One Camera. One Lens. One Photo a Day.

Another rainy afternoon…

Today’s lone portrait session got cancelled.

It wasn’t supposed to rain today, but the weather patterns obviously changed.

I figured I would get my One photo at that portrait but it wasn’t to be.

Instead, I was surprised by what I found today.

I took a new camera out to run some film through it as a quick test and was out on the soggy patio taking some photos of the scene there.

At first I didn’t notice the yellow mantis (I believe that’s what it is — but I could be wrong) on the leaf.  It startled me and I did a double take — at first it blended in with the scenery but some movement must have caught me out of the corner of my eye.

What a little gift.

I finished with the other camera and went to grab the 5d m2 and the 50 for the blog.  I wouldn’t be able to get as close as I was with the other lens on the other camera, but I actually liked that this lens got me close enough, but also still allowed me to get some context with the leafs of the plant.

Again, being in action of making photographs led to a little pleasant surprise.

Marlee and Kate, decorating Halloween cupcakes…

Kate and her little buddy Marlee had a blast (and got a huge sugar high) as they spread frosting on cupcakes.

But I think they probably ate as much frosting as ended up on the cupcakes…but they sure had a blast.

Pounding Rain…

This afternoon, right after lunch, the rain came down in torrents.

I made this image from the car as I was close to home — in the time it took me to make these images the inside of the front door got awfully wet.

The rain made for a winter like day, and cancelled a couple of sessions.

Trinity Bleu against blue…

She’s not quite a year old, but she’s already walking.

Having a one year old at home, too, I recognize the same little style of walking.

Almost like a mini Frankenstein is how they move at this stage.

It’s so fleeting too.  Sparky is already getting more sure of foot as I’m sure Trinity will too.  Give her about a month.

I’m noticing too, that watching Spark grow up is a totally different experience than it was with Kate.  Maybe it was just that it was all so new, we were so unsure of what we were doing, that we didn’t enjoy it as much the first time around.

This time it’s different.  Much more relaxed and enjoying the little stages not only because they’re his, but because they will be the last one’s we’ll experience since we don’t plan on having any more children.

This time around that age one time frame is hugely enjoyable — and so nice that I was able to photograph Trinity as she is experiencing it for herself.

Hands of the Triplets…

Today I photographed my favorite set of triplets as they came and visited their Dad (an OC firefighter) at his work.

Kids always amaze me in how they take the most simple thing — here basically holding on a door — and turning it into a game (all under the close and watchful eye of their Dad).

But what I really loved is the tattoo on the right– to me that helped make the photo.

And thankfully there was just the perfect break in the day’s rain drops — I was worried that this session might get rained out — with the end of the Kids of OC project getting close, I was glad to stay on schedule.

Brick or Treat, Legoland…

Kate watches a portion of the Best Costume contest at Legoland north of San Diego, this evening, when we were on a family outing.

Our friend Jodi was there with the twins Tavin and Jorryn and Kate had a good time with them.

Between eating her dinner (here) she and the twins created their own games which consisted of playing climbing games on bales of hay (one of which Kate is standing on in this photo).

I loved Tavin’s costume — one part Spiderman, one part Superman cape — which would drive a real comic book fan crazy (Marvel vs. DC)!

Rain drops on 4Runner, Ladera Ranch…

We got hit with rain today and it made for a bit of a change of pace from our usual October.

Fortunately no portraits scheduled for today or they would surely have to be rescheduled.

Nigel, Salt Creek….

I love this little guy’s soulful expressions.  This portrait was made in front of the mural on the bridge at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point.

Even though the day was socked in, the light was incredible and just wraps around his face and eyes and helps make the colors explode.

Cole from a Kids of OC portrait session…

Today I photographed Colleen’s family including Cole, who’s almost 8.

He’s the comedian of the family, and while this is kind of a serious portrait, there were a ton of laughs and smiles (and faces, too).

I love how he chose to appear in this image — the result of taking a hip hop dance class and wearing clothes like this because of the class.

The Williams family, Salt Creek Beach…

Today’s session was for a family we’ve known for quite a while — Frank and Cori from Arizona and their sons Teague and Darius.

Frank and Cori are both photographers and I used to work with Cori at the Arizona Republic.

The boys had their mid session school break so they were able to get over from AZ to spend time at the beach and also to visit Legoland and Disneyland (of course!).

We’ve been planning the session for a while, since knowing that they’re coming for vacation, and though the weather was a bit cloudy, the light still was amazing.

This image was made with the 50mm lens, though cropped to a slightly different aspect ratio (2:1 rather than 2:3) to emphasize the reflections and the family.

It was great to see them and I’m so glad that they made time during their visit to have the family photographed.  It’s something that Nicki and I do every year at least once because I want the kids to have pictures of them WITH their Dad not just MADE by their Dad.