Posted by DrewB on May 21, 2013 · 9 Comments
We had a left over swag bag from Camp Mom*tog this weekend and when I woke up this morning I knew exactly what we should do with it.
When things like this happen I have a hard time not putting myself in their shoes. It’s just unthinkable and unimaginable and makes dealing with an earthquake every once in a while no big deal. I can’t do as much as I would like to help, but if we all come together we can make all of our small donations into a big one.
Ironically we have had a business trip / vacation to Oklahoma scheduled for tomorrow. I can’t help thinking that we could have been there yesterday if we would have decided to go early. Brayden keeps asking if there are tornados where we are going (he’s been freaked out by them ever since we read The Wizard of Oz). I thought there was no chance we would be there when there was a big storm. So even though we were thousands of miles away and even though we would have been safe if we would have been there, it still hits a little close to home.
The outside of the bag is cute just by itself, right? But wait until you see what’s in side.
Lisa Leonard “You Are” necklace
Shutter Buddy
$25 Mpix Gift Card
Joby Gorilla Pod
The current issue of Click magazine
My Mom Snaps children’s book
Print from Katy Girl Designs
Gift certificate for one camera strap from Knitty Bitties
Knitted Peter Pan collar from Katy Rae Knits
Ring from Purdy Burdy Handmade
2 prints from Joy’s Hope
AND
Julie also wanted to donate one of the crafts we made at Camp Mom*tog. It’s a super cute 16×20 wooden sign to hang your Instagram prints. Pictures of Julie’s cute kids not included. Because that would be weird.
There are two ways to enter:
1) Donate to the Red Cross
2) Donate to the Central Oklahoma Humane Society. Please designate your donation to the OK Humane Disaster Relief Fund.
For each $5 you donate your name will be entered into the drawing. So, if you donate $20 your name will be entered in 4 times.
Please email a confirmation of your donation to hello at momtog dot com. Put “Oklahoma” in the subject line. Only donations that have been made today can be submitted. Donations made before 5/21 will not be eligible. If you texted in your donation to the Red Cross just include a screen shot from your phone. Make sure the date is visible in that shot. All donations between 5/21 and 5/26 are eligible. The contest will end on Sunday, 5/26 at midnight Pacific time. Winner will be announced on Tuesday, 5/28.
*** Those outside of the US are welcome to enter, but you will be responsible for shipping costs.
Lots of love to all of you who have been affected.
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Posted by DrewB on May 20, 2013 · 2 Comments
I was nervous for Camp Mom*tog. I was nervous that we would get a good group. Nervous that my presentation would go over well. Nervous that everyone would have a good time. Nervous that everyone would think Julie and I were big dorks in real life (because we kind of are). Nervous that this workshop that we had poured all of our energy into for the past month would be worth it.
I had nothing to be nervous for. Camp Mom*tog was better than I could have ever dreamed. Everyone was nervous at first. But, once we started up and opened up (and took some pictures with Bob in the photo booth) we all let our nervous energy go and just started having fun.
We had the best group. Ladies flew in from Idaho and Washington and came from all over California. We crafted. We learned our cameras. We ate yummy food. We made new friends. I can’t speak for everyone, but I know I had an amazing time.
I will have a ton more pictures later, but for now here are just two. Love this shot of half the girls photographing our beautiful models. I loved seeing the “aha” moments!
And this. Because it is so random. Just like we are. Yesterday would have sucked without her. I’m glad she agreed to go on this wild, crazy adventure with me.
And I can’t forget to thank our AMAZING sponsors. These girls got the swag bag of all swag bags. I was even jealous. Thank you sponsors for giving these deserving moms a very special treat. They were all so genuinely appreciative! THANK YOU!!!
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Posted by DrewB on May 13, 2013 · 5 Comments
All I wanted was one picture with my kids on Mother’s Day. They were both happily playing so I grabbed them for a quick shot. I bribed B with movie night so he happily obliged for most of the pictures. The girl on the other hand screamed. She screamed just like she did last weekend when I had to grab a quick head shot with them. Why can I get other people’s kids to smile, but I can’t do the same with my own?
I still love this shot though. Even with our feet cut off. Because my sweet husband always cuts our feet off 
It just shows the stage of life that we are in right now. My crazy girl with her wild red curls and her never ending tantrums who refuses to let me get in a picture with her. My obedient first born who thought Mother’s Day was better than Christmas (he really did say that).
Even though it’s not a shot I’m going to frame or hang on my walls I’m glad to have it. And I know I’ll be even more happy to have it to look back upon in 5, 10, 20 years from now when we can laugh at her wild red curls and never ending tantrums. Because I will be able to laugh at these tantrums one day, right?
Hope your Mother’s Day was fabulous and tantrum free!
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Posted by DrewB on May 7, 2013 · 3 Comments
When I stopped shooting weddings last year I contemplated selling my 70-200 lens. It’s a big lens and I never use it for my portrait sessions. I decided to keep it because I figured it would come in handy photographing my kids playing sports and at school events. I feel like the mamarazzi when I have that thing on my camera. But, all the weird looks are totally worth it because I’m able to get rad close up shots of my kids doing what they love. I only bring it out once a season. This was Brayden’s last soccer game of the Spring. And he got to play goalie. Which is his favorite. Because he can dance. And sing. And he doesn’t have to run. I’m glad I had my mamarazzi lens at this game.
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-200 2.8
F 2.8, 1/640, ISO 125
No. He’s not getting ready for the ball. He’s dancing.
F 2.8, 1/800, ISO 125
He actually stopped all of the shots. I was impressed!
F 2.8, 1/800, ISO 125
F 2.8, 1/640, ISO 125
And then he had to run again.
F 2.8, 1/800, ISO 125
Just another year and a half until you can play, Kennedy!
F 2.8, 1/640, ISO 125
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Posted by DrewB on May 6, 2013 · Comments
This is my favorite time of year at the beach. Unseasonably warm days. Empty beaches before the tourists come. Building sand castles. Dinner on the pier. Playing on the playground. Beautiful light. Doesn’t get much better than that!
Canon 5D Mark II, 50 1.2
F 2.8, 1/1600, ISO 125
F 2.8, 1/2500, ISO 125
F 2.8, 1/800, ISO 125
F 2.2, 1/2500, ISO 125
F 2.2, 1/1600, ISO 125
F 2.2, 1/1600, ISO 125
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