My friend, Danny Clark, issued me a challenge the other day.  I was scheduled to shoot a party and on my way there we were talking and he gave me this assignment...take 5 pictures where the predominant color is a shade of red.  So, I got close!  I have 4.  It was pretty easy actually because the wallpaper was pink and the rug was red.  I punched the color on these and worked with some overlays to make them even more red.

The one below is kind of a cheat.  The pink is all part of an overlay and not in the original shot.  I just liked it so I had to make it fit into my assignment.

Danny, thanks for the assignment!  For all of you out there practicing with your cameras, assignments are a great to way to learn and challenge yourself.  If you are looking for an assignment, why not try one of my Monday Lessons?  I think a good starter would the lesson on expressions.

The studio has been so busy these past few weeks that I have been unable to keep up with blogging.  Sorry!  Recently, Finn and I spent an evening with The Clarks.  Danny has a big bin of cool hats.  I photographed Finn and Whitney in the hats with my new  70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Autofocus Lens.  I love it!  Anyway, As the night wore on, I took some hilarious shots of the kids standing over a big fan.  You'll have to wait a little while for those gems.  In the meantime, Here are the hats!

I love silly faces.  If you bring your kids to my studio, don't be surprised if I ask them scream or look scary or make a funny face.  It cracks me up and can make for some great images.

And now, my little Finn in his super cool skull hat!

Oh, that little boy!  I just look at him and my heart wants to explode! 

Last weekend we had a day of parties.  The first one was Allison's 3rd birthday.  Allison is our neighbor and Sayer's classmate at school.  They had a pony and a petting zoo.  The kids had a blast.

Finn's favorite was the rabbit and Sayer's was the turtle. 

and my LEAST favorite...the goat.  Is it just me or are goats just kind of freaky and gross?

Allison awaiting CAKE!

One of the cowgirl's boots.  I wish they were in my size!

Hannah & Koby

Kate- I love this one of her! 

After a tearful goodbye, we went home and napped.  Then it was time for Christoher's party!  Christopher dressed up like a pirate.  I asked him to give me his best "pirate pose".  Here it is.

They had our kids favorite cookies so that was a big hit too.

Then I got to meet these beautiful twins.

One last picture of my Super-Sayer!

Life has been super hectic and the studio is busy!  I have so much to blog...2 new weddings and a handful of new portrait sessions and Halloween pictures too.   One post at a time!

The past few weeks have been busy!  Right after The Dog Bowl portrait sessions, I hopped on a plane to Las Vegas.  I met some girlfriends for a quick getaway.  I even won $200!  We saw the Cirque Du Soleil show, KA, which was amazing!  I really think it's one of the most creative things that I have ever seen.  If you find yourself in Vegas make a point to go see it.  Here are a few pics from the trip.

The Bellagio 

The Paris Hotel's Eiffel Tower 

the roof above the bar at the Paris hotel 

Me and Kala 

In Vegas you have to pay for everything (unless you're gambling) and that includes a view.  We opted to hold on to the extra $60 a night.  Beautiful isn't it?

Our group, courtesy of the doorman. 

Friday night we had Danny & Danise Clark and their kids over for a dinner play date.  Danny brought the kids a gingerbread house to put together.

Sayer loved putting all the little candies on the house.  He wanted it to look just like the picture on the box.

They had lots of fun with the black icing...

the eating went from civilized (picking the candies off one-by-one) to complete mayhem.

and the aftermath...

after dinner we had fun playing with our costume basket.  Then the basket itself became a turtle costume.

Danny took pictures of Sayer taking pictures.  A budding photographer perhaps?

The kids were worn out and they said a tearful goodbye to the Clark kids.  Always a good time!