Friday 28 June 2013

focus on life–week 26-? (listen to Mick)

Well here we are half way along this year long project called focus on life –yay!! If you’ve been by in the last 25 weeks then you have heard this is the work of Sally Russick of the studio sublime who manages to bring a bright spot of inspiration to my inbox each week.  I’ve managed to post a picture every week so far and I’m ready for more!  Then she left me high and dry – figure it out on your own.  Ok, she was much nicer about it, you see this week it’s our choice of a prompt.

Friday lunch time has probably been when most of my pictures for the series have been taken, I’m a last minute kind of gal.  Today was non-stop rain and the outdoor subject I had planned was really not going to work.  I figured I’d hold off until tomorrow, but you know it wasn’t meant to be.

Instead, I was chatting with my mum on the phone who was asking me to take a photo of Averleigh in a dress she had made her, that she was wearing today.  Hand smocked and sewn by my mum it fits beautifully; and I sent her out the door in it this morning un-ironed.  For shame! Mum turned the knife too: “maybe you could brush her hair and take a picture of her for me”

one more
The first ten or so I tried to take while she was chasing a helium balloon (seriously that thing is a month old it ain’t never gonna die) and I had the cordless phone propped on my shoulder as I was shooting.  Finally I said, how about you just sit on this chair for just a second we will take the picture and I won’t brush your hair.  Done deal!

I liked the light so I thought I’d grab a few things I have been working on for some product shots.  I don’t generally try to do this with Averleigh around since I don’t really enjoy the help in this instance.  Sure enough even with permission to hold and rearrange what I wasn’t shooting she couldn’t help but interject.

Averleigh's view

You see as I was just about to shoot a little grouping of four the pink one jumped into frame saying: “oh hello, hello friends!” Then there was a series with little fingers (I think I can crop out) not to mention a bunch of blurry ones as I tried to rush before she animated each pendant in friendly conversation.  In the end this is the photo I wanted to share with you this week -

focus on life week 26
It made me smile, her offering to hold each item saying “take the picture mama”.  I often take pictures in my my hand so you can get a sense of scale, but this all goes to hell in her tiny hand.  It was at that second as I saw the shot preview on the camera, I started singing.

You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you might find
You get what you need
 
Oh Mr Jaggar, I’m sure I knew these words before I could speak them and they aren’t often called to mind but hey they all came flooding back today.  Seems only right little miss found a way to wiggle into this post, I think she is featured in about half of them.

Sorry Ma – you can’t get a fresh pressed dress picture
you can’t get a brush through the wild child
you can’t get a decent product shot
But if you let that all go, you will get goofing around with the little one (and some other fun pics)
I always need that!
 
Well friends, I haven’t always got to everyone’s beautiful pictures but I always enjoy your thoughtful posts and the sweet comments you leave me here.  While I kid completely that Sally left us to our own devises this week I have to say I’m so glad I jumped on board as I have loved having a little kernel of inspiration to get me taking photos.  The more I take the more I will learn.

I can’t wait to see what you have all come up with this week right here – hope you all got what you need!

22 comments:

  1. Lovely. Just what I needed - I don't take too many pictures of the teenagers, but I really should...

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  2. She is the sweetest little girl

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  3. I had to laugh because that song pops into my mind from time to time when things aren't going right! Averleigh is adorable!

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  4. Great blog post - she's a little cutie isn't she!

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  5. My Mum used to make me smocked dresses when I was a little girl, over 50 years ago now. Thanks for bringing back some loving memories of my Mum. Loved the dress, wonderful post.

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  6. My mom gave me similar subtle (or not so subtle) suggestions when my kids were young. Thanks for this very sweet post which I thoroughly enjoyed. And that song is now playing in my head.

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  7. Oh my goodness, your Mom made the sweetest dress for Averleigh!!! She looks so adorable in her smocked dress, complete with ruffled sleeves and little stitched puppies. I miss dresses like this having all boys in my house. Instead I buy shirts with pirates, anchors or crabs on them. :-)
    Your new pendants are beautiful! And the picture with little Averleigh's hand is just perfect. Wow, what a keeper. I know you'll treasure this one years from now when she is bigger.

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  8. Averleigh is so adorable and so lucky to have a mom who cherishes her every moment. Thanks for a great post.

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  9. Averleigh is a beautiful little girl. Great pics this weeks. The one with her the holding the flower is cute. It's easy to tell that your Mom passed on her creative spirit to you.

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  10. What a gorgeous picture of Averleigh!! Her hair looks perfect to me and that dress is lovely! The last photo of her little hand,....awesome!! Thanks for getting that song stuck in my head,.... LOL!!

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  11. I love this post! Isn't she just the sweetess!!!! Don't rush it, enjoy it. I know everyone says that but teenagers don't want to be anywhere near you. So I am glad you are taking the time to see the fun and giggles she brings you.
    ~Ema
    http://www.emakdesigns.com/blog

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  12. Your mum's workmanship is gorgeous. And you got a great shot of Averleigh wearing the dress. But my favorite picture is of her little hand holding one of your creations.

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  13. Oh my - that dress is beautiful. It reminds me of the smocked dresses my Mom made me when I was little. I wish I had them now so I could frame the smocked part.

    Love your feature photo!

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  14. I think her hair looks great! How would it be improved being brushed? And yes the dress is adorable... I've never tired smocking (better spell that right... 1st go was smoking) We found an electric kids toy iron in the wall along with lots of other toys, candy wrappers, single shoes... not sure if it works or not though!

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  15. I think you got exactly what you needed!

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  16. What a cutie she is!...and the dress is so special! I remember having a similar one that my grandmother made for me.

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  17. What a great post! That dress is adorable as is Averleigh wearing it. I love your commentary with your daughter. It adds such a personal and special touch.

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  18. I can see the artistic vein runs deep in your family - grandma made such a beautiful dress. I had to smile all the time reading your post: I got the same prompts from my mom-in-law and hubby (shouldn't I comb the kid's hair?) with pretty much same results (usually chasing all sorts of bugs) - and his hair always looks decent in pictures. Averleigh is a lovely girl, no extra combing (or ironing) required, love is in her smile, and that's all you need!

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  19. I love it! My son often interjects when I'm creating stuff and sometimes I even ask him what he thinks. I think those your minds are more alert to what we can't see!

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  20. Nice photo of your daughter, and what a pretty dress too. It's sweet that she wants to help out.

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  21. Emma what a fun post this is! I got pulled in by those beautiful flowers you make .... and found such a sweet story that is so true about kids! I still find it a challenge to get my 10 yo to brush her hair! and still I get tears. sigh

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I'd love to hear what you think, thanks for taking the time to join in the conversation