Summer Kickoff....something was missing.

So for the first time I can remember I did not go down to the beach for Memorial Day weekend. I thought I would have withdrawal but I think the sand in my camera and lens (which is still in the shop) gave me the nostalgic feeling (and pricey reality) that the beach is never too far away.

It was so nice to stay local, but I realized how naked I felt without my camera. There were photo ops everywhere and I missed them all. My initial thought was I take my camera everywhere, capture kids, families so there is no need to bring my backup camera. I can just sit back and relax for the day. What I have found is that photography is so personal. Every image I saw in front of me that day others might not have. A friend invited us to her home to watch the parade. There were 32 kids lined up on a curb in front of her home dressed in red, white and blue, headbands, tattoos, flags, etc. As I tried to enjoy the parade I just couldn't help but notice the hundred different ways to take the amazing shot of these kids, the band, the house, etc. So many options passing me by (along with the parade). The parade was over and we moved back to the yard. OK, so I didn't get a lot of photos, I have all summer, right?

As I relaxed in the yard I saw lots of shirtless boys (most of them pasty white since this was the first 85 degree day we had since last summer) chasing each other with waterguns at the same time there is a massive water balloon flight going on (all the colors you can imagine being thrown at each other). I saw boys with mischevious smiles hiding behind a tree aiming for their target. The result brought laughter to the older kids or tears to the younger one who sadly either dropped their balloon or were the target of the water balloon explosion. Looking around I kept thinking I hope someone is capturing this on camera. The following day we went to an impromptu barbecue at another friends home. We sat in the shade from a great vantage point where the kids were below us and the views were amazing of the mountains. Not one camera about....sigh.

So my friends, as though it might have appeared that I had the weekend off with my camera and it was my turn to relax. I didn't. All around me were lost opportunities to freeze frame one of the most enjoyable Memorial Days I have had in a long time.

Dont judge--somedays its just a twirl yourself in the dining room drapes kind of day!!

Is this not fantastic??

Ok, maybe not to the anal retentive person who can't get past the fact that the drapes are twisted into a wrinkled mess, but I think it's hilarious. Just to clarify--this little three year old ball of fire was not the least bit shy! She had two older siblings and was a hoot! She was into everything and had me laughing the whole shoot. Her Dad told her to stop and wanted her to cooperate and her Mom sort of grinned and I did what I do...grabbed my camera. So glad I caught this moment...total priceless. One of my favorites. Something tells me this ADORABLE little girl is going to live up to this photo! I love my job!

Destination--My Twin's Wedding

                   

 There is nothing like a destination wedding!  Surrounded by loved ones that want to share in your special day!   There is no drama or craziness.  Ok, well lost luggage can be a bummer but buy yourself a new pair of reefs, a sundress/short sleeve shirt and go back to enjoying a cocktail.  We had such a great time!!   I couldn't be luckier to have gained an amazing "sister".  Started out as the only sister in the Paradise family and now there are three of us.  It's the best!!

Growing up with a twin is one of the coolest experiences. Only a twin can understand the full connection.  It's too hard to explain and      most of the time doesn't make sense. Joey and I have many funny twin stories.  Although, I can't say that when I wiped out on my snowboard that he called me complaining of back pain.  Nor have I called him because I felt a numbness in my fingers and knees after he ran, biked and swam in a triathalon.  However, we have "twin" things.  Those who have been out with us have likely experienced our non-verbal twin communication.  It is never planned just always seem to happen.   Something random might be said by someone else that triggers the same exact thought and we both know it.  We just give each other a glance and the laughter doesn't stop (or in Joe's case his signature silent laugh ignites).   My poor husband used to get paranoid and think it was about him which would make us laugh even harder knowing that wasn't the case at all.  We are ending our third decade together and moving into our 40s (yikes) but I look forward to many more funny stories and experiences together.   At least Brian  no longer feels alone at the dinner table.  He and Jill can roll their eyes at our "twin thing".    Congrats Joe & Jill on your wedding day!     Ok, my other project has uploaded...time to get back to work.




Waiting for his beautiful bride....



 



Look our Fred Astaire..



Why I MUST stay behind the lens!





   

Who cares about sunsets...check out this ride!




Bring on the nightlife baby

 





my lovely lovely family!





Finally getting with the times.....a blog that is actually on a blog site!

Cheers to Living Your Dream... 

I've been blogging on my photography facebook page, but I have some clients and family/friends who are not fans of facebook (how could you not love the narcissistic world of facebook)?   So this will be another place I can share some of my work, thoughts and get feedback from my biggest supporters.   

Since bloggers tend to ramble this is the perfect place for me.  This blog came about tonight when instead of doing the editing I should be doing I got distracted by a blog that one of my closest friends just started.  She and her husband will soon be living their dream of sailing around the world on a 28 foot sailboat.  I thought how cool that must be to sail from island to island, seeing the world, living your dream, meeting people from all walks of life.   Then she, myself and two other friends (pictured above) went on a snorkeling trip and she showed us the size of the actual boat she would be living on.  That paired with an episode of The Deadliest Catch (granted she won't be sailing the Bering Sea but it still freaked me out), imagining my family of four and remembering that (1) I get seasick on catamarans and more importantly (2) that I can barely survive the witching hour for 2 hours in my bigger than 28 foot house before my husband gets home from work was reason enough that suburban life is more my speed.  I'll happily live vicariously through her travels. 

So I'll keep to living my own dream--my absolute love and passion of photography.  I will update this blog with photos, but I have way too much editing I should be doing tonight.  So for now...check out my website http://www.jeanneparadiseking.com/ or facebook for samples. I promise when I need a distraction (which happens often) I will start updating.  First I need to figure out how to navigate this blog.