I've been neglecting this

life has been throwing a lot of curve balls at me lately..... I've been so busy I haven't had much time to tend to this. But that means when I get the time I'll have a lot of stuff to post. I've had some great photo sessions. I've started a new part time job. I've made some new friends. Did a few more paintings. Did some sight seeing in my local area at places I don't normally visit. That reminds.. I have photos to load from the Thousand Islands from Heart Island and Boldt Castle. I can't believe I went there over a week ago and I haven't even taken my photos off my memory card yet! I wasn't kidding when I said busy y'all. lol.

Let me share a few shots from some of my recent family sessions :)

^^ recognize those guys from last year? we duplicated the same shot ;)

been busy

been way too busy to blog about everything I've had going on lately... so take a hop over to https://www.facebook.com/cgwardphotography to see what I've been up to!

Amen!

this is a photo of Abby jumping off the porch this last winter.... I saw this amazing quote online and had to share.... :) nobody seems to know who said it! I wish I did! It's so appropriate for todays youtube/facebook/twitter generation :)

new CD look!

Your photo disc just got fancier! ;) No more ugly handwritten CDS from me ;)

right around the corner.....

A short walk from my house.... is all of this ;)

And spring is almost summer!

*waves* I'm still around...... I apologize for neglecting my blog. I've been doing most of my posting on facebook lately. I wish I could say I've been dormant..... that would insinuate a lot of relaxation and sleep...... can't claim either right now lol.

I had the pleasure of doing a beautiful maternity session in Crandall Park and a family session at Hovey Pond Park and a newborn session... but she's waiting for the rest of her family to get to meet her before we debut her online ;) Tomorrow I'll be going to Congress Park in Saratoga with my own little Abigail for some updated portraits. I'm pretty sure this is my last chance to get some pictures of her while she is still... a "little" kid. She's been growing like a weed and she's already up to my chin.... her face is getting taller.... and she's slowly filling out :( So I got her a girly dress and I want to coax her into posing for  me for a park session. I'm sure I'll have to bribe her with ice cream. It'll be worth it. lol. Her vocabulary has been rather boggling lately..... she's been reading a lot....I was amused at her reference to nasal spray as a "medieval torturing device" last week. She's 8. I'm doomed.

changing subject.

I've decided my collage frames here in my livingroom are outdated. Not just the pictures inside.. but the whole collage thing. It's a cluttered look for me. I'm taking the photos out and adding them to my scrap books and going to have 16"x20" prints of Abigail printed out to put in the frames...... I've done a couple more paintings and I even painted an antique window frame I salvaged from a neighbor. I painted bluebonnets on that one. I miss the bluebonnets in Texas. So now I'll have a little of Tejas here in my livingroom when its dry enough to hang. As you may know, oil takes awhile to dry.

I've also gone back to work part time during the week. Of course as soon as I took this job I started getting summer appts booked, but it seems I'll have a steady schedule at work, so I can still manage my photo appt schedule. If you've already booked with me, don't fret, I've checked my calendar and every date is set on a date I shouldn't be working. I'll make sure I can accomodate everyone. It always works out. I'll be over in the outlets in Lake George during the week and I'm pretty excited about it. I've had a burst of energy lately. All that working out at the Y is paying off lol.

Well... now that I've yapped into cyber space... I'll share a few of the photos from my most recent sessions..... TTFN!

anyone else for family pictures in the park?

They're only going to be little for so long..... someday, they  may be taller than you..... and you'll change too.... NOW  IS the time to get your new family photos done. It's not as expensive as you think... and your photos.. someday.... WILL BE PRICELESS!!!!

it's THAT time of year again!!

it's warming up! this means... its perfect for pictures!! Here where I live,we didn't have much of a winter at all.... it was a bit strange for me. I've spent a good majority of my life living up further in the adirondacks, where winter..... well heck its winter. LOTS of snow. Bitter cold. Not here. Hardly at all. It felt like spring to me all "winter". But finally the warmer weather really is coming back, and everything is starting to grow again. The ice cream trucks are back on the prowl. lol. The other day as soon as I heard the music, Abby and I both darted for my purse and out the door LOL. That kid wasnt missing her ice cream for the world. Not even phineas & ferb or sidewalk chalk was going to hold her back. Now if I can just convince her that the cheapy ice cream is the more economical option right now...... o.O

anyway lol. Enjoy spring!

let's play with curves.....

