Moving out

Just a quick note to say that we are almost on our way. Packers from the removal company are busy putting all my earthly possessions into boxes as I type. I had all kinds of plans of capturing the whole event, but I was being very optimistic. I am utterly exhausted and we're not even halfway done yet!
Anyway. So most likely I'll be away from the blogosphere for approximately a week. I sincerely hope it's not longer than that or I will surely go bonkers (well...more bonkers than I already am). I have lots of problems with Internet connections that I don't have time to bore you with right now.

Enjoy the privilege of being able to post every day, I am going to miss it!

Tiny life

I had the privilege of photographing this precious one week old baby today. I was busy with her for an hour and a half and she was wide awake the entire time! I have never seen such an alert newborn - and oh, so beautiful. And look at that amazing head of hair!

I took the first few with my new Canon and 50mm lens in natural light, more to just play around and test the camera's ability. I am soooo impressed (I know, I've said that before - get ready to hear it about 50 more times). I still don't have perfect control with the camera but am still amazed at the results - such awesome DOF!

And then we moved over to the studio with my old camera which I'm still more comfortable with.

Little angels

Just a few pics from a shoot I did on Saturday.

AND my new camera and lens finally arrived!!! I'm still trying to familiarize myself with all the strange buttons and functions as it is quite different to my Olympus. But I am already soooo impressed with the 50mm!

Weekly Winners: 16 - 22 November

The colour of love

I'm a little shy


Being a good sport for my mom!


Little old man


Is time for my nap yet?


Say what?


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Photostory Friday and pictured together at last!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

My children are as different from one another as night and day. They want different things at different times, they have different tastes, they develop in different ways and they certainly challenge me in different ways! They therefor also argue frequently and irritate each other to no end.
But they also love each other and are the best of friends. They stick up for one another. They look out for one another. They play and they share (sometimes) and they laugh. And I love this about them.
I've so often tried to capture the two of them together, but almost never manage to get the perfect shot! Different as they are, they are forever going in two opposite directions and it is so difficult to get both of them standing still long enough in close enough proximity of each other AND looking at the camera to get the shot!
And so on Wednesday we were visiting my grandmother, playing on the grass and suddenly it happened - brother and sister, both lying on their stomach, NEXT to each other, looking at the camera...well, sort of anyway.
And here is the picture and I love it! I think mostly because once again it shows a little of how different they are.

6 Week old model

A few images from a shoot I did yesterday.

Moving at snail's pace

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Doesn't he have the most beautiful eyes?

The son of one of Henk's colleagues I photographed on Sunday at a year-end function. Such a little cutie!

And also - I am sooo excited. I ordered a new camera and lens today, which should arrive before the end of the week. I've been using the Olympus E400 and though I'm not entirely unhappy with its performance, I find the range of lenses available for Olympus SLR's very disappointing. So, after a lot of consideration, I decided to buy a Canon 40D (yes, I know there's a new 50D, but the 40D is so much more affordable now and it meets all my requirements, so I'm sticking with thinking I made the right decision for my current situation). I also ordered a 50mm f1.4 lens and I simply can't wait! I've been longing for a 50mm lens for what feels like forever and I hope it lives up to my expectations! I'm sure once it arrives I'll feel inspired to take hundreds of new photos to display.

A shoot before we leave

We have less than two weeks left before our move! I am feeling increasingly anxious...
I've spoken before about Daniella who is one of Joubert's best friends. I did a shoot for their family on Sunday and I had such a great time, especially since the kids already knew me and there was no need to first win their trust.

Pretty Daniella





Being silly


A kiss for my sister


Chris


So handsome!


Happy family

Weekly Winners: 9 - 15 November

Forgotten

Blue-eyed boy


Enjoying his cupcake


Too busy to look at me


I can write on my legs!


YOU try and keep my clean and tidy!


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Photohunt #136: Ruined

I used the other half of this delicious avocado in a salad this afternoon. Emma unfortunately got hold of the remaining half and now I'm sad to say that the beautiful fruit is ruined.



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Photostory Friday and the most exhausting hour of work ever!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

I've mentioned earlier this week that Joubert participated in his school concert last week and that I was asked to take photographs of all the children in their costumes. The teachers and I thought it best to get the photographs out of the way before the start of the concert as the children tend to disappear after they are finished with their acts. The concert started at 18h30 and the children was due to arrive at 17h30 to get dressed up and have their photos taken. I tried to warn everyone involved that this arrangement gave me very little time to photograph all 72 - yes SEVENTY-TWO- children before the actual start of the concert, but they paid me no mind. They could not be bothered with a small detail like this, as they had many other difficulties to deal with. I sighed, stressed, cursed a little and bit all my nails down to the quick. I then went for the tried and tested technique of ignoring the problem and deciding to deal with it when it came up.
Well. Suffice to say that I almost DIED. It is a miracle that I could actually revive myself to the extent of being able to watch my own child being an absolute star on stage. I won't go into too much detail, but after standing around whilst hyperventilating for 20 out of the given 60 minutes to capture 72 little darlings on my memory stick, I suddenly changed into a frenzied blur of a person, sweating profusely while giving instructions in a high manic voice, all the while flashing a crazed fake smile. I got the job done. That much is true. All the kids looked their best and will cherish these pics for years to come. That much is NOT true.

Some refused to smile (honestly, wouldn't you?)


Others expressed their disgust quite effectively.


A few decided to drive me batty by deciding not to look at the camera.


Then my lights over-heated, resulting in the ominous shade...


Certain kids seemed to have been waiting for this opportunity all year!


And others were born for the limelight.


But thankfully (hallelujah!) some little angels from heaven stood in the right place, looked into the camera and s m i l e d.


And I lived another day.