Top Pic

While spending time with one of my friends, I was able to steal their little girl for a mini photo shoot this week.

Here is pic of sweet little Mahaney:

P.S. More photos to come!

My name is Shaelyne but I'm really not from the fairy fort.

Sometimes, I'm pretty hard on myself.  Like these past couple weeks where I have had to cancel 3 photo shoots because of this dang uncooperative weather and then I convinced myself (let me remind you again that I canceled the shoots) that I was "a photography failure".  I don't know why I do these things.  Thankfully I have a husband willing to listen to my ramblings and tell me I'm awesome when I need it most.  Anyway, in the midst of my self-pity I got this from my friend Julia:

And it made my day.  That was all it took.  A friend telling me that she thinks I'm interesting enough/my blog is interesting enough to hear 7 random facts about me.  Julia, you may remember is a photog buddy of mine.  And she rocks.  She has wrote possibly my favorite blog post ever about seminary sweaters.  Okay, it's really not about sweaters but it's about seminary life and totally a "breath of fresh air" (as one reader responded) for any seminary wife to read.  You should check out her blog about photography, crafting, decorating, and life in general.


So here goes for my 7 random facts:


1. I was a country girl growing up.  Yep, that's right.  I grew up feeding the horses and cattle before I left to catch the school bus, climbed the trees in our yard, searched for arrow heads in the field behind my house, picked fresh fruit and veggies out of the garden, went hunting and turkey calling with my dad and even had my very own heifer named "Victoria".  Shocked?  I'm sure you are....

Me and my dad after dove hunting.

2.  Just to further prove my country girl past, I used to think Garth Brooks was really cool.  And I really thought he was singing to me in the song "Shameless".

I thought he was saying "Shaelyne".....

Seriously, who wouldn't think Garth Brooks was cool with this color block shirt??

3.  I have been to 4 different countries.  My senior year I was lucky enough to go to England and France to visit my cousin that was studying abroad at the time.  In college I went to Belarus and Lithuania on a mission trip to teach ESL.

This was taken in Belarus after 2 full days of traveling and no shower.  Yuck.  It was also about 10 pm when this photo was taken.  Can you believe how bright it still is outside?

4.  I was on dance team in high school.  I actually took tap, jazz and ballet classes throughout most of my childhood.  However, I didn't like ballet.  It was too slow and I wanted to be like Paula Abdul.

"Straight up, now tell me do you want to love me forever?"  Okay, enough of that.

Check out Paula's dance moves in "Straight Up".

Our high school dance team before a competition.  Check out our uhhh....cool outfits?

5.   People often ask me where my name comes from (and how to pronounce it. SHAE-lin).  Most assume that the name is either biblical or a family name.  I remember looking through a baby book for my name when I was a kid, curious about the meaning, thinking it must mean something really cool like "runs like a gazelle" (which I don't) or "majestic" (yeah, notsomuch).  To my surprise I found that Shaelyne means "from the fairy fort".  Oh, now would be a good time for me to also tell you that my name is Irish.

Don't believe me?  Check it out here and here.  However, one other additional interpretation of the name that I enjoy is this one.

6.  I really hate ketchup.  Don't judge me because I hate America's favorite condiment.  I can't help it!  Just the smell of it  Just thinking about the smell of it makes my stomach turn. 

7. I worked for 7 years in restaurants.  What can I say?  Waiting tables payed the bills.  The restaurant I worked at the longest period of time was Wib's Drive-In in Jackson, MO (my hometown).  I worked at there through high school and also part of college.  Wib's is a great place to work.  Despite the absurd amount of ketchup used in the restaurant.  The owners are the best bosses I ever had, the employees are friendly, the customers have been eating there for years and the food is unique and delicious. 

Top Pic

On a recent afternoon walk with one of my friends and our two sons, we stopped by Crescent Hill Trading Co., right off Frankfort Ave.  It is such a cool little store, and yes, it really is a trading post.  Since the store is tiny and there isn't much walking space, our two strollers stayed outside while me and Ashley took turns touring the inside of the store.  While Ashley was checking out all the merchandise I snagged a couple pics her son that I thought I would share with you.

So sweet!

I think he thought my camera was cool.  Thomas has great taste.

And while this pic isn't the most artistic photo ever taken, it really cracks me up!  Probably because I know the two boys personalities pretty well.

Liam is savoring the goldfish crackers he just snagged from Thomas.  Thomas is feeling a sense of abandonment because his mother just walked a few feet away.