I'm stalling on purchasing photoshop actions to edit my photos for me.... right now I'm having fun doing it myself in curves.....

poor stray kitties in my neighborhood

a reunion after 19 years

Last week I was at Albany Internation Airport waiting at the bottom of the escalators at baggage claim holding a sign that said "Today I am being reunited with my best friend after 19 years of separation". Nice people everywhere were congratulating me and watching to see what would happen. Upstairs above me, my best friend from my teen years, Lacey, had just landed after flying in from Denver, CO. I was watching all the unfamiliar faces round the corner and come down to the baggage area... but as soon as I'd see a face I didn't know, I'd immediately focus on the next face. I had knots in my stomach, I don't know why. lol. I checked the screen again to make sure that was definetely her plane that landed. It was, and the people passing me were from her flight. And then... as the room was filled with onlookers, there she was. The INSTANT she rounded the corner I saw that familiar face and smile! I jumped up like a little kid and waved my sign! That got her attention and we both started yelling to eachother.. "I SEE YOU!!!!" Waiting for those stairs (poor girl was blocked in) to come down to me seemed to take forever, and in those seconds I waited the emotions hit me and I started to cry lol. And because Lacey is a sap just like me, so did she. By time she got down to me and I ran to her and we threw our arms around eachother the remaining crowd was clapping for us while we stood there in a big crying hug. I said to her "I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning!!" Someone offered to take a photo for us. It was an awesome reunion!

We got her bags and headed out to the mall, one of our favorite hang outs as a kid, and then to my home. She stayed with me for 5 days, not nearly long enough!!! I love how we didn't have to have something big planned everyday or night. Sometimes we'd each be on a couch in our jammies sipping something hot and reading a book. We're just content with eachothers company. My daughter also formed a bond with my Lacey. lol I love that.

The only wild thing we did was the day before she left. I got my nose pierced again (I've had it done before but it healed). She told me to stop being a big sissy and get in there. hahah. She has pictures for me I can post later.

My daughter and husband each took some pictures of us together, so when we're old ladies we can once again talk about how young we look in our photos together.

I hate that we live so far apart from eachother, but so grateful for the modern technology that brought us back together. We definetely won't wait another 19 years to get together and I'm hoping I can go to Denver to see her!

Precious moments are all around us. Get pictures!!!!!

I want to be like you mommy!

 When I hear those words..... first I feel all warm & fuzzy inside... and then I panic. lol. Recently Abby took some shots for me and my best friend at Crandall Park. She was proud sporting around a camera other than the one on her nintendo dsi. lol.

editing today :)

and tomorrow :) lol. I had two boudoir sessions last week and I'm loving the photos! Very "modern pin up"! I don't plan to post any, as I NEVER post images from any shoot without my clients consent. I have another boudoir shoot in about a week..... so if anyone else is interested.. this is a great time of year to get them done! Email me for details!

well since everyone else is posting these.....

she's here....

the new laptop. Woo Hoo! Still trying to learn to use all these new gadgets and software programs :) And with as cold as it is outside.... its nice to have an excuse to stay in and call it work haha! lol

no title

too sick and too tired to think of a title. sick and tired of being sick and tired. only thing keeping me smiling is knowing my laptop should be here soon. :)  I'm excited for the changes coming up for me! For now I've been taking things slow and trying my hardest to sit quietly and wait for everything patiently. This summer will be a whole new ball game for me and C.G. Ward Photography. So sit back, and wait with me.... ;)

oh and yea and don't forget to wash your hands and all that jazz and if you do catch this cold I've had for 2 weeks now.... alka seltzer seems to help :) lol


TTFN!

R.I.P. Picnik

so, apparently google is shutting picnik down in April. I'll miss it because it was a lot of fun to play in and a lot of young people who are just now finding their passion for editing, digital design & even photography really liked its simplicity. I've had a couple of younger photographers I chat with online a little upset about it because they don't know what else to use. Not everyone can afford photoshop. Is there anything comparible I can recommened to them? If you are a picnik user, how do you feel about google's decision?

