Maybe there is still hope

After countless hours (no, I am not willing to admit how many) I finally figured out how to download some free actions into PS8 to use.  I also figured out how the texture thing works too - just need to figure out how to get more of those "freebies" too.  This is called a seventies action - quite appropriate to go along with the huge sunglasses.  Now, if I can just remember how to do it again next time....

Spring Break Photo Gallery

Cades Cove was closed - what???? Yes, for the first time in 30 years they decided to pave the entire loop and close the park.  Carson was very disappointed and we were too - we drove all the way out there to find it closed - had we read the newspaper we picked up at the visitors center on our way into the Smoky Mountains we wouldn't have found ourselves in that predicament - but we never claimed to be too smart!  Our Smoky Mountain drive was fun, though.

Carson checking out the stream in the Smoky Mountains - the water was very, very cold.

Trying to not slip and fall in.

We stopped at the top look out and both kids had their electronic gadets with them - so different than when I was a kid.

Obviously my settings didn't get changed when I tried to capture the snow in the mountains - but I actaully thought it turned out very different and unique so it is a keeper.

Carson isn't the bravest kid in the world (unlike his sister who will try anything) - so when he asked if he could ride the bull in Cherokee, NC, we knew the answer had to be yes.  He started off slow but we finally convinced him to go faster - until he fell off :)

Sometimes the best pictures are the ones when the subject has no idea you are snapping away.

The story behind this one....someone was goofing off while we explored the streams in the Smoky Mountains and took a big chunk off of her big toe when jumping off a log...the first aid kit in the car was finally put to good use.  She was more worried about the polish on her toes.

Icesicles coming off the mountains.

One of our first stops on Saturday  morning was to the Coach store - someone had money to burn and it wasn't me - a certain 13 year old now owns 3 real Coach purses and her mother doesn't have a single one.

Carson playing outside of our cabin.

Some of the best pictures come from simple things in nature...I guess this is moss...growing in the woods outside of our cabin.  It is really unique and it doesn't complain when I take a picture of it.

Bristol Photo Gallery

Carson is obsessed with Matt Kenseth so we took plenty of pictures of him going around the track.

Lee Greenwood on the big screen...probably a staple at every Bristol spring race but no one gets tired of hearing him perform God Bless The USA...we have had tickets for around 10 years and every year we go I think he performs.

Racing about ready to begin

We had to take some pictures of Tony Stewart for Mackenzie, too.

More Racing...oh, I forgot to mention - it was chilly on race day - not exactly shorts weather this year - some people didn't plan ahead so well and had to be cold.  It never rained much - just enough periodic drizzle to be an inconveience.

Several empty seats at the track this year - first time I ever remember it not being packed.

And then, there is me....I get bored at the race - seriously, yes!  I can only turn my neck back and forth so many times watching the cars go around and around...so what caught my attention this year?  All of the photographers and their equipment.  Check out this picture below?  I wonder how many thousands of dollars worth of equipment he has here?  I could get some good sports shots with that camera.  You can't see it but he has another camera laying down beside him - this entertained me for quite some time.

Spring Break

It was so nice to have a few days of R&R...well, not necessarily very relaxing as we stayed very busy but it was at least a change of pace and scenery - I love getting away - doesn't really matter where to - just something different from time to time and spending time with my husband and kids.  Never mind the road trip "he's touching me", "she's looking at me", type comments on a 5 hour drive - but the memories we are making that we will have for a lifetime - and it sure is going by quick!

Vintage Photography

Vintage Photography?  Nope....didn't start out that way.  Started out as a color image with a shadow and a dear friend of mine agreed to work with it in Photoshop...and wallah....what do we have?  According to Stacey, an adorable vintage photograph.  I didn't see it that way until she made that comment and I absolutely love it.

Procrastination

Probably one of my biggest pet-peeves and I find myself being guilty of this word way too often these days.  Note to self that I must work on this.  This weeks procrastination is posting new pictures from my sessions over the weekend. Why?  Because blogging is new to me and I know it will take me way longer to do than it should and I will get frustrated - but that is what this is all about - learning something new.  It will get easier - I promise myself that.

Perfect example of why I procratinate:  why is the picture that I have posted not showing the edited version?  Who knows.....the edge of the fabric background was cropped out in the final version but shows up here....let the frustration begin.  I will figure it out one of these days.  I am just glad to get a 2nd post going.  On a much more positive note, somebody specail (baby N) is getting ready to turn ONE in a very few short weeks.  I dug this Tonka truck out of Carson's closet to use in the pictures.  I honestly didn't even know if we still had it or not.  N seemed to really have fun with it - if they still make them I am on a mission to find one for his birthday present.  Note to self:  This one is still metal - I bet they are made of plastic by now.

Until I am brave enough again for a 3rd post attempt - have a wonderful remainder of the week.  Kristie

My First Post

Well, it is official.  I now have a blog.  I won't share with you how long it took me to get this going - way longer than I care to mention.  Onward and  upward - there is still quite a bit of weekend left.  I wanted a way to share my journey with family and friends - my journey from becoming a "wanna be" photographer to I AM a photographer.  To all my fellow co-workers at Blue - no worries, you still get to see me on a daily basis - you aren't lucky enough to get rid of me - this isn't going to replace my "real" job.  From time-to-time I will share pictures from recent photo sessions or snap shots of happenings in the daily life of the Farmer household.  Tomorrow - 3 babies on the agenda:  Baby T @ 3 months (I was lucky enough to capture her newborn photos), Baby C @ 2 1/2 months, and Baby N @ almost a year for birthday party invite photos.

Until then, I will leave you with a quote I probably should listen to: 

The quickest way to make  money at photography is to sell your camera.  Anonymous