someone stop me!

i can't stop.
these girls are so darn cute. maybe this should have been my “sisterhood” post.
you can see how much they love each other.

so lucky.

slaven family : sneak peek 2

whew!
over a thousand images later, and i'm still not through editing! i got some keepers though.
it would be difficult to not get beautiful pictures of this family. i think you'll see what i mean.

i have a lot of families who've wanted fall pictures with the leaves in the background. and with winter approaching that opportunity is fading fast. having just taken some photos in the same location this past weekend, i was wondering if they'd be too similar. but every family is different, every shoot is different, and their photos are completely unique to them. it really doesn't even look like the same place.

i love that!
and i'd love to hear what you guys think of these!!!

slaven family : sneak peek

this evening i had the pleasure of photographing a beautiful family with two of the most mild mannered and sweet young ladies i've ever met. so darling. and their son—what a handful—is such a handsome boy. although he goes like crazy, i was able to catch some sweet moments. the kind of moments that mothers treasure... because in the craziness of raising children, it's these still moments where we can take a deep breath and appreciate their sweetness.

so here's one of my favorites from this shoot... more to come tomorrow, so check back!

big skies

something i didn't realize i missed when i lived in the big city was being able to see the sky.
of course, you can see the sky when you live in a big city, but when there are no buildings, freeway overpasses and people in your way, you get to see so much more of it! i think that's why montana is called “big sky” country. in idaho we have big skies too. its one of my favorite things about this place. i love watching the weather roll in... and out. i love being able to see the dramatic clouds.

with greater expanse, the sky becomes an equally prominent part of the landscape.
a diptych.

These pictures were taken in the evening as I drove to costco to pick up some odds and ends a coulpe days ago. i love that this is my scenery. i love the fields, the grasses, the cows, and sky. even though i rush through most days, i can still find some room to breath on a simple trip to costco...

sisterhood

this is my photo response to today's shutter sisters post about what represents sisterhood for us.

this is about as close to sisterhood as I'll ever get.

these friends understand me in a way only another mother can. they make me laugh, as you can see, even when i feel like crying. they are who i call with the good news and the bad news. they are my emergency contacts!

to me, that's sisterhood.

and it's funny, when i took this picture this past summer, i named it "ya ya sisterhood".
it reminds me of those crazy ladies.

i'm so lucky to have that in my life.

little feet

lately i've been struck by just how big my littlest dude is getting. he's not a baby anymore, despite my efforts to halt the hands of time. not even close. we are in full-on toddler mode, attitude and all!
i'm afraid my last baby has all but gone...

i really wanted to get the perfect picture of him sleeping in his crib. i sneak in and try but the minute i click, he's staring me in the eye and not so very happy with me. i just want to remember. and i've never captured that image, except in my head... where i can see each of my babies and how they slept. their favorite positions, unique to each of them.

and then there are the little feet. oh, how i love their little feet. sweet baby feet. toes curled. soft and pink.

i took these pictures with my 50mm f/1.4 and they turned out how i see them in my minds eye, which rarely happens. usually what i get from the camera is something new and different.
but these are a little fuzzy, soft, just the tip in focus, just like we remember things. it's like how we can remember some details but the rest is kind of filled in by what we know. but still, we remember the details so acutely that, for me —as a mother—it makes my heart ache.

i feel this way about each of my children. and i don't know why, but their tiny feet remind me that they are only small for such a short period of time.

and before long, their feet will be so scary you won't want to kiss them anymore.

but these feet, i still want to kiss.

she cut her hair!

this little angel's mommy told me that the day after our shoot, the little girl cut all her hair off!
you see people, capture the moments while they last!

here are a few more to help her mother remember those beautiful curls.

vincelli sneak peek

ok, here are few more from saturday's shoot with lovely michelle and her two little tornados.

this was at the harrington farms. thanks mucho to you guys for letting us use your grounds for pictures!

