Image taken from http://livingwithlindsay.com/

We’ve all got that corner in the home that is just dead space right?  Well what a cool way to use it.  The lines draw you in and it becomes an interesting conversation piece for your home.  Plus, no one else that you will know would have done this.  No one.

Image taken from http://outcamethesun.tumblr.com/

I think this next one would be perfect for a boys room.  Not only can you put up photos but artwork or even magazine articles you like or pretty much anything.

Image taken from http://charlaanne.typepad.com/

Depth of field is the amount of distance between the nearest and farthest objects that appear in an image.  For example, in the below image, my son is sharp and in focus but the background is blurry and out of focus.  That was intentional in taking the shot.

Now this image is somewhat snapshotty (yes that is a word), but it shows how I wanted my son to be the focus with a lot of depth of field.  He is the focus of the image.  To achieve this I used a very large aperture.  The aperture sits inside the lens and controls how much light passes through the lens.  A large aperture lets through quite a lot of light and a small aperture lets though less light.  They are described as f stop numbers.  In this image a used a somewhat larger f-stop, 4.0.  The smaller the f-stop number the larger the aperture, giving off more light.  The larger the f-stop number the smaller the  aperture, giving off less light.  A bit confusing right?  Here is a diagram to make a little more clear.

As a portrait photographer I tend to shoot as wide open as possible, which means I am shooting on a very low f-stop number.  Usually between f/1.4 to f2.8, depending on my lighting situation.  I love the look of a blurry background and having the subject sharp in focus.  I find it adds more drama to an image, and is my personal style.  There are certain occasions where a large f-stop would be warranted.  For instance if  you wanted the entire image in focus and sharp.  Let’s say in a landscape image.  The below image was one that I took while my husband and I were living in Argentina.  It is a billboard and a light pole.  I found quite interesting to look at and wanted the entire image in focus without any blur, so I used an aperture of f/11.

Aperture is definitely one of the technical aspects of photography that I think of with every single shot.  Aside for the composition I always want ensure my aperture is where I want it so understanding how it works is vital to understanding how your camera works.

If you enjoyed reading about this blog post and have particular question about the technical side of photographer, please feel free to ask me.  I’d be happy to make a post to answer your question.  Next topic will be shutter speed!

Image taken from http://shechive.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/botw-37.jpg

Any one who has a toddler, or has been around a toddler, or knows someone who has a toddler, or was a toddler, is nodding in agreement right now.  I find this stage so funny.  I’m sure it’ll get worse too as my son realizes that he is going to be sharing things for the rest of his childhood…..with a girl!  Insert evil laugh here.

Image taken from http://www.rookiemoms.com/toddlers-rules/

This is just so beautiful.  I’ve been studying lighting a lot lately while taking a break from shooting and this image just spoke to me.  The pose, the colour, the shadows.  Makes me see this as a painting.  I love it.  I miss photoshoots and it’s only been a month since I left for maternity leave.  Can’t wait to get back at it!

Image taken from http://piccsy.com/2012/02/lady-in-red-5xh8on3bz/

Image taken from http://madebylova.wordpress.com/

While I was living in Argentina I was completely enamoured with the old fashioned jugs, water bottles and glass they had for sale at the markets.  I managed to buy one and bring it home.  If I had a larger suitcase I would have bought a hundred of these beauties just to do this kind of a display all around my house.  I think it’s so creative and thought provoking.  What a conversation piece!

Image taken from http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/

I’m absolutely making these.  Go to the website for directions.  I love them!

Image taken from http://craftandcreativity.com/blog

Image taken from http://spaceforlivingos.com/

I love bean bags.  I use a giant puck size one for work.  It’s what I pose my newbies on.  But it isn’t squishy and comfy.  Or something you would sink into and read a book on.  When Bohdi started playing on the floor I invested in two more.  One for my hubby and one for me to sit on while we hung out with our little man while he played.  They are small and fit each of us pretty well, but then I found this monster.  Oh boy, if I had a large home I would furnish my entire home with it.  I also would never be able to get out of them either.  Especially at 8 months pregnant.

Image taken from http://pinterest.com/

In less then 3 weeks, my growing brood is moving to a new home.  Even thought our family is getting bigger, our home is now about to get smaller.  We didn’t intend on downsizing but to get the main items on our list of must haves it turned out what needed to happen if we wanted to stay in Toronto.  So I am looking into some creative storage options in a home that has almost no storage.  I need a place for everything and am purging a lot.  It actually feels pretty good to get rid of so much.  I really want to stop being such a consumer of non essentials.  This is one thing I will be implementing in our home for the phones, keys, ipods, pacifiers and Thomas the Train figures.  Each one of us will have a slot.

Image taken from http://spaceforlivingos.com/

With the upcoming arrival of my new little monster I am feeling a little bit of trepidation.  Not in what kind of mother I will be, or how I will manage with two.  But with how my wonderful little boy will feel about sharing his mom and dad and if he will feel a sense of loss.  I hope he will not feel that we are replacing him or that we do not love him as much as we do and always will.  I’m not good with expressing sentimental feelings but this is something that expresses exactly how I want him to feel.

Image take from http://pinterest.com/

Oh how I love pregnancy hormones.  The tears are a-flowing just re-reading this.  Till next time……

Image taken from google images

Anyone reading this who knew me prior to having a baby knows that I rocked the 4 inch heels like nobody’s business.  I had to.  I’m 5’2.  Flats were not a word in my vocab.  I could run in heels.  Since getting pregnant and having a very fast kid, I only wear heels on special occasions.  So that would be the one wedding I’ve attended since 2010.  Since then I’ve embraced the world of flats.  Oh how I love them.  I love how easy and simple they are.  I love how close to the ground I feel.  I love that I never feel like I could tip over in them.  Not to say I will never where heels again.  I’ve got about 60 pairs in my closet just begging to be worn.  Every time I watch Toy Story 3 with my son I think of my poor beautiful shoes that just want to be worn one more time.  I imagine them reminiscing about parties and fun outfits they used to be part of.  I think about how I wasn’t so short back then.  Ahh, the good old days of daily showers, make up and nice clothes.  One day I will wear you again.  Until then…I’m loving my flats.

Image taken from http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/shoes/ballets

The Voice.  I love this show.  I don’t really care about the singers or the talent that comes out of this type of show because really, aside for maybe 2 or 3 people, they never really do anything all that special.  I just watch for Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.  How hot are those two?  I’ve never heard Blake Shelton sing.  I’ve actually, never heard of him until this show.  He’s probably the cutest man alive.  Adam Levine just oozes sex appeal out of every pore.  He can’t help but make every woman want him.  I’m not a fan of skinny jeans on a dude but Adam can pull it off.  He can pull off pretty much anything.

Image taken from google images

I’m a crafty little thing when I want to be.  I love to sew, knit, and just make things in general.  I would love to have a table like this.  Seeing as we are moving in one month to a home that is slightly smaller then what we are in now, and we’re adding another body.  Space saving will become an utmost priority to my family.  This table would be ideal.  Now, I just need to find the man to make it for me.  Any offers?

Image taken from http://bubblewrappd.blogspot.ca/