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Jan 07 2012

our project 10: january

I was so looking forward to shooting for this project this month.  Not only have I committed to focusing on documenting our life with Project Life this year, I had just received a new lens (purchased with Christmas & birthday money so it was guilt-free and happy).  We’ve had a really nice Christmas break.  I admit, I was dreading having this first week of January off but it’s been nice.  We’ve had our fair share of the tension that comes with that much quality time but it’s still been very relaxing.  It will be bittersweet to see the bus pick them up on Monday.  Sweet to get back to the routine.  Bitter to get back to lists and appointments and alarm clocks and … the routine.

I’ve had the extreme pleasure of sleeping in almost every single morning.  Bradyn almost always gets up before anyone else & has even kept the other two occupied until I get up.  This morning, he was “playing school” with Lulu.  Storytime.

All three received Kumon workbooks for Christmas.  I bought on the easy side for all three so they’ve willingly sat down almost every day to work on them.

This one.  I’d looked at this book for her several months ago.  It’s tracing/pre-writing.  I thought it would be way over her head but she loves it.

The Toontastic iPad app.  Hours of this day spent watching and making cartoons.

I dare you to not grin right back at this next one.  Just having a little fun with the wide angle of the new lens.

Enough fun for now, ready for a nap.

We met friends at Urban Swirl.  A last hurrah for Christmas break?  Sure!  This situation went south and it went south fast.  Five silly kids.  One scarf.  It was bad.  I had to send an apology text to my friend afterward, “I’m embarrassed about the way they acted but I’m also very embarrassed about how mad I got.  So sorry!”  Five kids in five rooms until two dads came home.  Is it worth recounting that when I have a couple of happy, cute shots to show for it?

Waiting for the Den Meeting we were to host, showing off the day’s Toon creations.

The Den Meeting meant the girls needed to get out of the house.  A friend suggested we get out nails painted at the mall.  I assumed it would be expensive.  Five dollars each.  With flowers & bling.  New tradition!

Good day.  Long day.  As usual, I’m always so glad I was obligated to document a whole day in our life.  I love this project!

Keep reading & enjoy Efi’s day at Studio8!

 

11 comments

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Kim @ Starry Sky Ranch - Just found your website today. I love your work. Give me lifesytle shots any day : )

Nana - I love this project too!

Andrea - Love the picture of all of you and I am dying to take pictures in a yogurt shop the color and light is so pretty!

breeze - Love your day! AH, how familiar the Urban Swirl scene gone south is! <3

Kirsty-Abu Dhabi - aaahhh such a wonderful day – love the one of you and the kids so much – and love that you’ve found a girly tradition – so much fun!

jasmine johnson - looks like a great day! love you with the kiddos… seriously – aren’t you glad you added ‘getting in’ to the challenge?? and yay to $5 manis!!

Jobrina Hofleit - Aw, great day and I here your sentiments exactly on going back to school, I’m always a little depressed after the break, love having my baby home with me. ;-) And loving your new lens, which one did you get???? How fun and exciting and loving the shot at Urban Swirl, great colors!!!! ;-)

robyn - what a FUN day. that app looks great and love the girls nails! thanks for sharing :)

Kay Pickens - Oh, I especially love that one of you and kids! What a fun project to document your day!!

Amy - LOVE those $5 manis- they are so cute! You just can’t beat $5 for a little beauty at the mall. And the scarf, and the yogurt, and the crazy kids…flashbacks. Direct quote in our car on the way home, “My dad would have spanked me hard for that.” Nice. Nice. Nice.

BUT the picture of you- soooo cute!! xo

project 10 | january – Jasmine Johnson Photography - [...] share this wonderful personal project with a lovely group of photographers… follow through to nancy lary’s blog (she’s rad) to see her project 10 for january. Share [...]

Dec 28 2011

Do not underestimate the power of your pictures in print

Not many adults grew up with a photographer for a mom.  But lots of kids these days have a mom with a fancy camera, constantly snapping away & then immersed in the computer…where they are to believe the pictures end up.  How does this ultimately translate for them?  I think for my kids, it usually translates to, “Cooperate for candy.  Mom is crazy.”  But on the all-too-rare occasion I print something?  I’m always reminded of the pride I have the power to instill in them.  Whether it’s a 4 x 6 print or a 16 x 16 canvas, it very obviously translates to, “My [crazy] mom took a picture of me that she likes so much that she wants to hang it up as art for everyone to see. ”

So if you’re a mom with a camera or a client of mine or a photographer.  Don’t underestimate the power of your pictures in print.

Please check out CMPro & Chicago photographer Jessica Gwozdz’s features of Kids As Art on her website & blog.

3 comments

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Jes Gwozdz - Love these shots of the kids with their big art pieces! I wonder if we are starting something that will pass on thru the generations and if our kids will feel compelled to decorate the walls with images of their kids too. I sure hope so!

