Studio Sara-Anne

Updates and Prayer requested

I've updated my website so if you get a chance check it out! Sara-Anne Photography Still need to ad a few sections, but that will have to wait until we get back.

Today has been mostly a day of running around trying to get our cars in top order. Our van just needed an inspection, but any time you are going to make a 2000 mile trip, it's nice to have someone check it out before hand. All is well.

My car on the other hand had a laundry list of things needed to get it able to pass inspection (which it was overdue by 2 years ) I know, I know, that's a huge no no, but it's all done and in good working order.

Micah has been feeling pretty blue the last two days...borderline fever and stomach ache. I need him well before we head out of town.

Tonight we should find out some more details on the opportunity in Burlington. I'm anxious, excited, hesitant, nervous, trying to be hopeful, guarded, and believing that God is in control. Please pray for us, that this would be the right thing for our family. We have so much up in the air that having some closure would be really good, but of course we want it to be positive. We have things on hold right now, and just in the last couple of days I was able to come to grips with okay...not our timing, but God is perfect.

I would love to hear from any of you who have found yourself in this situation...wanting to be hopeful, but at the same time, feeling the need to protect your heart! Drop me an e-mail or leave a comment!

Here are some of your pictures from the last photo challenge. Thanks everyone again for playing along.

Facebook

I think I've mentioned on here before that I joined Facebook. I really have enjoyed it for a number of reasons, but here are a few:

Enjoy that I can quickly "check in" on someone without having to send a long e-mail or phone call. There are many times that someone comes to mind and becuase I'm already on there, it's nice just to write a quick "note on their wall"

I have enjoyed seeing all my friends from high school and colleges photos of their lives and families.

I enjoy the thrill of each day adding a "new friend" I mean, I've been able to touch base with the kids who I was their youth leader some 15 years ago.

I love the search features

I love the little accessories you can ad & share with friends such as "flair" or "gifts"

So, if you haven't already checked out FB, give it a shot. I was amazed that in less than one week I had touched base with nearly everyone in my graduating class and many doormmates and friends.

We are getting ready for our trip to Eagles Mere. Very excited!

The last photo challege is UP TO YOU! Send in your favorite picture of the summer! Thanks to those of you who played along. I really enjoyed seeing all your photos over the course of the month. Some of you really worked at this.

I think in September I will host a "friday photo" day when you can send in your favorite pictures, I'll post them and then you can share with you family and friends.

I've attached a few more photos from recent sessions...senior, baby, and my kids

Be encouraged today!!!

I was thinking today as we were getting the kids ready for soccer camp and I was frustrated with Makaley for not putting her tennis shoes back in the shoe basket and thus meaning that I would have to stop on the way to taking them to soccer camp to purchase new shoes (whew) but in the moment of frustration I realized I have the best kids!!! I wanted jot a few things down to remember.

I love the way I can hear Makaley in the craft room playing with her crafts ‘teaching art lessons”. I love that she is so much like me, that God has chosen to continue the gift of creativity through her. Which as I think about it is a part of my mom and grandmom and I love that she has that from all of us.

I love it that Micah is such a rule follower that when we took the kids to the squirty fountains (I know technical name) at the mall on a hot Saturday afternoon, that Micah didn’t want to get wet because he didn’t have his bathingsuit. You will see from the pictures that the thought didn’t last long, but it is what he “set” out to do.

I love that still after 4 years, Makaley still loves it when I sing to her at night and of course “jesus loves me” is her favorite. I remember when she was 14 months and she mumbled these garbled words to a tune of Jesus loves me. She loves it when I tell her that she sung that song before she could speak. I love that when she was hurting or crying she would cry out “give me Jesus” which meant sing me Jesus loves me. Chris later used that in a sermon illustration that when we are hurting that should be what we cry “give me Jesus” A huge lesson taught to me by my daughter.

I love it that Micah loves to figure things out. This weekend he pulled out a Kenix set that was given to him by some friends. It’s one of those sets with 1000 pices (literally) well he took it out on Friday and made the whole amusement park . I was amazed he did it all by himself. Love that.

I love Micah’s giggle…when he’s belly laughing I love it. This weekend he and I “had a pillow fight” one of his favorite things to do, and he just laughed and laughed when he “got me”
I love the fact that Makaley loves to dress up…not so much in princess dresses (though she does love those) but yesterday, she and Micah were playing “super heros” and makaley found an old tankini and said “I’m pretending this is my supersuit” Not only that, she loves to wear dresses…she would wear a dress every day if she could.

