Another photoshoot.

Hello!

I've been busy the past couple of days running errands and prepping for interviews and such.  I had two interviews this week, but one was rescheduled for next Monday.  The other one went quite well.  I pass both phone and first person interview.  I just need to pass the panel interview and I will be set.  I'm desperate.  I don't remember the last time I was this desperate to be working.  Broke girl status.  My bills are definitely piling up and up and up.

Also, this upcoming weekend is my sister's 21st birthday bash.  She won't actually turn 21 until next Wednesday, but celebrating early because some family members will be in town this upcoming weekend.  So much to do in so little time.

Anywho, my cousin asked me if I can do a quick shoot of her and her boyfriend so we went out today to Afton State Park to shoot a few simple shots.

XOXO MNT

Another Senior Photo session.

I had another senior photo session with my other little cousin.  They are all growing up too fast!

Again, I do not claim to be a professional photographer or anything.  I just simply have a simple DSLR and a few cheap lenses.  And I only enjoy shooting here and there just because it makes me content when I see people I love happy. 

They were suppose to go take their senior photos together but things came up so I had to do both of their shoots separately which was perfectly fine because with two different locations, their sessions were completely different and each had their own different vibe.  Regardless, I think both sessions turned out decent.  I have so much learning to do and so much equipment to upgrade, but since it is just a side hobby there really is no need to get upgraded equipment, I feel.  I think this might be my last shoot of 2016.  A distant friend asked for a shoot, but I don't know.  I usually don't pick and choose who I want to shoot, but the problem is, I don't have an assistant to go out with me and hold my additional equipment so it is hard to shoot.  Sometimes, just sometimes, an additional light is needed and I cannot extend my arm out to hold that and hold my camera at the same time.  At the same time I am afraid to ask for anyone's assistance because I, for one, do not get pay to shoot so I don't have money to pay that assistant therefore I feel bad and do not ask anyone to help.  I sometimes force my sisters into going, sometimes they agree sometimes they do not.  So that's also a bummer.  Another thing I hate about doing shoots is that if I don't know the person I'm shooting, I don't really want to go alone and nobody wants to go out for 2-3 hours just to stand around and wait for me either. Ugh.  I'm telling you, the struggle is real.

Oh and of course, my photoshop skills are thumbs down.  I don't know how to manipulate photos and such because my photoshop program is the older CS5 and now they have the photoshop CC or whatever that is a monthly/yearly subscription that I obviously cannot afford.  So sad.  I also do everything by "mouse" and not an editing pen in which one of these days I wish someone would buy for me as a gift.  Only $90. :(  But the main thing with taking photos is lighting in my opinion.  Lighting is EVERYTHING.  Does not matter how beautiful a model is, if photos are dark and grainy............. then the photos will not turn out.  And even if a subject is not top notch model material, if there is a good light source, the photos will become beautiful and will require very minimal editing.  As you will be able to see below, I am very new at this lighting stuff so my photos are all over the place.  I learn as I go, I experiment and remember what works and what does not.  Life of a hobby photo taker.  Wouldn't consider myself a photographer because it is deathly embarrassing.

Fall really is here and the leaves are changing fast!  I wanted to do a big girls photo session, but.... there's like no one to shoot. So I guess it will have to be next year when I find people who are interested.  Let's hope by this time of next year, I would have improved significantly in photo taking skills along with photoshop skills.  

Enjoy.

XOXOMNT

Apple Picking

It's been years since I've stepped foot at an Apple Orchard.  I was dragged out yesterday by the baby brother because he said I was home too much and needed to get out and get some fresh air.  I agreed at first and then changed my mind 15 minutes later and didn't want to go anymore because then I would have to get ready, change clothes and ugh it was too much work.  But he didn't take no for an answer so off we went to the apple orchard with his girlfriend, her baby sister, and my cousin.  We initially went to one close to us but that one was a "walk through and learn" apple orchard only not a "pick your own fruits" orchard.  So...... we googled up another location which was about a 45 minute drive but since we were on a mission the brother and his girlfriend decided to go ahead and do the drive. 

It was a nice breather to get out of the house and smell the apples and be around nature.  It wasn't too cold and it was not too warm so it was perfect to be out and away from everything else.  Oh by the way, this place is called Afton Apple Orchard in Hastings, MN.  They also have pumpkin picking, raspberry plantation/picking, and even strawberry picking which was obviously out of season.

The Hay Ride was probably my most favorite part with the wind blowing through my hair and just cruising down the road to the apple orchard.

These two are always ready for the camera no matter where or when, they will be ready. Haha. Brother and Cousin.

Both are hard workers... one working hard to pick and the other working hard to taste. Haha!

The tops are the best...!

Silly Joey!

Lost his shoe because he threw an apple in the air to kick and off flew his shoe. Lol!

Asking for help.... lol

My favorite! Macintosh? Or something like that... sweet and tarte.

Love love love this little one.  My brother's gf's baby sister.  She was super shy at first when I got in the car to sit next to her, but she opened up after I told her she can lean on me to nap while we drove that long 45 minutes.

Cute 3 year old!

She would not let go of her "daddy apple and baby apple"

I love how she always steal glances at my brother. Lol!

And was caught... lol

This place is amazing. So relaxing.

So much wasted apples that fell....

Pumpkins are starting to go bad...

They found her another "baby apple"

By this time, she didn't care to follow her sister and my brother anymore, she was more than comfortable with me.

And away we start snapping.

Joe ran away after photobombing her and she ran after him because she wanted him in the photo with her.  She is seriously so cute!

Content with baby apples.

Putting her "baby apples" to sleep.

He really does not want to get rid of that "Asian-ness" in him at ALL.

Very happy and content!

She's even more happy at the end of our venture because her sister found her a small enough pumpkin so she can personally carry it.

They enjoyed it more than the 3 year old did. Lol!

It was a great and well day spent.  I enjoyed every moment of it.  Didn't think I was going to take much photos, but I brought my camera anyways since my brother said I should.  It was either I bring mine or he was going to bring his.  I like my lens better than his so I decided to just bring mines.  Glad I did since we got quite a few good shots. 

XOXOMNT