More Margret | Memphis Family Photographer

Here are a few more photos from yesterday morning's test shoot with Margret. I'm pretty sure she could model for The Gap.

Margret's self-portrait.

This morning I took Margret out as my model. I wanted to test a few new locations for a photo shoot I have tomorrow morning. Out of the three places, I thought two worked for the morning. So I'm glad I got that figured out.

While we were at one place, Margret leaned in front of my camera and pushed the shutter. I laughed and told her that the lens wouldn't focus that close. But when I got home, this is what I found (with a little help from Photoshop). Click on the image to see it larger. She totally nailed the focus in one eye. 'Cause she's totally awesome.

Thankful.

For the last few years on Thanksgiving morning, I've written down what we are thankful for in a little gratitude journal. Over breakfast, I make out a list for each person then we go back and review the previous year's. It's a fun little ritual that will be even more fun years from now when we see what was important to girls who have been grateful for pandas, the Animal Planet channel, washing machines, flashlights and ziploc bags. Yes, those have all made the list. Can't wait to see what they come up with this year.

For those who need to know, I used Hambly rub-ons and American Crafts stickers. Each person will get his/her own square.

Ears. Pierced.

So Margret has been asking for pierced ears for quite some time. Several of her friends have them and every once in a while she asks when she can get it done. I had mine done when I was 10. It was at my mom's doctor's office, and it involved them sticking a needle of Novocaine in each ear lobe, then using some prehistoric device to make the holes. I remember liking the pierced ears, but not really loving the experience.

I really didn't have some hard and fast rule about when the girls could get pierced, so when I made their haircut appointments for this week, I asked about the piercing. It was a go.

I picked the girls up from school on Tuesday and drove straight to Sweet & Sassy. First, I was happy to see Miss Beth was on duty. She's our favorite. Last time Audrey got her cut by someone else and that person left these weird little pieces between the bangs and the rest of the hair. I had meant to clip them off myself several times but never got there. Anyhoo. Both girls had bangs in their eyes and Audrey was a shaggy mess. I snapped this pic of her and decided she looks much older than six here.

While it was Audrey's turn to get her cut, I photographed Margret's lobes.

Then it was time for the special ear piercing chair. With Miley Cyrus there to watch over her. Audrey had also expressed interest in pierced ears, but I said she had to watch Margret get it done before I'd let her commit.

The S&S technician loaded up the gun with small round diamond-esque studs and popped the first one in. Margret definitely looked startled, but said nothing. The next one went in and I could tell she was close to tears, but she told me later that she talked herself out of it because she didn't want to cry. I was totally impressed!

Everything looked good to Audrey, so she hopped into the chair next. They each got to hold a puppy who also has pierced ears. When Audrey felt the first earring go in, her eyes got larger than I think I have ever seen them. Ever. Still, she didn't say a word. The next one went in and once she realized it was all over, the floodgates released. No photos available because I had to hold my baby for a few minutes. Still, we thought she was very brave for doing it. And the promise of a lollipop helped dry the tears fairly fast. Miss Maddie said they were both great (apparently some kids scream, yell and hit during piercing. Yow!).

This morning I was finally able to get some "after" shots. Margret woke up early and joined me in the office. I noticed she was sitting in some great light, so I told her we needed portraits.

Later I had to convince Audrey that I needed to photograph her ears too. Both girls are very happy they did it. And while it was kind of tough for me to sit and watch them go through some pain, no matter how momentary, I'm glad they did it too. But I'm thinking I might not have "little" girls anymore.

What to do with bad light | Memphis Family Photographer

So I just bought myself a smokin' new 24-70L lens to go with my smokin' 5D camera and I needed to do a few test shots. I decided to give myself the extra challenge of crappy lighting: indoors, in the evening, with an overhead incandescent bulb. I picked my two favorite models and gave them a bit of direction as to how to turn their bodies.

I shoot in RAW so I was able to make a lot of color adjustments, even before I ultimately converted them to black & white (which can be a great way to save a photo when you hate the color). And aside from exposure tweaks, I did no Photoshop editing. So if a girl has chocolate on her chin, she has chocolate on her chin. Real life is messy like that. And sometimes that's what I like to record.

Canon lens for sale.

I've decided to upgrade one of my lenses, so I'm selling my Canon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom lens. It's a great lens -- not too big to carry around on your SLR and it has a great range. Before I bought it, I read lots and lots of reviews and it always came out on top.

It retails for about $250, but it is yours for $195. It's in excellent condition and comes with the lens covers on both ends and the manual. I can't seem to find the box, but I'll keep looking. Call me at 901-568-0211 if you are interested. I can take cash, check or credit card.

I need ten of these.

I found these at Office Depot and bought ten for Margret's class. They are flexible calculators that are really cool. The numbers are raised and they are solar-powered. Margret's teacher would like to use them during an upcoming test, but she needs enough for all 21 students. I found a few more, but not enough. I had my local store check their inventory and they are out. I had them check inventory at other Memphis stores and they are out. John and I even stopped by a few stores ourselves to see if we could find any.

Then I tried online. Office Depot lists them online, but when I tried to order it comes up out of stock. I talked to a customer service rep online and she was less than helpful. I looked up promotion and imprint companies online but would have to order at least 25. So now I turn to you, dear readers. When you are out and about, if you see these flexible calculators with a magnet on the back, I would happily pay you back for them. Mine were in the bargain bin at Office Depot for $1, but even at $3 or $4 I'd love to have them. Any color is fine. Any quantity up to 10 is fine. Thank you.

And the winner of the frame is... | Memphis Family Photographer

...Stephanie Hubbard! As per my post here, I put all my September and October session names in a hat and Stephanie gets to pick out one of four O'Brien & Schridde frames for her home. I do sell these in collections of six or more and they are absolutely gorgeous. I have a set hanging in my dining room and I always get compliments. Congrats, Steph!

Happy Halloween!

It's been a hectic week, but I think we pulled off Halloween just fine.

Let me introduce you to my Zombie and my Rockstar.

We picked up almost all of the clothing at Goodwill, and we borrowed a guitar from a friend.

I teased her hair, added black lowlights and makeup.

And glitter. Rockstars must have glitter.

My dear little Zombie is also wearing Goodwill clothes. The shirt is a ladies' shirt that we cut in strips.

We painted her face white with black eye sockets.

And teased and sprayed her hair. I think they both look awesome. We started the evening at a party at a friend's house and trick-or-treated with a big group. After a while my girlies were tired so we came home to review the candy stash. They are happy with their haul and so am I....muaahahahahahahah!

Visitors.

Posting will be light for the next few days. That's code for pretty much non-existent. My dad and stepmom are visiting and I have a jam-packed schedule for them. Note to other relatives: above are the handmade place cards we made for dinner the other night. Which included homemade chicken pot pie and pumpkin bread. See what you are missing?