HAPPY MOM'S DAY!

From One Artist to Another

Here's a conversation that went down in our house today:

Harry: (looking at one of my many paintings by my uncle, James Christensen) Mom that is a fish just like the one in the Jonah and the Whale movie.

Me: Yep, it's the same artist. Uncle Jim.

Harry: Uncle Jim did that?

Me: Yep, almost all the pictures on our wall were painted by him.

Harry: Wow, Mom, he is a really good painter!

Pals

We're so blessed to have fun next door neighbors, Luke and Joseph were hanging out while I was preparing for a photoshoot today, and Luke actually cooperated for a second. Glad I could document this little friendship!

I also love that Joe is wearing an apron - doesn't he look a little like a hope depot employee?

Prom 2010

I'm having way too much fun doing prom photoshoots lately. Here are a couple sneak peeks of two I did last week. I'll put more up on www.kattailsphotography.com when I am finished editing them.

The processing on this first one is a test I want to do with the new metallic photo paper at the lab I use - ProDigital. I think the extra blown out light vintage-y look will turn out really fun printed on shiny metallic paper.

Both of these groups were so much fun and I am excited to get them their unique prom pictures for 2010.

More Baby Laundry

As promised, here are some of the shots from my baby and product shoot with Baby Laundry. I appreciate my friends, Emily, Danielle, Erin, and Katie for bringing their kiddos over and weathering the storm of six babies and lots of pictures - and Amy C. for putting it all together. I think the pictures turned out pretty cute and it was definitely an adventure of a couple hours!

Zach was the hardest kid of them all - yanking every blanket down from the clothesline, and sitting in front of other kids while I was taking their pictures. It's a good thing that little stinker is so cute.

I'm getting excited about getting my website up and running to sell these awesome blankets. Everything seems to take so much time! In the meantime, feel free to check out www.babylaundryandmore.com and you can see the products, and all the photography is by yours truly! I have another big kids shoot I'll post as I edit more of the pictures. Hope you enjoy!

Spiritual Sunday...

Jon Needs a Baby Girl

Rob and Nicole were wonderful hosts and let us invade their house with our little monster of almost 16 months. Saturday, not only did Nicole make delicious creme brulee french toast, but they also took us up-valley to an awesome sushi restaurant called Go Fish. Because we had our little kiddos, we did an early dinner and it was so pleasant. We then went olive oil and vinegar tasting and I have some new favorites I need to figure out if I can get them shipped to me! During supper, as Jon calls it when we eat early - so old fashioned - he was snugly with our sweet niece Scarlett. He really does need a baby girl. We'll see if that's in the cards, someday.

Zach wasn't as snugly as his cousin - he's kind of at a hard age for holding still. Since we've been home, he's a holy terror waddling all over the house trashing anything in his range. I actually am quite glad he wasn't toddling around this much while we visited Rob and Nic.

What? Pictures with Me?

A little more San Fran....

Boudin - Another Fave

More San Fran - we had to stop at the Wharf and go to one of our favorite places to eat - the Boudin Bistro. Jon can't be in the city for longer than a couple hours without stopping and getting a sourdough bread bowl with clam chowder. We usually just hit the deli/bistro, but we decided to try out the restaurant this trip. It was delicious - Jon got his bread bowl, I had some of the best French onion soup I've ever had, and we all shared a small margarita pizza, which made Z super happy. We only spent a few hours in the city, but it was so nice to say hi to more of our favorite places.

And Here's the Finished Product.

Easter Eggs

We didn't have an overly eventful egg dyeing day, but it was fun and relaxing, and the boys really enjoyed themselves. Their little faces look tired, like it's first thing in the morning, but it was just a lazy Saturday, and they stayed in their jammies all day.

Luke called my paper towel sunflower a miracle, so I took a picture of it. He wanted me to "save the paper towel FOREVER."

Harry-isms

I have to document a few things Harrison has said lately...

While in the car on the way home from somewhere I wouldn't buy him a toy, "I still want you to be my mom, I just want you to do everything different." I asked, "Like what do I need to do different, and his reply, "You need to do everything I say, Mom."

Sitting at the kitchen table having a snack while Jon and I hugged before he went back to work for the day, "Seriously stop hugging. You are making me a headache. It's not funny. Seriously, stop it!"

I do love this little guy - even if he wants me to be a completely different person.

A Few of My Favorite Places

Our trip to the beautiful Bay Area last weekend was such a nice break for us. I could move back there just to take pictures full-time. I remembered it was fantastic and I loved living there, but I hadn't really browsed the city and the gorgeous landscapes with a photographer's eye. Here are a few of my favorite places.

This is the view on Treasure Island where Jon proposed to me. We always stop on our way into the city just to say hi.

Another favorite place...Lincoln Park public golf course. Starting at 5pm, play as many holes as you can before sunset for $10 - not sure if it's still that way, but that's how it was ten years ago. This view kind of creeps up on you.

We drove up the coast through Muir Woods and stopped at this breathtaking overlook.

Walking is Awesome!

Especially when my grandma and grandpa walk with me!

Happy 6 Months!

Jon and I took a little trip to Napa, California this weekend to meet our sweet niece, Scarlett, who just turned six months old. She is such a fun, pleasant, sugarsweet little girl. I couldn't resist a little photoshoot while I was there - so here's a little sneak peek. I'll post more at kattailsphotography.com soon. Also, many many more pictures to come of our short but awesome trip! Happy half-birthday little Scar!

Baby Laundry - The Real Minky Blanket

Last fall, the owner of a wonderful little company asked me to take some product shots for her website. I was so excited to build my portfolio and try something new. Since then, we've become friends and she considers me "her photographer" for any company stuff. We've got a shoot coming up that I am so excited about - with babies and kids and deliciously soft blankets. I'll make sure to post some pictures in the next few weeks.

I've also decided to become a distributor for these yummy blankets. They truly are the best minky blankets I have discovered...Jon and I have a jumbo adult throw and it's the best snuggle blanket ever. A friend of mine gave Baby Z one when he was born and he won't go anywhere without it and buries his little face in it all day and night. I would too, if it were mine.

Here is a small sampling of some of the product shots I've done lately...

The last little piece of news is I designed the logo for their new website...here's a sample of a header - most likely we'll use a picture with more babies, but I put this together to get the look and feel for the new site. I love designing and it's so rewarding when people actually like my stuff.