The last time I met Jacob, he was still baking. Having reached 8lbs and 21 inches, he was ready to meet the world and I got to see his cute little self last week.
He was a happy little burrito.
Not so much into modeling hats, though. ;)
Waaaay back in my high school years, when I first decided I needed a job, I filled out a single job application, was interviewed and hired. It was a seasonal position as a gift wrapper for Creative Kidstuff. Back then, their gift wrapping was free and around the holidays, the to-be-wrapped gift pile stacked to amazing heights. I didn’t really know anything about gift wrapping but I sure learned quickly (a skill which my family has taken full advantage of during subsequent holidays).
After the holidays, they kept me on as a year-round employee and I worked there for several years. It was a great place to work. In addition to loads of fun toys, I had great coworkers and supervisors and the local ownership and occasional all-company meetings made it really feel like a family. I’m glad I was lucky enough to have a first job that influenced me in such positive ways.
All of this is to say that they are offering 27% off everything in the store today so go shop!
What a weekend! Lots of people, lots of cute kids and babies, lots of noise and lots of fun! I met a ton of new people and even some previous clients happened by my booth which was great. Plus, I got to meet some of the other vendors, like the lovely ladies behind My Healthy Beginning, Swami Baby Boutique and The Natural Life Store. It’s fun to meet people in other areas of the kiddo business. I’ve also been excited to hear today from several of the people I met over the weekend. It’s going to be a busy, awesome spring!
On to the important stuff…the drawing results. I stuck my hand in the pretty turquoise box, swirled everything around and pulled out a form from Brenda Stabenow, so you’re the winner of the free session! Congrats!
And a reminder to everyone else – Spring is booking up quickly. I know we’re all excited to get outside. Plus, Mother’s Day will be here before you know it so Dads, plan Mom a nice surprise. And Mom, drop Dad some hints if planning ahead isn’t his forte. ;)
Kids Fest is well under way. Busy and loud but not too scary for the little ones. I’m ready for my nap but stop on by!
I’m off tomorrow to set up for the Midwest Kids Fest where I’ll be all weekend so email and phone responses may be a bit sparse until Monday. If you’re at the Kids Fest, stop by and say hi (and don’t forget, there’s a coupon here).
I’ve had a number of questions about whether the Fest will be appropriate for the much younger kids so iPhone willing, I’ll try to post a brief entry tomorrow mid-day with details!
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I had a great time shooting with this pretty lady. In addition to being as tall as I am (rare!) and cute, she was up for anything. We got lucky with a warmish day (this was a few weeks ago, before our recent warm spurt) so shooting outside in the sun felt nice. How cute is her red coat?
She was even a good enough sport to suffer the cold for some short sleeve shots.
We also did some beautiful indoor shots of tastefuly less-clothed pregnant belly which I’ll put under a cut so you’re not surprised. :)
Dana Pugh: The 'less clothed' ones are my favorites ;) Although I do like the pop of the red against the snow!!! Now, if you combined the two then that would be really something--ha!
Pamela Telgenhoff: She is too cute! Great job.
Rachel: awesome color! i love them all.
My friend Paul (St. Paul Paul if you know him via Flickr, Preflash Gordon as he’s known in the derby world) has been photographing the North Star Roller Girls for some time now. He mentioned joining him once quite awhile back so when I found out there was a bout this past Saturday, I invited myself to come along.
Prior to attending, everything I knew about roller derby came from watching a season of Roller Girls on A&E, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. This bout was held in the basement of the Minneapolis Convention Center (derby in the Convention Center? Really? Yes, really.) This is flat-track derby so the rink just consists of a roped off track off the floor, with another track around the outside for the refs. You can purchase rink-side tickets and never was there a truer meaning of rink-side. You sit right on the floor at the edge of the track, complete with warnings about who may slide into you and where your drinks may go (straight into your lap if you are the gentleman sitting next to me). But man can you see action from there.
The four teams (Delta Delta Di, The Kilmore Girls, The Banger Sisters and the Violent Femmes) are made up of all types of girls. Big, little, some whom you likely wouldn’t dare cross in broad daylight and some who look like they’d spend their Saturday nights at home baking cookies. No cookie baking here, though. It’s a rough and tumble sport – plenty of knocking, banging, pushing and connecting solidly with a hard, concrete floor. It pained me every time one fell but they always popped right back up.
Overall, it was a great experience. The crowd was diverse and excited, the girls, although hardcore, were extremely appreciative to the attendants, it was all quite exciting to watch and I think I’ve almost figured out what the heck is going on. I’m sad that it was the semi-finals and there are no more local games this season but I’ll definitely be back next season!
