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Friday
Apr012011

Have you Met My Muse?

 

Oh how I envy all the fabulous sisters that have the privilege of capturing their little ones each day!!

Back when my boys were young the camera only came out for special occasions. If I could go back in time, I would definitely have stalked my sweet little blonde boys with my camera.  I'm sure If I had, they'd be a lot cooler today about me snapping their pics. Ugh. They love to give me a hard time. 'Oh great, she has the camera out again...Quick, just take the shot!...How many do you have to take?... Geez Mom!'

Sigh... Anyone else have this problem?  

After I fell in love with photography, I absolutely needed a muse. Enter 'Irene'. Some of you may remember her! I had her posing...all over the place! Irene did many Bench Monday shoots for me. She's always willing and as strange as it may sound, her expressions seem to change... I'm not kidding!! She's quite the girl! So my friends, allow me to introduce, Irene! 

How 'bout you? Are you blessed with a real life muse? Or perhaps, like me, you've had to improvise. More recently, Ben has become my muse.  He seriously poses for the camera! It's so cute. I just call his name, and he strikes a pose. And sometimes he strikes a pose as soon as he sees the camera. Today, we'd love to 'meet' your muse. Please share with us.

 

Reader Comments (42)

Not having children to snap my cats tend to be my muse and they grumble less than my husband does about having his picture taken. Irene is great, love her.

http://dychedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/03/sunday-creative-magnified.html
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterKathryn
Irene is wonderful! Since my four kids believe themselves quite grown up (ages 16 - 20), I just don't get the cooperation from them that I did when they were little. Thus, at home, my cats and dog are my muses. Lately its mostly the new addition, Levi, who is caught in the act, stalked or even posed. Away from home, my muse is my friend's horse, Jazz.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ravenwoodstudio/5451242021/
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterRenee
My kids are grown up as well. but having photo-shooted the whole neighbourhood (!!:O)) I have a lot of muses. A little careful as to whom I upload though . .
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterElla
My muse was born 11 months ago:

http://jenniferkrafchik.typepad.com/jennifer_krafchik_photo_b/2011/03/our-baby-girl-newborn-photos.html

With that moment, my photography has completely changed.
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterJen
Too funny. I know what you mean, my kids run out of the room when they see my camera turned their way. I did have the honor of shooting a baby session last week though. It made me want to have another one:) Probably won't happen though!

http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2011/04/april-1-handsome/
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterPuna
I'm sure Irene is a more cooperative muse than what I have... although he's coming around slowly.

Pop over almost any day and meet my muse...
http://winnswindow.blogspot.com/2011/03/perfect-green-if-i-do-say-so-myself.html#comments
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterWinn
I love Irene!! And - yes - I'm in the same spot. Altho I did photograph every moment of their growing years..they're now pretty much grown and gone.
I - too - turn to my sweet girl..as my latest and greatest muse:
http://marciescudderstudios.squarespace.com/home/2011/3/26/bird-watching.html
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterMarcie
I have a muse and it's my youngest boy. If you review my blog, it would appear I have one child. I actually have three, but my older boys have become completely goofy in front of the camera. Someday, I will post their ridiculous poses to share. My youngest does not always strike a pose. He plays and talks with almost no awareness of the camera. It's a treat to get him in a zone. I'll get those other two...somehow...

http://jessicavescera.blogspot.com/2011/03/lessons-from-pirate.html
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterJess
Margie has her grandsons

