Shifting focus to enjoy the present...

Some days I feel so stress because I have a huge todo list with all of the items on there due yesterday. Knowing this, Julie lovingly took Terrence out so they can leave me to my work for the morning. Jason normally has a long morning nap, so she left him in my care.

I am pretty certain that kids are put there to make us adult stop doing what we think we need to get done, and take time to enjoy the present and everything in it. Just as I was getting focus with work, I hear him wake up to change my focus and perspective. In the past, I may have push through and try to get some more done with the kids awake. But a more rewarding perspective is to let work be and enjoy spending some time with the kiddo while he's awake.

With a smile like this, how can I get any work done? These photos again makes it worth stopping every now and then and shift focus to the present.

With babies, you can get away with an overexposed shot like this.

Comon, how can I say no to cuteness like this? What work?

Adorable asset

You can see his top teeth trying to push through the gum.

random

Sometimes I come to do a blog post with nothing really to say except to share some photos. So that's what I am gonna do from time to time.

Like many of us, I open the refrigerator often each day. But for me, each time I open it...I may see something that I didn't see before. Non distinct or even interesting by itself but can become something new and unique when pair with other things.

I suppose my passion for food does intertwine with my passion for photography. Taking each experience of opening the frig and igniting some creativity is a great recipe for getting a picture perfect result that is both satisfying to the stomach as is the soul.

Enjoy todays photos...

Took left over salsa my mom made. Add to it some shrimp. To give your shrimp a crisp, simply brine it first with some salt and water as it thaw. Then some Clamato that was also sitting in the fridge. Dash of salt, Tapatio and lime wedges makes for a quick,refreshing midday snack. The awesome thing about using leftover as a base is a lot of the hardwork is done for you. So throwing something like this together is so quick. You can do it while juggling two kids. Also, making shrimp cocktail at home means you can be generous with the shrimp. :)

Shrimp cocktail

Tapatio...the original Mexican hot sauce. These are the first, authentic like restaurant style chips I have had at home. Julie found it at Henrys.

If you want, you can add some cut corn for a crisp and sweet taste and southwestern tex-mex flair. Be creative and use what you have on hand. It's fun. Terrence had so much fun dipping the chips into the salsa. Until he picked up the bowl and drank it all. Then cried because in concentration, the mild salsa can be a little spicy for untrained tongue. Funny thing was, in between complaining and pointing to his tongue. He was picking at the remainder of the salsa and eating it. Julie had to finally take the bowl away from him. Kids love something new to looks at and try. Great audience for my creation.

Here is yesterday's inspiration. I was about to give lil.T a banana as a dessert after his meal. Then thought...I can turn it into something new and unique for him to enjoy. Fried banana with a light dusting of powdered suger. Easy to make and quick to fry up. He thoroughly enjoyed it.

And to make things a bit cuter...here's my test subject in my studio today sitting for some light test. Like all things, daily practice is what allows one to improve their skills. For me, the result is rewarding and worth the effort.

lil.J staring at the bedsheet in front of the window. A simple white bedsheet is a great diffusion material. See how the theme of taking non distinct object and turning it into a useful, photographic tool? lil.J's first teeth appear to be coming out. He's been sucking on his lips and there are budges on his upper gum. Upper teeth first? Yeah...appears that way.

A final shot with lil.J facing almost directly into the diffusion panel. You can see the silhouette of my camera in between.