Look What I Can Do!

This past week I have been working a lot with kids, so I thought it appropriate to talk about... well, kids.

I feel it is very important to keep art in children's lives.  Any child development expert will tell you that a child needs to express themselves and sometimes they just don't know how.  Most children are naturally expressive but have no outlet to do it.  Hence, the importance of art.  Whether it is fingerpainting or sculpting with play doh, in my experience, kids love to make something and then show it off.  It is that sense of accomplishment.

I run a Photography Club at my daughters' school.  It is part of their after school program and I love it.  I primarily work with the older kids and I am teaching them the basics of photography.  I bring in my extra cameras and they can bring their own, then I give them a challenge depending on whatever we are working on and then they get to shoot.  This week, they wanted to do a photo shoot.  We have been working on shooting in Manual mode, staying outside and focusing on shutter speed.  So I brought my gear and some accessories, set up a mini studio and then let them have at it.  We focused on lighting and composition while they shot in Manual, each student having a turn as the photographer and as a model.  Do you think they had fun?  I couldn't be more proud.

One of my kids wanted to portray a homeless person in their photo.  They talked about how some homeless are veterans and got into a full conversation about it.  That is what I love about self-expression.  It makes us think.

I also volunteered at the Crocker Art Museum for Homeschool Day.  They asked me to take some photos for them and I said absolutely!  The Crocker hosts a fun way for kids to experience art in a museum setting and I love them for that.  This time it was a scavenger hunt.  It was pretty cool and I was as excited as the kids to be a part of it!  I love watching kids look at these amazing pieces and become inspired.  I followed the groups and shot as I watched them find the item on their scavenger hunt list or find a piece of art that interested them.  Plus, I got to walk around and admire the Crocker's collections and exhibits.  It was a great way to spend a few hours out of my day!

Curiosity took hold of this little guy

One patron looking at the list for the scavenger hunt.

Children's curiosity never ceases to amaze me and makes me think that as adults we often forget to find the wonder in life.

Springtime in Paris

So this weekend brought all of our hard work together for our Springtime in Paris Fashion Show event.

Robert & Rebecca Fyfe, their daughter Kaylor and Mayor Pauline Roccucci

My family and I (with my mother taking point) organized a benefit event for Zafia's Family House,a non-profit organization started by Robert and Rebecca Fyfe in honor of their daughter, Zafia, who lost her battle with cancer at the age of 14.  My mom became part of the organization's fundraising committee.  She has known Rebecca for a long time and met Zafia before her passing.  So when she told me she was going to put on a benefit fashion show, I knew I would be helping her.  So I changed hats and became a co-event coordinator.  

My mom and dad introducing the Fyfe's and the Mayor of Roseville.

The Fyfe's youngest daughter was able to be a part of the event as a model in the show!

Yup, that's me.  Waving at the camera as I organized 30 models, 6 designers, 10 hair stylists, 10 MUA's and played 'What Else Can Sonia Do?'.  It was fun :)

Nina Brown Samuels of Brownskin Designs, with her models.

I didn't get to take any photos, which was strange for me but I felt good with the outcome of the event.


Our volunteer list included friends of Zafia, local designers and boutiques, models and local artists.  Makup Artists, hair stylists and local vendors.  We were even able to get students of Oakmont and Roseville High Schools involved.  The support we received was amazing!


We could learn a lot from Zafia and her family.  In her fight, Zafia showed strength and a need to help others.  Her spirit was never broken by the disease or the trials her body went through during treatment.  She was, and still is, an inspiration for those who knew her and are getting to know her through the hard work and dedication of her parents.  Zafia herself was an amazing young woman and the world has certainly lost someone special.  In her last blog post, she showed wisdom and grace not common in a girl her age.  But she has planted a seed in this world that will live on for her.


Being a part of this event was very special and I wish the Fyfe's and their cause great success.  


If you would like to read Zafia's story and her last blog post, you can read it here:


http://www.zafiasfamilyhouse.org/prd/WhoWeAre/zafias_story.php

There is also more pictures on my fan page, which will continue growing as I receive more pictures:

www.facebook.com/soniahidalgophotography

rollin rollin rollin

So here I am, wondering what I'm going to write about.  Feeling the pressure of writing something interesting and enlightening.  If I'm going to make my mark, it should be worth while, right?  So what am I going to talk about?  I don't want this blog to just be about work because that's not all I am about.  Hmmm...

