Blueberries in the barrel

So here's a set of photos that I'm calling "Blueberries in the barrel".  I got this cute hat at Target for $3 clearance & knew I wanted to get Jessie in it somehow.  I have seen a lot of real photographers using fruit & berries in their photos lately, so here's my version.  Not perfect, but pretty cute for pics of my nature girl, who still prefers to be nude & run wild in the yard.  The blueberries were a great distraction for my picture taking & I actually got some that I think are good.  What will the girls think when they look back on all these pics??  Mommy was is crazy, perhaps :)  Enjoy & have a wonderful day!

**Photography tips--when using multiple props, ie--barrel, hat, jar, make sure your field is deep enough.  I shot these at a f4.0 thinking that would be fine, but I should have done a 4.5 to ensure her face & eyes were tack sharp--that's the one down side to my 85mm lens, it focuses so well, sometimes it's too focused on an unintended area b/c it's smarter than I am--also just in case you're curious, I got her & the background a pretty color & then went in with elastic selection tool to hand process the barrel with a curve adjustment layer--that way the barrel didn't look washed out & unnatural**

I tried to give this one a blue matte process...what do you think??  I thought it looked French or something

Love

Matte process, I like it, maybe better, can't decide??

Would have been cuter, had she not spilled all the blueberries onto her dress, but oh well

Baby girl know how to chow down on some blueberries

Her face is slightly not as sharp as I would have liked, see the barrel & hat brim are more sharp, my bad---& that's why I'm just a "momtographer"

I really like this one, I grant you her mouth is open, but it's still good for a pic of Jessie these days

I think my favorite...

The hat fell down at this point, but I thought why not keep going a little

Also very cute, love her little feet in this one & the fact she's shoving so many berries in her mouth, very Jess!

2 sisters

It's so hard to get a pic of both girls together...I have tried & tried.  Here are a few of them in the same pic--not perfect & not even that good, but at least I'll have them for posterity.  Jessie is always on the go & doesn't sit still for very long & Ella, well, baby girl is a teething mess so everything goes in her mouth.  If I am honest, they both are constantly putting things in their mouth...so this is my problem.  I would describe their relationship as follows:

• Ella wants to do whatever her sister does
• Jessie is not so sure about her little playmate at times & can be kind of mean
• Ella loves & idolizes her sister
• Jessie likes "Buba"(rhymes with Tuba) as she calls her sister & they do like to laugh together
• Jessie knows she's the big sissy & will share with her lil' sis
• We do struggle with sharing on both sides just depends on the day
• They love to run around the yard together...mostly in a diaper & naked, which is why I don't share many of those pics
• They will share food pretty well

Those are just some of my observations that I will want to remember in the future.  I will say that they are becoming better at entertaining each other & seem to enjoy each other's company more & more.  Enjoy some pics of them--at least in the same picture & have a great day!

This one is pretty good 

Jessie was about to bolt, but it could have been cute...she's a tad out of focus

Whatcha eatin' sissy??

I think the ones where their positions mimic each other are funny

Another similar position...almost like a dance move of some kind

"Speak no evil" pose

I grant you my focus was not on Jessie...but still cute

Jessie is eating a leaf, but it's still probably the best one as far as getting them to look at me & both in focus

I actually think this is pretty cute

A lingerie shower for Jen

This past weekend I had the fun task of throwing a shower for my sweet friend Jen.  Jen is truly one of the most beautiful people inside & out that you will meet.  She is also a very smart lady, having just completed her PhD & she has recently began a high power job with a pharmaceutical company as a Medical Science Liason--impressive right?  Our small group ladies all got together to give Ms. Jen a lingerie shower.  Well, me being the true Southern woman I am, had to do it up right.  I just loved planning & making this nice for our lovely Jen.  If I've ever met a bride who deserved a special night it is her.  So here are a few pics of the night as it went down at my home.  We all had a fabulous time & I think Jen really enjoyed herself.  It was a great joy for me to host such a wonderful bride & group of ladies.  We love you Jen & wish you & Tim a lifetime of happiness together as husband & wife.

Menu:

Chicken picatta

Phyllo wrapped Asparagus

Eggplant crostini

Fruit plate

"Naughty" sugar cookies

Angel Lush

Champagne "Seduction" cocktail--my creation for the bride:)

My MIL gave these beautiful snack plates to me & this seemed like the perfect time to use them

It was a sea of pink & white

Feather boa, lanterns & fresh flowers...seems like a lingerie shower to me

Yeah, I did use panties to decorate my mantle

The table coming together

Angel lush

The "naughty" sugar cookies....yep, they look like bra/panties

Eggplant crostini

Chicken picatta & phyllo wrapped asaparagus

Not a party without a cocktail

Pretty, right??

Beautiful bride with her cocktail & look at Michelle..beautiful smile :)

Listening to details about the Maui honeymoon & discussing her sweet fiance

Bride cutting the cake

I just liked this one with her hand

The discussion got really interesting....hehehe..gotta give the bride some advice for the honeymoon

I won't embarrass the bride by revealing what was in these bags, but let's just say that Tim will be pleased--& just so everyone knows I gave the most risque lingerie...I pride myself in doing this at all showers :)

Isn't she pretty??  We love you Jen!