Yep. Back at the Ranch!

I was back at Rancho El Destino this morning to take a few more shots for Juan and Lisa. Here's a quick peek at one adorable baby (and it's protective mommy). Too cute!

Will post some more later ....

Beautiful Blossoms

These delicate beauties are Bradford Pear tree blossoms. Aren't they lovely? Next, we'll have Dogwood and Crabapple blossoms. Can't wait! They are all so pretty!

Countdown to Spring !!!

I'm so excited!!!! In just a few more days SPRING will be here! Then we can finally shed some of those winter clothes, put on some fresh colors and have flowers again!!!!



And the dull lifeless trees will be green once again! I can't tell you how GIDDY this makes me. :)

These two little girls are a couple of my favorite models. And they love SPRING too! This year we're adding butterfly nets, watering cans, cute rain boots and a bubble machine to our spring frivolity! I can see the pictures in my mind... can't wait to capture them with my camera!

Stay tuned!

Rancho El Destino

Meet Juan Carlos Iriarte and Lisa Dwyer of Rancho El Destino. Fate plopped us down in the same place at the same time just a couple of weeks ago. At Doc Robinson's. He is our local country vet with a waiting room the size of a pea.

I was there with our almost 15 year old dog who wasn't feeling well, and they were there with an adorable newly adopted puppy. It was a long wait - well over 2 hours - so in that tiny pea-sized room we began chit-chatting. I learned that Juan was a horse trainer and that he and Lisa owned a ranch. They learned that I was a photographer. They asked if I took pictures of horses....

And that is how I ended up at Rancho El Destino. I can't tell you what a fabulous time I had. Horses are such beautiful, graceful creatures. They are a real pleasure to photograph. But there was much more to it than just capturing a pretty image! Juan taught me what to look for and when to snap the shutter. He knew exactly what he wanted. All I can say is, for me, it was really cool.

These beauties are Paso Finos. Juan and his family have been training these horses for 5 generations. Juan's father owns Startown Stables, another local Paso Fino stable.

Juan's method of training is quiet and calm. I thought of him as a "horse whisperer". He's very disciplined and you can see that his horses have a great deal of respect for him. He and Lisa's stable is beautiful. Neat as a pin and runs like a well-oiled machine. The animals of Rancho El Destino are treated like royalty. And I think they know it.

Here Juan is wearing the customary chaps that are part of the Paso Fino show finery. They are VERY long and weigh a ton! Look, they almost drag the ground!

Lisa told me that she learned to ride just a little over two years ago. I would have never known. She rides like a seasoned pro and handles horses like she's been around them her entire life.

This is Chepe, one of Juan and Lisa's two newly adopted pound puppies. After a morning of frolicking in the barns and fields he was just plum tuckered and decided to lay down and take a nap. My kids and I are just in love with him. He is a doll.

Just look at these faces. Gotta love those big soulful eyes and those soft as satin noses ....

As I said, neat as a pin and perfectly organized. That's the way Rancho El Destino works.

I think you now know how much I enjoyed my time at Juan and Lisa's. I will be studying up on my equine photography so that next time I can take even better pictures for them.

You can learn more about Rancho El Destino by visiting http://www.ranchoeldestino.com/

Juan and Lisa, I just want to say thanks for giving me the opportunity to come and shoot for you. And for being so patient and taking the time to answer my endless questions.

Juan, we're thinking of you, and hope you get well soon.

~ Sandy

Sneak Peek!

Meet MC. I have known this young lady since she was two years old. She had the curliest locks I've ever seen in my life! She was itty bitty with a huge, huge voice!!! We all adored her! Cute as a button.


Now 8+ years later, she has grown into a lovely young lady. AND her curly hair is straight! I find that absolutely amazing! Where on earth did all those ringlets go???



Miss M was a joy to photograph. She is so easy going and just did anything little thing I asked.
I wish all my subjects (mainly my own kids) were this easy. :)

Found this awesome old Ford tractor at the back of their property! I just love, love, love old decrepit cars and things. They have such character!

Miss M's house is set on a beautiful piece of land. And her family has landscaped it in a way that it is very natural, but has lots of nooks and crannies that are just perfect for photographs. I only wish my yard was so picture perfect..... ahhhh.....maybe my next house.....

You were awesome MC! Tell your mama that next time she's got to be in the pictures, too!!!

I'll post more of this session in a few days.

Peaches and Cream

That's what comes to mind when I look at little Miss C. I just loved the sherbert-y look of these pictures. And you can't help but ooh and ahhh over her beautiful big blue eyes! What a cutie!

But, then when I saw it in black and white ... well, loved that, too!



And what a sweetie. She was just like this, happy and smiley, the entire time! Her only request was " don't lay me down!" At just 5 months she can't quite sit by herself, so we did lots of propping to keep her nice and happy. I bought a Boppy just for the occasion. I had never even heard of a BOPPY till the day before!!! Who knew???

Here she is modeling one of the hats I made this past winter!

Do you see any teeth in there?? I think she's all gums.

Here she is modeling her artistic side. This little pink tutu was just too-too cute on her!

Here's those baby blues again.

I absolutely loved taking your picture Little Miss C and I hope you'll come back to see me soon! Maybe next time you'll be up and running! Then we'll really have some fun!

Creativity

"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."
~ Pablo Picasso


I have three kids. All three are terrific-ly well-rounded. The first two more studious than the third. The first two a little more reserved and laid back than the third. The first two definitely more quiet than the third.

What does the third possess that the first two lack. Creativity. Drama. Vision. I am a very creative person. I'm not happy if I'm not creating something or changing something or playing with something to try and make it just a little bit better or prettier. Actually, I frequently call it "the curse" cause I just can't leave well enough alone.

Last night Miss K created these adorable hats out of newspaper. I love them! They're not just thrown together. Oh No. They're carefully pieced together like a seamstress would put together a pattern. They are carefully pieced and stapled, paying careful attention to detail, such as the name of the paper front and center. And the carefully constructed flower detail on the side. The insides are even lined with felt so as not to leave a black smudge on your forehead! Yep, she definitely has the curse, um, GIFT!

She even made one for her sister. I bet we'll all have one before she's all done.