A mans point of view about facebook breast cancer awareness "games"

http://runningdanw.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/real-breast-cancer-awareness/

What in the World is That? {game}

there's a little game going on over on my facebook page.... there will be a prize for the winner... go check it out.. maybe you'll be the winner! :)

CLICK HERE

I think winter is finally here!

We actually have snow! Bout time. It was sorta creepy for me being January with no snow in NY! lol

Just wanted to share a super cute photo from the birthday party I shot a couple of weeks ago.... the birthday boy was crawling on the floor... I think he likes me.. he always smiles so pretty lol. Love those big brown eyes! This was my 3rd shoot with him and I'm honored his family chose me again for their event. Thanks guys!!

Stay warm!

What have I been up to?

I hope I haven't seemed to be MIA. Really, I'm not. :)

I've just been busy. I'm working on the photos from the birthday party I shot New Years Eve, and sipping a chai tea while I scarf down a couple of eggs and listen to the washing machine, my dishwasher, and Steve Perry is serenading me. lol. Ok but seriously, I've been up to a lot more than eggs, tea & editing & lusting that 80's mullet (totally joking). During winter, business slows down a bit, so instead of just collecting dust I've been working on me :) I did a boat load of decluttering and donated a ton of clothes, old toys from Abbys closet, some small decoration items, books, winter coats, and misc. items. That was refreshing! Rearranged a bit, made room in my office to set up my indoor studio when needed. (its ready to go whenever anyone needs it :)... just wanted to throw that in there lol.

Abby and I did our annual bell ringing for the Salvation Army at the mall in the same spot we do every year :) It's always so much fun to do and I love that she is learning to help others with enthusiasm. I'm also extremely excited to announce that she met her goal she set for herself to raise $252 for World Vision. She actually raised $272! She used that money to purchase seeds, tools, and training for orphans in Africa, and a foot powered water pump. I'm so proud to have an 8 yr old who goes so far out of her way to make a difference. She's a pretty awesome kiddo. :)

So did you guys make any new years resolutions? I think we all do lol. I made a new years resolution to cut down on purchases from large retail chains with products made overseas and try to shop more at local mom and pop stores. I know that sometimes this wont always be feasible, but I will do my best when I can and I have really enjoyed finding stores in my downtown district I didn't even know were there. I think more people can do this too and they dont realize it. I think us Americans shop too much. I think we buy too many things we really don't need. And if we saved that money we could be buying quality products at smaller stores that we DO need that will last us a long time. I understand a lot of people are really strapped for cash.... (I'm one of them)... and sometimes the only way we can get what we need is to shop at those larger stores like wal mart, kmart and target. I do. I admit it. Sometimes at night when I get bored, I go to wally world. lol So don't feel like I'm criticizing anyone who shops there. lol. Not at all. I'm just trying to be more conscious of where I put my finances. Also.. when you eat out... try to eat at local places instead of big chain restaurants. :) The change will be fun anyway! Think of what a difference it would make if more people shopped and ate at smaller places local to their community!!

And... *drum roll please*...... I finally joined the Y and I love it!!!!!!! Its a lot better than doing my walk outside in the snow and sliding all over. Yikes. lol. Plus now I'll use things I never did before. Abby was so excited when we got our cards and went up yesterday that she told me "Mommy I feel like doing a happy dance right here in the hallway!" lol.

I'm also going to be doing a lot more classes this winter. I can't wait to see what I learn and how my work improves. I don't want to go into too much detail right now.... I'm gonna let it be a surprise :) Hint.... its not cheap so y'all hire me so I can afford my tuiton! lol I'd love to get a local couple for some engagement portraits in the snow!! If you are that couple, email me at christine@cgwardphotography.com and I will offer you a generous discount for engagement portraits in the snow if you let me use them on my website (you'll be models and get awesome photos! :)

I'm stocked up on extra large canvases as well, so perhaps on really cold days I can stay in and start painting again. I had some fun painting on wine bottles and I have two wooden elephants I plan to do something funky on. lol. why not. I'll be selling more of my work on etsy as well.

