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I think my all time favorite thing to do with my camera is go out on the playground at school and take pictures of the kids just playing and interacting.

These three boys had to sit in the 'white square' at recess.  (In trouble for one reason or another.)  They asked me why I was taking their picture.  When I told them I was going to send it to their mothers, they quickly covered their faces!

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Do you see what I see in this picture??  The few yellow leaves on the ground means fall is around the corner!  It's my favorite time of the year.  I know, it's still 90+ degrees everyday, but fall is in the air... especially at 5 a.m. when I take my walk! 

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Baby 'J' was a doll.  She is also a huge Giants fan (even though she doesn't know it yet).  Daddy was watching the game while she slept through these pictures.

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I saw this on my walk early this morning.  I remember waking up to this scene more than once, and it used to tick me off.  But now... years later... I have to say I kinda miss it!

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Today I'm taking newborn pictures.  I remember my first attempt to take newborn pictures of Natalie, and I'm asking myself why I agreed to do this.  We'll see how it goes this time!

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For Ray.  Good choice!

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This photo makes me laugh, but unless you were there, and know Nancy, you wouldn't get it.   For some reason it brings back childhood memories.  But instead of a cow prod in her hand it would have been a flyswatter!

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No time for a new picture yesterday.  I was busy matting and framing.  But at least I got that done and can check one more thing off my list!  This is one of the pictures that got a nice new mat and frame.

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This is how I feel lately.  Quiet and contemplative.

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I'm so busy with picture projects for other people I don't have time get creative with this blog.  (Not that I've ever been creative with it!)  So, today I just snapped a picture of my patio.  Luckily Katie decided she wanted to be in the shot.  That helps it a little bit!

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We went to Chico yesterday to bring Kevin the rest of his stuff that didn't fit in his car when he moved back last week.  He took us to Bidwell Park to show us where he goes mountain biking.  After that we had a nice lunch on the outside patio of the Sierra Nevada Brewery.  Of course a trip to see your college child wouldn't be complete without going to Target to buy him the rest of the stuff he needs to make his apartment complete!

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When we go for a weekend drive, Dave is used to me shouting out of the blue... "Pull over!!"  It's not always easy to find a place to pull over, so sometimes we just have to keep driving.  He's never quite sure what I see that makes me want to stop.  In this case, all he saw was dead, dry grass.  I saw much more.

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Yesterday after work I got to see Natalie.  I didn't bring my camera, so this picture is from a month ago.  She has changed so much.  Next time I'll take some pictures! 

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Look at these shoes!  This is typical of what girls wear to school now.  I LOVE shoes, but I think I am obsessed by them because when I was in elementary school I had to wear 'corrective' shoes.  What the heck are 'corrective' shoes???  No one wears them now and they don't walk funny!  Oh how I wish I could've worn shoes like this when I was in school!

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Here are a few more 'before' and 'afters'.  Small edits sometimes make a big difference.

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Before and After

My husband is used to me spending endless hours on the computer after a photo shoot.  He used to ask me what took so long to edit my pictures.  Here is a 'before' and 'after' of a picture I took in Yosemite.  I get an idea of what I want, and I experiment with actions and textures until I get that look.  This is why I spend endless hours on the computer!

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I have three photo books to re-design, but here I am stressing about what picture I'm going to post for the day!  Anytime I post flowers, you know I'm grasping for ideas.  Cutting these flowers, arranging them, taking the pictures, playing with them on the computer and posting it easily took me two hours of time that I should be working on those books!  Damn the pressure to post a picture a day!!

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I was just about ready to take a picture of my feet for lack of any better ideas for my post today when Katie came into the office bugging me.  I saw her... saw my little vintage camera and an idea came to mind.  Actually, my niece sent me a cute picture recently similar to this one, so the idea was not mine. 

 

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Kevin leaves for Chico tomorrow.  I am really going to miss him.   We didn't get to see very much of him because he worked so much this summer.  Tonight we took him out to dinner.  I was very discreet with my camera, but I couldn't help myself... As you can see, he loves having his picture taken!  Love you Kevin... have a great school year!

