Scrappy Kea

For Winter Fest Market @ Remarkables Park put info on LaraFUNalia blog!

I've been thinking.  I'm always thinking:-)  I don't really stop.... But, I've been thinking about what I could call myself/us IF I decided to do paid photography shoots.  I don't want it to be my name necessarily - Jase could very easily be actively involved one day (he is the one with the design degree - mines in education and health...) so in some ways it needs to encompass both of us...  I think photography needs to be in the 'name'. My first thoughts were Lara Moss Photography, but if I type this in google there's a Laura Moss Photography - a 'u' is too close for my thinking.... I had toyed with... Lara Jane Photography Lara Jane Moss Photography -but they seemed too much all 'me' with no room for Jase to be involved. So I came up with a few other possibilities... Moss Photography (there is an architectural one already in Denver Colorado - does this matter???) KEA Moss Photography (KE&A being the initials of my thre...

After a kind of non-scrapbooking or rather only scrapbooking at camps or retreats for a couple of years I decided it was time to get back into regular local scrapbooking events.  Last month I invited a couple of people to join me for  a Scrap Saturday - International Scrapbooking Day.  It was lots of fun, very creative, and nice to mix with some people I hadn't spent much time with as well as with others I catch up with regularly.  Our scrap days will typically be the first Saturday of each month - except January. I asked Andrea from Scrapbook Outlet if she could send a box of goodies for sale on the day (Queenstown doesn't have any LSS apart from The Warehouse) to help inspire us and she also organised for Nic Howard to send us some Washi Tape .  I put the washi with some muslin, ribbon, 6x6 piece of paper and a gift tag (cut on the cricut) together as a little challenge pack for the ladies attending today.   I look forward to seeing what they come up...

It's a bit 'cheaty' wearing black for these photos of where I am at, but they are my only exercise pants and thermal tops are a necessity at the moment!  Bare feet was a bit risky! Since December 12th 2011 when I started Fat Chance! the no going back workbook I have lost 20.4kgs and 22cm from around my waist.  I don't want it back.  I have learned to love moving - I can run the 8km around Lake Hayes, swim 2 1/5 km in 50 minutes and use the exercycle if the weather, time or short days mean I can't do either of the other two daily exercises.  This, from someone who has always hated running. I still surprise myself that I like running.   I am still working towards a healthy BMI but slowly and surely I will get there.  I am eating regular, balanced meals and don't feel hungry.   I like feeling this way and I love being able to buy clothes 'off the rack' at normal clothing stores.  

This weekend I joined 8 other ladies and 1 man for a portrait workshop in Kakanui.   Rachael Kelly shared her expertise in portrait photography and her skills as a professional photographer.  I have lots to learn and lots to process following the weekend - thinking and reflecting, not post processing of photos!  We worked through three different types of portraits - family, engagement and maternity, each had different challenges.  I learned mostly that I need to get to know my camera and the lenses more so I can make it do what I want quickly. Our first session was with an amazing family at the Kakanui Estuary and beach, bright sunlight and bitterly cold wind challenged us.  Gloves and hats were worn.  I was thankful for my puffer jacket. Saturday afternoon: engagement shoot.  What a great couple to put up with 10 cameras aimed at them for a couple of hours!  I really enjoyed thinking about the settings and possibities for sites for photographs...

Just cause I am putting of getting on the bike and packing for a weekend away... here's a simple tutorial that tells how I make the skirts in the previous post! Click on the image above to be able to download a pdf. Smiles, Lara Should be all go now...

I'm feeling a bit short of clothes at the moment so have been sewing for the last couple of nights. Ethan says I should make all of my clothes and the girls think I should sew them something. Based on the apple I used on the first skirt I think this series of skirts will be titles 'apple for the teacher'. Simple A-line, just below the knee, skirts. Perfect to wear with over the knee socks and some boots for winter. Late night photos...not great, but you get the picture.

And there is so much to learn!  Who knew?  On getting a DSLR I decided that I needed to use it in manual.  I haven't used it in full auto.  Mainly using Apperture priority and really love using the 50mm 1.8 lens - cheapest lens but love the depth of field it helps create with photos.  I am also enjoying using 'Light Room' to edit my photos but did use Picasa to create the collages for this post.  With the weather reports...I might get to take some snow photos before the weeks out. I think people are my key photography subjects.  I think I like trying to capture who they are. e.g. my rather scruffy middle daughter, the pensive oldest and the creative son.  I also enjoyed capturing my nephew and niece...actually got some sparkle in my nephews eyes AKA catchlights. Scenery and Flora...so pretty, adore the DOF with the 50mm when looking closely at plant life.  I think I need to do lots of work on good scenery shots. Exploring DOF with Miss A ...

After weeks of research and 19.5 kgs lost, I cheated and got me a DSLR camera 0.5kgs early. I have only had a wee play but absolutely love it!