Thank You, Bachelor Matt

I was kind of sketchy about Mr. British as the Bachelor at first. I didn't want to like him. But at the end of the premier, when he was dancing, and he compaired himself to Michael Jackson. Hahahaha. That was awesome.

I L.O.V.E the 'meeps' girl (Amanda).

Mike and I always pick a girl as 'our pick' as soon as they step out of the limo, and I picked her. A few minutes later she got the first impression rose! Go me. haha. Anyway, I still really like her, although I think he is quite taken with Shane.
I think Shayne annoys everyone but me. I don't like her, but I don't hate her.

So what is it about this guy that has girls throwing their underwear in his face (or pockets)? I mean, it's hilarious because they get eliminated immediately. Hopefully the other girls can take that as a hint that that particular approach doesn't work on him. In the picture below, the girl on the right (Kelly) is thinking to herself, "Hmmm how can I impress him? I know, I will take off my shirt and mumble something drunkenly insightful." (Anyone know what she said? We couldn't make it out.)

Thank you, reality TV, for transforming my boring Monday nights into something we can look forward to.

Photography

Recently I have had quite a few people emailing me about cameras and photography, photography business, etc. I would like to take a moment and comment about my newfound hobby, if you don't mind.

I would like to warn you how dangerous having photography as your new love can be...

As most of you know, I just purchased a new DSLR camera...this being after the purchase of my first DSLR in October. So that was about, what, six months ago? In that time, I have become completely, utterly, totally, 100% obsessed with photography. Like, lay-awake-at-night-thinking-about-photography obsessed. Sitting up in my bed at two in the morning wondering, HOW do I get that 'look'? I really have been a lunatic.

It began innocently enough. I just wanted to 'take better pictures of my kids.' I didn't want to have to pay to have their pictures done every few months, and I thought if I got a nice camera, I could take their pictures and life would be good. Right? no. Do not fall into this trap. I will let you in on a little secret: Your kids will not let YOU photograph them! Not in the way that you really want them captured. They will whine, run away, close their eyes...you will be doing gymnastics around them just to get on semi-in-focus-they-aren't-blinking-kind-of-pleasant shot.
But a stranger gets near them with a camera...they are serene and happy and giving them those million dollar shots. Go figure.

Okay I am straying a bit from the point of this post.

So, on top of my kids not volunteering to let me take their pictures, I also started blogstalking famous photographers like Audrey Woulard, Brianna Graham, Skye Johansen...Big big mistake. I was no longer happy with my 'snapshot' looking photos. This is where the real obsession began. I asked friends if I could practice on their kids, since mine were having nothing to do with it. I took on some sessions for free, so I could learn. Well then, I had so much interest, that I started charging. Why? Because I quickly learned that taking pictures and editing them is a huge job, and if I was going to be doing it for everyone, I needed to make it worth my time...or I was going to hate it really fast.

Which brings me to my problem. I have 2 babies, who can't afford to have mommy always reading, shooting, editing, etc. I really feel awful that the past few months I have neglected them, Mike, and especially, my housework. Even as I type I am looking at the sea of...everything we own covering the floor.

What am I missing in my life? Balance. I really love photography, but I love my family more. I am now laying awake at night wondering if my kids are getting enough attention during the day, if Mike is happy living in filth, etc. And as much as I would LOVE to be as amazing of a photographer as the girls I mentioned above, now is not the time. My kids are little, my family needs me, and I don't want them to grow up remembering mommy behind a computer screen, editing photos.

After much debating and planning, I think I have found a good number of sessions per month that will help me to keep improving myself without being crazy busy, and I am proud of myself. I am taking my life back.

So, (take this with a grain of salt) I would just like to warn those new DSLR owners or owner wanna-bes....don't. Don't get obsessed. Don't get so excited over the gorgous, clear pictures that your camera takes on 'auto' and think that switching over to manual will be a breeze. And for heaven's sake, DON'T buy that DSLR thinking you are going to start a photography business of your own right away. It is so much work, and unless you want your kids to forget your name (as tempting as that sounds sometimes!) and you don't want to completely drain your savings account buying camera accessories (that's another issue in itself) then I would strongly advise you to buy that nice camera simply for the fact that it takes nice, clear, scrapbook worthy pictures.

That being said, I love my dslr and I would recommend it to anyone. It is perfect for capturing those beautiful childhood moments...the ones I originally set out to get.