My Girls

Time to participate in the annual exchanging of wallets among school pals.

Sorry, but for reasons that should be obvious, I do not purchase pictures from the official school photographer. (Wanna know one of the reasons--those pictures are BORING! Blech!)

So, I drug my kids out one Friday afternoon and demanded smiles and happiness from them. Everyone knows that photographers' kids are the world's worst about cooperating in front of a camera.

I didn't have a lot of time to pull together a cute wardrobe or scout unique locations. These were, after all, just for wallet swaps. It was also a very windy Friday, so we had to battle that....but in the end, we got several keepers! Hooray! Here's a few from the bunch...

Funny...this used to be my most uncooperative kid of the two, and now she's all about "striking a pose!"

I love the solemn look--it never goes out of style! :)

And for the big finale, we like to show off what we lovingly call "the landmine mouth" ('cause when you're eight, your mouth can start to look like someone set off a landmine inside with all the missing teeth!).

Bad News LOST Fans!

I'm sooooo sad. If you've read any of my recent posts, you'll know how much I love the television show LOST. I'm not much of a t.v. freak, but there are about three shows that I watch regularly courtesy of my DVR (thank heavens for DVRs!).

According to this website, LOST will not premiere until February of 2008! *GASP!*

I have since found a cool comedy/mystery show to watch weekly (Psych on USA), but it's just not the same.

Bring on the Doc! What's up, Freckles? Where are you, John? Can you hear me, Sawyer? Please....come back soon!!!

Just Because

Just because some little girls still dream of becoming ballerinas.

(Moment captured while my daughter danced at her grandparents' home.)

Addicted to Blogging

77%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Okay, I admit it...I have a blogging problem! I just can't help myself because it's so much fun!

I actually have three other blogs besides my Four Seasons Photography blog: one private family blog, University Mama (where I blog about my return to the college scene as an adult student), and Controlling the Chaos (home organization tips & tricks I find in cyberspace).

Find out if you're addicted here.

My Family Crest

This week's assignment for my Interpersonal Communications class involved creating a family crest for myself which explained a little about me and how my self-concept developed (a.k.a. "the important things that shape who I am today"). Just for fun, I thought I'd share it with you!

So, to explain....

The center of my crest is a cross & the word "faith" is written. I chose that because it's my faith in Christ that is the very foundation of anything and everything that I am and do.

On the left & right arms of the cross are the two family names that I have been blessed to be a part of: one by birth and one by marriage (note: joined in the center by a heart--love--and in faith).

The largest portion of my crest (or would have been the largest if I had been able to divide it some other way) is my family. Being a wife and a mom are the two most important positions I have, and will ever, hold.

Above the family section are places which have shaped who I am today. I have lived in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. All are very different places from one another--culturally and physically--even though they all share common borders. In the background is an American flag. I'm very proud and fortunate to be an American, though I admit, I often take it for granted.

The upper left is the portion which--you guessed it--represents Four Seasons Photography. My business fills a very special place in my life. Not only is it a financial livelihood, but it allows me to stretch my creative muscles on a regular basis (which has always been important to me) and I get to meet so many wonderful people!

The bottom left represents my other interests: blogging (of course!), traveling, the love of British things, Devil Bites (my favorite desssert) and reading. The big palm tree represents our beloved annual family vacation to the beach!

So, that's me in a nutshell. What would your crest look like?

P.S.--This project also taught me what a technology geek I've become. Gone are the good ol' days when I would just cut & paste a crest onto a poster board. I just had to design this in photoshop and print it on photo paper!! What is wrong with me?

Tag: I'm it!

For those of you who don't frequent a lot of photography blogs, you're probably clueless to the very fun game of "tag" that's been going around lately. I've been tagged by Dejah of Dejah Quinn Photography (one of my favorite fellow photographers...and she's right here in Oklahoma!). You are supposed to share eight things about yourself & then tag eight other people. So here goes...


1. My maiden name was Wisdom. No joke! So can I claim to be a smartie-pants by birth?

2. I was the first grade spelling bee champion at Nashville Primary School in Nashville, Arkansas, but now I'm grateful for spell check!

3. My favorite dessert is chocolate, of course, but more specifically: Devil Bites. My husband calls them "glorified ding-dongs without the filling," but what does he know? :) I always make sure to pick up the wonderful little jewels from Kathy's Bakery & Deli when I'm in Iowa Park, TX. Tell 'em Megan sent ya.....they won't be surprised!

4. I love all things British. Don't know why...I just do! I'm especially fond of old stuffy castles and Renaissance literature. I got to go on my dream vacation to London in 1999, but I would love to go back to check out the British countryside (and Scotland).

5. I grew up on a small farm. We had cattle, pigs, goats, and horses but mostly chickens! Thousands of chickens! (It was a commercial chicken farm for Tyson foods) Now that I'm older and lazy, I don't think I could survive farming life! :)

6. I hate putting away laundry, but don't mind washing or folding it.

7. My favorite television shows of all time are The Cosby Show, Seinfeld and LOST. I'm (impatiently) waiting for the new season of LOST to begin!

