Coming this fall....

On the shoot last week we had some downtime between classes and so we messed around a bit with all the "cast" that was helping me! My assistant Anna, my sisters Casey and Christina, my husband Greg and my friend Chris of CMC Photography!

I love you Santa!

On our recent trip to Disneyland, they still had the entire program for Christmast. Decorations, parades etc. So on the second day we watched the "Christmas Fantasy Parade" Who knew that this would be the highlight of the whole trip for my kids? They were so excited I can't even tell you. When I saw how my son flipped when he saw Santa, I knew the picture I wanted to take. I could see it in my mind, but could I get it on camera? Well, after annoying some of the other parade watchers by maneuvering into position, I did it! And this is probably my favorite image of the whole trip. :)



and with a little PW Seventies action:

Fun with Macro

Heather from Two Peas posted about a technique she read about, flipping your 50mm backwards and putting it against your kit lens, getting REALLY close and taking some super macro stuff! So of course I had to try it!

First we have Cumin:



and some Sugar:



How fun is that? I am so going to take more photos like this!

Self Portrait Challenge

I took some self portraits today for the Two Peas Challenge, and came up with these 2. Dh and I disagree on which is the best. I guess I should be happy that I have some photos I actually like of myself!

What do you think? Number 1 or 2?

The Holthaus Family

This is my first session of 2009!! Raphael and I have known each other since we were in elementary school. I was thrilled to take his family pictures the day before he was deployed. Here are a few of my favorite images!






Look at those cheeks!

A couple from Christmas

These are a little late, but here are some of my favorites from Christmas Eve with my parents!

Happy New Year

I can't believe 2008 is actually over. I know everyone says so every year, but 2008 started out pretty crappy for me and I am looking forward to a positive beginning to 2009!!

So my year in review of 2008:

- My IIH went into remission again. Thank you God!
- I really started to master my camera and have improved quite a bit over this last year. I shoot pretty much exclusively in Manual now. I can't believe that to be honest!
- I have knitted 3 sweaters! Woohoo!
- I have now worked out for 3 months. I have done a lot of starting and stopping, but I have consistently gone for 3 months! Tae Bo rocks!
- I saw Twilight 3 times. HAHAHA!

I have had a pretty good year considering I started out facing brain surgery. :)

I have some goals for 2009, but I don't really want to share them with the world. LOL Less embarrassing if I fail, yes? But I do have a list of my own.

And now to start off 2009, my favorite picture from 2008. This shows my kids relationship like you wouldn't believe.