Christy Martin Photography » My Life... clients, family & specials!

Last month was kind-of strange.  I had great intentions to use January (the slowest photography-month) to organize, catch-up and try some new recipes.  None of those things happened. 

But there was one thing I KNEW would get done in January:  SUN & TONS of PICTURES!  Each year Matthew’s company has a sales meeting and spouses are invited.  It’s the one week out of the year I actually eat sitting down, watch as much Food Network as I want and get to sleep later than 7am.  Although I knew I would miss the kids big-time, I was really looking forward to this trip.  But, keeping with the weirdness of January, even our CRUISE was a little different than I expected…

As I headed out the door with my travel bag, I grabbed the stack of notes and papers on my desk.  This stack is a collection of ideas, projects and ‘To Do’ lists that has collected from the past year.  But with all the eating and laying-out, I was pretty hopeful all those ideas and plans would be forgotten in the side pocket of my bag.

When Matthew left our room for his first sales meeting of the week, instead of heading out to claim my chair by the pool, I decided to take a quick look at my 2010 list.  I began to read through all of the big ideas and goals I wanted to make happen in 2010.  As I started reading through my goals, although I knew I could make these thing happen, I realized there would be a LOT of time involved in carrying each one out. 

Which made me think of a great quote:  ‘Kids Spell Love T-I-M-E’

Although I came on the trip with some great ideas for brides, delivery rooms and preschools this year, I made a big decision that morning to really focus on what I love to photograph the most and, most importantly, not get too busy with my ‘work’ that I overlook all those little moments in my kid’s daily lives. 

Weird trip… 
Not much sun. 
Hardly any pictures. 
Really great clarity only quiet-time can bring. 

Just to prove we were actually on a beach, here’s a quick shot of Matthew in Grand Cayman…

On to one of my favorite things…
I love Tiramisu.  Besides vegetable soup and brocolli casserole, it’s probably my favorite food.
After waiting four nights for it on the cruise, I savored each of the entire 4 minutes it took me to eat mine and Matthew’s piece.
Then, I was thrilled to see it on the lunch menu the next day.  I ate two more pieces.
I got to my room and decided, since I hadn’t taken any pictures on the trip, I’d take one for my blog.  So, I went back to the restaurant and had 2 more pieces.  (You’re welcome!)
There are still plenty of professional goals I have for this year.  Most importantly, I want to focus on my favorite subjects to photograph:  KIDS & FAMILIES!  While there’s plenty of time to make more of my professional dreams happen, there’s only a few years left where Ross will want to play on the floor and Rayna will let me sit for hours and play dollhouse.  Those are the moments I look forward to in 2010!

In my last post, I talked about one of my favorite places in San Francisco being the Saturday morning market. 

Here’s THE mystery of my trip:  Matthew actually preferred THIS (1lb pear)…

to this…
As I post these pictures, I noticed a common-theme: 
‘Why I Love Matthew’
1.  He enjoys me taking pictures of him acting like he’s hanging over a large body of water.  (If I would have taken the time to crop the grass out below his feet, this picture might be a little less-weird.)

2.  He can take a quick look at a totally confusing map in a new city and, without a second thought, have the rest of our day planned out.  (Since I have NO sense of direction, I am VERY impressed with this!) 
3.  He’s a loyal fan.  He’s been a San Francisco 49er fan as long as he can remember.  (All of his school pictures are of him wearing his 49er shirts.)  Since the team has had better years, he’s always getting the question: “Growing up in NW Arkansas, how did you ever become a ’9er fan?” 

This was our first 49er HOME game together.  It was great to see him in his element.  Even this little guy was a huge fan…
4.  He likes carrying on our strange traditions.  We started this on our first ski trip together in Colorado.  Some of our favorite shots:  feet in the sand (honeymoon), feet at Eiffel Tower in Paris, feet together in hospital bed hours after Ross was born.   Anyways, I always seem to forget.   I love that he always remembers…. 

 5.  He tries so hard to ‘compose’ and ‘focus’ his pictures correctly.  Since it was my 30th birthday, I got to be the subject.  There were about six before this shot where the bricks were completely in focus, but I was un-recognizable.  But, he did it!
6.  As Matthew lays in my lap right now watching football, I am typing this blog and asking him, “Did people clap or yell as you drove down Lombard Street?”  Without looking away from the t.v., he says, “I think they were screaming, ‘Get out of the way!  That guy has no brakes!’ “ 

Yep.  That’s why I love going on trips with Matthew.  Most people drove about 5-12 MPH down the  ”the crookedest street in the world.”  I’m so use to his driving, I didn’t think anything about how fast we were taking the turns.  Until, however, we got to the bottom and people acted like we had just broke some type of record getting down. 

Before we raced down Lombard Street, we drove our rental car down the Highway 1 coastline. 
  
I have a ton more, but I’m going to finish up with a few random details from the trip that reminds me of one of our new favorite cities…

It had been over a week since Matthew and I returned home from our trip to San Francisco to celebrate our 30th birthdays.  On that particular night, the kids had been asleep several hours when Matthew glanced across the desk and asked, “Have you even looked at our pictures from San Francisco yet?” 

Um.  Well, kind-of.  Sort-of. 

Is it just me, or does it seem like it takes FOOOOREVER to get back into the swing of things after returning from vacation?  In addition to being out of groceries and clean clothes, I had emails, orders and sessions that I had to take care of.  I’ve been looking forward to getting caught-up where I could start to share some pictures and stories from our awesome trip to San Francisco last week.  Since I can’t post all of them in one night, I’ll just make today about some of our favorite places.

The day we visited the Golden Gate Bridge, it was very foggy.  Coming from someone who wears a wetsuit in July, I couldn’t believe people were actually surfing!

Matthew called our hotel in advanced to let them know we were celebrating my 30th birthday.  They upgraded us to a suite on the top floor.  Although we were rarely in our room, I loved our morning view as we rushed to get out the door and enjoy the day… 

Best advice we received:  “Buy a cable car pass.”  
The first day, we started off as tourists, patiently waiting in line with all of the others for the next cable car.  By day three, we were literally running more than a block to jump on a cable car after it took off.  We felt sooo local (and out-of-shape). 

Although this was low on Matthew’s list for some strange reason, the Saturday morning market was one of my FAVORITE places from our entire trip. 
Let me explain.  (I’m sure you’ll side with me…)
Incredible photographers selling their prints taken from around the world.
Gorgeous colors and patterns from all the locals selling fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, breads and herbs.
Annnnd… the most wonderful smells (will post pictures later) of chicken, beef and pork cooking on open grills by the water. 

Fresh flowers from the market…

These are the famous Victorian houses on “Postcard Row.”  It is also the home shown in Full House’s opening credits.  I’ll be honest… it was a loooong, uphill walk for this simple picture. 

If we would have eaten lunch by 2pm like most normal people, we could have hung-out at Pier 39 for hours.  However, although we loved watching the sea lions, the only thing on our mind was eating clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.  (Picture tomorrow!)  
As we took a ride to the Golden Gate Bridge, I pulled out my San Francisco magazine and noticed ”The Top 20 Things to do.”  Number 13 (“Hanging off a cable car”) was definately one of Matthew’s favorite things! 

We decided to get  just a few more hours in before our flight left.  I wanted to get a picture of Matthew on the cable car.  A government worker who was picking up trash saw me taking Matthew’s picture and instructed me to get in the picture too.  I turned my camera over to him and jumped on the cable car.  (We got a picture looking at the camera, but I love the kissing picture the best!)  That government worker must have been a photographer on the weekends because I thought he did a pretty awesome job photographing me and Matthew together. 

Stay tuned for the last batch tomorrow!

I was in denial for a while, but it’s time to face the facts…
I’m a fair junkie.

I’ve never been able to resist the combined smell of grease, popcorn and cow manure.  From the food, lights, livestock and energy… what’s NOT to love?  

For over 2 months, I’ve had “FAIR w/ ROSS!” writen in my organizer on today’s date.  I blocked this day for sessions in case we decided to go early and stay late.  All week, we had been talking about all the rides we were going to ride and foods we were going to eat.  Since it’s been raining so much lately, I even started checking the weather a week leading up to our special day. 

As we got completely soaked this morning going to yardsales, I had to face reality.  The fair was going to be rained-out this year.

Before feeding two sleepy kids lunch, Matthew blessed our food and prayed that the weather would clear-up after their naps where we could enjoy the fair together later that evening.  Two hours later, although the rain had not stopped, Matthew was eager to continue on with our fair plans.

Without being negative, I tried to explain how going to the fair in the rain really wouldn’t be a lot of fun for anyone.  Without skipping a beat, he pulls out his, Ross’ and Rayna’s cowboy boots and blue jeans.  Following his lead, I got my boots on and grabbed my camera.

We got on the road…  The rain started to stop.
We got to the fair…  The rain stopped completely! 

Although it may look like it, the wet seats didn’t bother Ross at all!  He was so happy to be at the fair.

Rayna is more like me.  She could take or leave the rides.  But give her a corn dog and you’re speaking her language!

There are several of advantages to going to the fair after a week of rain:  a surplus of mud puddles to jump in + getting to ride each ride solo.

 I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that Rayna is as sweet-as-sugar, right?  Also, I’ve blogged about how wonderful her kisses are.  This is just one example.  She does this stuff all day long…

As we pulled into the garage after our day at the fair, Ross quietly says from the back seat, “Daddy?  Thank you for taking me to the fair today.”    

If only Ross knew what a treat it is for us to get to experience these moments with him.  Whether it’s his excitement the first time he witnesses ‘Space Roller’ or his facial expressions as he tries scarfs-down that hot funnel cake, I want Ross to know we enjoy these moments as much, if not more, than him!

Pretty normal morning… I made breakfast and was in the process of getting the kids ready when I remembered the storm we had during the night.  I grabbed my camera because I knew the rain probably did a lot of good for my thirsty vegetables outside.  Before I headed out, I got a picture of Rayna with my camera lens cover her new favorite toy.  

I headed outside to visit with my beautiful new bellpeppers, tomatoes, squash and onions.  (And, yes, I really think my vegetables are beautiful.)  I couldn’t resist this perfect, green tomato.  I plan to see it again tonight at dinner.  It will be fried to a golden brown, ready to be dipped into a little Ranch dressing. 

I was about to go back inside when, just a few feet from me, I spotted this guy just hanging out above my garden…  

I grew-up with my dad catching snakes and was pretty sure this particular one was non-venomous.   Nevertheless, I am still a girl.  As a girl, it’s embedded into our DNA to scream or run (or both at the same time) whenever we see a snake.    
On the other-hand, I am also a mom to a 3-year old little boy.  The non-screaming side of me wanted to catch this snake where Ross would think I was the coolest person in the entire world.  
 
When I walked a little closer, thinking I could at least get a close shot of his face, he made a very quick movement which involved his mouth opening and his body tightening up.  

THE GIRL SIDE WON.  I ran in as fast as humanly possible.  (I’m pretty sure I also woke-up a few neighbors with my screaming.)

I went inside to get Ross and my telephoto zoom lens.  At this point, I’m outside shooting the snake (a LOT farther away) with a 300 mm lens vs. the 50 mm I had just a few mintues before he decided to open his mouth at me.  Can you tell I’m really nervous now?

To make a very dramatic story a little less… well, dramatic , Murphy (our dog) some how got outside as Ross and I slipped out.  He also quickly discovered what Ross and I were looking at.  Murphy decides he wants to try to LICK this interesting thing.  I’m yelling at Murphy to STOP and go inside.  As always, Murphy doesn’t listen.  The snake had all the licking he could stand and decides to lunge after Murphy.  Murphy starts running… TOWARDS ME AND ROSS.  The snake is chasing Murphy (and kind-of me and Ross who are running beside Murphy). 

I’m carrying Ross and running faster than ever.   
My camera is flopping around my neck.
Oh, and I’m screaming, AGAIN. 

Thank you, 300mm lens.  Here is a close-up of our old friend. 

Oh, I must also note Ross’ prayer tonight: 
“Dear Jesus, Uh, 2 things:
Thank you for the slide at the pool.
(laughing.  trying not to laugh.  laughing more)
Thank you for not letting Murphy die when the snake bit him.
The End.”

I was going through my pictues of our trip to Georgia back in May and noticed this one.  Anyone else would think, “What’s the big deal?”  But, it’s special to me because this is such a good representation of my family. 
First of all, my mom has came home from work, taken off her pretty clothes and put on comfortable clothes about ten sizes too big for her.  (Those are the most comfortable, anyways!)
Along with her cooking, you’ll see ‘Grandmama’ (my grandmother), my uncle Sandy, my dad (sporting the apron) and, finally, ‘Granny’ (my great grandmother) doing the dishes.
People don’t believe me when I say, until I got married, I had never tried things like canned vegetables, cereal, Velvetta cheese, frozen pizza and pop tarts.  I was so fortunate to grow up eating home-grown vegetables each night. 
I look forward to our trip back next week.  I know I’ll come back with some of my best memories being surrounded by family- cooking and talking in the kitchen.

I’m making travel plans this week for my trip back to Georgia in October.  (Yeah!) 
I couldn’t be any more excited to see my family, throw Jimmie & Michelle’s baby shower AND photograph some new and existing clients.

But… with all this talk about Georgia, you’ll never guess what has been the MAIN thing on my mind all day…

Yes, for all of you who have been lucky enough to eat at The Varsity in Atlanta, this is what I have always ordered since I was a very little girl: Pickled-Chili Steak, Onion Rings and a PC (chocolate milk over crushed ice)!  I can’t wait to walk through those doors and hear those famous shouts from behind the counter.. “What’ll Ya Have?  What’ll Ya Have?”

I was putting Ross to bed a few nights ago…

Me:       Ross, what was your favorite part of the day today?
Ross:    Wata’ we do today?
Me:       Well, we cleaned-up the playroom, got a cookie at Wal-Mart, cooked dinner and went swimming.
Ross:    Uhhh… my favorite was cookin’ with Mama.

Ross and I LOVE to cook together!  He gets the food we need, climbs up on the island and gets to work.  He already knows the difference between vegetable and olive oil, which spices go best with chicken on the grill and how to make sweet tea.  Yes… the really GOOD (and bad for you) Georgia-kind.

Anyways, we came up with a spaghetti dish with some ingredients we had on hand.  We loved it, so, I thought I’d share…

• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• sliced mushrooms
• fresh Rosemary
• 1 large can diced tomatoes
• 1 small package of spaghetti noodles
• olive oil, salt/pepper
• mozzarella cheese
• parmesan cheese

Cook noodles as directed.  Heat veggies, garlic and rosemary in pan with olive oil.  Add tomatoes.  Mix noodles and sauce.  Add mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top.  Bake 30-45 minutes. 

(When I have carrots and celery on hand, I add those to the vegetable mix as well.)

Enjoy!