Rock Your Party Hat!

When I moved from Birmingham Alabama Daily Photo to Birmingham Through My Lens, I warned you that I might be serving up whatever was on my photography "plate" at the time. Well today William and JD, the Birthday Boys, as they celebrated their big No. 1 ! I had the honor of photographing them when they were a few weeks old, and Christmas last year. Today it was party hats and cake!

Birmingham Rouge - Sharing

I found these two brothers sharing ( and very nicely I might add!) a snow cone curbside in Mt. Brook Village during the Legends of Motorsports Rally. Who needs an old Ferrari or Lotus when you can find something this adorable to snap?? Oh I can hear all you men groaning!

CDP Blog Day - Photo of the Year 2009

I thought this would be a difficult choice for me. After all, for a photographer having to choose your favorite photograph, is like choosing which of your children you love best! I started with the most recent posts and worked my way back. I gave an extra look at the ones with the most comments from you and then .........here she was. I knew immediately that this was IT! I hope you'll enjoy seeing her again as much as I did.

Pretty in Pink

A little change of pace today. I took this one at the Pepper Place Market a few months ago. To answer your unasked questions: Yes, her dad saw me taking her picture and no, I didn't pose her. I walked up as she was having fun playing on this curvy bike rack. Much too cute to pass up!

Leftovers!

Yesterday was a great day for our family. We gathered at daughter Kathleen's and the 5 cousins had a terrific time on the rope swing and the two youngest practiced their batting skills. They all enjoyed making giant nests and then throwing the leaves piled on the street. The highlight of the day might have been when Uncle Jason put them in their harnesses and gave them a SUPER swing. ( I got a little nervous at that point) The adults enjoyed watching by the fire pit! Today you get a few "leftovers" from our day. I decided if I'm going to break the "one photo a day rule" I might as well break it big time. Well, it's my blog and I couldn't leave any of my dear ones out, so here you go! When I'm in Paris next time I'll buy Eric a glass of wine and beg for forgiveness. ( Excusez moi?? Pardon moi????)

I promise tomorrow we'll be back to Birmingham "business".

The management thanks you for your patience.

While you're here, have a piece of Kathleen's pumpkin pie made with real pumpkin. I thought it came from a can!!! Who knew!

Bunny ears on Mumsie????

Thankful I Am!

You know where this is going. I'm most thankful this day for my two wonderful daughters, two patient son-in -laws :) and 5 fantastic grandchildren! Now, add my terrific friends near and far and those of you in blogland. But wait..... I can't forget the city I've called home most of my life....Sweet Home Birmingham!

Portraits From My Heart - The High Fives

Go ahead and say it. I'm guilty as charged for dragging my little darlings on my blog again. Well the "babies" have turned five within a day of each other, and we need to celebrate, right?? For those of you who think that being their Mumsie makes it easier to get photos, think again. I'll let you decide which one is the ham and which one would rather clean up his room than smile for the camera! A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY my Davis and Laura Kate. It seems like only yesterday that both of you were born, a day apart, in the same hospital, and your moms were on different floors at St. Vincent's Hospital. Whew, that was a trip!

(The sentiments expressed on my grandson's shirt do not reflect those of the management!)

Boys will be boys!

Girls will be girls!

BLOG WORD A DAY

I was sure Biz Stone had a word for bloggers that shamelessly feature their grandchilden but couldn't find it . Maybe some of you clever readers ( Marley?) can come up with a suitable word. Go ahead, dish it out, I can take it!

100 Strangers Challenge - The Cutie Patooties!

Stranger # 89

Well I just sat myself on the steps at the Pepper Place Market last Saturday with my friend Bill and watched the people and the dogs parade by us. These two little strangers just practically plopped in my lap. The "Ice Cream Girl" and her family sat down with us. She wanted to "pose" for me, but for once , I waited. Eventually the ice cream won out, and she had to have an unposed LICK! The little curly head below, walked right up, gave me a very serious stare and said, "Will you take my picture?" Well you bet sweetheart. I snapped and snapped and she continued to stare. I knew the shadows were too dark so I waited, eventually she glanced away and I got this shot. I'm almost at the end of the 100 Stranger Challenge. I'm thinking this is way too much fun. I' m not done.

