Little Miss Popluarity {portraits}

Ever since Kaci got her hair died you'd think he had become a star. There was a rush of girls the flew into her homeroom class Monday morning to see what all the fuss was about, and accusations like "Your only playing with her now cause she has cool hair" My little fashion-ista almost started a riot in the halls with her perfectly quaff hair and bright shade of red.

I don't think she knew what to do with all of the attention, as she is not your typical attention hog. She leaves that duty to her unbelievably, in your face, theatrical sister. I told her to enjoy it and just remember who your friends are. She needed the boost...lately she's had a rough time.

Kaci doesn't make friends easily. She's a tom boy, but now at an age that if you play with a boy you must want to marry him. The girls either think she's weird, for her "unique" fashion trends, or she doesn't want to hang out with them for the drama and the constant chatter about "who likes who"

I love it that at 10 she has her head on straight and possibly we won't have the same issues as with Taylor. Taylor's whole life revolves around who she wants to date, who wants to date her, or who her friends like. It's exhausting.

In second grade a new family moved into the school. This school is unlike others in that you had to get in on lottery and hardly EVER does one of the "golden spots" open up in any grade other than kindergarten. Once your in, your in, and families rarely leave.

The family had a boy and girl, both in my kids classes. Every year there seems to be one particular child that your child has tough time with. Well, unfortunately for Kaci this family, or rather, this families sweet girl was it for her. I always tell her to give people a chance, they might surprise you when you get to know them. As I mentioned before...she's a stubborn child and this was not what she wanted to hear.

Over the next few years Kaci and Vanessa stayed away form each other. The small complaints, of " I just think she doesn't like me" or "She's a girly-girl Mom" started to become fewer and I started to notice that they two girls were finding some similarities this past year.

Both avid crafters, they worked on several projects together and Kaci started to discover that Vanessa was either not the girly-girl she had previously thought, or maybe V was just coming into her own. Whatever is what....they have found each other.

Kaci came home from school the other day, talking about Vanessa. They've spent allot of time together over the last few months with trips to the library after school and had one play date last week.

Now, what I'm about to tell you has to be kept in complete secrecy. but it's just too cute not to share. Kaci says she has a new best friend! Her and Vanessa talked and discovered neither of them has ever had a best friend, so, I think it was Vanessa, asked if they could be best friends. They have allot in common, crafting, an older sibling, silly, sweet, creative, being raised by single mothers, etc.

I had the pleasure of spending the entire day with them yesterday. It was so fun for me to see her connect with another person that way. They tease each other and no one gets hurt, they are both sarcastic at the right times, and their fashion statements are very similar. I hope that Kaci and Vanessa find themselves to be long time friends, they'll be good for each other. Plus I like her mom, so that's a benefit.

After Kaci came to the realization that unlike a few of the other girls in her class, that Vanessa actually played with her pre- makeover, the two girls wanted to do a "friend" photo shoot together. They had the best time yesterday picking out crazy outfits and getting ready. Vanessa loved it. She's a ham for the camera, and was so gracious to me for doing it. She kept saying how much fun she had, and I love to hear that in a 10 year old!

Her's a few from the day...look at these two, they are just too cute!

Vanessa's hair pieces are "fake" but she sure does look good...Kerry???

Love, Love, Love this one! Look at that face!

I love this one too....

Ps...the glasses, well those are fake too. But they wanted to match...isn't that cute!

Amy Wenzel + I Heart Faces= Awesome Opportinites

Every year around new years I think of things that I want to change. Things I want to do different..you know...the typical "new years resolutions" This year was no different. I did not choose the gym, I chose, for me, a more attainable, less frustrating approach.

1) Wear earrings. The dangle-y kind.

I have 5 holes in my ears, I wear small, unnoticeable hoops everyday. They are silver, they go with everything. I never take them out, and most days I forget they are there.

2) Enter everything.

I've never been one to win much. I think mostly I have bad luck, although now this seems to be changing. I figure the odds have to change if I enter everything that inspires me.

This brings us to my post. I have found yet another contest. This time it is for a seat at a workshop, by an amazing photographer Amy Wenzel, and I Heart Faces. Most of these contests out there, or scholarship opportunities want us to dig deep and tell our story. So this is what I must do. Tell my story. Some of you may have heard it, some may think you know it, but this is it, in 600 words or less, this is how I found my passion, and why I love to do what I know I am meant to do.

It was 2002; I was a mother of two small girls. I closed the door on one chapter of my life, wandering what would happen in the weeks to come. I finally made the choice to leave a bad marriage and start a life for my girls.

In high school, I took a photography class. My teacher thought I had "potential" and encouraged me any way he could. I loved being in the darkroom, loosing myself in my photos.

I moved back to Oregon, after my divorce, I had stayed home for many years. At 27, I literally had no skills. My mother knew a photographer who said he'd meet with me. I scrambled to put anything that looked good into some kind of presentation and met with him at his studio.

