If you like free stuff you should really head on over to the Bloom Workshop birthday extravaganza and enter their contests!  You could win some really rad things including an UNposing Guide!  Who doesn’t love a giveaway?

Happy Birthday, Bloom Workshop!

Dear Brayden,

2 years ago today, after a very long and painful labor, we met at exactly 3:30pm for the first time.  4 days past due and you had no intentions of coming out so the doctor had to force you out.  When the doctor held you up over the curtain for the first time and your Daddy and I saw you we both cried, but later admitted to each other that we thought you were an albino baby.  Your hair was as white as your skin and you had bright blue eyes.  Regardless, we loved you because you were ours.

2 years ago today you were a stranger.  I could only dream of what your voice would sound like when you said, “Mama”.  I could only imagine what you would look like when you took your first steps.  I could never comprehend how proud I would be every time you learn a new word, when you blew out the candles of your 2nd birthday cake, when you said, “Love Mama” for the first time, and all your other little accomplishments.  I would have never guessed how much joy and happiness you could bring to me.

2 years ago today I wasn’t sure I could do it.  I still have days that I’m not sure I can do it.  But, I hope you know how much I try to be the best mom possible.  I love making you laugh so hard that your face turns red.  I love tickling you so hard that you giggle and say, “No, Mama!  No!”.  I love that I’m the only one who can understand your “Branglish”.  I love that I get just as excited as you (okay, maybe more excited) when we get stuck at a train crossing.  I love getting to discover new things with you.

2 years ago today I knew I loved you, but I could have never imagined how much more I could love you today.  Brayden, I love you so much and am so proud of the boy you are.  I can’t wait to see how much you change and grow over the next year.  But, please don’t grow up too fast.  These past two years have flown by.  I’d just like you to stay my baby for a little bit longer.

Love,

Mama

I was going to try to take credit for this outfit, but I can’t.  I would never pick out something this cool.  The outfit was a birthday present the very stylish Trista Lerit.  Trista has been buying Brayden designer duds since before he was even born.  Thanks Trista!

And a big special thanks to my hubby who helped me take these pictures during the Super Bowl  He’s so awesome!

And with Brayden’s birthday it also means that’s it’s the 1 year anniversary of Mom*tog!  192 posts, 2372 comments, over 350,000 hits, and countless new friends.  It’s been a great year!  Thanks for the support.  Thanks for reading.  Thanks for the fun!  I can’t wait to see what the next year has in store!

And as a Happy Birthday / Happy Anniversary gift the UNposing Guide is 25% off until Sunday at midnight!  Enter in the code “Anniversary” at checkout.

If I were possibly thinking about traveling to one location outside of California to do some shooting this summer where should that be and why?  I’m thinking about taking a long weekend and going somewhere new to shoot.  I’m looking for a place that’s totally different than Orange County.  I want barns, old buildings without fences, and no beaches!  Please leave a comment with a location suggestion if you’d really be interested in booking a session.  I get emails asking me to travel all of the time, but I want to see if the interest is really out there.  The shoot can be whatever you want it to be.  Family, engagement, head shots, just because, whatever you want!

When Brayden was 10 months old we went to our good friends wedding in Ohio.  I was so looking forward to taking pictures of B there.  Barns!  Cornfields!  Long, empty roads!  And then I got sick.  I was so bummed.  But, I still ended up going out and making my poor baby freeze while I tried to get a few shots.  Can you believe this is the same kid?

After reading my post on cropping a lot of people asked where they could get 8 x 12 prints.  A lot of smaller, mom and pop, photo labs will print 8 x 12 prints.  I have a local printer that I go to when I’m in a jam and he will print any size I need.  If you’re local in north Orange County, Fullerton Photo is a good lab that will print them.  And it’s a super cute place to hang out too!  Apparently Costco prints 8 x 12 prints too.

I checked with our newest sponsor, Color Inc Pro Lab, and they also print 8 x 12’s.  Check them out!  There’s no minimum order and if you use the promo code “Tag10″ you get 10 free 4 x 6 prints!  Score!

And just in case you are wondering, I’m so over this weather.  We officially have cabin fever!  I have a new found respect for people with kids who have to suffer through real winters.  We’ve had 3 days of rain and have 2 more left until we see the sun.  If we just had a BASEMENT then we could have a great big play room.  I really want a basement.  I get so jealous that the rest of the country gets basements.  I see all these rad houses with basements on HGTV and I really want one.  But, then I would probably never go in my basement because I would be scared of earthquakes.  Okay, I’m getting off topic here.  I tried to teach B that jumping in puddles was fun, but he didn’t get it.  He jumped this one time and then was over it.  He said it was too cold and then ran back inside.  Wimps, I tell you!  We have very thin blood here.

I’ve gotten a lot of emails or comments saying that you would love to buy the UNposing Guide and donate to the earthquake victims, but you can’t afford to do so.  If that’s you,  here’s a contest for you!  Donate a minimum of $10 (if you donate more you will get extra brownie points with me!) to any reputable charity where the money is going directly to Haiti.  Email me a copy of the receipt (drew at drewbphotography dot com).  Please black out or blur any pertinent info that I don’t need.  I just need your name, charity name, and donation amount.  Contest ends Sunday at midnight.  The winner will receive a copy of the UNposing Guide!  It’s that simple!

Please go here to view a list of reputable charities where the money is going directly to Haiti.