I love it when Makaley sings “love shack” at a very loud decibel…I love it when she says “daddy, you sing the boy part and I’ll sing the girl part” I love how she bebops her little head and grooves. By the way, thanks babes for giving the kids such a good musical education…with Cameo, B52’s and Falco.
Lots of pictures…my “series” from the photo challenge. I think everyone is tired with it, but I’ll keep posting until the end of the month.

Today’s challenge is silhouettes: You can achieve this by:
1. Choose a Strong Subject
Almost any object can be made into a silhouette, however some are better than others. Choose something with a strong and recognizable shape that will be interesting enough in its two dimensional form to hold the interest of those viewing your image.

2. Turn off your Flash
Basically you want as little light on the front of your subject as possible - so the flash has to go (basic - but I’ve seen a few attempted silhouette shots with the flash firing).

3. Get Your Light Right
Instead of lighting the front of your subject, you want to light the back of your subject rather than the front.

4. Frame your image
Frame your shot so you are shooting with your subject in front of a nice plain, but bright background. Usually the best backgrounds will be a bright cloudless sky with the sun setting. You want to position the brightest light source behind your subject (either so that they hide it or so that its in the background somewhere).

5. Make silhouetted shapes distinct and uncluttered

7. Focusing
In most cases you’ll want the subject which is silhouetted to be the thing that is in focus most crisply.

Struggling today

Have you ever thought your life was going one way and then all comes to a screeching halt?
Have you ever felt that you can’t see the one thing you know God is trying to teach you?
Have you ever felt that your life is like the game show “let’s make a deal” and you don’t know which curtain to choose?
Have you ever felt that if only God would listen to you, things would be so much easier?

Well I’m feeling all those things today. I’m really struggling. I feel that everything has become topsy turvy and I have no control of anything (which I know is how it’s suppose to be) but for me, the one who loves to plan, the one who likes to have things organized, who always has a map to show me the way…I feel like today I’m driving to an unknown destination with out a map.

I’m clinging to James 1:2-6 (I love how The Message)
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

I don’t want to “worry my prayer” I don’t want to be wind whipped by the waves. I want to believe that my Father, who loves me will help. I want to believe that God knows exactly what is right and BEST for our family. I know my faith will increase through this and for that I’m thankful.

Anyway, that’s what’s on my heart today. Not very fun, just my heart.

Last night was good, still no answers as I thought we would have, but encouraging. God is just going to have to work out all the details, I can’t figure them out!

Micah was so cute, As Chris came out in his suit, Micah with thumbs up said “looking great Daddy!, Looking great!” I am so blessed with the best kids. I love them so much and lately I feel like they haven’t gotten the best part of me! So next week that’s my goal…that the kids don’t get the tired, exhausted mom, but the part of me that loves to play with them, the mom that get’s them cooking in the kitchen, who will play “dunk” in the pool, who will color with Makaley and set up targets for Micah…That’s my goal and prayer for next week.

I didn’t get anyone’s pictures for the photo challenge…I hope it wasn’t too hard.

For this weekend…create your own series. For instance you can take a picture of your kids morning, noon and night or you can take a picture of the first part of a meal, second, last…or you can take pictures of the front end of your car..the middle, the end…get it???
Think photo journalistically… try to capture a story. Good luck

Have a great weekend!

4 months

So the date July 23rd flashed before me and I realized that it’s the 4 month anniversary of my mom’s accident that took her life and later the life of my grandmother. People have asked “are things easier?” and I would say they are different. The shock is less, though still somewhere in the back of my mind I think I’m going to see them in a few weeks. This week, so many things have happened that I have wanted to share with her. She would have loved whats going on with our move…been so excited. She was my biggest fan when it came to my photography. (I didn’t know it until she was gone) but so many people at her funeral and memorial service came up to me and said “your mom was so proud of what you were doing” She would have been thrilled to see the kids in a couple of weeks…enjoying the place that she loved so much. Those things are hard to reconcile in my head that I can not talk with her about ideas for promoting my business, or about Micah and how he loves Tennis (a sport that she encouraged) or Makaley and her continuing growth with her creativity. My mom would have enjoyed all that so much. But she’s gone. I still am so thankful for the support that we have both with family and friends. I’m thankful that her grandkids have a real understanding of heaven and the fact that their Mimi is there because she loved her savior and wanted them to know that savoir as well. Thankful for my sister and father, have been such a emotional support to me. Thankful that I have a husband who loves me so much and is willing to let me grieve in the way that I need to. I can’t believe 4 months have come and gone. I’m sure soon it will be a year…

Today is an important day for our family, those of you who pray, please pray for us, for wisdom and decernment, for peace and guidance, and for obedience. Chris and I want to be exactly where the Lord wants us to be.

To answer some of your e-mails:
What is the difference between metallic paper and flat or glossy? Metallic paper has a special sheen to it. I wouldn’t recommend it for color prints…but for some (especially landscapes) black and white it’s stunning. I prefer flat with a luster coating that offers protection.

Why do you charge so much? Well, that’s a loaded question. The shorten version is that by charging what I do, it doesn’t cheapen the industry. But I found this and I think it explains exactly what I feel. here

How do you feel about film? Well I think it’s each photographers preogitive to choose what he/she likes. I like digital, it has opend up another whole world for me. I think it also has helped to improve the quality of pictures being printed as a whole. But I still know some photographers who love film and I doubt the will ever change, probably the best known photographer in my area still uses film and processes in her own dark room.

I’m looking at purchasing an additional lens, what would you recommend? Well, that depends on if you are going to be shooting mostly people, or sports, or nature. I have a tele. That I love it’s the Tamron 28-300mm. The picture below of Micah on the golf course was taken with it. It’s sharp, and gives a great zoom. It is a bit heavy though. For portrait lens, I love my EF 70-200mm f/2.8. It offers a great portrait, without getting in someones personal space. The portrait of the baby is taken with this lens.
Do you take classes or workshops? No, but I really would love to take a workshop. I have found several, but they are extremely expensive (to the tune of $2500 for 4 days) and also the ones that I have found, have sold out. I’m on the waiting list for this one and here

Okay well to today’s photo challenge: Your pictures so far have been amazing. I’m so impressed that some of you have stuck with this challenge for nearly a month.
Today’s challenge is Night! I want make sure you adjust your shutter speed for this one…also, try to take the photo without the flash…meaning focus on things that are already lit. Can’t wait to see what you send.
Here are some photos from you and a couple from me that help describe the lens above.

Many blessings,

Thankful Tuesday

Thankful for a group of girlfriends that I got to hang out with last night. We enjoyed a yummy and healthy dinner at On the Border.

Thankful that I won’t have to go “hunting” for boxes…those 4am trips to Wal-Mart were not that fun. I have a ton of broken down boxes now

For change, I’m excited about what the Lord has in store…nervous, but excited too.

For the letter I found today from my mom that was written a year ago. I had never opened it…it was in a pile of stuff under my desk. She was talking about how excited she was to have Micah for the week (last years sports week) and other things going on. It’s sad that I don’t receive anymore letters from her…but it was nice to have that.

For my conversation last night with Makaley. Every night we pray with her and I sing her a song. Last night I got into her room and she said “Mommy, I did something I wasn’t suppose to” she proceeded to tell me that she had written on the wall. I responded “thank you for being honest, but there will be some discipline involved because you have been told not to” She then asked “don’t you forgive me” It was a great lesson to be able to explain to her that yes, mommy forgives her, but that doesn’t mean that there are not consequences for her bad choices.

For the anticipation of a vacation. I was a bit anxious about going up to Eagles Mere with out my Dad and Sis (turns out Sam is coming for a few days) just didn’t know how I was going to handle it, but I’m looking forward to it as my kids are really excited and it will be fun to just be up there.

For encouragement. I have this one friend who I swear has the gift of encouragement. Everytime I see her at church she always encourages me and it is so meaningful. Like on days like yesterday when I question what I’m doing, her words ring in my ears…Thank you Helen for that.

Photo challenge for today: Toys…now it can be a child’s toy or it can be a grown up toy. What I would challenge you to do is to line a few up and play with your aperture..trying to get the first toy in sharp focus, and the second and third blurry…it’s a fun thing to learn. Here are some pictures from the Macro Monday challenge...

Lessons

I tried to fit it all in this weekend, my sessions up in NoVA, meeting my dad for lunch, a birthday party for a friend…but I couldn’t do it all.

We have two different directions things can go this fall…one is the way that we had planned, we move closer to the kids school and so on and so forth or we could end up moving about an hour away. An awesome opportunity has presented itself and kind of come out of the blue so to speak… we were looking at houses in the further destination and we found a beautiful home. I love this house, it’s an older home with a large back yard, in ground pool, large rooms, new hard wood, two car garage, beautiful landscaping, gorgeous remodeled kitchen, new windows, new heating/ air, large laundry room (a huge bonus) 3 fire places…you see what I mean…but there are two things that we have kind of had as priorities…one is that we are in a neighborhood (we feel our kids need this) and two that we move to a one level (due to Chris’ disability). The one level we could solve by putting in an elevator…but this home is in a down town area…not a neighborhood at all. Such decisions.

