hoping, hoping

Do you ever really hope and pray that you'll win something?

I won a hat and a cooler in junior high for drinking milk.  I was pretty excited about that.  This is a lot bigger and better....

Snapknot is having a contest for a great camera.

Big thanks to the SnapKnot wedding photography directory for offering this great camera giveaway! And yes, I am hoping, hoping.  By doing what I am doing (this blog entry), I get extra entries.  Increase my chances.... increased chances are good. One of the biggest things this is making me realize, however, is that I need to start looking into having a photography website.  In Ecuador I didn't need one, but now that that is over, it is probably going to be important.  And along with a new website I'm thinking of a new name. Right now I've been going with Aire Fino for the school photography portion and my name for the rest.  I'm kind of looking at something else for the new start back in North America. The two options I've thought of are Nest Photography or Dwell Photography I like the logo/graphics potential for Nest but like the concept of Dwell better. Perhaps I'll just let it simmer for a while. Hopefully winning a new camera will provide more inspiration!

on santa's knee

I've gotten to know quite a few US embassy people in these past few months.  Several of the ladies are involved in an outreach called "Quito Cares".  They raise money to give to various charities.  One event that they have annually is photos with Santa.  This year they asked me to be the photographer.

Since I don't have approval to post photos of all the other people, I'm just posting some of my buddy!

There were about 35 families that showed up.  Several were with little children who went into frightened hysterics when they got near Santa.  It was a little comical.  Well, for me, not for their parents!

This is my little buddy whom I have photographed quite a bit already.  I love this little guy.  And apparently he loves Santa.  I don't think he was ever this silent or still so long when we were trying to do his photos.  Little stinker!

Maddy got to have a little time with him as well, and so did I.  Lots of cozy snuggling.  This was the highlight for both Maddy and I - for me because I just like snuggling with a cute little baby; for Maddy because she was bored out of her mind (she came to help me).  

Well, I was glad she was there.

creative gift wrapping

There is a new article up in the latest edition of the Inspired by Family magazine.

Its all about using regular stuff from around the house to wrap up your Christmas gifts.  Normally I would just send you there (which you can do any way) but I'm just going to post the whole there here as well.  Because of marketing and searching stuff that I don't understand, the editor has to change a lot of stuff.... I like how I originally write it better. 

I have a friend who boldly states how important a beautifully wrapped gift is to her:  You put in the time to make it pretty, it shows you care.  Other times gift wrapping is simply about survival.  Haven’t we all run out of Christmas paper right when we need to get a gift wrapped?  

In both situations, all we need is to look at regular items in a different way.  You are sure to have some great wrapping materials throughout your house, ordinary things that we might not normally think of using.

Let these photos inspire you and you should have plenty of ideas what to do when you want to show you care, but you have “nothing” to wrap with!

Play up with Papers

If you are out of wrapping paper, go for the stuff you have.  Here we have used kraft paper, waxed paper and computer paper.  Both the kraft and waxed paper were folded at regular intervals to give it some interest and texture.  Glue or Stitch the folds (use a plain straight stitch) in place.  Wrap it up with thread or ribbon if you have it.  Sew a random pattern on plain paper with a free-motion sewing using festive colored thread.  Tags can be made quickly with paint chip cards.

Scrap the Fabric

Dig into your fabric stash, or piles of discarded clothing, for gift wrapping.  Make a quick bag by cutting off the sleeve of a shirt or sweater.  Stitch the wider end of the sleeve closed, tuck in your gift and tie it closed with some string or cord.  You can also sew any size envelope with some left-over fabric.  Or take that fabric and stitch a simple sleeve to slide over your gift.  Use burlap, crumpled kraft paper or leaves for rustic tags.

Kitchen Covers

The kitchen if full of great materials to wrap up your gifts.  Use a mesh produce bag to hold a soft, light item wrapped in tissue paper.  Styrofoam trays can be sandwiched together to hold a gift (make sure they are good and clean first!)  A two liter soda bottle also makes a great container: cut off the top and the bottom, cut one to two inch slits every inch or two on both ends and fold down these tabs on one side, hot gluing them closed.  Tuck you gift inside and hot glue the tabs on the other end.  Here initial tags are made from scraps of felt and extra beads.

