How Not to Win My Vote

Anyone that has visited us from out of state in the last month has been shocked by the insane amounts of political commercials, door knocks, phone calls, and social media ads that happen on a daily hourly basis here in Colorado. I chalk it up to white noise most of the time - and the Frozen DVD doesn't have commercials - so our day-to-day routine isn't affected too much. However, a few incidents have managed to put me over the edge in the last week, so I've turned to you, my friends in the blogosphere, to rant about a few campaigning tactics that are wasting lots of time, money, paper, and certainly not winning my approval.

1) Do not, under any circumstances, ignore the brightly colored Post-It note on my door. 

This happened a few days ago, and I thought maybe the gentleman knocking was distracted or missed the note the first time he rang the doorbell. By the second time, however, when I came running down the stairs, I know he saw it and he really should have ran down the driveway and hidden his campaign hat instead of trying to engage me in conversation over the crying toddler that HE woke up.

2) If you care about the environment, (or you want me to think you do), please understand that burying my child in leaflets is not going to help your cause.

I forgot to get the mail one afternoon. By the next day, I could not even open the mailbox. There were so many leaflets shoved in there that I had to reach through the little letter slot and try to bend them down just so I could yank the door open. Once I finally gathered them up, I carried them inside, dumped them on the floor, and let my toddler jump in them like a leaf pile. If trees are going to be killed, at least put paint by number pictures or mazes on the back, because otherwise they will inevitably turn into paper airplanes. 

3) Your photoshopping is an insult to my intelligence. 

This lady is running in Colorado:

Her campaign photo looks like a sweet grandmother who might have been a teacher at some point and may or may not still volunteer part time as a librarian... but then this arrived in the mail: 

And, well, now I'm not sure if she is a librarian or a demented scientist with man hands and a hump back. I mean I'm so confused. But there is hope, because this pretty soccer Mom is also running: 

Oh wait, this just came: 

I can't cast my vote for a scary space cadet. And she's extremist? Man, now I'm really lost.

I know its someone's job to pick the most heinous photos of their opponent, but if these absurd images (and subpar photoshopping) are fooling people, I'd like some addresses, because I have some supplements they may be interested in:

My brother-in-law made the point that a lot of negative ad campaigns do not set out to change voters minds, but instead to keep people from voting at all. With that in mind, I am refusing to allow these people to annoy me to the point of apathy. And yet I can certainly see how it works. Everyone appears evil, corrupt and ugly - so why vote at all? I'm mailing in my ballot tomorrow, after looking over a few seemingly unbiased voting guides* (if you have others to share, please post them in the comments below)... Then, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will take me off their lists and leave me alone for a few months before the presidential campaigning begins. 

*National Elections: http://www.campuselect.org/nonpartisan-voter-guides.html

*Colorado Amendments and Propositions: http://www.colorado.gov/bluebook

What Your Photographer Wishes You Knew...

I've always loved taking pictures. I remember when my parents bought me my first disposable camera and I took an entire roll of "artsy" shots, begged someone to drive me to Meijer to get them developed, and then waited anxiously for my little paper envelope to show up in the file system on the side of the photo center. I looked long and hard for one of those originals, but can't seem to find one to share with you. (I can assure you I took really great shots of soda cans and rocks).

These days one of my my favorite hobbies is taking pictures of my boys (and anyone else that will let me). I get so excited when I get to slide my little memory card into the computer and see what pops up. Each shot is like a little gift that captured a moment in time during a stretch of my life that seems to be flying by faster than I can keep up most days.

However, when it comes to having someone else take photos of me, or even the boys, I'm a bit of stress case. I know this is paybacks for all the hell we put my Mom through when she tried to take our annual Christmas card photo every year. (Someone generally ended up crying and there was a year or two where one child - uh, um, Erin - protested being in it at all.) 

This past June when we finally got our family photos updated, I managed to get everyone bathed, pressed, dressed and out the door so I could put some lip gloss on while Ryan strapped the boys in the car. When I joined them a couple minutes later, I turned around to find both boys licking a sucker that Daddy had given them to keep them quiet. Poor Ryan. Let's just say I didn't express my appreciation for his ingenuity as well as I could have. And thank God for baby wipes!

I'm really excited about this post, because I think it's helpful  - and it's always fun to look at amazing photos! I am fortunate to have a number of friends (and friends of friends) who are super talented professional photographers. Most of them shoot a wide range of events and styles, but for this, I asked each of them to zone in on one of their specialties. I think their advice is super helpful and I hope you do too. 

And thank you, ladies, for sharing your gifts and providing us with souvenirs for this ride we call life.

Enjoy!
xo

Newborn

Mary Kaye Girst - Treetop Photography 

www.treetopphotography.net (Riverview, MI)

I know all photographers have their personal preference, but what age do you prefer for newborns?

M: I only shoot newborns within the first two weeks from being born and I prefer to shoot within the first 4-10 days. I book newborn sessions during pregnancy and I put their child's due date in my calendar and ask they contact me the day or day after they deliver to schedule their session via email or Facebook. Newborn sessions last up to 2 hours and they are most sleepy and flexible with their positions during the first 10 days from being born. 

Okay, I have had two babies refuse to sleep for more than five minutes total at their newborn shoots... what am I doing wrong?
M: You did nothing wrong! The first thing I try to tell my clients is to bring a bottle of patience because newborn sessions last up to 2 hours and every baby is so different.

My first go to tips are: 

1. Is the room warm? I have a small heater I turn on prior to my clients arriving and I keep the heater very close to the baby when undressing them, trying to get them to fall asleep, keeping them asleep and changing positions during the shoot. It's really important newborns stay warm since they typically do not have very many clothes on, if any. I've had a handful of parents tell me they left my studio and went straight to target to pick up a heater because they couldn't believe how well they slept during their newborn session. My heater is DEFINITELY my baby whisperer!

2. Are they full? Full tummies typically mean content babies. Sometimes an extra feeding can do the trick.

3. As I mentioned above, patience, patience, patience! Every baby is so different and it's important to stay calm and flexible. Sometimes a baby will fall asleep right away and sometimes it takes an hour. 

What works best for baby clothing?
M: I always prefer naked babies for newborn sessions. I have a handful of swaddle wraps, diaper covers, rompers and accessories that I let parents choose from if they wish. As well as, I always suggest they are welcome to bring anything they would like to be photographed, such as a blanket or a hat someone may have knitted. Simple is always better, because I feel newborns get lost in outfits and clothing.

What are some of the coolest personal touches parents have included in your newborn photos? (photo or two?)
M: The coolest personal touches for me are the parents and siblings with their new baby! There is nothing sweeter than capturing a mom, dad or sibling adoring their new baby boy or girl. I know parents may not always feel up to pictures right after having a baby (myself included!), but I always say it's a special gift to be able to share these pictures with their children when they become old enough to appreciate them. 

Anything else you could tell parents that might make the process easier?
M: Come with any ideas you may have gathered from Pinterest or other photographers, but also come with an open mind.

Family 

Darcy Sherman - Sassafras Pic 

www.sassafraspics.com (Superior, CO)

How have family photos changed over the years?

D: I think family photos have changed significantly over the years - now instead of just standard portraits, there is a lifestyle leaning - far more people are asking for candid moments to be captured.

What makes for a great location when it comes to family photos?

D: I prefer very simple locations - the more clutter that is in background, the less powerful the image is to me... that said, we live in a very beautiful area. Many people want that in their photos. I find background is very secondary and I don't give it too much importance.

Any tips for apparel? In your opinion, what seems to work best?

D: Clothing matters... stylish outfits make for more appealing photos - that does NOT mean everyone dresses the same... rather, everyone should portray their personalities through clothes they wear... color palettes should blend, but do not be afraid to add patterns! Stylish also doesn't mean super dressy - concentrate on footwear too - shoes that are dirty, super bright (athletic shoes on kids), etc. can really impact photo. I would rather barefeet any day, but cold temps require great boots, simple loafers or sandals - NO FLIP FLOPS!

