Yesterday Daddy had the day off of work so he took B to his swimming lesson.

But then the teacher didn’t show up.  So they played with cups

and splashed in the water while I finally got to take some pictures of B in the pool (since I’m usually in there with him)

Then B fell off the step and he was chilly (how B tells us he’s cold)

But he stayed in for a few more minutes

Until his lips turned blue (No, Chuck.  For the last time, I CANNOT MAKE YOU TANNER IN PHOTOSHOP!  Stop asking!)

And then he got snuggly, cozy in his favorite towel.  Don’t worry.  His lips eventually went back to their normal color.

The end.

Last week I bought a new point and shoot and I’m in love!  I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about the Canon G10 so I went to Best Buy to check it out.  Hello!  It’s a point and shoot that you can shoot on manual!  That totally sold me!  It definitely takes some getting used to and I don’t think I’ll be shooting weddings with this thing, but I love having it as my day to day camera.  I’m not the type of mom who is going to bring my 5D to the park or Gymboree.  Because if I take the 5D then I have to take the 50 and the 24-70 and then maybe I’ll need the fisheye.  I just hate lugging all of my expensive gear around.  But, then I would often forget my point and shoot at home because it just never did the job.  I didn’t love taking pictures of it. So, I convinced myself that if I bought the G10 I would be able to take more pictures of Brayden and so far it’s worked.  Here are the pros and cons as I see them so far:

PROS

- I already said it, but you can shoot in manual.  I love that for the same reason I love shooting on manual with my DSLR – the camera can lie and I like being in full control.

- There is very minimal shutter lag.  And that’s important with a 17 month old running around.

- You can shoot in RAW as well as Jpeg.  Although, I don’t see myself shooting in RAW it’s still nice to have as an option.

- I can be lazy.  Shooting in manual with automatic flash can be great sometimes when I just want to be a mom and take snapshots.

CONS

- It seems that anything above 400 ISO is pretty darn grainy.

- It’s $500.  That’s pricey for a point and shoot.

- It’s a little complicated to work.  This camera is definitely for the advanced amateur!

I think that if you’re serious about photography, but don’t have the bucks to invest in a DSLR then this camera is for you.  It allows so much more flexibility than other point and shoot cameras.  The color that comes out of it is pretty good.  It’s a great little camera from what I can tell so far  Here are some shots from our first “camping” trip this weekend.  And I say “camping” trip because we didn’t actually make the night.  We ended up driving home that night.  But, more on that later

And, yes, before you ask these are edited images.  They are not straight out of camera.  But the SOOC looked pretty good too

Over here at the Bittel house we are very much enjoying having a backyard this Summer.  At our hold house we had a backyard, but it wasn’t very child safe and I’m not even sure Brayden really knew it existed.  But, as soon as we moved into this house “outside” quickly became one of his favorite words.  

Earlier this summer we went to play with one of B’s BFF’s, Dakota, and she had this super cool water table.  B loved it.  Like played with it for an hour straight and didn’t pay attention to anything else.  So, I knew I had to find one.  Well, that’s easier said than done.  Toys ‘R Us was sold out.  The manufacturers website was sold out.  Amazon was sold out.  Costco had it, but we don’t have a Costco membership.  I looked everywhere.  I now know how my Grandma felt when she had to find the ever allusive Cabbage Patch Kid doll for Christmas of ‘84.  Except I think the internet made my search a little easier.

About a month later I finally got an email from Step 2’s website saying that the item was in stock!  We got it right in time for our move and B has been loving his water table ever since.  It’s great because it has a faucet that recycles the water and he will spend almost an hour washing dishes, dumping water out, and drinking the water.  Who doesn’t love a little hose water in the Summer?  It was the best $49.99 plus shipping and handling I’ve ever spent.

What is your kids favorite summer toy?

All shot at 2.8, 1/800, ISO 125

*Reposted from DrewB Blog*

I get asked all the time how I do it. How can I run a successful business, be a Mommy, and a wife? Well, I’m going to let you in on my secret…

Yep, my husband is my secret weapon. He’s the reason I can have the best of both worlds. I can be a stay at home Mommy during the day and once he gets home it’s time to go to work. He’s Mr. Mom. Does the whole night time routine. Makes dinner, reads stories, and even does the bath. To tell you the truth, I’ve only given Brayden a bath once. I have no idea how to do it He’s the sole reason I can pursue my dreams and have been successful at it. I couldn’t do it without his full support.

