Today was spent in the studio updating many client's avatars for the new year. This is such an amazingly fun day for me as I get to meet and catch up with so many wonderful people, and the day FLIES by! This year was no exception.For your internet share of the day, here's an inside look at the special effects of Star Wars, and gentlemen? Be nice to the ladies.

I'm still slammed with office work today (back behind the camera tomorrow), and I thought I'd show you my new desk! I got it during a Black Friday sale, and, um, I hate to admit that I didn't have it assembled until after the new year. I am slowly moving all the stuff from my old desk into this one, which leaves my office a bit in shambles, but for today at least, things were a bit more tidy. So I thought I should document it!Also, I flipped my camera to the black-and-white shooting mode. I am photographing a few hours of a wedding this weekend in all black and white as a test run for my new special, and I want to shoot ONLY in black and white so I have an idea of what the end images will look like as I take them.That might sound weird, but if I see in color and shoot in color, then when I flip it at the computer I might have some awkward surprises. This is an effort to train my eye to "see" more in black and white. Make sense? I think it will be fun!For your internet shares today, I have a few.First, yesterday was the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The BBC released this footage of a drone flying over the camps recently, and it reminded me of my time there a few years back. Haunting.On a controversial note, did you hear they have hired Joseph Fiennes to play Michael Jackson? Say what?And Barbie has come out in all new shapes and sizes. I know there will be many opinions on that.

Last week, when I was at that talk over on campus and I took that photo of the river, I turned around and also snapped this image of the Weisman Museum. I didn't end up putting that image on my blog, but sometimes I store these images for use at a later date in case life gets out of control and I need a backup image.Today is that day.Not only am I under enormous pressure for several big deadlines this week, but I have a very important meeting today and I have nine shoots between now and Saturday. And? And Ezra came home yesterday with pink eye.So! Here you are. My backup image! One thing I love about the architecture of this museum is that depending on the light of the day it can look whimsical or imposing. Here? It looks like a futuristic space prison, don't you think!?For your internet share of the day, do you make to-do lists? You might want to start after reading this article. And did you know Spike Lee is making a documentary about Michael Jackson? Even if you don't care, you should watch these performance clips of Jackson -- so great.

This week is unusual for me in that a) I'm slammed with work in January (wut?!?) and b) I don't have that many shoots (until Friday) and it's all computer work (huh?!). The reason being I had several big commercial jobs at the end of December and the start of January, and this week the clients are deciding which images they want me to deliver, and some of the jobs are requiring some major photoshop work. Like, the kind of work where you're removing some objects from a photo and replacing them with other objects. Over and over and over again.In general, I really really love editing photos -- I think it's the graphic designer in me. I am one of the few people who probably likes editing images in photoshop just as much as I like shooting them. But. That said? This is getting tedious! Yesterday I didn't even have time to squeeze in a walk with my girl Magda, so this morning I took her out in the yard for some fetch in hopes it would burn enough energy to get me 4-6 solid hours of computer time.I also wanted to see if the snow would "thicken up" for some great winter shots, but it didn't. This year's snow has been really weird in that a) there hasn't been much b) the flakes are pretty small and c) it's not really wet and sticking to the trees. All of those factors are what make snow the prettiest in photos, and should we get any of that, you'll find me clomping through the woods taking lots of photos. But it hasn't happened yet.For your internet shares:These winter photos of the storms out east and, in particular, the images from China, are wonderful! And secondly, I never thought I would really want to vacation in Mississippi. I might have been wrong.

We had a pretty great week, but weirdly I didn't take many photos of it. I largely attribute this to Ezra being so much fun and in such a great mood that I really just played with him and left my camera in the closet. I know that is such a lame excuse, but after all of our sicknesses, it was good just to be healthy.Also, Ezra has hit the "climb and wrestle" phase. So pretty much he is climbing on me or trying to wrestle me to the ground at all times. Or he's bringing me a book to read to him. Because of these activities, you can see how snapping photos has gotten a touch more difficult. I did snap a few though, and you can see those here... This photo was taken with my phone and you can sure tell (especially looking at his sweater).On Saturday, we began the day at our wonderful friends Claire and Stan's house. They made us an outstanding brunch (where Ezra ate SIX sausages, french toast, berries with fresh whipped cream and potatoes). They also had lots of toys there and their granddaughter, Evie. You can see Ez playing with the tool box here -- pretty cute.The weather was so nice this weekend that we finally headed out for a walk (with Magda!). Ezra likes to pretend he is in charge of the leash. We all know that is not the case.This is one example of how the images turn out when we wrestle. You can see how much fun he's having... but no way am I getting these shots in focus.This one looks like he's posing for his senior photo. Except for the dog hair on his sleeves. Or his thumb sucking...And this is Magda during our headphone session last week. Every studio shoot I do with her includes images of her yelling at me. I love them all. 

Happy Friday, y'all! I attended a Creative Mornings talk today (you might want to check them out in person or online -- I used to listen at my desk in the newsroom and found them supremely inspiring). Today's talk was on campus and was a lecture by the wonderful Charles Youel (who started this little project). After the talk, I wandered around the museum (as I think everyone should do on a quiet morning) and then went for a walk. I love doing this after the lectures as it gives me time to digest the new information, and I like to just be in the moment and enjoy my surroundings.I was walking over the Washington Avenue bridge when I looked down and saw the river banks and how they are frozen and breaking apart. So I snapped a few photos, and I liked the one up top the best. The other thing I liked is that when I got home I rotated the image a few times and noticed that for some reason when I made it vertical, I noticed animal tracks -- fun!For your internet shares of the day:• Here's how you should ask for a raise. Go do that if you are deserving. I would also like to point out that while the author says most companies are ready and budget for raises, I don't think she ever worked in a newsroom.• Here is a new feminist book club by Emma Watson (or Hermione, as I call her).• And here is a wonderful gift that might make your Valentine happy!

Yesterday, I posted this wonderful photo of Ezra on Instagram. Magda? She will not be outdone, especially by some snot-nosed kid (as she tells me). So yesterday afternoon she was huffing and puffing and barking and frustrated because she hasn't gotten a walk in *forever* due to the weather and the rampant illness throughout the house. So I took her down to the studio.For some reason, making her work for treats and pose takes a lot of concentration and energy from her, and it's almost as good as a walk.So here she is, my little hipster pup.I have many internet shares today! First, I'm dying to try this white bean soup recipe. Maybe this weekend... Next, I also want to try these three-ingredient pancakes because, well, they look easy and they are paleo. Win! And since we're on a food kick, I loved this story on what chef's send with with their kids to school for lunch. Since I just realized that pb&j sandwiches are now outlawed, I am stumped as to what I will do in the future. But probably nothing as extreme as those chefs...

I had a maternity session with this couple last weekend. It was super fun to see them because I shot their wedding a few years back when *I* was knocked up myself! Anyway, it's always good to get to see my brides and grooms again! This little lady is due on Valentine's day! Isn't that great?For your internet share, I loved this article here about saving up for a "Fuck-You Fund." (Sorry, Dad.) I think it's a super important read for anyone in any stage of their life, but particularly those who are just now starting out and haven't acquired things like mortgages or credit card debt. It talks frankly about the freedom having a savings account affords you and how it can affect so many aspects of your life -- particularly when you are young.But it's well written and won't put you to sleep. I promise.