131 - Valley Forge

A little over a week ago, just as I was beginning to recover from my random, lengthy illnesses, Josh and I took a short jaunt up to Valley Forge National Historical Park. It's actually only about a 45-60 minute drive from our house, but we hadn't gone up there before. I know. We're bad Pennsylvanians... but we both still frequently speak of and mourn the losses of our respective NY and WA drivers' licenses, so it's only to be expected that we're not fully acclimated to being PA citizens, even 4 years in.

Anywho. We made it up and spent a great afternoon visiting the sites, hiking around, and enjoying the beauty. As much as we both love "the city"... sometimes it's just good to get out of it. Plus, we're both nerds and love things like history and historical places. It's a good match. 

Right after we got there and ate our picnic lunch, we happened upon a reenactment at the Muhlenberg Brigade site. The following sequence is for your own version of the reenactment. Oh, and we definitely recommend visiting if you're ever in the area. =)

130 - Community Garden

Our community garden is getting into full swing, and between our CSA share and our own backyard garden, we're getting some pretty darn good produce. Oh, and all from grown within about 5 blocks of our house. Not too bad, eh? 

These are all shots from when we went to pick up our share at the community garden this week...

I bet from these photos you wouldn't guess Kim is less than 3 weeks away from her due date! She's still out working hard... I bet her little girl will be just like her!

So... I've never had Swiss chard before, but I've researched a couple recipes for it, since they let us know it'd be in the garden this year. However, I had no idea how bright it was! It might be my favorite, just for being such lovely colors (our wedding colors, actually).

And, last but definitely not least, one of the big minds behind this community garden, and the go-to garden man around our neighborhood: Andy! Yup, he knows how to rock it.

For some summer recipes and such, check out my other blog... there's sometimes some okay stuff over there. ;-)

129 - Taste of India

So apparently, it's really easy to break a habit. I mean, it may take 21 days to form a habit... but if you get sick for a month, man!, it's a great way to break a habit. I'm attempting to reform it. Gonna do a bit of backposting in the process... let's see what happens.

Don't forget to check older posts, because hopefully I'll be churning 'em out in a fast and furious manner this week! =)




So, this past weekend (which was, ahem, um, yesterday, June 27, right?), Josh and I went to the Taste of Philadelphia food festival. I must admit, I was a little disappointed in how small it was (I think there were 24 vendors.... I'm used to the Bite of Seattle with 70+), but we still had a good time and some good food. 

One thing we really enjoyed was the stage performances, specifically one with girls and women performing traditional Indian dances. It's pretty amazing to watch - so precise, exact, and beautiful... not to mention really fun and entertaining! Oh, and yes, these are all SOOC - the colors really were that bright!

While these are just a hint at what the true beauty of India includes, you can check out a collection of incredible photos from my sister and brother-in-law's month-long trip in India. I'm pretty sure they need to be working for National Geographic. They're pretty amazing!

128 - Summer Orange

I've got a little summer happiness for you today. My favorite color is orange, and I won't deny that orange flowers just seem to be my favorite. They just jump right out at you -- undeniably vibrant and beautiful.

So, here's a little orange flower goodness for you -- SOOC. Remember what that means? Quick refresher: straight out of the camera. This photo hasn't had any color enhancement whatsoever. Pretty spectactular, huh?

127 - Texture

This may not be overly exciting... but I'm having issues with my computer and downloading new images right now, so I can't give you any of today's photos. Anywho. This is what you get for today -- some brick texture fun.

126 - Flower for Mom

If you haven't picked some flowers for your mom or someone you love lately... maybe you should! And you know, even "weeds" look lovely when someone receives an unexpected gift. Even if you can't pull the "I'm 2 1/2 and super cute card" like above. It's all in the thought -- and the follow-through of the action -- that matter. Happy Friday!

125 - Family

A few more shots of this beautiful family... seriously, don't you just want to get in on the fun?!

I know some people might think 4 kids is a lot... but me? Well, I just happen to think it's the perfect number. Always someone to play with, to bug, to be with... of course, I could be biased, but I do happen to have 3 pretty spectacular siblings. =)  My prediction? These kids are totally going to be best friends for pretty much their whole lives... laughing, bothering, and loving as only sisters and brothers can.

124 - Siblings

I've got a few siblings from you from my NY weekend... meet Annie, Oliver, Griffin, and Isabella. Pretty gorgeous kids, huh? So much energy, and so many laughs! And I love how you can tell they are all obviously related, yet each have their own look. Ah! Siblings! =)

123 - Nadia

Even though it's been a couple weeks... I'm still posting photos from my workshop shoots. Remember beautiful Gia, and her sister, Nadia? Well, since I gave Gia her own post, I figure it's only appropriate to do the same for Nadia. Although, as with many 2 year olds, life is a balance of doing it herself... and being surrounded by the love of her supportive family.