Nick Dawson: Looks like a lot of fun MK! Did you have to use a flash (and were they allowed)?. Love the reflections on the floor... I also love how much fun this looks. Wonder if there are leagues in Virginia...
mk: I did use a flash, yes. Paul warned me that it was nearly impossible (and also gross looking) without one. I believe they don't have any rules yet about photography - there were several photographers without media passes, in addition to the ones who had them. My program says the Dominion Derby Girls are in Norfolk, Va. That's the only listing for VA but those are just members of the Flat Track Derby Association so there may be others.
LK: GREAT photos!! And impressive uniforms!
dawny darko: I'm one of Pauls "derby wives” A status traditionally reserved for skater/refs, but who could resist Preflash Gorden? Thanks for the awesome shots! I particularly like IMG 8813. This shows my real life boss (in blue Miss Hannigan) practically sitting on my Captain (in green Granny Panties). Lots of action in that shot. I’m pretty sure it was Rhea Lentless (the Jammer in green in IMG 8819) who ended up taking out the drink of your neighbor. Miss Hannigan tells me it’s a hit from her that landed Rhea there. I hope you come back again and share more of your images and have more fun. You are in luck, there is one more game this season. The Final Championship bout on Saturday May 9th. This one will be upstairs and we’ll have plenty floor seating, bleachers and of course, track side (or suicide row)! Thanks again! Dawny Darko #286 Kilmore Girls, NSRG
tin lizzy: Hi M! Some fantastic shots you have from the bout - I do hope you come back again and snap some more! So glad you enjoyed the bout! And the good news is that the championship is May 9th - so you still have an opp to get to another one before the season ends! Thanks for giving us a write-up in your blog too! <3 tin lizzy :)
alan: hey there is one more bout this season on may 9th it is for the championship. It is the DElta Delta Di( in pink) vs the banger sisters ( in blue) and the kilmorfe girls( in green camo) vs the violent femmes in red) these are some incredible shot you took and I hope you can attend the last bout of the season. Thank you Bounty the quicker licker upper delta delta di asst bench coach
Mickey Dismantle: I'm so glad you had a good time! I do have a minor correction: we have one more home bout this season. The Championship will be on Saturday, May 9th at 7:30 pm (doors at 6:30 pm) at the Mpls Convention Center. I hope to see you there and meet you officially. Thanks again for the review and the terrific pictures.
Freddy Kruelgirl: DUDE! IMG 8799 is easily one of my favorite pictures taken of me this season. For someone who has never photographed derby before you got some SWEET shots! xoxo Freddy
Steely Danielle, referee: WONDERFUL photos! My favorite is 8812. That's Becky Homewrecky getting checked by Stalker Channing. The look on Becky's face as she's going down is priceless! Thanks for coming to see our ladies...they are such wonderful athletes and human beings. Steely Danielle
Fotodog: Just a point of clarification. The league does have a photography policy. While we do allow people to do flash photography they are limited to where they can shoot from. We do have a dedicated Media team who manage photo passes and work with visiting/guest photographers to educate them on doing it safely as not to put themselves or the skaters at risk. On camera strobes are permitted, any off camera strobes or multiple light setups are reserved for the media team and approved media passes. While we love to have new people show up and shoot we also need to protect the rights of the skaters and the league. Profiting from images taken at the event, unless authorized by the league is strictly prohibited. (protecting the brand of the league) Each league has different photo policies and they can change at at a drop of a hat. Some leagues don't allow SLR/dSLR cameras, some don't allow flash photography. We are fortunate that NSRG has a pretty liberal photo policy as will for a long time as long as it is not abused and the safety of the skaters and fans is not put at risk. Thanks again for the blog and photos. Look forward to seeing you at future events! ~fotodog
mk: I stand corrected! I've marked off May 9th on my calendar and plan to attend. Thanks to all you rollerpeople for the comments!
LK: I'm not at all offended! The Hatmaker
Maria Hays: Love the one with the foot in hand, these are beautiful!
anna: What a sweet, sweet smile. I love your newborn images. They are absolutely gorgeous.
Allyson: ooohhhh..... that second shot... amazing!!!
christy: I LOVE all of these! But, that first one just kills me....that smirk is priceless :)
tara: Oh, MK! These are amazing. I loooooove the first one. And that white one? ALMOST made me want to have another one...almost. Just for a sec.
~SarahInParis~: Fabulous images MK and what a gorgeous little cherub. Personally I love the hat photo (and the hat!!) such great colours!
Jennifer Chaney: LOVE the first and the last... shows both sides of babies!! Beautiful work!
Katie: Absolutely beautiful photos...what a sweet looking little newborn. Great job MK!
Karen: Beautiful photos! I love love love that first one. LOVE. :)