Week 14: Smile

Week 14's theme was Smile.....what does smiling mean to you and what is the definition? Is it someone who smiles like this picture I took of my daughter or is it images that when you see them, they make you smile, like the shot of my daughter goofing off in the corn field? If you ask anyone that knows me, the most ridiculous things make me smile and I am ok with that, because I would rather have a smile on my face then a frown:). Week 15's theme is.....dun dun dun....WOOD! :)

Cheers!

Sammee

A TIP FROM DOT:

How not to smile for a photo shoot?  Like this!

If you are a parent taking your young child to a photo session for a natural, relaxed shot please, please, please can I give you one BIG tip?  Don't shout at them from behind the photographer telling them to smile.  It does make a great dental record but not necessarily a great photo.  Believe in the professional you have hired to do the job and let the photographer control the session even regards smiles.

Keep smiling til next week,

Dot

Next week theme is Week 15: Wood

Week 12: Sport

Ha, Ha! I beat Dot this week, she has been so busy working with the amazing Naked Inspirations that I don't think she will hold it against me. This weeks theme was Sport and I am sure you are looking at my image and laughing but let me ask you this, when was the last time you went bowling? My family and I love it, we don't get to do it as often as we would like but when we do, we have a blast and I am always exhausted by the time we get home. The first time my son bowled without having to use the bumpers he got so excited that a couple of bowling leagues that were playing around us gave him a standing ovation. He was grinning from ear to ear and I can honestly say he was hooked. He is definitely the sportsman in the family, he roller blades everywhere he goes, if he isn't on his roller blades then he is on his skateboard, his wave board or his scooter. He likes Football but loves Soccer and this fall he will be playing La Cross for the first time. Not going to lie, I am a tad bit scared about him playing La Cross because from what I have heard it is up there with Football in the injury department. But I am not going to stop him, I love that he likes to try out all different types of sports to see if he truly likes them and I love that he would rather be outside playing then inside in front of the television or playing video games. I hope everyone had a great week, next weeks theme is ANIMALS.

Cheers!

Sammee

Well done Sammee!  And I definately don't hold it against you.  My image was ready and I was just waiting on permission to post it from the parent of the girl in the shot (which I now have) and I'll explain why I wanted this.  I believe that as photographers we have the duty to consider whether or not the content of a shot is appropriate or inappropriate.  The sport I am involved in is Gymnastics (as a coach, not a gymnast) and am glad to say that Scottish Gymnastics Child Protection Policy gives very clear guidance on images we post and, whether we like it or not, we as coaches have to abide by it regarding the sharing of images taken of the gymnasts.  This straddle shot would be deemed inappropriate had the gymnast been in a leaotard only but because she is also wearing shorts the photo is okay to publish.  Me?  I just like to double-check where possible and hence I asked the parent's permission.  It is a fine line we tread.

That aside, this is a fantastic shot of one of our gymnasts on our new inflatable Tumble Run.  What an asset it is, giving the kids confidence to try and perfect moves they are hesitant to do on a matted floor.  And it is even in our Club colours of black and pink!!

Hope you'll pop over next week to see Week 13.

Dot

Theme for Week 13: Animals

Week 9: Laughter

I laugh a lot and so do those around me but I found this theme really difficult.  Eventually I decided to revisit some of my older shoots and came across this shot.

I think Little Brother was trying hard not to laugh at Big Brother's mischievous behaviour!


Very busy week with work this week but I'm already on the case for Week 10 theme: Gratitude.


Dot

FINALLY! Week 9: Laughter is up! There is nothing funnier then when family gets together...well, there is also nothing as tragic either. Thankfully my daughter, her sister and their cousin manage to laugh their backsides off whenever they get together. I don't even remember what set them off, I just remember my daughter laughed first, then she teared up, then she kept getting closer and closer to the ground. Her giggle was so contagious that her sister and cousin joined in...oh how I love these girls :). This weeks theme is Gratitude...onward and upward!

Cheers!

Sammee

Theme for Week 10: Gratitude

Week 5: Dance

I've been at a real loss this week as to what do for my Week 5 photo and eventually took this simple photo of my daughter's ballet shoes.  She is not a ballerina but would dance her way through the day from morning to night if she had the chance.  When I was pregnant with her she never stopped moving and is just the same 13 years on!

Can't wait to see Sammee's photo for this week as she is away at a Feis today and should have some great shots!

On to Week 6 and hopefully a more inspiring shot.

Cheers,

Dot

Greetings,

   Week 5 has come and gone and all I can say is HOLY CRAP! As you can tell, this weeks theme is dance. My daughter is an Irish dancer and this weekend I was playing Feis mom to an overly hormonal 12 year old (she's going to kill me for saying that). Irish dance has positively consumed our lives and no matter how crazy it gets between INSANE dresses, new hard and soft shoes (because her feet won't quit growing), tanning her legs (seriously, who thought this up? I want to smother them with self tanner!) and hours upon hours of practice (when she isn't having a "moment") we love it. She has managed to make and maintain friendships with dancers from other schools (which I have noticed doesn't happen very often as Irish dance is highly competitive and schools don't necessarily promote fuzzy feelings between each other). Even when she has a bad Feis, there is always a friend from her school or another to give her a hug and tell her that it's just one Feis and not to stress out over it. In the three years (has it been that long already?) that she has been dancing (the first year ended up with her dance school, which shall remain nameless since I still harbor ill will towards the owner, shut the school down with only a months notice....just dropped every girl that had been busting their butts for her) I have seen her blossom into this amazing young lady. And even with every freak out over "Why won't this stupid wig stay where it is supposed to go?!" and "OMG! These stupid bobby pins, I hate them! (insert sound of bobby pins being thrown onto the hardwood floor "PING!") I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love this crazy sister/brotherhood that we have become members of and one day, her work will pay off and she will make it to Worlds. Until then I am going to enjoy the ride.

UNW, Cheers!

Sammee

Onwards and upwards to Week 6: Transportation