Photography | A Day in Mollywood

Fall Family Photo Shoot 2012

September 27, 2012 By Molly

Landon is four and Brigham is two and I knew that it was time for a family photo shoot to mark their age. We chose to have Megan take our photos on the first day of fall. She is a long-time blogging buddy of mine (seriously, I can’t remember how long ago I started reading!). We both have two boys that are close in age and she just so happens to have a budding photography business. What better reason to meet in person?!

She was just as sweet and genuine as I imagined and the boys really warmed up to her. Apparently Landon asked her if she could come home with us

What Megan probably doesn’t know is that she has been integral in my journey to strengthen my faith in God. I read her blog, a woman who truly believes in Jesus, and I want to be more like her. Someone that praises Him each day.

Isn’t blogging amazing? I’ve made real connections with awesome people. It just means the world to me.

So thanks, Megan, for encouraging me AND for taking such beautiful photos of our family.

Oh, how blessed I am to have this life and this family.

Filed Under: Blogging, Family, Friends, he's growing up, Naaman, Photography 10 Comments

Drive-by Blogging

March 6, 2012 By Molly

1. The boys are both in that weird clothing stage where nothing fits perfectly. For Landon, 3T is now too small while 4T is still too big. For Brigham, 18 monthw is definitely much too small (he’s 30 lbs now!) while 2T is a bit too big. It’s so annoying. I feel like they both look a bit homely with their too small/too big clothing because I do not want to buy new winter clothes. I am trying to wait it out long enough for new spring and summer clothes. Sorry, boys.

2. At the urging of Jill, I recently used some blog money to purchase Lightroom 3 to edit my photos. It has been awhile since I’ve had a nice program for post-processing and I’m ready to see where this takes my photography. I am excited at the prospect of the different actions and presets I can use. Problem is finding time to learn it!

3. I chopped my hair off a couple of weeks ago and I’m not loving it. It is a very blunt cut that comes right to my chin. With the addition of my bangs, it looks like I’m wearing a wig. I should have left it long.

4. I’m concerned about Landon’s attention-span at preschool. The teachers always tell me what a good boy he is and how he likes to help. But recently they shared with me that he no longer wants to sit down and do the lessons or art projects. I told them we would practice more at home. I tried to sit Landon down and practice writing his letters but he quickly becomes frustrated and says, “I can’t do it,” which breaks my heart. I want him to know he can do ANYTHING. I told him not to say that but he just gets up out of his chair and says he wants to play. I’m not sure where to go from here. It seems he has very little interest in learning or sitting still. He is already so smart but I want him to love learning. Three-years-old has been a challenge to say the least. He can still be so sweet. But sometimes his attitude is just, um, completely overwhelming.

5. I still have yet to post the second part of my vlog. But since I was called ugly the last time I am so nervous to post another one.

6. I’m so sick of buying diapers. Landon is still not nighttime potty-trained. He never has an accident in the daytime or at nap time. But nighttime is a different story. He wakes up with a very wet pull-up. Not sure when that will change or if it’s supposed to change any time soon. Brigham is still in size 5 diapers. While he is showing some signs of being ready to potty-train, I’m not ready to go down that road just yet. I really wish cloth diapering had worked for our family. When I spend $35 for a box of stuff we throw away, it makes me want to vomit.

7. In September, it will have been five years since Naaman and I took a vacation on our own. Lately I have been daydreaming of a romantic beach vacation for us. I don’t know why but Aruba keeps popping up in my head and I find myself googling Aruba vacations. While we are still knee-deep in paying off our debt, I feel like we’re doing really well and I hope we can reward ourselves with an adults-only beach vacation (paid for in full). Possibly 2013 or 2014. Fingers crossed.

8. I really need to upgrade my iphone. I have the very first version and it takes five minutes to pull up facebook or twitter or instagram. Totally maddening, especially when I just want to check in real quick. I can’t stand to spend $199 when technically, I do have a phone that still works. But I’m growing more impatient by the minute.

Filed Under: Adventures in Parenting, Blogging, Brigham, Landon, Photography, Travel 15 Comments

my photography journey

February 27, 2012 By Molly

I want to be good at taking pictures. Not good enough. I want to be really good.

This desire is not new to me. I took a photography 101 course my first semester of college (that’s 1997, for any curious georges out there). I bought an expensive camera. This was before anyone was really using digital so yes, I learned the old-fashioned way: how to develop film. I was terrible at it. I always had the creative eye but not enough know-how and follow-through to learn how to correctly develop film. I kept dropping important stuff in the dark room. You were more likely to find me on the floor, feeling around with my hands, than you were to find me coming out with a fantastic photo.

I sold my expensive camera after dropping out of the course. But the embers of photography were still warm. And when I had Landon they were ignited and burned bright with envy at those who took wonderful photos of their children.

Finally, I received a Canon Rebel for Christmas in 2008. While my photos were better than a point and shoot, I still shot primarily in the auto function. We lived in a house with no natural light and the flash popped up almost every time I went to take a photo. I’m not a fan of flash photography at all. I am a fan of unposed, natural light photography. But I didn’t know how to achieve the results I was looking for. See below for Landon at five months.

Last summer I finally upgraded from the kit lens to a 50 mm 1.4 lens and my photography instantly improved. There was, of course, a big learning curve. I was so uneducated about lenses that I had no idea my new lens was not a zoom lens. No, for this lens I am the zoom, moving back and forth to achieve the composition I want. It took awhile for me to get used to it. But my photos are definitely much more crisp than they ever were with my kit lens. Not to mention our new house has ample sunlight flowing in through its many windows.

Now more than ever, my goal to take amazing photos is alive and well. I took a course with a local photographer and was pleasantly surprised to find that I knew more than any other student in the class. I also had the best lens, which made me feel good. But I’m still a total amateur and I’m insanely jealous of those whose photographic skills come naturally.

You see, I’ve been playing “Get Lucky” with my camera. I’ve been shooting in manual mode for nearly six months but I still had no clue what I was doing. I’m really frustrated with picking out the two or three photos that turned out “okay” and deleting the rest of the bunch. I want to know what I’m doing. I want to know what the numbers mean and how to manipulate them so I know the end result will be a beautiful photo!

That’s where this book, understanding exposure, comes in.

I’ve already read and re-read about the photographic triangle. Am I just dense or is this tough stuff? I’m sorry but I still just DO NOT get it. Why do the high numbers mean low and the low numbers mean high? Who came up with that? Because it’s ridiculous and confusing. I’m so jealous of people who just “get it” and take amazing photos. Will it ever become second nature to me?

What the book has managed to teach me is that I can figure out if my exposure is correct by looking through my viewfinder. I’ve had my camera for THREE years, people. And I’ve never looked at the numbers in my viewfinder ::headdesk::

Looking at my viewfinder is already helping me learn about underexposure and overexposure. Surely this will sink in eventually.

I don’t practice enough. I know that. I’m at work during the week and my camera doesn’t come with me. The sun sets by the time dinner is on the table. I’m not sure what other time I can practice than on the weekends, which I don’t feel is enough to get me to the next level.

Another thing I did is join Clickin’ Moms, a forum for moms who like to take photos. You don’t have to be a pro (thank goodness). I am a photography enthusiast and I’m still learning a lot from the questions and tutorials that are posted. They have an iphone app, which is how I’m reading the forums.

One thing I know for sure is that my photography has greatly improved. In the summer you will often find me rolling around in the grass to get a good shot of my kids playing. Get on their level? I’m down with that.

If you scroll back through earlier years of my blog you will see that my photos look terrible. So I feel good about what I’m posting now. But I know I can do better. I can BE better. I want to understand my camera so badly. I have promised myself that at the end of this year, when our debt is gone and I’ve mastered the photographic triangle, I can upgrade my camera body! Oh, what a happy time that will be. I hope you’ll follow along on my quest to take better photos!

Filed Under: Photography 19 Comments

Wordless Wednesday: Professional Family Photos

October 19, 2011 By Molly

Our new family photos from Darbi G. make me so happy. Just click to see them larger!

Filed Under: Double Trouble, Family, Photography, wordless wednesday 16 Comments

the gravy on the mashed potatoes of life

August 25, 2011 By Molly

A sneak peek from our recent photo shoot with Darbi G. Poor Briggy D. got sick halfway through our photo shoot so we had to reschedule.

Filed Under: Brigham, Family, Landon, Photography 19 Comments

summer boys

June 21, 2011 By Molly

We are so enjoying our new little neighborhood even though there’s not much of one yet. Sunset walks with my three boys are just what this mama needs after a stressful day at work.

A little bit of the hurt inside me melts away as I watch my baby’s wispy hair curl in the June heat.

I swallow whole the smiles I’ve been waiting all day to see again.

It is moments like these that smack me in the face and make me realize just how damn lucky I am.

Slow down, summer. Slow down, life. You’re going too fast.

Filed Under: Brigham, Depression, Family, Landon, Mommy Moments, Our New Home, Photography 11 Comments

Your Three Words

June 3, 2011 By Molly

I finally got my new camera lens (hip hip hooray!) and have been practicing ever since it arrived on my doorstep. For those wondering, the main reason why I chose this lens is because of Kelle Hampton’s amazing photography skills. She uses this lens to take portraits of her babies. She is a big inspiration to me. As a blogger/writer, mom and photographer. If you don’t read her blog, well, where have you been? I super duper adore her.

Only it’s true what they say, just because I spent a lot of money doesn’t mean I will instantly be a better photographer. I still have no clue what I’m doing. But every once in a while I feel like I luck out. Good lighting. Good depth of field. Good color. Maybe someday my photography skills will be less about luck and more about skills.

For now I’ll just enjoy how lucky I am to be this little guy’s mama =)

Have a great weekend!

