Engaged!

My little brother proposed to his girlfriend today.  I think this picture really captures their great personalities.  As you can see, they are very serious.

Congratulations you two!  I can't wait for your engagement pictures.

Bambi!

While I was enjoying my first cup of tea this morning, I looked out the back door to see Baby Fawn running around the yard apparently having a great time. 

Mama Deer was watching in stoic disapproval, I believe. 

I grabbed my camera and he ran up to the fence to say good morning.

I stayed on my side of the fence because Mama Deer was watching me closely and I am pretty sure she could take me down.

I hope everyone has a great Saturday!

First Holy Communion

I was unable to attend to my niece's communion a few weeks ago, but Pete took the camera and took some great pictures.
I love this picture for a lot of reasons, but mostly because my niece is adorable.

Photo Favorite

Garden Update

One of the good things about a warm spring in Texas is gardening.  My plants are doing really well.

Pete painted the fortress-net green.  I'm sure our neighbors were happy about that.  He also added smaller poles to hold the bottom of the net down (one plank up on the side of the raised bed you can see a long green line... that's the pole).

The squash plant is doing well also.  My zucchini plant is flowering (no veggies yet), so that's a relief.  Squash and zucchini producing at the same time would be insane.  My cucumber plant is doing well too.

Ahhh... and the tomatoes.  I can't wait for the tomatoes to ripen.  I plan on eating the first one directly from the garden with a little salt and pepper.   It's fun watching the plants grow, although I am a negligent gardener.  I water daily and provide fertilizer, but beyond that they are orphans.  So far the deer, bunnies, birds, and squirrels are leaving the plants alone.  I guess Pete's fortress-net is working.

Photo Favorite - Ballet

The Photo Favorite section will be updated weekly with photos from previous sessions.  Until I complete the gallery section this will show off some of my work.

A Runner?

I have been running for 3 years but I don't think I'm a runner yet.

I feel that way because of the reasons I run:

1.) to let off steam and
2.) to eat

I don't think runners become runners because they like food.  But I started to run because I love food.  Cooking it, eating it, shopping for it (not on the weekends though, but that's another post).  It's a good relationship, food and I, but it's not the same relationship that running and I have.  "Real" runners have more goals like tracking mileage with their Garmins (although this one is cool), pushing themselves, or signing up for races (I did this for awhile until I realized I run the same whether i'm getting for a race or not). 

I also don't think i'm a runner because while i'm running, I always wish I had my camera and was just taking pictures.  Flowers, shadows, a cat stalking bugs... I always feel inspired.  In High School I went to a Cross-Country meet for my journalism class and was positioned at the end of a race for photos.  I was in tears watching the athletes cross the finish line (pretty sure that film wasn't great).  I still get weepy when I see other runners on the trails... I pine for my camera so that I can capture the look.  It's intense.

I do not wish to capture my own look of determination though... i've seen it.  It's not pretty. 

I asked Pete last night if I could do a photoshoot of him running.  He claimed that he wasn't the right runner either.  Which got me thinking... what makes you a real runner?  That awesome look of determination or just having the drive to put in the miles each week?  Maybe both.

Honestly, I know I am a runner... I just like to doubt myself and question my sanity when I start to ache or feel winded because it's 95 degrees outside (in May!!!).  I run for the same reason I spend my time learning about and practicing photography.  Passion.  The discipline and determination it takes to moonlight as a photographer is identical to how I feel about running.  I'm a better person for both.

So I guess i'll just keep running.

The Shoes in My Life

I have a cedar-lined shoe closet at home.  My shoes live well.

Do I need all of these shoes?  No.  No I don't. But I like shoes.

I like taking picture of shoes too.  I'm honestly waiting for a client to show up in Christian Louboutin's so I can mark them off my List of 101 Shoes I Want But My Husband Won't Let Me Buy.   

I don't really have that list. 

Despite my shoe collection, I love my running shoes the most.  They were killing me up until this morning, but I think we've grown accustomed to each other finally.  I hate breaking in new running shoes because I hate the aching arches that accompany the miles needed before the relationship is forged.  It took almost four weeks this time, but I should be good for awhile.   I switched to the Switch because the others just didn't feel supportive anymore.  I also liked the color.

So a 3 mile run and 6 mile ride already done.  Which means only one thing... i'm hungry.

In other running news, I hate the Texas heat.

Humane Society of Williamson County

If you are looking to adopt a cat or dog, be sure to check out the Humane Society of Williamson County.  It's a pretty amazing shelter.

A friend of mine from High School, Ariana, spends a lot of her free time helping animals find homes (fostering, volunteering, etc.), and HSWC is one of the lucky organizations to have her.   She thought that better pictures could help the animals find homes, so we did a few sessions earlier in the year.  This morning all of her hard work paid off because they launched a new website.  It looks pretty awesome.  And, of course, the pictures aren't bad either.

Over the next few months, I will be working with the "Featured Heroes" so check back often for wonderful adoption stories (and to see the pictures!).  I'll be sure to post the sessions here as well.

Thanks again, Ariana!