http://www.soeursdujour.com/2011/03/montreal-road-trip.html


Lately I've had my visiting Oscar

http://www.soeursdujour.com/2011/02/oscar.html

But I wish I had an Irene. I'm off to the one of a kind craft show in Toronto today so mayne I will find her sister Eileen!
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterKath
That is so funny, because my family and my friends are the same way. Some days I get so frustrated or sad that no one will let me take their picture. I was thinking of getting a doll or stuffed animal to go to Cancun with me next week because I know my hubby will not let me get those awesome beach photos.
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterLinda
I can't wait for grandbabies. When my kids were young it was film. I could shoot a role in about 10 minutes and hope that 2 were really good shots. Who knew what the future would bring!
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterRenee
So glad I caught the camera bug while my son is still young...but oh, to have a baby to snap pictures of!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58821554@N06/5562712565/
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterKelly
I have 2! my sons. They're 3 years apart, so they provide two different photography experiences. my littlest is almost 3, so he's in a "i don't want to stop playing!" phase in which he just want to dodge my camera at all times -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnattacks/5575061836/in/stream

my oldest is almost 6, so he likes to try stuff and will pose for me if I ask him to. plus, he has a new found love for bow ties and that's just really cute -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnattacks/5556548349/in/stream

what I like about photographing my kiddos is that they're constantly changing. My oldest went through the phases my youngest is now going through. As he grows in maturity, I get to explore new ways to capture his life through my lens.
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterLisa
Irene is a wonderful muse!

My muse is my granddaughter, not quite 4 years old. Even though we've all been snapping her picture since the day she was born, she can be moody about cooperating with the camera. When she's on, though, she's on.

http://www.camperky.com/2011/03/potpourri-of-photos.html
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterDotti
when she's in town, my daughter, and her cat, are definitely my muses.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/5462953412/

But since i have an empty nest now my cat, kodi, has to play the part
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/4397474352/

I think i need to find an Irene. She's great.
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered Commenterautumn sun
I'm in the same boat. Although occasionally my college-age daughter will ask me to do a "beauty" shot. In between those rare moments my goldens, Parker & Charlie, fill the voids. But . . . an Irene . . . now that's an ingenious idea =)
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterMaria
Kim, I'm like you in that I hadn't found the joy of photography yet, when our daughter was young. I had the most adorable model and all I did was take some very bad shots with a not so great camera :( Since she's now off at college, my muse is generally color - in nature and in shots of my bead or textile work.

http://www.vandemarkdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/03/beading-rainbow.html
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterAnna
It's cliche but it's true, the child brought out the photographer in me... and now I practice on him though my practice has expanded to other subjects too. Here's one of my favorite photos of him (scroll down):

http://www.birdwannawhistle.com/who-is-this-bird/
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterCorinna
Ugh, I have the same problem. My oldest daughter (8 1/2) HATES to pose for me, I always have to bribe her and she still complains as if posing for me was the worst of all the tortures in this planet (after cleaning her rooms of course). The sad part is that my husband is a photographer and she poses for him all the time (she says bitterly). My other daughter (2 and change) is well 2. There is no reasoning with a ball of energy and crazy hair. I have only managed to take 2 good portraits of them. Here they are:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertadleal/5579732000/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertadleal/5535793476
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterLibertad
I suppose I should feel grateful that I picked up photography when my kids were still young, though not babies. I wish I had many of those newborn shots that I see throughout the internet.

My muse is often my second son. It's not that I love him more or that he's cuter than my first born but he's a more willing participant. Of course, in this photo he was sleeping so he had no idea. Just love his eyelashes. :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/5576770520/
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterBecky Sue
Oh, I love her! My son is grown so sometimes my little diva, Sophie, will be my muse. I need one that works on my schedule. http://www.flickr.com/photos/galewall/5445711255/in/set-72157625284395230/
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterGale Wall
Hello Irene! Nice to meet you! Love this post!!! and I totally believe you that she changes her look! I find that I have two subjects that I come back to again and again, the first is my neighborhood, http://www.flickr.com/photos/soupatraveler/5566050308/ and the second is my dog Major, http://www.flickr.com/photos/soupatraveler/5566191810/ I usually can't get enough of either, but I will confess that when I have my niece and nephew around, I take a kabillion million pictures and can only keep shooting more. If I ever have a kid someday, I'm going to break the bank on storage devices and memory cards!
Oh I love Irene! So cute!
My 12 yr old son rarely consents to photos but when he grudgingly allows it, the results always warm my heart..he's just so handsome
http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkangel71/5552217928/in/set-72157625139203077
http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkangel71/5124636445/in/set-72157625139203077/