My friend Julie blogged about her friend who is in Haiti and was there for the earthquake.  Kristen is there with her 10 month old baby girl.  She was there visiting her adopted son when the earthquake struck.  Her husband and other kids are back home in the States.  Her account of the earthquake and the aftermath is so compelling and heartbreaking.  She doesn’t know how she is going to get home or when she will be able to get home.  I can’t even imagine what she is going through.  Please be thinking good thoughts for Kristen and her kids, the other American’s who are stuck there and are trying desperately to get home to their families, and, of course, all of the other victims of the earthquake.

Please check back later today to see how much money we raised!  I’m so humbled by all of your generosity and compassion.  It’s amazing to see what we do when we come together to help those in need!

I hate earthquakes.  I’ve lived in Southern California my whole entire life and I’ve been through all of the big ones, but I still can’t get use to them.  When Brayden was a just a few months old we had a pretty big quake that was centered just a few miles from us.  I wouldn’t stay in the house by myself for days.  I would leave when Chuck left in the morning and not come back until he did.  My fear is totally unhealthy, but it’s more than a fear.  It’s a phobia.  My fear of earthquakes consumes me.  Just hope and pray you’re never with me during one.

I can’t help but think of what all the people in Haiti are going through right now.  They are already the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and on top of that, they are not a country who has prepared for an earthquake.  Earthquakes just don’t happen on that side of the world very often.  I can’t help but think how easily that could be us in Southern California.  And it will be us sooner or later.  We will need everyone’s help when the next really big one hits us.  I want to help the people in Haiti.  Until Thursday, January 14 at midnight I will be donating 100% of the profits of the UNposing Guide to the Red Cross International Response Fund, which will go directly to the people of Haiti.  Already have an UNposing Guide or would like to donate less?  I encourage you to donate what you can, whether it be $5 or $500 to the Red Cross or any other organization who is helping the people of Haiti.  Let’s see how much money we can raise for the earthquake victims!

Staying on the topic of flash for one more day, I love using rechargeable batteries for my flash.  Not only is it cost effective, but it’s also better for the environment and I feel that rechargeable batteries recycle faster (your flash will fire faster after taking a picture).  My favorite rechargeable batteries are the Powerex Batteries.  They are $16.95 for 4.  Mine lasted me for about 2 years before I finally decided to retire them and buy new ones.  I love them, but I’m sure other brands work well too.

One last flash picture.  It’s probably the last one you’ll see on this blog!  Wouldn’t have been able to capture bedtime stories without the use of a flash!

Canon 5D, 50 1.2

4.0, 1/40, ISO 400

I know I said I was taking a vacation, but I just can’t stay away  Yesterday, one of my favorite photographers, Jose Villa, tweeted “Photographers: Don’t ever stop shooting for yourself”.  It is such a great reminder.  Once you stop shooting for yourself it takes all the fun out of photography.  I think this time of year a lot of professional photographers are in a rut.  Well, at least I know I am.  There has been months and months of endless work with no break and major holiday deadlines to contend with.  And on top of that I was trying to get everything ready for the holidays with my family and make it perfect.  It seems like this time of year I’m just over shooting.  I need a break!  But, it’s such a good reminder to keep shooting for yourself.  Some people shoot landscapes.  Other people shoot abandoned buildings.  I shoot this little guy.

Canon 5D, 50 1.2

f2.0, 1/200, ISO 320

I do my best to record the little things that I think I will never forget, but I’m sure over time I will.  Like the way he has to hold ALL of his Crayons while coloring.  And the way he bites his tongue when he concentrates really hard.  I don’t want to ever forget those things.  Brayden is my inspiration.  After he was born I feel that my photography went to a whole different level.  I don’t know what it is.  Maybe that I can connect to families and kids better.  Maybe that as a mom I want to record other people’s kids and their quirky traits that make them unique.  Maybe after he was born I began to see the world differently.  I’m not sure.  Whatever it is I know that he helps me keep my passion for photography alive.  What’s your inspiration?  What do you shoot for yourself? 

Now I’ll be finishing my vacation until January 4th.  Happy New Year!

PS  A few people have asked if the UNposing Guide is going to be going on sale for the holidays.  I didn’t even think of it!  So, sure.  You asked for it and here it is.  The UNposing Guide Happy New Year Sale!  Enter in “newyear” in the discount code to receive 20% discount through January 1st.  Happy New Year!

Remember how much I told you I love my Pixel Pocket Rocket?  And how much I love my Airstream rolling bag?  Well, the awesome people at Think Tank saw how many Mom*togs were visiting their site and asked me to become an affiliate.  What does that mean for you Mom*tog’s?  If you go to http://www.thinktankphoto.com/affiliate and enter the code AP-384 you will get a free gift with your purchase of over $50 or more!  And guess what one of the free gifts that you can choose is?  My very favorite Pixel Pocket Rocket!  How rad!  There are also several other cool bags to choose from as your free gift so be sure to check them out!  Who doesn’t love a free gift?

Happy Monday!

I don’t know about all of you, but I’m sick of hearing everyone talk about being done with their holiday shopping.  I haven’t even started!  I can’t even start to think about my Christmas shopping until I get done editing my family sessions.  Almost done with my work for the year!  Woohoo!  I plan on doing most of my shopping online because I really can’t think of anything worse than taking my almost 22 month old to the mall.  That’s just torture!

One of the places I plan on doing some of my online shopping is Stella & Dot.  Not only do they have super cute jewelry, but it’s also affordable!  I love this

This

And this

Actually maybe I’ll just treat myself to an early Christmas present  Happy shopping!