Lilly Turns 3!

A few weeks ago this adorable little girl turned 3 years old. She's my cousin's little girl and is so very shy. She'll warm up to you, but in first few minutes she actually covers her eyes almost like if she does that she's invisible. It's so cute! I think she gets this from my cousin Jesse. We are always laughing at how shy he was when we were kids growing up. It's funny the things that are hereditary.

After the party festivities we snuck in a few pics to send to my mom in Florida. I just love her little pink dress!


What a beauty!




A couple quick shots of the family


Love her winky face!


She was so excited to get her tutu on she was dancing all around the living room!


And boy did she love her new bike!



They're awesome kitty!

f.a.q ~ Bigger Images

I am so grateful for the way I've been embraced by other photographers as I've started my own business. The amount of knowledge I've gained by others' blogs and talking with them has been priceless. So imagine my surprise when I found this e-mail in my inbox! Wow! Someone's asking me questions?!?! So in an effort to try to give back to others I've decided to start a f.a.q section of my own. I hope this helps, and if you have any questions please shoot me an e-mail at shannon@clickingthroughlife.com. I'd love to try to help out in any way!


"I was wondering, how did you get your images on your blog so big??? I too have a blogspot but can't seem to figure it out. Please help!
Thanks!"

Displaying larger images on my blog was something that I really wanted. I love looking at other photography blogs and seeing those big images. The smaller ones do not seem to do justice.

Well, I'm not very experienced writing in code, l so the researching began! The first thing is you need to make sure that the content section of your blog is wide enough for the larger images. Like I said, I'm not very skilled in the html department so I started with a free template from Our Blogger Templates.

The next step, is to upload your images to a web host like Flickr, photobucket, etc. The Blogger uploader does not allow the bigger images even at their largest size, they still don't give the pop!

Once they are loaded to your web host, now you can put them into your blog. Make sure that you are in the "Edit Html" section of the posting window. Type in the following but include < at the front of the code and > at the end to place your image into your blog:

img src="(the static address of the picture - for example with Flickr you would go into "all sizes" and choose the large image code)"width="800px"/

I also like to have my images centered. I do this by typing center at the beginning of the img src code and /center at the end. Make sure you include the < at the beginning and > at the end of each statement.

I hope this helps!

Girl's Day Out

I'm a very lucky person to have as many friends as I do in my life and so grateful for every one of them. This passed weekend was pure bliss with how many of my girlfriends I got to spend time with! Thursday, Friday and Saturday! Friday started with an amazing lunch and wine at Flippa's Wine Barrel of Utica, then Lesley, Norah and I headed to downtown Utica for a photowalk! The weather was perfect. Norah was feeling a little nervous to pose for us, but nothing a little tequila couldn't help! Our first stop was Hachey's. They have this great upstairs are with big windows and awesome gold and red couches! After we were good and warmed up we started our walk. There was this huge play ground area at a church that we started off at. It was so much fun playing and shooting!

Watch out! Here come the paparazzi!


Norah & I were so excited we were kicking our heels with joy!~photo by Lesley


Whee!!!


A little Monkeying Around!


Oh, So sultry... Swoon!


Can't you just see how much fun we were having?


Me having a great time shooting! ~photo by Lesley


Gotta love the self timer!


ahh the things us photographers will do to get a shot!~photo by Lesley


But so worth it!


The half face was Norah's idea, and I absolutely love it!


Having fun climb on rocks!


Lesley workin it!

Later on that afternoon we met up with the rest of our tribe at the hotel. There was some great light coming in the window so we did another little photoshoot with each of our friends as they arrived. They are all such beautiful souls. And here they are, some of my oldest and dearest friends. I so enjoy the times we get to spend together...


I love watching Lesley shoot! She has such a creative eye!


Michelle's smile is so contagious!


Beautiful Jen


The stunning Jaime


Tracy was even able to stop in with her gorgeous daughter Erin. My heart melts the way she looks at her!"


Little Miss Erin... Absolutely Adorable!


Probably our most stylish mom in the group! She's a pro at chasing children around in stilettos!


More jumping for joy as we headed over to Dave & Busters for happy hour and half off drinks! We have so much fun when we're all together!


Talk about Smokin Hot! Lesley is one sexy mama!


How about a group shot! Unfortunately I had my shutter speed set a little slow and it picked up some movement. But still another one for the scrapbooks!

The boys in my life...

Yesterday was one of those days that you look back and can't believe that so much time has gone by.  The one thing that stood out the most is the males in my life.  Although it was Friday the 13th (ooohhh), it was a special day in our house.  It was on this day 8 years ago that our Coby was born!  I never would have imagined the effect that a dog would have on my life.  To be honest I wasn't all that excited when we received him as a house warming gift, but all that has changed by now.  I have to say that although he can sometimes be a mouthy pain in the you know what, I sometimes secretly love how he follows me around the house.  And the way he needs to be near me if not touching me at all times.  He is my baby...

Happy Birthday Coby!

Another reason yesterday was so special to me was that it marked 10 years exactly that Scott and I have been together!  It was on Friday, March 13th 1999 we officially started dating.  Every couple has their story about how they met, started dating and finally got married.  I know that I am biased, but I soo love our story.  It actually started early one morning in 1995 when I came home from work, but that part is for another time...

10 years ago to the date was some very dear friends wedding.  A wedding which looking back at started a completely new chapter in our lives.  Scott's best friend marrying my best friend.  I was the maid of honor, he was the best man.  We even caught the bouquet and garter (staged I suspected).  Could it have been any more perfect?  I had recently ended relationship and Scott was there for me every step of the way.  We were more in love than we ever could have imagined at the time.  He had become my best friend without my even realizing it.  I remember the evening surprisingly well.  Walking down the aisle, the dancing, even the after party!  But what I remember most was some friends and family teasing us about dating and being a couple already and that we should just come clean and admit it.  Then he dipped me and as I spilled my drink down his back we kissed and said ok!  The cocktails may have had something to do with our sudden ballsiness, but we never gave it a second thought and 10 years later he's still my best friend...

We have so much fun together!

And last but definitely not least is my kitty Bo.  Bo is by far the coolest cat I've ever owned.  I was always as "cat person" growing up and this little addition along with my roommates cat and Bo's brother our apartment had turned into it's own little family.  He just turned 12 years old last month and besides the grey hairs coming in, you'd never know it.  He's the most lovable and friendly cat ever!  He absolutely loves people, and even if you're not a "cat person" chances are you'll leave my house with a new friend in Bo.  He seems to have this sense and knows when people don't like him.  He doesn't take it personally but is determined to make you like him before long.  Chances are you won't be able to give in!  and it's hilarious to watch him put Coby in his place!

Here's my old man.

Nate

Last week I had the pleasure of spending the day with this little guy. He is the most adorable kid. There aren't enough words to describe how cool he is, but to try to give you an idea I got a phone call the night before I was coming out from Nate. He called to ask if I would bring Coby with me. He wanted to see him! (And a second call the evening after to thank me for coming out and bringing Coby. He had fun! swoon..) When we got there the next morning he came bounding out of the bedroom and his face completely lit up when he saw Coby and I. I know Lesley will say that it's because he loves his Aunt Shannon and Coby, but this is the reaction he gives to anyone that comes to visit. As you can see he is a very animated little boy.

We played on our computers, watched The Muppets and headed outside to play basketball. And then took some "secret" pictures. Lesley had mentioned before she wanted to have me do Nate's pictures, but we just haven't had a chance to set it up. What a perfect opportunity! With his mamma being a photographer too, he was very accustomed to the camera And had no problem telling me when he was done!

He never gave away our secret, but I did get a call from Lesley asking why her son was laying on the picnic table saying "cheese"! BUSTED!

Hope you like the pictures Les, the CD is already in the mail! :-)

One of his many faces


Love this one!


And this one!


So adorable...


Lesley and Dean have the coolest looking shed in their yard! I love the feeling to these.








Some play time.


And this is my top fav from the day!

Love you guys!