{sunshine + a happy family = a fun photo shoot!}

Guess what I got to do this weekend?  I got to finally meet Stephanie Moore in person!  As many of you know, she's a very talented photographer in Tucson, AZ.  We've been friends for a while on-line and we teach classes together on "The Bloom Forum".  We've seen each other over the internet and talked on the phone but we've never had an opportunity to meet up in person.  But when I met her I felt like we'd known each other forever!  She's an amazing mom, photographer and friend.  I'm so glad I got to meet her family too.  What a fun bunch!!  Carter, her son was a giggler.  Every time I went to straighten his shirt he busted out in laughter...he's EXTREMELY ticklish!  And sweet Brooklyn, is a sweet soul.  She's a little pro too.  I can tell her momma is a photographer!  And the newest little one in the bunch was so patient!  What an amazing little girl.  I pushed her to the limits with all of the locations we hit and she didn't make a peep until the very end letting me know she was over my camera ha!   And of course Stephanie's husband was very kind and held my bags for me when I had my hands full.  Seriously! What a guy!  I loved our time together and can't wait to meet up again.  We agreed we need to get together more - my kids would love her kids.  I'm excited.  Here's a peek at our session.

{New Workshop: 'Defining Yourself' on the Bloom Forum}

I'm excited to tell you all about a workshop that Stephanie Moore and I are putting on April 8th to the 18th on the Bloom forum.  There are only a few seats remaining since we pre-sold a most of them.  This is a 2-week on-line workshop that will take you through various 'shooting' and 'editing' styles to help guide you and your business to a more defined style.  We'll share editing using Photoshop so an understanding of the basics in that program is needed.  Shooting in Manual mode is also going to be beneficial for this class.  Does that mean we'll be showing you exactly how we edit?  No, we'll be talking about various ways to edit to enhance your images and/or add drama.  Here's a little information about the class below. Please contact me at kara@karamayphotography for any questions.  Thanks!!

{Urban Session - 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun'}

Last night I had a blast with these 3 girls!!  We literally shot this session till the sun went down.  Although we got started a little late but we managed to cram so much into such a small amount of time.  The 3 of them were so easy to work with and had fun - which makes all the difference in the world with capturing real 'girl moments'.  There were texting breaks, candy breaks, giggles and we can't forget....locking keys in the car.  Yes - it added a little adventure and mystery to the evening...'would we get the car unlocked?'  Then I remembered, I had my trusty AAA card and within 30 minutes a man in a big truck rescued us.  :0)  It reminded me of all the times I locked my keys in my car in college.  This was a first for Cassidy (at least having it happen further from home where a spare could be found).  It all worked out  though!  AAA is the best!  Anyway, here's a little peek at our session.

{When a Commercial Shoot turns into a Circus}

This week is Spring Break for my kids.  Woo Hoo!  But this is the first year we haven't gone to Mexico during Spring Break and just stayed home.   We have been busy with to-do's appts and working around my crazy schedule and the kids have just had to go with the flow.  Well today was no exception.  They were peacefully playing when I announced I really wanted to do a quick indoor  commercial shoot with them.  They were excited at the idea of staying in and shooting at home so we didn't have to leave the house and completely disrupt what they were doing.  Um, I have a schedule too kiddos, and it doesn't involve playing all day.  I've got deadlines, orders to package, editing, more editing and a couple of workshops to get ready for.  But for some reason this week the kids think it's 'their week'.  I get that...but really, I need to get my things done too and it's hard.   I'm trying to make it fun for them....I really am.  So that means I've had to put some of my work aside and just live in the 'now'.  I'm trying to do that more and more even if that means pushing back deadlines a touch (those that can be pushed).  This week I'm a momma all week with moments of work sprinkled in when they are sleeping and sometimes when they are awake and needed for my 'commercial jobs'. Thankfully, Tyler was excited today  - he got to help me move furniture!  He felt like the man of the house - cute to see.

So this was a partial attempt at an indoor commercial photo shoot.  They lasted a good minute before the craziness broke out.  I told them we'd try again later and they happily ran off laughing.  Kids.  This is the struggle photographers deal with when working with our own children.  It's a blessing and a headache all at once. ;-)

{Urban Session - Beautiful Momma & her Sweet Lil Lady}

Last night I had so much fun photographing  mother-daughter beauties!  We did an Urban session which was fun and kind of new for me.  I think I like it!  I think I want to do more urban sessions.  So much to see so little time.  I was on a high after this session and ready to do more in this landscape.  Here's  a little peak at our session!  Oh and I mentioned this on FB so this may be a repeat... but while we were shooting a cop pulled up.  Yeah, that's right...busted!  I wasn't trespassing and I was being úber respectful of the properties we were near.  I was pretty embarrassed in front of my client getting in trouble for shooting possibly where I wasn't supposed to but there was not a no trespassing sign anywhere. He looked at me and  asked if I  was a 'paid photographer'. I had to be truthful but I knew that prob meant I was in trouble. Then he asked for my card explaining that he and his wife were due with their first child soon and he was looking for a photographer. I gave him my info and said, 'Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's my number, so call me, maybe? ' Okay, I didn't say that. But I didn't get in trouble he just watched for a bit and then was in his way.  Had my heart racing.  I must say...if he contacts me...he will get a very nice discount.  He protects us ya know?   Had the share my 'scare' for the night.  Here's a peek below of my fun last night with my beautiful clients.

