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where we’ll be spending the summer

05.24.13

On loan for the summer from friends: One Huge Super Fun Water Slide!

4 out of 5 kids are fans. 1 is not so sure.

Photo tip: I find it too hard to try to take a bunch of shots of moving subjects and hope for one to be in focus. When I am trying to capture the kids moving I usually do one of two things. One – I use the AI Servo mode, which tracks a moving subject. Two: I wait. In the slide shots below I didn’t have enough room to track them. Instead I picked the middle of the slide, focused and waited for the boys to come down the slide in that spot. The picture on the left shows where I got him in the right spot. The picture on the right shows my other son just past the area that I was focused on – so he is out of focus. I was shooting at f/2.8.

Not sure why she wanted goggles, she makes me laugh. I also feel the need to say I did not cast a vote for that swimsuit purchase.

Photo Tip: If you are learning photography, don’t always be caught up in a technically great photo. Since I teach others the basics of photography, it would be easy for me to want to always post technically great photos. But, to me, photography is part technical and part capturing something I love. I want to know the techniques for using my camera to the fullest, but at the end of the day I am just a mom taking pictures of her kids. In the photo above, my girl is not super in focus. I should have changed my aperture to get a better, more focused shot of her face. BUT – as her mom, I love this shot. Total keeper – half blurry and all.

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Pamela - Awesome!! So jealous, we are just going into winter. Although with days like we have had this past week you would never say so. It is 24degrees C here today – felt like we needed one of those slides.

Sarah - That picture of FireCracker with her goggles is PRECIOUS~!

Amy @ PaintWineRepeat - That looks like so much fun!!

Danielle - That looks like so much fun! My boys would love it!

Kate - ohhh That looks so Awesome, have you been on it yet? I love that you take blurry photos and still keep them <3

Natalie, the Chickenblogger - Your place is the place to be this summer!
I am still trying to learn how to use my camera…
I love your reminder, and I agree, in the end it’s
all about capturing the moment!

Natalie - How do you ever get them back inside to eat, sleep, bathe, etc.?!

Debbie C - That thing is awesome. Hee hee…you made me laugh about your need to comment on the swimsuit…I’m also not a Disney Princess fan. But we got some Disney books for Christmas and guess which books she always wants to read at bedtime? Sigh.

Kimberlee Jost - I love it that you say that you love that blurry shot of Firecracker. I have a tendency to not love a shot that I’ve taken that is out of focus even though I love what my kids are doing in the shot. Note to self: quiet those perfectionist tendencies or you might miss the moment.

See you soon!!!!! ;)

Christin - They look like their going to have a blast this summer! Just wondering what was your aperture set at in the photo of firecracker and the goggles and what would you have changed the setting to?

Corrie Anne - Amazing waterslide!!!!!!!

Sarah - first of all lets take a moment and hug your friends. how generous. AND who just had a huge blow up slide/pool? amazing!

I am terrible at deleting photos right off if there is a twinge of bluriness but i love what you said about the picture of firecracker. I will definitely take a second look before cutting blurry pictures loose.

Travis - Wow, you could charge admission on that thing. That is awesome.

Susan Blunden - your photos are always lovely to look at…I so need to sign up for your next course!! But I was just thinking how lovely it would be for little one’s birth family if some day they could have access to all these beautiful photos of her growing up with her brothers and sisters.

Nicole C - Oh the last one, I love it.

Kara M - WOW! That looks like a lot of fun…especially if mom gets to watch from the shade with a glass of lemonade! :D

Traci - That slide is…..a-maz-ing. I need one. I need one like now!

Kristin S - I really hope that close up goggles shot will be blown up and framed at her rehearsal dinner. Darling. Perfectly imperfect.

Maloree - I love how Little One just runs! What a testimony!

bethblntn - I ama self taught photographer. Nowhere near as good as you are and though I want so badly to take your calls I lack the funding (not that its terribly costly or over priced because I KNOW its not… I’m just broke -.-) so I am ever thankful that you post side tips like this and list your ISO and lines information and such on your post. What a blessing you are to people like me. Thank you for having such a caring, teaching heart. <3

bethblntn - class*

RaD - I hope you remember to move that thing around this summer. It looks like a grass killer indeed, LOL! :0)

That being said, I am so jealous of your kids!

Taralynn Dixon - Hahahaha my daughter has a very similiar bathing suit but in light blue, and I feel the same way about it! HA! So not my choice :) But she loves it. Part of letting go right:) ?!?!

Sarah - That is one epic slide! I bet it’s like Christmas in May for them!

emily anderson - ummmmmmmmm. we’ll definitely be stopping by on our trip to KS this summer! the kids will have a hay day.

June Snapshop {intro to photography workshop}

05.23.13

Registration for the June SnapShop began at 9:00am this morning and closed by 9:20am – thank you to all of you that registered! Thank you also to past students who have continued to recommend the course. I am humbled and grateful. I will be doing a couple more SnapShops in 2013. Thank you!