Kat - Love this sentiment and the pic rocks!

Carey - yepyepyep!!!

Dec 17 2011

Get Involved: Heroes Camp

I’ve had the privilege of getting involved at Heroes Camp this fall.  Please take a minute to visit their website and learn about them in their own words:  HEROES CAMP.

In my own words, Heroes Camp is a program for fatherless boys.  There is ministry.  There is basketball.  There is acceptance.  There is guidance.  There is a safe place to be after school with healthy food, fellowship & support.

Pat & BJ Magley are the founders of Heroes Camp.  They have a rich history in philanthropy, ministry, advocacy, not to mention Pat’s exceptional career as an athlete.  They are hands-on administrators.  Pat is on the court with the boys daily, teaching…& playing.

Boys are taught self-control, discipline and teamwork on the court.  They are required to play with poise and respect.  This is not a pick-up game at a park.  This is a structured program where boys are taught lessons they would not learn at home.  Lessons about appropriate behavior & appropriate appearance (pull your pants up!), all in a faith-based ministry setting.

They are taught to play hard and work hard.  They are kids growing up without a father at home.

They are kids with problems.  Problems my kids will never be able to even fathom.  My kids complain about the snacks I give them after school  They complain to their mother that’s there to open the door when they get off the bus.  They complain about the food I set in front of them as I kiss the top of their heads.  They complain that they’re “starving” when I make them wait to eat again until their father comes home for dinner.  It’s easy here in Granger.  My kids aren’t faced with real problems.  My kids do not know real problems. My husband and I have worked very hard to achieve this lifestyle.  But I made the choice to look outward.  I choose to be involved in Heroes Camp.

Heroes Camp is a ministry program that uses sports, especially basketball, to reach out to young men who are dealing with everything from gangs and substance abuse, to hunger and fatherlessness.

GANGS.  SUBSTANCE ABUSE.  HUNGER.  FATHERLESSNESS.

I have chosen to be involved with Heroes Camp.  I enjoy being there.  I like the vibe.  This is not a mindless Goodwill donation dropoff.  I have chosen for my involvement to be heartfelt and real, as opposed to out of pity and without thought.  They do not need my pity or handouts.  They need involvement and support.  In addition to ongoing effort, I’m giving $50 to their current fundraising effort.  They work hard achieving grant funding and community support.  But in the next few weeks, they need straightforward monetary donations.  They want to be able to employ a paid staff member.  The goal is to receive 500 donations of $50.  According to their facebook update on 12/10, they were 20% of the way there.

In addition to my personal donation, I’m offering $50 off a full-price session in 2012 to anyone that also gives $50 before 1/1/2012.  You’ll receive an email receipt for your online donation.  Just forward that receipt to me at info@nancylarystudios.com & commit to booking a 2012 session.

 

6 comments

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Amy Collier - Heroes Camp meets a real and deep need in our community. Keep up the fantastic work.

Jordan Richardson - Mrs. Nancy, thank you sooo much…You are exactly what “The Camp” needs, someone that has the eye to catch and see a thing that God’s heart sees. I have been a camper for 4 years now, and now at age 21, to say the least Heroes Camp has changed my life. They have been the support system of my life….spirit, soul and even body (I lost 50 pounds!!!). So I can relate to the feeling you felt when walking through those doors, and trust me the love you encountered will continue to touch your heart because God lives there. Again, thank you so much, and I hope to see you there again soon!

~Jordan Richardson
Camper 07′-11′

Elaine - This is great, Nancy! I’m glad you have looked outward – it’s something we should all do more often!

Brian - wow the work u have done is great keep it up!!

KMP - Nancy, it is so refeshing to see your powerful perspective of Heroes Camp. Thank you for allowing the world to see these kids through eyes of compassion, reality and involvement. Hats off to you!

Velshonna - This is a wonderful blog-pictures & words! Thanks for spreading the good news!

Dec 09 2011

our project 10: december

I panicked a little when I realized it was December 9th & I hadn’t made a plan for this month’s Project 10 shots.  But then it snowed overnight.  And the piano people called to schedule delivery.  This was a December day full of little goodies that I’m glad I was obligated to document.  I actually started the day with the Flip video camera.  I feel like we miss out on the live action documentation in favor of constant still camera shots.  I’ll play with the video clips soon!

I was he!!-bent on getting to the gym today but the spoiled rotten youngest child begged to play in the snow before we went.  She was unsure.  Then she loved it.  It was fun to watch her rediscover the snow since she wasn’t even two last winter.

I kind of want to eat her.

