Friday Photo Journal Link Up

Hello friends and happy Friday! Once again I must apologize as I have neglected this poor little blog and am late posting. My personal and business life have just been crazy this summer and I am having trouble juggling it all. This week I have 4 client shoots, a family birthday, back to school prep and a broken dishwasher, car repairs, etc.  I'm sure many of you are dealing with similar craziness and back to school schedules as well. Life just seems to get busier and busier!

I only have one little iPhone pic to share this week, but I would love to see what you have been up to!

What have you been up to?

Thanks for visiting and linking up this week!

Also linking up with Lisa at The Long Road to China.

WW- Full Moon

So, this probably isn't the most impressive image of the moon that you have ever seen. I have seen many amazing moon images on photo blogs and Facebook this summer. But, since I don't have a clear view of the moon from my neighborhood, and bedtime around here is not and ideal time for taking off with my camera, I was kind of bummed that I had not had an opportunity to capture the moon in quite a while. 

So, last week, when I saw the moon shining bright as I was heading home from a family photo session, I pulled over to snap a few photos. I really didn't expect much since I just hopped out of the car with my 105 mm lens and no tripod. But, I was pleasantly surprised by the result. I even managed to capture a few stars in the frame (granted they are just tiny specs). So, no this isn't the most impressive shot of the moon, but I am still pleased that I managed to capture that luminous glow. Something about the moon just brings a feeling of peace doesn't it?

Have you captured the moon lately?

Here's my edit:

My sooc:

 My settings:

Thanks for visiting!

Linking up here:

P52- Week # 34

Last week was full of birthday celebrations at our house. My two youngest kiddos turned 6 and 3. We celebrated with cake, ice cream, bouncing at the bounce house, swimming, visits from family near and far and, of course, presents! It was tons of fun. Here are just a few quick snaps from our festivities. These family moments are less than perfect, photographically speaking, but perfectly sweet nonetheless. 

Love these two kiddos to pieces!!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead!

Thanks for visiting!

Linking up with these lovelies: Gina and Tamar.

Friday Photo Journal - Week 35

Hi friends! Happy Friday to all!! Today is a special day for us, as my youngest son turns 6. We will be hitting the bounce house and then Nana's pool for some fun festivities. The kids ought to be dog tired by the time we get home! I am looking forward to a family day ;)

We had another birthday earlier this week when Little Miss turned 3 on Tuesday. My babies are growing up :(  I am so very proud of the little people they are becoming though!

Here's a peek back at our week:

What have you been up to?

Thanks for visiting and linking up this week!

Also linking up with Lisa at The Long Road to China.

A Peek Behind the Scenes

As I was working on a family session at the beach a week or so ago, I noticed a woman with a big Canon talking to one of my clients. I was shooting an extended family of 17 folks and was posing them in various groups on the beach. I just smiled at the woman (with the big Canon) and went on about my work, not thinking much of it.

Later, as I was leaving the beach, she came up and introduced herself as a local photographer who sells post cards. She had been at the beach taking photos of the sea grass and snapped a few pics of me as I was working. She took my card and offered to email them too me. I love meeting other photographers, though sadly they aren't all as friendly as Barbara, my new friend with the big Canon.

I often run into other photographers when I am out shooting family portraits and for the most part I have found them to be friendly and courteous. I always try to go out of my way to be friendly. As far as I am concerned there are plenty of clients to go around and there is no need to be rude or unprofessional. Making friends in the industry can only help one's own business, I think. Plus, I love to collaborate with other photographers. I have only had the opportunity to do so a couple of times, but would love to do so more often.

 Anyway, I thought it was so sweet of Barbara, with the big Canon, to take the time to send me her photos. I decided to share them here so you can see what I've been up to all summer. Here I am in all my glory, lol, doing what I love to do.

(By the way, I did offer to watermark them or give her credit in some way, but she declined my offer. )

 Linking up with Kim for:

WW- Beach Fun and a Colorvale Template Giveway

Summer is coming to a close, but I am hoping we'll have nice weather for a while yet, so that I can continue shooting at the beach. I love shooting sessions on the beach and this summer I have had several. The wide open space, soft colors and fun opportunities for creative compositions are a great recipe for interesting portraits. 

During a session last week, I was even lucky enough to stumble upon this fantastic sand castle someone had built and left along the shore. When I saw the summer and sand template on the Colorvale site, I knew it was a match made in Heaven. I added a portion of my image to the globe and this is the result. 

The globe template is currently on sale for $7 in the Colorvale online store, but I have one to give away* to a lucky reader! The template works in Photoshop and Elements and a tutorial for use is listed on the site if you need help.
You can see more of my recent work on my photography site: Melissa Bliss Photography and my business Facebook page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Linking up here:

*This giveaway is sponsored by Melissa Bliss Photography & Serendipity is Sweet. Thanks for visiting!

P52- Week 34

Happy Monday friends! I hope you had a great weekend! 

 Today I am trying to pull together a birthday plan for my two youngest who will both celebrate birthdays this week! It's hard to believe that Little Miss will be three tomorrow! Time sure does pass by  in a flash. Makes this mama's heart hurt to see them grow up so quickly. It seems like just yesterday they were running me down the hall on a stretcher to a delivery room, lol. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead!

Thanks for visiting!

Linking up with these lovelies: Gina and Tamar.

Friday Photo Journal - Week 34

Hello friends! It's been another crazy busy week here at the Rich house and we are now gearing up for the big week of birthdays! No slowing down in sight. I think I need a vacation from summer vacation!

Here's a peek at the fun we managed to pack in this week:

What have you been up to?

Thanks for visiting and linking up this week!

Also linking up with Lisa at The Long Road to China.

Little Things Thursday - Simplicity

Simplicity. That's what I am craving. 

Linking up with Kim for:

Project 13 Blog Circle - August 2013

Welcome to this month's installment of a collaborative photo project I am thrilled to be participating in with several talented photographers. This project concentrates on focusing on our everyday moments. Together we will share our images at the end of each month focusing on various sub-themes related to the over-arching theme of Everyday Moments.

 As we all know, life slips by very quickly and the images shared will be small glimpses into our everyday lives. It also provides us a place to share images that may or may not be technically perfect, these are the ones that pull at our heartstrings. I invite you to follow along with me on this project.

Our theme this month is "the great outdoors." While I would have loved to have taken the kids on a nature hike, or even to spend an afternoon with them at the beach, and capture them connecting with nature, our schedule just wouldn't allow it. This summer has been nothing but work. Though I am very grateful for the work, I do miss the days when we spent our time exploring and learning together. 

Our homeschool studies will be starting up again soon and I am looking forward to some field trips, experiments and time dedicated to growth and exploration. In the meantime, I did capture these shots of my littlest exploring the great outdoors...just outside our door. 

Please continue along the blog circle by visiting my talented friend Sarah. You will love her beautiful work!

WW- Family -VA Outdoor Photo Session

I have been a busy worker bee this summer with client sessions and consequently haven't had much time to shoot and edit images of my own little munchkins. So, I thought I would share another peek of what I've been up to. I do plan to participate in this month's Project 13 Blog Circle (which is tomorrow!) so stay tuned for that post. ;)

You can see more of my recent work on my photography site: Melissa Bliss Photography and my business Facebook page.

Linking up here:

Thanks for visiting!