Blake's first School Dance

This is a pic of Blake and a group of his friends at their first school dance.
Awww!!!
I got to take these by default only...
I have been shooting, editing, fielding ridiculous questions and complaints, ordering,
putting together packages, trying to keep everything straight AND working my
"regular full time job" for the last month. I am running on fumes 95% of the
time and I am completely and utterly mentally and physically exhausted.
Okay...I say all of that to say this....
Friday night I stayed up putting together 4 boxes of orders that had come in so I could
hand them out on Saturday while I was at the soccer fields all day taking pics.
I went to bed at 2:45 and woke up at 6:30 to be out at the fields by 7:15.
My whole body was in such a state that it feels like "buzzing" when I am
beyond exhaustion.
I make it through the day of shooting pics without crashing...I am almost giddy
when I leave the soccer fields at 3:45 p.m. to come home, shower, go eat,
visit with my sis Kara and GO TO BED EARLY!

I get the first 2 accomplished....I came home, showered and had my purse in my hand
when the phone rings. My neighbor informs me that the photographer for the Middle school
Homecoming Dance has 102 fever and can't do the pictures. Would I/Could I do them?
My body wasn't just buzzing at this point...it was stinging.....the need to sleep was
GREAT...but my love for my son was greater. I couldn't let him go to his first
school dance and it not be documented. I am a freak like that. So...I say yes.
It was only for 3 hours...I could make it that long.
So, I go... - David, once again stays by my side through it all. Sets up my lights,
tapes down the cords, puts more paper down so I can shoot bigger groups
without having floor in the picture, holds my drink, his eyes locking with mine every
once in a while, telling me it's going to be ok and we are almost done, etc. He is ever
my prince, I don't have a clue what I would do without him. :)

Anyway! Blake's turn comes and he has a group of his buddies with him. I wanted
to be in there where the kids were dancing and having a good time, but I
was content being out there taking everyone's pic.
It was a lot of fun...I would definitely do it again.
I am FINALLY going to go to bed...I am FINALLY going to get more
than 3 or 4 hours sleep. Yeah!!!!!

I need the stinging buzzing to go away.

I hope he had a good time. Time is flying by...I want him to enjoy it while it lasts.

Soccer Pics

I started a new venture a few weeks ago when I landed my first "big gig"...team and individual pics for a whole soccer league. I've done a few teams at a time in the past....nothing like this! LOL.

It has been a huge undertaking...one I was well prepared for as far as knowledge, organization and mental preparedness go. HOWEVER, the stamina that it is requiring to keep things at a fast moving, fast editing and ordering pace...well...that kind of took me by surprise.

I DEFINITELY could  not be doing this without my awesome husband David. He gets everyone all posed and ready to take an awesome shot. The kids love him and I think he loves it too...until we are about 6 hours into it on those jam packed, new team every 30 min. Saturdays...then we both kind of run out steam!  He is too cute though...showing the little girls how to pose...fixing their hair, having to be the occasional drill sargent with the little boys that won't stand still or listen and putting just the right amount of light on them with the reflector...

he's an awesome assistant. I couldn't and wouldn't ask for anyone any better. Thank you David!!  

(The little girl on the end

would not open her eyes...so David was shielding her and she just smiled real big at him...awww...)

The editing and ordering and putting the packages together is a bear. I am kind of getting in a groove now...so I should be well schooled in this area when I am done!  :)

I would welcome the chance to do it again...I don't know if my assistant will be so gung ho though....I will probably be hiring for next time!  :)