"I love the energy that exists within families..seeing that connection is what makes for powerful images." -Darcy

Which age is usually the hardest at capturing? 

D: I have hardest time with newborns - many other photographers struggle with teens - that's a group I can connect with well, so I have no issues. It is all about making people feel comfortable - laughing at themselves, and not taking session too seriously.

Anything parents can do to make the shoot fun (and easier)?

D: Parents need to take backstage during family shoots - NEVER tell your kids to smile, brush their hair, etc. let them be. They will be more relaxed and you will be happier with end results..best photos are from spontaneous expressions - not forced ones.

Senior 

Niki Taylor - Niki Marie Photography  

http://www.nikimariephoto.com (Clearwater, FL/Southeastern, MI)

When is the best time for seniors to start booking their senior photos? 

N: I would definitely recommend for seniors to start booking their senior photos during the summer and fall. Not only does it give the senior more time to use their photos, it also is a great time seasonly. 

"I love how these photos show the natural, raw emotion of each girl, and how the natural, golden light emphasizes their unique beauty." -Niki

What makes for a great senior photo? 

N: What makes a great senior photo is when my seniors feel confident and I am able to capture their personality and who they are as an individual. I’m also a lover for gorgeous, natural light! 

I graduated back in 2001, when most students took their photos in a studio with more traditional options... do students still do traditional shots or has it moved away from that entirely? (any photos to show a more traditional shot vs a unique one?)

N: Senior photos are moving away from tradition entirely. I have actually had senior girls request to have their senior photo session more of a model session than a typical senior session!

Who seems to have the most fun on these shoots? 

N: Girls definitely seem to have the most fun! It is always fun for girls to plan their hair, makeup and outfits for the session. 

 

Engagement

Kerinsa Mullins - Kerinsa Marie Photography  

www.kerinsamarie.com (Denver, CO)

How soon after popping the question do most couples start booking their engagement shoot?
K: I find that most couples are booking me for engagement sessions six months to a year before their wedding date, although I've had a few couples wait until the week of their wedding! Keep in mind that an engagement session is a great time to see if you really mesh with your wedding photographer, so it might be better to know sooner than later if you decide that you'd rather have someone else photograph your wedding day. Thankfully, I've never had anyone decide they should go with someone else!

"The clouds take up a large part of the photo, but my eyes are still drawn to her." -Kerinsa

What tips do you have for a great engagement photo session?
K: The most important thing about your engagement photo session is to relax and have fun! Keep in mind that although candid photos are wonderful, it's important to make sure you find a photographer who you trust will make beautiful posed photos as well. Careful posing helps couples look natural and comfortable while making sure you're looking your best. Engagement sessions are also a great time to have your trial wedding hair/make-up done, so you can see how everything will translate through the camera. And lastly, I recommend that couples wear coordinating (not matching) outfits. I love fun colors, and a pattern is okay as long as the other person is in solids.

"This is one of my all time favorites because there is no faking joy and there was a clear comfort level between these two." - Kerinsa

Do most couples use the same photographer for their engagement photos and wedding photos?
K: I would say most couples do use the same photographer for their engagement and wedding photos, but the most common exception would be couples who want destination photos. I've had several clients hire me from out of town specifically for mountain engagement photos.

I personally think it's really important to have engagement photos taken by your wedding photographer since it's a great time to see if you really mesh. Brides and grooms will spend more time with their photographer on their wedding day than probably anyone else, so it's important that you not only like their photos, but their personality as well! Even if couples have friends or family members take engagement photos, I can't stress enough how important it is to have professional photos taken by your wedding photographer as well. 

