Project 365 - Day 192. Da Boys | Delafield Family Photography

Rob and I are both transplants to Wisconsin (courtesy of GE) but we've been here long enough for it to feel  a lot like home.  The biggest drawback to the area is the distance to our siblings and all of their kids (and grandkid).  We REALLY miss having that kind of family around and feel badly that our children aren't growing up with day to day interactions with their cousins.  

When our nephew Ryan decided to come to Marquette last year, we were thrilled!  Of course, he's a typical college student and busy with his studies, his footy (soccer) and his friends but we still love to know that he's nearby.  He came to spend 4th of July with us and this weekend had Corey over for a boys weekend.  They went to see Star Wars in concert, played tons of Wii, stayed up later than Corey's EVER stayed up and had a great 'ol time.  It was really special for Corey and for us.  We can't imagine a better role model for our kids and we're so blessed to have Ryan around.  Now if we could only get the rest of the family to join him.....

Project 365 - Day 191. Art in the Park | Delafield Event Photography

Today I photographed the Lake Country Art Festival.  It's a huge event with loads of arts, crafts, and family fun.  I took pictures of the workers (the Lake Country Women's Club members), the art, the parking...but my favorites, as always, were the pictures of the kids....  It was a hot, steamy day but a lot of fun!

Project 365 - Day 190. Bon Soir! | Wisconsin Event Photography

Rob and I went on a mini vacation tonight.   First we headed to Mexico (ok, so it was La Fuente) for a yummy meal outside and then we headed to Paris (ok, so it was the Bastille Days Festival).  Maybe not as glamorous as it could have been but hey....we did make it outside our area code so that must count as some kind of vacation, right???

In case you're wondering where that was taken...

See, I TOLD you we went to Paris!

Chalk artwork on the street:

This used to be one of Corey & Lilly's "Music Together" teachers, Mr. Will.  He also does folk performing with a guy on a washboard.  We've seen them before in Delafield but were surprised to spot them on the big stage in Paris....er, Bastille Days.

Project 365 - Day 188. House For Rent | Delafield Family Photographer

I had an agenda for the day.  It started great...kids to camp, Emma to bed, complete client gallery from last week, pick up Clare, feed kids, pick up Epipen (a story for another day), pick up Corey and Lilly, feed more kids, get kids down for rest, comple.....SCCCRRREEEAAACCCHHHH.

Then the phone rang.  And rang.  And rang.  Turns out Rob put a listing on Craigs List today for our old house which our renters are moving out of at the end of the month.  The rest of my day....all about Meadowside Ct.   I went over tonight and did two showings and got two applications!  Fingers crossed that one of them is a winner!

In the meantime...if you know anyone interested in renting a lovely house.....

Project 365 - Day 186. Having Fun! | Racine Event Photography

Ok...I must admit that I'm not great at taking photos of my family when we go to events because, as I describe it to my hubby, I have trouble actually taking photos while still being in the moment.   I don't have a point and shoot camera so even my version of snapshots are RAW images shot in Manual Mode.  I have to think about the light and my settings every time I press that shutter (except for my occasional iPhone shots!).  

This weekend (with the exception of the fireworks), I've taken my "old" camera.   It's a DSLR (a Nikon D70) and I was always very happy with it.  It's not as fancy or as high quality as my D700 but I recommend it to people all the time...it's a GREAT camera!  I consider it my "back up" now though and rarely use it but because we were going on the boat the other day and then to a busy parade today, I opted to go for it.  I also have a less high quality but very versatile lens on it which make it easier for on the go.  Well, I really loved using it again.  There's something about it to me that I actually like more and I'm going to have to figure out exactly what that is but regardless I found myself having fun taking these pictures AND staying in the moment!   You may just be seeing more from this camera on 365....

Some shots from us at the Racine Parade:

And some shots of Rob's buddy's kids:

Fun Day...Long Weekend....Tired Family!!!

Project 365 - Day 185. Firework Frenzy! | Pewaukee Event Photography

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!   We spent the evening on Pewaukee Lake and were treated to a mix of Delafield's fireworks and an extremely impressive home show.   Very fun!

I got very different shots shooting the Delafield fireworks from a distance over the lake.....

And the smaller (but fantastic) fireworks very close over my head!

Hope you all had great celebrations, too!   We're off to the Racine Parade tomorrow so look forward to some parade shots....

