Of Friends and Photos

Client photography has been pushed to the bottom of my list this winter as I wanted to focus on school. At least that was my intention. But no matter how hard I try, I always pull out my camera again for my friends. Taking photos of them in great conditions is one of my favourite things to do. So here are several photos from two spontaneous photo sessions, and I cannot admire these girls enough for braving the cold with me.

First off, my sweet friend Margaritha

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A few months later my cousin Abigail came over and we kept up our tradition of snapping several photos whenever she’s over (light permitting, that is). Two of her friends joined for a few of them, which is always a bonus๐Ÿ˜€

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If a photo-bombing cousin always poses this nicely, I’ll welcome such interruptions any time!๐Ÿ˜‰๐Ÿ˜

 

 

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Elfrieda || Portraits

Usually it’s me dragging my siblings and camera out in all kinds of weather to snag several photos. But this day it was switched. I had somehow promised to take photos of Elfrieda exactly during the coldest week we had all winter. It was defiantly gorgeous outside, but the cold held me back. Elfrieda didn’t though, trust her to keep you true to your word! So I grudgingly went outside, doubting that we would get much. Thankfully, I was quite mistaken! We ended up having a wonderful time, and I was thrilled with the results. Elfrieda, thank you for being persistent, without you we most certainly would  not have these photos!  Elfrieda-14

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Colourless

Last February I did a post of black and white photos, and really liked it. It was such an inspiration to capture photos so strong in emotion and meaning that they needed no colour. I haven’t taken as many photos recently and when I was going through these I realized how much I have slacked off in all areas of photography. Hopefully I can get the game going again after I graduate but for now here is this year’s mini-version of last year’s post.

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Camping Day III

Sorry for not posting this post sooner. I truly forgot about it. Why would I forget? I’m not busy, am I? If cleaning a house, trying to keep up with paperwork (without Daddy at home), spending 3 days doing Driver’s Ed, and doing a bunch of other ‘summer’ things isn’t called busy, then I’m not busy. ๐Ÿ™‚

On Sunday, after checking out of the sites, we went to Sparwood to see the World’s biggest Dump Truck. Here is our cousin’s wife, Mama, and Groszmama.

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Edgarย and the wheel.

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A view from the back.

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Three happy cousins.

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Bianca

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Two sisters and their brother

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We decided to head to Lundbreck Falls for our picnic lunch. It was very nice, especially with all the extra water.

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A Salamander?

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Bianca and Leslie

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A more inclusive picture

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Yours truly

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And our faithful photographer. Thank you to Bianca for the many beautiful pictures you contributed to these three posts.

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Camping Day II

Elfrieda

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On Saturday, we decided to hike the 6+ kilometers to Frank Slide Interpretive Centre. Most of us participated and we had a lot of fun. (Besides soreness afterwards.) ๐Ÿ™‚ The boys were always up ahead which is why you can’t see them on this picture.

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At one point, the trail ran alongside the highway. The children enjoyed coaxing waves (and even a few honks) from the drivers. ๐Ÿ™‚DSCF0689

Some beautiful flowers at the Interpretative Centre. The ones that stayed at the campsite came in the vehicles and then we spent some time at the Centre.

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The children enjoyed taking pictures afterwards.

The two L’s. Leandro and Leslie.

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Bianca

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Imelda and Leslie

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Bianca and Leslie

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All the girl cousins. (Excluding the photographer) ๐Ÿ™‚

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Camping Day I

Our first view of the campsite. Mama’s sister and her family was coming to visit us from Oklahoma and they wanted to go Camping. They even brought Groszmama along. Even though she is going on eighty-three, she wanted to come camping. Since we needed a cabin for her, we decided to go have a look at a campsite before we actually rented it. The one we had in mind didn’t suit us so we went hunting some more. We came upon Lost Lemon Campground and we were immediately impressed. (Visit lostlemon.com for more pictures and details.) Although it is on the outskirts of town, we still chose to reserve it.

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Our second view of the river. Alberta has had lots of flooding. Although we are not affected by it, please pray for the residents of cities like Calgary, High River, and Medicine Hat. Many homes have been destroyed.

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Edgar, setting up a tent.

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Samuel

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The rushing river that was actually right next to our sites.

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The first thing Daddy set up was…

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Our array of tents.

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Eating supper together. We had also invited Janice and Nacho and two of Mama’s nephews with their wives and children.

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This little guy had to wear sunglasses because of all the smoke. ๐Ÿ™‚

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Mama, enjoying our first supper of steak.

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Micah thought it was quite cold.

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Drying chairs over the fire. We only had rain on the first evening.

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Our view of Crowsnest Mountain.

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At the Park with Cousins

On Monday evening, we had a barbecue at the park with our extended Unger family.

Bianca was up to photographing and she had a bunch of ‘posers’ to choose from.

She did a wonderful job so I’ll share some with you.

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Abigail
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Micah
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Danielle, Birthday Girl
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Some practice with blurred backgrounds.
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Friends
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Samuel
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Danielle again
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Little buddies, Leandro and Micah
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Imelda in her new dress
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Playing Telephone?
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Sisters
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Abigail, such a lady in her new old-fashioned dress
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Peekaboo!
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Janaya
Our special cousin in her old-fashioned dress
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Natalia
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A slide-full of cousins
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Samuel and his dream
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Friends
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Friends X 3
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The Birthday Girl with her Birthday Dress
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The three lady-sisters

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Photography

To all people who take pictures,

I need some advice. You see, I have been saving up for a camera for about a year. My amount is getting bigger and I’m starting to think of the camera I want. The problem is, I don’t know ‘which’ one I want. Canon vs. Nikon? Very expensive vs. less expensive. If you were in my shoes, what would you get. I’ve always wanted a camera and now I don’t want to get something that I’m not happy with. I enjoy taking pictures ย with our family camera. My favourite things to photograph are nature (as you’ve probably noticed) and people (especially children). If you have any suggestions as to what you would get (or wish you had gotten) for your first camera, please comment here or email me. Or if you know of someone who ‘knows his way’ in photography, you are welcome to link him to my blog for some answers.ย 

Any other photography suggestions are welcome as well. What kind of camera you wouldn’t get. The pros and cons of your current camera (or your dream one). What kind of tripod to get. What kind of lenses to buy. Which type of bag to acquire. Where to buy your camera and gear. And anything else that has to do with a camera or photography.ย 

~Yesenia~

P.S. I am looking for a good photography course. If you know of any considerable ones, pleas let me know.