Summer Photo Challenges Part 5 (Diane's last one!)

This is my (Diane) final post on the summer photo challenge! I couldn't resist this one - my kids picked out touchable bubbles from the Mystic Seaport gift shop. I figured it would be fun...I just didn't know how much fun!All of these photos were taken with my Canon 7D and my 15mm Sigma fisheye lens. The previous and next photo were taken with available light only.

Here's Evanthea looking at me through the bubble
Alexandra wanted me to add some light. Quite honestly, I was a little lazy to grab my flashes so I wanted to see what the dreaded on camera pop up flash could do. All of the remaining photos were shot with the pop up flash...not bad for something every photog (present company included) frowns upon!!

Alexandra also likes to push the bend of the fisheye - she likes that "what??" warp! :)
I was trying to teach the girls about perspective. Sort of an abstract concept for a 4 1/2 and a 6 year old...so we played around an got this shot. They get it now!!
Hope you enjoyed my series of interpretations - Jess will get hers up soon! ;)

Summer Photo Challenges Part 4

For this part of the summer challenge, I dragged my kids to the Mystic Aquarium...ok, so I didn't drag them per se. ;)
WAITING for the Belugas to wake up!!
One of their favs, the sea lions!
Practicing my macro with a hermit crab!!
Evanthea was afraid to touch anything, but thought she could fake it for the photo! Modeling future, I'm thinking!
Shark petting!
One of my favs - they loved watching the rays and I think the rays loved watching the girls!
Evanthea is obsessed with jelly fish (I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that she's been stung more than once...). This was her fav exhibit - she's trying to look like a jelly fish...or so she said!!

Megan & Mike's Engagement Session

Today, Jessica & I headed down to Colchester to meet up with Mike & Megan. Dan (our videographer) beat us by a half hour so he was pretty much done by the time we got there! But I was able to catch some quick shots while he filmed!!

We headed down to the Salmon River to enjoy the warm water and even warmer sunshine!







We stumbled upon some fossils...ok, so it was just a bird foot print, but it still looked cool with Megan's ring!!
Then we found the heart rock! So here's a rock of love on the love rock! (I just made that up...I get witty sometimes!)



Bet you can't guess where I was to get this shot? Yup, in the water! We will do just about anything for a great shot! I really didn't mind, the water was warm and the fish were friendly!!
This next photo reminds me of the quote by Erma Bombeck: When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me".
Skimming .... ker-plunk!
Megan was brave enough to jump in!
Then Mike had to do it too!!

Congratulations Megan & Mike!

Summer Photo Challenges Part 3

As promised in yesterday's post - we went outside the seasonal box! :) Jess and I took a break from the "summer" challenge and participated in an annual fun time for the kids - Halloween in July! Every July, our beach celebrates Halloween - it's a great way for the kids to wear costumes without coats...and score some candy! ;)

Here we have Princess Sophia, 50's girl Evanthea, and Hula girl Alexandra!

Yes, we were all jealous of Sophia in her carriage!! :)
fencing with giant pixie sticks!!
Tomorrow's post will resume to typical summer photos! Hope you enjoyed our seasonal mix up! ;)

Summer Photo Challenges Part 2

Yesterday's post, I showed black and white images of our kids playing with bubbles and the hose. Today's post doesn't get any more summery than hitting the beach! It was a HOT and super bright day. We used no filters and no flash to fill in the shadows - once again, everything was done in camera.

I don't think I have ever laughed so hard in my life as I did when I saw Evanthea sitting in the water by herself. I took the chance and brought my camera into the water with me (thank you, Hartford insurance for still keeping me as a policy holder!!!) because I couldn't miss this op!

Evanthea would sit and wait for the waves to knock her over

sometimes it got into her face...

sometimes it knocked her over!
and when it did - she would punish the waves! She spanked them a few times...
and as we all know, no one likes a spanking for punishment!
But then she would return to her original pose and laugh!! Nothing better in the summer time than a child having fun in the water with that crazy laugh!!!
Alexandra showing her version of summer...tanning on a Bloomingdale's towel! Yes, she put the goggles in the corner because she thought it added to the photo...
Jenilee B gave me the challenge of finding a yellow polka dot bikini....I found one even better! A modern twist - a red polka dot tankini! ;)
Sophia is sporting her floatie bathing suit - Jess and I were on the floor laughing watching the poor thing walking around in it!
I think she's mad she looks like a bodybuilder...just me?
Alexandra showing me how to jump INTO the mud!


Thanks for the challenges! We truly had a good time figuring it out! Next segment is way out of the box...seasonally out of the box...