Last Thursday we celebrated our 4 year anniversary! Which means that it’s almost the 4 year anniversary of DrewB Photography. After our wedding I needed a new project. A new hobby. Over dinner a couple of weeks after our wedding, Chuck and I weighed the pros and cons of spending what at the time seemed like a small fortune on the Canon Rebel. I had always loved photography. Everyone told me I had the eye for it, but could I really have my own business? A successful business? He told me to go for it. He told me he knew I could do it. He never once doubted me. Even through the countless hours spent at the computer teaching myself the ins and outs of photography, through the frustrated tears, through all of the ups and the downs he believed in me. He’s my number one fan and supporter and does whatever it takes to keep my dreams alive.

Chuck, I love you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for not only loving me, but for being my best friend and helping my dreams become a reality. Happy Anniversary!

In the past week I’ve done 2 mentoring sessions and 2 online Mom*tog sessions.  I’m having so much fun meeting new people and sharing my passion for photography.  But, I’m tired!  All I want to do is this:

1.8, 1/100, ISO 1000

But, I can’t.  Too much work to do!  Gotta keep working away! 

I hope you are able to get some z’s!  My little guy doesn’t seem to  have a problem with it!  Well, that is until midnight when he wakes up screaming bloody murder because his molars are coming in  Keeping my fingers crossed that tonight is different!  Wish me luck!

Hope your weekend was as great as ours!

1.8 1/250 ISO 500

Amy left a comment under “Don’t Jump on the Couch” Post:

A friend of mine told me about you…I’m a “momtog” too! I just bought the Canon 5D Mark II…were these pics shot in natural light? How do you get his face so well lit?! Did you use an external flash? Just curious. I love all your work!

Thanks, Amy!  All the pictures you see on Mom*tog are all taken with natural light (with the exception of a few that may have been taken with my point and shoot, but that should be pretty obvious).  With a camera like the 5D and 5D Mark II you can shoot at high ISO’s without getting too much noise.  Also, I’m constantly looking for good light.  With experience you really can start to see the light and know how to utilize it.  The only time I use flash is at wedding receptions or maybe occasionally for a little fill flash at the beach if I’m trying to get a good sunset shot.

I get quite a few emails about flash so here are my thoughts:

As a professional photography – While I LOVE natural light, I’m not a flash snob.  Some photographers won’t use flash at all.  They refuse to.  And some can make it look incredibly beautiful and artistic.  And some can’t.  I guess being a bride I know that I would rather have had pictures from my own wedding that were in focus, not overly noisy, and  properly lit whether flash was used or not.  So, I keep that in mind when shooting other peoples weddings.  I don’t not shoot with flash for the sake of not shooting with a flash, just because it’s the cool thing to do.  If I need to use flash during the ceremony or for the getting ready pictures, I will.  But, only if I have to.  I think knowing how to get around it and really utilize the light that you are given comes with experience.  I’ve also learned how to bounce my flash (aim it at the ceiling or another wall) and how to use off camera lighting to make flash not look so harsh.  I’m still not a flash expert, but I’ve gotten to the point where I can make any type of lighting situation work.  But, for the most part I only use flash at the reception.

As a Mom*tog – My theory as a mom who loves to take pictures is similar.  When I’m messing around taking portrait type pictures of B I will use natural light.  Because I love it and because if I mess up who cares.  The pictures are just for fun.  But, if I’m taking pictures on Christmas morning or at Disneyland I’m not afraid to use flash.  Why miss those special moments?  When you look back at your childhood pictures do you look at the quality of the pictures?  Probably not.  I know that I love them because of the memories they bring back.  I don’t care about the red eye or that it may be slightly underexposed.  While I have a whole slew of pictures of Brayden that I take with my big, fancy camera that I post here, I also have a whole bunch of pictures that I love equally as much that I don’t post on here.  Yeah, they may not be the best quality and they may not be as pretty, but I love them just as much.  And if it took using flash to get that then who cares?  Flash away!

