Finally - Truth in Advertising.

Finally.
After two years of fair photo contests, art association photo contests, online photo contest and what not...i won.

So what if it's 3rd? Dude. I won.

This is my niece. Little hambone, she knows how to work the camera. She knows how to project and how to give her auntie what she wants, even if auntie doesn't even know what SHE wants, sometimes.

She also knows how to work her auntie. Like her brother.

This year at the OC Fair, my girlie was next to the winner. So i was hoping that maybe a little of the winner ju-ju would rub off on me.

And it did.

The Anaheim Art Association was kind enough to pick it as their 3rd prize for photography.

Now i can add 'award winning photographer' to my resume...and my business cards.

Yippee!!!

You're Only One, Once.

Or is that redundant?

Last June, my friend's niece asked if i would come take photos for their daughter's first birthday.

Being a sucker for anything regarding kids AND photos, naturally, i said yes.

One year olds, have a way of not cooperating for the camera. Usually. This one, though, is starting to be a bit of a hambone and really likes the photos.

Of herself, that is.

Hambone.

Pure hambone.

Her birthday cupcakes.

Everyone was happy to see everyone else.

And this one, while not the Birthday Girl, fell in love with the Fritos.

And this little princess is the birthday girl, with her daddy.

This little cutie-pie, is also a photo hambone. She wanted to be in every.single.picture. Even the family ones.

Sometimes, it's easier to just roll with it than fight it. Then, you take her and give her her own photo shoot.And she is a happy girl.

And she thought the butterfly pinata was pretty. The other kids, however, were salivating over the possiblity of candy, candy and more candy.

They weren't far off.

Oh, the humanity. The carnage. I--i must look away.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl. May all your birthdays...and the rest of your life...be one big adventure.

Familia.

These cute peeps are my mom & step-pop.

My mom asked me to snap some shots for them, and for her 50th high school reunion souvenir book.

And if my step-father looks like trouble to you? Well, that's because he is.

See? T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

Cute. But trouble.

And my mom, ga'bless her, can be trouble as well. Don't let that sweet smile fool you.

Then it was time to practice with the timer. And if i look like trouble, it's because i am.

No doubt about that. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Thank heavens. As klutzy as i am, i'd probably break something.