The Sweet Smaha Family

6/17/18: The sweet Smaha family was such a fun session! We spent the afternoon at the Historical Old Town in Alexandria, VA. This was the absolute perfect summer hang out spot! - Amy

The Cutest Couple Rocking a Fiat

Charlie and Raquel pulled into my neighborhood in a light green Fiat. Seriously, how cool are they. It's surprisingly spacious on the inside. If my babies didn't need their carseats, I would totally get one. 

We journeyed to Old Town Alexandria to take some pictures. Raquel and I didn't know who was more excited; she spent the night before pulling together outfits and I spent the night on google map - street view trying to find pretty alleys and unique structures. At one points, we were both thinking the same things: to start our shoot by the water.

Old Town Alexandria is not a "sunset" location, however, you definitely want to go there late in the afternoons as the sun peeks between buildings so you can take some back-lit shots.

Taking the compact Fiat was a blessing because we were able to parallel park anywhere. In fact, we parked right in front of Overwood where Charlie and Raquel had their first date and bonded over topics about children, education, and baseball. haha. The two of them were inseparable, ignoring everyone around them and simply holding hands and smiling at each other as we toured Old Town.

I am so happy I got to know them better and share a few hours witnessing their passion for each other.

A day later, I was able to process her pictures. The night of, I was laying in bed, editing the pictures and fell asleep with my laptop on my lap. I don't know why I get this way after I take pictures, I am as impatient as my clients. This is going to affect my workflow and life, but I know how antsy I would be waiting for someone to delivery pictures, so I made sure she got them ASAP. Raquel loved the pictures and wanted to make an album, and so I order a 10X10 - 30 page album from Adorama.com. They have beautiful luster layflat finishes.

I asked her if I videotape her opening her album and post it on ColorMeCandid.  She seemed pleased which made me very happy!  Happy client = happy friend!

ENJOY!

- Wendy

Genie and Jin's Maternity shoot in DC

Soon there will be three in the Click's household. Genie and Jin are patiently waiting for their son to arrive and they have pretty much everything they need including a 360 degree stroller (jealous) to a Seahawk wardrobe (not so much here - go Eagles). Haha! I (Wendy) am digging the neon-green though.

Amy and I wanted to create an album to show baby Click that he is the spawn of unconditional love which started with the rivalry between usernames Hello and Snorkii in MapleStory. 

And so we planned this photo shoot...

It was such a pleasure driving into DC with Genie and Jin. We chatted about old days growing up together and shared updates on everybody in our families. Jin - being the rockstar he is - found "parking" right away and carried 30 lbs worth of props such as jerseys, an umbrella, a fireman hat. You can probably see the results from that workout in the photos. Hehe

There was still a crowd around 6 pm as commuters and tourist flooded the streets of Constitution Ave and every grassy area under the sun. It wasn't until we walked to the other side of the Tidal Basin from the White House did we find a pocket of unoccupied tree/ground/view to sunset. 

I wanted our session to be more interactive, but I was on a mission to find good spots and clear the way for the pregnant lady who clearly had the most energy out of the three of us. She made my job so much easier. I hoped you guys enjoyed the session and exercise; I know I did because my legs felt the burn in the morning.

We will be hand delivering a package to you guys, but for now, enjoy more photos from the session!

We love you guys! Can't wait to see baby Click and be aunties. You guys make us so proud!

Love Amy and Wendy

Cherry Blossoms in DC

Yes you read the title correctly; I took my babies and my mom to DC to look at Cherry Blossoms. We had plan on watching the parade, but it took us 1 hour longer to get ready and 1 hour longer to sit through traffic and find parking. Yes I was crazy. Yes I expected the delays. Yes I expected a bazillion people. But I did it anyways.

A few memorable moments:

  1. Finding a parking spot right away
  2. Running my stroller over and into folks and saying I'm sorry 1000Xs
  3. Wishing my stroller had wings
  4. Praying my mother doesn't fall into the basin because she can't swim
  5. Having well-behaved babies the entire time
  6. Taking picture with legs in the background
  7. Channing giving me a kiss
  8. Capturing ^ moment with the Washington Monument sticking above our heads (haha!)

Here are some pictures from the day. <3 all the colors!

You must be getting tired of reading and looking at pictures of me and my family. I promise you that my next post will be about somebody else.

- Wendy

Easter in Philly

Easter Sunday 4/5/2015

The weather on Easter Sunday was sunny, yet breezy. I thought it was a beautiful day to take pictures and I had a lineup of models! Unfortunately, I didn't anticipate the struggles of entertaining my son, consoling Natalie, and photographing Peydon. Thank goodness I had an army to help (aunts, uncles, cousins) ! Wish I can take this household with me all the time. Check out these photos from the shoot or view all the pictures here.

Lots of loving for the Brocks 4/3 and 4/4

We had dinner at Pop Pop and grandma Leslie's house Friday night. It was so nice to see Ann there. The ladies were inside piggy out, devouring a chocolate bunny cake. OMG, thinking about it here is making me drool, but I really shouldn't eat any more chocolate cake or chocolate. GAHH! Outside in the yard, Channing and Pop Pop were playing with the pups: Pango and Greta. Channing was literally shrieking with glee as the whipplets zipped past him, trying to catch frisbee.  It was so cute when Channing tried to chase after them.  He would take a few steps and Pango and Greta had already gone 20 feet away from Channing and was heading back to him. Man... I really need to get a dog.

