Behind the scenes

Thanks to Jim for this photo. I always like to see how I look during my photoshoots. Makes me very nervous TBH.

birthday photoshoot

Birthday photoshoot by myself only gets worse this year around. I didn't do birthday party for my daughter this year so we can just take it easy at home. I was assuming it will give me more time for a photoshoot in the house under controlled setup. Well, I didn't prepare early enough this year. 

I waited for her to nap to take a sleeping photo and holding pose similar to last year. I did manage to get something similar, but costed me dearly. She woke up after 30min nap and that was it for the whole day. We were all exhausted and cranky from not enough rest.  It reminded me of newborn days when I have to get the setup and photoshoot done for a few major timelines, when we had to risk her nap and our energy and rest time.  At least, we don't do it monthly or quarterly anymore. 

So, after I gave up on the sleeping photos on her actual birthday, I need to get her birthday cake and balloons. Well, we went out of the house late, so after getting balloons and cupcakes for photos, the sun is gone and no more light left for the day. Losing sunlight is a bankruptcy for a photographer. The wind was strong outdoors so I couldn't get her a photo with her cake and candles. :-(  I didn't even get her photo of holding the cake or blowing candles because we have to shield the wind with all our hands. 

So, the day is over and her actual birthday photos were non-existent. I might just have to make peace with it or try it again next week, assuming it's only a week late and forget the fact that it's not actually her birthday. I guess she wouldn't mind blowing the candles again for the photos. 

 

While I'm getting the camera ready to make her hold the cupcake for photos, she reached down and ate it. So no more cake photos. LOL. 

American Southwest

Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Horseshoe Bend, Arizona

American southwest landscape is amazing.  Grand sandstone structures that I thought only exists in Game of Thrones. I was simply awed and mesmerized. I wondered why I took so long to go see these places. Then I remembered that I reserved these places  as backup many years ago for then I can no longer do international travel easily. Duh! That was a nice strategy though because this summer road trip didn't disappoint me.

Of the many sacrifices that parents make, photography is pretty high on my list, especially travel photography.

My full frame DLSR is now replaced by mirrorless (that extra noise is a big loss in my book!). L glasses are replaced by pancake lenses. I said bye-bye to long-exposure shots because instead of 10lbs tripods, I carry a 25lbs toddler on my back now. Instead of setting alarm to catch sunrise shots, I now "sleep in" any minute I could. Instead of waiting for the sunset, I just mostly point & shoot whatever I get because said toddler might wiggle us both over the cliff if I take longer than her patience, searching for the perfect frame. All in all, any photo I could manage to get are mediocre at best.

Majority of the trip, my camera just stayed in my bag because my hands were full with the toddler; and photo documentation was very sporadic.  A few days of no photos, and lots of photos when she's under control.

Last year after Hawaii trip, I said no more traveling for a while. But old habits die hard. I still love traveling and photography even though something's gotta give.  I now aim to make memories of myself with Scarlett, in photos or not.

How things change in a year!  Hats off to our road trip buddies. We had such a fun time with lots of laughters and frustrations with two kiddos in the car.

Pictures here are from Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in northern Arizona.

See the raft in the Colorado river? See how small it is and how large the landscape is? Amazing! 

Babywearing selfies

I love to spam my baby wearing photos on specific Facebook groups, but I don't post my babywearing selfies here because it's all me. But I am finally posting them here to apply for a March membership drive photoshoot event with BA-BWI.

Backlit photography

I love backlit photos, my favorite lighting in fact. It adds a 3rd dimension to the photo, gives that extra sun flare and glow to my subjects. It's very feminine and beautiful. Backlit photography needs some practice to position the camera at the right angle with respect to the sun directly hitting the lens, but with practice it's worth it.
Here is a few backlit photos from my past. 

 

One of my all-time favorites is backlit sun flare or no sun flare. Backlit gives the subject 3 dimensional feel and highlights the details. 

Backlit without sun flares

Backlit with sun flares

I gave all credit to my husband for spotting this little thing and the entire sun flare idea, which he said he was inspired by my backlit sun flare style :-) . Feel like chicken and egg now?