Practice Makes Perfect

Since we've purchased a beautiful new camera, my mom kind of wants me to take Rachel's senior pictures. I'm a little leary because I am by no means a professional. But, I figured I could play around a little bit and see what happens.

Rachel and I went to Atwood park tonight and I snapped a bunch of pictures. These are some of my favorites.

They are all definitely a work in progress. I have no editing software, so that's a purchase what we will have to make sometime in the near future.

My Second Concert

Tonight, my sister and I went to my second concert ever. My first concert was Nickelback when I was 21. Tonight we went to see Paramore, with Reliant K and Fun as opening acts. We were stoked!
Our friends, Josh and Angie, were there also.

They had general admission tickets, so they were on the floor. I didn't feel like standing for the entire concert, so Rachel and I sat in seats.

The concert opened up with Fun. They were decent.

Next up was Relient K. I know one, maybe two Relient K songs, but one really well. And they didn't even play it. I was slightly bummed.

Then, came Paramore.

Let me tell you, that girl spent the entire show jumping around the stage. I couldn't believe it. She was a little ball of energy. I was super impressed. She interacted with the crowd a lot and her personality on stage made it seem like she'd be fun to have as friend.

Paramore sang "The Only Exception" as a duet with one of the band members from Fun. I think her name is Emily.

It was amusing to watch the progression of the concert. Fun had a little sliver of the stage to work with, and basically just the stage lights on them. Relient K had a little more stage space, and a good amount of light show. Paramore, of course, had the entire stage, and a pretty awesome light show.

Paramore sang "Misery Business" as their last song. As Haley was getting ready to go into the last part of the song, she pulled the blonde girl up on stage with her and let her rock out with her. That blonde girl was probably the coolest chick in the room.

I really had a great time hanging out with my sister. I definitely felt like the oldest person in the room. I kept looking around and wondering why these kids weren't in bed. I'm so old!

Celebrating Dr. Harris

Today, we had a graduation party celebrating my cousin, Dr. Harris. Lucas has graduated from University of Washington. We are so proud of him.

I was stoked to be able to use my camera and get some practice shooting. Obviously this one isn't taken by me.
But, I took this one. Aren't the colors just gorgeous!!

We had to ask my sister to reenact her pit bull story. Always good for laughs!

Then, I was asked to take a couple of family pictures. I, very obviously, need to learn how to increase my shutter speed so that I can take a few frames a second to eliminate closed eyes and such.

Some of us cousins

Our New Toy

Drew and I bought a new toy today. A Nikon D5000.
Isn't she a beaut??

Drew has been moved to second shift at his new job, so that leaves me alone at night. And, to be honest, I'm bored. I have been wanting to buy an SLR and take some photography classes for a while now. Drew being gone all night has been the final push. I need a hobby.

The camera came with the standard 18-55mm lens. We also bought the 55-200mm lens. Based on recommendations, and research, these are the only two lenses that I will need right now to take the pictures that I'm looking to take.

I am also already signed up to take an SLR Photography Basics class. There is also a D5000 class that is offered the week after that I am planning on taking. This month, the camera store where we bought the camera is also offering a class on Outdoor Portrait lighting. Depending on how I like the first two classes, I may take that one too.

So, be on the lookout for some (hopefully) better looking pictures on here!