Project 365 - Day 67. JUMP!! | Waukesha Senior Photography

The contest at {i heart faces} this week is Jump!  I actually have kids jump quite a bit to loosen them up in a session but I couldn't think of a shot that I loved from history so I decided to go for a new one.  Of course the kids would love to jump on the bed or off of something....anything, really.  But today felt like spring and the idea hit me early that there may actually be some activity down at the local skate park.  I thought about it all day.  So I got dinner in the oven early, grabbed the kids off the bus, loaded everyone including my crying 16 month old into the van and headed to the park.  And, yippee....there was action!  I sat in my car for nearly 10 minutes deciding if I had the nerve to go ask these guys if I could take their photo but finally I got up the nerve.  All 5 of us walked up to the group of very cool kiddos and asked if I could get a pic!  They were more than happy to oblige and I'm so happy to say that I actually got the exact shot I was looking for!  Yey!  I had to do it with Emma in my arms but I'm getting pretty good at that one handed shooting these days.  

I've determined that my style with kids is generally very simple and clean.  Textures and funky colors are fun but don't really evoke the emotions that I look for when i shoot.  I enjoy them but they're not my favorite to create.  Todays shot, though, begged for an urban, edgy feel and it was really fun to play outside my usual sandbox!   

Thanks to the guys who were great skateboarders and great sports! 

See more great JUMP photos at:

Project 365 - day 47. Wet Kisses

It's been another rough day around here so this is going to be short.  I have a kitchen full of dishes and loads of work to get done but my arms have been full of sick kids all day and there's a good chance that I'm only on a temporary reprieve....

Clare was about the same today and now Emma is sick.  She coughed most of the night, had a fever today, and was generally miserable.  Have I mentioned that I HATE SICK KIDS!!!   It just breaks my heart when you see such a change in their personality and when they just lose the will to PLAY!

Lilly and Clare had a shower tonight when they were getting ready for bed and they were all kissing through the glass.   I love to see the kids kissy and cuddly with each other but tonight all I could think was....hmmm....no wonder Emma is sick too.    Wish I had more time to edit this to get it where I like it but not gonna happen tonight.  Sorry!

Fingers crossed for a better tomorrow (and a tolerable night).

Project 365 - day 46. Real life, Red faces.

Generally speaking, we are a very healthy household and I'm so thankful for that.  Poor little Clare has been hit hard by a cold the past several days though.  Her symptoms are typical cold one's but her look is completely different.  That's how we know she's REALLY sick...her eyes, coloring, everything just looks different.   So no glamour shots from our house today...just real life and a very red face.

I Wanna Dance - {i heart faces}

This week's contest at {i heart faces} is I Wanna Dance.  I have lots of pictures of kids dancing since it's a great way for some kids to really relax and let their guard down during a session.  This is a favorite photo though because it was unscripted.  Just this little girl, her little brother, and her Daddy having a good time together dancing!   Sheer joy (and speed)!   Love it!

To see more great dancing pictures, check out:

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YIPPEE!!!!

Project 365 - Day 40. Snow Smiles

We've had about 10 inches of snow today.  As hearty Wisconsinites, of course, the kids still had school.  They couldn't wait to get off that bus and let the playing begin!   They were sledding off our retaining wall (is that safe?) and anywhere else they could find a bump.   Even Emma was anxious to kick the snow around.  Lilly played for a bit but then had to go potty and couldn't be bothered getting resuited up so she was done by the time I got out there with my camera.  The rest of us had a good time until Corey decided to slide sans-sled, face first, down a hill.  He did a massive face-plant and this was his response.   Then he stood up and realized he had snow all inside his coat and, believe it or not, that actually made him cold.   Game over.

For a few more pics from our playtime, check out our Family Blog.