i love the red barn and the rows of trees were gorgeous. they made for some beautiful colors in the backgrounds. but we lost our light earlier than i had anticipated and, of course, little children get cold pretty quickly. not to mention me! my fingers started getting stiff... and it really wasn't that cold. but after an hour and a half of corralling these two kiddos and playing hard, i think their mama was just about tuckered out.

they keep her busy, there's no doubt about that!

i think we got a few keepers though. i'd love to hear what you guys think!

oh, and check out the one on the very bottom, right. the drool! 
i love it. so real.

ok, and here's one more of this sweet leaf eating babe.

sassy pants

can you tell how much i love photographing little girls? especially the sassy ones.
i don't get much of the frilly things, pink things, or flowery things around my house with four dudes and all of that testosterone. so i welcome it with open arms for the hour or two of shooting... and then i get to hand it back, which can be nice too.

but the hair! the sunlit hair. you gotta love it!

so i love it when these adorable little girls are all decked out in their precious outfits. i cant help it. i think that's why the big G didn't give me any girls. He knew we'd go broke with me buying all the pretty little girl things!

and this little thing is seriously sassy! she barely stopped moving the entire shoot, but i think these images really show her energy (Lord help her mother!) and sass!

she's beautiful.

here's just a teaser... more to come.

the elusive one

ok, just a few more from the smith shoot this past thursday.

they have FIVE kids, one of which was really good at avoiding me! little H wasn't very into having his picture taken, and by the time the shoot was over, i was thinking i might have to get some more time with him by himself sometime later.

i was pleasantly surprised when i saw how well these turned out. he's a little version of his daddy.
kinda serious until you get to know him.

love, love, love the buzz cut!
and i have another sneak peek from yesterday's shoot coming later today or this evening, so stay tuned!

a few more...

here are a few more from the shoot, still only through the first 300 images... 200 more to go!

and here are a few of Jen and the youngest baby, Ian. i have to say how beautiful jen looks! so happy, so vibrant. every mom needs beatuful pictures of herself with her kids! it helps make up for all the days when you feel gross because you've been spit-up on, boogered on, peed on... seriousy, sometimes i wonder why i even shower. raising young kids can be a gross job!

you'd never know it by lookin' at these though!

perfectly imperfect: smith sneak peek

i've been editing photos all night. i can't tear myself away. i would be here all night if i knew my whole family wouldn't hate me in the morning... so i'm going to sign off tonight with an image from this afternoon's shoot that, well, if i were her mother... i think it would make me cry.

this image isn't perfect.
i don't do perfect.
i've tried, but it's never worked out for me. but really, i'm really ok with not perfect, if this is what that is. the light might seem strange, the color washed. but i don't know, there's just something about this photo. for me anyway.

i'd love to hear what y'all think though...

more to come smiths! i promise.

this is my morning

this is what i long for every morning.

most days i have to wait until the kids go down for naps in the afternoon to get my time in front of my computer, check on clients, emails, a little facebook (terrible addiction, i know) and enjoy a hot cup of coffee. it's something i've loved since college and from my first day as a professional designer. in to work early in the morning, things are quiet & chilly, getting settled in, my hot cuppa joe (did i mention how much i love my coffee?), and getting started on my creative endeavors. just me and my mac.

i love this and i love that hubby accommodates for the most part.


i also have to plug the new starbucks via , as you can see i'm enjoying here in the photo.
i really like it!
it's better than their drip, no joke! and, really, it must be pretty darn good if i went for this instead of making myself a latté!


so this is also my creative contribution to the blog today.
i hope you've found your moment today.