Contain with Cardboard

Boxes don’t have to be standard - use some unique containers and shapes.  A box from foil or plastic wrap is great for wrapping up a set of smaller gifts or a shirt that is rolled up and placed inside.  Use a toilet paper or paper towel roll, covered in paper to hold you gift.  Simply fold down two sides of one end, put in your gift, and fold down the other  side in the same fashion.  Oatmeal, chip, and coffee cans also make great containers.... cover them with sheet music from Christmas carols, or pages from a book.  The tags for these gifts were made from bits of left over craft supplies: jewelry wire and small wood shapes.

 Cash In

Whether you want to give the recipient a little extra or you simply want to add unique twist, cover your boxes with cash!  Hot glue pennies or nickels to your box (cover with white or kraft paper first if you desire.  All new coins give a great sparkle, while a mixture of old and new and interest and texture.  Wanted to spend a little more but didn’t know what to buy?  Make ribbon out of one dollar bills.  Add a little thread or ribbon if you desire more color.

all-ecuadorian wedding.....all

Another event that was much too long ago.  Why am I even blogging about it?

Yesterday I was also supposed to shoot an all Ecuadorian wedding.  But I got sick.  Thankfully I notified someone the night before - just in case - and they were able to find someone else.  But I felt terrible - so guilty.  Both to make them scrabble but also to not bring in the money for Casa G.  We need that money badly.  

What I'm not sorry about is not shooting the wedding.  It doesn't bring me much joy.  I supposed this isn't exactly right of me, but doing an all Ecuadorian wedding is a struggle for this gringa.

Don't get me wrong.  The people are wonderful.  Wonderful - friendly and fun.  And they like to have a good time.  Such a good time that weddings last for ever!!  10-14 hours is what I end up doing.  A little exhausting.  And since the party is the thing, organization is not.  Maybe we'll have time for portraits but maybe not.  But even if we don't have time, they are important, so somehow they need to happen even if there is no time for them.  And the photos should take place beside this rose bush because this rose bush is so pretty even though we are supposed to be featuring people, not pretty rose bushes, in the photos.  And since you liked my style and my previous weddings, why would you not trust me when I state where we should to do the photos and how we should pose??????

Okay, enough of that....

The couple was wonderful and very sweet.  The groom was a brother of a friend's husband (so a friend's brother-in-law..... may be a little easier to say).  I did truly enjoy working with them - they were a lot of fun and really enjoyed their wedding.  Here is a smattering of their photos.

I just need to pause and tell you about this little guy.  During the ceremony, he was cracking my up.  He was allowed to roam freely (that part didn't crack me up) and was very demonstrative with his face and body.  He was clearly telling everyone, including me, when I was in his way and that he deserved priority.

After the ceremony, I didn't find him quite so amusing.  And neither did the bridal couple!  He kept interrupting our photos, getting in the picture, getting in front of me, taking over the space during parts of the reception, wanting to play the drums on the side of the dance floor, etc.  And the parents?  Forget about it.  This kid is going to be in for a lifetime of hurt.

Moving on.

They had this band at the reception.  They put on a good show and the people all enjoyed them.  I'm pretty sure I enjoyed them the most, however.  Hearing all of these 80s english songs being "sung" with a strong spanish accent - it was thoroughly enjoyable for me.  I must have looked like an idiot, taking all of these pictures with a huge smile on my face - inwardly laughing as the lyrics were butchered.  I had a fabulous time!  Truly fabulous.

Another thing I can always count on with this type of wedding - there will be someone, probably more than one - who will hit on me.  In their sometimes drunken, slurred Spanish, I am sure to have some potential suitor want to talk and dance with the gringa photographer, regardless of whether I am 20 years older or 20 years younger than they are.  At this particular wedding I was privileged to have one of each.  Don't worry, I handle myself appropriately externally.  And internally, the laughter is aiding in my personal health.

a magical harvest moon

A "1000 words" post at Inspired By Family.

family photos

Sorry - not our family photos!  But they are photos of our friends.  We have been blessed to get to know the Altlands - a family that came here almost a year ago.  Their middle daughter is one of Lucy's best friends and now their family is one of our best families (um......  they are close friends....).

They are getting ready to be one of many families with three girls and one boy and wanted a few family shots done to record the pregnancy and all that good stuff.

A very photogenic family, I must say.  I really didn't have to do much - they are all beautiful!

 We made it a family affair (minus Maddy) so the kids could play once they were done with the photos.  They had a good time exploring and getting very very dirty.  It has been very dry here - no rain for ever - and they were kicking up plenty of dust storms.

The dad wasn't exactly elated over doing family photos.  I mean, he did well and all - he tolerated the time and even produced nice, happy smiles, but the guy was pretty happy when it was over.

Perhaps this photo captures it best: