Tag: photography

  • Eleanor, the Photographer

    Eleanor, the Photographer

    The winner of my Shutterfly giveaway has been randomly selected, and I’ll edit this post to announce the winner as soon as I have confirmation. Thanks for entering, everyone!

    Now, since I showed you Eleanor in full cranky toddler mode, I thought it was only fair to show you this little outtake from the same photo session. She was much more into being the photographer than the subject that day.

    That look of concentration! I love it.

    p.s. Here were the Official Rules for the giveaway.

  • The Balch Family Holiday Card, 2011

    The Balch Family Holiday Card, 2011

    There’s a giveaway too — Keep reading for details.

    It’s that time again. Time to think of a ridiculous premise for our holiday cards! You know how I do a monthly shoot for the kids in the same chair to document their growth? I thought it would be fun to do the same portrait for all of us this year, then compile the photos into a card.

    Eleanor is a toddler. If you’ve experienced toddlerhood, you’ll know that’s all that needs to be said.

    I put her down for a nap in hopes of a better shot later. I used the time to run out for flowers (Brandon’s idea, and a good one at that). We took the rest of our photos while E slept, but here are a few from the second attempt later in the day. We tried to bribe her with a lollipop. She let it fall out of her mouth and onto her skirt, and was then appalled.

    August was happy! A happy but wiggly, rocking, and slightly out of focus baby. It was so dark in the living room, I had to bump the ISO waaaaay up, open the aperture all the way, and hope for the best.


    I was the consummate professional, needing only one shot. Or perhaps I’m just saying that so I’ll only have to show you one shot. You’ll never know.

    Brandon looks like a standup fellow. So dapper. So mature.

    Oh, wait! We have a B-side. A Brandon B-side.

    Aw yeah. Brandon’s footie pajamas made a triumphant return. Along with my necklace. And with that, here is this year’s Balch family holiday card.

    We’re lookin’ good.

    Giveaway

    You are no doubt inspired to make your own holiday cards now, right? OK, you may not want to take the route we did. You can still go for the classic family photo, and for that you’ll need a nice camera. And something (or some things) to put that photo on. Well, Shutterfly is offering 50 cards, a 12×12 photo book, an 8×8 photo book, mug, 3 calendars, reusable shopping tote, and an ornament, along with a PowerShot S100 Camera.

    Visit Shutterfly to select your favorite photo card template, and leave a comment here about which one you like best to enter. A winner will be randomly selected.

    NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) 18 years or older. Ends 12/6/11. To enter and for Official Rules, including odds and prize descriptions, visit Girl’s Gone Child, The Spohrs are Multiplying, or Make and Takes. Void where prohibited.

    Congratulations to the winner, Diana L!

  • Nine Months Old (August’s Monthly Photo)

    Nine Months Old (August’s Monthly Photo)


    I’ll be taking a photo of August sitting in the Eames rocker and wearing his pin each month until he’s two years old. I also took monthly photos of his older sister, Eleanor, until she turned two.

    Previous Photos
    One Month OldTwo Months OldThree Months OldFour Months OldFive Months OldSix Months OldSeven Months OldEight Months OldView All

  • Eight Months Old (August’s Monthly Photo)

    Eight Months Old (August’s Monthly Photo)


    I’ll be taking a photo of August sitting in the Eames rocker and wearing his pin each month until he’s two years old. I also took monthly photos of his older sister, Eleanor, until she turned two.

    Previous Photos
    One Month OldTwo Months OldThree Months OldFour Months OldFive Months OldSix Months OldSeven Months OldView All

    p.s. August has started crawling!

  • ONA Brooklyn Camera Bag (Giveaway)

    ONA Brooklyn Camera Bag (Giveaway)

    ONA wrote to me after I had featured their Brooklyn Camera Bag in a roundup of cute camera bags, offering one to me for review. They’d also like to give one away to one of my lucky readers!

    The bag is beautiful, and I can fit my camera inside with my nifty fifty attached, plus two other lenses. I like that there’s a big pocket along the outside to hold a notebook or an iPad, and then a smaller pocket under the flap to hold essentials (I carry a cute business card holder instead of my usual wallet, keys, my phone, a pen, and lipstick). The leather is thick and holds its shape well, and the interior padded compartments are adjustable so you can get a good fit for your gear. The buckles are pretty, but buckles can be tricky to undo in a hurry. Here, they’re actually a cover for quick-release clasps that can be done and undone with one hand. Smart!

    I have another camera bag that is adorable, but this one is a better foil for all of my dresses. Plus I like that the strap allows the bag to be worn as a cross-body, since you can see that I usually have my hands full.

    Win a Brooklyn Camera Bag

    Would you like one too? ONA would like to give away a Brooklyn Camera Bag to one lucky Making it Lovely reader!

    Leave a comment on this post to enter. One entry per person, open to U.S. and international entrants, and you can have your choice of color (black or chestnut). The giveaway ends Friday, September 2 at midnight CST, and a winner will be selected randomly. Good luck!

    p.s. You can keep up with ONA by liking their Facebook page.

    Congratulations to Julie, commenter #457 and winner of the camera bag!

  • FUJIFILM FinePix X100 Camera

    FUJIFILM FinePix X100 Camera

    What a beautiful camera. (It takes beautiful photos too.)