Senior Pictures-----

I get to practice my photography hobby on a few lucky (or unlucky. I have found that some people would rather go to the dentist than to a photo shoot) seniors each year. These are a few I took this year. Actually these ARE the few I took this year. And one is related to me. Maybe I'm not paying the seniors enough?

First off was T. One look at her photo and you know a monkey could take a great shot of her!

E came next. She's remarkably photogenic for a girl who HATES having her picture taken.

I also took Spencer's pictures. It reminds me that I have yet another child getting ready to fly the coop. That's 2 out of 3 "on their own". I think that's a good reason to have big families.

And finally, Spencer's favorite picture. He got this hat at a thrift store on a date- it's a long story but he loves it. He really loves it (the hat, not the thrift store.) And...I......don't..... BUT!.... I love him so I took a picture of him in it and even printed it (the true sign of love is the printing...with digital, just shooting the picture is free...but don't tell him that!)

Favorite Photos for 2008

I am learning alot about photography, and have so much more to learn. I'm hoping to take an online class from Karen Russell (http://karenrussell.typepad.com/) this winter, however with a waiting list of over 400, I might be postponed in my hopes...

These are a few of my favorite non-family pictures for 2008.. I am lucky that friends will pose for me as I practice and learn. I am also lucky that the friends who will pose are extremely good-looking and photogenic and make me look like a much better photographer than I am!

The first two photos are fun out-takes from a family shoot... we had some gorgeous family pictures, but these really tickled my funny-bone. Ask the family to jump as high as they can, and the oldest son (after a few high jumping pictures) crouches into a frog-like position. Look at younger brother looking down at him like, dang, that could've been me! The other photo was taken of the "children" laughing together in a silly moment. The relationship that they have is one that we all hope our children will have- if even occasionally! I don't have a picture of my kids like this...yet....but I am definitely going to stage one when the missionary comes home!This third photo is of a young woman who (if you can believe it) is even more beautiful on the inside than on the outside. She doesn't care to have her picture taken, so I consider this photo, and several others we took that day that were equally stunning even more of a success!

While these are not technically ideal (or even close to ideal,) they remind me of why I love photographing people....there are stories to be told in each picture, there are stories behind the picture that beg to be told, and there are few better ways to capture a moment than a photograph...technically ideal or not!

Here's to 2009 photos, and a hope I get into the photography class!!!