Planning a Session with My Girls

As many of you know I have two Senior (30-year-old) horses. A palomino Quarter Horse I've had since she was a day old and a little white Arab that I bought a few years before my Hubs and I were married.  (approx 17 years or so ago)

My girl, on Instagram.

Since horses usually live to be 25-30 I know that my time with them is growing shorter, I just don't like acknowledging it.  I mentioned before I needed to take some images with them but it has been way too easy to make excuses on not scheduling something... primarily that I should get in better shape, followed by I should use the $ for something else, to my girls need to shed out, to I know could take them myself with a self timer, etc...

There's a reason you usually only see feet shots of me, and it's called  my hips do lie.

Last week I really thought I was going to have to put my little Arab down, and it made me realize I needed to stop making excuses and just do it!  So I took advantage of the little bit of extra time I've been given, and on Mother's Day I met with another photographer, to have some images taken of me with my girls.

Despite many a lost toenail and bruised toe, the Iowa farm-girl in me still wears flip-flops on occasion to see the girls.
(Seriously not wise if you like your feet.)

Digging their tack out of storage, just in case I wanted to use it in a few shots, I spent Saturday giving it a good cleaning and conditioning.  My office now smells of Lexol and leather, and just makes me happy when I enter it, as it reminds me of show season and spring.

My favorite halter purchased when my palomino was just two years old.  (It still fits!)

Then there was the matter of picking out outfits for me, and finding the right accessories.  I pinned some inspiration on Pinterest, and then put together my story boards so I had a basic idea of what I'd like to accomplish.   Packing all of my outfits, and labeling my jewels so I'd be ready to go on the day, since I knew that it'd be a busy one!

Rough sketches of poses and outfit choices...

Sunday Morning (Mother's Day) I headed to Safeway in the hopes of picking up Daisies and Alstroemeria Lilies for their mane and tails.  Unfortunately I discovered most men were busy shopping for flowers on Mother's Day and it was a madhouse!  There were no daisies or lilies, only roses, orchids, and mums, and a bunch of confused looking "Dads"!  It ended up being a good thing as I resorted to using flowers from our yard, Pittosporum, Jasmine, Chamomile, Yarrow, dried Red Roses, Mexican Sage, Hearts & Flowers Ice Plants, and a few others.

Flower cuttings from our yard.

My white mare received the pink, purple, red and white flowers above as they just fit her princess personality so much.  My palomino received arrangements made of the pretty golden flowers below, as they reminded me of the goldenrod and daisies in the Iowa fields where she grew up..

Trailing Jasmine, Yarrow, Chamomile, and Heats & Flowers for their "hair".

With the exception of my WPPI adventure mentioned in my newsletter, the last time I was front of another photographer's camera was years ago!  I had forgotten how nerve-wrecking it is.  The getting ready, the hopes that the images will turn out,  the wishes for a good hair day, etc. It's especially nerve wrecking when you add two horses who weren't that interested in putting their ears forward, or posing for that matter.  It's pretty much the equivalent of trying to pose two 1000+ pound 2-year-olds!

Love the hoof outlines from the pretty polish we used.

The flowers looked so pretty in their tails, it is usually a pretty bright white when washed, but the Cali drought put a damper on that this year. :-S The spots of longer hair on her golden coat is from the Cushings Disease, I thought about cutting it all off, but it documents this stage of her life, and so I left it as is.

After 30 years, my Mares are used to almost anything!

These iPhone images of what went on before the session, as I made it a point to not take any during the it. So I didn't' get many of my little white Arab as once the photographer arrived, I was too busy reapplying my lipstick, doing yoga poses while attempting to change in a dusty barn, struggling to keep the wind from destroying my super fine hair, and striving to pose properly next to my girls, who were much more interested in pretty much anything but the camera. 

My little Arab, wondering out my Palomino and husband are up to.

I am glad I used flowers from our yard instead of purchased ones, as it will make the images even more special.  These needed to be arranged a bit more, but she was so interested in what was happening, I had to take a quick picture. It's so rare to have my Tim at the ranch, who was there to help hold the "toddlers", run for carrots and cookies, and try to remind me to bring my chin forward.  He refers to himself as the "Minion" on photo shoot days.

My girl and my hubs.

