Father/Daugther Dance, Legacy Academy. February 21 2014

So I have a real bad habit. Ok, not a real bad habit but I can't help it. I take pictures. Lots and lots and LOTS of pictures. I have this theory that I know if I take a bunch of the same shots that at least one will come out perfect or close to perfect. And sometimes I take my camera without asking and take even more shots. But the good news is that these shots make people happy and it makes me happy too. Good example is just this past Friday night. The girls have been so excited about the Father/Daughter dance that I promised them I would leave work early to get them ready for the dance. Back story, the older one did not have a dress for this dance so I dragged a good friend of mine to buy a girly dress. He was a good sport about it. The younger one was beyond thrilled because Poppa was going to be her date! Her first real date! This is a big deal for not only Poppa, but for the girls too. Daddy was the older one's date and she was fine with that. They would match outfits and that worked for her. Yes, I have a diva princess. So before we left for the dance, I took pictures of the made up girls with their new dresses, hair done, etc. Hate to say it, but they are not babies anymore. Since Poppa, Grandma, and Daddy were meeting us at school I took my camera along so I can capture those pictures too. We all arrived around the same time, but with the harried looks of the volunteers I just jumped right in to help out. When one of the gals saw I had a camera, she asked if I could take the candid shots of the dance. HECK YA!!! Who would say no to that! These girls were dressed up and absolutely beautiful! The hair was professionally done, the dresses were beautiful, the dads looked nervous! Yep, I am getting that on film. Ok, on digital media card. I was able to capture the fun moments of dads being bored and daughters shaking it out, of my dad (Poppa himself) shaking it more than any other man there. Being 88 I was worried he would break something, but he kept up with those girls. I then took those candid shots of dads dancing with their daughters in some touching moments as well as watching their daughters get more and more embarrassed as the night progressed. The younger girls were so cute and the older girls you can tell are going to be stunning when older. Watch out Dads! Y'all are in TROUBLE!!!!

Malinda DeBell, Boulder County Fair Queen. The Brown Palace visit on January 24, 2014 for the NWSS

One of the best parts of being a photographer is letting other people know that you are a photographer! More than just taking pictures with the iPhone. Yes, I do take a TON of pictures and videos with my iPhone because it is handy, but love taking my awesome camera out once in a while. I think I have mentioned a few times that I love this camera. Anyway, back to Malinda. She is so poised and beautiful that I can't take a bad picture of her! Even in horrible lighting she comes out glowing and pink. I met Malinda through her mom last year at the Elizabeth Stampede. Turns out, her mom is my hygienist and brags about her daughter every chance she gets. She is currently enrolled at CSU in their veterinary program and is an all around nice person! During the National Western Stock Show (NWSS for those who don't want to say the whole thing), there is an auction for the kids who show their animals. The top winners of the shows come back to auction off their animals for the highest price, which in turns pays for college or family obligations. Linda asked if I could meet Malinda at the Brown Palace to take pictures of her greeting the people who want to come out to see the champions as well as learn more about what the auction does for these kids. Like I said, hard to take a bad picture of Malinda! She is the current reigning Queen of the Boulder County Fair Rodeo (http://bouldercountyfair.org/Fair-Royalty.htm). Last year at the Elizabeth Stampede, she was a huge help to me with the mutton bustin' events and the Behind the Chutes Tours. So when I was asked to photograph her, I was honored.