The Seven Gables Pensione B&B

I love old houses. The history and architecture. The detail of old doorknobs, old glass windows, the way an old house just wraps it's history and warmth around you. Last week I had fun shooting a B&B in Prosser, The Seven Gables Pensione House. It's been one of my favorite houses in Prosser since we moved here almost 8 years ago, and I was so excited to see the newly refurbished interior ready for guests.

A friend of mine, Mary Hanlon painted furniture and painted and distressed the kitchen cabinets. It turned out beautiful! Enjoy this French country B&B in our little wine country.

Mary's handiwork:

Main floor bedrooms. Each bedroom has its own bathroom.

Upstairs

Full independent bath with claw foot tub.

ESPN - eat your heart out. Okay, yes, when I was younger I was one of those that cut out pictures in magazines-what am I saying? I still do...Not because I liked the fashion, or the half naked guy in Levis (everyone had that one hanging in our 7th grade lockers, remember?!).  I have always been attracted to lighting. Maybe it sounds a tad odd, but I do remember cutting out images that I thought were interesting lighting, composition, the layout of the set. All of the above. Now when my son brings me a cool photo of a pro baseball player in his ESPN magazine, I can say "Let's try that!" And so we did. Payden and I took one evening and went to the batting cage and took some shots. A few days later we got a key for the field and took some catcher shots he's been asking me to do for a year. We had a ton of fun. He was trying to be serious while his mom is laying in the dirt taking an angled edgy shot of him. Sometimes I had to scold him so he would stop laughing so I could get the shot.

I had watched [Framed]Show Episode 10   http://www.framedshow.com/?p=930   a few days prior featuring Charles Chestnut a photographer for Nike and others, specializing in sports studio photography. The comment was made that all the young new pro baseball players don't want their zits, or unshaven facial hair, scars, etc to be photo shopped because the imperfections make them look tough. So I took my cue from that and did not mess with Payden's blemishes (he'll be so happy to hear me announce this publicly...) So here's some images from our shoot: Batting Cage

Now for our favorite...Catching.. get dirty...

Like I said earlier.... ESPN. eat your heart out.. :)

Bubbles and Coloring

Bubbles and Coloring.  Everyone loves bubbles and I don't know too many people who don't like to color, or at least watch a child color. Now, usually these don't go together, but when you have two fun, energetic, beautiful nieces like I do, they most definitely go together! I spent the weekend at my brother's taking pictures, hanging out, exploring downtown Portland with my sis-in-law, daughter, and cousin, and mostly just being Aunt Tana.

I think every photographer wants to try bubbles in the tub pictures. When it's family, it just gives you more freedom to be creative and have fun. And these two little girls are used to having Aunt Tana's camera everywhere they go.. so they were more than willing to ham it up for me.

Coloring really is a science, you know...   It takes just the right color of pink for Sleeping Beauty's dress, and of course we must have skin tone in her face. It's also good to decide who is coloring which part of the picture, no color-crossing. Well...unless it is necessary...  And yes, I did put down the camera and put my artistic touch on a picture with my daughter and nieces.  I LOVE to color too!

Look at me! I'm on a roll! I could get used to this...
A couple weeks ago I returned 'home' (my hometown Pendleton) for a shoot with friends. Chuck and Lori are so great. I had been looking forward to this shoot.  I've known Chuck (aka Boog) from at least the 5th grade when we were at the same grade school, and of course had classes with him through junior high and high school.  His wife Lori is awesome! When we met for lunch to discuss plans for the shoot, we ended up talking for a couple hours and I didn't want to leave! The kids, Rosey, Chauncey, and Clara are so fun. Each with their own unique personality.

We started our shoot with everyone dressed in their Native American regalia. I was so excited to take their pictures out at the Cultural Center. We aimed for some traditional Lee Moorehouse recreations, with of course a little Tana Teel Twist. I couldn't help but catch some relaxed moments with the kids.

 This is the spot Chuck and Lori got married. What a beautiful spot!

 After a nice lunch and a quick change of clothes, we headed up river to the Sams' family's property. This is the spot he spent many happy childhood moments. I really enjoyed his stories; like how this old cat was his 'tank' and that Boog has a picture of his grandparents standing together in the same spot he and Lori are standing. Okay, yes, I did start to tear up.  I LOVE when special places and memories make their mark on our present moment.

This was truly so much fun on so many levels.  I loved hearing Boog tell his kids stories from his childhood as we stood on the very spot.  I enjoyed following the kids around as they explored. Clara made me laugh the entire time. Rosey was the quiet 'old soul' I could identify with, and Chauncey's stoic seriousness was so easily broken with his spontaneous smile. I hope I captured the love, closeness, and traditions that Boog and Lori and the kids shared with me. 

I'm baaackk... I know, I know. I've been a bad blogger. I really should have a special calender setting that beeps at me if the blog has been ignored for very long. Like the timer on the oven that beeps for five extra minutes before I realize where it's coming from.
So, to get refocused and caught up. I have been working on my ocf (off camera flash). This has been an interesting learning experience as I am like a little kid with a new toy and I threw the directions to the toy on the shelf! Full boar, crazy, snap...snap... oops, I should write the flash settings down and what I was doing... sort of learning. Not always the most efficient, but definitely fun!

 Then we went to my daughter's school playground and took some basketball shots. Nike, eat your heart out.....  (or call my people... we'll talk..)

When it rains you should take advantage of the puddles, they are great fun! Note to self: make sure the rubber boots don't leak, you may have to compensate distress of cold wet socks for the model with ice cream.  (she survived. But I did have to pay her in form of a chocolate shake.)

 "yes, I want you to sit in the puddle... is there a problem?"

What a joy it is to have a model willing to try almost anything for the promise of a milkshake! Although, I do have to be open to some of her ideas...  I think I learned alot in this fun little shoot... chocolate milkshakes will purchase a lot! :)