Holiday House 2009

here's a little thing i like to do come november. this is a fabulous place to go and find handmade gifts that are so, so cute and fun. just in time for Christmas!!!

a few things i remember from last year... jewelry, custom wall art, aprons, diaper bags, burp cloths, fudge, did i mention fudge? yes, fudge, really fabulous fudge, darling hair ribbons for little girls, the most wonderful hand creme, candles... the list goes on.

a great way to spend a weekend morning or afternoon.
ppssst. they served treats last year too! i hope they are doing that again since i mentioned it!

go to the Holiday House Blog for more info!

sweet boy

weekend mornings with my family are my favorite time. hubby makes pancakes and sausage, and i get to sit with my hot coffee and contemplate the day ahead. usually the kids are running around in pajamas, or somewhere in between pj's and clothes. and just before i hop in the shower i look at my bed and often wish i could crawl back in.

this day sawyer was sitting there in the beautiful morning light and i could not resist. what this image doesn't capture is the soft pink of his baby skin, ahem, toddler skin. i'm still in denial that he is growing up, so humor me. but i do love that it captures the light that streams through my window that time of day, beckoning me to get a move on.

and my little dude... i caught the rare moment of contemplation and stillness. they don't come 'round that often these days. he moves a mile a minute, and is growing too fast.

i love this moment.

and here are the moments that didn't quite make the "center stage" cut....

recipe: berry crumb bars

ok, i'm sitting here with my hot coffee on a gorgeous fall day and i'm needing these.
i might kill someone at this moment for these. 

i haven't made them since last fall, and with our recent nudge toward gluten-free, not sure i'll be attempting it for some time. the baking season is upon us and i'm having some sadness (ok, a lot of saddness) over the gluten-free thing.

what about the pies?
my famous cinnamon rolls?
sugar cookies?
oy!

and these.

eventually, after i wallow a bit, i'll get over it and go for it.
but, meanwhile, i thought i'd pass the love on. these will make your day! enjoy...

no, i'm not crying. yet.

berry crumb bars:
1 cup white sugar
t tsp baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup COLD butter (2 sticks)
1 egg
1/4 tsp salt
lemon zest
4 cups fresh berries (use your favorite, or whatever is in season)
1/2 cup white sugar
4 tsp cornstarch

preheat oven to 375˚
grease 9 x 13 pan


in medium bowl, mix together sugar, flour & baking powder. mix in salt & lemon zest. use pastry cutter to blend in butter & egg. dough should be crumbly. pat half of dough into the prepared pan. in another bowl, stir together 1/2 C sugar & cornstarch. gently mix in berries. sprinkle evenly over the crust. crumble the remaining dough over berries. 
bake at 375˚ for 45 minutes, or until top is slightly browned.


*** at this point you can either eat it piping hot with some vanilla ice cream, or wait until it cools and cut into bars.
(a versatile dessert, just what i like.)


so easy!
i could have made some in the time it took to type it out!
oh yeah, the gluten-free thing....

to texture or not to texture? that is the question

ok, so i have an itsy bitsy tiny aversion to crafty-like attributes appied to photography. i'll admit that sometimes they can be fun (i emphasize the word "fun"), but in most cases, for me anyway, i find it can cheapen the look. it's like a cheap thrill. it's like a trendy logo. if it's a great logo, or design, then it can stand the test of time. that said, if the crafty-like application is the only merit the image has, then go for it. but my general thought is that photography, for photography sake, should stand on it's own.

so what made me want to explore this? the designer in me.

i guess that might be why my images seem so, well, graphic. not pretty, not soothing, not ansel adams-ish. they are bold, most often, simple, vibrant... things that i like graphically impact my images. and you know me, love the cheap thrills. that said, i went ahead and gave it a try.

so you can see the untextured version in my last post... and then there's this.

now, i know which i prefer. i do have to admit that i like the depth that adding texture can impart... but enough about me.

i'd like your opinion. do you have one?

boise river in the fall

this is definitely one of the prime locations for photos these days. the boise river is absolutely gorgeous this time of year, and i'm sure you can see why. the colors are magnificent, and the enjoyment you get from being there... well, it just shows.

my family and i hung out there a bit this afternoon, had snacks and went to zen bento for a quick lunch. love, love, love zen bento.

i have a couple families who are still looking for a fall-ish spot for their shoots, and i think this might just be it!