And in a rare fun, laid-back mom moment, I let the big kids go right outside to play after school.  Here’s one for you.  This morning when I saw the snow, we were digging out snow boots and securing hats & gloves.  I checked the weather on my phone and it said it would be sunny by 8:00am so I let them go without pants; assuming the snow would be gone by recess.  I looked back at it later and realized my weather app had updated and reset to ATLANTA, GEORGIA.  FYI.  It was sunny by 8am in Atlanta.  And my kids had to be the dummies on the sidelines at recess because they didn’t have snow pants.  Ellie had to fill me in on the “Big 5″ (hat, gloves, coat, snow pants & boots) & wanted to make sure she’d be set for the next snowy day.

I had to get a snow gear face shot of each of them too.

Meanwhile, they delivered our piano.  Our refurbished, 100 year-old piano.  I hadn’t even seen the stain color but it’s exactly what I was hoping for.  It sounds old and saloon-y.  We love it.

That’s the piano guy testing it out.  Isn’t he dressed perfectly for the role of “piano refurbisher”?  Love it.  Oh.  We need a bench.

I sat down to play for just a minute and burned the bejeezus out of the milk for the hot chocolate.

But it was apparently still drinkable.

He likes it.  And works at it.  I can’t wait to see how he really does with it.  He’s the kid that walks away when something looks challenging because he’s not automatically good at it.  But he might just work at this.  Oh.  We need a bench.

Please keep surfing the circle with Efi:  http://blog.studio8photos.com/2011/12/10/605/

7 comments

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Kirsty-Abu Dhabi - The snow gear is awesome!!!! Love the snow faces and how snuggly they all look. I’m not sure this desert chick could handle being that cold! I’ll look forward to hearing how things progress with the piano too – thanks for sharing your day

Amy - Absolutely love all of these shots, Nancy! What a perfect day!!

Andrea - I wish it snowed more in Georgia…love the colors and the hot chocolate.

Darien - Love that piano & your piano photos! :) . Your kids are adorable!

jasmine johnson - love love love this day! (i can’t imagine being a teacher in the snow and having to get the kids snow suited up for recess…)

robyn - love the snow shots! And what a wonderful piano, i bet it sounds great!

Jobrina Hofleit - LOVE the snow, so perfect for the Holidays!!!!! I would of done the same, even though I’m HUGE on the gym, I’d pass it up just to let my little one enjoy MORE snow time! ;-) Looked like such a great day Nancy! ;-)

Nov 09 2011

our project 10: November

I can’t believe I missed last month.  Can’t believe it.  So I was totally going to make up for it with some really well thought-out self-portraits this month.  How could I possibly be too busy to take pictures of myself?  I’m always right here!  So I didn’t end up with 10 captivating, flattering & eye-catching selfies.  But what I do have is a collection of shots I’d never have taken the time to get otherwise.  I’d never take a “first thing in the morning” shot just for the fun of it.  I’d never ask a client to take a cell phone pic of me shooting.  I’d never let my kids take pictures of me pretending to enjoy flipping burgers.  But these are everyday things I have somewhat documented now.  And I’m glad.  My Day.

First thing in the morning.  I’m always a sleepy, kind-of-crabby mess between 7-7:30 getting the older two kids ready for the bus.

kidsonbusdropluluoffatsitterrushtoschooltoframeartbeforesession

Yummy newborn session for a friend.  She had Starbucks waiting for me and the baby was sugar.

Drivin’ around Granger.  I’m not sure which hobby I spend more time on.  Drivin’ around Granger or photography.  I do both a lot.

Someday I won’t be able to believe I spent so much time in my day in my minivan.  Someday I won’t have a minivan.  One kid at an activity; the other two asleep.  I really could have just taken a little snooze too.

Non-smiley pics of me always look so silly.  I didn’t feel smiley though.  I was tired and wanted to fast-forward though the night.  But I pretended to smile.

I barely even look at facebook on a real computer.  Most of my facebook time is on my phone or iPad.  flick.stare.flick.stare.flick.stare.

Turkey burgers & homework & music.

Bedtime.  Modern Family wasn’t on so I sneaked in a “bedtime nap” after reading with this kid.

From bedtime into the wee hours.  Curled up.  Hunched over.  Soda.  Mess.  Princess blankey over me because it always seems so cold in here!

That’s my day.  Very ordinary.  Very suburban.  Very diet coke & yoga pants.  But it’s me & my life & my family.  And it’s just right.

Please keep browsing & enjoy Efi’s day:  http://blog.studio8photos.com/

6 comments

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Carey - adore adore adore adore adore adore adore.

Andrea - This is so great!!! I love your take on your day.

Kirsty-Abu Dhabi - I LOVE that you did this and documented yourself – seeing your day makes me smile

robyn - oh how i love this. i think we all need to try this once!

Val Spring - Love your day! Love that you are in most images. I’m sure you’ll treasure and LOVE looking at these when the kids are older and out of the house. Adore being in this project with you!

our project ten: november {calgary family photographer} » robyn oakenfold - [...] please visit the blog of  Nancy Lary  and see what she has to share and continue to follow the blog links until you get back to me. [...]

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