{What_____ looks like} our Saturday entertainment.

You don't  know how much I look forward to this monthly project.  It gets me used to capturing simple moments at home that I otherwise wouldn't be photographing.  This past month was a crazy busy one but I didn't want that to stop me from capturing my own families moments.  The kids are at such fun ages.  Brielle is adamant that she wears her converse boots daily (except on PE days) and her hair in a bun most every day.  I love the little person she's become.  And Tyler, still not loving to be photographed...just got his braces off!  That's HUGE!!  He looks so handsome with gleaming white teeth and his retro glasses (oh the round nerd glasses pictured further down on this post are NOT his new glasses - we were playing and he got those out).

So what is this month's post all about?  It's what our Saturday entertainment looks like.  Primarily...dressing up August with play clothes.  He doesn't love it but Brielle made sure she had treats on hand for him.  He's such a good sport!  These are the moments I want to remember.

Continue through the circle to see what the other girls posted about this month!   Click here to go the Stephanie Moore of Stephanie Moore Studio and see what she posted for this months project.

{'Is this what it's like to be a fairy, mommy?'} Commercial Shoot

What does a little girl with pretty burlap angel wings and a wishing jar do?  She flies, she dreams, she wishes and she plays.

'Is this what it's like to be a fairy, mommy?' Brielle gasped when I finished tying on her wings.

I was excited to see what Tabitha, owner of TFJ Designs, sent me to photograph for her store.  Aren't these wings adorable!?  And they're so sturdy too, which is ideal for my busy girl.  After the session, Brielle and the neighbor girls did a play where they used the Angel wings for Tinker bell.  So all weekend these wings have been tied to Brielle's back.  I love it!   She even went to Home Depot with a green petticoat, fairy wings and her hair in a bun.   She insists on having her hair in a bun everyday now.  Can't I please freeze her?  This is childhood and I don't want my little girl to grow up.

Beautiful fairy wings:  TFJ Designs

Wishing Jar:  TFJ Designs

Antique 1950's dress:  local antique store

Hair accessory:  Hobby Lobby

{What_____looks like} Arts & Crafts

Here I am again on the 2nd month of  'What____looks like'.  And this month it's 'Arts & Crafts'.  My kids (primarily Brielle) can't live without a coloring tool in her hand.   I find all of her art related stuff scattered all over the house.  Under the couch, in between the cushions, on her night stand, under the table, on the floor and even in the bathroom.  It's crazy but I love it!  The only time I didn't love it was when I found a marker without a cap on laying on our white carpet.  That wasn't so cute so we've had some talks about markers and capping them (and keeping them off the carpet).  Anyway, this is what arts & crafts look like (really arts...it should be) in our house.  Click on to  Jules Trandem | San Diego Family Lifestyle Photographer to see what she posted this month!

They must be photographers kids...when they saw me standing over them they both rolled over and did this.  So I went with it.  They crack me up.  Ty even said... my pencils need to be 'on me'. LOL  Okay, they'll get used to the life-style photos sooner or later...just not for some of these. ;-)

{Bloom Basics - Only 3 Days Left to Register!}

Stephanie and I are gearing up for another great group of students who've signed up for our on-line 'Bloom Basics' workshop!  And there are just a few seats left and only 3 more days to register. This class requires NO prior experience with photography.  This is about learning to use your DSLR on manual mode.  Forget using 'Auto' - gain control over the look of your images through your cameras settings.   Understanding how to control your camera to get the images you want.  We will be covering so many topics including photoshop!  For more details about the class and registration links click here.  And of course e-mail me at any time with questions:  kara@karamayphotography.com  Hope to see you in our private on-line classroom on Monday!

{Something's different about him....}

My little man looks a little different these days.   Something has changed...and he can see better in class as a result.  Yes, Tyler got glasses!  He was having trouble seeing the smart board (I keep calling it a chalk board but I'm quickly corrected) from the back of the class, so it was time to take him in for a 'real' eye exam.  It took a long time and Ty was pretty nervous.  I was by his side the whole time watching him struggle to read the letters on the wall from a distance.  I couldn't believe what he couldn't see.  But in the end his vision really wasn't that bad.  He only needs the glasses for distance and his vision is 20/30 and 20/40 so it's pretty minor.  But the new glasses...they're kind of a big deal to my little guy.  He was nervous but excited about this new addition to his face.  :)   He's very careful too, reminding me how to properly care for the glasses (guess I'm not as careful with them as I should be).  Anyway, this 'new look' called for a photo session, so we did just that - then the rain interrupted and we ran for the car.  So this was what we were quickly able to capture.