hubby even took a few photos!  :-)

rain & puddles

i sat waiting for my oldest son after school yesterday, parked in my warm car about a block away from his school. it was raining hard when i picked him up, so i was certain he would rush to the car.

oh no... he took his sweet time, jumping in every puddle along the way, running around with his arms out and just plain loving the rain. it occurred to me that in our busy lives, we rarely get out and just play in the rain. this is really something all kids should do. jump in the mud puddles and get soaking wet!

well, he did just that.

everyone had left but the crossing guard, who was picking up her cones, and laughing at my son.
and so was i!

he was having too much fun to be disgruntled with him. and i just had to take some pictures.
here are my favorites.

location, location, location...

ok, all you folks trying to decide where to have your family pictures taken, here are some locations i've visited this past week. i've been on the hunt for the perfect barn, and guess what, i think i found TWO!

take a gander at these pictures and just try to imagine your sweet little faces in there somehow...

here’s the first: red barn
check out these beautiful textures! ok, i know i got a little carried away with the barn shots and got a little creative... such a cool barn!!! but still, you can imagine, right?

here's the second: brown barn
wonderful east facing, warm afternoon light here. great texture, once again, and a fabulous fence across the way with a serene rural backdrop. am i selling it or what?!

and last but not least...
the white fence.
can you guys tell i'm a total sucker for great organic texture?
love, love, love the crackly paint on this beautiful fence. and how crisp it would translate to black & white!

also, i took some photos at katherine albertson park this past weekend that turned out nice as well. so consider that location too...

just had to

i just had to post this picture of my middle dude. this is great effect. eerie, but cool.

the high res has such fabulous resolution, you can see my reflection in his pupils.

fyi: i'm shooting with a canon50D, 15mp. and there was absolutely zero done to his eyes or skin.
enjoy.

a walk in the park

this afternoon we decided to pack the kids up and head down to Katherine Albertson Park for a little walk. littlest dude isn't feeling so hot so he stayed bundled in the stroller while the other two frolicked in the leaves and scared the geese. i wouldn't suggest the latter since it's a wildlife sanctuary. some onlookers looked as if they wished we'd shut the he** up. but that's how me and the crew roll these days... like the tornado.

i'm certain the geese & squirrels are glad we've left.

but i did shoot a few pictures. it was noon, so the light wasn't all that great. shadows all over the place. not to mention the big dark circles under my kiddos' eyes. they all looked like they could sleep for days. fat chance of convincing them of that, though.

the leaves are starting to turn, which we all love. but the cold is starting to set in too, which means blue lips. seriously. little kid's lips turn blue pretty quick when they get a chill and that makes for some interesting color correction.

well, i better sign off... littlest dude has ben in bed all of five minutes and has started coughing and crying.

it's gonna be a long night.

nighty night.

remembering the first day of school

well, the extreme elation of sending my kids to school at the end of a long, hot summer has worn off.

don't get me wrong. i still love that they are going to school and i'm having some time to myself. but the newness is wearing off. the days are getting shorter and it's starting to feel like the regular chaos of Fall is taking it's toll.

but looking at these pictures of my kids and neighbor kids reminds me of those squeaky clean, polished little people and how happy i was to send them off. now i just really want us to all stay in our pajamas and hang out at home all day... for several days.

maybe sunday.

ah well,
just look at those spit-shined children... gorgeous. and you know that last one... she's gonna be trouble, and i have a feeling it won't be just for her parents! (& i bet they are saying the same thing about the first one!)

