Arizona Balloon Classic {2012}

As I mentioned, Kevin and I attended the Arizona Balloon Classic last weekend and I took along my camera to capture some images.  I took tons of photos while we were there, so it took me a while to narrow it down to just a handful of favorites to share!  I don't feel like these photos need much commentary, so I'm going to just let the gorgeous balloons speak for themselves.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area. Visit Michele's website at michelewhitacrephotography.com. Become a fan of Michele's work on Facebook. Follow Michele's updates on Twitter.

Street Photography {arizona balloon classic}

Is it still called street photography if it happens in a park?

I know I've said it before but... I love the idea of street photography, but taking photos of random people tends to make me nervous.  However, almost everyone had a camera at this event, so it wasn't really too intimidating to photograph the people around me while I was taking images of the event itself.

All of these photos were taken at the Arizona Balloon Classic, which Kevin and I attended this weekend.  As you will quickly notice, all of them are of people.  If you are interested in checking out my second attempt at street photography, please read on. (You can find my first attempt here.)  If you are only interested in seeing the photos I took of the hot air balloons, please come back later in the week when I will have those posted.

If you're still with me, here are my favorite people photos from the day, along with a brief description about each of them:

I just love that this little guy's camera is almost as big as he is. I could have stood there all day taking images of him while he was shooting photos with it, but his mom was kinda giving me the stink eye (which I caught in some of my images!) and didn't want to push my luck...

This little boy was so excited to be watching the balloons, and kept running up to get a closer look only to have his parents call him and he'd come running back. Here he is on one of his trips back to mom and dad...

And here he is mesmerized by the balloon getting filled up...

It's amazing how perceptive children are to the things around them! There were several instances where the children I was photographing realized it and I ended up with photos of them looking directly into my camera. Yet, not one single adult noticed that I was taking their photo all day. This little girl is one of the many who caught me in the act and started looking, but I much prefer this photo of her before she noticed me...

They were selling these blow up balloons all over the place, and I was in love with them! If I hadn't been so busy taking photos, I might have asked hubby to buy one for me. Instead, I was too busy taking images of this little guy and his dad purchasing a balloon...

I would have picked that one, too...

And these two little girls, wishing their dad would do the same!...

I couldn't convince Kevin to actually pose for a photo, so I ended up having to steal quick photos of him throughout the day, too!...

This is one of my favs!! Dad pointing out something to his son, while grandma photographs the moment...

I just couldn't help myself! Every time one of these blow up balloons caught my eye, I ended up being drawn to it. (And I cannot tell you what a kick I got out of the Dunkin Donuts workers eating Chinese food in the background)...

Photo of someone taking a photo, because no one's ever thought to do that before. :) Actually, this wasn't intentional. The guy stepped into my frame as soon as I crouched down and started shooting, but I decided I liked the effect (even if he did cover up one of the balloons)...

This little girl ended up catching me, too, but before she did I captured this photo. I just love the look of awe on her face!...

If I was forced to pick a favorite, I think this would be it. The size contrast between the tiny boy and the huge (partial) ballon is amazing!...

This dad was tossing his daughter up in the air for several minutes and I managed to capture several good images. Part of me wanted to go up to them afterward and tell them that I knew I got some cute photos and would be happy to email them to him, but I didn't want to come off like a total weirdo so I didn't...

See. Those balloons. The called to me...

Loved this family, with dad all decked out carrying the baby and the diaper bag. The daughter was so into the balloons, yet intimated at the same time. So, she'd walk a little closer then stop and then after a while she'd take a few more steps. So cute...

As always, thank you for taking the time to view my photos and read my blog. I love being able to take photos, but being able to share them with friends, family, fans, and other photography enthusiasts is what really brings a smile to my face. Please stay tuned for more photos of the actual balloons coming up soon. I was just so excited and proud that I got up the guts to do a little so called street photography, that I had to edit these first.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area. Visit Michele's website at michelewhitacrephotography.com. Become a fan of Michele's work on Facebook. Follow Michele's updates on Twitter.

Lexi Turns 5 Years Old!

Our sweet little Lexi Lou turned 5 on December 2nd. I know I say it every time I write a birthday post for one of them, but I can't believe how fast the time has flown by since I adopted them. I feel like I blink and another year has gone by.

As always, the girls got to open a bag of new toys and treats in honor of Lexi's birthday...

Their expressions crack me up in this one, especially Zoe's!...

For me???...

Maybe I can chew through the side of the bag and get to the treats at the bottom faster...

Lexi going back to the bag for more goodies...

Lexi obviously found her favorite toy!...

The birthday girl, chillin' with her new toy in the sun...

I love how much Lexi and Zoe enjoy opening up their presents and tearing up the wrappings. It never ceases to bring a smile to my face! Lucky for me Christmas is right around the corner and we will get to do it all again soon.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area. Visit Michele's website at michelewhitacrephotography.com. Become a fan of Michele's work on Facebook. Follow Michele's updates on Twitter.

