ann pasquini photography

I'm Relocating My Blog

2010-09-25T14:19:00.004-05:00

I've moved my blog. Come visit!

http://annpasquini.wordpress.com

Spring is springing...

2009-03-03T18:40:00.004-06:00

...you know, as opposed to "Spring has sprung."

Ok, I tried.

Anyway, this is the view from my bedroom window, and I love seeing the tiny buds on the trees! They're trying their hardest to have a little life and Texas just can't decide what kind of weather it wants to have... freezing temps overnight one day and 85 degrees the next!

When, oh when Spring will you be here to stay? I need a playdate with the great outdoors.

Brrrrrrrrrr

2009-02-05T19:19:00.002-06:00

I've been in Connecticut for a few days, and it's soooo cold! I've had a great time hanging out with Diana, and she's been a fantastic tour guide.

Tuesday, we had several inches of snow, which is way exciting for this Texas Girl. So yesterday, we hiked through the woods behind her house to this great sledding hill she had spotted earlier. Here's the video of our great adventure!

Sledding from Ann Pasquini on Vimeo.

Today, we went into Boston for the day. It sounded like a great idea, until we got there and it turned out to be 15 degrees!! It was unbelievably cold. So cold, in fact, that I only took 3 pics all day long!! I couldn't bare to take my hand out of my glove & get the camera out. Here's my Boston debut:

Tomorrow: NYC!!

Image Found

2009-01-06T00:53:00.003-06:00

I was looking through some old images today and came across some from my very first digital camera, a Nikon! (I'm a CanonGirl, now:)

This is from a hotel window in downtown Austin, May 2006, during a rainstorm. Not only do I LOVE rainstorms (as long as I'm not driving in them!), but I love being up high during a storm and seeing them from a hotel window. And boy does Austin have some great storms!

Four Generations!

2009-01-05T10:46:00.006-06:00

I think this may just be my best shoot ever!

This family was together for the Thanksgiving holiday, and they decided that they would really like to have a family picture! The last time they remembered having a family picture, the girls were little. So it was time!

We spent some additional time giving some photo-love to these sweet babies - they were sooo adorable!! And so well behaved the whole time. I'm sorry I don't have a picture of the rest of the family dancing behind me trying to keep the twins attention! It was hilarious to hear going on behind me!

Thanks, Toman Family! I really enjoyed meeting you guys!

'twas the night before Christmas...

2008-12-24T01:00:00.001-06:00

Can you believe it?! It's Christmas Eve! I'm sure Santa's loading the sled and briefing the reindeer.

Here are a few pics from the Old Shephard Place HOA Holiday in the Park event. This is Cole & Caitlyn enjoying some time with Santa. Aren't they just the most precious kids?!

I love how Caitlyn is reaching for Santa's beard in this one! It's so sweet.

Merry Christmas Eve!

...a right jolly old elf.

2008-12-12T01:16:00.005-06:00

Look who I ran into last weekend!

I had a great time this past weekend playing Santa's personal photographer at the Old Shephard Place Holiday in the Park event. It wouldn't have gone nearly as smoothly if new friend Amy of Opaque Visuals hadn't accompanied me. Thanks, Amy!

Santa's bench was quite popular, but Amy & I managed to squeeze in our own photo with him. Thank you also, to Cathy Hurley for inviting me along!

For those of you awaiting photos, stay tuned. Santa's personal photo studio is hard at work! Check back this weekend.

Mammoth Men Ride Again!

2008-11-16T21:26:00.005-06:00

Seriously, these guys totally have the right idea!! Traveling the country together several times a year on a really cool bus... I mean - can it get any better?! But really, I'm completely envious of their adventures and wish we had a Mammoth Women Bus! Who wants to join me?!

So, they're a group of 12 photographers, who make a vague itinerary and then post a "Choose Your Own Adventure" poll on their blog, determining what they'll do the next day! It's so much fun to follow along, and they are all terrific photographers.

My favorite family!

2008-11-15T14:57:00.011-06:00

So, with a new baby in the family, my sister & I seem to plan some kind of shoot for Cooper almost every week! The kid's gonna have every minute of his life documented... Here's a shoot we did at The Dallas Arboretum a couple of weeks ago. There are more to come from this session, but here are a few of my favs.

Lilly Meets Cooper

2008-11-13T23:25:00.006-06:00

A few weeks ago, my cousin Janey & little Lilly flew into Dallas for a visit to the Homeland. On their way out of town, they made a quick stop to meet baby Cooper. Acting as chauffer for the day, Aunt Patti met us there, too.

I happen to catch the cutest moment when Lilly noticed Catherine's kitties going in & out of their little kitty-door to their food & litter box. Lilly got down on the ground for a closer inspection of this tiny door-in-a-door, and Patti then joined her to get the same vantage point! Too cute. And kudos to Patti, grandmother to 5 (and 1 more on the way!) for laying on the floor!! Never an easy task after the age of ...Oh, say... 15!

Patti caught this great picture of Lilly & I utilizing Catherin's chalkboard wall. Oh, how Coop will enjoy this one day!!

And the cousins meet for the first time! It was so good to see you, Jane, if only for a few hours. Next time will definitely have to be a little longer!

My Little Pumpkin Nephew

2008-11-12T23:33:00.009-06:00

Catherine & I had sooo much fun "playing" with Cooper in the pumpkin patch near her house before Halloween. I use the word "playing" lightly, meaning we played with him & positioned him in numerous hilarious ways without him even waking up! I was kinda feelin' bad for the kid... I mean Oct. in Texas is not always this hot, but on this particular day, it must've been pushing 90, and we had the kid all decked out with a fleece hat & all! He was such a trooper! Cooper The Trooper. Here's the fruit of our labor.

I love this next shot! He smiled right as she went in for a kiss!

Oh No! We've been caught!

Jessie & Eric's Wedding

2008-11-09T16:43:00.017-06:00

Here's a wedding I shot recently with Melissa Koehler & Jasmine Marie. Both of these girls are incredibly sweet & so much fun to work with. Miss you guys!

Jessie & Eric's wedding was the last one I shot in San Diego this summer before heading to Big D. It was such a beautiful day on the San Diego Bay with a beautiful sunset! Enjoy.

And my favorite one from the whole day...

It's that time of year ...

2008-10-10T23:03:00.001-05:00

One thing that October reminds me of is the Texas State Fair! Now, this isn't just an ordinary state fair, this is The Biggest State Fair in the COUNTRY!! But everything's bigger in Texas, right?!

My dad took a day off of work one day last week, and we made it a father-daughter day! So much fun.

One of the things the Texas State Fair is known for is the gigantic ferris wheel, The Texas Star. It has to be something like 30 stories high!

The other thing the fair is known for is Big Tex! He acts as the Host of the party, and actually talks! "Howdy, Folks!"

It seemed like the contest were endless: food, photography, quilting, even antiques!

And no fair would be complete without a trip to the petting zoo! ...though, in Texas, we have more than just the petting zoo... we have actual livestock competitions! And I mean - it's serious business!!

How cute are these height charts? Am I tall enough?

Catherine's Maternity Shoot

2008-09-29T23:10:00.000-05:00

Come On, 5D !

2008-09-10T16:42:00.000-05:00

I entered a photo contest this afternoon, and the Grand Prize is a Pro-level Canon 5D camera! WhooHoo! The contest is being held by Studio414. Thanks for the opportunity, girls!

I had a hard time deciding, but here are the images I settled on for the contest.

Maybe this is my chance!

2008-09-10T14:08:00.000-05:00

For those that know me well, you know that I have an affinity for natural disaters... well, not at all in the sense of actual damage to people or property, but just in the excitement & anticipation phases!

I've always wanted to see/be in a hurricane! I know; it's crazy. I don't think I really want to experience a hurricane, as much as just a tropical storm maybe. Sooo... it looks like I may finally have my chance this weekend. YeeHaw! Who wants to come campout with me? Bring your flashlights and all the ice cream from your freezer :)

And since it's always better to have a picture with each post... here's a favorite pic of seashells underwater in La Jolla.

At 91, still a first!

2008-08-29T16:12:00.001-05:00

At 91, still a first!, originally uploaded by Bare Feet and Green Grass.

Always a first time for everything! And at 91 years old, my grandmother had her first video chat experience, with my dad on the other side of the computer. It was definitely beyond her comprehension, but she was thrilled and so glad to see my dad "in person."

Am I the only one that's crazy about video chatting?? I think everyone should have one!

Finding the Old in the New

2008-08-02T00:19:00.000-05:00

... I guess it's really finding the New in the Old... but anyway, the point is that I am now a Dallas Girl, yet again! It's been somewhere around 14 years since I've actually called Dallas home (home in the sense of an actual residence.) In so many ways, this is really a new city to me: the streets, freeways, neighborhoods, SHOPPING! I have always loved the incredible variety of new, quaint restaurants that Dallas has to choose from. I was thinking just this afternoon that it would take me forever to even try them all - and I mean just the ones in North Dallas alone!

Apart from selection of eateries & shop-eries (I like to make up my own words ;) ), one of the great things about being back is being close to so many long-time friends. I had lunch this week with two girls that I've known since junior high (Go Parkhill Raiders!!). We had a great time catching up, and I know it won't be 5+ years until I see them again, as it was this time.

Reb & Sara: Love you guys! Niki, we missed you, but you're excused since you were in HI.

Testing out the new Speedlite!

2008-07-07T02:15:00.000-05:00

I had such a great time hanging out with my girl Kim recently. She was a terrific sport as I was asking her to crawl through the bushes and lay on the sidewalk in her very own designer dress! Designed by who? you might ask. Well, designed by Kim herself!! It was bea-u-tiful!! And I'm way impressed that she owns a sewing machine... Come on! I know I'm not the only one out there who doesn't know how to sew!

My very first WPPI photo competition !!

2008-06-20T01:24:00.001-05:00

catherine1, originally uploaded by Bare Feet and Green Grass.

This is it .... The big entry into my very first photo competition. I really don't know much about how the competition works. My goal and hope, really, is to just get some feedback on how I'm doing with my photography. So, more than winning or placing, I'm just looking for some constructive criticism!

Have any to share with me?

Just out for a stroll...

2008-06-19T01:46:00.001-05:00

Bankers Hill 06-08_0065, originally uploaded by Bare Feet and Green Grass.

How fun is this shot?! Love it! Diana and Lisa & I were out and about in Banker's Hill last weekend. Originally, the intent was to seek out the hidden suspension bridge, but once we walked across it, it was kinda like, "oh, ok - what's next?!" So we set out into the neighborhood for a fun day of shooting & strolling about.

Self Portrait

2008-05-05T00:56:00.001-05:00

Self Portrait, originally uploaded by Bare Feet and Green Grass.

I captured this at Balboa Park this weekend. It was those funky dinosaur-looking sculpture/creatures with the beautiful mosaics. Kinda Picasso-like, yea?

I'm getting good at fire evacuations!

2008-04-28T10:53:00.000-05:00

So I'll be the first to admit that I get easily excited in times of pseudo-crisis... and I don't mean excited in a good way! Yesterday, there was black smoke rising from the canyon that my neighborhood overlooks. I drove down the street a bit to get a better look and see if I could determine exactly where the flames were coming from and ... more importantly ... if I should be worried! There were a dozen cars & twice as many people standing atop the cliff overlooking the canyon. We could see the fire burning on the other side. Everyone was attempting to determine which way the wind was blowing and how high the flames were. Someone estimated they were 15-20 feet high and only a mile away! From our most recent experience this past October, that is all to fresh in our memory, we knew that wasn't good. And with the combination of the wind blowing, it could mean disaster quicker than we knew.

I returned home, making phone calls along the way to friends in my neighborhood who were also potentially in the path of the fire, attempting to get some insight from them as to what their plans were: pack & evacuate or wait it out. That is one of the most difficult things for me during fires such as this, determining exactly what to do! When do you decide to start packing, waiting, watching? When do you actually leave & take the pets? Where exactly IS the fire and what direction is it heading?? And it always seems so difficult to get true answers to questions such as these. The Internet & TV stations only had minimal information and nothing for those of us in the affected area.

So I set out again with my camera in tow. This time, I found an even better canyon overlook, directly across from the flames. Once I saw with my own eyes that the *incredible* firecrew had things under control, I calmed down & was able to just enjoy capturing the moment. It was fascinating to watch the guys in action! The helicopters were actually landing in a field just below where I was standing to refill and take off for the next water-drop. I felt like I was on top of the world with a real bird's eye view.

Sorry for the panicky voice mails I left for those of you in the neighborhood.. :) and thanks to everyone who called reassuring me that things would be fine. The final outcome was 100 acres burned and only 7 hours to put it out! Gold stars for the brave firemen! Thanks, guys!!

My Crazy Kitty Babies

2008-04-20T02:20:00.000-05:00

... I know, I know - they look so docile here! Don't let that fool you. ... OH, and watch your back - literally! Molly thinks she's a parrot and really enjoys sitting on shoulders. Odd, I know.

Tricia's 30th Birthday!

2008-04-15T03:00:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, I went to a friend's *surprise* 30th birthday party, and we had such a great time hanging out in the sunshine, soaking in the warmth of the 90 degree weather!

As a matter of fact, TODAY is actually Tricia's 30th birthday! Happy Birthday, T! :-)

... just a few more!

2008-04-12T03:36:00.000-05:00

Hope y'all aren't tired of seeing Laura, Marino & Baby Adan! The more I look at these pictures, I love them! It was such a beautiful day that day and we really had such a great time hanging out in Coronado. Good times!

Portrait Trade

2008-04-05T16:40:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I hung out with the most amazing group of photographers! I met these guys in a photography forum I've recently joined, OpenSourcePhoto. The other photographers on this forum are so nice & helpful, and I'm looking forward to spending more time with them in the future.

We walked the hiking trails of Balboa Park & took pictures of each other & played with our cameras for hours! It was so fun & I really enjoyed meeting everyone.

Marino, Laura & Adan, Part 2

2008-04-04T00:54:00.000-05:00

Laura! I hope these tide you over for a bit longer... enjoy!

If only this were Fiji!

2008-04-01T01:45:00.000-05:00

Tracy & Sean

Windansea Beach, La Jolla, CA

New Editing Software and a Beautiful Family

2008-03-24T01:44:00.001-05:00

I just returned from WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International) in Vegas last week, and I learned soo much!

At one of the seminars I sat in on, Nikon handed out FREE copies of Capture NX!! :) So I've spent this Easter evening playing with my new software and editing some pictures that I took this weekend of Marino, Laura & baby Adan (who is THE MOST ADORABLE baby!) Adan has dark brown eyes & lots of curly hair and the sweetest personality - full of giggles at just 5 months.

Here are just a couple of the pics that I worked on tonight.

BTW, does anyone know how to put these pictures BELOW the text??

The first of many to come!

2008-03-24T01:40:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my new blog! Lots to share, so come on back and visit often.