Link up to Your Three Words at Jenni’s blog!

Filed Under: Blogging, Brigham, Photography, Your Three Words 6 Comments

Wordless Wednesday: a boy and his ball

May 10, 2011 By Molly

Brigham said ball for the first time a couple days ago. This was one of Landon’s first words as well. And so it begins . . .

Link up with Wordless Wednesday.

Filed Under: Brigham, Milestones, Photography 5 Comments

A Thunderstorm in December

December 31, 2010 By Molly

Last night thunder was cracking and wind was rocking the trees outside my bedroom window. Those sounds did strange things to me. In Missouri, it doesn’t usually thunderstorm in December. The loud booms took me all the way back to the beginning and middle of this year.

In the beginning of 2010 I lost my faith in happiness. A bout of depression threatened to scare the joy out of my new baby’s impending arrival. But God (and Zoloft) are good. I pulled the curtains open to a new day just in time.

and found joy in sunny March days, savoring my time left with my first born as my only born.

Because on May 2nd this perfect new person appeared in my arms as if out of nowhere.

And our little family of three tripped over ourselves falling in love with this new boy.

Just seconds after he was born, the first thing everyone remarked on was how big his hands & how long his fingers were. They still are. I grew a basketball player (or a piano player).

So much good happened in May 2010. In true Brigham fashion, he surprised us with an early arrival when I went into labor at 38 weeks, 2 days. He was born at 2:22 a.m. on May 2nd.

With a new baby, a new big brother was also born.

Shortly after coming home from the hospital with our new blessing, my sister Cindi called me and gave me the best possible news a sister could ever give with a long-awaited “I’m pregnant!” I cried tears of happiness and all was right with the world. 2011 will start with a BANG when their son Grayson is born.

A week later in May our family’s prayers were answered when, after 10 months of unemployment, I finally received an amazing job offer. I happily accepted and eight months later I continue to be amazed by my company. Not to mention the terrible financial burden being lifted. It is a weight off of our shoulders.

The thunderstorm suddenly throws tiny ice pellets at our window and I am jarred awake.

I lay there under cover of a soft blue blanket tickling my cheek and I try to breathe it all in. All the good that was. All the good that will be. A new year. And a knowing washes over me like never before. It will be a good year. Amazing things will happen. I will grow. I will love and hurt and help and hug. I will do all the things a human is supposed to do. I will believe in the good of everyone and everything. Because despite my pessimistic tendencies, I know deep within my being that the good is always there. Good surprises.

And like a thunderstorm in December it will have the capacity to wake me up when I’m asleep.

May your New Year be full of surprises.

Filed Under: Birth, Brigham, Depression, Family, Holidays, Landon, Photography 10 Comments

This is your birthday song. It isn’t very long.

December 6, 2010 By Molly

Today is my birthday. I love birthdays. I believe in celebrating them loud and proud. Complete with a party and cakes and presents and streamers and balloons. Okay, maybe not all of that now that I’m 32. But I still really like balloons.

My mom always made a big deal about our birthdays. She has four daughters and each one of us always had a nice little shindig each year. For two years in a row we’ve thrown Landon a big birthday party. I can’t help it! I like birthdays. Did I mention that already?

Who is this cutie you might ask? Well, that’s none other than yours truly at my first birthday party about to devour some chocolate cake. I’m on my late grandmother’s lap. I love this photo. Landon looked exactly like me. Just with shorter hair.

So, what am I doing for my 32nd birthday? I’m glad you asked. I’m going to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in all the land. M&S Grill. I will have a juicy steak. And divulge in the best red velvet cake with cream cheese icing ever created. Then my husband and I will go to a movie. Just the two of us. I don’t even care what we see. But we’ll hold hands, share popcorn and a huge diet coke and laugh together. Perfect.

Aside from the early birthday present that I am still loving every morning, my mom and dad give me some money to do with what I please. And here is what pleases me this year.

Canon EF 50 mm f1.4 lens for my DSLR camera:

I am so super excited to get this new lens. I have been talking about taking a photography class and finally learning to use my camera. I received my camera in December of 2008. Two long years ago. And I still don’t have a clue what I’m doing. Oops. But those days are over. I’m serious about this, folks. I am very passionate about photography and love taking photos of my boys! I know this lens won’t magically make me a good photographer. But I hope the upgrade helps a little bit. Happy Birthday to me!

Also I recently scored this sewing machine on Black Friday for a way cheaper price than it is now. I have always wanted to learn to sew. This came with an instructional DVD so I hope that helps. I was reading reviews and someone mentioned it was perfect for their 10-year-old daughter. That’s when I knew it was the right one for me! My first project will be a new pillow(s). We shall see where this leads. There might be a lot of band-aids on my fingers for awhile.

I am excited for the next year of my life. I never know where it’s headed or what will happen. But the surprises blessings seem to get better every year. I have an inkling 2011 is going to be one of my best years yet.