Backyard Summertime

I've been focused on taking a lot of pictures of the kids playing, but haven't done a good job of editing them or posting them anywhere. We had a lot of afternoons like this one this summer.

 

This is what it's like trying to get a portrait shot of Cosette. All you get is crazy. I guess the results represent her well.

Her effort to make a nice face for me looks like this

Caught her not paying attention

 Funny, awkward sibling picture. I took so many and of course this is the one that's in focus and properly exposed. 

Better attempt

They must be watching a squirel

Sweet Jackie, he's so easy to photograph, if you can get him to look up. His expression is often completely natural. Big brown pondering eyes. 

He may look a little forlorn, but he is actually contented

This is her natural expression

Inventing a new game. Hmm, not so sure this looks safe.

His eyes say, "oh, that sister of mine."

Yes, let's add a helmet

Moving on to soap and washing games.

So happy to be washing the table

 Shot is overexposed, but I love the pure joy on their faces and running to play their game. Direct, overhead light, how do I deal with you?

 Back at it

Modeling Career

Jackson modeled some children's clothing for a new designer recently. It was a favor for a friend of a friend who is starting a photography business. I think the pictures are really cute. They did his hair and make up. He didn't like his shoes, but I talked him into wearing them. He didn't smile once, but told me he enjoyed doing it (especially since we got a milkshake afterwards!) Lucky for us the designer was going for a cool and intense look and not a smiley or whimsical look, which Jackson couldn't pull off. He looks like his Daddy to me.

Hair and makeup

 We needed lots of special snacks to get us through the waiting

  Getting arranged and set up

 Doing his work

 

 The results!

Afterwards, we celebrate!

 And just to compare, here's his daddy around that age or a little older.