Tradition

It has become tradition each year in the fall for the kids and I to go to Twin Oaks Park for amateur photos (I am so amateur, too – I really wish I knew how to take better pictures).  Afterwards they play on the playground and we go out to dinner.  You can see last year’s pictures here.

The weather yesterday was beautiful and, despite the fact that it was Landon’s first official day of potty training, we headed off to the park for pictures.

I did not get the shots I hoped to, though, so if another nice day opens up I may go out and try again…if they’ll let me.  This is all I could come up with.  For all you photographers out there, I’m all ears to advice.  Particularly, how do you take a good shot on a sunny day?  If I face them toward the sun they squint.  If I turn their backs to the sun, their faces are too dark.  So I had the sun beside them for the pictures which means that half of their faces are shadows.

That frustrates me.

Still though – they’re pretty dang cute.

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Sloan, a child after my own heart, has lately grown quite a love for writing.  He has taken off in the reading and writing department and is rarely far from his spiral notebook.  Yesterday I encouraged him to try writing a story and he wanted me to take a picture of him working on it.  He was so proud of his story about Max and Nick going hiking in the woods with their “fery frins” (furry friends).  The acorn may not have fallen far from the tree in this child…

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I wouldn’t let Tia play on the playground in her Strasburg dress (mean mommy) so I made her change into play clothes.  She then spent the next thirty minutes crossing back and forth on the monkey bars.  So much so that her little hands are blistered and red.  Another acorn, she is…

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Landon is an acorn, himself, but for those of you who have seen his obsession and freakish skill with a basketball (and baseball, and tennis ball and football) you know that the tree he landed close to stands a little taller than me.

Comments

  1. love the pics, especially the tattered tatoos! you did a great job, considering you’re an amateur and all. Also thinking Landon may be joining the plumber’s union soon 🙂

  2. love the pics kelli! your kids are so precious. thanks for sharing!

  3. you should check out mckmama’s blog. She shares lots of photography tips…both on the camera and in the editing phase too. I think they look really great, though! Your babies are beautiful!

  4. Good pictures Kelli! Love the tattoos on Sloan and Tia’s arms, Claire and Paige had a few on their arms and legs and it took forever to get them off, Cory and I both agreed no more tattoos for awhile. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to get them off use rubbing alcohol. 🙂
    Hope to be able to catch up soon!

  5. These look great! I especially love the one of Landon blowing the dandelion – that needs to be in a frame!
    Lighting is always really tricky for me, too. Stand in the sun, and parts are overexposed. Stand in the shade and they seem dark. I do know that the professional photographer we use always tries to get us to stand in the shade. Maybe she bumps up the ISO so they’re not so dark?

  6. Sarah Hughes says

    These are great! I especially love the black and white of Landon.

    What time of day did you take these? Usually the solution to the lighting/squinting problem is to do it early in the morning or just before sunset. Then you can get some really nice, soft, gold lighting without it being to bright–especially for little eyes!

    Also love the black and white of all 3 and the one of the big kids kissing Landon 🙂

  7. This was around 5:00 so the sun was probably still a little too intense. Maybe next time I’ll shoot for closer to 6:00 or 6:30. Thanks Sarah! 🙂

  8. candy martin says

    Wow, these are 3 amazingly beautiful children. Must have great genes!! I love seeing how much they change from year to year in the pictures. Sloan may be the most photogenic child ever…takes that after his momma. I love you Kelli and want you to know that you are an amazing mom.

  9. Great, great, great pics! Dusk and dawn are the magic hours–best times to take pics. If you don’t have the luxury to choose the time, try shooting with the sun behind–then fill with a flash–can work in the shade, too.

  10. Wow! The pictures are so very beautiful. The kids have grown so much. I love the topless boys and Landon with a daffodil, and Tia in her amazing violet dress. I love them kissing each other. So much warmth! You are a wonderful mommy, Kelli!

  11. Man, Sloan is such a little man!