Our worship service was amazing yesterday. God is really moving in the hearts and minds of the people. The auditorium was packed and people were truly worshipping. My heart was so full. I have felt so dry lately…spiritually dry. I know that my business doesn’t help that, and I know that I sometimes suffer from a “Martha” complex, but my heart is longing to just be in the presence of the King and to worship him. I want so badly to be obedient and to grow in my faith, not to be stagnate.

It was good to see my father this weekend, even if it was for a short lunch. He seems to be socializing more, going to eat with friends, people are coming to visit him. I’m so thankful.

Okay switching thoughts: Photography

My largest photo session yet: Things I learned

I really admire the mom and dad
Finding coordinating outfits for a large family would be quite the task
It was a joy to watch older siblings love on younger siblings
There is not going to be a “perfect time” for all those people
My gut feeling is that doing this large of a family would be better in the fall or spring, not in the dead of summer
Shooting a family of 8 will take double the time as a family of four
Don’t expect perfection poses with 6 kids under the age of 12
It’s evident that larger families have systems and organizational rules to keep them going
I need to focus more on individual children along with the family as a whole

Photo challenge for today: Macro photography. In short it means that you get really close up to something, it could be a flower, an insect, a bird, but almost to the point of abstraction.

Here are some photos from the photo session and your challenge

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, I spent much of my morning in the dentist office and then my afternoon and evening were crazy...and I think crazy is a good adj. to describe the next 3 days.

I think my kids are going to go on strike because mom hasn't been around much this week/weekend. But in 2 weeks we will be on our way for vacation and have 10 days with each other and some of their closest friends. So I keep reminding them of that.

Micah lost another tooth yesterday...he's lost 8 altogether...little sis is not happy because the tooth linebacker (not a tooth fairy for Micah) didn’t' come visit her last night.

I haven't shot a single picture of the kids this week...

I'm thankful this morning for our church, love the people there and love the fact that they are continually looking for new ways to reach people and to grow.

Excited about having lunch with my father tomorrow...it will be a weight watcher meal at Applebee’s YUMM

Speaking of weight watchers...I don't think I've mentioned that I'm back at it..and thankfully that little switch in my brain has clicked and things are going really well. I continue to loose and I'm thankful for that. The summer provides a great opportunity as the fruits and veggies are so yummy.

along that same line...they ask that you drink 64 oz of water????!!!!! I don't drink 64oz of anything in a day...in a normal day, before WW I was drinking about 20oz of fluid a day (not good I know) and I've been really praying that the Lord would give me a thirst for water and He has. Every day this week I have had no problem consuming all the water and more. Thank you Lord!

This morning Makaley asked me if I would buy her a Cheetah girls CD? UH???? NO! How does she know about the Cheetah girls?

I was talking to a friend on the way to work and they said...you seem like you are at your breaking point...I really am not, I just want to get through this weekend....

Monday, I promise I'll get to your e-mails....

Okay so I have a lot of photo's to share with you, but first, here's the photo challenge

Industrial---this could be as simple as a chain linked fence or a metal door or a box of tools. Take a field trip this weekend as see what you can find that is industrial. Can't wait to see your shots :)

Have a great weekend everyone

Fill ins

Most people do “fill in’s” on Friday’s but I haven’t done one in a while

So here is the fill in…leave me a comment or e-mail me with yours…

1. On my laziest day I like to be in the house all by myself!
2. Checking things off a list makes me feel like I'm being productive.
3. I love little love notes and big hugs.
4. This summer I want to loose 20lbs.
5. No one made me start my blog.
6. Red lipstick and orange nail polish are two things I will never wear.
8. I enjoy watching my kids laugh more than anything else.
9. Blogging satisfies my need for documenting my life (see note below)
10. When I look at a full moon, I feel very small
11. If I want a snack, I usually reach for whatever is around
12. The most recent movie I saw, 27 dresses made me think that I’m glad I only had 3.
13. If only I could have more hours in my day
14. And as for the weekend, Friday I'm looking forward to seeing some old friends, Saturday my plans include driving to NoVa, photo sessions, driving back and a birthday party and Sunday, I want to SLEEP!