8. Speaking of LOST, my best friend, Heather, and I have a cool tradition. We always watched LOST together when I lived in Texas; it was kind of our "girl's night." When we moved to Oklahoma, I knew watching LOST would never be the same without her. So, we began DVRing the episodes & calling each other at 9:30 p.m. each Wednesday night to watch it together. It took some practice to get our DVRing in sync, but now we are old pros! I always look forward to Wednesday nights with Heather and I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful BFF!

Now, for the latest tagees:

1. Bethany of Bella Amadis Photography

2. Robin at DePaula Photography

3. and my non-photographer but equally talented friend, H at TwiceKnit


People that I would have tagged if they had not been tagged already:

4. Rebekah at Rebekah Westover Photography

5. Jennifer from Jennifer Adams Photography

6. Carrie at Carrie Viohl Photography


And finally, people I would have tagged if they would get a blog going (what's the hold-up, ladies?):

7. Ruth at Photography by Ruth

8. Marcy at Marcy Gray Photography

Miss LHS

Meet Brandy (okay, so it's not the first time you've met her here on the blog). She was crowned Miss LHS during the last school year because she's a smart, talented, community-minded, caring and beautiful girl. Now she's off studying her heart out at Oklahoma State University. We had to sneak in time for a head shot over Labor Day weekend so her picture can adorn the hallowed halls of Leedey High for all eternity.

Snips & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails

I've had the chance to do several sessions with little boys lately, and they all have one thing in common: they are so darn cute!!!

Take Aden & Mason for example....

Cutie Pie!

I love sunflare (and choo-choo trains)!

Now meet, Mr. Mason....

Cutie Patootie!

I never get laughs like these from girls. I guess the laughs of little boys just take over their whole bodies (see Belly Laugh)!

Megan Franks at Four Seasons Photography specializes in on-location portrait sessions for children. Children tend to enjoy outdoor sessions and are more relaxed in a non-studio atmosphere. Contact Four Seasons Photography today to schedule your session at the unique location of your choice!

September Blog Special

It's September already???

This month's Blog Special is:

With any purchase of $60 or more,
get a free 8x10 of your choice.

As always, the blog special only applies to private sessions booked for the month of September and you must mention that you saw the special on the blog in order to get the goodies!

Oh, Say Can You See...

Last night, my family & I met several of our dearest friends at the Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City for a RedHawks game (the RedHawks are a minor league baseball team). Honestly, we weren't there for the game, the peanuts or the Cracker Jacks, we were there to hear our good pal, Dennis Neal, open the game by singing the national anthem.

Dennis had to audition and be selected to sing. Competition is pretty fierce because there are only a few spots available. But anyone who's ever heard Dennis sing knows that it was a no-brainer for the committee to select him. He can belt out some serious tunes and he did last night, for sure!

He had his own "fan club" section:

My DH waiting for the events to get started:


Let the games begin...

...but first, would you please rise for the singing of the national anthem?

Sing it, Dennis!

Job well done, my friend!

Born on the Fourth of July

Meet Camden, most commonly known as "Boomer" (those of you from Oklahoma can guess why). He is four years old and was born on the fourth of July. He thinks that the elaborate Independence Day fireworks shows are in his honor. Just wait until he finds out the truth--cakes and candles will be a real let-down!

Megan Franks at Four Seasons Photography specializes in on-location portrait sessions for children. Children tend to enjoy outdoor sessions and are more relaxed in a non-studio atmosphere. Contact Four Seasons Photography today to schedule your session at the unique location of your choice!

Call Me!

My voice mail recently "ate" some messages before I had a chance to listen to them or get phone numbers. So if you have recently tried to contact me, give me another call, please!

Mr. T: Round Two

Mr. T (or Tanner Tot, as I like to call him), had a not-so-swell session a few weeks ago due to bad weather and a skipped nap. Round two went much better...

Total Lunar Eclipse: My View

My neighbors must think I'm crazy.

I ran out of the house in my pajamas at 6:30 a.m. this morning with a camera in hand. Then I ran back inside & appeared again with a different camera.

My husband had called to tell me to grab my camera because the eclipse was taking place. I had just watched the news and they were talking about it, but for some reason, I thought it was already over.

So, ever the obedient wife (lol!) I ran outside with my camera....but I had the wrong lens on. So, I went back for my l-o-o-o-o-ng lens and this is what I saw...





As you can see, I missed the "total" part of the "total lunar eclipse," but it will do.

For the photographers out there: this was much harder to shoot than I thought. I had my 70-200mm 2.8 VR lens on & cranked it wide open, but still had to hand-hold it with a SS of 10 & my ISO cranked up as far as it would go (1600 on this particular camera). Then I had a hard time finding anything to focus on; it wouldn't focus on the moon or even the tree in the foreground. I'm just surprised it turned out at all. I expected it to be a total blur, especially since I tend to be really shaky at times (thank goodness for VR!).