"Katie and Dayne did a great job of coordinating while not matching." -Kerinsa

Wedding

Connie Whitlock - Connie Dai Photography 
www.conniedaiphotography.com (Denver, CO)

Wedding day photography seems to be the most pressure of all to me because you can't miss a moment (ie. can't ask them to redo the "I do")... what kinds of questions should couples be asking a photographer when they are looking for to book someone for their big day?

C: Ask your photographer about their approach and style. There are different approaches to the way that they insert themselves to achieve their artistic vision of the day. For example, a photojournalistic photographer captures the day as it unfolds without directing anything or inserting themselves in the moment. My personal style is fine art wedding photography, where I may clear the room, or move you outside to get the right lighting or to get a cleaner background, or direct a pose during portraits. Also, if you are considering booking someone, study their recent work! If you are drawn to their images, ask yourself what is it about them that you gravitate towards. 

What can a bride and groom do to make sure they get great shots?

C: Schedule an engagement session. It’s a great way to get more comfortable in front of the camera as well as get a feel for how your photographer works without the pressure of the big day. Also, communicate with them! Your photographer wants to get great photos for you, and they will have advice and tips on how to achieve that. Communication also helps them get a feeling for what is important to you. If you are spending a lot of time planning style details, or are really excited about all your out of town family and guests, let them know! 

Kind of a follow up to that... Does it help for the bride and groom to have a shot list? Do you provide them with that?

C: Definitely provide a family shot list to your photographer. List names and combinations of people in each shot. Coordinating big groups of people can take a lot of time. A clear shot list will help in getting the shots you need and  finishing them quickly. Plus, it allows more time for bride and groom portraits! Your photographer wants you to be happy with your photos and will try hard to capture everything, but from time to time things get missed in the days events. So, if you have a piece of your grandmothers veil wrapped around the bouquet, or a piece of your mothers wedding dress stitched inside your dress, let them know so they can be sure to capture it! 

When it comes to makeup, what is your recommendation? Do you need more than usual for photos?
C: In general, more makeup than what you wear normally would be recommended for your wedding day. But the main thing is to make sure you wear what you are comfortable with! A happy bride is the most photogenic and if you are unhappy it will show in pictures! I highly recommend scheduling a makeup trial with your makeup artist. Sometimes words can mean different things to different people, so if possible, bring an inspiration photo to show them. If you schedule it right, you can use your makeup trial for your engagement session! 

31 Things I'll Do While I'm 31

I can't believe we are already approaching the end of July! It's been a whirlwind of a summer. I haven't had a chance to blog about what a fun "Full House" we've had, so here's a quick update...

My brother got an internship in Boulder back in June and moved into our basement. The boys love to climb all over him and he likes to tease them, so I refer to him as our resident Joey Gladstone. Aunt Becky (really Uncle Eric) got a new job at 'Wake Up Nashville' (or ABC), so he and Uncle Jesse (er, Auntie Tricia) moved in with us after packing up their pad in downtown Denver. We don't have any troll-like twin swaps or a Kimmy Gibbler and our Danny Tanner isn't a single dad, but there's enough of us that we don't fit at the kitchen table without the leaves in place.* 

Anyhow, Eric made the trek eastward at the beginning of July and Tricia settled into our spare bedroom for a few months to finish up some flowers for weddings she had already booked before planning their move. The boys adore her, I love having a girlfriend around to talk to, and we all appreciate her cooking. I'll miss them both so much when Mike heads back to school in a month and Tricia moves on to her new life in Nashville, but I'm cherishing this unique opportunity to live together as adults.

Speaking of adulthood, my brother and I had a birthday yesterday.

He could have went out and had a wild night on the town, but he chose to join us for a different kind of wild dinner - the Noah and Benjamin kind. 

During dinner we had a chat about goals for the next year. Tricia hopes to buy a house, Mikie wants to climb a fourteener, and Ryan plans to eat good food. Tricia came up with the idea that I make a list of 31 things I want to do before I'm 32. So here they are... you can hold me accountable.

