Oh, The People You'll See: The Coolest Family in the U.S.

Most of you who read this are probably already familiar with the coolest family in this great United States of America, but for those few of you who aren't acquainted with the Kings, allow me to introduce you.  George is a pastor, Crystal his amazing ministry side-kick. Speaking of side-kicks, George is also a black belt in judo and in a matter of days a black belt in jiu jitsu.  Talk about a kick-butt pastor.  Crystal not only is his right hand (wo)man, she is also the mother of 6 -all of which she home schools, and the queen of friendliness and hospitality.  This family exudes grace and love -and life.  I mean, in a household that firmly believes that everyday is a party, how can you not have life spilling out?

For our first family vacation in 2 years, we drove from Georgetown, Texas to Escondido, CA for a California visit.  Splitting our time between visiting these beautiful folks (pst, she's my sister -may have already seen the resemblance) and adventuring up the CA coast ending in San Francisco.  I have more photos of their growing family farm to share with you (ooooh, I can't wait!) but for now, here are some quick shots we took on our last full day together.  I am so in awe of my sissy and her fam -so proud of what they continue to build and the lives they touch -so blessed to be included in that innumerable bunch. 

The Outtakes Are the Only Takes | Family Photos

We're an out-take kind of family.  We set up the tripod, take turns pressing the remote clicker (we've got very technical names for my gear, as you can tell) and hope that at least one picture turns out where everyone is looking (somewhat happy) towards the camera.  Didn't quite manage to nail it this time, but it was an attempt to wish Grandmama a happy birthday with all of our heads together :)

Now, we're packed up and head on our first road trip in nearly 2 years, spending some quality time together and with my sister's hilarious family in Escondido.  I will definitely have pictures (and video) of that visit.  The Kings have been building a small family farm at their new house -goats, chickens, rabbits and more.  I'm hoping to get dirty and help Crystal with some new gardening projects.  Whatever we get up to, I know it will be good for the soul.  We are ready to finally have another family adventure.







She's got a PBJ sandwich.  On my white couch.
It was the only way to get her to stay there...

Feeling Rather Tex-ish: The Texas Scottish Festival & Highland Games 2012

In 2008, Wilder and I went to the Texas Scottish Festival & Highland Games.  Ever since I've been wanting to go back and finally -finally- this year we went.  The TSFHG (to shorten it) is the state festival that unites Scotsmen and enthusiasts for a weekend of merriment, competition, community, music, bad food and great beer.  Let's face it, the Scots (and the English, for that matter) aren't known for their cooking.  But their beer -now, that's another story.  Still, I'm a sucker for Scottish cuisine and had bangers & mash and fish & chips just to cover my bases.  I would have gone for the haggis, but I only trust that to be done right in Scotland.

Above, we have a portion of the Clan Tents.  The sense of community is so strong here at TSFHG.  Everyone is ready to strike up a friendly conversation and the atmosphere is very festive indeed.  Below, the tiny video I made.  My apologies for the shakiness.

The tartans on display.  Beautiful!

Brian, Wilder and Savannah.  Savannah was the toast of the festival -so much attention and praise from so many people.  She was in Border Collie paradise and I'm so glad we brought her to join the family fun.   And...I spy my clan tent!  

Yep, that's my plaid.  Here we have the Red River Branch of the Cameron Clan, which encompasses (I believe) Texas and Oklahoma.  I joined the mailing list, so hopefully I'll get connected with some fun events in the future.

I was quite impressed with the elaborate tent the Macleods had.

The Highland Games are intense -physically- but have such a fun spirit around them.  These burly men lift, heave and throw all manner of heavy objects and it's a wonder they don't throw their backs out with every attempt.  Here's more info on what the Highland Games consist of.

Wilder and Savannah spectating.

Miss Waverley carried around my purse the majority of the festival and, thankfully, she gave Brian and I beer allowance.  What a sweet kid.

Some of the giants competing the games.  These. Men. Are. MASSIVE.

My beauties.

Oh, the people you'll meet.

One of the girls during the Scottish Country Dance competitions.  Very flight of foot.

My kids' favorite part of the festival: the sand pits.  Many o' sand fight with other children ensued, but we're Scottish and naturally ornery so we all dealt with it. 

Practicing his long jump.

Waverley applauding a performance in one of the many music tents.

I felt like I was in a Seattle coffee shop circa 1996. 

The kids enjoying a treat during a musical interlude.

Yep.

One of the giants competing in the Highland Games took a break to help kids train for the caber toss.  I think these are cardboard inner tubes from carpet rolls.

In the Children's Tent, my wee bairns  color Scottish-related pictures and threaded beads.  Their fine motor skills were surprising -both made full strands.  Yes, mommy was impressed.

As the kids were entertained, we experienced performers "Willow & Her Giant" who told stories, sang and played the harp.

The Calling of the Clans.  One the football field, the Clans parade out and gather.

The caber toss practice turned into a mix of jousting and sword fighting.

One of the vendors displaying their wares at the festival.  A mix of Steampunk, Renaissance and Scottish garb.   

An attendee brought a bubble sword and entertained the kids throughout the evening at various locations with HUGE bubbles.  Besides the sand pits, the bubble sword guy was the highlight for them :)

I Make Homemade Gourmet Baby Food Applesauce (aka I'm a wedding photographer)

I'm taking the opportunity to express.  Oh, do I ever feel ready to express, so verbal upchucking shall commence.

Imagine if you made pencils, and I mean you made pencils from scratch.  Okay, forget pencils -let's go for applesauce.  I like the movie "Baby Boom" and she made applesauce -homemade gourmet baby food applesauce- from her enormously productive orchard in the middle of New England woodedness.   She harvested the apples, washed them, peeled them, cut them up, cored them, cooked them, added ingredients, canned them and labeled them.  She also boxed them, filled orders for them, restocked them at local stores herself, advertised them and so forth.  She. Did it. All.  (And by she, I mean "The Tiger Lady," Diane Keaton's business savvy, know nothing about farms character.)

I maee homemade gourmet baby food applesauce and have been since I was 7 months pregnant.  Okay, replace that product with "photography."  It feels the same, though.  It's wedding season right now and my calendar looks like a... well, it's looks like sheer insanity, that's what it looks like.  Besides weddings, everyone in the great state of Texas wants their portraits done, too.  Everyone AND their mother.  Literally.

I feel my head full of crying babies banging on the table demanding homemade gourmet baby food applesauce far, far faster than I can make it.  This, too, shall pass (as Grandpa Bob and may other wise folks say) and thank Heavens that it will.  I'm tired, I want to make everyone happy and I want everything to be far, far better than excellent.

I had a wedding officiant ask me a few weeks ago while I was shooting, "So, what do you do during the week?"  Seriously?  I mean, really- seriously?  Then again, most people think that photographers just take pictures, download them, burn a disc and they're done 20 minutes later.  Easy, right?  No, your Uncle John does that and he does it for free, but any photographer making a living doing weddings and related portraiture knows it takes a heck of a lot more time and energy doing their job.

One wedding will take me nearly 1 month of work when you add up all of the correspondence, coordinating, advertising, networking, meeting, editing, work, at least 1 portrait session, making the book, packaging etc.  I shoot 20-30 weddings a year.  I know, the math is impossible, but I never was very good at math.  Realistically, though, if people what a wham-bam-thank-you-maam time turn around, they're going to get just that in their product quality.

Yes, yes, you sense my current frustration.  And I know exactly what you're going to say.  Kelly, you ought to write a post on your photography website that helps outline the process for your clients so they understand what's involved and how long it really takes.  That way they won't be frustrated and neither will you.  See, I knew you were going to say that -but it was still helpful expressing a little bit of my "hands thrown in the air, head shaking kind of feeling."  And -AND- (get this) I actually have a family.  WOW.  Bet that never, ever, ever occurred to anyone.  And I have toddlers that cry a half dozen times a day because every time I pop (how many read that and thought "poop" -be honest) out of my home office for a bathroom break or to get a beverage because mommy has to go back to work.  And tiny hands commence pounding on my door with very sad, pathetic little cries for Mama.  But there's nothing sad about working -I am HAPPY, very, very happy to work.  I love my job!  I also love my family.  And, by golly, I love me, too.  Kelly is beginning to forget that she's a person and is instead a corporation -of one.  Now that's frightening.

All in all, with this unfiltered expulsion of feeling, I come back to the knowledge (that Brian continues to chant -I really should take what he says to heart more often, you know) that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, it doesn't matter how they think you should live every waking (and non-waking) moment.  You have to keep your priorities straight, do the best you can do (now this is my mother talking) and keep moving forward (that's my 2 cents at the end.)

By heck almighty, you bet I'm moving forward.  And right now I'm moving forward towards some homemade french fries.  In the meantime, if you haven't seen what's been going on lately, catch an eyeful here at kellycameron.net  I've done a crap load of more work lately but they've either been political shoots or boudoir sessions meant for the grooms eyes only.

I'm taking off my complaining hat and putting my party hat on now.  Thanks for hanging out for my grumpy bear session.
Now, this porridge is juuuuust right.  :)