Better late than never...

I completely forgot to post the photos I took of my cousins a few months ago, so here ya go! It was my first shoot with all kids and it was definitely a challenge for me. They are great kids and totally photogenic, but kids will be kids and it's hard to keep them focused especially when it's something they don't enjoy. Luckily I had their parents and my mom there to help me. All in all I think I got some great individual shots, but I definitely need more practice shooting kids. It was a good learning experience and a fun adventure for me.

VOTE!!!

Again I know this isn't photography related but it's an important issue that I felt was necessary to post on my blog. Residents of California will soon be voting on Proposition 8 which states only marriage between a man and woman is valid and recognized in California.

Why Vote Yes?

(the following information is taken from http://www.protectmarriage.com/)

The Issue:

California voters passed Proposition 22 in 2000 by more than 61%, saying that a marriage in California is between a man and a woman. Earlier this year, four activist judges based in San Francisco wrongly overturned the people's vote, legalizing same-sex marriage.

The Consequences:

The Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage did not just overturn the will of California voters; it also redefined marriage for the rest of society, without ever asking the people themselves to accept this decision. This decision has far-reaching consequences. For example, because public schools are already required to teach the role of marriage in society as part of the curriculum, schools will now be required to teach students that gay marriage is the same as traditional marriage, starting with kindergarteners. By saying that a marriage is between “any two persons” rather than between a man and a woman, the Court decision has opened the door to any kind of “marriage.” This undermines the value of marriage altogether at a time when we should be restoring marriage, not undermining it.

The Solution:

Vote YES on Proposition 8 to overturn the outrageous Supreme Court decision and restore the definition of marriage that was approved by over 61% of voters. Proposition 8 is NOT an attack on gay couples and does not take away the rights that same-sex couples already have under California’s domestic partner law. California law already grants domestic partners all the rights that a state can grant to a married couple. Gays have a right to their private lives, but not to change the definition of marriage for everyone else. Passing Proposition 8 protects our children and places into the Constitution the simple definition that a marriage is between a man and a woman.

I encourage everyone to go out and register to vote and lets pass Prop 8!!

Let's play tag...

Ok I know this isn't photography related but I've been tagged so I guess I should go along with it...

I am: Erin Christine Robinson


I have: the best parents, brother, sister, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends in the world!


I Am: moving to Utah in 1 week!


I Think: Michael Buble has the best singing voice ever!


I Know: my Heavenly Father loves me


I Want: to be a wife and mother


I Have: a new 2008 Mazda 6


I Dislike: people that constantly make noises during movies, slow drivers in the fast lane, people that eat with their mouths open, and most of all rude inconsiderate people


I Miss: being a kid with no responsibilities


I Fear: I will never get married


I Feel: grateful for all the love and support my family has shown me throughout my life


I Smell: like Armani Diamonds


I Crave: a Domenico's sandwhich...MMMM


I Cry: at most things...I'm like my mother


I Usually: procrastinate everything


I Search: the internet for inspiration for my photography


I Wonder: where I will get a job in Utah


I Regret: not finishing college and being such a brat to my parents growing up


I Love: PUGS, the color green, LOST, rain, thunder, my new car, diamonds, movies, Michael Buble (yes I'm obsessed with him), New York, Chicago, San Francisco, sleeping, trying new restaurants, looking at old photo albums....


I Care: about what people think of me


I Always: listen to instrumental music or nature sounds while I sleep


I Worry: about Janet- my co-worker who is in the hospital


I Am Not: a Democrat


I Remember: phone numbers after hearing them only once or twice


I Believe: laughter is sometimes the best medicine


I Dance: when no one is watching


I Don't Always: believe in myself


I Argue: only when I know I'm right


I Write: "To Do" lists every day but never complete them


I Win: at Scrabble against certain people


I Lose: at Scrabble against certain people


I Wish: Obama would just go away!


