Jenny Watts – Dallas TX Photographer | Maureen Wilson – McComb MS Photographer | Jasmine Sargent – Bismarck ND Photographer

San Diego CA Child and Family Photographer | Photo of the Week

The winter cold and flu season finally caught up with both of us.  We have been sick for the last 10 days … yuck!  Last weekend we needed a chance to get out of the house and do something other than hang out in our PJs.  So we spent the afternoon at the Children’s Museum (loaded with kleenex and hand sanitizer) and had so much fun.  We haven’t been since we had a membership the first year it was open.  It’s a beautiful space for children to grow and explore.  But, as you can see, toward the end of the outing Brooks (me, too) was done.

This week, our technique is still unique lighting and our theme is “let’s get close”.  After you see my picture, be sure to continue clicking through the different photographers links so you can see the complete circle.   Be sure to come back in 2 weeks to see our next theme, you don’t want to miss it!

In case you missed my first post of this new project, here is a little information about it.

As photographers, we are always looking for ways to challenge ourselves.  This year I am taking on an exciting new challenge, a 26 week project.  It is similar to the 52 week project most of you are familiar with, except this year we are working on techniques along with our themes.  Our themes for our 26 week project will be more thought provoking, so it will be fun to see the different interpretations.  I am working along with 11 other AMAZING photographers, 6 of my favorite photographers from my last group and 6 crazy talented news ones, who will be challenging me as the year goes on.  Each month we will have a different technique we are working on, and each week we will have a new theme.

Please continue on with Aubry Startin | Phoenix Family and Wedding Photographer.

Jenny Watts – Dallas TX Photographer | Maureen Wilson – McComb MS Photographer | Jasmine Sargent – Bismarck ND Photographer

San Diego CA Child and Family Photographer | Photo of the Week

This week I get to celebrate meeting my photography goals for 2011.

One of my goals at the start of this year was to do more to document my family.  Part of that commitment meant that I had to say no to some client work, but in the end, it was worth it.  I successfully finished this fifty-two on friday with my focus on Brooks and his friends and cousins.  I have LOVED going back through posts to see how he has changed and grown … my photography has changed and grown right along with him.  Gone are his chubby little cheeks and the last little bits of little boy.  I’m so happy to have this year!

I have new groups and new challenges in store for next year … can’t wait to see what I have to celebrate in 2012.

My goal/resolution for 2012 is to be better at writing my story.  I love where my photography is and can’t wait to grow and challenge myself again.  I love what Brooks is up to keeping us both busy.

What I need to work on is much more personal.

My story.

What do I want my story to say about me next year … 5 years … 10 years … 25 years?  Part of my story involves organization.  I got working on that yesterday … felt sooooo good.  Part of my story is to take better care of myself.  I came across photos of me before Brooks and I can’t believe how much I’ve changed.  I haven’t taken care of me for over 7 years.  It’s time.  The final part of my story is to set up a responsible financial plan.  I have no bills or debt, what I need to work on is my future financial responsibility.  I can do it!  All I have to do is start!

Next up is the wonderfully talented Kelsey Anderson|Las Vegas Wedding Photographer.

San Diego Family Photographer | Jules Trandem Photography on Facebook | The Bloom Forum

One of our family traditions is to make gingerbread houses.  Brooks LOVES it … simply because he LOVES candy.  This year, we tried something new.  Our favorite cupcake store in Santa Barbara, Whodelicious Cupcakes, offered  a ‘Gingerbread House Party’.  It is the cutest store with the yummiest cupcakes … EVER!

The cousins all got together and had so much fun building delicious gingerbread houses.  We’ll never be able to do the ‘make your own’ again.

They even passed out an award for each of the kiddos with a special gift certificate for a cupcake.  Brooks’ house won the award for most candy.  Big surprise!  ;)

Be sure to stop by the shop the next time you’re in town.  I promise … you won’t be disappointed!

Next up is the wonderfully talented Stephanie Moore | Tucson Family Photographer.

San Diego Family Photographer | Jules Trandem Photography on Facebook | The Bloom Forum

Jenny Watts – Dallas TX Photographer | Maureen Wilson – McComb MS Photographer | Jasmine Sargent – Bismarck ND Photographer

San Diego CA Child and Family Photographer | Photo of the Week

As soon as I saw this tri-fold card design, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for!  We decided to keep things simple and took off to our favorite field for a quick little mini session.  This was shot, edited and ordered in less than 2 hours.  Brooks was thrilled to help with the folding and stuffing… the beginning of a new tradition.

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season!

We have many December traditions, but one of the highlights is our visit with Santa the first weekend of the month.  This was our seventh year with Santa!  Brooks loves that both Santa and Mrs. Claus knows his name.

This is from last year …

and the year before …

Next up is the wonderfully talented Kelsey Anderson | Las Vegas Wedding Photographer.

San Diego Family Photographer | Jules Trandem Photography on Facebook | The Bloom Forum

Well, this summer we had a handyman over to do some touch up work with paint and other things that needed a little fixing up.  He did such wonderful work!  After he left, I loved looking around at the fresh coat of paint covering the little nicks and scrapes that come when a little boy rides his trucks and shopping basket into the walls and doors.  That night Brooks came to me and said the numbers were all gone.  I had no idea what he was talking about.  So he grabbed my hand and showed me.

I cried.  Like a baby.

It was gone.  All of the little lines and dates and numbers.  I have lost all of my markings to show just how tall he was with he was little until now … so big!

I had the measurements for the last couple dates so we filled those in.  When we go in for his 7 year old appointment, I will get the rest of the numbers I need to fill in the rest.

From little to big … those lines meant so much to me.  I can’t wait until it’s complete again.

Here’s Brooks helping with the assignment by measuring himself.  Seriously … the book was by chance.  We only have one board book downstairs and this is it.  Seriously.

We had to shoot this on the only morning we had a few extra minutes this week.  7:15 am is not the best time for gorgeous light in my house … really, no time is a good time for gorgeous light, but I’m loving how my camera handles 6400 ISO.  SWOON!

Next up is the wonderfully talented Kelsey Anderson-Las Vegas Wedding Photographer.

San Diego Family Photographer | Jules Trandem Photography on Facebook | The Bloom Forum

Jenny Watts – Dallas TX Photographer | Maureen Wilson – McComb MS Photographer | Jasmine Sargent – Bismarck ND Photographer

San Diego CA Child and Family Photographer | Photo of the Week