the heart of the matter

this one is about when he was done and tired of being manhandled!

pure and simple....

I was blessed again today...he let me take advantage of him. I'm dying to put in a order and hang some of these on my walls. =) I have to give a shout out for Peta's Actions. Even though I sell actions myself, I LOVE to promote them along with other things....especially when they are just plain AWESOME!! I promise you can use them on a daily basis...they are so easy to tweak and very versitile. I used Color Me In and her Vintage Wash on this....I just adore it!

Go check them out!! And can I say, LOVE her site...maybe I can hit her up to make me one that cute! =)

Child's Play Actions

just as I thought.....

he's a toughie to photograph!  I think I have another Sam on my hands!  LOL!! 

It took me over an hour to get these 2 shots...he's a good sleeper but once you move him, he wakes up. Hopefully Gracie will rub off on him and he'll learn to like the camera...wishful thinking huh?

Thanks again everyone for the congrats on the little bean...we are just all over the moon with him.  =)

You all have a fantastic weekend!
Bren

a picture as promised....

He's definitely got Gracie's little lips...gotta love that! =)

This was taken at the hospital the day we were released.  Somehow, he left all the good sleeping habits there when we left!  LOL!! 

Reb...I'm so loopy, I completely forget about his name!  I think I left brain cells at the hospital as well.  After a long and hard decision, and believe me we just couldn't agree on anything, we finally fell in love with Grant.  Gracie and Grant...I'm just smitten with the sound of that!  =)

hello from home everyone!

I just wanted to quickly say we are home....finally!  We got released mid-day yesterday and everything is fine.  The little stinker was much bigger than we expected.....

9 pounds 3 oz and 20 1/2 inches long!  It's funny, one of the L & D nurses said, "slap a backpack on him and he's ready for school!" 

He has a head full of dark hair and as of now blue eyes and he's got Gracie's little lips.  He already gives me the big pouty bottom lip thing. 

He arrived at 6:57 p.m. on Monday night.  It was a rough labor for me...let's just say my eppy had to be turned off about an 1 1/2 hours before hard pushing.  Soooo FUN! 

I have photos...hopefully I can post some within the next few days....it's taking us awhile to get adjusted again...goodness, it's been 7 years since we had a newborn around us 24/7. 

I think I've gotten all the actions sent out....now, I'm working on all the emails which by the way, THANK YOU for all the good thoughts and prayers...they were very MUCH APPRECIATED!  =)

So, stay tuned for photos....if he let's me!  LOL!!

we are so thankful.....

for all the overwhelming support and well-wishes that we've been getting.  No little guy yet, but tomorrow is his eviction date.  I wanted him to come on his own and there were a couple of times that I thought he would but it was a no-go.  So Thumper here has decided he is nice and cozy and wanted to stay a little longer.  I can't image he has a lot of room to move but he somehow makes room and makes Mommy really uncomfortable not to mention that he can make my stomach look all freaky.  LOL!!  Alien (the movie) has nothing on him.  =)

I'm trying my best to return all the emails I've received so please bare with me, it may take me awhile.  Also, if you purchase my actions, I will email them to you as soon as we get home from the hospital and are settled in.  =)

I know a lot of you can't wait to see some photos of him....it'll be soon, but in the meantime, check out my wonderful and good friends new little bundles of joy (just to tide you over).  Kristy Lane, Kristy's Flickr, Stacey Woods and check out Stacey Larsen's photos of Stacey (scroll down to June 21st.)

still waiting....bored to tears!!

yes, no little one yet....still sitting here with my big ole' belly to my knees!  LOL!!

I just wanted to share this one...I'm bummed about the background...I guess I wasn't paying that much attention too it but oh well, what can you do.  =)

when using the blowdryer during a session goes bad....

you can get this....

Meet Miss Sourpuss Face! LOL!!

No new news on the little man...I have an appointment today and things are going to be done to get the ball rolling again since I've stalled a bit. Cross you're fingers it does because I'm beginning to think I'm just going to be pregnant for the rest of my life!!

befores and afters....

So, I'm being brave and posting a SOOC (only resized) to show you all befores and afters of my actions ran on a photo...I get lots of emails asking questions about it so I thought I'd just bare my nakeness to everyone and post it here. LOL!!

Here's a before...yes, it's underexposed. I tend to underexpose just to play it safe (especially when someone is wearing white). I like to show details in my whites and blacks so I would rather underexpose a bit than overexpose. =)

 

Next is my quick fixes action...I used my bright exposure fix and add some contrast (just about 10%).  Then I ran the color boost and add saturation (from the quick fixes action) and brought the opacity down to 18%.

Next I ran my vintage wash (with a opacity of 32%). Keep in mind, I ran it over the above edited photo. I recommend that otherwise the action will look all wonky. =)

 

Then over the vintage wash...and I just discovered this the other day....I ran my urban processing action and brought the opacity down to abour 40%ish. LOVE the look of it...you'll definitely be seeing more photos from me with this color. =)

 

And last but NOT least...you guys know I just LOVE b/w photos...after all the editing, I just ran my low key b/w action and brought the curves layer down to 75%.

There you have it...easy peasy! 4 different looks in a matter of minutes...nothing like a fast and easy workflow. =)

I'm on a posting roll!

3 days in a row....I don't think I've ever done that!  LOL!! 

I had to share this one....we had a good little mini session. I'm playing around with my actions....on this one, I used my vintage wash and urban processing together...I like how it turned out. =)

Also, a couple of you guys asked and emailed me about what I used for the windblown looked. I just used my trusty old blowdryer. It takes some time (especially with her mane of hair) to position it just right so it doesn't look like she's got crazy hair going all over the place, plus she's such a squinter so I can't directly blow it on her. Sometimes I hold it with my free hand and othertimes (and don't laugh), I hold it between my feet that way I can get it closer to her without it being in the frame. =)  I've used it on other kids...it's a GREAT icebreaker because they just LOVE it.  It's pure fun for them.