A Special Place, Lily, Apples and The Setting Sun!

This has become a special place for our family and on this particular evening I couldn't go wrong taking pictures. The light was beautiful and Lily was so comfortable walking around in the warm glow of the setting sun. I took these pictures with apples in them for my husband who right now is learning and loving everything about apples.

Every part of this property is wonderful and so is the couple who owns it. They have been willing to share their piece of heaven with us and our kids. Our kids spend many hours a week playing among the apple trees or finding lizards and snakes in the garden. There is a sweet play house that's just their size and even a "Snow White" style "wishing well." I can't wait to keep exploring this great place.

This last one is one of my favorites. I love when I capture Lily's "true" smile and how cute is the goat watching her walking away?

Thanks for checking out my blog and I'll see you soon.

Day 36, A Recent Walk In Sonoma

Sometimes I think we take for granted the beauty of Northern California. We are graced with beautiful apple orchards, vineyards, rivers and streams, and of course bridges to cross them! I am drawn to the bridges, they photograph so nicely and always have the promise of what might be on the other side?

On this same walk you can see some of the old fruit packing houses which are fading from the landscape of Sonoma county as more and more imports are changing the way farmers have to work to survive. This packing house didn't make it, but will make a nice back drop for me for future photography sessions.

Day 35, Love In Nature!

These pictures I took the other day while my family and I where on an evening walk. I was very shocked to find this beautiful sunflower among many that had already gone to seed. I love the beautiful yellow of it's petals, it's just so cheerful.

One of my favorite things, is to find "hearts" in nature. Last year a man that lives in Bodega Bay came to a memorial at our kids school in honor of his wife and others affiliated with the school who had passed on. He is a surfer and after his wife passed he started noticing "heart shaped" rocks at the beaches he surfs and he collected each one. He brought them to the school and gave them to the kids to place them in the memorial garden. Each one was very special to him and I have paid special attention since that day to the hearts that form in nature. They are like pennies from heaven and make me feel like there is someone watching over me.

Day 34, Cherished Times!

I found a beautiful spot to do family portraits in Sonoma County. This is a beautiful bridge with all of the colors of Fall as well as lush greens of all descriptions, flowing water nearby adds a "babbling brook" feel to the environment that is relaxing for everyone. In this shot my daughter is walking down the path with her wagon, because she really doesn't want to "share" it with anyone... While I was watching her walk away from me, I couldn't help but think about the distant future where one day she will walk away to conquer her own challenges, and will walk alone to challenge the world on her own terms. She will no longer need me to guide her way. I cherish these moments and live in "the now", as this time will come all too soon for me, and for her.

Thanks, for viewing my post.

Day 33: Country Garden

I was taking a walk this evening, specifically to go look at a great spot I have been thinking about using for an upcoming family photo shoot; when I looked through the fence at this garden. This is a beautiful garden, but as all gardens in November it is "winding down". There was a subtle beauty and a timelessness to the scene that unfolded in front of me as I looked at this vintage wagon, and the heart shaped leaves still growing behind it. To me it was beauty through the slats of a fence. I used the opportunity to practice changing my focus. You will note in one frame the fence is in focus, and in the other the wagon....Which do you prefer? I like them both, and am enjoying working with my camera to get the most out of it. I know this will only help me with my shoots down the road.

Day 32, A Simple Photograph!

Sometimes you don't have to travel far for beauty. I took this picture off the landing outside my front door. For me this evokes the feeling of Fall. The trees starting to change colors, and thin out as the leaves drop. Beautiful harvest sunsets and moons which seem to bring the deepest yellows and fiery reds to our color pallets. I love that a simple photograph has the ability to let you interpret with your own "inner voice" what it means to you.

In speaking with my husband, he had his own thoughts about it he was willing to share with me (and with you...) "It looks like the very gateway of heaven..." he said. I really like the range of light exhibited here and love how such a common subject (how many sunset photos in the world!) can evoke feelings like Nick's as well as help you to find a calm place to just think about your day and the people in your life. This image was taken with my 50mm lens and was taken straight from my camera just like this.

Day 31, Crime Scene

Like all parents, we are forever getting on our kids about leaving there toys "lying around". So exhibit A. The crime scene....I was walking down the hall picking up which is what a lot of us Mom/Photographers do, when I realized there was a story being told here....Two toys being played with, two sets of papers being drawn on....The evidence suggests, two of my kids got bored and moved on to other things; leaving their little friends to wait for a more attentive host... I love the hallway shots and the stark feel of black and white; and I also like how you can capture "emotion" even in the lives of toys...

Day 32, Giants First Win in SF 52 years of waiting!

In honor of the 52 years Giants fans have waited for a World Series Title, I will be posting 52 50mm pictures on the blog....I snuck in a couple extra on today's post:-)

Congrats to all of the Giants, and to all of the loyal Giants fans who have cheered them on. They faced three class organizations in Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Texas and bested them all....and who could forget those pesky Padres? Great Season Giants....a few Dimond/Anderson Celebration pictures to capture the moment and a great memorable evening for our family and the ages!

Enjoy the victory! Go Giants!!!