I took my 5-year-old daughter out to witness the event since she got up early, but she wasn't nearly as impressed as I was.

She thinks I'm crazy, too. :)

U.S. News & World Report Meets Makenna

Our neice, Makenna, who was born with a heart defect recently completed her third heart surgery at the ripe-old age of four. This time, a U.S. News & World Report reporter followed her progress at the Texas Children's Hosptial in Houston.

The actual print version of the story will not hit newstands until next Monday (I think), but the web article is available for viewing along with some spectacular photos. I will caution you that there are some surgery photos included that are not for the squeamish or for young children.

You can read the article here and view the photo gallery here.

It's so amazing to see what we can do with modern medicine!

By the way, Makenna is doing quite well! :)

Hitting the Books

Today, I became a college girl again. I can hardly believe it's been ten years since I stepped into a university classroom! Saying it aloud makes me feel so old!

I always promised myself and others that I would return to school once my kiddos were in school. The time has come and I made the leap....and I like it! The classroom has always felt like "home" to me. I'm naturally inquisitive and I love being challenged and stretched and learning new things.

Even though I felt old stepping back into the college classroom, I was blessed with two different gals who were sweet enough to make me feel as young as I do on the inside. After "interviewing" one another, a girl in my first class told me that I don't look old (after I told her I felt old, having been out for ten years). Then, as I was leaving my last class, a girl asked if I lived in the dorms or commuted. How SWEET! I will love her forever! :) I thought it was an excellent way to start and end my first day, don't you?

By the way, even though I am taking a full class load, I will still be booking sessions!!

Grace

Miss Grace would have been perfectly content to spend the entire morning with her little tongue sticking out of her mouth. I think she is aspiring to be a puppy dog! :)

Megan Franks at Four Seasons Photography specializes in on-location portrait sessions for children. Children tend to enjoy outdoor sessions and are more relaxed in a non-studio atmosphere. Contact Four Seasons Photography today to schedule your session at the unique location of your choice!

Life's a Walk on the Beach

Here's another variation on my favorite: the walking away shot! These are my daughters and I love the way the footprints & shadows turned out in this one.

Back 2 School

It's that time again! We shipped our kids off to school this morning and the little boogers were glad to be headed that way. The youngest is still in Pre-K where things are pretty fun, but evidentally, the eldest has forgotten about homework. Who knows how long those smiles will last before transforming into whiney, pouty faces?

Foot Fetish

If you saw yesterday's post, then after this one, you will begin to think that I have developed a foot fetish! I haven't, but I ran across this picture of my sister's feet when I was sorting through beach photos & I just thought it was cool. Her toes are such a cute shape and I like the composition of the image. Besides, it reminds me of calmer days, soaking in the sun and the mud, completely carefree....

Scenes from the Beach

I'm back! I'm not sure whether I should say that with enthusiasm or sadness, but I'm back!

This was our third annual trip to the beach (South Padre Island in Texas, to be exact) and it didn't disappoint. I got an great tan, ate whatever I wanted (which included plenty of donuts!) and got to spend time with some of my most favorite people in the whole wide world!

This was our t-shirt for the week. Yes, we ARE goobers, but we can't help ourselves. Besides, don't you think the design is awesome? It was created by yours truly, after all! And it does serve a purpose: when we split up at a mall, it makes it really easy to locate the crew! :

Here are some photos from the week:

First off, we left on our adventure at 4 a.m. (hence the darkness). I was already bored so I started playing with my camera. These are street lights in the wee hours of the morn. It actually turned out pretty cool....if you can get past the bug splotches on our windshield. Ewww....



Did I mention that it is a 12 hour drive & I get extremely bored? :) Here is my self-portrait via the side-view mirrors on our vehicle. I thought it was pretty neat that the water tower ended up in the shot!

Palms, palms everywhere!

Our escape route to the beach!

What's a beach vacation without a sand castle?

We jouneyed to the north shore of the island this year to collect larger sea shells; the southside beach only has tiny shells.

Every tropical vacation deserves a beautiful hibiscus flower! I was surprised at how quickly the flowers faded. This one bloomed one day & dropped off of the bush by the following afternoon.

A room with a view: the rear view from our condo.

A colorful beach umbrella: pretty AND indespensable! Portable shade is a "must have" for beach leisure.



Me & my homies (a.k.a. "my daughers") soaking up the surf & sand.



*Sigh* Beach: I miss you! See you soon! :)

Out of Office Reply

I will be unavailable this week (August 6-10) as I will be busy planting my hind parts on a beach & soaking up the sun....AT LAST (I thought vacation would never come)!

I will do my best to return all voice mail messages and e-mails when I return to the office on August 13. Thanks!