1. Run a half marathon
2. Visit an apple orchard
3. Take a class at the gym that intimidates me
4. Write a handwritten note to someone for no reason at all once a month
5. Eat more berries, less brownies
6. Play in the rain with the boys
7. Get dressed up and serve dinner on fine china
8. Play basketball
9. Read a Tolstoy novel
10. Wear more lingerie to bed and less of what I am currently wearing to bed in public 
11. Take a hike
12. Go to at least one activity in the Mom Group that I signed up for three years ago
13. Finish the boys baby books
14. Find enough quiet time to hear God and leave enough spare time to carry out His plans 
15. Swim across Long Lake, then back
16. Finally hang all of my photos in the house
17. Get in front of the camera with the boys more often (do not crop self out after)
18. Watch a season of a TV series that isn't geared towards toddlers
19. Create a calendar with my family & friends birthdays on it
20. Plan a night away with Ryan (surprise him)
21. Finish a rough draft of my novel
22. Volunteer at Children's Hospital
23. Give a review, complete a survey, or let a manager know when I receive great retail service
24. Build a snowman
25. Attend a wine tasting
26. Snuggle my boys whenever they will let me
27. Play a board game
28. Leave my phone at home (on purpose) more often
29. Go to a tailgate
30. Learn to make an old family recipe
31. Take less naps

I am heading up to the mountains this weekend and I plan to knock out #11, so I'll try to get a quick post up while I'm on the trip. In the meantime, thanks for reading and I'd love to hear any ideas you have for next years list.

*Apologies to anyone reading this that did not grow up in the 80's and 90's, I realize my "Full House" reference makes zero sense.

5 Free Father's Day Gift Ideas

I remember when my parents used to tell me their favorite gifts were the homemade variety. I thought they were just being nice. I knew what they really wanted was a coffee mug, jewelry box or water weenie from the Santa Secret Gift Shop at school. It only took me twenty plus years and two kids to realize they were actually telling the truth - homemade gifts are the best! The countdown clock is on for Dad's Day, so here's a list of five free father's day gift ideas you can get cracking on right now (or during nap time).

Favorite Tie Photo
I took a few silly ones with Ryan's tie on Benny today (even knotted it myself):

I used a different tie and went the photographer route a couple of years ago - came out with a few of my all-time favorite Noah photos.

Father's Day Questionnaire
Pre-made questionnaires are available online, or you can get crafty and make your own. The answers you'll get are priceless. 

I mean, "really good at... hammering"? Why do I have so many frames waiting to be hung around here?

Home Movie Highlight Reel
I made one for Noah's first year and I'm just putting the finishing touches on Benjamin's this week. I'll post Noah's for now so we can keep Benny's a surprise.

Scavenger Hunt
I'm a little embarrassed to admit that the idea for a scavenger hunt came last week while I was reading Gone Girl (if you've read the book, you'll understand why it's a crazy place for inspiration), but Noah loves searching for treasures so I thought he'd love to take Daddy on a hunt. Here are a few of our clues:

Hand Decorated Cookies
I don't really know why ties seem to be the universal symbol for Father's Day. It's kind of the equivalent of Mother's Day being represented by handbags or heels. I don't think we'd stand for that! But tie cookies are easier than these (or so I thought):

So I decided not to fight the tie theme when I came across these dapper delicacies online:

Easy enough, right? Well, when Noah and I tried to make them and ours turned out like this:

Colorful keyhole? Baseball bat? Not quite the paisley tie I had envisioned. I guess I should have learned from my previous Pinterest Mom post. We gave up and resorted to making these:

Mustaches mean "Dad" too right? Even if they're on little blue faces with four eyes?

Ryan didn't seem to mind our early gift fail - he ate about three when he got home from work.

Let me know if you have any other good ones to add to the list!

Thanks Mom!

"Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands."

