Samanthas pre "American Idol" moment

I went to my niece Samanthas talent show at her school the other day so I could capture photos of her doing what she loves most, singing. People don't understand when I say I don't like to use flash due to how much it affects what's going on but this was a case where I could have used it & it would have been ok....however, I love the mood in these photos, it's like the kids are on stage, preparing for their American Idol moment. The photo above is Blake, the announcer (He did a great job) & the rest of the contestants are also included in these photos. No my niece didn't win but that's ok, she did something that a lot of adults won't even do...put themselves in the spot light, literally.

Let me help Blake out here, Introducing Samanthaaaaa......!!!!!

Below is my fav photo.

These last guys cracked me up, they weren't really part of the talent contest but incredibly funny playing music with a plastic cup on the end of PVC, I never would have put those 2 together.

I had to stand in the middle of the gym to get these photos so I'm glad they had the spot light on so not everybody could see me. I'm not brave like my daughter & Samantha, I don't like to stand in front of Anything to get the attention lol. What a fun afternoon & congrats to all the kids who found the strength to shine, it goes above winning in my book.

Contest Winner! & Good-bye Winter

Contests are my way of paying it forward, to continue to give to others by using my time & talent (if I would be so bold as to say I'm talented) & I feel like I'm a better person for it. Whether it's my contest winner getting the photos taken of themself or to give the session to another, it's a good feeling to be a part of. So let me quit yacking & announce...

THE WINNER OF MY CONTEST IS ALICE B. You will be receiving an email today announcing you as the winner. Please contact me within 5 days at kimsartistictouch@yahoo.com, comment to this post or call me (530)356-0756. I'm looking forward to talking with you & Thank you to all who entered.

With everything else going on, it finally feels like Spring has arrived so I wanted to say a quick good-bye to winter. Jon & Lady will miss the snow dearly, me not so much. Although I love it when it visits, snow is better enjoyed for just a day or two then it needs to go & let the sun shine in. Just like camera batteries, I don't do well in the cold but love the beauty it creates.

These photos were taken back in February & Lady had so much fun rolling & digging in the snow. The best things in our life are sometimes tossed aside & discovered by others as treasure. So glad she's part of our family. So blessed for the little things.

Alicia, Ryan & family

This is my niece Alicia, her husband Ryan, son Aiden & daughter Rose. When I took my last trip to Reno, to take photos of Kittys 90th Bday party, I stopped by Alicias in the middle of the day, (before heading back to Redding) & got a few updated photos of her family. It was an overcast day, I thought it was pretty chilly outside with a threat of rain but we made due & had a pretty fun time together.

Can't remember who got read the riot act, just glad it wasn't me lol. Then Rose put her Christmas dress on to model for the camera, she was instantly happy...funny how girls do that sometime.

Aiden has a thing for Spider Man & Justin B. So after he showed me how Spidey shoots out some web, he sang me a Justin B song, almost knew every word too, no kidding. The b&w below, he's striking a JB pose, what a cutie!

What a beautiful family, I don't mean to be biased but look at those smiles. Can't wait to see them again.

CONTEST UPDATE: TIMES ALMOST UP. If you haven't entered my FREE SESSION CONTEST, it's not too late, you have until this Sun, April 10th @ midnight. To make it easier on anybody who still wants to enter & so you don't have to go back to the contest page, just comment to this post with your name, email address (for the winner to be contacted) & why you want to win a free session. People have also asked if they can enter the contest for another person (as a gift) & the answer is Heck yeah , as long as they agree to it, Enter away. Paying it forward is so cool & I have no problem doing that at all. Getting so excited it's almost over, can't wait to hear from you, Good luck!