When I was growing up,  my grandmother and grandfather would tell stories about my father and my uncles when they were younger.  If the behavior was a little mischievous,  my grandfather would say “boys will be boys.”  In my house, I am out numbered 3 to 1 so it is “girls will be girls” here.   I love it when 5 year old will be relaxed and be their self in the studio even if their father has several strobes firing that could inhibit them.

Here is a kiss goodbye for Nanna! See you soon!

Sometimes things are planned and happen for a reason and other times they are spontaneous and unscripted.   In my previous post, I tried a lighting technique on myself using a large soft box real close to my face.  Besides that I am not fond of using my camera timer, I wanted to try the technique on someone a little better looking and interesting than me.   So I asked Sophie to join me in the studio under the guise that she would be taking pictures of me.  She was game for that.  I told her I would have to setup the camera and light and after I took a few test shots we would reverse the photographer and model roles.   She tired real quick of putting her face close to the light source and pulled my desk chair in front of the light and began to lounge.  End result: impromptu lounging shoot.

I am looking forward to the Packers – Giants playoff game this weekend with guarded optimism.  The Packers need to take their potential Super Bowl journey one game at a time – no matter what the prognosticators say.  If they need to be reminded of this message, just ask limping “Big Ben” and his team from the Steel City.  Regular season records and wins do not automatically advance a team in the playoffs.  Talent at the skilled positions is not the only thing needed to win playoff games. The key to winning this game will be defense, special teams, and pass protection.  The Packers need to stop allowing their opponents more yards that they can generate on offense.  Go Pack!

It is early Christmas morning. Uncle Steve has his camera as usual.  My nephew Marshall had just grabbed some chocolate from his stocking. Wah La!  I love the innocence, excitement and amazement that little children bring to Christmas morning.  They are happy and grateful for everything that their parents and Santa Claus brings them no matter how big or small it is.  They help to remind us about the importance of spending time with and appreciating the family.  Marshall was the beacon on Christmas morning. He acted in direct contrast to my older nieces and nephews and other family members.  As time went by, most stopped believing in Santa Claus and focused more on the number and value of gifts they received rather than the thought and effort behind the gifts and the family behind them.   I think we can all get caught up in the material things in life and forget the value of the intangible things.  I am glad we have Marshall around to keep things in perspective. 

Here is a special moment between him and his cousin Sophie.

My mother-in-law epitomizes the giving spirit. She really does a great job preparing the many things that are necessary to accommodate the 16 family members that invaded her home for Christmas.  She does so much to make everyone feel welcome and important.  Thank you Carol for everything!  I am proud and blessed to have my wife Jackie in my life as the apple truly does not fall far from the tree.   Here is a special moment between Carol and her latest grandchild.

Just a few minutes before heading to Hilburn for the holiday show, I grabbed Sophie for a couple of shots. She was dressed up and did her own makeup because she was going to introduce a song that the 4th graders would be singing.  She said she was the DJ. 

One thing that I love about photographing my children is the ability to capture the various aspects of their personality with a head shot . Not just the “forced grin” shots for their mom and grandmother.  My kids like all of us have our ups and downs and I love to show their complexities.  Here are few sides of my Nanna un-prompted and un-posed….

It was Saturday night and my wife was out secretly shopping for Christmas.  We accomplished the bath night duties and it was time for kids to play.  They decided to have a little themed restaurant fun.   Armed with a hand-written menu, some play money, staff name tags,  Wisconsin Badger hats,  and kitchen supplies, the girls started their business.  I was the customer. They worked as a team taking turns as the chef and the waitress in the “Badger Café.”  

Savannah is taking my order for bacon, eggs and a cappuccino.

She is enthusiastically double-checking the order to make sure that she has it right. 

Not sure whether I could find a café that has a wait staff with better smiles than this one.  Maybe, I am biased a bit.

They are sure focused on customer satisfaction …

… as they get work together to get my order to perfection. 

It is fitting that later on Saturday night the Wisconsin Badgers won the Big Ten football championship game. Though I am a UNC-Chapel Hill graduate, I always pull for the Badgers(unless they play the Tar heels) since I grew up in Wisconsin. It was great night!

We had our first STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) expo this past week which is a two hour event showcasing the STEM learning program at Hilburn Elementary school.  Sophie presented information regarding the engineering design process in her 4th grade class session.

Savannah worked with her classmates to design and build a house.

Her kindergarten house building team was very excited to show off their work. 

 
What good is a home without a mommy?  I love the pride and happiness in this image.

The Museum of Natural Sciences had an animal display that was hit with all the children including the big one that is taking this picture.   Lizards anyone?

Turtles?

Gregory Ford (principal) and Cheryl Fenner (Asst. Principal)  are the leaders of this wonderful school. They are two of the people that I respect and admire the most in Raleigh as they lead Hilburn into the 21st century learning.

Recently, Sophie has been taking guitar lessons.  I guess in sense she is following her old man’s footsteps except that my guitars only had 4 or 5 strings.  I am really glad that she is showing interest in music.   It’s really cool how music can unite people.  We decided to head upstairs and take a few shots of her with new acoustic guitar.  She is already asking about getting an electric one but I told her one step at a time. 

Somehow, doing the Hendrix playing with your teeth does not look quite right with an acoustic guitar.  No, I did not prompt this pose. She truly seems to enjoy playing.  I just hope she has more discipline with her practicing than I did when I started. I proud to see her trying this at age 9 versus in high school like me.  

See ya soon!