After lunch on school days, I usually take the boys to a neighbourhood playground - it's a great way for them to work off all sorts of pent-up energy. And after all that sweat and exertion, they happily pop into the shower and then for a quick wind down session of Veggie Tales (or whatever the video du jour is), and finally off for a nap, 100% content and at complete peace with the world.

I had the camera with me today, and surprise of all surprises! J1 and J2 were really compliant. Well, quite a bit more than usual anyway. I always have such a hard time just getting them to stay still long enough for me to snap a shot - and let's not even talk about having them look into the camera lens AND smile. But today - just look at those shiny happy faces!

(Camera Settings: Lens: 85mm, ISO 200, WB: Sunny, Aperture: f4.0)

The only difficult part was working around the really bright midday sunlight and the harsh shadows that would result. No, the boys were not going to listen to me if I told them to stand in the shade or angle their faces this way or that so that we could get better lighting. I just had to take whatever I can get - and that was actually good enough for today!

I feel like I really should try to get a handle on taking the more "contextual" shots - pictures that tell the story about time, place and mood. I have too many of these portrait-style ones already. Anyway, I wanted to share these places I go to for major photo inspo:
Tara Whitney
Clair Bremner
Amber Ludlow
Don't you wish you could create magic with your camera like that? Enjoy!

In other news - this week has been a nice one for me for 2 reasons: this, and this. Wow. Knowing that your work inspired someone to create something with a unique spin of their own is such an incredible feeling - especially if they let you know about it! Thank you, Aida and Rebecca - you totally made me smile.

Great Shots there. How I wish I have a DSLR...

Irene   ·  Wed, 19 Sep  ·   5:27PM

Hey Bren, great shots! I love the one where J2 kissed J1's shoulder. ultra cute! :)

Felicia   ·  Thu, 20 Sep  ·   9:08AM

esp like the shot of J2 kissing J1 shoulders. So heartwarming. :)

Marr   ·  Thu, 20 Sep  ·   5:48PM

Hi Brenda, I'm always so inspired by your shots and LOs to do better! Thanks for being such an inspiration!

michele   ·  Sat, 22 Sep  ·   1:33AM

Dear Bren,

I love all the pictures...they are so heartwarming lah. Makes me want to have kids too =)

love,
me

Glad   ·  Sat, 22 Sep  ·  10:13AM

hi brenda, im a 14 year old frequent shopper of made with love and i saw your blog address at its website. your blog is really an eye opener! you take photos really well and your layouts are all so nice and impressive! being new to this hobby i would like to ask, how did you make the paper look so "vintage-y" and "torn and tattered like"? i would like to learn. thanks!

joyce!   ·  Tue, 25 Sep  ·  11:56PM

Hi Bren thanks for coming by and your comment ! Love your sutnning portraits and the women you mentioned. *Sigh* Gotto get me a D40 or an EOS. I know how exactly how I would like my shots to be but with a point and shoot (even a good one) there are only limited options and speed.

We REALLY should meet up. Will ypou be cropping on the 19th ?

Aida   ·  Sun, 30 Sep  ·  11:29PM

do you use adobe lightroom?
if you don't, you should. geek fun. :P

agung   ·  Wed, 03 Oct  ·   1:55PM