and the master bath floor, which is TWICE AS LARGE as this one. Oh, btw, sanded grout really hurts.
• Tanner is a great helper! He gets hot like the rest of us but keeps up. He was installing the floor in the livng room by himself while Gene was outside cutting and routering
• Our living room floor is almost complete. We're using pine planks to make a rustic feeling floor. Did I mention the house will be a cabin when it's done? Fanciest double-wide in all of NW MO. Har.

• Spent some time with my mom and sisters this weekend. We went shopping. Found an awesome keg for the new house. Gene's disappointed it doesn't actually work (or it'd be full of Crown Royal).


• Biggest news, I'm going to be an aunt again! My BABY SISTER is going to be a mommy. Dunno if I'm happy or sad. Happy cuz you know.. babies. Sad cuz, ugh, I was a pre-teen when Torrie was born. Thus: I'm getting old. She's due in March. I've kinda been wondering lately if she was. Just that "been a mom superhero spidey sense" thing.
  
  

• This little old man made me laugh. yes he was alive, we whispered enough he woke up.

• Went to garage sales on Saturday and picked up this awesome rocking chair, perfect for a cabin for CHEAP. Too bad the woman chased us down 2 sales later and accused us of not paying her! *oh no you didn't!* Needless to say, she only got paid her $25 ONCE.
  
• I've designed a business card for the photo biz. It features Gene's 3 granddaughters. CUTE. I really like it.
  
• I saw the coolest license plate the other day "OK2BEME". I wished I had my camera. What a great attitude. I've tried to undo some of the stuff I've said to myself over the past few years (gaining weight will do that to you). My new motto is "OK2BEME". Cuz it is ok. Positive talk in your own head is probably the best way to start, everything will fall in behind that. Which reminds me a quote:
  

Watch your thoughts; they become your words
Watch your words; they become your actions.
Watch your actions; they become your habits.
Watch your habits; they become your character.
Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny.

Frank Outlaw

Sorry not an exciting post, I'm so busy lately that I'm posting even less than before. I hate mass posts but it helps me catch up, and I promised ppl I'd post! I'll try to do more updates so it doesn't take as much time!

Off to pack up at least a couple boxes, I've barely packed ANYTHING and we move in 3 weeks!

If you're getting tired of seeing Amber and Cole ....

Torrie and Darrell - other painfully better looking younger sister than I.

whatever. :p!

So anyway, can't believe how much I improved in a year. These were taken 2 fall seasons ago. I just had a point and shoot digital so it doesn't take as great of pictures as my new camera, but I still loved how these 3 turned out. All these pics were taken by my parents house, they have 2 ponds right up the hill so that made these pictures a little more special.

Now if I could just get Darrell to crack a smile once in a while. sheesh.