*I posted this on my Photography Blog, but thought I’d post it here too since I get a lot of emails from this site regarding this as well.*

I get a lot of emails asking what I shoot with and what lenses I use so I’ll just give a rundown here of my current lineup {and my wish list lineup as well}.

Camera Bodies:
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 50D [my backup camera]
Canon PowerShot SX100 IS Point and Shoot that I use mainly for its video.

Lenses:
Canon 50mm f/1.4 - By far my favorite lens. One day I hope to own the 50mm f/1.2, but until that day comes the 1.4 is just peachy. It is SUPER fast, great focal length, sharp, and produces the best bokeh EVER. LOVE this lens for portraits and I use it at 75% of the time at every shoot I do.

Canon 24-70 f/2.8L - I just got this lens as my old Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is not compatible with a full frame camera. So far I love it, although it is quite the BIG and HEAVY beast. A zoom is way more convenient, especially for the little tots, but I’m a prime lover at heart so while this lens will be used, it won’t get as much use as my 50mm.

Canon 28 f1.8 - I got this lens when I only had my 50D to use at newborn shoots when my 50mm was too long and I was in a cramped working space. I have used it a handful of times and while I do like it I am considering selling it now that I have a full frame camera. I don’t see it getting as much use as say an 85mm would [which is on my wish list]. I would LOVE the Canon 85mm f/1.2, but whew, it is NOT cheap.

Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro - I used to use this lens for nature, flowers, insects, etc. but now its main use is at newborn shoots to get the little bits [ears, nose, feet, hands, lips]. This lens is also great for portraits, although it is almost a little TOO sharp. Who wants to see closeups of wrinkles. =)

Tokina 50-135 f2.8 - Again, I got this lens when I only had my 50D and since it is not compatible with my 5DII I’m not sure how much use it will get. I am contemplating selling this one as well and getting an 85mm.

Also on my wish list is a Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8 and once again it is NOT cheap so I’ll keep dreaming. =)

Accessories

Canon Speedlite 580EX - I never ever use this. I much prefer natural light. Once upon a time it didn’t leave my camera, but these days it sits on a shelf and collects dust.

Slik Tripod - I rarely use a tripod. I don’t take many self portraits and really have no use for it when I photograph people as I’m running around chasing kids like a loon.

Wireless Remote Shutter Release - Eh, I could live without this. I never used it for Macro which is why I bought it so it too has a layer of dust on it.

Camera Bags

Shootsac [by Jessica Claire] - I recently got this bag [again, thank you wonderful husband] and LOVE it. It is not a typical camera bag - this one is for your lenses to make it easy to change them out while shooting. Very comfortable, very convenient, very awesome!

Lowepro 200AW - My main camera bag that I used for years. It straps on and is pretty comfy. Holds two bodies [one with no lens attached] and two extra lenses. Has enough storage for cards, batteries, cell phone, etc. Now that I got my Shootsac I don’t see this bag getting as much use.

Misc

Extra batteries for both cameras

16gb Compact Flash, 8gb Compact Flash, 4 - 4gb Compact Flash, and a 2gb Compact Flash

Hand Strap from My Funky Camera on my 5DII and soon to be on my 50D.

My friend Denise gave me an old Kodak Duaflex II- TTV [thru the viewfinder]. I do LOVE this look and as soon as I get more than 5 minutes to myself would like to start playing with it again.

And because every post is better with a photo I’ll leave you with Baby G. You’ll see more of this little honey in a few days.

When my babies were about 3 months old we went to visit Auntie Kristy and I helped Cousin Alexee decorate her Gingerbread House. I remember thinking I couldn’t wait until my babies were old enough to decorate our own Gingerbread House. This year we bought one of the prefabricated varieties (easy peasy is the name of that game) and it was all I imagined and then some.

The twinzies had the best time ever putting their candies [and of course sneaking a piece or two] on the house. I will say my icing skills need work, but Shenzie and Heaten didn’t even notice. =)

This will be part of our yearly Christmas tradition for sure. The best part of this Christmas so far is seeing the joy and happiness the little things bring the twinzies.

Twinzies Three Year Photos and Christmas Card Outtake:

We took the twinzies to Bonnie Springs for their Three Year Photo Session and had a blast. Normally Shenzie is a ham in front of the camera and Heaten turns his head away at the mere sight of the camera, but surprisingly I got more good photos of Heaten than of Shenzie. The Old Town part of Bonnie Springs was AWESOME. The ChooChoo ride was, of course, a hit, but the zoo was not happening. It was STINKY and the twinzies didn’t much care for it.