I Listen: to Michael Buble constantly


I Don't Understand: politics


I Can Usually Be Found: at work, at home or in my car (ya I have no life)


I Am Scared: of heights. If I am not driving and we are going by cliffs I will close my eyes and not look or sometimes even cry


I Need: to learn Photoshop


I Forget: to take my vitamins


I Am: Happy


I tag: Randi Spears and Paige Cordon

French Greg

Almost a year ago my cousin Jessie met "French Greg" (as we Americans like to call him) through an American/French website and have been great friends ever since. Just to give you a little background (for those of you that don't know), Jessie's sister Sarah is fluent in French and is majoring in French at The University of Louisanna at Lafayette. So both Sarah and Jessie have made a lot of French friends over the years and have even hosted a few exchange students.

I was introduced to Greg about 4 months ago and we have also become good friends. When he mentioned he wanted to come visit the states I thought it would be a great idea to have him come stay with my family. Ya know, to get a little culture going in my house and help him save some money. My parents were a little skeptical at first...ya know the whole internet thing still freaks them out but they finally decided it would be ok. So on August 8th Jessie, Sarah and I picked "French Greg" up at the airport and so began our 3 1/2 weeks of living with someone from another country. The language barrier was a tad difficult at times, but all in all he understood most things as long as we talked with "slow and simple words". It really was a joy to have him around and when it was time to say goodbye I have to admit I was pretty sad. But, I now have an open invitation to say at his house whenever I want to visit France. Who wants to go to France with me?!?!

One of the things Greg loves to do is ride his bike (my mom let him borrow her bike during his trip) and do "wheelies" all along the streets. So one day I decided to get him in action and this is what I was able to capture. He also has a neat trick where he rides straight up to a person, stops, tilts the back tire up and gives them a kiss (not everyone got the lip action like Jessie).

We miss you French Greg!!!!!

Maui

Every summer my family goes to Lake Shasta for a week of camping, boating, swimming, wakeboarding, and lots of eating, but this year instead of Shasta my family decided to leave the tents behind and opt for luxury on the beautiful island of Maui. We spent 7 days laying on the beach, swimming, snorkeling with fish and sea turtles, playing games, shopping, hiking, driving and lots of eating (guess that part never changes no matter where you are!). It was wonderful!

Thank you to everyone, especially Jackie, for making it such an enjoyable experience!! It was a vacation I will never forget!

Here is a sample of some of the pics I got:

Class of 2008!

As most of you know my dad is the photographer in my family, but lately he has been so busy with work he hasn't had the chance to take pictures, so when a good family friend asked my dad to take their son's graduation pictures my dad volunteered me! I was a little shocked and scared because what if the pictures I took didn't turn out well or what if they didn't like them?!?! I took the chance anyway and I was suprised at how well some of them turned out. And our friends were very pleased with the results, so I was very happy. Alex was awesome to work with and my mom helped me out a ton with posing (I'm still trying to be more creative with my posing). My next step is to learn Photoshop more and play around with all the cool features! Here are a few of the shots I got.

Since I don't have Photoshop at home I don't have the ability to really play around with the pictures, so I uploaded a few onto Photobucket and played around with their effects and this is what I came up with. I wanted these pictures to have a sort of old photo feel and I think I achieved that.

My Hobby

I decided it might be fun to start a blog about my favorite hobby, since I really have nothing else exciting going on in my life to show you! HAHAHA

My favorite hobby has always been photography! I've always used a 35mm camera but I decided I wanted to explore digital photography more so I bought a new camera (Canon 40D) and have been very pleased with it so far. I've always enjoyed taking pictures, but over the last few years I never really took the time to practice. Now that I have this new camera it's definitely motivated me to get out more and see what the camera and I can do. Luckily I have a beautiful sister that has been very good model for me to practice on. Now it's time to be brave and show the work I have done. I hope you enjoy and PLEASE tell me what you think!!

More to come....