I'm sure he met with me to humor my mother, but was pleased with what he saw, especially knowing that other than a High School class, I was becoming a self taught photographer.

Over the years I have worked along side many talented and encouraging photographers. I read books, and learned what I could. I ventured the daunting task of studio lighting, with help of a great friend, and decided one day...I WILL be a photographer.

On the advice of a local woman, I made business cards and put a website together. Work was slow, in the beginning and many days I was discouraged thinking this "dream" of mine would never become reality. How many single mothers, barely making it, working full time one day just decide they WILL be a photographer and actually have that happen?

I had to change my thinking. This was not the attitude of a professional, and I was determined to make this happen.

The decision to go full time professional was forced. I was laid off from my job, and the market was scarce.

The strange part is, the whole time; I know someone/thing has been watching out for us. There has not been one day that we aren't blessed by our opportunities.

I have a long way to go, but being able to provide for my family, doing what I love, and in turn blessing other people with meaningful images, has been the best the thing that has happened to us.

I am able to live the life I dreamed of, and only hope that through the years I can continue to do so.

Recently, I stumbled upon Boudoir photography, which has been amazing to watch what has happened through my lens. I've seen women find themselves again, remember they are beautiful, and watch women that never really thought they had any greatness, find it in an hour session. In the beginning of my Boudoir adventure, I was foolish to think I was actually the one making the difference. . What happened, is that these women have actually helped me. They took this self-conscious girl, the one that still thinks of herself as the quiet girl that no one notices, and let me show the world why I'm here. As I strive to convince all of these women they are beautiful, they actually are teaching me.

Everyone I am able to photograph changes me bits at a time. I see myself in them, I realize they are me. We teach each other that feminine beauty is more than skin deep, and everyone has something to give. No matter what size, shape, color, or marital status, each woman is unique, yet we always find a common denominator. We all need to be reminded why we are here...

I love seeing how photography has changed my life, and that of my girls, as well as all of the special families I come in contact with. I know I am blessed, lucky if you will, and I want to continue to live out my dream. I enjoy seeing the world with different eyes now, and instead of wishing I had done things different, I now know I did them just the way they were meant to be. Congratulations to whom ever this opportunity goes to, may you find your passion if you have not already done so, and continue to bless your selves and those around you with your perception of the world.

March Newsletter

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Miss Kaci....Rockstar

Kaci is a stubborn child. She doesn't like to do much, unless highly motivated, by candy, money or hair die.

We've been having some major problems getting her motivated to get dressed, put on clothes, you know...all the necessities of getting one's self ready for a day of school. There is alot of wandering around the house, looking for a shirt to literally jump out at her, or magically turn into something.

I finally found the magic potion. Who would have thought letting your ten year old color her hair would make life so much easier.

My mom never would have let me do such a crazy thing at 10, but this mom...well, I love it that she has personality and if Ronald McDonald red is what she wants, then by all means....

I took Kaci down last night to get a cut and a few colored pieces in. She looks so cute! I was more than pleased with the way it looks. I must say I was a bit hesitant on the bangs, but this girl can rock it! She loves the hair and has even promised to keep it combed...WOW!

I had to celebrate such a joyous day, the day Miss Kaci, my tomboy, my skater chick, my non-dress wearing kid, wanted to put on a bright red skirt and totally rock the new hair!

Some teachers are actually angels in disguise....{portrait}

When I was in fourth grade I had the most amazing teacher. Miss Hildebrandt. (I think that's how you spell it) I remember she was beautiful and kind and when things were falling apart on the playground, she was always there to make us feel better. Of all of my early childhood education, this is the teacher that sticks out in my mind. I think of her fondly even today and when my children were young, I dreamed they would find their own "Miss Hildebrandt"

It was about a year after we had moved to Bend. Life was rough, and the girls, especially Taylor, were suffering from all of the drama that centered around her father. Her first day at yet another new school, she was not all to thrilled.

Taylor's special "Miss H" came in the package of "Bettina". A tiny and vibrant little thing, with silver hair and a personality that makes you love her the moment you lay eyes on her. I instantly fell in love with this woman, and rightfully so. She has the most beautiful spirit I have ever seen in another human. She's modest and honestly does not do it for the glory. She completely and honestly loves each of her students individually.

That year especially I thank God for bringing Bettina in our lives. She made changes in Taylor that i never thought I would see. She brought out the wild personality, and sparkle in her eyes that the prior years had robbed her of.

Everyone at our small little school knows Bettina, she is somewhat of an Icon in the Amity halls. Not that all the other teachers go unloved, in fact they are the best group of educational professionals I have ever met. There is just something special about this one.

Taylor was lucky enough to have Bettina one more year before her journey of Elementary school ended. This time, it's Kaci's turn.

I'm so happy for her that she gets to experience a year of school with such a great woman. It will changer her...she's just a bit more stubborn than Taylor and taking a little longer to see the fruit.

This is a woman, by most that meet her, that will be remembered for years to come. One that they will look upon fondly for knowing her, and make these same people better for just having walked the same halls as her.

If you think I'm putting too much pressure on this amazing lady, just ask the hundreds of other mothers in school, and the thousands before us....I am confident they will say the same thing.

Bettina is one of those teachers that honestly does it, not for the glory, or the paycheck, but simply to make a difference. I feel honored to have met her, and have our family be a part of hers.

All of that to say, I had the pleasure of photographing Bettina last week for a photo contest. It's a seniors, over 50, photo contest. I sat in a room with Bettina and another school Mom who happened to be there. We all just had a conversation. We talked about the kids a little, we enjoyed a few laughs, and I just watched. I watched what happened when you got her talking about her kids. These are not the kids she gave birth to, but the hundreds of kids that walk through her door and touch her life each year. They are the same kids she remembers fondly for years to come, and the kids that she loves with everything she has.

Whether I win or not, It was a pleasure to spend time with her, and just be in her presence. She has a spirit that speaks louder than any other I know. We enjoyed a glass on wine together, and all the while she is talking, she is lighting up that whole room. If nothing else, I am honored to be able to give her something...everyone deserves to have a photo of themselves. One that reaches in a captures their soul, their inner person, their true self. It's a rare moment in time when the walls come down, and people relax enough to get exactly who they are....and this lady my friends, is one of the most beautiful women I have ever met.

This one I think is my favorite. It's beautiful and quiet. It's all about the eyes here.

This is a big Bettina laugh. You can hear it ringing down the halls and guaranteed, you will start to laugh too....it's contagious.

This is the one I call her kid face. This is just the way she looks at all of her kids. It's the look they get when you know she's interested in what they are saying...even if it's about the loose tooth they had three months ago.

I think I just saw Marilyn Monroe! {Boudoir}

When I say Hollywood Glam, Marilyn Monroe is who comes to mind. She embodies Glam to me, and I love the old fashioned era and beauty! Had I been able to find an old fashioned cigarette holder I would have been beyond ecstatic last weekend at my Hollywood Glam shoot.

I rented a room at the FABULOUS new Oxford Hotel. The very second I saw the interior of this place I knew it just had to be photographed with gorgeous women draped all over the yummy comforters and sleek 40's inspired furnishings.

I had another AMAZING group of women, I know I say that allot, but seriously....I get the best clients! 4 ladies set appointments to be photographed, a few stragglers just to see the hotel and my usual group of friends showed up to help out once again.

When you show up to a Boudoir event you are certain you will have a good time, this area we are not lacking in. You'll find a drink in your hands at all times, thanks to your own personal assistant for the evening....the one and only, Chantelle. We have Bambi with hair and makeup, and as usual, she did an outstanding job with all of the ladies. Some of which even set appointments for hair cuts later that night. This girl is great, so if you happen to be in the market for a new stylist, go check her out over at Plethora. Sophie is my lighting guru. She says she doesn't do anything, but the combination of the two of us is magic and somehow the room is always cleaned up by the time the camera goes away. This time I even had dinner handed to me, hot soup and a super yummy salad before I could even throw myself into a chair to relax. It's crazy to me how that happens when Sophie doesn't "do anything".

The night was relaxed and easy, and I'm pretty sure everyone involved had a ton of fun. I got some gorgeous photos...these ladies always know how to work it, even the ones who say they don't know what they are doing.

I of course had to stay the night, you know...since the room was paid for and all. The beds were squishy and comfy. The shower was spacious and warm and even the shampoo was wonderful. Had I been able to wander up to use the sauna and hot tub, the evening would have been perfect. I could have done with out the buzz saw in the bed next to me. ( The kids met me around 12am for a sleep over, and Taylor snores like a old man) The morning was easy and we were all sad to say good-bye. I could totally get used to that lifestyle.

Thanks to the entire staff at The Oxford, from the front desk ladies who walked numerous guests to the elevator and never cussed me out. (at least that I know of...) Every time they called to announce one of them, they always did it with a smile in their voice. I'm sure after #5 THAT got annoying. Thanks to our wonderful concierge's, Jason and James, for getting all of our gear and luggage safely to our room, even though we took up TWO carts, they were happy to do it...both ways! Finally, thanks to Mr. Ben Perle for the tour and allowing all of us rowdy ladies take over the hotel...or at least floor #3. We had a blast, and hope to do it again.

So without further ado....the ladies of the evening.....

What's Your Sexy?" { Hollywood Glam } from Tambi Alderin on Vimeo.

LOVE, love , love this next one!!!!







There are many, many more fabulous, sexy, and way to HOT of photos to post to this blog.....

February newsletter

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