Stranger #90

PORTRAITS FROM MY HEART - The Fab Five!

It's been quite a while since I've posted a photo for my Portraits From My Heart series. Today a RARE shot of all five and look, everyone's happy!   They lined themselves up by age. Left to right: Lindley 8, Eva 7, Chappell 6, Laura Kate and Davis both 4 1/2.  

The Fab Four has a tune for us today!

* They'll make another appearance on the 4th of July!

America the Beautiful - Cinco de Mayo

 We interrupt the previously scheduled  Shadows Series

to bring you Cinco de Mayo!

Sometimes the subject makes the photographer look really, really good. This is one of those times.  Meet America.  Yes, that's really her name!  She attended her big brother's graduation from the STAIR reading program at my church.  She got all dressed up for the occasion, right down to her cute black boots.  I took one look at her and began planning the photos in my head. Stalking might be too strong a word, so let's just say I was "relentless".   She was preoccupied with that big chocolate chip cookie,  so she really didn't notice the gazillion pictures I was madly snapping.  Oh my, I think this might be one of my very favorite portraits. 

The bottom photo is one I took last fall at the Dia de los Muertos festivities.  I think it's a nice addition to the Cinco de Mayo theme today!

The Faces of A NIGHT IN OZ

We're back at the Birmingham Children's Theater's wonderful fundraiser - A NIGHT IN OZ*.  How could I pass up a chance to show you some of the adorable faces I captured?  There were way too many for one post.  I've saved a few more to share later.

Remember, if you would like to make a donation to the Birmingham Children's Theater, click here for more information.

* See yesterday's post for more photos of this event

Well of course she looks familiar!

The Chinese New Year Festival Continues....

Drummer Boy

The entertainment was wonderful.  I will confess I might have missed the best photo of the day.  I was in the very back of the auditorium working when the Chinese Elvis impersonator sang  one of Elvis' songs that was just great!  Now that was a missed opportunity for sure!   Stay tuned, there will be another day of photos from this event shortly.

The Faces of the Chinese New Year Festival

Saturday I attended the Chinese New Year Festival at Boutwell Auditorium.  Actually I did double duty as I was also recruited to help man the Museum of Art's table as well.  When there was a lull, I grabbed my camera and caught a few photographs.  Today, enjoy these portraits. More for you tomorrow!

Scout

Just for the record, this is NOT one of my grandchildren, but to be honest she is a neighbor.  I only intended to post the gingerbread decorating party once,  and then when I downloaded the photos....ahhh! Try as I might, I could not resist this portrait of Scout with the afternoon sun giving her a little "halo".  Licking the icing off her finger sealed the deal.  Call me weak.

Please visit my new blog

PARIS THROUGH MY LENS

Today, guest blogger Peter is sharing some of his night photos!

The Tune du Jour is "Entre le boeuf" 

A French Christmas Carol

Discover Les Petits Chanteurs Du Thymerais!

Peek-a-boo!

Meet my little friend Lilly. I taught with her Mommy and loved her before she was ever born! I must say she was one of the most delightful subjects I have had the privilege of photographing. She laughed and clapped and mugged for the camera like a professional model! Right now Lilly lives in a world of silence, but soon she will have surgery that will allow her to hear the sound of birds singing and her Mommy and Daddy's sweet voices. For now, she wears this cute pink cap to keep those pudgy little fingers from pulling out the teeny tiny hearing aids she wears. Lilly, you are perfect in every way!

The Tune de Jour is "Lullaby" by Michael Dulin. If I asked Lilly's parents for a request, I know it would be "War Eagle" and you can find that on the sidebar.

Discover Michael Dulin!