My cats..I love this one of Jesse, mostly because he NEVER stays still for a picture
http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkangel71/5572918478/in/set-72157625139203077/

And lately...the beaches around me where I seek solace from the world
http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkangel71/5562080491/in/set-72157625042018751
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterKiersten
My daughter is my muse. Whether she's sulking, sleeping or jubilant, she lets all of it show. I think she's even getting used to my lurking camera. I love both my children, but my son gets so shy and squinty in front of the camera. Thanks for letting me share my silly nut of a daughter with you.

Ready for rain:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58066769@N05/5579436288/

Sleeping:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58066769@N05/5534791046/

Pleased:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58066769@N05/5573941400/
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterStephanie (Keenemomma)
My boy - all freckles and curly hair...http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/5554208611/
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterKathleen O.
With 6 little ones running around here (some not so little anymore) my muse changes frequently. Recently, it is the littlest of the little ones, my Tess. I want to capture every moment before they pass too quickly.


Odd- I just wrote a post on "my muse" eariler this week
http://nancyvnjourney.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-muse-on-accessories.html
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterNancy
Today my lens took me here:

http://dorisrudddesigns.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/hurry-summer/

It's windy and cold in my part of the world now, but in my mind I'm sitting in one of these Adirondack chairs sipping a cold beverage with my face raised to the sky. I can feel the warmth of the sun, can you?
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterDoris
Irene is like your gnome, then? She's a fantastic idea, actually, pulling a common "thread" through all the photos in which she appears. Maybe one day you can make a little book of "the many faces of Irene" or something : )

To be honest, I love to "shoot" my husband! Particularly when he's not looking, since he normally makes funny faces when he DOES look at the camera. But he's been a great character in many photos and is more-or-less cooperative - especially when fast asleep!

http://savoirwhy.blogspot.com/2011/01/sweet-retribution.html
http://savoirwhy.blogspot.com/2011/03/missing.html

Pets are great to shoot because they're always there and can't really complain much about the camera being pulled out. Though I have to say, my dogs will give a proverbial eye-roll, sigh, and look incredibly bored everytime the camera is pointed in their direction.

Still, they give me some room to play since they are relatively good at staying in one spot without moving... too much!

https://picasaweb.google.com/104071241998086383335/MyLittleFellas?feat=directlink

* Michelle Sheldon - your bear is fantastic!!
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterLil'M
my camera seems to be drawn to this kiddo's grumpy faces:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/impossibletask/5580021061/

and this one's brand new faces:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/impossibletask/5569747015/
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered Commentertara on the wander
I am fortunate to have two muses these days. Liam and Gracie are just great, especially if they are together. They are best buddies and both are very familiar with the camera. Liam is so familiar with the camera that today, at 16 months old, he thought he would try to learn how it works. I quickly diverted his attention.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85427965@N00/5325272373/
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterCheryl
My daughter would be my muse.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25976646@N07/sets/72157626409068700/

Although of course my littlest boy is wonderful to photograph, sometimes I catch an expression on his face I haven't got before and that is always beautiful.
April 1, 2011 | Unregistered Commenterelflyn
My husband is my muse, always, each day...

http://chantaliaans.shutterchance.com/photoblog/Dreamy_Hubby_/
April 2, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterChantal
lol...hello beautiful irene. i missed you and so glad you are here for spring to spread your goodness. you know my muse is phoebe, and sam, and harry...lol...lovely post kim. it made me smile this morning. xxo
April 2, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterDenise
My muse is Flora, Goddess of Flowers -- thanks for the great post, Kim --
How did you know her name was Irene? Her mouth looks so small for such a broad "eee" sound. And yet, it's true, I can tell that's her name too. This must be one of her closed mouth days and, on another day her lips are more relaxed.

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