Also, I am making little critters for your camera lenses to help children focus in the right spot for that perfect shot! So be sure to check out my etsy store to order yours. CLICK HERE

I finally got a real cell phone. I'm able to stay in touch with everyone via email and facebook while I'm on the go and can take better photos. Not as good as my equipment I work with obviously, but much better than before. So next time I have a post of cell phone photos for the year, you may actually be able to see what I was shooting lol.

and for now I guess that's it. My tea is cold. My eggs are consumed. Steve Perry left awhile ago and I'm going back to editing! Have a good day and an awesome New Year.

Dear Keurig

Dear Keurig,

You do it so much better than my last coffee maker. And you give me what I need a lot faster too. I love that. I always hated when it took forever before. And you're not as messy as you know who. So I'm breaking up with my last coffee maker. He's old news. The only time I'll ever need him is for group coffee. And even then, I may still use you.

So what. I cheated. And they were wrong. The grass IS greener on the other side. But I hope you'll be a good coffee maker and understand, I won't be completely tamed. There will be days you expect me to play with you, but instead, I may have the urge to play with my espresso maker......... right next to you............... while you watch!!!!!!!!!!!! And if you're ok with that, we're going to have an awesome relationship and I'll be good to you too.

Love,
Chrissy

John Lennon-Happy Christmas the War is over

Annual Salvation Army Bell Ringing

every year the saturday before Christmas my daughter and I volunteer as bell ringers at our local mall. Boy was it a cold one this year!!! But we enjoyed it anyway. We bring a little boombox with us with a CD of christmas music to pass the time and make everyone smile. Abby sorta dances a little bit when she's greeting everyone and she's a people magnet. OK maybe we sway together while we sing along. lol. I used my cell phone to snap a picture of her. I hope we always do this together, even when she's not a little one anymore.

not able to respond to your comments...

I've been trying ever since I had this blog to respond to many of the comments I've recieved... but I always get error messages... and I've checked my settings, I should be able to respond.. I can respond on other peoples blogs but it keeps telling me it doesnt recognize me as a user when I try to post on my own blog?? huh?? very strange. I just dont want any of you thinking I ignore you or anything, I really do try to respond to you! I just can't! sorry! :)

Hometown Holidays Glens Falls NY

Last week the little city I live in had a hometown holidays celebration all week long in our downtown district. Each day had various happenings around town and we stepped out on friday to join in. We started at the queensbury hotel to "build a cookie" lol. Abby loved that. And while we were walking downtown Santa was walking around playing a saxaphone! :) He's good too, I had no idea Santa was a musician! lol

Gramma is gone....

A few hours ago my grandma left this world. She had been very sick for awhile, so it was not a big shock when it happened. My Abigail took it worse than I thought she would... she had formed a bond with my gramma over the last couple of years. I think the shock has wore off for her & she went to sleep finally.

I wanted to thank everyone who worked at the nursing home she had been in, for everything you've done for her & our family. We appreciate it & I sympathize with you for how difficult your job can be in situations like this & I appreciate the friendship many of you have extended to me over the last several months.

I had taken a nap because of a migraine earlier today and while I was sleeping, I dreamt gramma passed away. In my dream I cried & accepted it & thanked God she wasn't suffering anymore. Then the phone rang and startled me awake... and I KNEW... without even looking at the caller ID, I knew it was THE call. Even though I was awake, it still felt like I was dreaming. Sure enough, it was my dad letting me know. I don't believe I'm psychic or anything like that, not at all, but I do believe sometimes God has ways of speaking to us, and He was telling me in my dream when it happened, and He prepared me for the news. It had started off as a great day hanging out with a good friend downtown & back home to chill with her... and then turned into a very sad day. I'm going to take a few days off from business for personal time.

My session for this weekend is still on. I know Gramma wouldn't want me to stop everything in my life and cry forever. So I'm going to do what gramma would tell me to do. Say a prayer, cry a little bit, and pick up the peices and carry on.

Thank you for everyone who has emailed me or called, I appreciate knowing I have friends and family who reach out to me during sad times. It helps me get through it. God has given me a very strong heart that I am thankful for, so pray for my family if you don't mind. Pray for my dad too. He loved his mommy & his birthday is coming up on Christmas and I don't want this to be a miserable year for him. Thank you.

Shalom.

Woof!!! Arf!!! (the cute little barks) lol