It was so nice to see great grandma and grandpa on Saturday. Channing arrived and started exploring like if he knew the place, scouring the rooms for toys and succeeding.

The Journey Up 4/2/2015

My mother-in-law, Renee is the best. She took the train down to DC so she can help me bring the kids up to Philly. The trip normally takes 3 hours, but between the feeding breaks, bathroom breaks, and lunch breaks, we arrived at Grandma Hamski's house in 5.5 hours. Once we got to GGs house, boy did we feel right at home! GG stands for great-grandma. It's interesting; all my family member names have changed ever since Channing was born. I now call my mom and dad - grandma and grandpa; I call my in-laws - mom mom and pop pop; I call my brother - uncle; and so on. Anyways... where was I? Ah! "right at home" Yup. Channing was Dora the Explorer. Seriously, Channing couldn't get enough of GG's Easter decorations; he was touching statues and figurines, brushing his little fingers against wind chimes, running from room to room, and climbing onto sofas and loveseats. Then... Aunt Elaine showed up with a gold star balloon!  Right then and there, Aunt Elaine became Channing's best friend. The mischievous smile on his face looked just like his daddy's and you knew he just wanted to pop that balloon. Natalie also received gifts from Aunt Elaine, including a stained glass horse. Horse because Natalie was born the year of the horse. Now I have 5 stained glass items from Aunt Elaine: 1) Heart 2) Panda 3) Phillies 4) Dragon (for Channing) 5) Rocking Horse (for Natalie). I can't wait to put them up in my house.

Glamour Shots

Hi! Since I have the time, I'll write another post! What do you think about these two glamour shots and edits? I am trying to find my signature look. Both pictures were taken with the 85 mm f1.8g.

Me in the fields

I'll also add the photo of me before I photoshopped:

I think what I am struggling with is whether or not I want my images to be "bold and rich" or "light and airy." I know it depends on the situation, but subtly, your art sways one way. Feedback appreciated!

- Wendy

BUSY!

Ideally, I would like to blog every other day, but I've been busy. Let me just list my top 5 items on my plate:

1. Mama MOO - I have a 7 week old and she is hungry all the time. I've been trying to get her on a routine, maybe feed her every 3-4 hours, but in the evenings, she is more fussy. Luckily, she only wakes up once in the middle of the night for food so I can easily get a good 5 hours of shut eyes at a time.
2. Preparing Channing for preschool - Channing starts preschool next week and I had to take him to the doctor's for a physical. Good News! He has taken all his immunity shots! 
3. Taxes - I can write an entire blog entry about how I struggle with my taxes, but I'll just summarize. My husband - this devilish handsome marine - is deployed; and I live with my mother and children in Virginia. We are actually stationed out in Hawaii and own a townhouse, but since i've been here, we have that place rented. So... this year, I have to deal with taxes associated with rental properties, this business, and working remotely for IBM. Trust me, you don't want to be in my shoes from Jan-April. 
4. Exercising - I am 7 weeks postpartum! My current workout consists of lifting my 30 pounder "up and down and up and down," but this is my goal: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152708358571586. This mom of three is such an inspiration.  
5. Building my portfolio - This past week, Raquel and I took Channing to Washington DC to see the Natural History Museum and the Air & Space Museum. We also played in the snow with mommy's makeshift sled (I'll write a post about how I made it). Pictures below!

Like I said... BUSY

-Wendy

85mm f1.8g unboxed and shooting in the snow!

On Friday, I received my Nikkor AF-S 85mm f1.8G lens in the mail from Best Buy - it is on sale for $450 with free two day shipping! AHHH! I've read great reviews about this lens for portrait shots and wanted a lens with great bokah within my budget. I took it out of the box and started snapping pictures of Natalie (such a poser - lol).  At a reasonable distance ~3 feet from her, this was what I got: ARGH!

F1.8 1/250 ISO400 with flash &amp; flash-diffuser

F1.8 1/250 ISO400 with flash & flash-diffuser

500 dollars later (including a $40 UV filter), I found it impossible to use the 85mm f1.8g on baby portrait indoors. Unless I choose to start yelling across the room to get my subjects to change poses, or drop thousands and purchase a FX DSLR, I think I am going to set this badboy aside for outdoor shoots only.

The perfect opportunity came the next morning. My mom and I took Channing to the Chantilly Air and Space museum hoping to exhaust Channing before the storm which was expected to arrive early in the afternoon. By the time we left the parking lot, the roads were covered in 1 inch of snow. The wind created some neat effects on the photos:

Once we got home, I dragged my mom (AKA my designated model) outside to take some shots in the snow. We were only out there 10 minutes tops, probably because I had my camera setting fixed at f5 1/250 ISO400 and my mom is a natural poser. She is soooo beautiful!

Check out these photos:

 Even the one I didn't photoshop is breathtaking.

Sweet! That's all for me.

Wendy