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We went to a family gathering yesterday to celebrate two summer weddings.   It was a fun get-together with family we don't get the opportunity to see very often.  Alan and Erin came home from Turkey for their wedding.  Alan gave me this Turkish tea glass and saucer. 

Turkish tea is "cay", pronounced the same as chai.  Turkish people drink tea out of these traditional "inci beli" glasses.  In Turkey tea is free after every meal, and while you are haggling over goods.

The bead is a Turkish Evil Eye.  "It is a traditional gift given to bring luck to the wearer.  Bring an evil eye with you wherever you go to ward off danger, evil thoughts and jealousy from those around you." 

Interesting Turkey fun facts.  Thank you Alan and Erin!

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I can't tell you how nervous I was to order a canvas print this big.  It's 25" x 40".  It took two weeks from the time I ordered it to get here, and I worried about it every day!  But it turned out great and I'm sure my client will be so excited to see it.  It's going over the fireplace in their Santa Cruz beach house.

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I'm SO GLAD it's Friday!

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I promise this is my last picture crying about summer being over too early.  Doesn't this surfer look like he hates for the day to end?  That's how I feel about the end of my summer!

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Early school start just isn't right.  When the temperature is over 90 degrees and it still feels like summer, we should be on the beach instead of inside a classroom (or office).

 

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This is Mono Lake.  We drove past it going to Bodie.  It is not a very beautiful lake, but if you are lucky enough to get storm clouds and the light just right, you can capture a decent picture.

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It was a very busy day at work today.  And more I should be doing when I got home.  But instead I sat down at my computer and looked at my Bodie pictures.  I love that place and its history.  Our lives today are a breeze compared to what these people lived through.  Here are a few of the houses at Bodie.

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I got up really early (3:30!) to put the finishing touches on a maternity book that Katie ordered.  I love it when someone orders a book.  Not because I make a lot of money from it (because I don't), but because I think it is the best way to get all the pictures you like, and it becomes a treasured keepsake.  I imagine many years down the road Katie's daughter will be looking through this book and appreciate that she has this beautiful memory of her mother when she was pregnant with her.

These are a few pages from her book.

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What's missing in this picture?  Students!  Not for long...  All the classrooms are ready for the first day of school tomorrow.  It's going to be a good year!

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Today is the last day of summer for most Modesto students.  It is their last chance to catch one more wave!  I hope everyone had a memorable summer.

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It's a good thing kids go back to school this week.  I think this little boy needs a little more help in reading! 

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Happy Birthday Shawna!

When I was shopping for Shawna's birthday card... I couldn't decide on just one, so I ended up buying THREE!  I think I was just so happy to be looking in the 'daughter-in-law' section!

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I know dandelions are weeds, but I still love the flowers they produce.  And after taking this picture... I blew and made a wish!  

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I had a day all to myself.  What a relief to get caught up on orders.  I had time to spare to play around with my camera and zinnias.

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Ok... maybe there is something up there that needs to be surgically removed!

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Being in a wedding and standing in front of a couple hundred people is a serious job... unless you have something in your nose.  Then all you can focus on is getting it out!

Photo by Aaron Draper Photography

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The ghost town of Bodie fascinates me.  I've been there at least six times, and every time I see something I missed before.  Taking pictures through the windows is tricky, not just because of the reflections you get on a sunny day, but there is about 80 years of dust accumulated on the inside of the windows!

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Oh what I wouldn't have given to be back here today instead of sitting at my desk at work without any windows.

This is a little scene from Lower Virginia Lake in the Eastern Sierra. 

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The Virginia Lake hike up to Burro Pass is one of my favorites.  The trail passes by at least five beautiful high mountain lakes.  This year we had to cross over snow in many places.  The elevation at the top is over 11,000 feet.  The reward for making it all the way (besides bragging rights)?  The view!