Well...  Today truly tested my balancing work with family.  My daughters' school has an award ceremony at the end of every month.  Students who have shown academic improvement or excellence get an award as well as students who have shown examples of a good moral fiber.  Great!  Awesome!  Well, my kids are not going to get an award every time but I try to make it if I know they will.  This time neither of my girls' teachers had told me either of my girls were getting an award but my oldest had begged me to be there.  So I told her I would be there because I had nothing scheduled in that time frame... until I got a text yesterday to see if I could work at the hospital (I work for Bella Baby Photography on the side.  Love it!).  Extra money or make my baby happy.  Geesh, really?  I have to put food on the table.  I need gas in my car.  I have bills to pay.  Sorry, baby.  Mama's got to hustle.

Here was my plan:
Get to the hospital by 9am.  Photograph as many babies as I can until noon so I can have enough time to get back to Sac and to the awards ceremony at 1pm (did I mention I have to drive to Davis?).  That was the plan.  As I was showing the last client her photos, my heart sank as I watched the clock tick by 12:45.  Good news...  everyone loved their photos today.  Bad news... didn't get on the freeway until 1:08.

So here I am, hauling ass on 80, trying to get to my babies.  Why?  I asked myself that same question as I tried to speed as casually as possible, praying to the Almighty to keep the cops away from that part of the freeway for the time being.  And just for the record, I am a good driver.  I swear.  But maybe I can make it before they end the ceremony.  Better to be late than not at all, right?

I make it to my kids' school by 1:30 as they are walking back to class.  I find my oldest and, God bless her, she is just as happy to have me try then not at all.  I appreciate that because I felt like I let her down.

So here's my question.  Why should I feel bad that I can't make it to every single thing that my kids do?  Where is the pressure to be the perfect mom coming from?  Is it because it seems like I have all this free time since I work from home?  Or that I feel like I'm busier now than when I had a 'regular' job?

I feel an obligation.  To many.  I feel the obligation to myself to make my photography work.  In order to do that, I have to work my ass off because no one is going to hand me success.  I have to work hard and earn it.  I feel an obligation to my kids.  They are still so young and I don't want to look back and think 'Wow, I wish I hadn't missed that' or 'When did that happen?'.  I feel an obligation to my husband who is so amazing in his own right for letting me do this and taking it with a grin because he's home with the kids and has to pick me up when I feel like I'm not doing enough and reminds me that I am going to eventually spontaneously combust if I don't slow down and who patiently waits for his turn to have time with his wife (have I mentioned that he is awesome and I love him?).

Why am I venting?  I don't know.  Because I'm tired and I need to get off my computer?  Because I know there are other moms out there who are feeling the same way and may feel better to know they are not alone?  Or, maybe, because I know that this entry was just a way to remind myself that I can't do it all and to remind myself that my kids will not hate me when they are older if I miss one awards ceremony and I am with them when it counts.

What I do know for sure is that my 3 year old just walked by me naked and grinned at me with a slice of pizza in her mouth.

It's all about balance and remembering what's important.

Thanks for listening.  or reading.  or...  I've got a baby to dress :)

I would be in a picture with my youngest if she would sit still long enough :)

hmmm... how to begin

You are reading my very first blog.  I always told myself I would not blog.  I felt there really wasn't anything I could droll on about that would be of any interest (or that I had the time for), until a couple of years ago when I decided to focus on my photography full time.  So you'll see more photos than typing here, unless I find myself ranting or rambling.  Both because I'll be updating my blog in the wee hours of the night when the kids are in bed and I have no way to filter what I am saying.  That should make for some interesting entries.  


But for right now, I'm going to share some of my kids favorite photos of mine.  They are my biggest fans and my most fierce critics.


Enjoy...

So far their absolute favorite because Mommy went and freaked out people at the Galleria.

My middle child.  Of course she picked her photo.  lol.

Kids are so easily impressed.  I heard 'How did you do that, Mom?!' a hundred times.

My oldest.  She loves this pic because she is being fierce.  lol.  

My youngest!  She had been in a stroller for the better part of an hour and she had just been released.  My little imp looks like she's about to cause some serious trouble!

There is definitely more to come.  Starting this blog was one of my goals for February.  Yay!  Goal accomplished!