Nely Photography Blog - San Diego Wedding and Portrait Photographer, Hawaii wedding photographer

Ten On Tuesdays

nely — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:53:07 +0000

Haven’t done one of these in a while. But my friend, Susie, inspired me. Just like she unknowingly inspired me to post Jackie & Andrew’s engagement session last week. (She’d bought that sweater Jackie has the same day without having seen my blog.)

1. And speaking of Susie’s inspiration, I feel inspired to do this with her. Isn’t that such a great idea? I love getting real mail but I rarely send any.

2. Have you seen the movie, Bright Star? (Isn’t the website cool, too?) It’s been a while since a movie enchanted me the way a this movie has. The first time we watched it, the visual aesthetics had me so transfixed, I wasn’t even really paying attention to the story. Though the story is beautiful, as well. It features the romance between poet, John Keats, and Fannie Brawne. It’s a great date movie, I think. Here’s the trailer from youtube:

3. Incidentally, we’re studying poetry this month for English. But Keats is beyond the girls, I think. It’s beyond me! So we’re reading limericks and Robert Louis Stevenson’s poetry, instead. They’re a bit more accessible for us. Even David loves reading them out loud and laughing in his belly-shaking, quiet way.

4. We’re really enjoying homeschooling. We’re still constantly tweaking the way we do things – adding and removing activities, as we learn what works for us. But we like the freedom of slowing down on certain subjects and speeding up where needed. What I love most is that when Kealoha is asked about her favorite part about school, she says, “Being with Mommy all day.” Awww. It’s worth the dollar I paid her!

5. Keilah wants to learn photography. She said, “I want to learn the technical things first so I can make things look good!” Whoa. I think I’m more intimidated about teaching photography than anything else. Did I mention I am *not* a teacher? When I get asked to teach someone, I usually tell them to read their camera manual, read the book, Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson and practice, practice, practice.

6. So, how do I homeschool my kids if I’m not a teacher? By employing the same idea as above. We read a lot. And we play a lot. The girls build a circuit with their dad when we’re learning about electricity and collect rocks when we’re learning earth science. We sometimes watch Animaniacs and Schoolhouse Rock!” videos. We go on field trips. Then, we read some more. And for History, I practice The Inquisition often! ha. Just kidding!

7. Oh, and we google things a lot. We couldn’t do what we do without the internet. It sure would be a lot more difficult.

8. We meet with a certified teacher once a month who makes sure the kids are learning. She makes sure we are, at minimum, covering California standards.

9. I have to admit homeschooling was something I never thought I’d be able to do. But I’m so glad we are. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t think it’s for everyone. I certainly don’t think everyone should homeschool. We all have different circumstances, and we all need to do what’s best for our families. But for us, at the very least, it removes some of the guilt when I’m working on the weekends. They have enough mommy time during the week.

9. We must have been over-working our oven. It went kaput yesterday, and I had to go to my friend’s house to finish baking the quiche and loaves of bread I’d already prepared. Thanks, Jen!

10. An owl has been serenading us every evening from behind our house. We haven’t seen it, yet. I love going to sleep to its sound. I wonder if Tigger and Piglet are with him?

Feel free to share your random thoughts this Tuesday, or whenever you may be reading this, in the comments section!

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San Diego Zoo engagement session with Andrew & Jackie

nely — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:30:08 +0000

I photographed Andrew and Jackie at San Diego Zoo the day before we had our storms in January, when it rained for 2 weeks straight. I love how the clouds added drama to the images.

It was also the day before the poor Charger’s lost (sorry for the reminder, Kimi!) in the playoffs so the zoo was extra crowded with tourists. But we made do! Though we couldn’t get up close with the animals to create table themes, as Jackie wanted. Each exhibit was just full of people so we wandered around to find some light, instead.

Ah, I love these two. They’re always so smiley and happy! I love the lines at the aviary enclosure.

After the session, Andrew said he had to go home and plan for his Sunday School class early the next morning. Jackie had convinced him to teach with her. Isn’t that sweet?

They’ll be getting married in the Bay Area next month, and I can’t wait until their wedding.

Have a great week, everyone!

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Katianne & Antony’s wedding album

nely — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:03:39 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve shared an album here. I just received these 12×12 and accompanying 5×5 parent album for Katianne and Antony. And I have yet to blog their wedding! Sometime soon. Consider this a sneak peek. Hehe.

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At the park

nely — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:59:39 +0000

Playing before school starts. Or PE.

(all photos were taken with my iphone. black and white conversions were done with best camera app.)

I’m enjoying blogging with my phone. I think I want to do a series on glimpses of homeschooling. It’s really not all about books. Though I’m sure Keilah wouldn’t mind if it was.

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Shannon & Bryan’s Engagement Session | Julian

nely — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:17:53 +0000

Ah, what can I say about this two? Maybe I should have Kealoha write this post because she’s *completely* in love with Bryan and Shannon. She makes them drawings regularly, and they indulge her stories. They let me play in their softball team (David’s idea, not mine!) even though I can’t even untie my own shoes! ha! We dig their sense of humor, and they love good food so we enjoy hanging out with them. Our family is blessed to have them in our lives.

Bryan and Shannon actually drove to Julian the week before these photos were taken to scout out some places for the shoot. The colors hadn’t quite changed, yet, but by the time we took these photos, the leaves’ colors have turned into these glorious shades!

Of course, I love this out-of-focus one. I’m weird like that.

With a beautiful couple and great light, how could a photographer go wrong!

They used this image for their save-the-date card.

I love laughing photos…

and couples in love…

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