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Tiffany - Argh! That was today. All week I kept saying to myself, “Make sure you put the snap shop registration date on your calendar so you don’t miss it….AGAIN!” At any rate, I am so thrilled for you that spaces filled up that fast. I believe you are truly walking in your calling – you are inspiring and the success of your life shows in the fruit you are producing. And just know I’m thrilled there will more snap shops this year. Consider me in line for the next :) Thanks again for all you do, and I hope you are having a great day! -Tiff

the inadvertent farmer - I hope someday my schedule clears enough to take this. I’m so glad you are finding success in something that is obviously a great gift of yours! Kim

Melanee - Congrats on the success of these workshops, but wish they weren’t so successful since I can’t get in to register in time (selfish of me?) It will remain on my list because you inspire me in so many ways.

Kallie - I received a gift certificate for your workshop in 2013. I have some personal questions comments and would like a way to contact you. Please email me at this address so I don’t spill my beans around here! Thank you!

disaster relief {a couple ways to help}

05.23.13

Again, I wanted to thank all of you for your out pouring of love and concern for Oklahomans right now. Many have asked how to help. I am going to share just a few ways here today. The ones I am sharing are either national organizations or ones that I have a connection to personally or through a trusted friend. There are SO MANY MORE ways to help – I could never list out all the individuals and organizations using their means and energy to find creative ways to help. Thank you to all of you.

Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief / click here for more info

American Red Cross Disaster Relief  / click here for more info

My sister is selling this print in her shop, 100% of proceeds go to the Oklahoma Red Cross / Click here for more info

She also has a bunch of other organizations helping listed on her blog / click here for that post

My friend Joy created this print you can download. All proceeds go the Oklahoma branch of the Red Cross. Available until 5/31 / click here for more info

Teddy Bears for Oklahoma / click here for more info

If you are interested in helping a specific family, here are two. I know there are countless more, but these are two I can verify and ‘know’ through friends.

  • Oklahoma City Police officer Austin Childs and his family lost everything.
  • Master-at-Arms Shawn Buckman is currently stationed in Afganistan. His home was destroyed. His wife and 3 year old daughter survived in their storm shelter. Their 6 year old daughter was at Plaza Towers Elementary School and thankfully survived.

For information on how to directly help these two families, you can visit my friend Mariah’s blog by clicking here

**This is not an extensive list, feel free to share ways to help below. Also, please be courteous in your comments regarding organizations that are mentioned. Everyone has a different stance regarding non-profits and government organizations. The ones above are listed because I have seen first hand the work they have done in Oklahoma disasters before and I know they are on the ground working tirelessly right now. Sadly, there are so many scams that pop up in times like these, so however you choose to help, please be wise and cautious.

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mandi@herbanhomstead - Thanks for this list! Just purchased a print from Joy’s Hope. Will check into what Samaritan’s Purse is doing too. {hugs}

Whitney - http://northpointministries.org/tornado

My church in Atlanta is taking donations and sending 100% to churches in the hardest hit areas of OK so they can take care of the immediate and long term needs. I love organizations like Red Cross, but your money doesn’t necessarily go to the immediate need.

Susan - I really like giving to UMCOR – it is from the United Methodist church but it is one of the few org that give 100% of your donation.

Amy @ PaintWineRepeat - Thank you for the list. Very helpful

Brittanie - If anyone is in the Pottawatomie County area and would like to help, or needs help, cleaning up after the storms ‘Right Side Up’ Disaster Relief is set up at Evangelistic Center Church. The address is 18502 Hwy 177 (1/2 mile south of Hardesty Rd. on Hwy 177)Shawnee, OK 74801.

Contact Info.
Right Side Up
info@rightsideupministries.org
228.323.1002

Jessica - Another great one to donate to is the BGCO Oklahoma Disaster Relief. Here is some info on how to donate and how this organization operates… http://www.okdisasterhelp.com/faq/ .

Jenna - This company is selling a shirt, with all proceeds going directly to American Red Cross Oklahoma Disaster Relief: http://www.rokfit.com/Oklahoma_Strong_Moore_OK_Benefit_Shirt_p/okstrong-women.htm

Lauren - Our prayers go out to all. Thank you for this information. I just purchased your sisters print. It is beautiful. Can I ask where your Bittersweet print is from.

Thank you,
Lauren

amber - Thanks for sharing this. The faces & stories at the bottom make this very real…

Emily O. - You can also donate to the SBC disaster relief efforts – all money is going toward Oklahoma disaster relief.

http://www.namb.net/namb1cbdr.aspx?id=8589999098

Penny Hein Unruh - Another long standing reputable volunteer Christian organization already on the scene is the Mennonite Disaster Service, You can give or find out how to volunteer at http://www.mds.mennonite.net/.

Heartbroken for Oklahoma | A Well Crafted Party - [...] out this great post by Ashley Ann from Under the Sycamore (lives in Oklahoma) about ways to help— including some links to prints and digital downloads [...]

Bree Suttles - I am selling a print in my etsy shop and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Oklahoma branch Feed the Children. The link is

https://www.etsy.com/listing/152032583/weather-the-storm-oklahoma

We are a strong state with unbelievable people, we might fall, but we will always get back up.
F a c e b o o k