BBL 2012-2013 | Purchase Flash Equipment

#11 PURCHASE FLASH EQUIPMENT

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

I decided it was time to purchase a new flash because more and more often I was feeling limited by not having one, mostly while attempting to photograph personal events in dim lighting. However, after attending a workshop where I was able to experiment with flash photography, I also liked the idea of being able to do more creative things with it during client sessions.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

I haven't done more than oooh and aaah over the flash so far, but I'm sure once I get the hang of using it I will wonder how I managed to go so long without it.

The details...

After doing tons of research and picking the brains of all of the photographers I know, I opted to get Canon's newest addition to their flash family: the Speedlite 600EX-RT. I won't bore you with the reasons why, but I felt like this was the best option given everything I learned.

Isn't it pretty...

Do you want to see my entire 2012-2013 Birthday Bucket List? You can find it here.  Or did you miss my 2011-2012 Birthday Bucket List? You can find it here.


Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area. Visit Michele's website at michelewhitacrephotography.com. Become a fan of Michele's work on Facebook. Follow Michele's updates on Twitter.

Self-Portrait | November 2012

As someone who has spent most of my life living in places where winter = dreary days full of cold and snow, I cannot even begin to express how wonderful and amazing it is to finally live some place where winter = warm days full of sunshine.  For the first time in my life, I feel like I have found where I belong.  I was born to live here!

Almost every day this month, I have walked out the door and turned my face up to the sun to feel its warm rays beating down on me. And each time I do, I can't help thinking to myself, "It's November! I can't believe this is the weather, and it is November!"

And for all of you back home, yes, it is is warm as it looks! I was sweating up a storm sitting out there in all that black, and was wishing I was dressed in shorts and a tank top. I opted for the long skirt, simply because I'm allergic to grass and wanted to minimize the post-photo itching as much as possible.

Did you miss some of my past self-portraits?  Clicking here will take you to all of my self-portrait blog posts. Clicking here will take you to my self-portrait Facebook album.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area. Visit Michele's website at michelewhitacrephotography.com. Become a fan of Michele's work on Facebook. Follow Michele's updates on Twitter.

Jen + Adam + London + Sterling's Sneak Peek

You know when you are eating something you really, really like and you keep telling yourself, "just one more" and before you know it you've eaten the entire package? That's exactly what happened to me as I was editing photos of this ADORABLE family. Every time I decided that I was done, I'd see just one more that I had to include and before I knew it their sneak peek was double the normal size! I hope you enjoy seeing these sweet photos of Jen and Adam and their boys as much as I enjoyed taking and editing them.

Their little guy, Sterling, is 5 months old, and isn't quite ready to sit up on his own but Jen really wanted some photos of him with his big brother, London. So, my (very light weight and easy to move) living room chair came to our rescue. How sweet is this photo of London holding Sterling's hand. Melt.

The whole family got together for some photos in the chair...

And then we took some photos of Adam and London while Sterling had a little snack...

I just have to share a cute little story from the session: I was talking to London, and asking him for ideas about what we should do next. I never realized it before, but apparently I have a habit of saying, "What do you say?" when I mean "What do you think?" or "Is that OK with you?" Every time I said it to London he immediately responded with "Thank you!" Cutest thing ever, right?  Jen and Adam obviously have done a great job of raising him to be very polite.

I love being able to capture fun moments like these!...

If you don't know by now, I have a HUGE thing for shoe photos.  I tumbled instantly head over heels in love when I saw this image...

Jen and Adam changed places with the boys so we could take some sweet mother, son photos...

Then Adam and Sterling joined us for some more shots of the whole family...

Adorable, adorable, adorable!...

Swoon!...

By this point, the boys were tuckered out and London had well earned the treat he kept asking about throughout the session. (He decided that his treat should be to go to Disneyland if we was good during his photos. Smart kid.) So, we decided to take a few photos of Jen and Adam together...

I absolutely have to send a HUGE thank you to my husband for helping me with this session, and especially for keeping an eye on London and Sterling while I captured the photos of Jen and Adam together. My sweet hubby isn't exactly a kid person and he got a bit of the "deer in the headlights" look when we asked him to watch them for a few minutes. It never ceases to amaze me just how far that man will go to help me out when I need him to. He's definitely a keeper!

And last but certainly not least, Jen and Adam, thank you so much for allowing me to take these photos for you and to spend an evening with your precious family. It was so wonderful to meet all of you and to capture these memories for you.  I'm so happy that I was able to give you your very first official family photos with the four of you! :)

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area. Visit Michele's website at michelewhitacrephotography.com. Become a fan of Michele's work on Facebook. Follow Michele's updates on Twitter.