Today’s photo challenge:
Flowers---A single rose, a dozen daisies, a field of flowers, flowers on your child’s dress, really look at your angles, stand on a table and shoot from above, lay down and shoot from below, tilt your camera, when post processing, bump up the color/saturation.

hang in there we only have 13 days left to our challenge.

I’m so saddened by the events of what has taken place with Nancy Cooper. Those poor children, her parents, siblings…I just don’t get it and what drives someone to the point where they can take the life of another human.

About the seeing the note above...I recenlty found a website where you can have your blog published into a book...this is what I want. I want to be able at teh end of a year, publish my blog with all of the pictures and such into a book. What a great thing to have. If you are blogger, check it out here

Kids eat Free

I have so many different ways to got with this post....whats going on with us as a family and how God is teaching me huge lessons of how He is always faithful and how He blesses us. I could talk about recent photo sessions, I could share a couple of fun finds that I have found...or scrapbooking...so much to write about and share. Here we go!

found this list yesterday as I was looking through tons of potential houses...one realtor had it on her site and I loved it. Thought I would pass it along

NOTE: I phoned these restaurants below - but you may wish to call yourself before visiting, as offerings may change. Also, there may be more than one restaurant in the Raleigh area; However, there is one listed only one here for your convenience.

ANY NIGHT/Multiple Nights:

Lone Star Steak House
All day on Tuesdays and Saturdays at lunch
6512 Glenwood Ave.
Raleigh NC, 27612-7156
919.781.8400

Mcallister's Deli
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays
4361 Lassiter at North Hills Ave
Raleigh NC 27609
Phone: 919.787.9543

SUNDAYS:

The Twisted Fork
Kids 10 and under eat free from the kid's menu Sundays after 4 p.m.
At Triangle Town Center
3751 Sumner Boulevard
Raleigh, NC 27616
Phone: 919.792.2535

Ragazzi's
Kids eat free Sunday until 4 p.m.
5800 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27612
Phone: 919.787.0434

MONDAYS:
Steak-n-Shake
(With each adult meal, Jr. kids meal free – after 5 p.m.)
2840 Millbrook Road
Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone: 919.872.6669

Cici's Pizza
Kids eat for $1.99
Many locations throughout the Triangle.

Moe’s Southwest Grill
Kids 12 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult meal. Many locations throughout the Triangle.

Remington Grill
4551 New Bern Ave
Raleigh, NC 27610
Phone: 919.255.6891

TUESDAYS:

Chick-fil-A (with the purchase of an adult meal)
Check with your local restaurants. I don't know if all franchises offer kids free nights.

WEDNESDAYS:

Fire House Subs
When an adult purchases a combo, the kids (up to 2) eat free.
10251 Little Brier Creek Lane
Raleigh, NC 27617
Phone: 919.806.3900

THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS, and SATURDAYS:

No restaurants to report. I suppose the “lesson” here is to eat out other days of the week.

Photo Challenge: Today's challenge is black and white (not the processing) but the objects. I would like for you to send me two pictures...one of the picture processed in color and the other of the picture processed in black and white. Ideas black jellybeans, animals, clothes in a pile, dishes, marshmellows, crayons...think outside the box.

Here are a few pictures from yesterday's challenge...great work again. I love getting your pictures.

God Moment: So yesterday I found myself fretting (I never use to use that word but my mom used it a lot and now I find myself using it) over the timing of everything that our future holds...moving, the kids starting school, which is in a month YIKES, sorting through my grandmothers home in FLA, etc. I was praying and worrying about how it was all going to work out. I was feeling anxious because certian things need to happen in order for other things to happen...does that make sense? And of course I would prefer the least amount of upheaveal for my children. I was just going over all these things in my mind on my drive home and I walked through the door and Chris was on the phone with someone who we have been waiting to call for weeks/months. It was like we had already shut that door in our mind, becuase it didn't happen in our timeframe, but there God had opened it wide open. It was just affirmation to me that GOD and ONLY GOD has all this in His hands, does that mean that this opportunity is going to work out, NO, but it was a way of God saying "Sara-Anne, I have you in the palm of my hand, and I'm going to take care of you...I have taken care of you, so DON'T FRET!"

I pray that each of you are able to rest in God's arms today. That the hurts and the struggles that you are going through, the things that you are anxious about, the sick child, the lost job, the house that won't sell, that you can come to an AHHA moment, that God has you in his hand and from His view point, it's a beautiful picture that is being created.