Hush Mama: artist/mama |art, memory, motherhood

Ch Ch Changes…and the post in which I generally complain about December.

Posted by hushmamacom on December 17, 2012 0 comments

Many of my photos and links are down right now as I have been making some serious changes to much of my online life. Bear with. It’s kind of what everything in my life looks like right now.

I purchased a gingerbread house kit to make with my family. Two weeks out and that kit remains untouched and really, I kind of think it is sad that no way in the world could I ever have the time to actually bake something. I have no time to to assemble anything either apparently.

I had glorious visions of what a meaningful and memory filled holiday season my family would have this December. (Just check out Pinterest…I mean, it was starting to look pretty good for us. Lots of fun things were lining up in my “christmas” board.) But as usual it is just rush rush. And people being rude and horrible. And please please can it just be January now!

Once holiday break starts I will be holed up with my kids with the doors barred. Hey, quality time…we are coming for you.

A heart of gold.

Posted by hushmamacom on September 2, 2012 0 comments

My Sad Banana Story

Posted by hushmamacom on August 13, 2012 1 comment

Pinterest is a really great resource catalogue for a mama. Many of my winning mommy moments have started as a pin. So when I had to pack lunches for N&C, I hit the boards. And there it was…secret message banana peel. Simple yet effective. I cut “I Love You” into to each banana and dropped them into their lunches. On their way out the door I told them be sure to check their bananas for a special message because by luchtime the carved words would brown and the love note from their mama would be revealed. I could hardly wait to see them at the end of the day.

My first question after work is almost always about how their day has gone. But on that day…banana peel day…well I wanted to know if they got my “secret message”. Chloe launched into a story all about how she passed it around the picnic table in the park with all her friends admiring and wishing for mommy-message-banana-peels of their own. She told me she kept the peel until it went all brown. So I turned my attention to Noah, anticipating the same bubbling happy tale. Instead he told me that yes he saw it and then that all the kids made fun of him for it

He is only 6. That’s not too big for mama love notes is it? Chloe is 5 and the little extra effort was lovely and recieved well but Noah was teased? My heart broke, but being the child he is, he quickly assured me that he liked his peel and appreciated the gesture. Still, I am sad about the mama love note on a banana peel fail.

Enter to Win a Nikon D800

Posted by hushmamacom on May 10, 2012 0 comments

http://bit.ly/KO8n7i

I happened upon a great contest! Follow my link above for a chance to win a Nikon D800.

Photo Inspiration- HushMama Style

Posted by hushmamacom on January 9, 2012 0 comments

On Christmas Eve I was all set to tether myself to my external hard drive (the one that I would save in a disaster right after Noah & Chloe) and start pulling off files to use in a digital photo frame. What I got was “0 files to display”. Zero??? No.

Fortunately, I work for/with some pretty amazing photo people and on Christmas morning, when my cry for help was sent out in desperation it was answered with a glimmer of hope. Since I am writing this and not weeping and gnashing it is safe to assume my photos were recovered. All *ehem* 94,000 of them. I had approximately 94,000 personal images that I had taken in the last 6 years. Mostly of Noah & Chloe and many that I sell as stock photography images.

Several lessons come from this experience. Lessons of backing up files, of using a good organized workflow, developing friendships with good tech people…but in true hoarder fashion it made me realize that since getting my new and amazing job(and new amazing camera!) I rarely take photos just for me anymore.

So I’ve been thinking of what I do to inspire myself to pick up my camera and start shooting.

Hop in the car with one of my favorite friends/models/husband and drive! We can drive 20 minutes out of town in practically any direction and be out in the middle of nowhere. Where I photograph as many trees and birds (my cliché go-to subjects) as my little heart desires.

Thrift a new prop. Sometimes I will find a dress or shoes or some obscure discarded something. Seriously…I once found a buttercup yellow dress and it has inspired so many images. There was a time that I couldn’t afford to buy the things I found and my friend and I would take pictures of things in the thrift store dressing room.

Play with my kids! This could have been listed first but I did take pictures before I had children…just not as many

Take a walk. I like to start by going out my backdoor. And I like to do this one both with company and without. You can be looking for something like a color, a certain item (clouds, flowers, leaves), anything really. Would it surprise you if I chose birds?

Collaborate with someone. Do you have amazing friends? Brainstorm and feel free to mix in the aforementioned ideas.

There are many online sources to help you out of a rut. I like to do “A Day in the Life” where I shoot everything to do with my day and share it with an online community. There are project communities that require a daily self-portrait, offer weekly themed contests, and lots more. Even places to share your “phonetography”.

I love to look at other artists work too. We have tons of photo magazines here at the studio…I don’t suggest copying what other photogs have done but they can be a great source of inspiration.

Finally, when in doubt…self-portraits. Because the world can never have too many pictures of your face

Silver Lining Backdrop Review & Giveaway | Chillicothe Ohio Baby Photography

Posted by hushmamacom on November 2, 2011 0 comments

I was so excited to receive a backdrop from Silver Lining Backdrop Shoppe! I am always looking for great products with high quality and versatility to use in our new baby boutique area and I hit the jackpot with Silver Lining Backdrop Faux Walls & Floors.