Before and After

I think there is a common misconception that all you need is an amazing camera in order to take amazing photos.  Well, let me tell ya - I have seen a lot of crummy photos taken with great cameras and I will be the first to admit that I have taken some pretty bad photos myself.  Photography is about knowing your camera, creativity, knowing how to engage with other people, good editing skills and the list goes on....  It takes A LOT of time to learn how to take a good photo and how to edit it properly to create a beautiful art piece.  And, it takes a lot of time to actually take and edit photos.

P.S.  Even the most skilled photographer will tell you that they feel that they have more to learn with photography.  It's an art form that is always evolving.


Now, I know I have a ton to learn.  But, I also know I have come a long way from where I first started a couple years ago.  It has taken a lot of time researching and practicing to learn the skills I now have and I only hope to continue getting better as time goes by!

Remember how I said photography takes time (i.e. especially editing)?  Check out this straight out of camera shot and final edited photo comparison of my adorable niece:

Big difference, huh?

5 Minute Photo Shoot

This past week we packed up the car and drove out to Springfield, MO to visit Kyle's family.  We had a great time!  Liam loved playing with his cousins and lovin' on his "Mee-maw" and "Paw-pa".  While we were there, we attempted to have a little impromptu photo shoot with all the cousins - Regan (5), Cooper(2) and Liam(1).  Well, let's just say it was a fail.  40ish degree weather and rain (the whole time we were there) did not really create the most comfortable setting for a photo shoot (and cloudy skies meant no streaming light coming in through the windows either for an inside shoot.  boo.)  But we tried!  And the shoot lasted...about 5 minutes.  Oh well!  There is always summer time!  Enjoy a couple pics from our 5 minute photo shoot!

For that whole 5 minutes you would have never guessed that Regan was freezing!  At least not in this photo...  Seriously though, she has the prettiest brown eyes.

So my sister-in-law is gonna kill me for posting pics of their play gym, but Cooper makes the cutest facial expressions.  Plus, these were the only pics we got before we ran inside to thaw out.

Top Pic

In honor of my new tradition of sharing a favorite pic with you from the week, here is this week's "top pic".  We recently took Liam to the barber to get his first professional haircut.  Let me explain two things about that last sentence....1.  Liam had his first official haircut by his Nana (and before that I was trimming any stray hairs).  2.  Kyle has always gone to a barber to get his hair cut.  He insists that a barber does a better job.  (I think he likes the nostalgia of a barber shop)  So, of course we had to take Liam to a barber. 

So, we went to the barber as one happy cranky family.  One thing I learned about barber shops on this day - ya never know how long you are going to wait!  We got there around 11 am and waited, and waited and waited and then it turned to lunch time/nap time.  And my son is not shy about his hunger pains or his need for sleep.  Which brings me to the cranky part.  Lucky for us there was a Burger King close by and I got the kiddo some milk and apple fries and he was a happy camper for a while after that (with the exception of wanting to play in other people's cut hair on the floor and getting mad at me and Kyle for not allowing him to do so.  Gross.) 

And the reason we were waiting so long?  Apparently, everyone at this barber shop insists that there is one barber that rises above the others in skill.  My husband has also been charmed by this barber.  He will not get his hair cut by anyone else.  So, of course Liam had to get his hair cut by this legendary barber named "Doe".  And the 5 people in-line before us felt the same way....even though there were two other barbers in the shop with time to kill.  But, I understand - who wants messed up hair?

So, finally after chasing Liam through the barber shop, taking him for short walks outside (to keep him away from other people's hair), feeding him Burger King, reading "Hop on Pop", waiting almost an hour total- we got to experience "Doe the Barber".  And I must admit, he was pretty darn good.  He got eye-level with our son to smile and talk to him.  He was quick yet calm and smooth.  He paid attention to detail.  He let Liam test out some of his "tools of the trade".  By the end of the haircut, Liam was also charmed by Doe.  But, probably just because Doe gave him a sucker.

And what do I think about this whole experience?  Good hair-cut!  Great barber!




But, I think I will just cut it myself next time.

Top Pic

Perhaps I should rename this "Top Pics"?  I can't seem to stop myself at just one photo.  Anyway, here are some pics that show signs of Spring.  Hooray!

Dog hanging out on the front porch...  First time I have seen that in a while!

Flowers blooming on trees.  Totally a sign of Spring.  Love it!

Have a great weekend!

Celebration Time!

I finished the website!!!!!  Go to www.meadowsartandphotography.com to check it out! 


And just so ya know, it wasn't as stressful to build as I anticipated!   Time-consuming - yes.  Very much so.  And to celebrate the work it took to put it together and it's launch - enjoy some special deals we are offering!

P.S. Thank you to my awesome husband, who enduring many nights of me asking, "Are you sure this looks okay?" Thank you for your support and encouragement!  I couldn't have done this without you!  I love you Kyle!