rare form

All work and no play isn't good for anyone. These days it seems like work is taking precedence around here. To remedy that I woke up early, packed lunches, woke the kids and tossed them in car for a day at Disneyland. Although the park was packed full of families that had the same idea, we made it a great day doing the things we don't normally do. Why wait in long lines when you've got Tom Sawyer Island to explore, the new Tiana's Showboat Jubilee to entertain you and the Innoventions experience (a massive interactive model home of the future) to lose yourself in?

This is us, cutting loose (needless to say), getting our sillies out (my youngest has it down to a science)and enjoying a work free day of merriment, make believe and magic.

Show us how you throw caution to the wind and act like a fool if only for a little comic relief once in a while. A little levity never hurt anyone.

holding on tight

Sam pleaded as we got started with the portrait session, "I don't want to be in the pictures."

It's bound to happen time and again; the kids, that for one reason or another don't want to perform for the camera. I know how it goes and I totally understand. I have a daughter who is by far, my most fickle of my photo subjects. Sam's duress didn't worry me one bit. I know in times like that you just have to wait it out, until he starts to have some real fun and forgets we're at the park to shoot pictures. His mother and I catch up and laugh together (we only see each other a few times a year at best, one of which is for our annual family portrait session) and are just enjoying being there marveling at how time flies and how fast our children grow.  We're on no time schedule.

What I love about working with Sam's family each year is that they are a pleasure to spend time with. And they so appreciate the things that make their boys special. So much so that they want me to capture these things in the photos I take. Last year Sam's companion was a BIG truck and this year it's his Dino. Needless to say Dino was in a great many of the pictures this year just as the truck was last year. And that's just how Sam's parents like it. Meanwhile, his brother Jack smiles with his attention turned toward all the small miracles of life (the intricacies of leaves, flowers and the sky) as his parents let him explore and allow me to capture him in his element. Each boy being loved and adored for who they are in this world and me there to witness it. I might add that they both share a passion for MnMs (their mom's secret weapon in holding their attention and keeping them still for me).

I soak up the love from this family like a sponge. I am grateful for the honor of capturing such authenticity year after year. When most of the world is too busy and life is flying by at warp speed, this family of four holds on tight to the moments they spend together, to each other and to love.

What are you holding onto today?

A Place to Live

I want you to know Theresia Ngowi (right), her daughter, and Juliet Ngassa (left), program manager for Arusha-based, non-profit BEST (Business and Entrepreneurship Support Tanzania). Theresia welcomed Jen and I into her home in Magadini Village. She is a young entrepreneur and earns income by selling rice. Despite the fact that the walls of her home are partially constructed with cardboard, I felt such warmth inside.

Tell us about a painting, a photograph, or a word that brings meaning to your walls.

3 questions, 3 sisters (round 2)

Are you ready for another round of "3 questions, 3 sisters"? Do you want to know the tricks that Shutter Sister Maile uses when taking her beautiful portraits? What Sarah-Ji looks for when shooting the streets? Or how Paige keeps little ones smiling and cheerful on photo shoots? Read on!

Sarah-Ji, what is it in the streets, in the lives of strangers passing by that moves you and inspires you to pick up the camera?

If there's one thing that I yearn for in all aspects of life, it's narrative. Every single person on this planet has their unique story, and it's that thought that fascinates me about the strangers I encounter on the streets. I'm compelled to point my camera towards images that have a story to tell. Of course, I have no way of knowing whether the stories I see are actually true, and most likely they are not since I have no claim to psychic powers. However, when you think about it, a story doesn't have to be true to move us or to change us. If it did, a huge chunk of art would be meaningless. I hope the images I capture will evoke stories for those who view my photos. Everyone might see a totally different narrative, but as long as they are touched in some way, that's what matters to me.

Maile, I've spent some time visiting your website, and I was stunned by your portraits. How do you do to make people so beautiful? And what is your approach when taking someone's portrait? Please, share your tips too!

I think people are most beautiful when they're relaxed, so I'm always very aware of my own energy. I've found that the more relaxed I feel, the more likely it is that people will loosen up and feel free enough to interact naturally together. Technically speaking, good light is way more important than the background. So I'm always looking primarily for flat light, meaning there are no highlights or shadows being cast across someone's face. As they say, shade is good. But open shade is better. It's that spot where the person is right on the edge of the shade. That's why doorways work well, because there are no funky shadows, and they're still close enough to the bright light to have it be reflected in their eyes. If I pose people, I will have them stand to the side, sit on their hip, raise one shoulder slightly higher than the other, because angles are flattering. And the holy grail of making any woman look amazing, is to shoot with the camera positioned higher than her face. Even if it means that you ask her to squat down in front of you. This is the fool-proof head shot. Because not only does it make anyone look thinner, it also reflects light from the sky into their eyes. And it makes eyes look bigger and more dramatic because they are the closest thing to the camera. This is also the reason why if I'm taking a snap shot of myself, it is mounted on the ceiling. Just kidding (sort of) :)

Paige, while we were in Chicago I remember peeking into your camera bag and asking you about the rubber duck and the Pez dispenser. Could you please share with our readers what they're for?

My husband gave me the rubber duck when I first started the business because he thought it might be a good attention grabber for kids and babies. And he was right! It squeaks, it's cute, and they love it. I often play peek-a-boo with it or set it on top of my head to get their attention. The Pez dispenser was not my idea, but I read about it somewhere. I took a bunny Pez dispenser and fit it right into the external flash port on top of my camera. I had to shave a little off the sides with a knife to get it to fit perfectly. I sometimes use it as a last resort to get kids to look in my direction. I'm sure I look ridiculous when it's up there, but I don't care! Whatever works! In my camera bag I also keep bubbles for entertainment and lots of stickers for bribery!

What about you? What are your tricks? What does inspire you? Please feel free to leave your answers and/or comments below. There's another giveaway so don't forget to comment!

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Hooray for this week’s Memolio winners:

Kosenrufu Mama, Spread Your Wings, Donna, Chocolate on my Cranium and Life in Eden .

AND five more books are up for grabs in yet another generous giveaway from Memolio in a random drawing this week. Just leave a comment here to be entered. Good luck!

Always There

Even when we weren't looking, our life was always there. The morning light was there, the mug of fresh coffee, corn flakes, milk, the shiny spoon on the counter, reflecting our kitchen and our life back at us. It was always there. Their smiles were there, their sleepy eyes, the striped socks, crayons, the big fun mess on the floor, our childhood and theirs. It was always there. The condiment jars in our pantry were there, our favorite records, the cheap souvenirs from our trips, old letters, faded pictures, things lost and things found. It was always there. Even when we weren't looking, all those things that make up our messy lives and define us, have always been there, waiting for us to notice and cherish them.

So today, show us something about your routine, your family, something that is close to your heart. Something that is always there, even when you are not looking.