- Linda Hogan

I find this quote to elicit one of the most beautiful images I can imagine and today it seems to be playing over and over in my mind. Like many people, I've spent today, Mother's Day, thinking about my amazing Mom. This year, more than ever though, I've also been thinking about all the Moms that brought us here. There are so many things that have changed in the last hundred years, but as I rocked Benjamin to sleep for his nap today, I couldn't help but think that even over the course of a thousand years, the intense love that a Mom feels for her babies has not been touched. Tonight, I'm thankful for those mothers that snuggled cold babies to sleep before electricity and sung seasick babies lullabies aboard ships to a strange land - in short, every mother that rocked and raised a mother leading up the rocking and raising of my Mother. There is no doubt that their love has been passed down through the generations. 

I could blog for days about all the wonderful things I love about my Mom, but instead I've decided to list just five of the many things that she has taught me that I hope to pass down to my own children one day:

1) Family meals are a must.

2) Always try to make sure no one gets left out.

3) Handwritten thank you notes are not old-fashioned.*

4) True beauty has nothing to do with makeup, clothes or the numbers on your scale.

5) If you can find a career you love, it won't always feel like work.

*sorry I haven't been very prompt with this lately

Thank you, Mom, for making every one of your four kids feel special all of the time. We know you don't always have the time to talk to each of us three times a day, but that doesn't keep us from calling (or you from pretending that you do have the time). I don't know what I'd do without you. xo 

Do These Lashes Make Tummy Look Flat?

I'm leaving for Mexico tomorrow! If you could imagine me simultaneously jumping up and down while weeping, you would have a good picture about how I feel right now. I'm really, really excited for a few relaxing days away, laying on the beach, and sleeping through the night. But saying goodbye to the boys is going to be really, really tough. Ryan's parents have kindly offered to come and watch them, so I know they will be having an amazing time with Mimi and Grandpa while we're away, but I'm still going to miss the heck out of them. 

   

So about the trip... I know what most women worry about when they're headed on a beach trip.

Eyelashes, right?

Think of it as a really vain version of the Serenity Prayer. There are things we can change - without too much effort, money or pain - (i.e. eyelashes) and things that we cannot (i.e. oh, I don't know, stretch marks?) 

I know the difference and I've chosen to focus all of my energies on the former. 

Apparently, these ladies have gotten eyelash extensions:

livelovehairblog.wordpress.com

And so did Tricia - the trendy, adorable, younger sister I'm always yammering on about. (Side note: I have a trendy, adorable, older sister too - I'll be yammering on about her on here when she visits with my sweet nephew Brady next week!)

Anyhow, Tricia was really good at graciously fielding compliments about her lashes without giving away the secret. I, however, couldn't stop myself from telling anyone that complimented my new look (and probably a few people who said nothing at all): "They're FAKE! Extensions I tell you!"

A few friends have asked me to blog about them, (probably just to shut me up), but for those that are interested, here is a behind-the-scenes look at professional eyelash extensions:

It looks pretty intense, but really the most painful part is laying flat on a table for a really long time - like two hours. 

You can't stop your big sis from taking pics when someone is pointing that thing at your eye.

At first, I thought that sounded kind of amazing, but sleeping isn't easy when your eyes are taped shut and there are sharp tools moving around them. Also, after about an hour and twenty minutes I start to get pretty antsy and my hips begin getting sore, but maybe that's just me. 

These falsies are supposed to last for two to four weeks, which seems like a pretty good trade-off. I'll have to update you if that window is shortened by a few days of salt water and chlorine. 

I'm not sure how long I'll keep them up, but I think they're pretty awesome. I mean, I wake up feeling fancy. Even, my sweatshirts suddenly look dressed up. And since I don't tend to wear makeup on vacations, they seem perfect for a beach trip.

Here are the obligatory before and after shots:

Danielle: Before

Danielle: After

I'm pretty sure Ryan doesn't notice them, but he doesn't seem to notice stretch marks either, so I'm okay with that. 

Tricia: Before

Tricia: After

So what do you think? Another crazy thing to add to the list of what women do for beauty? Or a fun and painless way to dress things up for a special occasion, vacation, or trip to the grocery store?