Project 365 - Day 183. An American Girl | Hartland Children's Photography

Today I got to spend some time with this sweet girl.  She's a classmate of Corey's and just as nice as can be.  I really enjoyed getting to know her and her Mom better.  Thanks, Angie!

Project 365 - Day 180. Dinner Done & Dusted | Delafield Children's Photography

Yes....this is EXACTLY why bath time follows dinnertime.

Project 365 - Day 179. Whatever Makes You Happy | Delafield Children's Photography

Today was ALL about Photoshop!  I made my first boudoir album and WOW if it doesn't look great!  I don't toot my own horn often but I must admit that I'm very proud of this and SOOOO wish I could share it with everyone!  Unfortunately, you're just going to have to trust me.   

I just finished getting it uploaded to the online gallery for my client to see and then was about to go into my late night photo-panic when I realized...HEY...I took THREE pictures today on my iPhone.   So, yippee!  I don't have to panic after all.

Here's my little wonder-girl who (at 20 months) can now count to 10!  NO IDEA who taught her that but I'm very proud.  Anyway...she has a ton of personality and really loves a lot of things.  One of them is umbrella's.  I can't explain it but she's a Huge fan.  

So, here she is hanging out in the car with her Thomas Umbrella.   

Just another day with the Johnsen's.

Project 365 - Day 178. To Each Her Own - A Sneak Peek | Delafield Children's Photography

You may remember this family...they've been blogged before here.

Today we were after an outdoor family shoot.  I think they are a GREAT example of What To Wear to a family portrait session!   Mom wanted to keep it casual (which I love) and went for personality.  The older daughter is all about horses and the younger daughter chose her favorite dress.  Mom and Dad wore stuff that matched but are also something you would catch them wearing on a Sunday afternoon.   I think they look fantastic!

Thanks, Kathi!  Lots more great ones to come....

Project 365 - Day 176. Branching Out to Boudoir - A Sneak Peek | Wisconsin Boudoir Photography

I've considered doing boudoir sessions before so when I was asked recently to do one, I was so excited!   I spent loads of time researching and learning over the past weeks to prepare and felt pretty confident going into it and even better coming out of it!  The Brave Lady and I had a lot of fun together and I can't wait to get to work on the The Little Black Book we're creating to give her hubby for his 50th birthday!  

Don't be surprised it you see some Boudoir offerings coming soon!!!   This may seem a little out of whack with children's and family photography but in my mind, it's actually totally consistent.  I don't want to do these for 20 year old models.  I want to make the average Mom out there (like you and me) feel gorgeous and sexy!   So, for me, this is just another way I can be your "family photographer!"   Think about it......and let me know if you'd like more details!

I can't decide if I like the color or b&w better on this one!   Wish I could share more but, for obvious reasons, I'm going to keep these one "under covers".  :-)

Project 365 - Day 173. Homemade Textures | Delafield Children's Photography

So, when I started my hunt today (ok...tonight) for a photo....I had an idea!  I have pretty wild granite countertops.  They came with the house and wouldn't be my first choice but I don't hate them enough to change them either.  And today I found they have an additional purpose.....texture!

What's a texture?   A texture is an overlay on a photo that gives it a different look....generally an edgy, urban look.  Here....let me show you:

Here is a before picture I took last week:

And here is my photo of the day, my countertops:

And here's the textured outcome.   What do you think?

Kinda fun...I like this look for teens.  Fun to play with anyway!

Project 365 - Day 172. iFamily | Delafield Children's Photography

We bought our Mac last fall and we've quickly become an avid and devoted iFamily.  We now have an iPod, an iTouch, an iPhone and, as of this past weekend, iTV.  Lilly loves to listen to music and do learning apps on her iTouch and even Clare (age 3) can navigate all around, play games, listen to music, watch videos...   Heck, even Emma says "iPot."  

Have you seen those Apple bumper stickers on cars these days?  Well, we don't have one (yet) but every time we see them, Rob and I have a good chuckle imagining a car driving around with a Microsoft symbol on it.  Nah....don't think we'll be seeing that one.

Project 365 - Day 171. What Is A Standout? | Delafield Children's Photography

I got asked today...What is a standout?

So here are my photos for today....samples of a standout.  A standout is similar to a canvas in that it is a stand alone print that can be hung directly on your wall.  It is a print that's been mounted on a thick foam board and finished with a black edging.   They are an attractive alternative to a canvas particularly because they are much cheaper.   You can also get these with a linen finish which gives a texture similar to the look of canvas.

Here is a standout I have on my wall of Lilly: