Long time no see!

Well I have been away for quite awhile. Business is great and my summer classes were fast and furious. So if you wonder what I've been up to AND you have a strong stomach, check out some of my final project for one of my classes.

My project is titled Wasting Away, and it is meant to challenge your eyes to see decayed food in a new light.


Seriously, if don't look if you're eating.


Ok the first one is not that bad...

And I think to myself.... what a wonderful world. Natasha King Photography

The world would most definitely be a better place if each morning as we woke up, some one tied a balloon around our wrist. And then we used it as a reminder of how it was to be young and carefree and excited at the thought of a 65 cent balloon that could magically float in the air.

Double the fun! My Facebook page and my Blog. Natasha King Photography

This image is from my newborn session today. Most times I try to post at least one image here but if you want to keep up with what I'm doing professionally I suggest you "like" my Facebook page.

Fun in the sun - Natasha King Photography

It is amazing what a $20 inflatable pool can do on a hot day. Even my niece, who was technically to big to be in this little pool loved it. And Wildman loved crawling through the middle of the pool and then running around the outside more then he liked swimming in the pool.

The winds, they are a-blowin - Natasha King Photography

Well last week we had a crazy storm blow through that knocked out the power for 6 hours. It was fun for the first 30 minutes, but after that it became unbearably hot. During the fun part, I ran outside to get some shots. This was one of my favorites.

Pretty Sweet Bakery - Natasha King Photography

There is nothing I won't do for a good cupcake. So when I tasted a cupcake with the best butter cream ever made, I was hooked. Just a short 45 minute drive with my sister and niece in tow, and we arrived at the Pretty Sweet Bakery in Haddonfield, NJ.

While deciding on cupcakes to take with us, we all got sidetracked by these tasty looking strawberry cakes. So we got 3 of them. And let me just say, they did not make the ride back home. We ate them as dessert after a lovely lunch of authentic Italian pizza.

I believe the do shipping so if you love cupcakes as much as I do, give them a try. Pretty Sweet Bakery

The New Improved Photo Blog!

Well I just can't keep up with all of the stuff I have going on these days. So I've decided to just make this a photo blog, not a 365 photo blog. So from now expect to see random musing from me and pictures when the mood hits. With that being said, I am about to upload a bunch of new pictures. For real this time!

Poor Neglected Blog...

Summer is here and that means that babies are being born and work is good. Unfortunately that means that I have neglected updating my blog. I have been snapping away and plan to get this thing up to date on Tuesday.

See you soon.

Day 128 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

Today we finally got to take those rain boots for a spin. There was a not so big puddle that I let him splash in, and at some point he decided it would be more fun to just sit in it. You live, you learn.

Day 127 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

This morning was one of those times when Wildman got up way too early. So this was the calm before the storm. He was smiling, playful, and a pleasure to be around. And then...the monster came. I am sitting here typing this right now while he is in his room on a time out. I predict an early bedtime in his future.

Day 126 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

This my friends is my artistic take on a favorite of babies and infants. It is lovingly called the "boob light" by a friend of mine. Oh, you know what I'm talking about. It's the single light that is in most ceilings that looks, well, like a boob.

I ended up with this picture because I was experimenting with my camera, and I liked it enough to keep it.

And yes, from now on you will have to refer to them as "boob lights".

Day 125 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

This is my new studio flooring in action. I can't wait to use it in some upcoming sessions.

That's all....carry on.

Day 124 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

For those of you who are wondering how our night time saga is playing out. Well here is the answer. After several instances of him falling out of the bed, we decided to push the bed up to a different side of the wall. So that's what I did. And is customary, every night (and nap time) I remove everything except the bed and the very heavy dresser from his room. Apparently at some point during the night he decided that he didn't like my bed placement.

If you are unfamiliar with our bedtime saga you can start here.

Day 123 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

I call this: Dressed by Daddy. Now I will be the first to admit that when Daddy does the dressing things can get a little dicey. Part of that is my shopping at Gymboree and Crazy 8 where all of his stuff is matchy-matchy. And I have a certain shirt that goes with a certain pair of shorts, that match a certain pair of socks. Recently I have been trying to break myself out of that habit but he still has a good deal of stuff that is made to go together. Anyway, my husband bought him this shirt (and a few others) and he decided to dress him today. I thought he looked really cute so major score for Daddy.

Day 122 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

So yesterday my loving husband surprised me by buying me a bike. I have been hinting about said bike for several months now. Our conversations were all summed up by this: He wanted me to exercise and I wanted a bike. Now we both get what we want. Although I wanted a "little old lady going to the market with a basket and a kiddie trailer hooked up back", he wanted something sleeker that would give me a work out. I ended up with a hybrid bike and I love it. It's light blue so I could still be a little old lady going to the market but it also has gears so that I can crank it up and (one day) break a sweat.

Day 121 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

So I've got these lyrics stuck in my head:

This used to be a Funhouse
But now it's full of evil clowns
It's time to start the countdown
I'm gonna burn it down, down, down
I'm gonna burn it down

Yes I watched the VH1 documentary on Pink. I can't help it, I like her, and those things just suck you in. Anyway, when Wildman was having such a good time with the mirrors in the dressing room I had to grab my camera phone and snap this picture. Looks like he found his own fun house.

Day 120 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

If you are just joining the blog please see Day 74 for the explanation of this series.

So this image was also a reshoot but I never posted the original. (My due date for these is quickly approaching!)

This image is a complex play on the interaction between spouses or could even represent how a single mother would feel in this situation.

That thing on the night stand is a baby monitor. And those little orange flashing lights mean your child is crying. Which also means that you have to get up out of your warm bed and go figure out what's wrong. Well, what are you waiting for?

Day 119 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

You got your newborn fix, now back to my project.

If you are just joining the blog please see Day 74 for the explanation of this series.

This image is a reshoot of this image. I was happy with the concept of the picture but not the blur of the background. So I decided to try it again. I am very happy with the way this one turned out.

Day 118 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

Handling sweet little newborns is the best part of my job. They are just so perfect and beautiful. This little guy made me work for everything. He wasn't interested in staying asleep for long and was determined to out wait me. In the end I say it was a draw.

Day 117 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

If you are just joining the blog please see Day 74 for the explanation of this series.

So I was encouraged by my professor to work on some images that seemed more chaotic. Well any time you add Wildman to a shot it is bound to get chaotic, so that's what I did. I prefer images where he isn't looking directly at the camera, but there was something so funny about him making that face that I had to use it.

(It must all the posing he does on Photo Booth. LOL!)

Day 116 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

If you are just joining the blog please see Day 74 for the explanation of this series.

So this picture was taken during our vacation but I am just editing it today so it counts! I am a photographer and yet my husband hates having his picture taken. I think he only sucked it up and let me do it because it was "Mother's Day Weekend".

Day 115 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

Happy Mother's Day! As is our tradition, we spent a wonderful day at Myrtle Beach. This picture was actually taken on Friday but it is the only one I have of me and my little guy together. (Always being behind the camera has its disadvantages sometimes.)

I am so thankful that God chose me to be the Mother of this special child. I know that his life holds great things ahead. Regardless of what obstacles we have to over come to get there. I love you Wildman!

Day 114 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

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If you are just joining the blog please see Day 74 for the explanation of this series.

My family just loves when I come to town. It means that get to be tortured into doing my latest photography experiment. So this was my attempt at adding some additional people to my thesis project. I think it went well but came out a little on the dark side. Oh well, Ill work it out the next time we're all together.

Day 113 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

This is THE shot. It is what I pictured in my head way before we even stepped a toe in the sand at Myrtle Beach. A gentle silhouette, at sunset, with the waves rolling toward the camera. It is the picture that I will look at and cry when Wildman graduates from high school.

It's already making me teary eyed.

Day 112 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

First let me just say that THIS IS NOT MINE. It was however, thrown on the ground right next to my car, outside of the UPS store. I saw it and had to do a double take. Who on earth walks around with a pregnancy test in their pocket? And! Without a cap on the pee end. Eeeewwwwwwwww

Wonder what it said.......

Day 111 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

All residents be on the lookout for a diapered bandit.

He had just had dinner and was stripped down to head upstairs for a bath. Well the door to the garage was opened and he ran out and hopped on his little ATV. After a few spins around the garage I had to literally drag him in the house crying. Mean ol' Mommy.

Day 110 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

Today was one of those days when the sun was setting and the clouds looked like cotton candy. As a tribute to my former power line photography series, I decided to snap this picture.

Day 109 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

Do you have days where you feel like you are at odds with yourself? Like the person you are is miles away from the person you used to be?

This image is a representation of those type of days.

If you are just joining the blog please see this post for the beginning of the series.

Day 108 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

So the semester is wrapping up and I have to push to make some new images. I think this image speaks to my desire to not always be engaged with Wildman. Sometimes it would be nice to just sit down and enjoy the weather instead of entertain him. But at this point in time I am his favorite toy.

Guess I should enjoy it while it lasts. One day he will be embarrassed by me and want to be dropped off a block from the school.

Day 107 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?

Well apparently the answer to that question is yes. When my husband offered to buy me a pair of Chuck's I jumped at the offer. He and Wildman were both wearing theirs that day so it was nice to join the club. And I'm starting to realize a trend. My husband seems to finance all of my foot wear. Without him I guess I would be barefoot.

Day 106 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

Today I snagged all nominations for the Mother Of The Year award. We woke up early, had a nice breakfast (which Wildman ate with a spoon instead of his hands), got dressed and made it to the park with plenty of time to spare. He had a blast playing and we picked up lunch before coming home to a short nap before physical therapy.

Day 105 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

With the addition of my new reflector, my favorite model showed up to have some pictures taken. Usually he just fakes like he is going to have his picture taken then bolts out of the frame before I get the shot. Today he actually humored me by being still for awhile.

Day 104 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

Part of today's activities included moving around my backdrop stand and discovering my long lost metallic reflector. Sometimes it pays to do some spring cleaning.

Day 103 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

Today was cold! But in anticipation of the warmer weather headed our way this weekend, my neighbor has uncovered his pool. As my husband can attest I have mixed feelings about pools in backyards. My irrational side thinks they are death traps waiting to snare my toddler. But on the other hand, how nice would it be to be able to take your kid into the backyard and let them burn off all that excess energy. The naps afterward would be phenomenal!

Day 102 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

When you have a kid they like to leave you "gifts" in weird places. Some kids like to hide things in your purse, your pocket, or in your bed. My kid likes to leave things in my shower. He better be glad that I looked down before I turned the water on.

Day 101 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

Poor little gummi bears. So tiny and tasty.

These lucky guys ended up not getting eaten because I decided to use them as models. So I lined them up and photographed them from a zillion angles and once I was done I threw them in the trash. Not the most dignified of burials but far better than being eaten.

Day 100 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

Day 100!!!!! Woohooo. Today my husband and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary. Since the traditional gift for the 6th anniversary is candy, we took a mini-day trip to Havre de Grace, MD and visited Bomboy's Homemade Candy. It was like heaven to Wildman - who we had to drag alone for lack of a babysitter. We then walked down to the pier, hung out until we thought we were going to get rained on, then headed back to the car. While down at the pier Wildman spotted some dandelions and wanted to play with them. Since dandelions are part of my logo I knew I had to snag some pics. The day was finished off with my favorite food - PIZZA for lunch, and lobster for dinner!

Day 99 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

And this was the next step. Being as though Wildman is completely fascinated with doors, we had to remove the sliding doors off his closet. He would literally get up at 3am and go bang the closet doors back and forth. Now they are gone. If it takes this much to out smart him at 2, what the heck am I going to do when he's a teenager????????

P.S. I am now using the closet in his room as a secondary closet. Obviously all his clothes are not going to fit into this tiny thing.

Day 98 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

This is the next step in our never ending bed time saga. The wall to the left is a shared wall with the closet to our master bedroom. As a result we hear lots of kicking and banging when someone doesn't want to go to sleep. So to out smart our toddler I had to move the bad several inches off the wall. Now before he can go to bed I have to drag out a bookshelf, a toy basket, a kitchen, and then move the bed of the wall. Fun times...

Day 97 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

This is not a joke. This is my actual fish sandwich from McDonald's. It is actual proof that the country is in a recession. Someone at this fine establishment has taken to dividing the sliced cheese in half (and apparently by hand!). So to that I say "McDonald's if you are going to give me half a slice of cheese then please drop your pricing accordingly." I will stalk my mailbox impatiently waiting for my 12.5 cent refund.

Day 96 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

As always if you are just joining my blog please visit this page for an explanation of this series.

This image to me symbolizes a big issue that I know I can't be the only one having. You get so busy with feeding your child, dressing your child, keeping your child from tearing the house apart, and you look at the clock and it's late in the afternoon. You then have to think back carefully over the day and figure out if you've fed yourself, finished dressing yourself, or even had a moment to breathe.

Day 95 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

As always if you are just joining my blog please visit this page for an explanation of this series.

Today's image is yet another swing at adding Wildman to my series. And for future reference, the "selves" that are dressed alike are the same self having a conversation or in this case a difference of opinions.

Day 94 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

It was a love at first sight. They were yellow, they had monkeys, and they were rain boots. No words had to be exchanged, they were coming home with us.

Day 93 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

So here's my confession. I missed some days of photos. Whoops! But guess what? The show goes one. I'll just pick up right where I left off and keep going. It's my Project 365 - I'll do what I want!

On this lovely day, I actually was able to get up, get dressed, and grab my camera before my son even thought about getting out of bed. So I did what any loving mother/photographer would do. I busted in there and starting snapping pictures, using my bounce flash--of course. After a few flash bursts, (which were mercifully pointed at the ceiling) he started to wake up and wonder what was going on.

Good times, good times.

Day 92 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

If you are just joining the blog please see Day 74 for the explanation of this series.

And here is the finished project. He was less than cooperative, but it "sort of" works. You can't really tell but I'm attempting to change his diaper. I will probably reshoot this image and try to make that more clear. At least I achieved this week's goal of having the people interact more so score one for me. And as a total side note, look how great my legs look! :-)

Day 91 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

So this picture is one of my set ups for my thesis project. I am trying to add Wildman to the some of the photos (without much success). There are a lot of moving parts to these photo shoots and they often require at least some part of an outfit change and all of the other "elements" have to stay in their exact position so that I can merge the two photos together. So you see how this could be a problem when you add a 2 year old!

This image is pretty typical of what happens. He looks directly into the camera and poses. Oy Vey!

Day 90 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

So my family came to town and one of their favorite restaurants is The Cheesecake Factory. There is literally a Cheesecake Factory 7 minutes from my house but some how we ended up on an adventure and went to one that was over an hour away. Oh well, stranger things have happened. Now on to something strange.

For Day 90 I took two pictures with my phone. One was a picture of my silverware, and I was going to make some witty commentary about how we use plastic all the time and blah, blah, blah. Then I got my chocolate cake and I took a picture of the whipped cream because it was just so perfect. What I do not remember taking was this picture that is now posted for Day 90. Like I said... stranger things...

Whoops!

Gotta get ready to pick the munchkin up from daycare. I will finish updating when I return. So if you're here now, don't forget to come back again later.

Day 89 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

If you are new to my blog you might want to start with this post.

I'm thinking of titling this one "Who's Watching The Kids?" It is a play on having kids vs. not having kids. But even the self who is supposed to be the Mother is actually daydreaming with the bubbles.

This week my challenge was to bring into play an overlapping of "selves" both literally and figuratively. You will notice that there is only one clothing item swapped out between the two. This gives you a clue that the selves are closer than my other images where they are dressed completely different.

Day 88 - Natasha King Photography - Project 365

His first encounter with "Baby" was when I was loading approximately 8000 pictures from my external drive into iPhoto. I then played him a slideshow that featured even the most mundane moments of his life, caught on camera. Every time he saw his newborn self on the screen he would yell "Baby!" and thus "Baby" was born.

Now he will sit at my desk and happily take picture after picture of himself, posing all the while. My Mom joked that he is better at using the computer than she is!