you use what you have

For the last several years, I have taken individual photos of students at school to use for class projects or scrapbooks. I usually bring one of my drapes and tape or pin it to a wall (or bring my backdrop stand) and shoot a couple of classes at one time. This is what those individual photos look like.


But sometimes you have to use what you have. One second grader had missed both days that I was there to take photos; it was the last week of school and we needed her photo for the project the next day. I stopped into the class at the beginning of school to see when I should bring in my drape and take her photo. "Can't you take it now?" the teacher asked. "Sure," I replied my mind busy considering what would be best for a backdrop in the classroom. Spying a black sweater hanging on the hooks, I had Taryn grab it and hold it as the backdrop. And this is the result! I had to come back later and take a photo to show the "behind the scenes" of this cute photo!

office staff photo

Each year for the school yearbook, I take a photo of the principal, assistant principal and the school secretaries. Usually we're in a hurry and the photo turns out okay. This year, one of the secretaries called me to let me know that everyone was in the office right then and could I come up to take the office photo? I hurried up to take the photo. It was spirit day and so they were coordinated in our school's colors of red and black. I took just two photos. This was a great photo. Sometimes you get lucky like that...

baby hummingbirds

This spring, in our elementary school's courtyard, a hummingbird built a nest. The media specialist (librarian) discovered that this mama hummingbird had laid two eggs. After a couple of weeks, the eggs hatched and the two baby hummingbirds made an appearance. The whole school watched the birds grow until after a few weeks they outgrew the nest and flew away. Luckily, I was able to capture them on camera (the librarian had to point out the location of the nest because it really blended well with the tree).

finally! a photo shoot of jaelyn!

My nephew and his wife had a baby seven months ago. I've been wanting to take her picture forever! But schedule conflicts got in the way. Finally! We were able to get together before Easter dinner for a little photo shoot.

She was just great. Happy and cooperative. Taryn and Tanner have this great big chair that is perfect to hold little kids. With its high sides, it's the perfect backdrop for babies. This time, we covered it with my black backdrop. She was so cute and I have so many favorites. Here are just a few...

cute, cute baby!

Taryn got to babysit the cutest baby. After his nap, I couldn't resist a little photo shoot! He was so cooperative (except when we tried to take away the hot wheel car he was chewing on!) and just adorable. I especially love the photos of him sticking out his tongue and with drool on his chin!

Spring Break at the Beach

The Oregon Coast is one of our family's favorite places to spend time. We used to go every spring break with our friends to Camp Meriweather, a scout camp at the beach. The last several spring breaks, I've mourned for those days we used to spend there.
This year we actually did spend part of spring break with our friends, the Spravzoffs at the beach. The rental house was wonderful, and we were just a short walk from Oceanside beach. We mostly had good weather and spent time on the beach playing football, exploring tide pools, searching for agates, flying kites, enjoying the weather, and of course, taking photos. We also did puzzles, watched tv, read, went into Tillamook to the Cheese Factory (a favorite excursion for us) and the thrift stores (also popular). The kids also got to go swimming at the Nelson's hotel pool on our last night. While we missed the friends that couldn't go, it was great to finally spend time at the beach. Here are some of my favorite photos of our trip. I love the light at the beach!


I had fun playing with angles. Here, I experimented with the placement of the horizon line.

Tanner invited his friend, Jason, to come with us to the beach.

Quinn moved right into position between these two rocks (I don't remember the real term for these type of rock formations).

There was a tunnel cut through the point so that you could go from one beach to another. It was pretty cool!

The kids had so much fun playing football with Scott and Quinn.



When they could catch a breeze, Taryn, Kristen (Taryn's friend), and MIssy all tried to fly kites.

The beach through the tunnel was rockier and had more tidepools. Everyone enjoyed looking for sea creatures and agates.

Growing up, a sure sign of spring was the blossoming of pussywillows. Mom even sent them to us in college. It was a delightful surprise to find them blooming on the beach!

Missy built several sand castles while the bigger kids played football.

I love Jason's expression here!

Here's most of our group at the Tillamook Cheese Factory. It's a tradition to take a group photo in front of the boat & sign.

My love of reading came from my mom. Here's a photo that is the perfect illustration her wonderful example! I love the light streaming in.

While my mom, Scott and Monica are the puzzlers, even Taryn and Kristen took a turn putting together one of the three puzzles they worked on.