You can head over to my Photography Blog to see a favorite of Heaten. You’ll also be seeing more of the photo session in the upcoming days.

After 3 months of SERIOUS crazy, busy work this is the first weekend I haven’t had to work. Well, I should say GO to work. I have TONS of stuff I’m behind on, but I don’t have a session scheduled so I will be able to stay home, relax with the family, and hopefully get caught up on my ever growing list. On that list is getting my Christmas cards mailed out. Here is one of the outtakes from the twinzies three year photo session that didn’t make final cut.

We’ll be hitting up the Festival of Lights at the Opportunity Village, cleaning some house, wrapping presents, last minute shopping, sleep in days maxed out the their FULLEST potential, and most likely there will be pizza and movie night with the twinzies. I’m looking forward to my first of 2 work free weekends in December!

*Disclaimer - Poopoo talk ahead*

So Shenzie has been potty trained since July. As you may remember I was DREADING the whole potty training, but as it turns out she pretty much did it herself. Heaten has been 80% trained since September and I’m still having some issues with him. Well, only one issue really, he WILL NOT go poopoo in the potty. Just won’t. Nothing I do will even get him to sit on the toilet (remember, he pees standing up). I’ve tried everything from bribery of candy and toys, games, books, little potty, little potty seat, etc. You name it, I’ve done it. One time at Totnastics he went on the big potty so I know he CAN, he just won’t.

When he wants to go #2 he’ll ask for a diaper, do his business, and then ask to be changed back into his undies. This was working out fine until A) I realized he can’t go to preschool without being FULLY potty trained, and B) he stopped liking the diaper which means he is now going in his undies which is just GROSS.

Earlier this week he went #2 in his undies. GROSS. I was NOT happy. I am a drill sergeant and tell him over and over and over and over, NO POOPOO IN UNDIES, ONLY IN THE POTTY OR DIAPER. A couple of days later at the park he asks for a diaper to go. I put one on him and he promptly screams and cries to get it off. I take it off. Five minutes later he wants it back on. I put it back on. He screams and cries to get it off. See a pattern? To make matters worse I have this fear of public humiliation with poop accidents. I would have put his diaper on a hundred times if it meant he went in it and not in his undies. So anyway, he does’t go. We get home and I ask countless times if he has to go. Nope. And then I turn my back for a few minutes and WHAMO, he goes in his undies. MAMA IS NOT HAPPY!

Fast forward a few days when we met Auntie Ang and Cousin Marlee at the park. He asks for a diaper, I put one on, he cries for it off. We leave the park because I’m not playing this game again. At home I tell him a million times to tell me if he has to go so we can sit on the potty, wear a pull up, or put on a diaper. Nope, Nope, and Nope. I put him down for his nap, but I KNOW he has to go which means he’s going to go midnap and ruin his whole nap and believe me when I say he NEEDS his nap. I NEED him to nap.

Sure enough at 2:20 he starts crying and yelling. I go in and take a whiff, and what do I smell, nothing. Strange because he is saying poopoo, poopoo. I tell him we’ll change his diaper and he tells me “no mama, poopoo in potty”. WHAT?!?!?!??! I take him into the bathroom and sure enough he goes right in the potty. WTH!?! I mean, I’m overjoyed! and ecstatic!, and happy!, but I have no clue how this even came about. I am HOPING the trend will continue and we’ll be on our way to diaper freedom (not to mention preschool)!.

Happy Birthday to one of my Oldest and Bestest Friends Edition:

Happy Birthday Denise! You are awesome, talented, beautiful, and I love you!!

p.s.

Are you laughing as hard as I am over this photo. I would say this was our Junior Year?

p.p.s.

We are dorks!

So I took the month of December off from work (minus newborn sessions), but somehow the month doesn’t feel any less busy. I have three newborn sessions, one family session that was rescheduled due to weather, and a possible session around Christmas from one of my favorite clients that I just couldn’t say no to. Add to that my own twinzies three year photos that I’m FINALLY getting around to taking, christmas cards to send out, 6 photo orders waiting in the wings, my birthday, and Christmas and HOLY MOLY, is this month ever busy!!!

My intention was to take the month off to relax, enjoy the holidays and completely update and mini redesign my website and blog. Hahahahahah. I better get busy or none of this is happening and then I’m truly screwed since January is already 80% booked. Hurry Lesley Hurry, time is running out!!!

I’ll leave you with an attempt at the twinzies three year photos. Not your traditional smile at the camera, but I love it even more because it is real. He was kissing her head and she was dying laughing over it. I LOVE my babies!