122 - Dad's Day

Whew. It's been a while!

Remember two weeks ago how I was all sick, and trying to catch up on posts, and all of that? Well, right after I started catching up... I got sick. Again. With something totally different and SO much worse. I actually ended up in the ER last Monday, and took almost the entire week off from work. It wasn't pretty. Nor pleasant. When you're little, being sick almost isn't so bad, because you get to stay home from school, get loving attention from Mom or Dad, and read and be coddled all day. At least, I did. But now that I'm an adult? Ugh. My problem is probably that I never stay home when I start getting sick so that I can fight it off... I just keep going until I'm so sick I can't do anything else. And by that point? Pure misery.

Anyway. Enough about that. I'm about 75% of the way back, I'm back at work, and I'm ready to start taking and sharing photos again. Because for the first time since I started this project, I actually didn't taken any photos -- for almost a week. However, my dad suggested yesterday that as part of my Father's Day present I post every day this week. So, I'm going to try, and in honor of my dad and all dads, here are a few of Nadia and her dad to get started.

121 - Sisters

Now, a family shoot wouldn't be a family shoot without... well... family, right? =) And who do you give the hardest time to, share and grow exponentially with, and talk and fight and laugh the most with? Your siblings. Especially sisters. (Yup, personal experience. Mine are pretty fantastic, must admit.) 

So, I couldn't let you have another peek at Gia without also showing you her other half -- adorable little sis, Nadia. 

And here Gia's showing you the 'G', lest you forget or mix up their names:

120 - Gia

Sorry I've missed a few days - I've been battling some sort of random illness since this weekend (leave it to me to get sick when it's nicest outside). Since it's just a few posts, I think I'll backdate at least one or two of them... because there's still plenty more happiness to share from the Confidence Workshop!

So, that said, meet Gia. These are from one of the family shoots down in a little wharf-side plaza. I feel like I've been saying this a lot lately... but seriously beautiful little girl, right? What's up with me getting to photograph all these super cute and gorgeous kids?! I don't know, but you won't find me complaining at all. =)

119 - SOOC

Ok, so, if you're wondering what in the world "SOOC" means... don't worry. You're not alone! SOOC is one of those terms photographers throw around on forums, in articles, and on blogs a lot, and it looks sorta crazy and sorta intimidating. But really, it's quite simple. All it means is "Straight Out Of the Camera". Not too bad, right?

Straight out of the camera refers to a photo that hasn't been touched up at all. In the age of digital photography where if you took as many breaths in a minute as a camera can take in 3 seconds you'd be hyperventilating all over the place, and the way you can edit and manipulate a photo is more impressive than the before and after shots of Michael Jackson, you don't see photos coming "SOOC" at you much anymore. 

Yet shots coming right at you without any editing also seem to be a big deal. Go figure, right? Anyway, I'm one of those late bloomers who hardly uses any photo editing software, and who up until a couple weeks ago had only used... dare I admit it... Picasa (ek! I did it!) to "edit" my photos. Which really just meant maybe going black & white, or upping the exposure, or small things like that. 

So. I'm pretty familiar with SOOC shots, even if by default. However, I haven't done a whole lot of indoor shooting completely in manual before... and those are the hardest shots to let go unedited. 

Well, that's one thing that changed after the conference last weekend. These are a few more pictures of beautiful Anika. Seriously, this little girl was so darn cute! But, as you catch glimpses of Mom & Dad, you can see there's no guesswork as to where she came by her great looks.

Now, this short set could be considered to be overexposed... but you know, I kinda like the dreamy quality. And for a set of "SOOC" shots for my first indoor, manual shoot... I think they're pretty alright.

118 - I'm Back!

It's true! I've been gone a week... but I'm back!

I don't even know how to begin to describe the workshop last weekend... but perhaps some words from its ending might help. Right before we finished the workshop, we shared 1-2 words about how we were feeling following the intensely-filled days. Mine?

Hopeful.

Released.

I'm not sure that now is the time to go into all of the details around those two words... but they're also not ideas/feelings/things I throw around easily. "Simply" put, it was a wonderful, challenging, freeing, exciting, inspiring, creativity-building, moving, and awesome weekend, to be sure. And I've got a lot of great new friends, too. =)

Since I'm still playing catch-up, I'm just going to leave you with one image from the weekend... a real eye-catcher. =) I'm not usually about the "blown out" look, but this was one I took right after switching from a darker area of the room, and hadn't adjusted my settings. However, I just love her eyes and can't get away from this image!

What are your thoughts on it? I'll be back with more, soon!