But, for those of you who are using flash all of the time, try to turn it off and really look for the light.  Experiment and see what you like better.

When looking for “the light” closely examine your subjects face.  Does it have shadows?  Is it evenly lit?  Experiement in different lighting situations and see what works best!  Happy shooting!

Anyone who knows B knows he loves Paul Frank.  His love began when he saw his BFF Owen wearing cool Paul Frank clothing.  We’ve been known to spend $40 on Paul Frank pajamas.  Because they are that cool.  Overpriced, but totally cool.  Well, my friend Heather was telling me yesterday that they had Paul Frank at Target.  Target?  I totally didn’t believe her.  I thought it was some imitation Paul Frank monkey.  She also told me that the fair closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and I totally didn’t believe her either.  Yeah, she was right about that too.  Sorry Heather!

So, anyways, back to my story.  I went to Target today and guess what?  Heather was right again!  They do have Paul Frank at Target!  I bought B a raincoat (because we really need that in California… in July, right?) for $13, a hat for $7 , and an umbrella for $7!  Do you know how much that would have cost at the Paul Frank store?  It’s going to make for some super cute pictures next winter!

Here’s proof:

Some people who shall remain nameless (cough, cough Michelle) are not so happy about Paul Frank being made more readily available to the masses.  Her kids are pretty much known for having the coolest Paul Frank gear around.  But, I say spread the Paul Frank love!  Now, every man, woman, and child can look cool!

And here’s a pic of B in one of my most favorite Paul Frank shirts.  I wish they made one that said “My B thinks I’m Rad!”

I only missed it by a couple of days   My BIG boy is now 17 months!  I want to start doing monthly posts so I can remember what he could do and say when he’s older.  Here are some stats on Brayden.

He can say:

Go (and also go, go, go!)

Moo

Moon (and he will look to the sky and point to where it is.  If he can’t find it he will say “I don’t”, which means “I don’t know”)

I don’t (see above)

More

That

This

Choo choo (with arm motions)

Quack (although quack quack has been replaced with choo choo when you ask him what a duck says)

Hi

Bye bye

Mama (but, when I ask him to say mama he looks me in the eyes and yells DADA!)

Dada

Car (omg.  this boy LOVED cars!)

Outside

Nana (which means banana, but it really means all food)

He can jump and spin.  He loves to run.  We’ve been going swimming several times a week and we’re hoping to start lessons next week.  We’re still going to Gymboree and we’re up to Level 4 now with the big kids!

Brayden is still obsessed with Madagascar.  As a matter of fact, he loves all animals.  We went to the fair on Saturday and he loved the petting zoo!  He petted all of the animals and panted at them (his word for dog).  He loves his Hauggy and is actually really gentle with him.  And Hauggy is doing really well with him too.  B initially liked pony rides, but when we went last month he refushed to go on them so I guess he’s over ponies!

We’re still having eating issues.  At his 15 month appointment (but he was really 16 months) he was in the 94th percentile for height, but only 18th for weight.  We’re doing everything we can to get this boy to eat, but he’s just too busy!

And a couple more funny things.  We have a UCLA gnome on a chair outside of our door and every time we leave he has to say bye bye to the gnome.  It’s really cute.  I think he’s learning how to count.  He will jump off of the fireplace and say “uh, uh, uh” and jump.  I think the “uh’s” are supposed to be 1, 2, 3.  He will make funny motions with his hands like he’s trying to use his fingers, but he can’t quite figure it out.

I love maternity pictures.  I especially love the session I just posted on my blog.

Did you / will you take professional maternity pictures?  I did and I’m so happy I did.  I thought I was HUGE when I took my maternity pictures and didn’t see how I could possibly get any bigger, but I did!  I was so ready to rush through my pregnancy and be done with it.  I’m happy now to have those pictures to look back on and remember it all again.  If I would have known who was inside of me I may have enjoyed it a little more  Plus, it was fun to get glammed up and feel pretty for a day!  Because Lord knows I was not feeling too pretty back in those days!

Here are a couple from our session with Jessica Claire.

This is the shot that I’ve seen so many people try to duplicate, but it will never be as good as the original