My Favorite Christmas Present Cost 35¢

I was fortunate to be able to spend Thanksgiving with my family this year (it had been many years since I had) and helped put up the tree in my parents' house. While decorating the tree I mentioned to my mother how this one particular ornament had always been one of my favorites. While unwrapping my presents this Christmas I was surprised to see that Mom had sent the ornament to me. She had also attached a note to the bottom that said: "I bought this the first Christmas we were married. 1955. 35¢ in Kresges in Waturbury."



My dear friend Jill also gave me an ornament this year and it will hang proudly on all of my trees in the future.



I had mentioned on Twitter and Facebook that I had been having trouble getting around to decorating this year. I finally came to the realization that I wasn't going to be able to do as much this year as I had done in years past and instead of feeling angry at myself for what I haven't done, I decided to just enjoy what I had been able to do and I was able to relax and enjoy my Christmas.

The Choun Family

I had a fun photo session with the Choun family on Sunday, Oct 11, in Ft Collins. We had originally scheduled the session for the previous week but that day was gloomy & cold and we decided to postpone. The following week Fort Collins received the first snow of the season and that set the stage for our family session for their holiday portrait.

There's still time to schedule a session for your holiday portraits but don't wait too much longer.

Jackson

A few weeks ago I had a great senior portrait session with Jackson. He was a lot of fun and was open to my off the wall ideas, and he had a few of his own. I'm past due in posting these photos and have more that I want to work with and share. In case anyone is wondering, Jackson and his mom are both happy with the photos.

And, yes, I still have to post photos from the Ft Collins Jazz Experience and the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highlands Festival. Soon, I promise.

ScotFest Teaser

I spent Thursday night & all day Saturday at the 33rd annual Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highlands Festival. I came back Saturday evening cold, wet and with over 1500 images. It will take me a while to go through all of them but I thought I'd post a teaser.

The El Jebel Bagpipe Band leads the Parade of Clans & Tartans onto the main field at the 33rd annual Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highlands Festival on Saturday, September 12, 2009. The weather on Saturday was described as "authentic" Scottish weather, with fog, temperatures in the mid-50's & rain or drizzle of and on for most of the day.

There will be more photos of the festival coming, along with a new senior portrait and the long overdue photos of the 2009 Ft Collins Jazz Experience.

Fort Collins Jazz Experience

I took all the photos I shot on Friday and Saturday and put them together as a video. These are the photos straight out of the camera so there is some variation of exposure and focus but I like the way it turned out.

Kelsi

Here's another photo from the PPC senior model shoot in May. When I saw the black wall I knew I wanted her in profile against it. The image right out of the camera lacked the impact I wanted so I played around with a few different ideas while editing and it turned out better than I had expected.

The Vendor-Client relationship - in real world situations