I left it totally up to them to choose a drop for me and what I got was certainly a pleasant surprise. It is what they call a “2-fer Split”. What that means is basically a wall and a floor in one. The printing and the vinyl are very obviously high quality and I love the versatility of having the 2-in-1 drop. Because we do get creative and invert the drop so that the floor half can be used as a background as well as it just being a lovely wall and floor set.

The backdrop I have is the perfect size for my baby photo sessions. I just clamp it to my backdrop stand and drape it over a block. Really it couldn’t be more convenient and when I am finished with it I just roll it up. Which is important if you have as many props and as little extra storage space as I do! They are also waterproof (baby pee proof too) and clean easily.

But my favorite thing about the Silver Lining Backdrop is that it photographs so beautifully. I haven’t used printed backdrops in the past. I was skeptical of how a “printed wood” floor would look in my images. But it looks fantastic and I am very happy with the results. These backdrops are an amazing way to get a large variety of looks and sets for not a huge amount of money.

Now I want them all. How beautiful would this be in my holiday photos?

“Where the highest quality meets affordability”

And great news!! Silver Lining Backdrop Shoppe is offering one of my readers a $50 gift certificate towards the purchase of one of their backdrops.

Go to the Jividen Photography Baby Blog to enter!!!

*The opinions expressed in this review were my own. I received a complimentary backdrop and no other compensation.

Days.

Posted by hushmamacom on October 7, 2011 0 comments

I have been having so much fun at the studio lately. I love photographing and assisting with the newborn shoots. I may actually love creating props and sets just as much…and when it all comes together? Magic.

I can’t wait to post some images of what I’ve been up to and will soon.

Noah and Chloe are growing and changing so quickly now that they are in school. It is so strange not to have them 2 inches from my face at all times. I worry about my Noah. He has been getting in trouble at school on pretty much a daily basis. He is so smart and it is somehow translating into being manipulative and sneaky. I must get him to use his powers for good. I told him “with great power comes great responsibility”. I am hoping the spiderman approach will work because it is currently like my 5th approach.

Today is going to be a crazy busy day…Friday!

Capturing Couture Camera Strap Review & Giveaway!

Posted by hushmamacom on August 24, 2011 0 comments

“Capturing Couture was founded by two working moms, with obsessive creative passion, spirited ambition, and a fearless hands on work ethic to make magic happen…”

I was so excited to receive the little black box from Capturing Couture and take out my beautiful Sophia Black 2” Camera Strap from the Tapestry Collection. It was presented nicely enough that I could have given it as a gift without having to change anything. And what a gift these straps would make for anyone who loves to accessorize!

It is made from lush, high quality and gorgeous materials. It matches my personal style perfectly…so, yes…I LOVE it. With options like, Boho, Artisan, Tropical, Silks, Tapestry and Organza Collections it would be easy to find the perfect match for your taste. Or several matches! These straps are for anyone with a camera and there is even a line of masculine designs.

I cannot deny that Capturing Couture camera straps make the “ultimate fashion statement” but the quality and functionality are even more impressive.

This strap seems exceptionally durable and strong enough for me to feel safe using it with my heavy DSLR. It has metal findings and attaches to the camera traditionally and securely. The part that goes around your neck is padded and velvet lined…what a luxury! If you’ve ever lugged around a beast of a camera then you will really appreciate the extra care taken to ensure your comfort.

I think I need one for every outfit!

“Replace that boring old black camera strap, and make the ultimate fashion statement with a Capturing Couture camera strap.”

Capturing Couture is offering a *Gift Certificate for a strap to our readers!

To enter: Go to http://baby.jividenphotography.com/index/view-post/id/7

Winner will be chosen via Random.org on September 7^th.

U.S. residents only.

I received this strap for review with no other compensation…the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

*Gift certificate will of $39.00 value plus shipping- the price of the largest selection of straps.

Kindergarten

Posted by hushmamacom on August 22, 2011 0 comments

Big. Huge. Sigh.
Today is Noah’s first day of kindergarten. I cried…even though the school is great and the teachers are amazing and I know he is going to be better than fine.

Mommy kiss is in his pocket.

He has his uniform, backpack, and cute new shoes. And that beautiful smile!

My little nervous boy. I am pretty sure he was just born so I am not really grasping this whole big boy/kindergarten concept.

Good luck my little big boy on your first day of school!

Baby Rheagan

Posted by hushmamacom on August 3, 2011 0 comments

Babies grow up so fast. I know…everyone says that. Because it’s true and because it’s surreal to see a tiny newborn morph into a kid in such a small window of time. My neice, Rheagan is 5 months old. My babies are 4 and 5. It flies by. (of course you couldn’t have convinced me it was going fast in the midst of a crying, constant nursing, sleep deprivation jag lol)
Last weekend:

In April:

February 28th: