This past week I was out of town for a mini break before starting my new job and got to indulge in some photography. Since I have been pretty busy with learning everything for the new job, I don't have time to put together a really thought out post. So, here are some pictures I took on my break.
I've been doing some shoots lately trying to improve my skills. And since my computer got updated I decided to get a nice new monitor that makes editing soooo much easier. I had like a small I don't know 15 inch monitor? Small I know but I rarely used the PC for anything. Now that I have been shooting more that ancient monitor was not cutting it.
I just wanted to show you a few photos from some recent shoots. I am still learning how to do everything, but I think I have improved a bunch!
Its been a week since I have been back from my vacation to Hawaii and I still think I have not adjusted to the change. While I was there, I got a few texts that I was missing all the snow in Houston and of course I had to text back with a picture of me laying out on the beach :) Cruel, I know.
This whole trip I was so busy behind the camera that I almost forgot to get a picture of hubs and I. This was taken before the sunset picture above. I just realized I look like I'm pregnant in this picture (which by the way I am totally not). I guess its just the way the dress is cut and the angle of the picture. Oh well.I am sure by now you all know that I love photography, so when I saw these images this morning I had to blog about them. Now ScarJo isn't one of my girl crushes, but with these images, I think she moved up a few spots. Here are ScarJo's pictures for UK's Harper's Bazaar January 2010.
Images from Magxone.com
ScarJo is talking about her charity work in Africa on the second to last picture. I love that she is dressed in (product) RED clothes to raise awareness.
What do you think about this spread? Is ScarJo one of your girl crushes? If so, why? If not, who is one of your girl crushes?
Yup, it isn't even December yet and I got my Christmas present from hubs. We normally don't do super big gifts for Christmas or any occasion really, but he knew I've had my eye on a pretty lens for my camera for a long time. And because I am a person that takes a long time to make big purchases, he surprised me by being sneaky and asking my friends which one I wanted and made the purchase. He had to give it to me over the weekend because I was expecting to borrow my friend's lens for our trip but she really needed it for work but only told me I could borrow hers to buy time for my lens from hubs to come in. :) I have great friends and a great hubs. :) I will get to play with my new toy in Hawaii on Wednesday, Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L.
And as I browsed some more I came across one of my favorite books from when I was younger and couldn't help but pick it up for her. I know she can't read this yet, but I am sure her mom will read it to her and with in due time she will be able to read it on her own.
Image from BarnesandNoble.com
I loved all of Shel Silverstein's poems, especially "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout would not take the garbage out".
Did you do any early Christmas shopping with all the sales that went on over the weekend? What are some of your childhood favorite books?
P.S. I am leaving on vacation on Wednesday and I don't think I will have time for another post before I leave. Have a great week everyone!
OK I promise not to overload you guys with my pictures, but I couldn't help but post a few more pictures from the shoot I did over the weekend. I am dying to get out and shoot again this week with the gorgeous weather, but it has been getting dark so early that it is hard for me to make some time. I really want to take a few shots of a couple this Friday around sunset, now my problem is FINDING that couple.
...and because I always save the best for last, my fave.
Something about the simplicity of a black and white photo just draws me to it. Here is one I took over the weekend.
I love the nice weather we have been having in Texas because that means I can go outdoors and shoot! Hopefully I can find sometime after work this week to do some more. And find some time to learn how to use Photoshop :)
I haven't been very motivated lately. Maybe its because I've fallen into the same old routine with work and coming home. Life is too short to go from day to day doing the same un-inspiring things. So at 8:30 AM this morning, feeling a mix of "un-inspiredness" and a case of the Monday blues, my mind ran across all these nifty things I would like to do with my life.
What are you inspired by? Whatever it is, I hope you have the confidence to go out and do it. Hopefully I will be there soon.
Sometimes I dread buying people gifts because I try really hard to find something that they would like. I am pretty good at remembering random things people say that they want, so sometimes I am lucky and can find just that. But other times I am left searching tons of stores for a month. I literally looked for a particular "just because" gift for 2 months. Something about giving a person a gift they love gives me so much joy.
But sometimes the greatest gift is a perfect moment, one that you makes you smile from ear to ear. My latest simple, but perfect moments:
-Laying on your shoulder on Sunday evening helping you with your Sudoku,
-You re-enacting my favorite scene from Superbad,
-When people in your network group say, "I've heard so much about his wife, so glad to finally meet you"
These are the moments that I hope I will remember when I am old and gray, especially the Superbad one. It makes me fall in love with you a little more each time.
Life gets busy and we sometimes forget to give ourselves a gift every now and then. It doesn't have to be something material, but remember to take time for yourself and do something you love. I took some time out to take photos of our little cousin, a little something for his mom, but also for me. Capturing his innocence.
**The first picture looks a little grainy, I may have to update it tonight with the actual file.
After the wedding in Playa del Carmen, we decided to switch hotels to an all inclusive resort that was rated with 5 stars. Upon your arrival you get a cool towel and a fruity drink or champagne. I guess there are still lots of people afraid to go to Mexico and that's why the resort was only at 30% capacity when normally during this time of year they are at 80%.
After the bellboy shows you to your room, and you have about 5 minutes to look around your suite (all the rooms are suites), your butler comes to show you how to use the room. Yes, it is necessary because the room's A/C and lights run on a motion sensor. He also shows you the minibar which can be costumized to whatever you want, including VSOP courvoisier. And if you guys are serious drinkers, you can order the whole bottle to your room. I am not talking about just the mini bottles, but the bottles you see behind the bar.
Here was our room:
Some of you may be wondering why I included pictures of the bathroom. Well, to me the bathroom is just as important as the sleeping area. I always judge a hotel by its bathroom as well. If I am not impressed with it, I will move on.
There was everything you could ever need at this resort. They had 4 a la carte restaurants, including a surf and turf, and 2 buffets. There are other Iberostar hotels on the grounds you can go it at as well, but the Grand Hotel is the top of the line so we just ate there. The food was good, but it was not to die for. Don't get me wrong it was 10 times better than any other all inclusive hotel I've been to, but I was not wowed. I was wowed that lobster was included without an extra charge.
Of course there are day time activities for you to partake in like beach volleyball (which I felt like throwing up after we played, probably from all the dos equis I already drank), spanish lessions, and salsa lessons. You also get 60 minutes of non motorized water sports like kayaking, sailing, and snorkling included. There are also night time shows that were pretty interesting, especially at the rock show with the guy in pleather pants and spray tanned abs but somehow still had a muffin top? hahaa.
I will end with this picture I took from the balcony of the surf and turf restaurant. Here you can see the infinity pool and Playa Paraiso. When I got home and uploaded the picture I realized this is the same picture they have on their website (found here). I may be biased, but my image shows the hotel off better! And my image is straight from the camera, no editing. Hotels.com, Travelocity, or any other hotel website, if you would like to hire me to take pictures of your hotels around the world and review them I would be glad to :)
...do as the Mexicans do. Dos Equis, Corona, and Modelo all week long! We spent time deep sea fishing, visited Xel-ha, attended a friend's wedding, kayaking, and hung out by the pool.
Anthropologie dress
Coverup: Forever 21, Sunglasses: Target
I am getting ready to leave for Playa del Carmen. Hubs has left me to pack for the both of us again. I swear I have no idea what he would do without me sometimes. Just this week he told me he had no idea where his passport was or even if it had expired. I just went along with it, but really knew where it was. The last time we used our passports were in 2006 and he had no idea where it was for the past 3 years? Even after moving? MEN!
I will be gone through next Wednesday and plan on coming back with lots of photos!
Currently Listening: Soft Shock - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
