Photo Shoot With Francesco - The Only Smile

Francesco and I have been hanging out together this last week before he goes to Kindergarten (gulp). I had planned on doing a lot of outside activities, but atlas the rain - which I am so over- has put a kink in those plans. One day we had a few hours where it was not raining and so I decided to try and get some pictures of him. I did not want to take pictures in or around our house, I am so tired of the walls in my house right now. A short walk up the road is a building with brick walls and a cinder block wall on the other side. Seemed like an ideal place, which it was. My subject wasn't ideal though. This one picture of him with a smile is the only one out of 300 shots... the only one.





What I learned about doing a photo shoot with a 5 year old.
1 Bring more props. All I had was a point and shoot camera and a thing of bubbles.
2. Learn how to bribe well. I will give you a cookie is not sufficient for a 5 year old, it has to be more like I will let you drink a whole Orange Soda or I will get you a pack of Pokemon Cards.
3. Don't lug your tri-pod because a 5 year old doesn't stand still long enough for you to even put the camera on it.
4. Never tell them to smile, if you do be prepared to get the cheesiest smile that they won't be able to get rid of for the rest of the shoot.
5. When you say "chin up a little" expect them to look to the heavens, "chin down a little" gets you the opposite, there is no in between to them.
6. Don't even try to suggest a pose, it's just not going to happen.
7. Take a lot of shots and cross your fingers you get a few you like.
8. It's hard work!

Playing Around - since it's snowing!

My friend Rose over at A Little White Space turned me onto Big Huge Labs. It's where I have been making the mosaics for my 365 project. I made it another week and posted the photo's over at Moments In Time.

Since it's snowing and snowing and snowing here (last total was 17.5 inches) I've been playing on the computer. I made this photo-booth strip of the boys playing around after bath one night. I thought it came out so cute I wanted to share.

What else is there to do when it snows?

How about bake? Great idea...I am off!

Instead I Took A Picture

I really should have reprimanded him for this but instead I took a picture. It didn't help that all of us were laughing at him.



How can you resist the cuteness????

I Heart PhotoShop

I just loaded my new photo software and I am sooooooo excited to get started.

This is the original picture I took of Nicolo.
















This is the edit I did. Now bear in mind this is my first try at this. Up until now I only had Picasa, which was good for some basic fixes.

I still have tons to learn but am so excited to get knee deep into it all.























Thanks to my hubby for the software, and for the camera/lens/flash for that matter.

Thanks sweetheart!

Theme Thursday: Celebration

My Grandfather turned 90. His two sons and all his grandchildren and great grandchildren got together to celebrate. We took a road trip with a toddler and an infant just to be there. I am extremely bias but he is the best Pop in the whole world and worth the trip!

Visit The Land of K.A. for more celebratory pictures!

Photo Challenge: the gory details

Andrea over at Shutter Sisters wants to hear all about the gory details that lead up to a great shot. This picture is one of my favorite but was not come upon easy.

Every year (being only 2 now) I want to take a picture for the Christmas cards. Francesco was not in the mood, not cooperative and just downright impossible and I only had one day left to get it down and sent out. Prior to leaving for work and daycare I tried to get a few shot in the house, he wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. So as we are leaving at 6:40 in the morning the cars are running with the headlights on. He is trying to get down the front steps on his own (he won't let you help him) as I snap as many pictures as I can. He wouldn't stand still for nothing. I was so frustrated until I got to work and looked at what I had.

I was surprised to find this one.

I know you can't see his face but I captured his best feature, those gorgeous cheeks, everyone always comments on his big pinch-able cheeks. I also like the way the light is hitting. My husband doesn't understand why I like this picture since he isn't even looking at the camera (he just doesn't get it)

Wordless Wednesday

Just in on the fun over at Wordless Wednesday