Polaroid Spectra Pro - Fun Times

As I delve further into my Polaroid instant camera fetish I bring you my current obsession, the Polaroid Spectra Pro.




Finding this great starter camera in a Texas Goodwill Store for $6.97 I gleefully purchased this work horse and immediately bought some film from the Impossible Project


At 3.6 x 2.9 in. (9.2 x 7.3 cm) the Spectra images are bigger than 600 film and the camera is entirely idiot proof. It's point and shoot all the way with a dedicated flash. I've been using it indoors to get that 70's family photo vibe and I love that it's like looking at pics from my childhood!




I'm sure I'll start getting all artsy with the Spectra at some point but right now it's fun to just shoot for the fun of it. No photo editing, photo in hand instantly = pure enjoyment!

Children's Portraits

I never thought of myself as a person that would purposely set out to take photos of children. I mean hey - I used to wake up before sunrise and head out to shoot - and don't get me headed down memory lane when it was just me, my backpack and my camera trekking around the world. Those are just two of the many things I did before Bodie came along almost 17 months ago - things I did when it was just me and I had time!




That's pre-dawn at the Coronado Bay Bridge in San Diego...and below is the city skyline at dawn


Getting back to Bodie....I enjoyed the baby phase - it's full of poo, feedings and little sleep but I enjoyed it.

Then there was the in-between phase where he would respond to me and smile...but then again he'd respond to a piece of lint too!

It started getting to be more fun at about 4 months into it - he'd do that all over body laugh and react to silly faces, play peek-a-boo. Fund stuff...

But it just keeps getting better.....since December he's been getting more interactive and I've been having the best time just being with him.

Last night we ran around the house with Mark listening to Offspring and No Doubt - dancing and laughing and playing. It was incredible!

Daily I feel inspired to photograph....not just because he's my kidlet {that's a bonus} but because of the amazing spirit I see in him and those priceless expressions that I sometimes capture.  I don't want to forget those moments, I want to keep them close to my heart (and on my living room wall)!

I am filled with joy. Yes, joy.

I never thought I would be so changed...but I am...it's an amazing feeling.  I knew parenthood would be fun but I had no idea.  Now I know why parents have a second and a third!!!

At anyrate...I have these kid-themed photo shoots in my head and I can't help myself.  I've already started planning them.  The excitement is there inside of me...building everyday.

How much fun this parent-thing is...it really rocks my world!

and so to end the post...here is a picture of my little man Bodie.  I love the look on his face - it's the look he has when he's wondering what he's about to do next.  Two minutes later he attacked me for my camera, took a seat in my lap and demanded (in baby-speak) that I show him the photos...Enjoy!

Japanese Gardens, Van Nuys CA Family Photos

Mark, Bodie and I headed to the Japanese Gardens for a family photoshoot. I'd lived in Van Nuys forever but I had never made it to the gardens. Today was the day!

As we made our way to the gift shop to purchase our tickets, Bodie was full of excitement - a huge smile on his face. He had just run up and down the ramp like a wildman but they couldn't have seen that could they!

One look at us and the very nice woman selling ticketssaid in a tone that reminded me of my Gramdma Russell, "Have you ever been here before?" We shook our heads in the negative.

"Be careful of the lake, but it shouldn't be a problem...the one rule is you must not go off the path...so I'm sure it will be fine."

Uh Oh.

One Rule...Don't go off the path!

We made it 300 feet down the path and turned back to the car.

Bodie, in all his exuberance strayed off the path time and time again....perfectly raked pebbles were tossed around as we dragged him back onto the dirt path. Dragged. Yes dragged...little man did not want to be picked up and would go limp everytime we tried to take his hand to lead him away from the unguarded areas off the path.

Such is life!

Happily I was able to grab a few photos before we went next door and let him run loose in the open park area with no pond and no path.

I threw together a quick story board of our very brief visit and then decided to add a photo of B from February of 2011! It was one of the first photos I captured with him smiling...and to see him growing up just makes me so incredibly happy. I can't wait for more smiles and another try at the gardens!

Live and Learn!

Springs Preserve Engagement Shoot ~ Las Vegas

It was cold and grey at Springs Preserve in Las Vegas when Karie and Geoff arrived. We had yet to meet in person and had arranged an engagement shoot in Las Vegas while I was in town visiting my family. They are a refreshingly down-to-earth couple.

Karie is a true original and Geoff has the best sense of playfulness ever! Karie's choices for her engagement ring and wedding dress are creatively unique and above all else, they are true to her warmth and style. She is fun and relaxed with flowing blond hair and a perfect complexion!

As we walked around the Preserve I spoke of seeing David Copperfield, the fabulous magician/illusionist, at the Springs Preserve about five minutes before Karie and Geoff arrived! I was photographing some falcons from the Wings over the Springs show and pulled out my trusty SX-70. All of the sudden DC appears and animatedly starts talking about what a great camera the SX-70 is - then we got to discussing the Impossible Project Film. I mean really....could it be any cooler than meeting DC right before I start Karie and Geoff's engagement shoot?

I love this photo of Geoff - so relaxed!

They make an awesome pair!

I'm looking forward to their wedding in June, hope you stop by and take a look at the photos!

Polaroid Land Camera 330

Over the Christmas holidays I got to browse Ebay and set about finding some vintage Polaroid Land Cameras.  Score!  I am now the proud owner of lots of Land Cameras and I am setting about testing them all one by one and cleaning them up!  These beauties should not be hidden in attics across America.

I've always been a collector at heart and vintage cameras are one of my things.  As for all things Polaroid, I've been on a kick for a few months - starting with the SX-70 and it's stylish design, moving to the Polaroid Spectra and now finally the Land Cameras.

Bellows - Land Cameras have bellows! There is something to be said about opening up the camera, pulling out the bellows, loading film and then shooting.  It's a magical feeling!