Unfortunately, I have to wait several months before I can shoot their wedding.

But wait, there’s more! Enjoy a little slideshow.

But not opposed to showing a sense of humor.

This is his older brother, Elijah. He’s pretty dapper, too.

Malcom doesn’t always approve of the camera in his face. Or maybe he just wishes that he, too, had a fancy light-up ghost on a rope.

He’s cute. No?

He likes to test out his hardware, fingers and toes.

Said fingers and toes (it’s ok to ogle).

It’s ok to squee. No, really, I won’t tell, ok?

Elijah is such a big help.

Oh hi, mom and dad.

Um, I love this one.

Did I mention he’s my nephew? He’s my nephew.

Are any of you parents of teenagers? You will understand then when I get excited over photos of my 13 year old. Seems like many teens go through this “not the camera!” stage in life so I was pleased as punch to hear him say “take my picture” over and over again.

My youngest had a friend over with him. That was fun, too. I think they were slightly disappointed that the floor wasn’t bouncy, but they got over that pretty quickly. I mean really, there was way too much to be distracted by.

Very otherworldly, right? If you ever get a chance to go, do. It was just fun watching the interplay of light and color inside the structure. Good time to play.

You know how my fingers always need to be busy. I love knitting and that love led me to this:

Yes, knitting does funny things like that. Let’s take you through the steps…

1) Hunt down pattern for beanie knit flat and seamed to finish. Must be easy for beginners’ class.
2) Head to Knitty.com because it’s there. Browse. Start mentally designing a shadow knitting scarf with Dr. Who theme, nerdy gamer theme. Kill ideas because they’re silly.
3) Look up tweets to kill time. Oh hey, Amy tweeted…
4) Look at Knittyblog.com for her post. Notice “You want a uke?” and discover they’re cheap. And that the Amazon gift card burning a hole in my desk (no pockets that day) will cover the uke, new strings and a tuner to boot.
5) Voila! UPS delivers the new member of the family.

And that, my friends, is how knitting got me a ukelele.

Now this baby girl needs a name. I’m open to suggestions

It was worth it, crazy fun.

It was one of those brow-furrowed-deeply workshops. It’s what I do when I have to listen because I’m trying to mentally digest. And there was much to digest! Fer Juaristi is a great shooter and he is not hesitant about sharing what he knows and how he sees things.

Sarah and Adam of In Tandem Photography were great to work with.

Big thing: it’s an issue of distillation. Take out what’s unnecessary and keep what conveys what you want the image to say. Keep things visually quiet so what you want to say comes through loud and clear. That’s me paraphrasing, probably poorly!

This next image was hard for me to get. It very much involved leaving my comfort zone.

Normally, I would have worked with a 50mm lens. What I do with a 50mm lens is tend to keep it right at my eye and very rarely to I change my vantage point. But I have this hate/love/hate/etc. relationship with 24mm. A wide angle lens like this is so out of my comfort zone. On top of that, being assertive enough to use it the way it wants to be used—up close and personal—was a challenge as well. It’s very difficult to “distill” the image down when there’s so much in your frame. But part of my goal for the workshop is to get out of the zone, to push myself and change my point of view.

I am so glad I’m not the only one who does this. It took me long enough to learn that being on your back is infinitely better than laying on my tummy. If your back is dirty, you don’t have to see the expression on the faces of those wondering why.

This next one? Madness to someone like me who shoots bright, high-key images.

Photographer and good sport, Matt of Mattthew Johnston Studios. This last one? I am not sure if it is quiet enough. I am waiting to see if it grows on me but I am open to opinions so I am putting it out there.

Thanks, Fer. It was a good day.

Their day was as much fun as I expected—this crowd made for a super fun reception—and I knew there would be tears but I had no idea how many. Their officiant, Carolina, was all set, though and was ready with tissues for April and Watson both. April’s mom made me cry! She was so sweet and was very thankful for taking care of her April. That was just the beginning: they both had the sweetest family and friends. Watson’s parents surprised them with a mariachi band at the reception…so fun.

Reminisce with April & Watson while you enjoy more moments from their wedding here at their slideshow. Friends and family are welcome to view the complete wedding gallery here (their last name is the password).

April and Watson’s creative team:

Venue: Winfield Inn
Hair: Aveda Institute
Flowers: Linda Manifold, Breathtaking Blooms
Cake: Cindy Hunter, Simply Bliss
Ceremony music: Skyros Quartet
Reception music: Friend Amy’s iPad
Officiant: Carolina Trevino
Transportation/getaway car: Car2Go

- A pre-wedding bride+groom shoot

- A wedding that I can shoot entirely in black and white, square format

- To shoot a 100% DIY wedding Oh wait, I get to do this in June, Lord willing. Thanks, Devin and Peter!

- Destination wedding at a not-so-touristy destination

- Get to shoot a surprise proposal

- A rock-the-dress session, but not necessarily involving pools or streams

And somewhat wish-listy: more clients like I’ve had this past year. So far, every couple has prized my input into their day. I really can’t ask for more than that!

So here’s a gratuitous photograph for the post:

A bit of sweet and sour brought back with us from our vacation in California. Dave and Tonya gifted us with a grocery bag full of lovelies from their own trees. I’m taking suggestions for what to do with them!

Is he any different today from yesterday? Not really. Noah still loves soccer although a particular car show from the UK has really captured his fancy.

It’s to the point where, given the choice between getting Forza IV and FIFA2012 for Xbox, he chose Forza.

He loves dogs and is super gentle with our Sprocket (silly dog takes up the softer parts of the bed and he lets her).

A recent favorite book he wanted us to read together was Avi’s The Good Dog.

For most of the time he’s played soccer, he actually chose the position of goalie which the other kids were more than happy to give up.

When someone’s actions inadvertently led to a visit to a hospital emergency visit, he didn’t hold a grudge.

He can identify a red herring and knows what an “ad hominem attack” is.

He knows how to develop his own prints from black and white film negatives.

I am sure that I will publicly embarrass him many times but I am just as sure that he will be quick to forgive. Sweetie, you’re so handsome!

Our boy’s a prayer warrior, shy but passionate, and faithful. Now and then, he shares with me what the Lord shows him during his quiet times of reading the bible and it’s a privilege to get to listen.

Noah, I know I sound like a broken record but I love you and I feel so blessed that God chose us to be your parents. Here’s to The Adventure of Thirteen!