My little girl is wondering what's so interesting about her tail!  She's so sweet, and just a few weeks from her 30th birthday.  It's hard to believe so much time has gone by, as it seems like just yesterday I was able to throw on a saddle and head off into the hills, or over a few jumps. They have it pretty good, lounging in the pasture, and enjoying treats and an occasional flower in their hair, although I do wonder sometimes if they miss our adventures through the hills as much as I do.

As I wait for the photographer to process the images, I am again in my client's shoes, hoping that my "toddlers" behaved just long enough to obtain some images that I can cherish for generations.  (and that she managed to capture my good side as well) :-)

Decoration Day

Growing up my Grandmother referred to Memorial Day as Decoration Day.
Whenever it arrives I have a vivid memory of piling into our car and journeying on the dusty gravel roads to pick up my Great Grandmother
so we could decorate the graves of those who have gone before.
(She lived in a one-room school house, but that's another story for another time.)

Beautiful patriotic arrangement at Breitbach's Country Diner in Balltown, IA. (2012)

I must have been young, as in my memory I am looking up at the towering figures that were my elders.
The cemetery we went to visit was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by large trees and tall grasses.
I fondly remember my Grandmother, my Great Aunt, and my Great Grandmother walking along the lane ahead of us as they carried their floral tributes.
(Which often included peonies from their gorgeous gardens.)

The photo above is my grandmother at my age (on the left) and my Great Grandmother.

  My Great Grandmother made her own clothes, often out of pretty cloth flower sacks,
she also wore the prettiest prairie bonnets with ruffles on them!
Her hair was longer than her waist but she always wore it up and tucked in under her bonnet.
Unfortunately I don't have a single picture of my Great Grandmother in her signature bonnet,
or when her gorgeous long grey hair was down.  I am truly grateful for the images we do have,
and on decoration day look fondly back on the memories of those who have gone before me.
Have a good weekend!

                                                                                                                            ~ Suzi

A Great New Lunch Venue

If you follow me on Facebook you may have noticed a gorgeous salad and wrap I had at a new restaurant that's opening up in San Jose called Chef Mo's Cafe.

Some of you may recall I used to have my photo consultation meetings in her gorgeous victorian as well.

Now that it's open for lunch, my displays have changed, and are no longer samples of the different mediums I have for sale, but instead they will be gorgeous wall collages that are available for purchase.

The images in this collage were taken last July in Iowa. It was 104 degrees and humid that week, and absolutely miserable, which explains why you don't see anyone out walking.  I love all of the green hillsides and grasses, and was drawn to the railroad tracks.and rusty fence lines   These are the hillsides of my childhood and are what I think of when someone says Iowa, versus the endless flat stretches of corn most people experience from traveling I-80.  I am hoping the patrons of the restaurant will enjoy this glimpse of Northeast Iowa as well.

Of course, the hills of my adulthood are also displayed, this collage is of some of the gorgeous vineyards in Northern California.   The young grapes were captured in the Santa Cruz mountains, while the gorgeous fall colors were captured in Sonoma.  I even have a cluster or two featured from a Livermore vineyard.  I just love the colors and textures of the vines, and can't wait to see this on display!

The last collage I have created for the space consists of flowers from my garden.  (and a visiting ladybug too.)
I am looking forward to seeing these in their new home, and thought I would give you a sneak peak as well.  (These are all screen shots from my order.)

I hope you will find an excuse to stop by Chef Mo's for lunch, her food is amazing!

(The above is a massaged kale and mango salad with Indian spiced chicken salad, and ginger lemongrass tea.)

She's right next to Devine Grind Coffee shop on North Second and Devine. (Where I also have images displayed!)

I will be sure to let you know when my collages are up, but please don't let that stop you from stopping by! 

She's open Monday-Friday from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, and be sure to let her know Suzi sent you!

Wild Country

“…perhaps our grandsons, having never seen a wild river, will never miss the chance to set a canoe in singing waters... glad I shall never be young without wild country to be young in.” 

~ Aldo Leopold               

Photo shoots with boys are so much fun! Perhaps it's because we often explore the "wild country".
These boys were wonderful despite the fact the heat index was 115 degrees on the day of their session.
It was hot and miserable and if the water wasn't so murky (and warm) they probably would have been in it.

I loved that they were pretty much game for anything.
Especially when I told them one of them would win the "Top Model" prize if they did a good job.
(Any guesses on who won?)

When I asked them to look like loving brothers, they nailed that too. Thanks boys for a great day, Iowa humidity and all.