Preschool Pumpkin Patch Day

this morning was our annual preschool pumpkin patch day.

a million preschoolers.
all of their mothers, and some fathers too.
complete chaos.
lots-o-mud.
no coffee, too big a rush... and we were still late. (that's an annual tradition as well, it seems.)
and no sunglasses because i was behind the camera most of the time. (all of the years staring at a computer screen have taken a toll).

and, holy cow, do i have a monster of a headache.
it could have been any of the aforementioned details. but it really doesn't matter. i'm home, unthawing, cozied up to my venti soy latté, and things are looking up. no one here has the swine flu yet, either. but that's a totally different story. and dang-it! why do I have to go and jinx myself like that?

it's a beautiful Fall day, and by looking at the pictures, you'd never know it started out so rough.
enjoy....

poke!

all i keep picturing in my head (they are sleeping right now) is my boys' sweet faces scruntched up, blotchy and screaming, with tears running down red cheeks. they got poked a few times each today at the doctor's office. my youngest got his immunizations and a flu shot, and my middle child got his flu shot and a hib #4.

yuck.
sorry boys.
so, it was a good excuse (as good as any) to post some pictures of them happy, or lat least not in pain.
enjoy.

remembering summer

i'm not really missing the hot, hot weather. 

in fact i'm reveling in Fall. 

I love it. 

the crock pot is going, the house smells like heaven. pumpkins will soon appear on my porch and mantle. i love this time of year. 

but with this new blog comes the obligation to post something interesting, right? and what some of my blog readers (yoo hoo, are you out there?) don't know, is that i was happily clicking away most of the summer during my work sabbatical. i really enjoyed having some time to immerse myself into my photography (ok i was—and still am—a little obsessed).

a good friend of mine needed some family photos and i was more than willing to oblige.

we had so much fun, romping around in a field with her beautiful children. i knew i wanted to do a shoot in the tall wheat, before it was mowed. and, quite literally, that night we asked the farmer if we could take our pictures as he harvested. in fact, some of the photos taken that day are in a field that was already stubble. and boy howdy, did my legs pay for it!

the photos turned out really well. i'm very pleased. and i think my friend was as well. enjoy!

October

and the sun was still shining... until today. which was fine with me. but luckily enough, yesterday i had a few minutes to stop by an old shed i drive by nearly everyday, and i took some pictures. every time i drive by i think to myself how beautiful the rusting corrugated metal is, how i'd like to take someone's picture there. yesterday was the perfect afternoon to stop. it was late and the light was like honey. all gold and warm. and i knew it wouldn't stay like this for long. alas, today we have rain, lots of it. which is fine with me. i come from seattle and portland where the rainy days made an imprint on my genes, i swear. if i don't get my rain, i start to go a little crazy. and finally, after a long long summer and lots of heat, it seems fall has arrived.

but these photos make me feel warm still.

hope you enjoy them.

First Post! I guess this is where I start...

my name is Dannie, and I've been a designer/art director for the past (do I want to reveal my age just yet? oh, what the heck.) 15 years. i'm also a stay at home mom to three boys, all under the age of 6. this can be a bit scary at times. 

here are few things about myself...

having three boys, all very close together has probably killed off more brain cells than I'd like to admit. what I've gained, however, by being a mother is immeasurable—except for my increasing girth which could be measured, but it would be devastating.

I can't have a conversation and do anything else. usually it's the conversation that must fall to the wayside while i finish up whatever i'm doing. it drives my husband and friends nuts.

oh, but i'm a multi-tasker! i can do 15 things at once—can't ALL mother?

i work, sometimes crazy hours, as a freelance art director doing everything from good ol' print to interactive. I say "crazy" because i have no childcare, never have (except for a 1 month stint of 10 hours a week). and sometimes i'll work a 30 hour week. crazy. i love to cook, eat, garden, and take pictures...

this blog is about my oldest passion and my recent confidence to pursue it: photography. but it's also about me. so you'll probably find a wide collection of things from plants, what's for dinner & desert, mothering, and an occasional gripe—all chronicled by my photos. i pray that i don't bore you. but i guess that's the good thing about a blog. you don't have to visit if you don't want to. but then again, my chaos could make yours seem a whole lot more tolerable!

and i look forward to meeting women like myself: trying to be creative, trying not to drown in laundry, trying to get through a day and learning to be the best version of yourself.

wish me luck!